Page 42 of The Alpha’s Forced Rejected Mate (Silverlight Valley Alphas #1)

The room felt heavy with silence. Marcus shook his head and replied, "Nothing definite. Their progress with the portal is definitely stalled after your escape and the rescue of the dozen."

Kieran added, "They’re being more careful after what went down with Xavier, but they’re still out there."

Luna thought about the vision she’d had months ago—a shadow spreading through the group like venom. They had taken care of one demon, but her magic had shown her there was more to come.

Dominic stared straight into her eyes, his gray gaze firm. "We’ll find them," he promised. "And we’ll finish this."

The meeting dragged on longer than expected, lasting another hour while the team went over their rescue plans and talked about backup options.

As they wrapped up and the afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, Dominic looked at the others. "Get some rest," he told them. "Tomorrow is going to be tough."

One by one, the alphas exited the room, leaving just Dominic and Luna in the cabin.

"Let me take care of you tonight," he whispered as Luna dropped into her chair with a look of fatigue on her face. His voice filled her chest with warmth.

It made her think of how much had changed since those dark days when he had run after her, and the darkness within him had taken control.

"I’d like that," she said.

Dominic drew Luna into his arms and held her up as if she were weightless. Her arms went around his neck, and she inhaled his scent.

He carried Luna through the settlement until they reached their cabin. The cabin felt warm and inviting inside with a large stone fireplace.

He set her on their king-sized bed and Luna sighed in satisfaction as she fell into the plush mattress.

As he pulled off her boots, he inquired, "Food or bath?"

"A bath," Luna mumbled. "I smell like the forest."

"You smell like you're mine." His voice had a possessive tone as he set her boots aside and walked toward the bathroom.

She felt her eyes growing weary as the sound of water cascading into the copper tub reached her. Dominic's fingers shaking her shoulder startled her—she must have nodded off without realizing it.

"The bath's ready," he said as he assisted her in standing up.

Luna adored the bathroom's copper tub, even more now when it was filled with water that smelled of lavender. Steam rose, filling the air. Dominic stayed close behind her, untying her top and easing her out of her pants.

"Are you going to join me?" Luna asked, stepping into the warm, comforting water.

Dominic's gaze sharpened. "If I do, you won’t get any of the rest you need."

Luna sank into the bath, letting the warmth ease her aching body. "Who said I was looking to rest?"

As he undressed, Luna’s thighs grew slick.

Her gaze swept over him, observing his broad shoulders, his strong legs, and his hard cock.

The tub held the two of them, but Dominic's bulk took up most of the space.

He drew her against his chest as he slid in behind her, his erection pressing against her. "Are you feeling better now?"

Luna settled her back against his firm chest and snuggled into him. "So much better," she replied.

They stayed quiet for a while letting the silence fill the space around them. Dominic kept moving his hands—sometimes brushing her stomach, other times resting them on her shoulders.

"I never thought this would be my life," she said in a low voice, as the damp heat of the bathroom enveloped them, and the faint scent of lavender seemed to lull them in a kind of cozy calm. "Being part of a pack that accepts me. Having a mate who loves me. Getting ready to welcome our own child."

She sighed and leaned deeper into his arms as he drew her even closer. The weight of the day seemed to gradually melt away.

Dominic's deep voice filled the space. "You deserve everything and more. I'll spend my life proving it to you."

She smiled, her fingers tracing shapes along his arm. "Do you mean it?"

He leaned in and murmured, "I swear it," his lips brushing the curve where her neck and shoulder met. "On my life. On my pack.”

As his teeth touched her flesh, she felt a surge of warmth go over her, making her breath catch. She shifted against him, water flowing over the edge as she maneuvered to straddle his lap.

He taunted, "I thought you were too tired," in a lighthearted tone.

"I caught my second wind." Luna leaned in and kissed him. Her lips brushed against his.

The kiss started gentle but turned more intense, their years of hidden emotions and months of growing intimacy poured into it. Dominic placed his hands on her hips, his grip sure and unwavering as he led her.

They managed to dry off before Dominic scooped her up and carried her to their bed. He set her down on the blankets. Luna pulled him down beside her without hesitation.

The night outside had claimed the sky. The room was filled with moonlight, which gave everything a gleaming sheen. Dominic leaned above her. The way the light framed him made him look every inch the alpha wolf he was.

Luna mumbled, "I love you," as she ran her fingertips over the rough edge of his jaw. “More than I ever thought possible.”

With a head tilt, Dominic planted a kiss on the middle of her palm. "And I love you, Luna Mitchell." His hand settled against her stomach. "Both of you."

As he bent down to kiss her again, Luna was certain that they would remain firm in their battle with the demons, whatever dangers they faced.

The silver-haired witch and her black wolf would always face the fight side by side.

*****

THE END