Alpha Dominic Blackwood

(Third-person's POV)

Melissa James sat rigidly on the edge of a plush armchair in the Chase Pack House lobby. Though she'd come as Victoria's friend for the birthday celebration, the weight of dozens of hostile stares made her shoulders hunch inward.

The emerald earring incident had transformed the atmosphere from celebratory to venomous. Pack members whispered behind their hands, their eyes darting between Melissa and the staircase where Melanie Chase had disappeared moments ago.

Melissa's damp hair clung to her neck, her borrowed clothes from Victoria hanging loosely on her petite frame. The pool water had washed away her makeup, revealing her naturally pale complexion and the faint freckles she usually concealed.

"They're all staring at me," she whispered to Victoria, who stood protectively beside her chair.

Victoria's lips tightened. "Ignore them. They're just bored and looking for drama."

Despite Victoria's reassurance, Melissa felt increasingly uncomfortable. She knew Melanie Chase's reputation well enough. The Luna of the Chase Pack might have a strained relationship with Amber, but she would never allow anyone to violate her daughter's dignity without consequences.

The sound of heels clicking against marble made Melissa's head snap up. Melanie descended the staircase, her amber eyes—so like Amber's—blazing with barely contained fury.

Melissa instinctively shrank back in her seat. The Luna's rage was palpable, rolling off her in waves that made the air feel thick and oppressive.

"You," Melanie hissed, pointing a manicured finger directly at Melissa. "How dare you show your face in my home after stealing my daughter's fiancé?"

Before she could reach Melissa, Victoria stepped smoothly into her path. "Mother, please. This isn't the place."

"Don't tell me where I can speak in my own pack house," Melanie snapped, trying to move around Victoria.

Victoria held her ground. "I've already spoken with Melissa about her behavior. She understands the gravity of the situation."

Melissa nodded vigorously from behind Victoria's protective stance. "I never meant to come between Amber and Ethan, truly. We just... connected. I would never try to usurp her position."

Melanie's nostrils flared. "Yet here you are, wearing my daughter's clothes, after my daughter's mate jumped in to save you instead of her."

"That wasn't my fault," Melissa protested, her voice taking on a whimpering quality. "I can't help who Ethan chooses to protect."

Victoria placed a calming hand on Melanie's arm. "Mother, we need to be strategic. If we antagonize Melissa further, Ethan might actually follow through on canceling the wedding."

"Let him," Melanie growled. "My daughter deserves better than a mate who doesn't prioritize her safety."

Victoria's voice dropped to a whisper. "Think about what that would mean for our relationship with the Blackwood Pack. We can't afford to lose that alliance."

Melanie hesitated, her anger warring with pragmatism.

"You know how Amber gets," Victoria continued. "Remember when she threw that vase at Henry's head last Christmas? She has these outbursts, then calms down. Give her time."

Melanie's shoulders gradually relaxed, though her eyes remained hard as she glared at Melissa. "This isn't over."

Victoria squeezed her arm. "Of course not. But let's be smart about how we handle it."

Melanie gave a curt nod before turning on her heel. Though she had agreed to wait, her rigid posture betrayed her continuing agitation at the slight against her daughter.

(Ethan's POV)

I leaned against the wall outside Henry's room, tugging at the borrowed clothes that clung uncomfortably to my damp skin. The shirt was too tight across my shoulders, and the pants barely reached my ankles.

My mind replayed the pool incident on loop. I hadn't planned to dive for Melissa first—it had been instinct. She was smaller, more fragile. Amber was strong, a capable werewolf who could handle herself.

Except she couldn't swim. I'd forgotten that crucial detail in the chaos.

"Ethan?" Melissa's soft voice pulled me from my thoughts.

She stood in the hallway, her eyes wide and glistening with unshed tears. Victoria's clothes hung on her small frame, making her look even more vulnerable.

"Are you okay?" I asked, moving toward her.

She shook her head, lower lip trembling. "Amber hates me. She deliberately pushed me into that pool knowing I could have been hurt."

I wrapped my arms around her. "Shhh, it's okay. Amber was just lashing out. She gets like this sometimes."

"She's always hated me," Melissa whimpered against my chest. "Even when I tried to be her friend. I never did anything to deserve this."

I sighed, my patience wearing thin. Amber's dramatics were exhausting, and now I had to deal with Melissa's tears too.

