Amber’s Complaint
! (Amber’s POV)
+25 BONUS
The hospital corridor felt endless as I made my way back from Mason’s room. My bodyguard and driver had taken the worst of the attack, and seeing him lying there, tubes snaking from his arms, made my stomach twist with guilt.
I paused outside Sophia’s VIP room, gathering my strength. My ribs ached with each breath, and my shoulder throbbed where I’d been thrown against the wall. Cora, my wolf, paced restlessly beneath my skin, still agitated from the attack.
When I pushed open the door, Zara Jenkins was already there, her sharp features contorted with fury. Sophia sat on the edge of the bed, her beautiful face partially covered by bandages.
“There she is,” Zara spat, turning on me. “The reason my client’s face is now ruined.”
I stepped back as if she’d physically struck me. “Excuse me?”
“Don’t play innocent,” Zara advanced toward me, her rust–colored wolf energy radiating aggression. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Sophia is the lead in Iris Maple’s new supernatural film. How is she supposed to shoot with her face slashed open?”
My mouth opened, but no words came out. I hadn’t considered the professional consequences for Sophia.
“This could cost her millions,” Zara continued, her voice rising. “All because you couldn’t handle a few drunk wolves without causing a scene.”
“That’s not fair,” I managed, but Zara wasn’t finished.
“Remember that photo shoot last year? When I deleted all your shots because you were wasting everyone’s time?” Zara’s lips curled into a sneer. “You should have learned your lesson then about staying in your lane.”
The memory stung. I’d been hired to photograph a supernatural fashion spread, and Zara had deemed my work unsuitable, deleting hours of shots without even showing them to the client. Paige had intervened then, smoothing things over, and I’d swallowed my pride for the sake of professionalism.
But now, with Cora snarling under my skin, I felt my tolerance evaporating.
“I didn’t ask those wolves to attack us,” I said, my voice low and dangerous.
“No, but you certainly didn’t help the situation,” Zara sneered. “Look at you–barely a scratch. Meanwhile, Sophia took a plate to the face protecting you.”
Sophia raised a hand weakly. “Zara, that’s enough.”
But Zara was relentless, turning her sharp gaze on Sophia. “And you! What am I supposed to tell Director Iris? That her leading lady can’t shoot for weeks because her face looks like it went through a meat grinder?”
`I stepped forward. “I’ll handle Iris.”
Zara laughed, a harsh sound that grated against my ears. “You? What could you possibly- “Iris is my aunt,” I interrupted, watching satisfaction bloom as Zara’s mouth snapped shut.
Sophia’s eyes widened. “Your aunt? You never mentioned-”
”
“It never came up,” I said softly. “But don’t worry about the film. I promise she’ll understand.”
The door swung open, and my heart leapt into my throat as Dominic strode in, his powerful presence immediately. room. Ryan and Felix followed close behind, their expressions grim.
ng the
Seeing Dominic–his blue eyes dark with concern, his jaw tight with barely contained fury–broke something inside me. The strength I’d been clinging to crumbled, and tears welled in my eyes.
Amber’s Complaint
+25 BONUS
I ran to him, burying my face against his chest. “Dominic,” I sobbel, breathing in his familiar scent. “She’s been yelling at me for half an hour.”
His arms came around me, solid and secure. “I’m sorry I’m late,” he murmured against my hair, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through me. “The traffic was terrible.”
I pulled back slightly, wiping ineffectually at my tears. “It was awful. These wolves at Luna Harbor Tavern–they were so drunk, and they just came at us.”
Dominic’s hand moved to my shoulder, his touch gentle as he assessed the damage. “You’re hurt.”
“One of them threw me against the wall,” I sniffled. “My shoulder hit first. But Sophia got it worse–she was protecting me when her face hit a broken plate. And Mason- My voice broke. “They hurt his back so badly, Dominic. Brock Higgins and his friends–they’re the ones who did this.”
I suddenly realized I hadn’t made proper introductions. “I’m sorry.” I said, turning slightly in Dominic’s embrace. “Dominic, this is Sophia Winters, the actress I’ve admired for years. Sophia, this is Dominic Blackwood, my mate.”
(Third–person’s POV)
A heavy silence descended on the room. Felix shifted uncomfortably, his gaze darting between Dominic and Sophia. He could sense the undercurrent of tension, the unspoken history hanging in the air.
Ryan cleared his throat, stepping forward. “Amber, we should have the doctor look at your shoulder again. Dom, why don’t you
“I’m Sophia Winters,” Sophia interrupted, her voice soft but clear. She extended a hand toward Dominic, ignoring the warning glance from Zara. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you properly, Alpha Blackwood.”
Dominic’s gaze was cold as ice as it swept over Sophia. He nodded once, a barely perceptible acknowledgment, before turning his attention back to Amber.
“We need to get you home,” he said, his voice brooking no argument.
Sophia didn’t seem bothered by his dismissal. She sank back against her pillows, the movement betraying her exhaustion. “Yes, you should all go. I need to rest, and I’m sure Amber does too.”
Amber nodded, leaning heavily against Dominic. “I still need to go to the police station. They want my statement.”
“Tomorrow,” Dominic said firmly. “You’re in no condition tonight”
Felix stepped forward. “I’ve already spoken with the officers, sir. They’ve agreed to take Miss Chase’s statement tomorrow morning.”
Amber’s eyes found Zara, who stood rigidly by Sophia’s bed. “She yelled at me,” Amber said to Dominic, her voice small but defiant. “Said it was my fault Sophia got hurt.”
Dominic’s gaze shifted to Zara, his blue eyes hardening as he released a subtle wave of Alpha power that made the air in the .room feel suddenly heavy. “We’ll discuss that later,” he said, the quiet promise in his voice more threatening than any shout could be.
Zara’s face paled slightly, but she held her ground, lifting her chin in silent challenge.
Ryan moved toward the door. “The car’s waiting downstairs. Let’s get Amber home.”
With a final nod to Sophia, Dominic guided Amber from the room, his arm protectively around her waist. Ryan followed, with Felix bringing up the rear after a last assessing glance at the two women remaining.
When the door closed behind them, Zara turned to Sophia, her expression contemptuous. “She–wolf vixen,” she spat. “I should have handled her more permanently years ago.”
She moved to the window, watching as Dominic helped Amber into a sleek black car in the parking lot below. “So what’s your
Amber’s Complaint.
plan now? You clearly have history with the Alpha. How are you going to win him back?”
(Sophia’s POV)
+25 BONUS
I touched the bandage on my face gingerly, wincing at the sting. The pain medication was wearing off, but the clarity it brought was welcome.
“My plan,” I said softly, watching Zara’s reflection in the window, is to make Amber feel exactly what she fears most.”
Zara turned, her eyebrows raised in question,
“I’m going to make her believe she’s become the Melissa in our story,” I explained, a small, sad smile playing on my lips. “That she’s the other woman. The interloper.”
Understanding dawned on Zara’s face. “You want her to think she’s stolen Dominic from you, just like Ethan’s secretary stole him from Amber.”
I nodded, ignoring the twinge of pain the movement caused. “It’s the most efficient way to drive her away from him for good.” Zara’s lips curved into an appreciative smile. “That’s deliciously cruel. But will it work? She seems quite attached to him.” “That’s precisely why it will work,” I said, leaning back against the pillows. “Amber Chase has been the victim once before. She won’t allow herself to be the villain in someone else’s story.”
I closed my eyes, picturing Dominic’s face when he’d seen me–the flash of guilt quickly masked by coldness. He still cared, even if he wouldn’t admit it.
“Once she’s gone,” I whispered, “Dominic will be free to choose me again.”
