She Saved Me
She Saved Me
(Amber’s POV)
“No,” I shook my head, feeling the tender spot where my mother hand had connected with my cheek. “It wasn’t Ethan. My
parents.
Dominic’s expression darkened, and something dangerous flickered in his eyes.
“Your parents struck you?” His voice was deceptively calm.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak without my voice breaking the humiliation of the evening washed over me again. Dominic’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it, his jaw tightening.
“It’s from Ryan,” he said, showing me the screen. “He says he has a video of what happened at the Chase Pack House tonight.” My stomach dropped. Someone had recorded my humiliation?
“I’ll go have a look at this. Wait here,” he said, his voice carrying the unmistakable authority of an Alpha heir.
He stepped out of the car, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the lingering scent of his cologne–something woodsy and expensive that reminded me of forest pines after rainfall.
Cora, my wolf, was still agitated, pacing restlessly within me. The sting of rejection burned fresh in our shared consciousness. The image of Ethan diving for Melissa first kept replaying in my mind.
Minutes ticked by as I waited. The rain intensified, drumming against the roof of the luxury car. I wondered what the video showed, how much of my breakdown had been captured for others entertainment.
Finally, the door opened, and Dominic slid back into the seat across from me. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held something I hadn’t seen before–concern.
“Maybe you need some rest now,” he suggested, his deep voice gentler than before. “Go home and get a good night’s sleep. If you still want to break the engagement when you wake up tomorrow, come find me again.”
I appreciated his consideration, but I knew my mind was made up. This wasn’t a rash decision born of a single incident.
“Dominic, I am impulsive, and I do act rashly sometimes, but I also have respect for you. I wouldn’t come to you unless I had no other choice,” I said, meeting his gaze steadily. “The first time I asked for your help to save my engagement and keep Ethan, I was serious. This time, I’m serious too.”
Cora paced anxiously within me, still smarting from the rejection we’d felt watching Ethan comfort Melissa. My wolf had always been more perceptive than me, recognizing the truth of our situation long before I was willing to admit it.
Dominic studied me, his piercing blue eyes seeming to see right through my defenses.
“The ceremony is in three months. Do you know what you’ll face if you call it off now?” he asked, concern evident in his tone.
I knew exactly what he meant. Breaking an engagement this close to a mating ceremony was practically unheard of in our world. The gossip, the speculation, the social ostracism–it would all fall squarely on my shoulders. Especially with my family apparently opposed to my decision.
“Dominic, I’ve thought it through before coming to you. I definitely don’t want this mating bond anymore. I definitely don’t want Ethan Blackwood anymore,” I said, the words feeling like freedom as they left my lips. “This is really the last time. After this, pretend I never saved you. I won’t bother you again, really.”
Cora whined softly within me, mourning the loss of what might have been but resolute in our decision.
The memory of that day flashed through my mind–the twisted metal of the car wreck, the smell of gasoline and blood, Dominic trapped inside with his wolf form partially emerged due to his injuries.
“It was an accident. I did it willingly,” I said softly, recalling how I’d pulled him from the wreckage when his wolf had been too
1/4
She saved Mu
+25 BONUS
injured to shift back. “I shouldn’t have to chase you for life–saving mofrey… But for Ethan, begged you once with a life debt and now I’m brazenly begging yon a second time. There’s no next time I’m embarrassed of inyself.”
Donnie’s expression softened almost imperceptibly.
“One last question,” he said, his piercing blue eyes studying my face intently. “What will you do if Ethan mates with someone else?”
The question struck me harder than I expected. I paused, truly considering the possibility of Ethan marking Melissa as his mate. The thought that once would have destroyed ine now felt… distant
“I’ll give up on him. Whatever he does in the future has nothing to do with me anymore,” I answered honestly. “It’s even better if he takes a mate. That way, we’re completely over.”
Privately, I almost hoped Melissa would mate into the Blackwood Pack. Olivia Blackwood, Ethan’s mother, would make her life miserable. The woman was notoriously protective of the pack’s bloodlines, and Melissa’s common background would never meet her standards.
Dominic nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. “Think it through. Don’t regret it later.”
His voice was a deep rumble that seemed to soothe both me and my wolf. Cora was strangely pleased with the turn of events, which surprised me.
“Thank you, Dominic,” I said, relief washing over me.
I reached for the door handle, ready to make my exit, when his voice stopped me.
“Amber.”
I turned back, surprised at his use of my first name rather than the formal “Miss Chase” he typically used.
