The scratching of the pen against paper seemed unnaturally loud in the kitchen’s silence. Each stroke of my name felt like I was carving away another piece of my independence. Rebecca Brown. There it was–my identity, now bound to this man, this werewolf, by a legal document that might as well have been written in my own blood.
When I finished, I set the pen down with a soft click against the marble countertop. Dominic stepped forward, his movements fluid and predatory, and collected the papers with a satisfied nod.
“Very good,” he said, his lips curving into a smile. “I’ll have everything arranged for your father immediately.”
I nodded stiffly, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. The thought of Dad receiving proper treatment was the only consolation in this moment, the only thing preventing me from bolting out the door and never looking back.
Dominic slipped the contract into a folder, his movements methodical and precise. When he turned back to me, something in his expression had shifted. His eyes were darker, more intense–the look of a predator who had successfully cornered his prey.
“Go shower,” he instructed, his voice leaving no room for argument. “Then come to the master bedroom.”
My stomach dropped. Of course. This was what I had signed up for, wasn’t it? I was his “companion” now. The euphemism seemed almost cruel in its vagueness.
I nodded again, not trusting my voice, and turned away from him. I could feel his eyes on my back as I walked out of the kitchen, each step feeling heavier than the last.
The master bathroom was larger than my entire bedroom at Sofia’s apartment. Gleaming marble countertops, a shower stall that could comfortably fit four people, and a deep soaking tub positioned beneath a window that overlooked the lake. Under different circumstances, I might have been awed by the luxury. Now, it just felt like a beautiful cage.
I turned the shower to its hottest setting, hoping the scalding water might somehow cleanse me of the decision I’d just made. Steam quickly filled the large space as I undressed, folding my clothes neatly on the counter–a small, pathetic attempt to maintain some control.
I washed my hair twice, shaved my legs with meticulous care, and used every expensive product lining the shower shelves. I was deliberately taking my time, postponing the inevitable. What would Dominic expect from me tonight? Would he be gentle, or would his wolf nature take over? The memory of our previous encounters flashed through my mind–his intensity, his dominance, the way my body had responded despite my better judgment.
After nearly an hour, I couldn’t delay any longer. I turned off the water and wrapped myself in one of the plush white robes hanging by the shower. The soft material enveloped me like a cloud, offering a moment’s comfort.
I stared at my reflection in the fogged mirror. My face was flushed from the hot water, my eyes wide with apprehension. You can do this,” I whispered to myself. “For Dad.”
Taking a deep breath, I opened the bathroom door and stepped into the master bedroom.
The room was dimly lit by a single bedside lamp, casting long shadows across the expansive space. My eyes immediately found Dominic,
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Chapter 37
and my breath caught in my throat.
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He was lying in bed, the sheets pulled up to his waist, his chest bare. His skin glowed golden in the lamp light, the defined muscles of his torso on full display. His hair was damp, suggesting he’d showered in another bathroom while I’d been taking my time.
His eyes tracked me as I hesitantly approached the bed, his gaze so intense I could almost feel it like a physical touch against my skin. I clutched the robe tighter around myself, suddenly feeling exposed despite being covered.
“You took your time,” he remarked, one eyebrow arched. He patted the empty space beside him. “Come here.”
I swallowed hard and moved to the side of the bed, perching nervously on the edge. Before I could react, Dominic’s arm shot out, wrapping around my waist and pulling me against his chest. I gasped, my heart hammering so hard I was sure he could hear it.
“What were you expecting tonight, little deer?” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. There was amusement in his voice, and something else–something darker.
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Mated by Contract to the Alpha
Chapter 38
