Mira For a moment, the only sound I could hear was the beating my heart in my chest. I turned the emotion to anger at Dominic and felt my body go rigid underneath him. “Get off of me!” I shouted at my captor. “No,” he said calmly, “not until you explain what’s going on with you.” “What’s going on with me?” I was losing control of my sanity, and started to fight back again. “What about you? You arrogant, self-righteous asshole— always forcing people to do whatever you want and never taking responsibility for manipulating others!” “Manipulating?” he seemed genuinely confused. “Mira, what on earth—“ “I heard what you said,” I spat. “How dare you accuse me of saving your life only to become your Luna?!” “Mira, what—“ “Let go of me you—“ “Mira if you don’t quiet down I will stop your mouth myself!” Dominic shouted back, bringing his face and lips and breath away from mine. I was so shocked at the idea of his lips on mine that I went immediately silent. I realized my mouth was han
Mira I woke the next morning feeling invigorated and inspired, with a plan to prove my worth to the Pack. I needed to earn their respect to get their votes, and the best way to do that was in my natural habitat— the hospital. While they seemed surprised to see me, the staff knew they could not deny entry to Dominic’s Mate. I wanted to get a sense of how their medical system worked, and see where I could be of service. “We can give you a tour,” a nurse told me at the desk, “but it seems a bit unorthodox for a future Luna to waste her time in a place like this.” “I’ve been a doctor much longer than I’ve been in line to Luna,” I responded, ignoring the subtle insult. “And I believe a Luna should be aware and responsible for the health and safety of her Pack.” This seemed to both impress and annoy the guide, and she reluctantly began to show me around. I looked through records systems, inspected equipment, and tried to understand their staffing and scheduling methods. The place wa
Third personMira appeared calm, unruffled by Tessa’s accusations. “This was not my fault,” Mira said. “I was just there to help.” “Help?” Tessa responded. “If you weren’t there Dominic would have been focused, and they would’ve come out unharmed! Instead, one of our best warriors is at death’s door!” “Tessa, you know that’s not true!” Mira shouted back. An older couple made their way through the others, and came to confront Mira. “Where is our son?” the man asked. “Darius has been on many missions with Dominic, and has never come back with more than a scratch. And one outing with you and he comes back maimed?” Mira was visibly shaken. “I promise you,” she said, using her calming bedside voice, “I did all I could for him in the field, and he came home in stable condition.” “I heard they might have to amputate his leg,” Tessa said loudly. The crowd was outraged, and many angry faces turned towards Mira. The injured solider’s mother was pale and shaking. “Is this true? My boy,
Mira Dominic held the last rogue wolf under his arm. With one swift movement, he snapped the neck of my attacker, and dropped the limp body to the ground. I stared at his blood-covered body, unsure if it was the blood of his enemies or his own. In that moment I didn’t care, and I rushed towards him. I didn’t realize my instinct was to throw my arms around him until I felt him react in pain at my embrace. “Oh no, I’m sorry!” I said, embarrassed that I was hugging and hurting him. “Not exactly the best medical care for a wounded soldier, Doctor,” he said. An awkward moment hung between us, and I didn’t know where to look. And then I remembered the dead bodies surrounding us. Dominic notice that I was staring at the corpses, and pulled me away from them. “Now can you see that this is no place for you?” he said, taking me roughly by the arm to guide me. “You’re lucky I picked up your scent when I did, otherwise…” He couldn’t say it, but we both knew what would’ve happened to me.
Mira “Oh you’ve got to be kidding me!” Tessa yelped. “Why is it always you?” “Tessa, not now,” Dominic tried to quiet her. “No, now!” she retorted. “This woman is always sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong. She’s out of her lane, and more of a burden than anything!” “Tessa!” Dominic raised his voice and she backed down. “Mira, please, this is none of your concern.” “I am a Doctor, you could need my help.” “No, it is too dangerous,” Dominic said. “We are strapped for soldiers as it is, and I can’t spare a guard to watch over you in the field.” “I can take care of myself!” “Mira, please,” he came closer to me, take my hands in his. “As Alpha, I cannot risk sending my Luna into battle. If anything were to happen to me, the Pack would need you.” “If anything happens to you, you will need me,” I challenged. I lowered my voice, adding, “You are still healing from the other night, and could use my skills as a field medic. And you can’t lock me up in tower, or treat me like a c
Mira I was saved by a knock at the door. Dominic went to open it, and found his Beta, Lucas, waiting in the hallway. “Sorry to disturb you, Sir, but we have a situation.” Dominic stole a glance back at me, then stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. Not knowing how long we be gone, I took the opportunity to quickly change for bed. No silk nightgown for me, just an old t-shirt and some comfortable shorts. I brushed my teeth and washed my face, and Dominic was still not back. I stared at the bed. I panicked. Was this really happening? Did you really expect me to sleep with him the same day he announced me as his Mate? Surely this wasn’t part of the act to please the public eye. Ward had one thing right about me: I was a lonely virgin. I believed in waiting, saving myself for the one who be my Mate for life. Ward had even tried a few times, saying that since we were engaged it wasn’t a sin, it was natural, but I refused. I guess he couldn’t wait for me any longer,
Mira The oxygen was sucked out of the room. This must but what it feels like when you’re drowning. “Lila!” Dominic came between me and the accusing woman. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he growled at her. “I suggest you apologize to my Mate before you face the consequences.” “I said what I said, Dominic,” Lila said casually. The crowd began to get boisterous again, their once celebratory exclamations becoming heated and angry. I stepped out to make myself seen and heard. “None of this is true!” I shouted to the Pack. “She is spreading a false rumor, a fabricated story and nothing more. My past personal life cannot have an effect on the Pack.” “No ill effect?” Lila matched my volume. “Everything about you affects the Pack! The Luna must be transparent and honest, not hiding salacious escapades in order to climb the social ladder!” This got the crowd going again, and I was afraid they were going to turn against me. On instinct I my hand shot out to take his. My tou
Mira “What, Mate?” I blurted out. Dominic remained stoic, staring at me. I didn’t know what he was up to, until I saw the smallest wink in his left eye, a wink that only I could see. He was trying to help me. Was this the same wolf who had thrown me against a tree just forty-eight hours ago? “Me?” I clarified. “Her?!” Tessa yelled at her brother, walking towards him. “You can’t be serious! This pathetic nobody of a she-wolf could never be you Luna. Dominic, please tell me your joking.” The Alpha did not so much as glance at his step-sister. The guards began to grow uneasy, not sure what order they should follow. “Sir,” the driver piped up, “this seems rather unorthodox. We were told this woman has no Mate, and so she must be taken to the traveling medical team at once. With due respect, how can we be sure you’re telling the truth?” “You dare question me? Do you know who I am?” Dominic asked rhetorically. “If I tell you this woman is my Mate, then she is. Right, my dear?” “I—
MiraIt felt strange to be back in my own room. Everything was right where I’d left it, but it seemed like it belonged to a stranger. The furniture, the clothing: these belonged to a woman of the past, to a life I was being forced to leave behind.I wandered in my bedroom, aching for sleep after the tumultuous events of the past twenty-four hours. I sat on the bed and noticed the framed picture on the table next to it.It was a picture of me, and Ward. We were young, smiling, in love.I barely heard the glass smash when the frame made contact with the wall, and within minutes I was asleep. The next day was a blur as I made my preparations to leave, including a trip to the medical facility to discreetly collect my things and nick a few extra supplies. I figured getting caught stealing first-aid items couldn’t result in any worse punishment than the one I was already given.I woke early on the day of my departure. I unpacked and repacked, and sat drinking coffee from my favorite mug as