Bound by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 14

Rebecca's POV

The public bus jolted over a pothole, shaking me from my miserable thoughts. I glanced down at my phone, the screen displaying yet another rejection email.

It had been two days since I received Horizon Media Group's rejection, and I'd spent every waking hour sending out job applications. My former teaching position had been filled months ago—I'd given it up to plan the wedding and support William's career ambitions, a decision that now felt like a cruel joke.

"I need to expand my search," I muttered to myself, scrolling through more listings. Maybe cleaning jobs? Retail? I had a college degree, but not much else in terms of marketable skills. The irony wasn't lost on me—I'd abandoned my career to support William's ambitions, and now I was left with nothing.

My father's medical bills flashed through my mind. The treatments weren't getting any cheaper, and without William's income, the responsibility fell squarely on my shoulders. Sofia had been generous enough to let me crash at her place, but I couldn't—wouldn't—be a burden forever.

Lost in my spiraling thoughts, I missed my stop. By the time I realized, the bus was pulling away from downtown, heading toward Oak Park. I sighed, deciding to get off at the next stop rather than wait for the return journey.

"I'm not in the mood to go back to Sofia's anyway," I thought as I stepped off the bus. She'd been nothing but supportive, but I couldn't bear another evening of her gentle encouragement and optimistic pep talks. Sometimes you just need to be miserable alone.

Oak Park stretched before me, surprisingly peaceful in the early evening light. Families picnicked on checkered blankets, couples strolled hand in hand, and children chased each other around a playground. Normal people living normal lives. I wandered deeper into the park, seeking solitude, until I found an ancient oak tree standing apart from the others. I settled at its base, my back against the rough bark, and watched the sun begin its descent over the park's small lake.

The water's surface transformed from blue to orange to deep crimson as the sun sank lower. I observed a young couple across the lake, the man's arm draped casually around the woman's shoulders. They looked happy, unburdened. I wondered if they knew how quickly everything could fall apart.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Mom. Again. I silenced it without answering. My parents were still furious about the canceled wedding and the wasted money. They didn't know the full story—how could I explain werewolves and secret affairs to them? All they knew was that their daughter had "cold feet" and had thrown away years of planning and thousands of dollars.

"I'm such an idiot," I whispered to the darkening sky. I'd sacrificed my career, alienated my parents, and now I couldn't even get a job serving coffee. How was I going to help with Dad's medical bills now?

My fingers absently traced the indent on my left ring finger where William's engagement ring had once sat. I caught myself and jerked my hand away, disgusted at the habit. Five years. Five years of my life given to a man who had been cheating on me the entire time, who had a child with another woman, who had planned to use me for status before discarding me.

Sofia had been my rock through all of this, but even her unwavering support couldn't fill the hollow space inside me. I felt utterly alone, a failure in every possible way. Not good enough to keep my fiancé faithful. Not qualified enough to find a decent job.

The sun had nearly disappeared, leaving the park bathed in twilight shadows, when I decided it was time to head back. As I stood and brushed off my jeans, a familiar deep voice carried through the evening air. My heart stuttered.

Dominic Sterling.

---

I froze, then quickly ducked behind the oak tree. After our last encounter at the clinic, the last thing I wanted was another confrontation. Especially now that I knew about the werewolf laws Sofia had explained—about how rejecting a mate required a formal ritual, and how dangerous it could be to defy an Alpha.

I peered cautiously around the trunk. Dominic was walking with an elegant woman toward a bench about thirty yards away. She was tall and slender, with perfect blonde hair styled in a sophisticated updo.

I shrank back, grateful that I was downwind from them. Sofia had explained that werewolves could track scents, and the last thing I needed was for Dominic to catch mine. I'd have to wait until they left before I could sneak away.

"Dominic, please..." The woman's voice carried on the evening breeze. "We make sense together. What happened last week that suddenly changed your mind?"

"Besides you fucking Duke at the hotel?" Dominic's voice was cold, laced with sarcasm.

I pressed myself against the tree, suddenly very aware that I was eavesdropping on what seemed to be a private breakup. But I couldn't move without risking being seen.

"It was only that one time," the woman—Elizabeth, I would later learn—pleaded. "And you know very well I gave you my first."

A hot flush crept up my neck. This was getting uncomfortably personal.

"It's over, Elizabeth," Dominic said, his voice hardening. "The Luna of the Silver Moon can only bear one man's mark."

Luna? I recalled Sofia mentioning that term—the Alpha's mate was called Luna, the female leader of the pack.

"Dominic, please..." Elizabeth's voice cracked with desperation. "Give me another chance."

"I'm leaving now," Dominic replied coldly. "You'd best not show your face around me again, or I'll have Beta Marcus deal with it."

I heard footsteps and panicked as I realized Dominic was walking in my direction. I pressed myself harder against the tree trunk, trying to become one with the bark. He passed by just a few feet away, his back to me, then stopped. I held my breath, carefully shifting to stay hidden.

My phone vibrated in my pocket—a text message notification—and I froze in horror at the faint sound. I watched as Elizabeth stormed off in the opposite direction, shoulders rigid with anger.

"Eavesdropping is an interesting hobby," Dominic said suddenly, turning around to face my hiding spot. His deep blue eyes locked directly onto mine. "Isn't it, Rebecca?"

My heart hammered against my ribs. How long had he known I was there?

"I wasn't eavesdropping," I said, stepping out from behind the tree, trying to maintain some dignity. "I was here first, actually."

Dominic's mouth curved into a knowing smirk. "Quite brave for a human... especially considering you're standing on my pack's territory."

I lifted my chin defiantly. "I'm just stating facts. And I won't be staying in this place much longer. As soon as I find a job, I'm leaving town."

He took a step closer, and I instinctively took one back, my spine pressing against the rough bark of the oak tree. The air between us seemed to crackle with tension.

"Let me go," I said, attempting to step around him. "I need to get back."

Dominic reached out, his fingers gently encircling my arm. "Wait. I'll drive you."

"That's not necessary," I said stiffly, trying to ignore the strange current that ran up my arm from his touch. "I can get back on my own."

"Rebecca," he said, my name rolling off his tongue like a caress, and something in his voice made me turn to face him.

Before I could process what was happening, his lips were on mine. Electricity shot through my body, radiating from the point where our mouths connected. It was the same sensation I'd felt that first night at the hotel, but stronger, more insistent.

I pulled back, gasping. "What... what was that?"

Dominic's eyes had darkened, the blue almost swallowed by his dilated pupils. Without answering, he leaned in again, and despite every logical part of my brain screaming to push him away, I found myself meeting him halfway.

The second kiss ignited something inside me, all my sadness and anxiety temporarily evaporating in a rush of unexpected joy. I was shocked to realize that this feeling—this overwhelming, all-consuming sensation—was more powerful than anything I'd ever felt during five years with William.

"Such a pure scent," Dominic murmured against my ear, and before I could respond, he swept me up into his arms.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, suddenly airborne.

"Taking you to my car," he answered simply. "It's more comfortable there. I can't wait any longer."