Can’t come to your apartment?
Can I come to your apartment?
(Lucas’s POV)
+25 BONUS
My heart pounded against my ribs as Uncle Dominic’s cold blue eyes swept the room. The temperature seemed to drop several degrees when he mentioned his older brother.
Everyone in the pack knew the story, though we rarely spoke of it. ix years ago, Dominic survived a terrible car accident at Ravenclaw Bridge. His driver died instantly, but Dominic was pulled from the wreckage by Amber Chase, who happened to be passing by.
Later, Dominic discovered that his older brother Sebastian had tampered with the car’s brakes. Sebastian had always been jealous of Dominic’s stronger wolf and their father’s preference for him, despite Sebastian being the firstborn.
What followed shocked the entire Northern Territory. Dominic challenged Sebastian for the position of Alpha heir–a fight that ended with Sebastian’s wolf so severely injured that he could never shift again. An Alpha without a wolf was worse than death in our world.
Three months later, Sebastian was found dead from an overdose of the moonlight herbs prescribed to sedate his suffering wolf. The police ruled it a suicide, though rumors persisted.
My father had pulled me aside after the funeral. “Never antagonize Dominic,” he’d warned, his voice barely above a whisper.” He’s not a man who would use a knife, but he’ll attack your heart. He’ll use your pride against you.”
Now, standing in this tension–filled room, I realized how foolish I’d been. I’d inserted myself into a dangerous situation, desperate for Dominic’s approval and the promised Lamborghini. My phone felt heavy in my pocket, the recording of this confrontation suddenly seeming like a terrible liability.
Olivia’s face had gone completely white. She turned to her husband, my uncle Benjamin, who merely clutched his moonlight crystal bracelet and remained silent.
“William,” she pleaded, turning to the Alpha King. “Surely you can’t allow this.”
The elderly Alpha King sighed heavily, his weathered hand gripping his cane. “What are you thinking, Dominic?” he asked, ignoring Olivia’s plea.
Dominic’s expression remained impassive. “I’m thinking that everyone now knows Ethan and Melissa are getting married soon. “His voice was calm, measured. “What do you plan to do about it, Olivia?”
When she didn’t answer, Dominic turned to Benjamin. “What’s your opinion on your son’s marriage?”
Benjamin finally spoke, his voice soft but firm. “I respect Ethan’s choice. We all deserve the freedom to choose our own partners. “Without another word, he left the room, abandoning his mate to face Dominic alone.
William sighed again, gripping his cane with unusual force. “I’m too old for these matters,” he said, the weariness in his voice palpable. “The decision is in your hands, Dominic.”
“This is outrageous!” Olivia protested. “She’s not worthy of the Blackwood name!”
Dominic silenced her with a single look. “Weren’t you just trying to protect the reputation of the Blackwood Pack? Ethan has been hovering between two women for too long. It’s becoming embarrassing.”
His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Reconsider your position, Olivia. Unless you want Ethan sent to our African territories for diplomatic liaison work… indefinitely.”
The threat hung in the air. Everyone knew what that meant–exile disguised as an assignment. Olivia’s face crumpled as she realized she was trapped.
“Fine,” she whispered, defeat evident in every line of her body. “The wedding can proceed.”
I backed away slowly, praying Dominic wouldn’t notice me again. The sports car no longer seemed worth the risk of his
attention.
1/3
Can I come to your apar
(Amber’s POV)
My phone buzzed just as I was considering going to bed.
*Are you asleep?* Dominic’s text read.
I smiled despite myself. *No, I went to the Einber & Claw Grill for barbecue.*
His response came quickly. *I could join you next time.*
+25 BONUS
I hesitated, my finger hovering over the screen. The thought of Dominic Blackwood, future Alpha King, sitting across from me at a late–night barbecue place seemed surreal. Yet something compelled me to type: *Do you want to come to my apartment on the river?*
As soon as I sent it, panic set in. I only had enough food for one person. I grabbed my purse and rushed to the midnight market near my building, buying twice as much meat, vegetables, and moonlight wine as I’d originally planned.
By the time I returned, I had barely fifteen minutes to tidy up before Dominic arrived. My apartment was generally clean, but I realized with dismay that I had no men’s slippers. After breaking things off with Ethan, I’d purged every reminder of him, including the slippers he’d left behind.
A soft knock at the door interrupted my frantic cleaning. I opened it to find Dominic standing there, tall and imposing in his dark coat, holding a bag of fresh fruit in one hand–and a pair of slippers in the other.
“Ibrought my own,” he said, noticing my surprised expression. “Ihope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” I replied, oddly touched by his thoughtfulness. “Please come in.”
As he arranged the fruit on my kitchen counter, I couldn’t help but marvel at the exotic selection. The Blackwood Pack, being the wealthiest in the Northern Territory, had fruits flown in from Southeast Asia regularly.
“You should eat some after the barbecue,” Dominic suggested. “It’s good for digestion.”
I nodded, surprised by his consideration. “I didn’t know you were so knowledgeable about food.“.
A ghost of a smile crossed his face. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me yet.”
He helped me set up the portable grill on my balcony, his movements efficient and practiced. “I can cook this for you,” he offered. “I’m quite good at barbecue.”
“Are you?” I asked, genuinely surprised.
“I had to learn many things while training to be Alpha,” he explained, expertly arranging the meat on the grill. “Cooking was one of them. An Alpha should be self–sufficient.”
As we ate and chatted under the night sky, I found myself relaxing in his presence. The heir to the most powerful Alpha position in the Northern Territory was surprisingly easy–going in private, attentive to my needs in ways Ethan never had been.
After we finished eating, Dominic helped me clean up, moving around my kitchen as if he belonged there. The domesticity of the scene wasn’t lost on me.
“So what happened at the pack house?” I asked casually, trying not to sound too eager for details.
Dominic’s expression darkened slightly. “Olivia slapped Melissa. Twice. Hard enough to leave marks.”
Icouldn’t suppress the gleam of satisfaction in my eyes. Olivia had always maintained a veneer of politeness around me, never showing her true feelings so openly.
“I imagine there will be more drama between those two,” I said, not bothering to hide my amusement.
Dominic watched me carefully, his piercing blue eyes studying my face. “Are you really okay with Ethan marrying her?”
I shrugged, busying myself with drying a plate. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Can I come to your apartment?
+25 BONUS
“I can hug you if you need comfort,” he offered, his voice soft.
“I’m fine,” I assured him, meeting his gaze steadily. “I was just craving barbecue. I’m not in a bad mood at all.”
He seemed to accept this, though his eyes remained watchful. As prepared to leave, he paused at the door.
“Do what you want to do, Amber,” he said quietly. “Even if it means getting into trouble. Don’t let yourself get aggravated, and I’ll be there for you no matter what happens.”
His words startled me. It was almost as if he knew my plans–to extract a large sum of money from my father as dowry, to force Victoria out of the Chase Pack leadership, and eventually to take control of a portion of the pack’s affairs myself.
I watched him leave, wondering just how much Dominic Blackwood truly understood about my intentions.
