Mine...Or So I Wanted

Ava's POV 

  My lips still tingled from just the thought of his lips on mine, I lifted my fingers and brushed them over my mouth, tracing the spot where his lips had been.

  “How was he so good…I mean, fuck!” I let out a small groan. 

  Dominic, who was carried away with whatever he was looking at in his phone, turned to face me, brows slightly arched. “Are you okay, little wolf?" He asked, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him. He didn't seem to be affected by the kiss like I was, but what was I expecting?

    We were on our way to the mall, Isla sat in front with Zayden, both of them pretending not to notice what was going on.

  "Yea, why wouldn't I be okay?” I fired back at Dominic, who just dropped his phone to focus on me, his expression not changing.

   "Well, for one, I'm sure you're mad at me seeing how you won't look at me." He replied, “And I'm hoping you'll tell me why... please.” He finished.

   I paused, taken aback by the ‘please’. From everything I've heard about him while I was the Beta of Redveil Pack, he wasn't known for being soft or nice but he has been nothing but that since I came. But who knows, it might be part of his grand scheme and I hated that I was falling for it. 

  I wasn't exactly mad at him but I needed to get my head right and being close to him wasn't helping matters. 

  “I'm not mad at you." I finally admitted. “I guess I just want to figure out what you really want with me." 

   He took a deep breath, “Little wolf, look at me." He ordered softly and my eyes immediately met his own. His gaze held mine, steady and unreadable, like he was trying to figure out what the right thing to say was.

  “I’ve never lied to you, whatever this is,” he said softly, “it’s not a game to me.”

  My fingers curled against my thigh. “That’s easy for you to say.”

  “It’s easy to prove too, if you’d let me.” His voice dropped lower. Not angry. Certain. “You keep waiting for me to show my claws. You’re ignoring everything else I’m showing you.”

  I swallowed. That hit too close. I desperately wanted to believe him but I was scared of going through the whole thing I went through with Lucien. That he would find his real mate and I would become history.

  In the front seat, Isla suddenly turned the music up a little louder and Zayden cleared his throat but didn't say anything.

  “I’m serious,” Dominic continued, eyes still locked on mine. “Tell me what you’re afraid of…”

  “You,” I said before I could stop myself, then snapped my mouth shut.

  One corner of his lips lifted, “Me?" He repeated but before I could answer, Zayden opened the door and stepped out and Isla followed suit. They didn't need to tell us that we'd arrived at the mall, saving me from blurting out the words that were at the tip of my tongue.

   “We're here." I announced loudly.

  “Little wolf…” Dominic started, but I was already pushing the door open. He let out a deep breath, running a hand through his hair but nonetheless opened his side of the door.

    The Mall was huge, even though I'd never been here before because I wanted to cut down on expenses for the pack…going to smaller malls, something Lucien praised me for. 

   I joined Zayden and Isla in the front while Dominic followed closely behind.

   “How come you look nothing like Orion?" I asked Zayden, attempting to start a conversation since although they looked friendly, they were scared of starting one with me.

  "If you mean I look more handsome, you're right.” He replied, grinning widely. "Not everyone can be as lucky as me." 

  “Yet he's the one with the mate." The words left my lips instead of remaining in my thoughts and his head snapped to me.

   His jaw dropped, "you look too innocent for this, Luna.” He cried, pouting. "And it's my choice." 

  Isla snorted, “that wasn't what you were saying yesterday." 

   “Do you know how to keep a secret?" He asked, glaring at her. “Orion should've listened to me and…" 

  “Finish that sentence and you'll be explaining to him why I have a bruise on my arm." Isla interrupted, and I frowned as there was nothing on her.

   “You're evil." He muttered. Turns out it was just a threat and knowing how protective mates are, it wasn't going to end well, even though they were brothers.

   I felt eyes on me, and I turned back to see Dominic already looking at me. He just winked when he realised he'd been caught staring. I was convinced he knew the effect he had on me…that was the only explanation I was willing to accept.

   "Luna, let's start with the dresses.” Isla called as we stood in front of another shop. Zayden nodded excitedly and I chose to ignore him as I followed Isla into the store.

