6

Dominic’s POV

I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t even think. The only thing I could think of was to silence her, to stop those words of rejection from leaving her lips.

I instantly planted my lips against hers. Her lips were soft it tasted like strawberry. She stood frozen and at that moment, I knew i needed her, i needed her entire body, her soul, i needed every part of her. Every part of me screamed for her.

The matesbond was so strong, my wolf Ragner howled in my head, urging me to claim her right there, to make her ours again. But I couldn’t.

Not like this. Not when her eyes are still filled of with hatred.

She soon pulled away and pushed me off, her eyes were wide with shock and rage.

For a second, she just stared at me—like she didn’t know whether to slap me or cry.

“Don’t you ever touch me like that again,” she whispered, her voice shaking with anger.

I nodded and immediately dashed out of the room.

****

When I left, I took the longest route back to my quarters, hoping the cold night air would clear my head, but it didn't. The taste of her forbidden lips still remained — sweet, forbidden, maddening.

Ragner paced restlessly in my mind. You shouldn’t have stopped, he growled. She’s ours. She always was.

“Not like this,” I muttered under my breath. “Not when she looks at me like I’m the monster who ruined her life.”

I looked up at the moon and clenched my fists together in anger. The silver glow reminded me of her eyes, the same eyes that once looked at me with love, now filled with nothing but loathing.

But that wasn’t how it was going to end. No. I would make her forgive me.

I would make her see that I wanted her back and I regretted my mistake. I would make her feel the bond she keeps denying, I would make her love me again.

Even if it meant breaking every wall she built around her heart. Even if it took days, months, or years of being in my custody.

Because she was mine, my mate, my destiny and I wasn’t going to let her hatred be the final chapter of our story.

***

The next morning came too quickly. I barely slept my mind wouldn’t let me. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face- angry, hurt, beautiful.

When the first rays of dawn crept through my window, I’d already made my decision. If she wouldn’t let me speak, then I’d show her. I’d remind her of the little things she used to love… the things only I remembered.

“Have her washed up and dressed,” I ordered the maid standing by the door. My voice was calm, but there was steel underneath. “And prepare her favorite meal.”

The maid hesitated. “Her favorite, Alpha?”

I looked at her sharply. “Salmon steak with honey-glazed potatoes and mint tea. Exactly the way she likes it.”

She bowed her head quickly. “Yes, Alpha.”

As she left, Ragner stirred inside me. Trying to win her over with food now? he teased.

“Shut up,” I muttered. “It’s not just food. It’s a start.”

A few hours later, I stood in the kitchen, staring at the tray the maids had prepared. The aroma was warm and comforting just like it used to be when she laughed at me for sneaking bites before dinner.

But this time, I didn’t call anyone to deliver it.

I picked up the tray myself.

Every step toward her room felt heavier than the last. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears part fear, part longing. The guards by her door looked startled when I appeared.

“Open it,” I ordered.

They did, without a word.

I stepped inside quietly. She was sitting by the window, her back to me, her hair loose and still damp from her bath. She didn’t turn around but I could tell she knew I was there. The bond made it impossible to hide.

“I brought you something,” I said softly, setting the tray down on the table. The words came out rougher than I intended.

But she didn’t reply.

I glanced at her reflection in the window. Her shoulders were tense qnd her jaw tight.

“It’s your favorite,” I added. “Salmon and honey potatoes, You need your strength, Lena. you have to eat."

Still she didn't reply me. I turned toward the door, but before I could leave, I heard her quiet voice behind me.

“Let me go, I have my life now. You can't keep me stuck here with you. I need to see my...my..."

Her voice broke before she could finish that sentence but she didn’t need to. I already knew what she wanted to say. Her human Lover? The thought burned through me like acid.

I turned slowly, my hands curling into fists at my sides. “Your what, Lena?” I asked, my voice low but steady. “Your what?”

She turned to look at me but refused to say anything. Her silence was worse than any answer she could’ve given. The way she looked at me in a calm, distant way as if I were nothing but a shadow from a life she no longer wanted — it tore something inside me.

“You won’t even deny it,” I said quietly, though my voice trembled with restrained fury. “You won’t even say you don’t belong to him.”

"Dominic! I wanna go home please!"

“I know you want to go,” I said quietly, keeping my tone calm, careful not to let my fury break through. “And you will… eventually. Help me first and after, you can go home!"

“Will I go home after helping you?”

Her question was soft , almost a whisper.

I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay even. “Yes,” I said. “After you help me, you can go home.”

She simply nodded. "Okay." I smiled, that was enough to buy me enough time to win her back and make her stay with me for good.