Our favorite Alpha.

Chapter One

Serena’s POV

The stories about Alpha Dominic Blackwood had been whispered around the Blackwood territory like forbidden secrets since the day I was old enough to understand what they meant. Everyone knew one thing about him: he was not a good man. He was a powerful man. A ruthless man. A feared man. But good? No. Not even close.

At least, that was what the pack whispered when they thought no one was listening. I had heard them all. Dominic had taken over his father’s territory before he turned thirty and somehow turned it into one of the strongest packs in the entire region. Rival Alphas avoided provoking him like he was the plague. Betas lowered their voices when they spoke his name in the training yards. Even the older Alphas—men who had spent decades commanding their own packs and ruling with iron fists—treated him with careful, wary respect.

He was famous. Infamous, really. People said he had never lost a territory dispute. They said he could smell fear before a wolf even realized it was afraid. They said that when Dominic Blackwood entered a room, everyone knew exactly who was in charge. His presence alone could silence a room full of snarling wolves.

And the women? Oh, the women were worse.

They adored him with a hunger that bordered on madness. Their eyes followed him everywhere he went. They whispered about him in the halls, in the markets, in the bedrooms. Some practically threw themselves at him whenever he appeared at a party, their hands brushing his arms, their laughter too loud, their smiles too practiced. They wanted him. Badly.

And Dominic? He ignored them all.

That was probably what made them want him even more. The chase was a game he never played, and that made the prize all the sweeter in their eyes. It was the ultimate power move.

I had spent years trying not to be one of those women. I was failing miserably, and it wasn’t even close.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my room, tugging at the burgundy dress for the fifth time. The fabric clung to my curves like it had been painted on. The neckline dipped just enough to show the soft swell of my breasts. The waist was cinched tight. The skirt flared out over my hips, but the fabric still stretched across my stomach and thighs in a way that made me feel exposed.

“Too tight,” I muttered, pulling at the material around my waist. My wolf, Rose, immediately protested with a low, amused growl in my mind.

*Beautiful.*

“I’m plus-size, Rose. And this dress is making it painfully obvious.”

*And?* Rose’s voice was smug, like she was enjoying my misery. It suits you. Embrace the curves.

“Good. I look like I’m trying to stuff a sausage into a corset.”

Rose chuckled softly. You sound like a grumpy human. I have good taste. You’re soft in all the right places. Let the world see it.

I glared at my reflection. My curves had never been something I knew how to love. My hips were wide. My stomach was soft. My thighs touched. My breasts filled the dress more generously than I would have liked. In a pack where slim, delicate omegas were considered the ideal, I had always felt like the wrong kind of beautiful. If I could even call myself beautiful.

I pulled my hair over one shoulder and tried to ignore the way the dress hugged my body. “Maybe I should wear something else. The black one is less… revealing.”

*No.*

“You sound bossy.”

*I have good taste.*

I laughed despite myself, the tension easing a fraction. Then my phone buzzed on the nightstand.

**Amelia:** WHERE ARE YOU? Hurry up, the party’s already starting.

Another message appeared immediately.

**Amelia:** Everyone is here.

And then—my stomach dropped—

**Amelia:** Dad just arrived. And he’s in a mood.

My smile disappeared. My heart started beating faster. Dominic. My favorite Alpha. My terrifying, off-limits crush that had lived in my chest for years.

I stared at the message, biting my lip. I had a crush on him for years. A ridiculous, hopeless, completely inappropriate crush that had started the day Amelia introduced me to him at her tenth birthday party. He had been all business in his tailored suit, shaking hands with the adults, but when he’d looked at me across the table, his dark gray eyes had lingered for a second too long. I’d thought it was my imagination. Now, with every encounter, I knew it wasn’t.

“Great,” I muttered to the empty room. “Perfect timing.”

*Rose practically purred.* Our favorite Alpha.

“He’s my best friend’s father.”

Still our favorite Alpha.

“He’s also terrifying.”

Exactly.

I grabbed my purse and headed out, trying to compose myself. “You’re impossible.”

*Rose hummed in agreement.* You’re welcome.

