Bound by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 145

Rebecca's POV

His touch and voice anchored me. I felt the wolf recede, my claws retracting, my vision returning to normal. Exhaustion hit me like a wave, and I sagged against Dominic, who carefully guided me back to the bed.

Dr. Winters checked Lucas, confirming he was unharmed and still sleeping peacefully, seemingly undisturbed by the commotion. The security personnel had administered the sedative to Olivia, who was now being placed on a gurney to be moved to another part of the hospital.

"What was she doing here?" I asked as Dr. Winters began checking my vitals. "How did she even get in?"

"She must have slipped past security during shift change," Dr. Winters replied, frowning at the monitor. "Your blood pressure is elevated, but that's to be expected after what just happened."

Dominic stood at the foot of my bed, his expression dark with barely contained fury. "I want to know how this happened," he said to one of the security guards. "This is supposed to be a secure floor."

The guard nodded nervously. "Yes, sir. We're reviewing the security footage now."

After the room cleared, leaving just Dominic, Dr. Winters, and me with Lucas, I asked the question that had been bothering me since Olivia's breakdown.

"What's going to happen to her? And what about James?" I looked at Dominic, whose jaw was still tight with tension.

"Olivia will be evaluated by psychiatric professionals," Dr. Winters answered, finishing her examination of me. "Based on what I observed, she's experiencing a severe mental health crisis."

Dominic moved to sit beside me on the bed. "William's father has taken custody of James. He's filing for permanent guardianship."

I felt a pang of sadness for the little boy. "And Olivia? Will she lose her son permanently?"

Dr. Winters hesitated, exchanging a glance with Dominic. "There's something you should know," she said quietly. "Olivia had another child. A baby girl, delivered by emergency C-section a few days ago."

I stared at her in shock. "What? I didn't know she was pregnant again."

"The baby was premature, but survived," Dr. Winters continued. "Olivia was told the child didn't make it."

"Who would do that?" I asked, horrified.

"William's parents," Dominic replied, his voice hard. "They arranged everything, claiming Olivia was unfit. The girl has been with a foster family since birth."

I thought about how fragile Olivia had looked, how desperate and broken. "That's... that's cruel," I whispered. "No wonder she's in such a state."

"They'll want to commit her," Dominic said. "To a secure psychiatric facility."

Despite what Olivia had just tried to do, I couldn't help but feel sympathy for her. "No," I said firmly. "She needs help, not imprisonment."

Dominic raised an eyebrow. "She just tried to take our son, Rebecca."

"Because she's unwell," I insisted. "She's lost everything—William, her children. She needs treatment and support, not to be locked away and forgotten."

Dr. Winters nodded slowly. "I agree with Rebecca. With proper treatment, Olivia could recover."

I turned to Dominic, taking his hand in mine. "Let her see her daughter. Get her the best therapists. Use your influence for this, please."

Dominic studied my face for a long moment. "You're defending the woman who just tried to kidnap our child?"

"I'm defending a mother who's been broken by circumstances and people who should have protected her," I corrected. "It could have been me, Dominic. If things had gone differently, if I hadn't found you..."

His expression softened. "Your compassion astounds me, my Luna." He sighed. "I'll make the arrangements. The Sterling Group has connections with the best mental health professionals."

"Thank you," I whispered, squeezing his hand.

Dr. Winters smiled approvingly. "You're showing true Luna qualities, Rebecca. Strength in protection, but wisdom in mercy."

After she left, Dominic held me close, careful of my still-healing body. "You're making me proud," he murmured against my hair. "The way you stood between Olivia and Lucas, the way you're thinking of others even now... I couldn't ask for a better mate or mother for my son."

I rested my head against his chest, suddenly overwhelmed with exhaustion. "Stay with me?" I asked.

"Always," he promised, settling beside me as I drifted back to sleep.

---

Morning light filtered through the curtains when I next opened my eyes. Dominic was no longer beside me on the bed but was sprawled in a luxurious reclining chair nearby, his long frame looking slightly cramped despite the chair's size. His eyes were closed, his breathing even. He must have stayed all night, watching over us.

I carefully sat up, feeling significantly better than the previous day. My body was healing at an accelerated rate thanks to my partial werewolf nature. I glanced over at Lucas's bassinet and was startled to find it empty.

Before panic could set in, I noticed movement by the window. Dominic was awake, cradling Lucas in his arms while looking out at the morning sky. The sight of them silhouetted against the sunrise made my heart swell.

"Good morning," I said softly.

Dominic turned, a gentle smile on his face. "Look who's awake," he said to Lucas. "It's your beautiful mother."

He walked over to me, carefully transferring our son into my arms. Lucas squirmed slightly, then settled against me, his eyes—so like his father's—blinking up at me curiously.

"I've already signed your discharge papers," Dominic said. "Dr. Winters says you're healing remarkably well, and she's happy for us to take Lucas home."

"Home," I repeated, a smile spreading across my face.

An hour later, I was dressed in a comfortable linen dress that Dominic had brought for me, ready to leave the hospital. Lucas was wrapped in a soft blue blanket, secure in his carrier. As we stepped into the hallway, I was surprised to see Raymond waiting for us, and even more surprised to see a young boy standing beside him.

"James?" I asked, recognizing William's son.

Raymond nodded. "The young master is accompanying us today, at your mate's request."

I looked questioningly at Dominic, who squeezed my hand. "I thought you might want to make sure he's okay," he explained. "I've arranged for him to stay with us temporarily while we sort out the situation with Olivia and his grandparents."

Tears pricked my eyes at his thoughtfulness. "Thank you," I whispered.

James looked up at me with solemn eyes that reminded me painfully of William. "Daddy's gone," he said matter-of-factly. "And Mommy's sick. Mr. Sterling says I can see her when she's better."

I knelt down to his level, careful of my still-tender body. "That's right," I said gently. "And until then, you're going to stay with us. Would you like that?"

He nodded shyly. "Can I see the baby?"

"Of course," I said, tilting the carrier so he could see Lucas. "His name is Lucas."

James peered at the baby with the serious concentration only a child can muster. "He's very small," he pronounced finally.

"He'll grow," Dominic said, placing a gentle hand on James's shoulder. "Just like you have."

We made our way to the hospital entrance, where Dominic's sleek Maybach waited. Raymond helped settle James in the back seat while Dominic secured Lucas's carrier. To my surprise, Dominic himself slid into the driver's seat rather than joining me in the back.

"No driver today?" I asked.

"I wanted to do this myself," he replied, meeting my eyes in the rearview mirror. "Besides, I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise?" I smiled, intrigued. "What kind of surprise?"

"You'll see," he said mysteriously, starting the engine.

The drive was peaceful. James had fallen asleep against my side, and Lucas dozed in his carrier. I found myself drifting off as well, lulled by the smooth motion of the car and the exhaustion of new motherhood.

I woke to Dominic gently touching my cheek. "We're here," he said softly.

Blinking away sleep, I looked out the window, expecting to see our villa. Instead, I saw a stunning modern beachfront property, all clean lines and glass, with a breathtaking view of the ocean.

"Where are we?" I asked, confused.

Dominic smiled, a hint of nervousness in his expression. "Home," he said simply. "If you like it, that is."

My eyes widened as understanding dawned. "This is... for us?"

"For you and Lucas," he corrected, reaching into his pocket and producing a set of keys. "A gift. Somewhere safe, beautiful, and all your own."