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Dominic's dad, who I learned was named Garmon, was the Alpha of the pack.

Dominic's mother, Liana, was the Luna. The Luna was the Alpha's mate apparently, and is also revered in the pack as its mother.

Dominic and his parents sat down with me the past hour trying to explain the world of the werewolves.

I learned about the hierarchy structure, mating rituals, and last of all, transformations.

I had yet to see anyone transform, so Dominic decided it was time. His parents stayed in the cabin we talked in while Dominic and I stepped outside. I could feel myself get nauseous as I feared what I was about to see.

"Elaine, we don't have to do this right now. I know you've been through a lot today. Hell, I broke you out of the mental hospital not too long ago." Dominic squeezed my hand as a comforting gesture.

"It's fine, I need to get this over with. But before you switch, I need you to answer a question for me."

"What question?" Dominic had a weird look on his face that I couldn't quite place.

"How long have the rouges been trailing me?" I asked with a serious expression on my face.

Dominic looked away. "Too long. I should have done something sooner."

"What does 'too long' mean?" I pressed.

"Since your junior year." He let out a sigh. "Please forgive me. It was just too painful to be around you when Nick's scent was all over you."

I dated Nick most of my junior year, save for the last two weeks, and Dominic had shown up only after we broke up. I understood, but I was curious why he was unwilling to do anything until now. It's been over a year that I have been followed.

"I had no idea about the bloodline thing until now.

I just thought they were trailing you because you had the scent of an Alpha's mark on you.

I thought that by staying away you would be safe.

" Dominic had a tortured look in his gaze, almost as if he were beating himself up over this fact.

"I probably should have told my parents who you were, but I was afraid that they would judge me for having a human as my mate. "

"I completely understand all of it." I leaned forward and kissed him.

Our kiss began slow at first, but it slowly became more and more passionate.

He kissed me like a man who bordered on obsession, which he probably did.

All I knew was that having our tongues intertwined felt right.

More right than any other kiss I'd had before.

Dominic only broke the kiss when we needed a break to gasp for air.

"Let me show you my wolf. He's dying to meet his mate." Dominic took a hold of my hand and kissed it before backing away from me.

This was actually happening. The moment Dominic stepped back, the air around him seemed to shimmer.

His golden eyes locked onto mine as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt, letting it fall to the forest floor.

Moonlight painted his bare chest in silver, highlighting every taut muscle, every scar that told stories I had yet to learn.

"Don't be afraid," he murmured, his voice already rougher, deeper.

I wasn't. Not exactly. But my heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird as I watched his body begin to change.

It started with his hands—his fingers elongating, claws pushing through the tips as bones cracked and reformed.

A gasp escaped me, but Dominic didn't flinch.

His shoulders rolled, muscles shifting beneath his skin like liquid.

His spine arched, and I heard the sickening pop of joints realigning.

Then came the fur—dark as midnight, sprouting across his body in waves.

His face contorted, his jaw lengthening into a muzzle, teeth sharpening into fangs.

The sounds were awful—wet, cracking, wrong—but Dominic's eyes never left mine.

Those golden eyes, full of fire and devotion, remained his even as the rest of him became something else entirely.

And then—

A wolf stood before me.

Not just any wolf. Dominic's wolf.

He was massive, his shoulders nearly level with my chest, his fur thick and gleaming under the moonlight. His ears twitched, listening to my shaky breaths, and when he took a step forward, it was with the same quiet confidence Dominic always carried.

I should have been terrified.

But all I felt was recognition.

Slowly, I reached out. His wolf exhaled through his nose, warm breath ghosting over my fingers before I even touched him. Then— My fingertips brushed his muzzle.

A spark shot through me, lighting up every nerve ending.

The scar on my shoulder burned, and for a split second, I felt him—not just his fur under my hand, but him.

His thoughts. His emotions. The way his wolf had waited for this moment, for me, for years.

A whine built in his throat, and he pressed his forehead against my chest, nuzzling into me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.

I laughed, breathless, sinking my fingers into his fur. "I see you," I whispered.

A rustle in the trees made us both stiffen.

Dominic's wolf whipped around, a snarl ripping from his throat as he positioned himself between me and the darkness beyond. His ears flattened against his skull, his body coiled to attack.

But it wasn't rogues.

It was the pack.

Dozens of wolves emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing in the night. At the front stood the largest—Garmon, in his wolf form, his silver-tipped fur marking him as Alpha. Beside him, Liana watched me with keen, intelligent eyes.

They'd seen everything.

And now, they knew.

Dominic's wolf turned back to me, nudging my hand with his nose before stepping forward to face his father. The two wolves locked eyes, some silent conversation passing between them. Then, slowly, Garmon dipped his head—not in submission, but in acknowledgment.

Liana stepped forward next, her wolf smaller but no less regal. She sniffed the air around me, then huffed, almost approvingly, before brushing her flank against mine in a gesture that felt strangely like acceptance.

Dominic shifted back in a blur of motion, his human form returning as quickly as it had left. He was breathing hard, sweat glistening on his skin, but his eyes burned with triumph.

"They recognize you," he said, his voice rough from the shift. "As my mate. As part of the pack."

A howl cut through the night—closer this time.

Dominic's smile faded. "But the rogues won't care about pack law." He pulled me against him, his lips brushing my ear. "And the moon is rising."