Mated by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 109

Dominic's POV

I paused in the doorway of Rebecca's hospital room, a bouquet of fresh wildflowers in my hand. The sight before me made my heart clench—she was out of bed, carefully taking measured steps across the room, her hand occasionally brushing against the wall for support. Her determination was evident in the set of her shoulders, even as fatigue clouded her movements.

"You should have waited for me before trying to walk," I said, quickly placing the flowers on the nearby table and moving to her side.

Rebecca turned, a small smile lighting her face despite the dark circles under her eyes. "The doctor said I should get moving a little. Something about circulation and avoiding blood clots."

I gently took her elbow, steadying her. "Then at least let me help you."

She didn't resist as I guided her back toward the bed, my wolf humming with satisfaction at her acceptance of my protection. The knowledge that she carried our child—a miracle I was still processing—made every protective instinct in me roar to life. I settled her carefully against the pillows, arranging them to support her back.

"Thank you for the flowers," she said, her eyes moving to the colorful bouquet. "They're beautiful."

I sat on the edge of her bed, taking her hand in mine. I'd eliminated William—a direct threat to my mate and child—but I hadn't yet told Rebecca. She deserved to know the truth, as painful as it might be.

"Rebecca," I began, my thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. "There's something I need to tell you."

Her eyes widened slightly, and I could sense her heartbeat quickening. "About the baby? Did the doctors tell you something?"

"No," I assured her quickly. "The baby is fine. This is about William."

Her body tensed at the mention of her ex-fiancé's name. "What about him?"

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "William came to my office today. He was seeking a position as Delta in the pack." I paused, watching her reaction. "During our conversation, he admitted to introducing your brother to Dylan Hurst. He knew about Dylan's gambling operation and sent Jason there deliberately."

Rebecca's face paled, her fingers tightening around mine. "He... what? William knew Dylan? He's connected to what happened to Jason?"

I nodded grimly. "I'm sorry, Rebecca. After he confessed, I... my wolf took over. I couldn't control my protective instincts." I held her gaze steadily. "William is dead. I killed him for threatening you and our child."

The silence that followed felt eternal. Rebecca stared at me, her expression unreadable, before she slowly pulled her hand from mine and turned toward the window. Moonlight streamed in, illuminating her delicate profile as she processed my words.

"I understand if you're afraid of me now," I said quietly, my chest tight with fear that I might lose her. "What I did was—"

"It's not that," she interrupted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... five years. Five years together, and I never really knew him at all." She turned back to me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "He led my brother to his death. He tried to have me killed. The man I thought I loved..."

My wolf howled with the need to comfort her, to erase every hurt William had ever caused her. "I'm sorry," I said again, inadequate as the words felt.

Rebecca took a shuddering breath, then surprised me by reaching for my hand again. "Thank you for telling me the truth." Her fingers traced lightly over my knuckles, sending waves of electricity up my arm. "What will happen to Olivia and James?"

Her concern for William's mistress and child, even after everything she'd learned, was so quintessentially Rebecca that it made my chest ache. This compassion, this inherent goodness, was part of why my wolf had recognized her as our mate from the first moment.

"They'll be provided for," I assured her. "The pack takes care of its own, even in cases like this. James is innocent in all this."

She nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. "Good. That's good."

A comfortable silence fell between us, her hand still in mine. The moment felt right—I needed to tell her about the mate bond, about what it truly meant that she had marked me. She deserved to know everything.

---

"Rebecca," I started, guiding her to sit beside me on the edge of the bed. "There's something else you should know—something important about us."

Her gray-green eyes searched mine, curious but unafraid. "What is it?"

"That night at the bar, when we first met," I said, "I felt something—a connection I'd never experienced before. My wolf recognized you immediately." I swallowed, suddenly feeling vulnerable in a way I rarely allowed myself. "You're my mate, Rebecca. My true mate. The one person the universe designed specifically for me."

Her lips parted in surprise. "What? Like... like what I had with William?"

I nodded my head firmly. "Yes, exactly like your mate bond with William. You're not just his mate—you're mine too."

"But how do you know?" she asked, her voice small.

"Because I feel it—here," I placed her hand over my heart. "And because of this." I guided her fingers to the mark on my neck where she had bitten me during our passion. "When you marked me that night, you initiated the bond, though you didn't know what you were doing."

"It means we're connected now, in a way that goes beyond human understanding. It's more binding than marriage, more permanent than any human commitment." I held her gaze steadily. "I didn't tell you sooner because I wanted you to heal from William's betrayal. I didn't want you to feel pressured or trapped."

"Is that why I feel so drawn to you?" she whispered. "But I don't seem to feel this bond."

I nodded. "I believe the bond grows stronger with time. Eventually, we'll be able to sense each other's thoughts, feel each other's pain and joy."

"And the baby?" she asked, her free hand moving instinctively to her stomach.

"A blessing," I said softly. "Human-wolf hybrids are special—they carry the best of both worlds."

Rebecca was quiet for a long moment, processing everything I'd told her. I waited, my wolf pacing anxiously within me, fearing her rejection.

"So," she finally said, her voice steadier than I expected, "how do I officially accept this mate bond?"

Relief and joy surged through me so intensely that I had to take a moment to compose myself. "There's a ceremony—a marking ritual that's traditionally performed during the full moon. But we can wait until you're fully recovered. We have time."

"And am I the first human to become a... what did you call it? Luna?"

"No," I smiled. "There have been human Lunas before. It's uncommon but not unprecedented. You'll face challenges, but you won't face them alone. I'll be with you every step of the way."

Rebecca nodded slowly, then reached up to touch my face. I closed my eyes, leaning into her touch, savoring the simple contact that meant everything to my wolf.

"Thank you," she said softly, "for your patience and for being honest with me."

I opened my eyes to see her watching me with such tenderness that it made my breath catch. My mate. My Luna. The mother of my child. In that moment, I made a silent vow to spend the rest of my life earning the trust she placed in me.

"We should get some rest," I said, noting the fatigue in her eyes. "Tomorrow will be difficult enough."

The funeral. Another trial she would have to face, but not alone. Never alone again.