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Page 9 of The Alpha’s Forced Rejected Mate (Silverlight Valley Alphas #1)

The sedative would keep Luna under for at least another hour—more than enough time to reach the compound, Dominic thought, glancing at Luna’s unconscious form in the passenger seat. Her silver hair had started showing at the roots despite the dye job.

Even with the changes, even with her attempts to become someone else, his wolf had recognized her instantly.

The SUV hit a pothole, jostling Luna against the window. Without thinking, Dominic reached over to steady her, his hand lingering on her shoulder longer than necessary. He pulled back once he realized what he was doing.

Focus, Blackwood. She’s a target, nothing more.

The mountain road grew steeper as they climbed, dense pine forests giving way to rocky terrain. The Hunter Organization’s compound was purposely isolated, nestled in a valley surrounded by peaks that were nearly impassable to anyone who didn’t know the way.

Perfect for keeping the outside world at bay and keeping their operations private.

His secure phone vibrated in his pocket. Dominic checked the caller ID before answering, “Blackwood.”

“What’s your status?” Xavier Storm’s voice, even through the tinny speaker, carried an authority that demanded immediate compliance.

“Target acquired. Almost back at the base. ETA thirty minutes.”

There was a pause on the other end. “No complications?”

Dominic’s gaze flicked to Luna. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

“Good.” Xavier’s tone shifted, becoming almost pleased. “I’ve been reviewing her file. Interesting subject. Shifter blood but no ability to shift. Witch powers manifesting late. Council’s very interested in this one.”

Something cold settled in Dominic’s stomach. He’d never known Xavier to take such direct interest in a witch before.

“Is that why you sent me specifically?” Dominic asked, careful to keep his voice neutral.

Another pause, longer this time. “You’re my best hunter, Dominic. This witch has evaded us for years. I needed someone who wouldn’t fail.”

Evaded us for years?

Why did the answer feel like a half-truth?

“I’ll have her processed and ready for your arrival,” Dominic said, changing the topic.

“Good. I’m bringing the priest with me. The binding will happen on the dark moon tomorrow night.”

Dominic’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. That was unusually fast. Most witches were held for weeks before binding ceremonies were performed.

“Any particular reason for the rush?” he asked, maintaining a casual tone.

“The signs are increasing. More hunters were found with demonic corruption last week. Whatever the witches are planning, it’s accelerating.” Xavier’s voice hardened. “We can’t afford to wait.”

“Understood.”

“I’ll arrive tomorrow evening. Keep her secure until then. And Dominic—” Xavier paused. “Don’t allow yourself to be alone with her more than necessary. Even the strongest minds can be influenced.”

The call ended before Dominic could respond. He slipped the phone back into his pocket, a frown settling on his face. Xavier’s warning wasn’t standard protocol. It was almost as if…

As if he knew something about us.

But that was impossible. Dominic had never reported his history with Luna. Had never told anyone about their brief encounter, about discovering she was his mate. He only revisited that night in his memories.

Luna stirred slightly, her breathing pattern changing as the sedative began to wear off. Dominic refocused on the road ahead as the compound’s security gate came into view. Two armed guards stepped forward, recognition dawning on their faces as they saw who was driving.

“Alpha Blackwood,” the first guard greeted, respectfully bowing his head as he approached the driver’s window. His gaze flickered to Luna. “Successful hunt?”

“Always,” Dominic replied shortly. “Open the gate.”

“Yes, sir.” The guard stepped back, signaling to his partner. “Welcome home.”

The massive steel gate slid open, revealing the sprawling compound beyond. Unlike the military base that housed the Council offices and main operations center, this area was designed to look almost like a rustic mountain retreat.

Log cabins were arranged in a semicircle around a central clearing, with training grounds and other facilities hidden among the trees. It was where the hunting squads lived when not on assignment.

He parked behind his cabin. Luna was beginning to stir more insistently now, her eyelids fluttering. Dominic moved quickly, circling the vehicle to open her door. He unfastened her seatbelt and lifted her into his arms, one arm supporting her shoulders, the other beneath her knees.

She was lighter than he expected, yet her body fit against his with a familiarity that sent an unwelcome jolt through his system. Her head lolled against his chest, her scent filling his nostrils.

Don’t think about it. Don’t remember.

Dominic carried her up the steps to his cabin’s back entrance, where he managed to unlock the door without jostling her too much. Inside, he moved directly to the spare bedroom he’d converted to a secure holding room.