---

The Blackwood estate was already a buzzing hive of activity when I arrived. Cars lined the long driveway like soldiers standing at attention. Pack members gathered in small clusters outside the enormous stone arches, their laughter and chatter mixing with the distant howl of wolves in the distance. The air smelled of expensive cologne, roasted meats from the buffet stations, and the faint metallic tang of wolves in their social state.

Music spilled from the open doors of the grand manor house—a mix of modern beats and traditional pack drums that set the rhythm for the evening. This wasn’t just a birthday party for Amelia. When the Blackwoods hosted something, half the territory showed up, drawn by the promise of good food, better company, and the thrill of being in the presence of raw power.

I entered the house and immediately heard his name whispered.

“Did you hear that Dominic rejected three offers from neighboring packs last month?”

“I heard four. One Alpha offered him an entire southern territory as a peace treaty.”

“Four? Why would he need it? He already controls half the region. The man’s got more land than he can use.”

Someone laughed, a low, rumbling sound. “Perhaps he’s just picky. Or maybe he likes his power uncontested.”

Another voice lowered, conspiratorial. “Have you seen him tonight?”

“Not yet. But he’ll be here soon. The man has an entrance like a storm.”

“He is here.”

The conversation stopped abruptly. The room seemed to shift, as if the very oxygen changed. People straightened their spines, voices dropped to murmurs, and even the music seemed to take on a new tone, more subdued and watchful.

Then the whisper reached me from behind.

“Alpha Blackwood.”

I turned, and the world tilted.

Dominic stood at the entrance to the grand hall, a vision of controlled power. He was enormous, not just tall but built like a warrior forged in fire. Broad shoulders strained against a perfectly tailored black suit that looked like it had been sewn onto his muscular frame. His dark hair was brushed back, revealing a strong forehead and sharp, angular features that could cut glass. A trimmed beard framed his jawline, adding to the hard lines of his face. His expression was one of unyielding authority, unreadable to all but those who knew better.

His eyes were the darkest shade of gray I’d ever seen, piercing like storm clouds over the ocean.

He didn’t smile. He rarely did, which only added to his allure. Somehow, that made him even more attractive in a dangerous way.

A woman near me let out a soft sigh. “God, he’s even more handsome in person.”

Another woman fanned herself with one hand. “Thirty-eight, right? Doesn’t look a day over thirty.”

“Thirty-nine,” someone corrected. “But you can’t tell. Look at those shoulders. The man could probably crush a man’s skull with one hand and not break a sweat.”

“Stop staring,” a third said, but her eyes were glued to him.

“I’m not the one staring,” the first retorted. “You’ve been staring since he walked in.”

I lowered my gaze, cheeks heating. Because I was staring too. My eyes traced the line of his suit, the way his hand rested near his pocket, the casual power in his stance. I could smell him from across the room—cedar, smoke, and something darker, like storm-charged air. My wolf stirred.

Rose whispered, He smells like trouble.

I swallowed. “He does.”

Dominic moved through the room with the confidence of a man who knew no one would dare challenge him. He greeted a few with nods, but his presence alone commanded the space. Women immediately began to drift toward him like moths to a flame. One, a sleek brunette with a tight red dress, touched his arm lightly. “Alpha Dominic, I’ve missed your counsel. Perhaps we could discuss the border issues over a private dinner? I make an excellent steak.”

He barely acknowledged her, his gaze scanning the room with predatory calm. “Move.”

The woman blinked, her smile faltering. “I only wanted to—”

“I said move.” His voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through the music like a blade. Firm, final, without room for argument.

She stepped aside immediately, her face flushing with embarrassment.

My stomach fluttered. Ruthless.

*Yes,* Rose whispered. You like it.

“I absolutely do not.”

Liar.

Dominic continued across the room, his steps purposeful. Another woman tried her luck, stepping into his path with a glass of champagne. “Alpha, would you like a drink? I could get you something stronger if you’d like.”

He looked at her once, his eyes cold and indifferent. “No.”

She smiled nervously, trying to recover. “I could get you something else. A dance perhaps? The night is young.”

His eyes moved over her once more, dismissing. “No.”

