Chapter 38 Bloom

The heavy wooden door to the meeting room clicked shut behind me, and the full weight of the decision I'd made settled onto my shoulders.

I knew there was no turning back now. But for the first time, I was the one holding the reins. Even so, moving back into this massive pack house after only a few days away made my nerves feel strangely raw.

I stood by the window, staring out at the dark outline of the forest, when a soft knock startled me.

"Bloom? Can I come in?"

It was Ivy.

She stood hesitantly in the doorway with two mugs of hot chocolate, the same guilty, hopeful expression still lingering in her amber eyes. I gave her a small nod, inviting her inside.

She sat on the edge of the bed, leaving a respectful distance between us, and held one of the mugs out to me.

"I figured I could at least keep you company," she said quietly.

I wrapped my hands around the warm mug and breathed in the rich scent of chocolate. After being surrounded by the damp, earthy smell that always clung to this house, the simple warmth was unexpectedly comforting.

We sat in silence for a while. Eventually, Ivy was the one who spoke.

"I honestly never thought you'd come back. I never imagined you'd agree to join the pack, Bloom." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "We hurt you so much. We lied to you over and over... And I know my silence hurt you more than anything else."

She lowered her eyes for a moment before looking back at me.

"I just want you to know... the legend in the library, Ronan's strict orders... all of it tied our hands. But none of that ever changed how much I cared about you. None of it was fake."

I lowered my mug onto my knees and met her gaze.

Now that I knew everything, I could finally understand the helplessness I'd seen in that room—the impossible position she'd been trapped in as the future Gamma, bound by both instinct and duty to her Alpha.

"I'm not going to pretend I wasn't hurt, Ivy," I admitted, softening the edge in my voice.

"When I felt completely alone in this town, you were the first person who ever hugged me like I mattered. Hiding behind your silence... that hurt."

I let out a slow breath.

"But like I said in the meeting yesterday, I understand your position now. I understand what those pack bonds demanded of you. I never wanted to erase you from my life, because I can see how sorry you are."

Tears shimmered in Ivy's eyes, and a grateful smile spread across her face.

"Keeping that secret from you was one of the hardest things I've ever done," she admitted. "I knew I wouldn't be able to keep pretending forever, so I started pulling away instead. But I'll do whatever it takes to earn your trust back. I promise... you'll never have to worry about me hurting you again."

That night, I could almost feel the wall of ice between us beginning to melt. We talked for hours—about old memories, ridiculous rumors around town, and a hundred completely ordinary things. Somewhere along the way, I stopped watching the clock.

Before the darkness waiting ahead swallowed me whole, that conversation became a small refuge for my heart.

The next morning, I walked downstairs through the dimly lit halls to find Kai, Ivy, and Cassian already waiting in the grand entrance of the manor.

The fact that we were leaving for school together felt like the first undeniable sign that everything had changed after yesterday.

Kai greeted me with his usual easygoing smile, though he seemed noticeably more cautious this morning.

Ivy stepped closer and smiled warmly.

Cassian stood a pace behind them. His blue eyes never left me. The protective, possessive aura surrounding him felt even stronger than it had the night before.

I looked away almost immediately.

The moment the four of us stepped onto the school grounds together, the conversations around us died almost instantly. I could practically hear the rumors spreading through the curious looks aimed our way.

The fight I'd had with Fiona. Showing up with Cassian. Everyone was trying to piece the story together.

We made our way through the dim hallway toward our lockers when I noticed a familiar figure walking straight toward us from the opposite end. Dominic.

His face wore its usual calm expression, the one that always looked like he had everything under control. But his eyes were locked on me.

The instant he stopped in front of us, I felt Cassian's aura harden beside me. It was so sudden and intense that I could practically feel Axel rising inside him, ready to lunge at a moment's notice.

Dominic glanced briefly at Cassian, Kai, and Ivy before returning his full attention to me.

"Morning, Bloom."

His voice was as gentle as always, but beneath it was an unmistakable current of anxiety.

"Can we talk for a minute? I've been hearing some things..." He swallowed. "I need to hear that they aren't true."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cassian start to step forward. I lifted one hand slightly, stopping him without looking away from Dominic. This was my conversation. I didn't need anyone standing in front of me.

