Chapter 8

Mira

I was saved by a knock at the door.

Dominic went to open it, and found his Beta, Lucas, waiting in the hallway.

“Sorry to disturb you, Sir, but we have a situation.”

Dominic stole a glance back at me, then stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Not knowing how long we be gone, I took the opportunity to quickly change for bed. No silk nightgown for me, just an old t-shirt and some comfortable shorts. I brushed my teeth and washed my face, and Dominic was still not back.

I stared at the bed. I panicked.

Was this really happening? Did you really expect me to sleep with him the same day he announced me as his Mate? Surely this wasn’t part of the act to please the public eye.

Ward had one thing right about me: I was a lonely virgin. I believed in waiting, saving myself for the one who be my Mate for life. Ward had even tried a few times, saying that since we were engaged it wasn’t a sin, it was natural, but I refused.

I guess he couldn’t wait for me any longer, and so he found Tessa.

And I’ll be honest— the idea of intimacy terrified me! Obviously, as a doctor, I know how it all works. But the thought of giving myself to someone else, trusting them with my body, my heart… it made it a lot easier to just wait.

Then I thought of Dominic.

Images of his bare body, his strong hands, the way his eyes caught the light when he looked at me with kindness. I felt myself blushing, and went to splash cold water on my face. I looked back at my face in the bathroom mirror.

Maybe, with him, it would’t be so bad.

I heard footsteps returning in the hallway, and ran and jumped into the bed, covering myself in the soft sheets. I turned away from the door and steadied my breath, pretending to be asleep.

I listened as he entered the room, turned out lights, and made his way towards the bed. He lifted the covers and carefully climbed in, clearly trying not to disturb me.

I was immediately warmed by the heat of his body as he drew closer to me. His breath was hot on my neck, my face, my lips. Was he going to kiss me?!

“No!” I heard myself scream as I pushed him away and sat up in bed.

“So, sleeping beauty was awake after all?” he chuckled, teasing me.

Bastard.

“I don’t remember our contract saying anything about sharing a bed.”

His face grew serious for a moment as he recognized my discomfort.

“It doesn’t, and you don’t need to worry.” he said calmly. “We must share a bed to avoid rumors that we are sleeping separately. If the Pack thought that, they would once again question the legitimacy of our union.”

“Oh.”

“Rest assured, Mira,” he said with a smirk, “I have no intention of acting like real Mates.”

“Good!” I said too quickly. “I mean, that’s good to know. You could’ve said something earlier.”

He grunted, as if to say this whole conversation was beneath him. He shifted to get more comfortable, putting space between us.

“Now, I am exhausted,” his eyes were closed. “Goodnight, Doctor.”

“Good night,” I said reluctantly.

I turned my back to him and listened for a while, not quite ready to trust him. Once I heard him softly snoring, I felt my body relax and sleep overtook me.

I dreamed.

I saw my parents, alive, happy. I was young, I was safe, I was playing with the little wolf I had as a child. It was so vivid, I could smell the wildflowers in our yard and hear my mother’s laugh as my father told her corny jokes in the kitchen.

And then I could smell blood. I could hear screaming. I saw my parent’s horrible corpses being carried away from me. The arms of the officers restraining me when I tried to run after them.

I jolted awake, feeling the wet tears streaming down my face. I still felt constricted, and it took me a moment to realize that it was Dominic’s arms around me. He held me tight, one hand softly caressing my hair to soothe me.

“Mira, it’s alright, you’re safe,” he cooed in my ear.

I freed my hands to wipe my face, wondering how much he had seen or heard.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” I lied.

“It’s okay if you’re not,” he said. “What did you see that made you cry so hard? You frightened even me.”

“Nothing,” I said sharply. “It’s nothing.”

I didn’t want to show any more weakness in front of him, it was embarrassing enough already.

“Just forget about it.”

“Mira, you can tell me—“

“I said forget about it!”

“Okay, have if your way,” he huffed and let me go.

We lay there in silence for who knows how long, watching the light change as the morning crept in.

Eventually, I felt Dominic shift and move out of the bed. He sat on the edge for a moment, and I could sense he didn’t quite know what to say.

“I have some business to take care of this morning. You’ll stay here.”

“Okay.”

“And I’ll need to deal with any wolves who still mistrust you,” he sighed. “Perhaps we can plan a dinner, an event, to earn their good graces.”

“Sure, just let me know what to do,” I said, not thrilled about playing as the housewife and hostess.

“Wyatt will be along later to fill you in on your duties, now that you’re here as a future Luna,” he added. “He can answer any other questions you have.”

Without looking at me, he stood to get dressed.

“Dominic, before you go..”

“What is it?” he said without looking at me.

“There is a medicine in the bathroom for you, with instructions for doses throughout the day,” I keep my voice clinical, though I wished I didn’t have to.

He paused, then shrugged acceptance and went on with his preparations.

In minutes I was alone again.

I took my time choosing clothes and getting accustomed to my new living quarters. Before too long there was knock, and Wyatt was at the door.

“Good morning, miss,” he started.

“Please, Wyatt, just Mira is fine,” I cut in.

“Mira, yes,” he seemed only slightly uncomfortable about the idea. “You’ll be needed shortly at a Pack gathering, there are some issues we all need to discuss. And this should help you get an idea of your expectations as take on this new role. There’s also a map of the complex and directory for anyone you may need to reach.”

He handed me a think packet of papers— apparently I had a lot of homework to do.

“I suppose I’ll Dominic at the meeting?”

“Actually, um, you may not mis— Mira,” he said. “He has other…business.”

“Does it have anything to do with what Lucas told him last night?”

“I am…not at liberty to say.”

“Wyatt, could you help me with something?” I had to think on my feet. “I can’t reach the top shelf in the closet, and want to put some things there.”

“Oh, yes, of course.”

As soon as he walked past me, I ran.

Looking quickly at the map, I figured out how to get to the Pack office.

Pausing at the door to catch my breath, I heard voices raised in a heated argument. I immediately recognized Dominic, and he was not happy.

“You expect me to sit here and do nothing?” he yelled. “An attack on our medical team is an attack on the Pack. And as a leader of this Pack, it is my responsibility to fight back!”

Another attack on the traveling medical team. I said a quick prayer of thanks that I hadn’t been sent, then came back to reality. Dominic was in no condition to go into the field, facing certain danger. His arrogance could get him killed!

“Sir, with respect, you don’t seem fit—“

“I am more fit than anyone in this room!” Dominic roared at his subordinate. “And my word is final.”

I threw open the door, hardly seeing anyone in the room but Dominic.

“I’m going with you.”