Page 29 of The Alpha’s Forced Rejected Mate (Silverlight Valley Alphas #1)

Dominic's wolf was magnificent—larger than any she'd seen, powerful and graceful.

When she first saw him fight in his wolf form, everything had been too fast, but now she could properly appreciate him.

Luna couldn’t look away.

Dominic prowled the clearing's perimeter, his movements displaying controlled power. When he broke into a run, demonstrating attack speed, Luna's breath caught in her throat.

Beautiful.

Luna knew she should leave. It felt almost voyeuristic for her to watch something so primal while hiding. And yet she couldn't force her feet to move; she was hypnotized by the sight of Dominic in his true form.

She couldn’t imagine how long he’d been denied this. The dark influence had suppressed his wolf, imprisoned it beneath layers of corruption. Now, running freely, he was whole again—both man and wolf united.

The training continued, other pack members shifting to join him. Luna watched them move together, a coordinated unit following Dominic's lead.

After what seemed like hours but was likely only minutes, the wolves began shifting back to human form.

Dominic was last, his transformation as fluid as before. Luna stared at him again as his powerful wolf body elongated, fur receding to reveal muscle.

Luna swallowed hard, heat flooding her face as he stood tall, sweat glistening on his bare chest. She'd seen him shirtless before. But something about witnessing the transformation, about seeing him in his dual nature, made this different. More affecting.

Stop staring , she scolded herself, retreating silently, moving deeper into the forest before circling back toward the eastern border. Her body hummed with need, and Luna knew she was wet. He hadn’t even touched her or looked at her.

She shook her head, trying to distract her mind from the half-man, half-wolf she just saw in all his glory. The eastern border needed protection. Everything else, especially her confused feelings for Dominic, could wait.

***

It was nighttime when Luna finished the fifth ward. She was beyond exhausted, and her magic reserve was empty. She had said she would do one a day, but after the help from the young wolves, she knew she could get more done.

After finishing with the eastern border, she had started on the southern border, making far more progress than she expected on the first day.

Now, Luna packed up, tucking the grimoire into her satchel. The forest was now very quiet under the evening sky.

Luna moved carefully on her way back to the compound. In the distance, she could hear the evening sounds of the pack, voices carrying on the still air, the occasional laugh or call.

A rustle in the undergrowth to her left made Luna pause. She scanned the shadowy forest, senses alert.

The rustle came again, closer this time. Luna tensed, backing up slowly, eyes fixed on the dense brush where the sound came from.

Oh moon!

A massive black form burst out from the undergrowth, moving so swiftly Luna barely had time to register it before it stood before her.

It was Dominic's wolf.

His silver markings were unmistakable even in the dim light, intelligent gray eyes fixed on her face.

Luna felt relief. "You gave me a fright," she said, trying to calm her quickening breaths.

The wolf gave a peculiar snort. Now he was even more impressive than she had ever seen him from afar.

Her voice was unsteady as she said, "I was just heading back. I was done with my wards."

Dominic's wolf lowered his head and grazed gently against her hand. His fur felt much softer than she'd imagined.

"What is going on?" she asked.

Dominic now moved around her, brushing against her legs. Luna held still, her heart pounding against her ribs.

What is he doing?

Before her, their eyes connected. That look ignited fire within her chest, and the heat began to race through her limbs in a matter of seconds. Without thinking, Luna reached out, tracing the silver markings from his muzzle to between his ears.

The wolf's head lowered in agreement as he leaned into her touch, accompanied by a deep, burbling rumble. Luna's heart seemed to stop. It felt intimate, but she couldn't put it to words yet. She watched, awestruck, as faint rays of light seemed to be cast from the silver marking beneath her touch.

"You are wonderful," she whispered in awe, before she was able to stop herself.

Dominic's wolf moved closer, his huge body warm on her side. She stroked along his neck with her free hand, digging her fingers into his thick fur. Waves of awareness coursed through her, an intoxicating concoction of awe and desire.

Luna gave herself a moment.

"We should get back," she whispered, hand reluctantly withdrawing. "It's getting dark."

Dominic stepped back, then went to her side, though he looked intent on seeing her all the way home. Luna gave her assent, readjusted her satchel, and they started to walk down the path together.

Through the twilight forest, walking with the wolf side of Dominic seemed peculiarly natural, as if they'd done it hundreds of times before. Luna relaxed, and the little bit of tiredness she'd felt earlier was washed away by serene goodness.

Entering the compound filled her with a growing awareness of curious glances. The sight of Dominic's wolf walking beside her, almost protectively, would certainly fuel pack gossip.

The cabin was dark when they reached it.

Luna opened the door, letting Dominic enter first. Inside, she lit a few lamps, casting the main room in a warm glow.

Dominic's wolf moved to the large rug before the unlit fireplace and settled down, watching as Luna removed her satchel and began unpacking her supplies.

"Are you staying wolf all night?" she asked, arranging her herbs on the small kitchen table.

A nod from the massive black form.

"Any particular reason?"

Dominic's wolf just watched her, those gray eyes revealing nothing. Luna sighed, running a hand through her silver hair, loosening the braid that had grown messy during her day's work.

"I'm going to shower. I smell like forest floor." Luna gathered clean clothes and retreated to the bathroom, where she spent long minutes under the hot spray.

By the time she emerged, dressed in soft black leggings and an oversized sleep shirt, she felt human again—or as human as she ever felt.

Dominic remained in wolf form, now sprawled across the rug. The fire was lit, though, casting dancing shadows across his black fur. Luna paused, taking in the sight. He must have shifted briefly to light it, then returned to wolf form.

"Thank you," she said, gesturing to the fire. "That's…nice."

Dominic's wolf watched her, those gray eyes reflecting the firelight. Luna hesitated, then moved to sit on the floor near him, close enough to feel his warmth but not quite touching.

"Mia, Liam, and Sophia helped me today," Luna continued, realizing suddenly it was easier to talk to him in this form. Perhaps because she didn't have to guard against his expressions, didn't have to worry about what he was thinking. "They're…not what I expected."

She stared into the fire, memories of the day washing over her. "Nobody's quite what I expected, honestly. I thought—I thought it would be worse, coming back here."

The wolf moved then, sliding closer until his side pressed warm against her hip. Luna tensed momentarily before relaxing, one hand tentatively coming to rest on his back. The simple contact felt right in a way she couldn't explain.

"I saw you training today," she admitted quietly, eyes fixed on the dancing flames. "I didn't mean to spy. I was just passing by and…" Her voice trailed off as she struggled to find the right words. "You're different as wolf. Free. Powerful."

Dominic's wolf turned his head to look at her, something unreadable in those gray eyes. Luna's hand continued its gentle motion along his fur, finding the repetitive movement soothing.

They sat in silence, the only sounds the crackling fire and Dominic's steady breathing. Luna's exhaustion gradually returned, her eyelids growing heavy. Without thinking, she leaned more heavily against Dominic's warm side, her head coming to rest against his shoulder.

"I should go to bed," she mumbled, but made no move to rise.

Dominic shifted slightly, adjusting his position to better support her weight. Luna knew she should get up, maintain the careful distance they'd established since returning to the pack. But the fire was warm, Dominic's presence was comforting, and she was so very tired.

This should be fine.