Bound by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 144

Rebecca's POV

I watched with barely contained emotion as Dominic cradled Lucas in his strong arms. His face, usually so controlled and commanding, had softened into an expression of pure wonder. The sight of my powerful Alpha husband gently holding our newborn son created a warmth in my chest that threatened to overflow.

"I never imagined my heart could hold this much love and fulfillment," Dominic whispered, his deep blue eyes never leaving Lucas's tiny face. His large hand carefully supported our son's head while his thumb gently caressed the dusting of dark brown hair.

Lucas made a small gurgling sound, and Dominic expertly adjusted his position, lifting him to his shoulder and patting his back with practiced movements.

"You seem to know what you're doing," I said, a tired smile spreading across my face. The exhaustion from labor still weighed heavily on me, but the joy of seeing my family together pushed it to the background.

"I may have watched a few videos," Dominic admitted with a sheepish grin. "I wanted to be prepared."

"Does that preparation extend to changing diapers?" I teased.

"Of course," he replied with mock seriousness. "I've negotiated billion-dollar deals. How hard can changing a diaper be?"

I laughed softly. "I'll remind you of that confidence at three in the morning."

"Challenge accepted," Dominic said, pressing a gentle kiss to Lucas's head before carefully lowering him into the clear hospital bassinet beside my bed. "Silver Moon Shadow Pack members take responsibility for their promises."

Our son had fallen asleep, his tiny fists relaxed, his breathing even and peaceful. My heart swelled looking at him—this perfect blend of Dominic and me.

"He's much more handsome than you," I said, my voice thick with emotion.

Dominic moved to sit on the edge of my bed, his fingers intertwining with mine. "But he'll never be as beautiful as you," he replied, bringing my hand to his lips. The sincerity in his eyes made my breath catch.

After a moment, he glanced at his watch. "Some pack members will be coming by soon to pay their respects. It's tradition when a new pack member is born, especially the Alpha's heir." He must have noticed my sudden tension because he quickly added, "I won't let them stay long. Dr. Winters has strict rules about visitors."

I nodded, already feeling the fatigue creeping back. "Will you be here?"

"I need to change and freshen up at the villa, but I'll be back before you know it." He leaned down to kiss my forehead. "Rest while you can. I have a feeling our little wolf is going to keep us very busy."

I must have drifted off shortly after Dominic left. The room had been crowded with pack members earlier—all coming to see the new heir to the Silver Moon Shadow Pack. There had been so many faces, so many scents, so many whispered congratulations. Eventually, Dr. Winters had shooed them all away, insisting that I needed rest.

A subtle shift in the air woke me. My eyes snapped open, instantly alert despite my exhaustion. The room was dimly lit, the night sky visible through the partially drawn curtains. Something felt wrong.

I inhaled deeply, using my enhanced senses to scan the room. There was a scent that didn't belong—something floral and cloying mixed with the sharp tang of anxiety. It wasn't a nurse or hospital staff. This scent was familiar but unexpected.

Lucas was sleeping peacefully in his bassinet, his tiny chest rising and falling with each breath. But someone was standing near him—a silhouette I recognized all too well.

I immediately reached for the mental link with Dominic. "Are you back at the hospital?" I sent the thought as clearly as I could, hoping our bond was strong enough to reach him.

No immediate response came, which meant Dominic was still at the villa. I focused on the figure by my son's bassinet.

"Step away from my child, Olivia," I said, my voice low but firm.

---

The silhouette stiffened, then turned slowly toward me. Olivia Parker stood there, her platinum blonde hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, her usual immaculate appearance disheveled. Her eyes were puffy and red-rimmed, her designer clothes wrinkled.

"I just wanted to see him," she said, her voice unnaturally bright. "To admire the new Alpha heir of the Silver Moon Shadow Pack."

I shifted to sit up straighter, wincing slightly at the soreness from childbirth. Every maternal instinct in me was screaming danger, though Olivia had made no threatening moves.

"You shouldn't be here, Olivia," I said carefully, noting how her eyes kept darting back to Lucas. "Visiting hours are over, and only family is allowed."

She laughed, a brittle sound that raised the hair on the back of my neck. "Family? What does that even mean anymore?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Did you know they took James away? His grandparents have him now. William's parents."

I felt a pang of sympathy despite myself. James was Olivia's son with William, my ex-fiancé. The little boy was innocent in all of this.

"I'm sorry about James, but you need to leave now," I said, more firmly this time.

Olivia didn't seem to hear me. She leaned closer to the bassinet, her eyes taking on a distant, glassy look. "They control everything, you know. The powerful ones. They decide who gets to keep their children and who doesn't."

I sent another desperate message to Dominic through our bond, feeling the urgency rise within me. "Something's wrong. Olivia is here with Lucas."

Olivia's fingers hovered over the bassinet. "He's so small. So perfect. Not like James when he was born. He cried all the time. Wouldn't let me sleep." Her voice grew softer, more disconnected. "Sometimes I'd just put pillows over my ears so I couldn't hear him crying. William was never there to help."

Alarm bells were ringing in my head. I pushed myself up further, ignoring the pain. "Olivia, please step away from my baby."

Her head snapped up, her eyes suddenly focusing on me with frightening intensity. "I could help you, you know. I could take him away before they get their claws into him." She moved closer to Lucas. "Before they turn him into one of them."

"Don't touch him!" I warned, my voice dropping to a growl that surprised even me.

"You don't understand," Olivia said, her movements becoming more agitated. "I'm trying to help you! I'm trying to save him from them!"

Before I could respond, she lunged toward me, shoving me back against the pillows with unexpected strength. The sudden movement sent pain shooting through my still-recovering body. I gasped, momentarily stunned by the assault.

Olivia turned back to the bassinet, her hands reaching for my son.

Something primal erupted within me. A wave of protective fury unlike anything I'd ever experienced surged through my veins. I felt the change begin—not the complete transformation that was still beyond my abilities, but the partial shift that had become possible since bonding with Dominic.

My vision sharpened, the room suddenly crystal clear despite the dim lighting. I felt my fingernails elongate into claws, and I knew without seeing that my eyes had changed to the golden hue of a wolf. A snarl ripped from my throat as I launched myself from the bed, ignoring the tearing pain in my abdomen.

I grabbed Olivia's wrist just as her hands were about to lift Lucas from his bassinet. She turned, her eyes widening in shock and fear as she took in my transformed appearance.

"Get away from my cub," I growled, my voice barely recognizable.

Olivia staggered backward, her face draining of color. "What—what are you?" she whispered.

"A mother," I said simply, positioning myself between her and the bassinet.

Something in Olivia seemed to break then. Her shoulders slumped, and she fell to her knees. "Kill me," she sobbed, looking up at me with desperate eyes. "Please, just end this pain. I can't—I can't do this anymore."

The door burst open before I could respond. Dominic charged in, his eyes blazing with protective fury, followed closely by hospital security and Dr. Winters. He took in the scene in an instant—me partially shifted, standing protectively over Lucas's bassinet, and Olivia crumpled on the floor.

"Sedate her," Dominic ordered the security personnel, who immediately moved to restrain Olivia. One of them produced a syringe, likely containing a tranquilizer.

Dr. Winters rushed to my side, her expression professional but concerned. "Rebecca, you need to calm down and shift back," she said quietly. "Your body is still healing. This strain could cause complications."

I felt Dominic's presence behind me, his hand gently touching my shoulder. "It's okay, Rebecca," he murmured. "Lucas is safe. I'm here now."