Mated by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 148

Rebecca's POV

The next morning, I was up early, standing by the window with Lucas in my arms. The early light painted the gardens in soft gold, and Lucas seemed fascinated by the changing shadows. I heard Dominic stir behind me and turned to see him watching us, his hair tousled from sleep, his eyes warm.

"Good morning," I said softly. "We were just watching the sunrise, weren't we, little wolf?"

Dominic crossed the room to join us, kissing Lucas's head and then my lips. "How long have you been up?"

"Not long," I assured him. "I just wanted some quiet time with our son before the day begins."

There was a soft knock at the door, and Diana entered carrying a breakfast tray. Her face was composed, but I immediately sensed something was wrong. Her shoulders were tense, and her face seemed paler than usual.

"Good morning, sir, madam," she greeted us, her eyes lingering on Lucas before meeting Dominic's gaze. "I've brought breakfast, and there's something you should know."

I took Lucas from Dominic and moved to accept the breakfast tray, setting it on the small table by the window. "What is it, Diana?" I asked gently.

Diana's shoulders tensed even more. "The Collins family has decided to remove Elizabeth's life support this afternoon," she said quietly. "Luna... Marianne is quite distressed."

I felt Dominic go still beside me, his emotions a complex tangle through our bond—grief, guilt, resignation, and a myriad of other feelings too intertwined to name.

I lightly touched his arm. "I'll go speak with Marianne," I offered. "You need a little time to process this."

He looked at me, surprise flickering across his features before understanding settled in. He nodded slightly, gratitude in his eyes.

After Diana left, I handed Lucas back to Dominic and moved to get dressed, choosing a simple blue dress that I knew Marianne would approve of. As I pulled my hair into a neat ponytail, I caught Dominic watching me in the mirror.

"You continue to surprise me," he said quietly. "Most people in your position would be celebrating Elizabeth's fate, not comforting those who mourn her."

I turned to face him, my expression serious. "Death is never something to celebrate," I said. "And your mother needs support right now, not judgment."

---

I made my way to Marianne's private sitting room, my heart beating a little faster with each step. Despite our truce, Dominic's mother and I had maintained a respectful distance, our interactions civil but rarely warm. Now, I was voluntarily entering her domain at a vulnerable moment.

I knocked softly on the ornate door, hearing a quiet "Enter" from within. The sitting room was elegant and tasteful, with large windows overlooking the gardens. Marianne stood by one of these windows, her back straight, her silver-streaked dark hair perfectly styled despite the early hour.

She didn't turn as I entered, her gaze fixed on the distant mountains. "I suppose Dominic sent you," she said, her voice carefully controlled.

"No," I replied honestly. "I offered to come. I thought you might want to talk."

Now she did turn, surprise briefly crossing her elegant features before her composed mask returned. "About Elizabeth? The woman who tried to kill my son and planned to harm you? Why would you care about my feelings regarding her?"

I moved further into the room, taking a seat on one of the comfortable armchairs. "Because I know you once thought she would be your daughter-in-law. Because I understand that relationships aren't simple, and neither is grief."

Marianne studied me for a long moment, then sighed and moved to sit in the chair opposite mine. "I was there the day Elizabeth was born," she said quietly, her gaze distant. "Ronald and I were... close, in those days. Our families had been allies for generations. I always thought destiny would connect my son to her."

"Sometimes the paths we envision for those we love aren't the ones they're meant to walk," I said softly.

Marianne's eyes snapped back to me, sharp and assessing. "Do you know what it's like to lose a sibling?" she asked abruptly.

The question caught me off guard, but I nodded slowly. "My brother, Jason," I said, the familiar ache blooming in my chest. "He was three years younger than me. When he died, I felt like a part of myself had been torn away."

Marianne nodded, a flash of genuine sympathy crossing her face. "Elizabeth was like a daughter to me, before... before everything changed. Her mother died when she was young, and I took her under my wing. I taught her what it meant to be Luna." She looked away, her voice hardening. "Clearly, those lessons didn't take."

"I'm sorry," I said, and meant it. "I'm sorry that the person you cared for became someone you couldn't recognize."

"This is rather annoying," Marianne said after a moment of silence, her tone lighter though her eyes remained sad. "You being so understanding. I'm beginning to see why my son chose you."

I couldn't help but smile slightly at that. "Is that almost a compliment, Marianne?"

A ghost of a smile touched her lips. "Don't push it," she warned, but there was no real heat in her words. Then her expression sobered again. "Dominic will want to attend the... the end. And the funeral, when it comes. It's his duty as future Alpha."

I nodded. "I know. And I'll be there with him, if he wants me to be."

Marianne looked at me with something close to respect. "You're learning quickly what it means to be Luna," she observed. "Faster than I expected."

Coming from her, it was high praise indeed. "Thank you," I said simply, rising to my feet. "Is there anything else you need?"

She shook her head, her composure fully restored now. "No. Thank you for... for coming to see me."

I nodded and turned to leave, but her voice stopped me at the door.

"Rebecca," she said, using my name for perhaps the first time without a trace of reluctance. "You'll make a good Luna."

I blinked in surprise, then offered a small smile. "I'm certainly trying," I replied, and quietly closed the door behind me.

In the hallway, I leaned against the wall for a moment, processing the unexpected connection I'd just formed with my mother-in-law. It wasn't friendship, not yet, but it was a beginning. A foundation we could build on.

Returning to our suite, I found Dominic in the nursery, sitting in the rocking chair with Lucas against his chest. The baby was awake now, his tiny hands waving as he looked up at his father with what seemed like fascination.

"How did it go?" Dominic asked as I entered, his eyes searching my face.

"Better than expected," I admitted, moving to perch on the arm of the chair. "I think we actually made progress."

Dominic shifted Lucas so I could see his face. "Your mother," he told the baby, "works miracles. Remember that."

I laughed softly, touching Lucas's cheek. "Not miracles. Just... understanding."

Dominic caught my hand, bringing it to his lips. "That's your superpower," he said seriously. "Seeing beyond the surface, finding the humanity even in those who don't seem to deserve it."

I thought about that, about Marianne's grief, about Olivia's desperation, about all the complex emotions that made up our complicated lives. "Everyone deserves understanding," I said finally. "Even if they don't deserve forgiveness."

Dominic nodded, his eyes on our son. "I'll attend the procedure this afternoon," he said quietly. "And the funeral, when it happens. It's my responsibility as future Alpha."