  The store was bright and cool, soft music playing overhead. Mirrors lined the walls, making the place look twice as big, twice as expensive. Mannequins stood on raised platforms dressed like royalty, sleek gowns, fitted dresses, and flowing fabrics that probably cost more than a month of pack supplies back at Redveil.

   Isla moved like she’d been waiting for this moment her whole life. She slid hangers aside with expert speed.

  

   “You should try this one.” She pulled out a midnight-blue dress with a fitted waist and a soft, flowing skirt. The neckline was simple but elegant. 

   I looked at it closely, it was nothing like what I'd wear back at Redveil but it was beautiful and it goes well with my curves…one of my favourite body features.

   “Ooh, that is stunning!" Zayden agreed. I turned to look at Dominic, who hadn't said anything since we got here. He was typing away on his phone, but as if sensing my gaze, his head jerked up.

   “Little wolf,” He said, voice low and steady, “put it on. Anything would look good on you… even nothing.”

 Heat shot straight to my cheeks, and I swallowed hard. My fingers trembled slightly on the hanger. “Dominic!" I whisper yelled, looking around to see who else heard it. Isla and Zayden were pretending not to hear but were doing a horrible job.

   “People can hear you.”

    He cracked a smile, "I'll repeat it when we're alone.”

   “Not the point…in fact, go sit somewhere else.” I told him, "we'll find you when we're done.”

  He opened his mouth to argue, but his phone rang and he sighed. "Go crazy.” He told me instead, giving me a black card. He looked at Zayden for a few minutes before leaving.

   "Now, let's get back to shopping.” Isla sang, but my mind was still wrapped around Dominic's words.

   About three hours later, and more shopping bags than I cared to count to avoid over-thinking things, we were finally done. Isla really went crazy, making sure I tried on almost all the clothes in each store even though I kept reminding her I didn't need that much clothes. 

   Zayden wasn't left out, because for whatever reason, he had more knowledge about clothes than your average man which meant more dresses to try on.

   “I'm never shopping with both of you again.” I grumbled, throwing myself on the couch of the last store.

  "It's not our fault you look good in everything." Isla said, “Even other people stopped their shopping to look at you…with a figure and face like yours, you should be a magazine cover or something." 

   I blushed slightly, while I do think I look good despite the fact that I was curvy, hearing a girl say it feels different.

   “They were just…" I trailed off, causing both of them to raise their brows at my inability to come up with an excuse. “Where's Dominic?" I asked instead, realising I hadn't seen him after I sent him away.

  "He's dealing with an emergency, but shouldn't be far.”

   I nodded, as Isla moved towards the payment desk to pay for what we got and Zayden followed behind her. Before I could process what I was doing, my feet were already dragging me towards the door.

   Several people were walking around, but none of them was Dominic. So I walked further away from the store, trying to follow his smell which led me to another part of the Mall. But when I found him, he wasn't alone.

  

   He stood near the glass railing on the upper floor, his phone in one hand, posture relaxed but attentive…emergency my foot.

  The girl facing him was tall, polished, and smiling too much.

Too close.

  Not just talking distance, leaning distance. Her hand kept brushing his arm every time she laughed, like she had a right to touch him. Like it wasn't the first time she'd done it.

 Something tight twisted low in my stomach.

  I slowed my steps, suddenly aware of how loud my heartbeat sounded in my ears. This was ridiculous. He could talk to whoever he wanted. Besides, he wasn't even my mate.

  So why did it feel like someone had just stepped on my chest?

  She said something that made her laugh again, tipping her head back. Dominic smiled softly. I knew that smile, which somehow made it worse.

  My fingers curled at my sides. She’s standing too close. Way too close and before I could talk myself out of it, I stepped forward.

“Dominic.”

 His head turned immediately and the moment his eyes landed on me, his entire focus shifted. Like someone had adjusted a lens.

 “Ava,” he said, voice lower. Warmer. “I was just coming back.”

  The girl looked between us, her smile tightening just a little.

 And only then did I recognize the feeling burning under my ribs.

Jealous.

I was jealous.

 And I hated how much I wasn’t even surprised.