Change 91

Dominic’s pov.

What I saw first was Dante, all wrapped up in bandages. And Elora's head tucked against his hand like she might melt into him, her fingers holding his. She was fast asleep.

I didn’t say a word.

There wasn’t any blame boiling in my silence, no secret hope she still belonged to me. That ache in my chest was pure, sharp, ugly. Like someone had ripped open an old scar just to see if it still hurt. I turned and walked out quietly even though I wanted to demand answers.

The air outside was cold. The camp was buzzing with soldiers sharpening swords, scouts dragging in from the woods, and I could not afford to fall apart right now.

I sighed, even though my hands were shaking. Still not back to full strength since the bond broke. Felt empty, like someone scooped out the important bits and left me running on fumes. Maybe that’s exactly what happened. That bond tied me to her once—to Mira, to some fate I never wanted. Now? All I had left was duty. Yay.

I headed for the war tent. Council was already there. Dante...missing in action, still healing. Elora should’ve been there too, but I didn’t call her. Not tonight.

“Double patrols at the east ridge,” I barked out. My voice sounded steadier than I felt, which was something. “I want sentries every damn mile up to Dark Fang crossing. Nobody moves without my word.”

Commanders traded looks. They were beaten. Edgy. Scared, if we’re being honest. Not that I could blame them.

“She’ll come for me first,” I said, because someone had to. “She wants to watch me break before burning the place down.”

Some genius muttered, “She already did.”

Didn’t even argue. Maybe they were right.

After I kicked everyone out, I just stood there, staring at the map long after the fire was nothing but ash. Red markers everywhere, places Mira could hit us, holes in our defenses. She knew this land as well as I did. Maybe better.

And if she’d teamed up with Blood Fang, we were pretty much screwed.

I sighed heavily. We were outnumbered, my body falling apart and the only thing stopping us from getting wiped off the map was this one stubborn, wild woman who wouldn’t quit.

Elora.

Her name just slipped into my mind. She stood next to me when nobody else would, stuck by me at my absolute lowest, when the poison in me wasn’t just physical. Now? She was with Dante.

Told myself I didn’t care. But every time I closed my eyes, I saw the look she used to give me...the spark, the stubbornness.

By dawn, my mind was made up.

“Lock down the borders,” I told the guards. “Nobody in or out unless I say so.”

If war were coming, we’d see it swinging. No more second-guessing. No more mercy.

When I saw Elora that night, standing on the cliff as the wind blew her hair, I almost lost my grip.

She was standing there alone, staring up at the stars. Her face looked tired.

I walked up slowly. She didn’t turn, so I just stood there, not making a sound.

“He makes you happy,” I finally said.

She went stiff for a moment. “You shouldn’t be out here.”

“Not what I asked.”

She let out a breath, still facing away. “Dante’s a good man.”

“I didn’t ask if he’s good.”

She bit her lips. I stepped closer, couldn’t help it. The smell of her...fresh rain, pine hit me hard. Like a memory I didn’t want to lose.

She turned at last, and our eyes met. I saw something flash across her eyes... guilt, sadness, maybe a flicker of something else.

“You should rest, Dominic,” she said, voice low. “The pack needs you strong.”

“The pack’s got you.”

Her breath hitched. “That’s not...”

“It’s true,” I blurted out, cutting her off before she could say anything. “They listen to you. They trust you. Hell, even I do.”

She opened her mouth, probably to disagree, but nothing came out. Just… silence.

I could feel that old bitterness up my throat. “When I married you, honestly, I figured you were just here to mess everything up. I thought you’d tear down everything I’d worked for.” I let out a laugh. “Guess I had it backward. Turns out, you’re the only one holding all of this together.”

Elora’s face softened, kind of. She just stood there, though. Didn’t say a word. Didn’t step closer.

Finally, she whispered, “Dominic…”

Hearing my name on her lips...

“You don’t owe me anything,” I said out, voice cracking. “Not forgiveness. Not loyalty. Not… this.” I waved a hand between us, not even sure what I meant anymore. “If he’s what you want, Elora, then just go. Don’t look back.”

Her eyes stared at mine, and for a second, I thought maybe...just maybe...she’d say something that would make all this ache worth it. She just looked at me and gave me a sad little smile.

And she didn’t say anything…

That silence just broke me in ways poison never could. I turned away before she could see my face. Before she could see the moist gathering up there. It wasn't going to be a thing of honor to see an Alpha crying because of a woman. I sighed, then turned around to go. I could feel her eyes burning into my back, saying all the things we never managed to get out.

Maybe I deserved this. Loving someone I could never have, watching her find happiness somewhere else while I just watched.

Somewhere, the drums of war started up, echoing through the valley. Mira was coming.

And for the first time, I wasn’t sure if winning was even what I wanted.