Chapter 272 The Alpha Comes Home
Author
Ten miles away, Alpha Dominic had been in the middle of a territory dispute.
Two border packs were arguing over hunting rights, and the elders had been going back and forth for an hour. He was supposed to mediate.
He stood up mid-sentence.
"My Luna needs me. Finish without me."
Walter didn’t even blink. He just picked up the meeting where his Alpha had left off. He’d seen this coming since the day Alpha Dominic claimed his Luna.
Alpha Dominic was in the car before the door fully closed. Charlie didn’t ask where. He just drove.
Alpha Dominic pulled up the livestream on his phone. Elara was on the couch, curled into a fetal position, one hand pressed to her jaw. The chat was scrolling with advice, but he didn’t read it. He just watched her.
--
Twenty minutes later, he walked into the apartment. The lights were off. The living room was empty.
Linda appeared from the kitchen. She nodded toward the guest bedroom. "Luna moved about ten minutes ago. Said the couch was too exposed, too many cameras. She’s in the guest room."
"The gel?"
"Working. Just not fast enough. She’s frustrated."
Alpha Dominic nodded. He could feel it through the bond. A tight knot of anger and exhaustion. Her frustration was sitting in his chest like a second heartbeat.
"I’ve got it from here."
Linda didn’t argue. "I’ll be in the living room if you need anything."
Alpha Dominic walked into the guest bedroom. The curtains were drawn. The room was dark. A single camera glowed red in the far corner.
Elara was curled up on the bed with her back to the door, one hand pressed to her jaw.
She didn’t turn around. But her wolf stilled.
He felt it through the bond. The second she caught his scent. Her wolf went quiet. Like she had been waiting for him and could finally rest.
He didn’t say anything. He crossed the room, sat down on the edge of the bed, and lay down next to her.
She turned into him before he could settle. Her face pressed into his chest. Her fingers grabbed the front of his shirt. She breathed in deep and slow, pulling his scent into her lungs like it was the first clean air she had all day.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. He pressed his cheek against the top of her head and let his wolf breathe against hers. Slow and steady. Just letting her know he was there.
Her shoulders dropped. Her grip on his shirt loosened.
They lay like that for a long time. Neither of them spoke.
"I’m so tired of hurting," she said finally. Her voice was muffled against his chest.
"I know."
"Linda did everything right. The gel works. It just doesn’t work fast enough."
"I know."
"And I know I’m being irrational."
"You’re pregnant. You’re in pain. You’re allowed to be irrational."
She let out a shaky breath. "I hate this."
"I know."
She lifted her head and looked at him. Her eyes were red. Her jaw was tight. She looked exhausted.
"Can I do something?" he asked.
"Like what?"
Instead of answering, he moved his hand to the side of her face. He pressed his palm against her swollen cheek. His hand was warm. The pressure was steady. She closed her eyes and leaned into it.
"Your hands are warm," she said.
"Wolves run hot."
"I know. I forget sometimes."
He held his hand there, letting the warmth sink into her aching jaw. She let out a long breath. Her body softened against his.
"Better?" he asked.
She didn’t answer. But she didn’t pull away. Her hand found his and held it in place.
The camera in the corner caught all of it. From the wide angle, they were just two shapes on the bed, tangled together in the dark.
The chat was losing it.
[He didn’t even kiss her. He just held her face and she calmed down.]
[I need someone who can calm me down just by putting a hand on my face. Is that too much to ask?]
[Yes. Yes it is.]
[This is more romantic than any kiss scene I’ve ever watched.]
[I feel like I’m intruding on something private.]
[You are. That’s the point of the show.]
[Fair enough.]