Bound by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 78

Rebecca's POV

I could feel the weight of his hand near my shoulder, sensed the deliberate statement he was making. Embarrassment and irritation flared in equal measure.

"I enrolled late in the course," I explained, trying to keep my voice steady. "Professor Lane was kind enough to help me catch up on the material I missed."

Adrian glanced between us, finally seeming to register the tension. "Rebecca shows remarkable talent," he said diplomatically. "I'd hate to see her fall behind due to circumstances beyond her control."

"How considerate," Dominic replied, the words coated in frost.

Elizabeth watched this exchange with undisguised delight, like a spectator at a particularly entertaining show. "I should be going," she said, making no move to leave. "I've certainly seen enough."

Dominic's gaze flicked to her briefly. "Yes, you should." The dismissal was unmistakable.

Her smile faltered, but she recovered quickly. "Don't forget the charity gala tomorrow, Dominic. Your father expects both of us to attend." With that parting shot, she finally departed, satisfaction evident in her graceful stride.

Adrian cleared his throat. "I should probably get going as well. I have a class at two." He began gathering his papers, movements careful and deliberate. "Rebecca, think about what I said regarding the showcase. Your perspective would be valuable."

I nodded, acutely aware of Dominic's increasing tension beside me. "Thank you for the materials. I'll review them tonight."

As Adrian made his exit, he paused, meeting my eyes with unexpected directness. "Remember what I said about not letting others define you."

I felt Dominic stiffen beside me.

"We need to leave. Now." His voice left no room for argument.

---

The walk to his car was silent and tense. Raymond opened the door as we approached, his expression carefully neutral despite what must have been obvious tension. Once inside, the privacy partition closed automatically, sealing us in an uncomfortable bubble.

"What were you thinking?" Dominic finally asked, his voice controlled but vibrating with restrained emotion.

"I was thinking I was having a professional lunch with my professor," I replied, forcing myself to meet his gaze despite the intensity I found there. "Which is exactly what was happening."

"You should have told me."

"I didn't realize I needed your permission for a work lunch," I said, feeling defensive. "It was a last-minute invitation to discuss academic matters."

His jaw tightened. "That's not what it looked like."

"Then what did it look like, Dominic?" I challenged, my own frustration building. "Two people having lunch and discussing design? Because that's all it was."

He turned away, looking out the window as the car pulled into traffic. "He's interested in you."

"He's interested in my academic progress," I corrected. "Not everything is about... whatever this is between us."

His eyes snapped back to mine. "I could smell his interest, Rebecca. He finds you attractive."

"And that's my fault how?" I crossed my arms. "I can't control what other people think or feel."

Dominic ran a hand through his hair, a rare gesture of agitation. "You don't understand. In my world—"

"That's right," I interrupted. "Your world. Where apparently I can't have a professional relationship with a male colleague without it being suspicious."

He fell silent for a long moment. The tension between us stretched tight enough to snap. Then, unexpectedly, his expression softened. He moved closer on the leather seat, his hand reaching for mine.

"I left without saying goodbye this morning," he said, his voice lower now, the anger draining away. "And I didn't say good morning either."

The sudden change in topic caught me off guard. "What?"

His fingers intertwined with mine, warm and strong. "I've been distracted with pack business. Neglectful." His thumb traced small circles on my wrist, sending shivers up my arm. "That doesn't excuse my behavior just now."

"Dominic—"

Before I could finish, he leaned forward and captured my lips with his. The kiss was gentle at first, then deepened with an intensity that made my breath catch. His hand moved to cup my face, his touch tender despite the possessiveness in his eyes when he finally pulled back.

"Good afternoon, little doe," he murmured against my lips. "Consider that the good morning I should have given you."

My heart hammered in my chest, caught between lingering irritation and the melting sensation his kiss always triggered. "You can't just kiss me and expect everything to be fine," I managed, though without much conviction.

A small smile played at the corner of his mouth. "I know. But it seemed like a good place to start."

I shook my head, fighting my own smile. "You're impossible."

"And you're mine," he said, his tone light but his eyes serious. "That's why I reacted as I did. Not because I don't trust you, but because every instinct I have rebels at seeing another man near you—especially one who finds you as fascinating as I do."

The simple declaration—"you're mine"—should have irritated me further, but instead, it sent a warm current through my veins. Still, I wasn't ready to completely surrender the point.

"I need some independence, Dominic. I can't function if I'm constantly worried about triggering your territorial instincts."

He nodded slowly. "I understand that. But perhaps we can find a compromise. A text next time? Just so I'm aware."

It was reasonable enough. "I can do that."

Dominic looked out the window, seeming to recognize our surroundings. "I need to return to the office. I left an important meeting when Elizabeth sent those photos."

The mention of Elizabeth darkened my mood again. "Of course she did."

He squeezed my hand once more before releasing it. "Don't let her get to you. That's exactly what she wants."

As we pulled up to Sterling Tower, I wondered if the brief moment of connection had truly resolved anything, or merely postponed the inevitable clash between his world and mine.

---

By six o'clock, the office had emptied considerably. I finished the last of my tasks, gathered my belongings, and headed toward the elevator. The hallways were eerily quiet, most of the overhead lights dimmed to their evening setting.

I had just rounded the corner toward the executive elevator bank when a voice stopped me.

"Not so fast."

Elizabeth stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed over her expensive suit. In the half-light, her features seemed sharper, more predatory.

"I'm not in the mood, Elizabeth," I said, moving to pass her.

She shifted, blocking my path. "I'm curious about something," she said, her voice deceptively casual. "Why does Dominic tolerate your... indiscretions? He never forgave me for my relationship with Duke, yet you can openly flirt with that professor and he merely looks annoyed."

I sighed, fatigue making me less cautious than I should have been. "Maybe he doesn't care who you're with."

Her eyes flashed. "You think you're special?" she hissed, stepping closer. "You're nothing but a novelty to him. A human pet he'll discard when the amusement wears off."

I took a step back, suddenly aware of how isolated we were. "I need to go, Elizabeth."

"He's the future Alpha," she continued as if I hadn't spoken. "Do you honestly believe he would choose a human nobody over someone who could strengthen the pack?" Her laugh was cold and brittle. "You're more delusional than I thought."

"This conversation is over," I said firmly, moving toward the stairwell door since she was blocking the elevator. "Whatever is between Dominic and me is none of your business."

Her hand shot out, grabbing my wrist with surprising strength. "He belongs with another wolf. Someone who understands our world, our traditions."

I twisted my arm free. "Let me go."

To my shock, I saw her fingernails lengthen into claws, her features shifting subtly as rage contorted her face. "You stupid human," she spat. "You don't deserve an Alpha's attention."

Fear shot through me. I'd never seen a werewolf mid-transformation up close, and the sight was terrifying. Elizabeth's control was slipping, her eyes now definitely glowing amber, teeth sharpening to points.

I backed toward the stairwell door, fumbling for the handle behind me. "Elizabeth, you need to calm down."

"Don't tell me what to do!" she snarled, lunging forward.

The door gave way behind me, and I stumbled backward into the stairwell. Elizabeth followed, her partially transformed state making her movements jerky but powerful. I turned to descend the stairs, desperate to put distance between us.

"You'll never be one of us," she growled, her voice deepening with the partial shift.

"I'm not trying to be," I said, continuing to back down the stairs. "But this isn't the way to—"

Her hand shot out, shoving me hard. The force caught me mid-step. I felt a sickening moment of weightlessness, then my balance failed completely. I tumbled backward down the stairs, unable to catch myself. A sharp pain exploded in my head as it struck something hard, and then darkness swallowed everything.