"They're true, Dominic," I said evenly. "I'm joining the pack."

I tilted my head. "But how did you find out?"

For the first time since I'd met him, the calm mask on Dominic's face shattered.

His eyes widened in disbelief, and he closed the distance between us in one long stride.

"What are you talking about, Bloom?" he whispered harshly. "Have you lost your mind?"

His desperate attempt to stop me echoed through the hallway.

"That pack is going to trap you behind their rules. The second that bond is formed, you'll hand over your freedom—your identity—to the people sitting at the head of that table." His voice cracked.

"You don't have to become part of their world of lies. Please... it's not too late to walk away."

His eyes searched mine desperately.

"I can protect you. We can stay in your cabin, or leave this town completely and build a new life somewhere else."

He took another step closer.

"Don't seal yourself away among those monsters."

I watched the panic written across Dominic's face, the desperation in every word as he fought to change my mind. But my resolve never wavered. I stepped closer until only he could hear me and spoke in a quiet voice that left no room for doubt.

"Listen to me, Dominic."

I looked him straight in the eyes.

"This isn't madness. It's necessary."

I took a slow breath.

"For months, I've been living in this town like prey—running from legends I didn't understand and shadows I couldn't escape. I'm done living like that."

My voice stayed calm.

"I have to uncover the truth. The only way to take control of my own life... the only way to unlock the doors they've kept closed in that library... is to become part of the pack."

I held his gaze without flinching.

"I'm joining because I can't reach the truth—or the power I need—from the outside. I have to do it from within."

A small, bitter smile touched my lips.

"This is my fight, Dominic. And it's one I have to face."

I shook my head gently.

"So please... stop trying to convince me otherwise."

The certainty in my voice stole the words from him. His mouth opened, but nothing came out. Trying to make him understand the reasoning behind my decision hurt more than I'd expected. Even so...

I wasn't going to take a single step backward.

"And this was never about needing protection," I continued. "I can protect myself."

I folded my arms across my chest.

"Didn't you tell me yourself that you don't have the resources to figure out why I can't reach my wolf? So how exactly are you supposed to help me?"

I paused before adding,

"Besides, Alpha Ronan and Luna Sierra guaranteed that if I ever choose to leave in the future, I'll be free to do so."

I offered him a steady look.

"Believe me. This is the best path forward."

The instant the words left my mouth, a crushing wave of jealousy and anger surged from behind me, freezing the air in the hallway. Cassian had finally reached his limit. He stepped between us. His blue eyes had darkened like a storm moments before it broke.

Every ounce of the possessive fury radiating from him was aimed squarely at Dominic.

"Why are you trying to convince her?" Cassian demanded, his voice a low growl that echoed off the stone walls. Then his gaze shifted to me.

"And why are you explaining yourself to him, Bloom?"

His jaw tightened.

"What right does he have to question your decisions?"

His eyes burned with something far more dangerous than anger.

"What makes him think you owe him an explanation for any of this?"

The sudden outburst drew every pair of eyes in the hallway toward us. It was impossible to miss how much Axel hated seeing Dominic standing so close to me. Or how much he hated watching me explain myself to another man.

Slowly, I turned to face Cassian. I didn't answer. I simply pressed my lips together and met his blazing stare with one of my own. Cold. Sharp. Silent. It was enough.

That single look told him everything. You don't have that right. You don't get to question me. You don't get to demand answers from me. The silent rejection hit him harder than any words could have.

His jaw clenched even tighter.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Fiona standing several yards down the hallway.

Her arms were crossed over her chest as she stared directly at Cassian.

At the furious step he'd taken toward me. At the raw jealousy written plainly across his face. The smug confidence she always carried had disappeared completely. In its place was something poisonous. Jealousy.

Watching Cassian lose control over me—over my conversation with Dominic—was a blow to her pride she clearly hadn't been prepared for. The hatred burning in her eyes practically glowed beneath the dim hallway lights.

Without another word, I gave Dominic one last look before turning away.

I walked toward Ivy and Kai instead. I'd moved into the pack house. A trial was waiting for me. And the storm of jealousy I was leaving behind in that hallway... was only the beginning of everything that was about to unfold.