He walked away, leaving her standing there, humiliated but undeterred. Five seconds later, another woman was already watching him intently, her smile turning hopeful.

It was almost absurd. Every female wolf in the room seemed determined to catch his attention, to be the one to crack that icy facade.

And Dominic appeared determined to give none of them even a second of his time.

“He’s always been like that,” Amelia said beside me, her voice light but carrying a hint of warning.

I jumped, my hand flying to my chest. “Amelia! You scared me half to death. I thought you were still with your friends.”

She laughed, a bright, genuine sound that cut through the tension. “What? Don’t sneak up on me. You were staring at my father like he was a rare steak.”

My face went hot. “I was not. I was looking at the crowd.”

“The crowd is standing behind him.”

“I was looking at… his suit. It’s very well tailored. Almost military precision.”

She burst out laughing, her shoulders shaking. “His suit? Serena, you’ve been crushing on my dad for years, and you think I haven’t noticed?”

My heart stopped. “What? No, I’m not—”

“I’m kidding, you dork.” She grinned, punching my arm lightly. “But seriously, it’s cute. You’ve been in love with him since I was ten.”

I released the breath I’d been holding. “Amelia, don’t say things like that.”

She changed the subject smoothly, linking her arm through mine. “Besides, Dad doesn’t date. Ever. Mom divorced him years ago. It was messy. Some say she hated living in his shadow, always second to the territory and the pack. Others claim she simply grew tired of his coldness. There were rumors of him choosing the pack over family. Who knows the truth? Only they do.”

I nodded, remembering the whispers. Dominic had been married once, to a beautiful omega named Elena. After the divorce, she had taken half the assets and disappeared from his life. Since then, no one had been able to catch his eye.

“Women still chase him,” I murmured, unable to tear my eyes away as he spoke to a group of betas near the edge of the room.

Amelia snorted. “Of course they do. Half the women in this territory would happily marry him tomorrow if he’d let them. He’s a catch. Strong. Powerful. Single. But Dad’s different. After the divorce, he became even more closed off. He doesn’t trust easily. He’s got walls higher than the mountains in our territory.”

I looked at him again. A woman was speaking to him, gesturing animatedly about some border patrol. He listened for approximately three seconds before turning away abruptly.

“Ruthless,” I whispered.

Amelia nodded, her expression turning serious. “He’s terrifying when he’s angry. But he’s a good father. Hard on everyone else, maybe, but not me. He’s always been there for me. Even when I was younger, he’d sit with me and listen to my problems about school or friends. He might not show it, but he cares. He spoiled me rotten with that ridiculous pony I wanted when I was eight.”

“That was the best pony story I’ve ever heard,” I said with a smile, remembering the tales she’d told me over the years.

She grinned. “He’s hard on everyone else. Not me.”

That was one of the reasons I loved being around this family. For all the terrifying stories about Dominic Blackwood, he had always been kind to Amelia, and occasionally to me—with a gruff nod or a rare compliment on my archery skills in the training grounds. Which was probably why my stupid crush had survived for so long. Every time he visited, I found excuses to be near him, hoping for another glimpse.

Then, as if summoned by some invisible force, Dominic looked across the room. Straight at me.

My breath caught. Everything around me seemed to disappear. The music faded. The chatter hushed. His gaze moved slowly over me—my face, my hair pulled into a loose bun, my dress hugging my curves, my soft stomach, my wide hips, my thighs that touched at the knees.

I suddenly became painfully aware of every inch of myself. My insecurities flared like wildfire. I wanted to hide, to shrink back into the crowd and disappear. Instead, I stood frozen, cheeks burning, heart racing like a startled deer.

Dominic’s expression remained unreadable, his face a mask of stone. But something changed in his eyes. A flicker. A spark. Something I couldn’t understand, something that made my wolf stir with interest.

Rose whispered, He’s looking at you.

I swallowed, my voice barely a whisper. “What does he want?”

Amelia followed my gaze, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know. But whatever it is, you’re going to have to deal with it.”

Before I could respond, Dominic turned away, his back to me, but I could feel his gaze lingering, heavy like a touch.