Chapter 4

Rebecca's POV

The Hermes Hotel was the most luxurious in the city—its marble and gold façade had only existed for me in glossy magazine spreads. My heart pounded against my ribs as Dominic slid a matte black card to access the penthouse suite. The manager personally escorted us up, never once asking for ID or registration information.

In the elevator, we stood in charged silence. I could feel Dominic's gaze traveling over me—not just assessing, but devouring. My skin tingled where his eyes lingered, and I found myself unconsciously wetting my lips. When our eyes met in the mirrored wall, electricity crackled between us. I felt like prey being sized up by a predator, and strangely, that sensation sent a delicious shiver down my spine rather than fear.

Inside the suite, I walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, feeling dizzy as I gazed at the glittering city below. "From here, the whole city looks like it's yours." My voice trembled slightly.

Behind me, I heard the soft rustle of fabric as Dominic removed his suit jacket. The metallic clink of his cufflinks hitting the table sent another shiver through me. I watched his reflection in the window—his broad shoulders moving beneath his white shirt as muscles rippled with each deliberate movement.

"You can change your mind," he said, his tone unexpectedly gentle.

I turned to face him, my breath catching. Moonlight sculpted his perfect silhouette as he stood in the center of the living room, the top buttons of his shirt now undone revealing a tantalizing glimpse of tanned skin. "No," I whispered, my body humming with anticipation, "I don't want to change my mind."

Dominic approached me slowly, each step making my pulse quicken. The scent of his cologne—sandalwood and something uniquely male—enveloped me as he came closer. His body heat radiated against my skin even before he touched me.

"Why me?" he asked, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through my chest. "Is it because of who I am? Or do you just need any wolf tonight?" His fingers brushed my hair back, the casual touch burning like fire.

I looked up at him, tears suddenly threatening as my chest tightened painfully. "Because you're not William Moretti," I confessed, my voice breaking on the name.

Dominic froze, complex emotions flickering across his face. "Moretti? The wolf who's about to become Delta?"

I bit my lip, tasting blood as I realized I'd said too much. "Forget I said anything," I whispered, reaching up to touch his face, tracing the strong line of his jaw. "No talk of the past tonight."

In a flash, he showed his true nature, pushing me against the wall, his powerful arms caging me in. His body pressed against mine, hard muscle against soft curves, the heat between us scorching. "If you're using me to get back at him," he growled, his lips inches from mine, "I should know why."

"He betrayed me," I gasped, "The day before our wedding." My voice cracked with pain and desire. "Happy now?"

His eyes gleamed gold in the dim light, the wolf rising closer to the surface. I could feel his heart thundering against my chest, matching my own frantic rhythm. "You were to be his mate?" The possessive growl in his voice made my core clench with need.

I defiantly pulled down the collar of my blouse, exposing the vulnerable curve where neck meets shoulder. "See? No mark. I wasn't even worth completing the marking ceremony for."

Dominic's control snapped. He kissed me then, rough and hot and hungry, his tongue demanding entrance. His hands tangled in my hair, tilting my head back as he deepened the kiss. Electric currents seemed to course through my entire body, pooling low in my belly and making me moan against his mouth. I clutched at his shoulders, my nails digging into the expensive fabric of his shirt.

When we broke apart, both panting, his eyes had completely transformed to the wolf's gold. They glowed with primal hunger. "This is a mistake..." he growled, his thumb roughly tracing my swollen bottom lip, "but tonight I don't care."

We stumbled toward the bedroom, shedding clothes along the way. Each newly exposed inch of his golden skin made my mouth water. When I was naked, his eyes darkened as they roamed over my body, making me feel both vulnerable and powerful. Dominic's touch was both rough and tender, setting my skin ablaze wherever his fingers trailed. I found myself responding to his every move, my body answering his as if we'd been lovers for years instead of strangers.

When his lips traveled to my neck, teeth grazing my pulse point, I felt a strange yearning I'd never experienced before—a hollow ache that needed filling. "Will you... mark me?" The words slipped out before I could stop them, heavy with need and desperation.

Dominic paused, his chest heaving against mine as he forced himself to regain control. The struggle played across his beautiful face. "No," he said roughly. "Marking is sacred. Not a tool for revenge."

"Then don't hold back," I pleaded, dragging my nails down his back. "I want to forget everything."

When he finally entered me, the stretching pain made me gasp sharply, my body tensing as my nails dug crescents into his muscled back. Tears pricked my eyes at the intrusion.

Dominic let out a low, appreciative growl. "You're so tight, little doe." His voice was strained with the effort of holding back. He brushed my hair from my damp forehead with surprising tenderness. "Your fiancé had poor taste, giving up a prize like you." His hips remained motionless, allowing me to adjust.

Shame and defiance warred within me, heating my cheeks. "Just keep going," I urged, rolling my hips experimentally and gasping at the sensation.

His movements became gentler, more controlled, and to my surprise, we found a rhythm together that built toward an overwhelming pleasure. Each thrust drew breathless moans from both of us, the connection far more intense than I'd imagined possible. My body responded to his as if made for him, every touch, every kiss amplified beyond reason.

When release finally came, it crashed over me in waves, drawing out a cry I muffled against his shoulder. Dominic bit his own wrist instead of my neck, his body shuddering powerfully against mine, but I still felt something intangible forming between us—a connection I couldn't name or understand, something that terrified and thrilled me in equal measure.

Morning light filtered through the curtains, warming my bare skin. I opened my eyes to unfamiliar surroundings, momentarily disoriented. My entire body ached deliciously, the dual punishment of hangover and lost virginity making itself known with every movement. The sheets felt impossibly soft against my sensitized skin.

I carefully turned over and found Dominic with his back to me. I caught my breath at the sight—broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, the perfect musculature marred by the angry red scratch marks I'd left during our night together. Heat bloomed in my cheeks as flashes of memory returned—my legs wrapped around his waist, his name torn from my throat, his teeth grazing my shoulder.

"You're awake," Dominic said without turning around, his voice morning-rough but clearly amused.

I quickly pulled the sheet up to cover myself, heart racing. "I thought you were still asleep." My voice came out husky, betraying my body's lingering response to him.

He rolled over, the sheet sliding dangerously low on his hips as he faced me. His expression was serious, but his eyes traveled over my bare shoulders and the curve of my collarbone with unmistakable hunger. "Werewolf hearing. Your accelerated heartbeat would wake the dead."

I tried to appear casual despite the flush creeping down my neck. "Well... I should probably go."

Dominic's gaze fell to the bloodstained sheets. His nostrils flared slightly, scenting the evidence of my innocence. "So last night... was your first time?" A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.