Chapter 2

Mirelle’s POV

“You’re staring again.”

I smiled and ran my fingers down Dominic’s bare chest. We were tangled up in the sheets of our new bed, in the house we had just started building together.

“I’m allowed to stare,” I said. “You’re my husband now.”

He grinned wearing that rare, full smile he only gave me when we were alone.

“Say it again.”

“My Husband.” My smile was wider now and so was his

“Again.”

“Dominic Ravenclaw. My husband. My mate. My—”

He kissed me before I could finish, pulling me on top of him. When he finally let me breathe, I was laughing against his mouth.

“You know,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, looking deeply into my eyes and staring at me like I was his entire world. Well I was. “I still can’t believe you said yes.”

“Are you kidding right now?” I sat up a little to look at him. “You cornered me at that summit and wouldn’t let me leave until I agreed to go on a date with you.”

“I didn’t corner you. I was just being… persistent.” He said and I had to laugh.

“You literally blocked the exit.”

“I was standing near the exit,” he said, pretending to think. “Big difference.”

I rolled my eyes, laughing the more. Knowing Dominic, he never admitted to what truly transpired that day. That summit was two years ago. I’d been there to represent my pack for some trade meeting. It was completely boring and I was beginning to regret doing it. Then this confident Alpha walked up to me during the dinner break and said, “You look like you’d rather be anywhere else.”

I had looked him straight in the eye and said, “You look like you’re about to make it worse.”

He had laughed. Very loudly. So loudly that people turned to stare. Then he said, “Have dinner with me tomorrow, and I’ll prove you wrong.”

I should have said no. Everyone knew who Dominic Ravenclaw was. Youngest Alpha in decades who was nothing short of ruthless. He had never lost a fight nor did he have a heart to be kind. But something about the way he looked at me made me say yes.

That one dinner turned into a walk. The walk turned into hours of talking. And by the end of the night, I knew I was in trouble.

“I fell in love with you that night,” Dominic said quietly, like he could read my mind. “The second you told me my political strategy was ‘cute but ineffective.’ I was done for.”

“I did not say cute.” I opposed pouting.

“You absolutely did.” He said wearing that smile.

“I said transparent.” I poked his chest. “There’s a difference.”

He caught my hand and kissed my fingers. “I knew I’d marry you within a week. Took me three months to make you admit you loved me back.”

“Because you were terrifying,” I said softly with widened eyes. “You had this whole reputation. I thought maybe you were just bored and that I was just—”

“Don’t.” His hand moved to my lips. “Don’t even say that.” I swallowed hard. His touch always made me forget how to breathe.

“Mirelle,” he said, voice low. “I love you. Not because I was bored. Not because you’re convenient. I love you because you’re the only person who makes me feel like I’m more than just an Alpha. You see me. And you still chose me.”

My throat tightened. “Dominic—”

“I’ll spend the rest of my life proving I’m worth that choice,” he said, brushing away a tear I hadn’t noticed.

So overwhelmed, I pulled him to myself and kissed him hard. Gosh how I love this man. I made sure the fierceness of my kiss could tell him that in ways words couldn’t convey. And while the heat was climbing as we kissed, I decided to intensify it. So I reached down and grabbed his already hard middle man, running my fingers down it, stroking him slowly. He groaned against my mouth, his hands sliding down my sides, and gripping me closer.

“I love you,” I whispered between kisses. “I love you so much it scares me.”

“Good,” he murmured, flipping me under him. “Because I’m never letting you go.” And just then he took my hands off him and inserted himself into me. We both moaned in pleasure as he began the thrusts. My arms wrapped around his body and his around mine as the thrusts went deeper and our screams came louder. Then his mouth found my breasts as his cold tongue ran over my nipples and then he sucked gently. My screams filled the room and my body shook out of intense pleasure. This wasn’t my first sexual experience with him. But each intimacy felt new and exciting.

When it was over, we lay there tangled together, tired and happy.

“Best decision I ever made,” I said, resting my head on his chest.

“Marrying me or letting me trap you at that summit?” He asked and though I couldn’t see his face at that time, I knew he had that sly smile on. I chuckled and hit his chest slightly.

“Both.”

He gave a soft laugh, pulling me close. “Get some sleep, Luna. We’ve got forever ahead of us.”

I smiled as I shut my eyes. Forever sounded perfect.

“Hey! Get up!”

Something hard hit my side. I jolted awake, gasping. My hands flew up, ready to defend myself. And then it hit me. I wasn’t in bed. Worse still, I wasn’t with Dominic.

I was lying on the ground, under a bus shelter. Rain dripped from the roof. My body ached everywhere. My clothes were filthy. And I smelled awful.

A woman stood over me, holding a bag of groceries.

“You can’t sleep here,” she said firmly”This is private property.”

I blinked, trying to focus. Everything felt hazy.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, forcing myself up. “I’ll go.”

I got up and stretched, then took a few steps. And then my stomach twisted violently. I barely made it to the side before I threw up on the pavement.

“Oh my God—” The woman rushed over, dropping her groceries. “Are you okay?”

I couldn’t even answer. My whole body was shaking as I kept throwing up.

When it finally stopped, I wiped my mouth with my sleeve, trying to stand.

“I’m fine,” An obvious lie. “Sorry. I just—”

“How long have you been like this?” she asked, frowning.

“A while,” I admitted. “Maybe a week? I don’t know. I haven’t been keeping track.”

She studied me for a moment, then held out her hand.

“Let me see your hand.”

“What?”

“Your hand. Please.”

I hesitated, but she didn’t seem threatening. So I sighed and gave it to her.

She looked at my palm, then at my face, and her expression changed.

“You’re pregnant.” She announced and I felt everything pause for a second. The fuck?!

“What?”

“You’re pregnant,” she repeated calmly. “At least a month, maybe more.”

I stepped back, shaking my head. “No. That’s not…. I can’t be…”

But even as I said it, I knew she was right. The symptoms have always been right there. The nausea, the exhaustion, with the smell sensitivity? Oh God!

“Where are you from?” she asked gently. “Do you have family? Someone I can call?”

I couldn’t answer. My chest felt tight. Even my ears felt full that it felt like the old lady was echoing. The news shook everything in me. I was pregnant with Dominic’s baby. A baby he would never believe was his.

“Hey, breathe,” the woman said, grabbing my shoulders. “It’s okay. Just breathe.”

But I couldn’t. The sobs came before I could stop them.

“I can’t—” I gasped between tears. “I can’t—”

“Shh. It’s alright.” She pulled me into a hug, and I let her. “You don’t have to explain. Come inside. You need food, and rest. We’ll figure this out.”

I nodded weakly and followed her. Her name was Ruth. Her house was small but warm. She gave me tea, clean clothes, and a blanket and told me I could stay as long as I needed.

I appreciated her kindness. It was rare to fine. So I pretended I was fine. But that night, when she fell asleep, I packed the few things I had.

I couldn’t stay. She was kind, but kindness could turn to danger fast. What if she found out I was a wolf? What if she called someone? What if word got back to Dominic?

He would never believe me. He would think I was lying. And even if he believed it, it wouldn’t matter. He has already cast me out in front of everyone. I  couldn’t let my child live with that kind of hate.

I stood by the window, pressing my hand against my stomach, tears streaming down my face.

“I’ll keep you safe,” I whispered. “No one will ever hurt you. I swear it.”

I looked back at Ruth again, and stepped out of the apartment. And even more than I had been doing for weeks, I ran faster. I ran until my lungs burned. Until my legs gave out. Until I couldn’t sense Moonridge or Ruth anymore. And maybe I had lost reason to live. But for this baby, I would survive.