Chapter 5

Dominic

I’d barely stepped outside when my phone buzzed again. I didn't bother to check the number and answered.

“Alpha Brightclaw,” a clipped voice came through. “Andrew has crossed into Brightclaw’s borders.”

I stiffened. “Where is he?”

“He checked into the Phoenix Gate Hotel under his own name.”

That stopped me. “He didn’t try to go to the Estate?”

“No, sir. Took a standard suite, no flagged behavior. We’ve dispatched a watch detail.”

“Keep eyes on him,” I said. “Discreetly.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

I hung up, staring down at the screen, my thumb hovering. Andrew had said he wanted to reconcile, but I hadn’t expected him to actually show up and actually… behave. I expected him to make some kind of scene. I had been prepared for an ambush at the Estate gates, a demand for keys and free passage.

But instead… a hotel. I didn’t trust it. Not yet.

My phone buzzed again. This time, it was him.

I answered.

“'Nic,” he said. “I'm in Brightclaw. I don't suppose the big, busy alpha has time for coffee and a conversation?"

I leaned against the stone railing outside the judicial building. “Today?"

“Let's not pretend that you don't know how long I've been in town. You always did have your dogs,” he said, but his tone was tired. Not mocking. Not cruel. Just… weary. Odd. Was it a trick? “I’m at Crossed Pines Café. Thought it’d be neutral enough.”

“I’ll be there in twenty.”

I hung up before he could say more.

As I walked back to my car, I couldn’t stop the memories from pushing forward. Andrew at seventeen, his fists clenched in fury when Father passed him over. Andrew at twenty, packing up his things long before Hazel had been taken, the morning of my wedding, spitting accusations I refused to respond to. Andrew who had always been a master at twisting conversations just enough to be right, just enough to be pitied.

I remembered the way he’d look at me with those sharp eyes full of calculation and ask if I ever thought he would’ve been a better choice, if he had been born first, if he had been loved more.

I remembered the venom in his voice from then. And now he wanted to talk about what? It was clear that he still held his old resentments. I slid into the car and gave the address to the driver.

“I'll make it quick,” I muttered. “If I’m not out in thirty minutes, call my assistant.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

As we pulled into the road, I leaned my head back against the seat and closed my eyes. Maybe he had changed. Maybe time had done something to soften him. Maybe he was just as bitter and manipulative as ever and wanted something.

But if he’d finally learned how to knock on the door instead of trying to blow it down, I owed it to both of us to at least open it.

Just a crack with claws at the ready, as father would say.

The café was too quaint for what I knew of him. Overgrown ferns in the windows, reclaimed wood tables that looked like they were bought for aesthetic rather than durability. Still, it was neutral, like Andrew said. Public. Safe.

I spotted him right away. He hadn’t changed much. Same lean frame, same sharp posture that came from always being on the defense. He was nursing a cup of something too bitter, probably black coffee, probably cold. His eyes tracked me the second I walked in. His jaw clenched as he scanned me. That old resentment stirring in his eyes.

“Dominic.” He didn’t stand. Just said my name like he'd rather not..

I sat across from him, my gut instinct flaring up like wildfire: He shouldn’t be here.

But I didn’t say that. Not yet.

“Andrew.”

We stared at each other for a long moment. He looked tired. Not just travel-weary, but hollow in a way I hadn’t seen before.

"Aren't you going to order something?"

"Give me a reason to."

He set his jaw. “I’m not staying long. Don’t worry.”

“Didn’t say I was.”

“You didn’t have to,” he said with a short laugh. “You never have to. You’re good at making people feel like they’re trespassing even when they’re invited.”

I said nothing, letting that glance off because that had never been true, no matter how many times he'd said it. Andrew, however, was a master of shutting down and pushing people out with little more than a look.

I just waited, not rising to the bait. The scent of coffee filled my nose.

“I’m not here to cause problems,” he went on. “I’m not here to stir up old shit or beg for a title that was never going to be mine. I know you don’t want me here.”

He wasn’t wrong. “Then why come?”

“I’m looking for someone,” he said, fingers tapping against his mug. “Once I find her, I’m gone.”

Her.

I raised a brow. His mate? That would make sense, but what made him think she was in Brightclaw? Had he gone to see the witches?

Maybe he was here to see a witch.

"You're not going to ask?"

"You made it clear it wasn't my business… and if you want me to know, you'll say."

His lips twitched. "Always remembering all the little things, aren't you?"

"Devil's in the details."

He looked out the window like it might open up and show her to him.

“I know she's here, before you think too hard about it,” he said, gaze sharp now. “I’m not asking for favors. I just want time and space to find her.”

I studied him. His words weren’t defensive. They were honest. Or close to it. Still, there was always something about Andrew that made me feel like I needed to double-check the locks after he left a room.

“And once you find her?” I asked.

“I leave,” he said plainly. “Brightclaw was never mine. I accepted that a long time ago.”

I watched him a moment longer. “Then, best of luck and try to stay out of trouble while you’re here.”

Andrew smiled, slow and tired. “Wouldn’t dream of anything else, Alpha.”

I hated the way he said that, but I got up to leave him with his cold coffee and thoughts.

Renee

I returned to Brightclaw feeling…lighter. It was strange. I hadn’t felt peace like that in what felt like months. Mountainhowl had its own kind of rhythm. It was all salt air, calm mornings, the sound of the sea washing away all the voices in my head. But now that I was back, I could already feel the old weight settling onto my shoulders. Right on top of my tan lines.

Arielle hadn’t let me return to the internship. I’d argued. She didn’t care. Said if I tried, she’d wrestle me down and hog tie me.

I didn't want to even chance the idea that she wasn't kidding. So I texted Neil and asked if we could meet. Somewhere neutral. Casual. I picked a ramen place I had always wanted to try, one with mismatched chairs and hand-drawn murals on the wall. Comfort food.

When Neil walked in, I knew something was off.

His posture was tighter than usual, jaw clenched, expression unreadable, but not blank. Just guarded. I didn't like it.

I stood when he approached, gave him a soft smile. “Hey. Thanks for coming.”

He nodded, slid into the seat across from me, and didn’t return the smile. The waitress came, and we ordered. I waited until she left to speak again.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry,” I said, folding my hands. “At the hospital. I was harsh, and you didn't deserve that.”

Neil let out a short breath, like he’d been holding it. “You were scared,” he said, shrugging. “I get it.”

But his voice wasn’t warm. There was no gentle teasing or joy.

I tilted my head. “What’s going on with you?”

He met my eyes then, something fierce and sharp burning behind his usually easygoing gaze. “I’m trying to understand,” he said. “And brace myself. That’s all.”

“For what?”

“For the let down.” His voice was low, and he looked away. “I don’t do well with rejection, Renee.”

My chest tightened. “Rejection?”

His eyes came back to me, steady. “Yes. I’ve been trying to be patient. Let you take your time. Heal. Breathe. But I’m still me. And my wolf—he’s not as patient as I am. He’s powerful. Not dangerous,” he added quickly, seeing the flicker in my expression, “but the come down is rough. And I need to know where I stand.”

I stared at him, heart thudding.

"I don't want you to think that I would just cut you our of my life. You have my support. You have my friendship." He leaned forward slightly. “But I need to know, so I’m going to ask you directly because dragging this out will make it worse, and I can't stomach the thought of going on like this. Is there a chance for us, Renee? Or is your heart already with Dominic?”