"Hey," I said, tilting her chin up. "Your birthday is coming up next week, right? Let me make it up to you. What would you like?"

Her tears stopped immediately, replaced by a considering look. "Really? Anything?"

"Within reason," I amended quickly.

She thought for a moment. "I want five days of your time. Just us, no interruptions, no work calls."

"Done," I agreed readily. Five days was nothing if it would stop her crying.

Melissa's expression turned serious. "What if Amber really does cancel the wedding this time?"

I laughed, the sound echoing in the empty hallway. "She won't. This is classic Amber—all drama and threats, but she never follows through."

"She seemed pretty serious tonight," Melissa pressed.

I shook my head. "Trust me, I know Amber. Our families have too much invested in this union. She might throw a tantrum, but she'll come around."

The thought of Amber actually walking away was absurd. She'd fought too hard to keep me when I'd wanted to end things before. One pool incident wouldn't change that.

"If you're sure..." Melissa said, not sounding convinced.

"I'm sure," I replied confidently. "By tomorrow, she'll be calling to apologize."

(Amber's POV)

The neon sign of the Moonlight Club cast a blue glow across the wet pavement as my car pulled up to the curb. Rain had started to fall, matching my mood perfectly.

I'd been here only once before, shortly after returning from studying abroad. The memory hit me with unexpected force.

Victoria had insisted on bringing me here, claiming we needed "sister bonding time." Now I understood her real motive—she'd known exactly what I would find.

I remembered walking through these same doors, Victoria a step behind me. The club had been packed that night, the music pulsing so loudly I could feel it in my chest.

And there he was—Ethan, sprawled in a booth, Melissa practically in his lap. His arm had been around her waist, his lips at her ear. They were both laughing.

When they'd spotted me, Ethan had straightened immediately, gently pushing Melissa away. His excuses had tumbled out: "She was upset about a work issue... I was just comforting her... You know how emotional omegas can get..."

And I, fool that I was, had believed him. Believed Melissa's wide-eyed protests that it was "nothing inappropriate." Trusted that the man I loved wouldn't betray me.

Now, staring at the club's entrance, I wondered how many other "misunderstandings" I'd willfully ignored over the years.

A sleek black car pulled up beside mine, drawing me from my bitter reminiscence. The door opened, and a tall man in an impeccable suit stepped out.

I recognized him immediately as Felix Peter, Dominic Blackwood's assistant. His scholarly appearance—glasses perched on his nose and his composed demeanor—was unmistakable.

"Miss Chase," he greeted me with a slight bow. "Alpha Blackwood is waiting."

My stomach knotted. I'd met Felix once before, when I'd gone to beg Dominic to prevent Ethan from breaking our engagement. Back then, I'd been desperate to hold onto a relationship that was clearly already over.

"Thank you for meeting me on such short notice," I said, following him to the waiting car.

As soon as I slid into the backseat, I felt it—the overwhelming presence of an Alpha wolf. Dominic Blackwood sat across from me, his piercing blue eyes assessing me coolly.

Even sitting, his powerful aura filled the cabin. Unlike Ethan's more approachable energy, Dominic's power felt ancient and absolute. It was like being in the presence of a predator who was allowing you to breathe simply because he hadn't decided to stop you yet.

"Uncle," I greeted him respectfully, using the formal address despite our lack of blood relation.

His expression remained impassive. "Amber."

I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves. "I wanted to speak with you about Ethan. About our engagement."

Dominic said nothing, waiting for me to continue.

"Last time we spoke, I asked for your help preventing Ethan from breaking our engagement," I said, my voice surprisingly steady. "Tonight, I'm here for the opposite reason."

His eyebrow raised slightly—the only indication he was listening.

"I want to end our engagement, and this time I don't dare ask you to intervene with all your might," I continued." I only wish you would tell Ethan that you will not interfere with Ethan's choice of mate any longer."

I clasped my hands in my lap to stop them from trembling. "Without your influence, I'm certain Ethan will willingly agree to break off our engagement. He's made his choice clear tonight."

When I finished speaking, the silence stretched between us. I held my breath, waiting for his reaction.

Suddenly, Dominic leaned forward, his blue eyes narrowing dangerously. The temperature in the car seemed to drop several degrees.

"What happened to your face?" he asked, his voice deceptively soft.

My hand instinctively went to my cheek, still tender from the slaps I'd received.

Dominic's expression darkened further. "Did Ethan hit you?"