Chapter 34 Bloom

The instant Dominic's faint, restrained, yet unmistakably present wolf scent slipped through the cracks of the cabin, the atmosphere changed in the blink of an eye. The rich fragrance of blueberries and juniper that had filled the room lost every trace of its calm, ancient composure.

It became wild. Predatory. The scent of a beast burning with the instinct to kill. Axel had caught Dominic's scent with a far more violent reaction than I had.

The powerful body standing before me went rigid. Cassian's jaw locked so hard it looked like he might crack his own teeth. A low growl rumbled up from his chest, deep enough to shake the wooden floor beneath our feet.

His pupils disappeared completely. Nothing remained except endless black hatred. Another wolf—

One standing outside the cabin. One claiming the hybrid Axel believed was his fated mate. That alone was enough to unleash the possessive Alpha beast inside him. He turned toward the door in a single stride. His intention was painfully obvious. He was going to tear Dominic apart.

"Stop!"

I threw myself in front of him before he could take another step. This was my cabin. My home. My territory.

I wasn't about to let him slaughter someone on my doorstep or decide my battles for me.

Closing the distance in two quick steps, I shoved both palms against Cassian's broad chest.

His heart hammered violently beneath my hands.

"This is my place." I glared up at him. "He's my guest."

I pushed harder.

"I said stop."

The moment my skin touched his, a strange pulse rippled through me. It felt like electricity...

Only older. Deeper. Something mystical surged from his body into my soul. Axel froze.

Only for a heartbeat. His breathing remained rough beneath my palms, his chest rising and falling like a furnace, but he didn't force his way past me.

His eyes, however... The murderous darkness inside them didn't fade in the slightest. He looked down at me with a low growl vibrating in his throat, his warm breath stirring loose strands of my hair.

I shot him one final warning look before turning away. Then I pulled the heavy wooden door completely open. Dominic stood beneath the pale silver light of the moon. Wearing the same old jacket, he remained rooted to the edge of the forest, where the pack's territory began.

It was obvious he could feel the suffocating Alpha aura pouring from the cabin. Cassian's overwhelming scent of blueberries and juniper surrounded everything. His tense posture gave him away.

But this wasn't the hesitant Dominic I'd met before. He hadn't run. He hadn't backed away. Instead, he stood tall, looking directly into my tear-reddened eyes.

"Bloom."

His voice echoed softly through the quiet night. Rough. Uneasy. "Are you okay?"

He pressed a hand against the center of his chest.

"Something hit me all of a sudden."

His brows pulled together.

"It felt... heavy."

"A sharp pain."

"I felt your heartbreak."

He swallowed.

"I felt your disappointment... right here."

His fingers curled against his chest.

"I got worried."

"I had to make sure you were safe."

He unconsciously took half a step toward me before stopping himself. His amber eyes searched mine.

"If I can feel you this clearly from so far away..."

His voice dropped almost to a whisper.

"Tell me, Bloom..."

"Could I really be the missing piece of your soul?"

His words twisted the knot already tightening inside my chest. Everything felt more confusing than ever. Before I could answer, Dominic's gaze shifted over my shoulder. It locked onto the dark figure behind me.

Cassian had finally reached his limit. Unable to remain behind me any longer, he stepped out of the cabin beside me with Axel's rage completely fused to his own. Without asking, he gently moved me behind him.

Then he planted himself directly in front of Dominic. The threat radiating from him was enough to send the birds hidden in the trees scattering into the night.

"You're crossing the line."

Cassian's voice was barely above a whisper. But it carried both his own fury... And Axel's ancient growl.

"This is my pack's territory."

"My land."

"If you don't shut that mouth of yours and leave..."

His eyes turned even darker.

"I swear I'll bury you here."

"Take one more step..."

"And I'll rip you apart."

Instead of retreating, Dominic let out a bitter laugh. He never looked away from Cassian. But when he spoke... His words were meant for me.

"So..."

"You know the legend now, don't you, Bloom?"

A faint smile touched his lips.

"You finally confronted them with the truth."

His next words struck Cassian exactly where they would hurt the most.

"You know who your true soulmate is..."

"...and who was nothing more than a guard assigned to keep you here."

"...to control your power."

That was it. The spark that ignited the powder keg. Cassian and Axel roared as one. Before I could even blink, Cassian erased the distance between them. His massive hands grabbed Dominic by the front of his jacket. With terrifying strength, he jerked him forward, dragging him into the clearing in front of the cabin.

The two men faced each other like wild predators seconds away from tearing each other apart. Their growls ripped through the silence of the night.

"Enough!"

I screamed with everything I had. The force of my voice froze them both for a split second. I couldn't take it anymore. I was sick of both of them standing outside my home as if I were some prize to be fought over.

As if they had the right to decide my future. As if my life belonged in the middle of their power struggle. I stormed between them. One hard look was enough to make them hesitate.

"I don't need anyone protecting me!"

My voice shook with fury.

"And I definitely don't need either of your ridiculous displays of male pride!"

I looked from one to the other.

"All you've done is make my life harder!"

"You keep dragging me into your selfish battles!"

"Just leave!"

Then I turned to Cassian. His blue eyes were wide with shock. I met them head-on.

"Go back to your girlfriend Cassian."

The words landed like a slap.

"Go back to Fiona."

"You have no claim over me."

"No right to question me."

"No right to be jealous."

"Go home."

His entire expression crumbled. His lips parted, ready to answer—

But I didn't let him. I spun toward Dominic instead. The hope still lingering in his eyes disappeared before I'd even finished speaking.

"And you, Dominic..."

My voice became calmer. Colder.

"I don't want to hear anything else about soulmates for a while."

I closed my eyes for a brief second.

"My head is a mess."

"I can't think."

"I can't listen to any more legends."

"I need time."

When I opened my eyes again, I forced a small nod.

"Please go."

"We'll see each other at school."

For one long moment...

Neither of them moved. Both simply stood there, frozen, as though they no longer knew what to do. I looked at them one last time. Then I turned around. I slammed the cabin door shut in both of their faces.

Click.

I locked it.

Click.

Then I leaned my back against the old wooden door and slowly slid down onto the floor. For tonight... I had closed my door on both wolves waiting outside. And on the dangerous future they kept promising me.