“Things don’t happen three times,” he said cryptically. “The life–debt I owe you can grant you three wishes. You’ve used two. You still have one left.”
- My eyes widened in surprise.
“Write down Felix’s phone number,” he continued, gesturing to his Beta who had appeared at the car window. “When you’ve figured out what you want, call him.”
Felix handed me his business card through the window.
“The third time, you can ask for anything, no matter how excessive,” Dominic said, his blue eyes intense. “As long as you ask,
I’ll agree.”
I was speechless, overwhelmed by his generosity. I’d expected to use up my life–debt with this request. The thought that I still- had one wish remaining was both thrilling and intimidating.
Felix opened the car door for me. “Miss Chase, have you saved my number?”
I nodded, still processing Dominic’s words.
“It’s not a problem,” Felix continued. “Mr. Blackwood’s dinner party isn’t over yet. I can come back after dropping you off.”
I started to protest, not wanting to inconvenience him, but he cut me off gently.
“It’s not safe for you to take a taxi alone at this late hour without your wolf’s protection, Mr. Blackwood said, so he asked me to take you back.”
I was touched by Dominic’s thoughtfulness. Cora settled somewhat at the respect shown to us, her earlier agitation fading.
“Thank you,” I said, sliding into the passenger seat of Felix’s car.
As we drove away, I glanced back to see Dominic watching us leave his powerful silhouette framed by the neon lights of the
Moonlight Club.
(Ryan’s POV)
I shuffled the deck of cards, watching Dominic’s expression as he returned to our private table in the Alpha’s Den of the Moonlight Club. The exclusive section was reserved for high–ranking pack members, ensuring our conversation would remain private.
“So what happened? Is our little she–wolf determined to break the engagement?” I asked, keeping my tone light despite my genuine concern for Amber.
I’d known Amber since we were cubs, and while we weren’t close friends, I respected her resilience. The girl had been through hell with Ethan and that nightmare family of hers.
Dominic took his seat, his face revealing nothing as he picked up his cards. “She’s made her decision.”
I dealt the next hand, studying my oldest friend’s face. We’d grown up together, but sometimes Dominic was still a mystery to
- me.
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… пре
“I got that video from Lucas,” I explained, arranging my cards. “He was at the party and recorded the whole pool incident. Poor girl’s been through enough. Those Chase wolves never gave her a break, especially that Victoria. And now Ethan’s chosen Melissa over her?”
I shook my head, genuinely disgusted by Ethan’s behavior. The guy had everything–a beautiful, strong mate from a good bloodline–and he’d thrown it away for his secretary.
“Amber and Ethan have been together since high school,” I continued, placing my bet. “She worshipped him back then, followed him around like a lovesick puppy. Never thought I’d see the day she’d actually walk away.”
Dominic remained focused on his cards, his expression unreadable. “Where’s Paige Sullivan?” he asked, changing the subject.
I blinked at the unexpected question. “Paige? She’s out of town visiting her family. Why?”
“Call her,” Dominic said, laying down his cards—a winning hand that beat mine easily. “And let you win.”
I laughed, pulling out my phone. “Using your winning hand as leverage? That’s low, even for you.”
But I was already dialing Paige’s number. If anyone should be with Amber right now, it was her best friend.
To my surprise, Paige answered on the first ring. “Ryan? What’s wrong?”
“Hey, babe. Are you still out of town?” I asked, leaning back in my chair.
“No, I just got back to Silvercrest an hour ago. Why? Is everything okay?”
I explained the situation briefly, watching Dominic’s face as I spoke. His expression remained neutral, but there was a tension in his shoulders that betrayed his concern.
“She needs you,” I concluded. “Can you go to her place tonight?”
“Of course,” Paige replied immediately. “I was planning to surprise her tomorrow anyway. I’ll head over now.”
After ending the call, I studied Dominic curiously. “You care a lot about Amber?” I asked, eyebrows raised in speculation.
Dominic’s eyes met mine, his expression serious. “She saved me.”
The simple statement held weight beyond the obvious meaning. I knew the story–how Amber had pulled Dominic from wrecked car years ago when his wolf had been too injured to shift back. But there seemed to be more to his concern than mere repayment of a life–debt.
Before I could probe further, Dominic picked up his phone and typed out a message. I caught a glimpse of the screen as he set it
down.
She Saved Me
+25 BONUS
“See you at my office tomorrow at 8:00 am. Bring Melissa.” His tone left no room for argument, the Alpha heir’s command clear even through text.