It wasn’t as cold or clinical as the cells in the main facility—it had a real bed, a private bathroom, even a small window, though it was reinforced with bars.

It was still a prison.

He laid Luna on the bed, then reached into his pocket for the specialized cuffs he’d brought. Silver alloy infused with binding spells—standard issue for witch containment. They would suppress her magic without causing physical harm.

As he fastened the first cuff around her wrist, Luna’s eyes shot open. For a disoriented moment, she stared up at him, confusion evident in her dark blue eyes.

Then, memory flooded back. “Get away from me!” she hissed, scrambling back against the headboard.

Dominic didn’t react. “I need to secure both wrists.”

“Screw you,” Luna spat, holding her already-cuffed wrist protectively against her chest. “I’m not your prisoner.”

“Actually, you are.” Dominic stood at his full height, towering over the bed. “Will you cooperate, or should I make you?”

She glared at him, and he kept his gaze on her, impassive. Finally, Luna thrust her free arm forward, her expression venomous.

“Just get it over with,” she muttered.

Dominic fastened the second cuff, felt that now-familiar charge leap between them when his fingers brushed against her. Luna flinched, clearly feeling it too.

“The cuffs will suppress your magic,” he explained, stepping back to a safer distance. “Any attempt to use your powers will result in feedback, which will be painful.”

“Where am I?” she demanded, looking around the room.

“Somewhere safe.”

“Safe for whom?” Luna challenged. “Not for me. Not for any witch you people get your hands on.”

A knock at the outer door interrupted her tirade. Dominic held up a hand, silencing her with a look.

“Not a sound,” he warned. “Or things will get much less comfortable for you very quickly.”

He closed and locked the holding room door behind him, crossing the main living area to answer the knock. Adrian stood on the porch, his ice-blue eyes sharp with curiosity.

“Heard you got back,” Adrian said, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Successful hunt?”

“Would I be here if it wasn’t?” Dominic replied dryly, blocking the entrance with his body.

Adrian’s gaze moved past him, scanning what little he could see of the cabin’s interior. “Bringing in assets yourself now? That’s not protocol. Usually, they’re delivered to processing first.”

“This one’s different. High value. Xavier’s orders.”

A crash came from the holding room, something heavy hitting the wall. Adrian raised an eyebrow.

“Sounds like your ‘asset’ is awake. Need a hand?”

“I can handle it,” Dominic said firmly.

Adrian studied him for a long moment. “Did you know this witch before the mission?”

“What makes you ask that?”

“In your text, you mentioned she was a former Silverlight Valley Pack member.” Adrian’s voice dropped lower. “Plus, you never bring assets here. Never. Or is it off the books?”

“It’s not off-books,” Dominic growled. “Xavier’s fully aware. He’s arriving tomorrow to oversee the binding personally.”

That caught Adrian’s attention. “Xavier himself? Must be some witch.”

Another crash, louder this time.

“I need to deal with this,” Dominic said, already turning away. “We’ll talk later.”

“Sure thing, Alpha.” Adrian pushed off the doorframe.

As soon as Adrian disappeared down the path toward his own cabin, Dominic closed the door and strode back to the holding room.

He unlocked it to find Luna standing in the center of the room, a shattered lamp at her feet and the small writing desk overturned.

“Are you finished?” he asked coldly.

Luna’s chest heaved with fury. “I haven’t even started.”

“Destroying my property won’t help your situation.”

“Neither will cooperation, from what I’ve heard. So why not make this as difficult as possible for you?” she kicked a piece of broken ceramic for emphasis.

Dominic moved with supernatural speed, crossing the room in a blur of motion. He backed her against the wall before she could even blink.

“Listen to me very carefully,” he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Your life depends on convincing the Council you’re not a threat. That you’re not working with demons. That you’re worth keeping alive.”

Luna’s eyes widened slightly, the first flicker of real fear crossing her features. “Why are you telling me this?”

Because I can’t watch you die.

Dominic pushed that thought aside violently.

“Because I need this process to go smoothly,” he said instead. “Xavier is arriving tomorrow. The binding ceremony is scheduled for the new moon tomorrow. Until then, you’re my responsibility.”

“And after? After I’m bound to some random hunter and stripped of my powers? Whose responsibility am I then?”

“You’ll be relocated,” he said, the words feeling hollow even to his own ears. “Given a new start somewhere safe.”

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