Mated by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 146

Rebecca's POV

I stared at the sleek, modern beachfront property in front of me, then at the keys Dominic was holding out. The sunlight glinted off the metal, making it seem even more surreal. A house. He had bought me a house.

"This... this is too much, Dominic," I whispered, tears welling in my eyes as I took the keys with trembling fingers.

Dominic stepped closer, his warm hand cupping my cheek. "Nothing is too much for you and Lucas," he said softly, his deep blue eyes intense and sincere. "This place is yours, Rebecca. A sanctuary where you'll always be safe."

I looked back at the stunning glass and steel structure, watching how the afternoon sun reflected off its surfaces, how the waves crashed against the shore just yards away. It was breathtaking. And it was ours.

"Can we go inside?" I asked, my voice small but excited.

Dominic smiled, that rare, genuine smile that transformed his usually serious face and made my heart flutter. "Of course. It's your home."

I clutched the keys tightly as we approached the front door, a modern masterpiece of carved wood and frosted glass.

With a deep breath, I inserted the key and turned it, hearing the satisfying click of the lock. The door swung open to reveal an open-concept living area with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the ocean. The interior was decorated in soothing neutrals with touches of blue and green that echoed the sea and sky outside.

"Dominic..." I breathed, unable to find the words.

"Do you like it?" There was a hint of uncertainty in his voice that I rarely heard.

In response, I turned and threw my arms around his neck, mindful of Lucas in his carrier. "I love it," I whispered against his neck. "It's perfect."

---

The next two weeks were like something from a dream. Dominic had arranged for us to have this time alone as a family, just the three of us—Dominic, me, and Lucas. It was a chance to bond, to heal, to breathe before returning to the responsibilities awaiting us.

One morning, I woke to the smell of something burning. Alarmed, I rushed to the kitchen to find Dominic, the powerful Alpha and CEO, staring helplessly at a pot of what I assumed was supposed to be pasta but now resembled wallpaper paste.

"I thought I'd make breakfast," he said, looking so utterly defeated that I couldn't help but laugh.

"Clearly, your CEO skills don't translate to the kitchen," I teased, pulling out my phone to snap a picture of him with his ruined creation.

Dominic raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"

"Documenting this historic moment," I grinned. "I'm definitely posting this online. The members of Silver Moon Shadow Pack would never believe the great Dominic Sterling can't boil pasta."

He lunged for my phone, but I danced away, laughing. "Too late! It's already on my profile."

Within minutes, Sofia had commented: [Look at that! The mighty Alpha and Sterling Group CEO does have moments of complete helplessness after all! ]

Dominic read the comment over my shoulder and groaned, but I could see the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. These moments of normalcy, of simple domestic life, seemed to relax him in a way I'd never seen before.

Another night, I pretended to be asleep when Lucas started crying around 3 AM. Through barely-open eyes, I watched as Dominic quietly got up and went to the nursery. Curious, I slipped out of bed and followed him, stopping at the doorway to watch.

Dominic had picked up Lucas and was cradling him against his broad chest, his powerful frame somehow gentle and protective as he swayed back and forth. To my amazement, he began to hum softly, a melody I didn't recognize but which sounded ancient and soothing.

I quickly grabbed my phone and recorded a few seconds of this tender moment, my heart swelling with love. This was the real Alpha strength—not the business deals or the commanding presence, but this capacity for gentle protection, for nurturing life.

As Lucas's cries subsided and he drifted back to sleep, Dominic turned slightly, and I knew he had sensed my presence. Our eyes met in the dim light of the nursery.

"This is going in my private collection," I whispered, holding up my phone. "Some moments are just for us."

He smiled, a rare, unguarded expression that made him look younger, almost vulnerable. "Come here," he said softly, and I crossed the room to join them, wrapped in the warmth of our little family circle.

---

All too soon, our two weeks of blissful isolation came to an end. Standing in front of the beachfront property with our bags packed, I felt a pang of sadness at leaving our sanctuary.

Dominic loaded the last of our luggage into the car's trunk, then straightened with a small sigh. "Two weeks went by too quickly," he said, echoing my thoughts. "But honestly, I'm kind of missing my study at home."

I smiled, adjusting Lucas in my arms. "Next time, we can bring him to see the Sterling Group headquarters," I suggested. "Let him see how his daddy runs an empire."

Dominic's expression softened as he brushed a gentle finger over Lucas's cheek. "When he's older, I'll personally show him every department," he promised, leaning in to kiss my forehead. "Ready to go?"

I nodded, taking one last look at our beachfront haven before settling into the car with Lucas.

The drive back to the Sterling mansion was peaceful, with Lucas falling asleep partway through the journey. I watched the scenery change from coastal views to the manicured landscapes of the exclusive neighborhood where the main house stood.

As we pulled up to the impressive facade of Sterling Manor, I saw Diana waiting on the steps. Her normally composed face broke into a warm smile when she spotted us, but I noticed a certain tension in her shoulders, a tightness around her eyes that hadn't been there before.

"Welcome home, sir, madam," she greeted us as we stepped out of the car. She immediately reached for Lucas, cooing softly at him. "Oh, he's grown already!"

"Two weeks can make a big difference at this age," I smiled, carefully transferring Lucas to her experienced arms.

Diana expertly cradled Lucas while issuing quiet instructions to the staff about our luggage. Once everything was being taken care of, she turned to us with a slightly more formal expression.

"Welcome back," she repeated, her eyes darting briefly to Dominic. "It's good to have you home, sir, madam."

There was something in her tone, a subtle undercurrent that made me glance at Dominic. His expression had become unreadable, but I could feel the shift in his energy through our bond.

Diana carried Lucas upstairs, and we followed. Our suite remained as we had left it, though fresh flowers had been placed on the tables and the bedding had been changed.

After Diana left with Lucas to settle him in the nursery adjacent to our room, I turned to Dominic. "What was that about? Diana seemed... off."

Dominic's jaw tightened slightly. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "But I intend to find out."

I moved to the full-length mirror, examining my reflection with a critical eye. The pregnancy had changed my body, but I was impressed with how quickly I was recovering. Dr. Winters had explained that my partial wolf nature was accelerating the healing process.

"I think it's time I started my training," I said suddenly, turning to face Dominic.

He looked up from his phone, eyebrows raised. "Training?"

"As Luna," I clarified, straightening my shoulders. "I need to learn to protect myself and Lucas. Emily mentioned it before, and I think I'm physically recovered enough now."

Dominic came to stand behind me, his hands resting lightly on my shoulders as he met my eyes in the mirror. "Are you sure? There's no rush, Rebecca."

I turned to face him, determination filling me. "I'm sure," I said firmly. "As Luna, I need to learn how to defend myself and our son."

His expression softened with pride and something like wonder. After a moment, he nodded. "I'll arrange it," he promised, pressing a kiss to my forehead.