Mated by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 152

Dominic's POV

My arm, which had been stabbed by a silver dagger, was burning with pain. The harm caused by silverware to us was far beyond that of ordinary knife wounds. This reminded me that the attack just now was just the beginning. After watching Rebecca drive away with Raymond, I'd immediately sought out my parents among the dispersing pack members.

The Alpha—my father—had already ordered the Deltas to evacuate everyone from the gathering. His face was grim as he spotted me approaching, my mother standing resolutely by his side.

"We need to move," I told them, pressing my hand against my bleeding arm. "It's not safe here anymore."

My mother's eyes narrowed with concern. "Dominic, your arm—"

"It's nothing," I cut her off, leading them toward my Bentley. "I'll explain everything once we're secure."

As they climbed into the vehicle, I scanned our surroundings one last time. The festive atmosphere that had filled the area just an hour ago had vanished, replaced by tense efficiency as pack members disappeared into the night.

I was about to slide into the driver's seat when movement at the edge of the property caught my attention. Four black SUVs with tinted windows were approaching in formation, moving with deliberate purpose.

"We've got company," I muttered, starting the engine. "And they're not here for the party."

I guided the Bentley through a sharp turn, the high-performance engine responding instantly to my commands. Through the rearview mirror, I could see four black SUVs maintaining a coordinated pursuit, splitting up to cover different approach routes whenever we hit an intersection.

"They've anticipated our usual escape routes," I said grimly, downshifting as we approached a red light. Instead of stopping, I swerved around the waiting traffic and accelerated through the intersection, earning a chorus of horns.

My mother, Marianne, sat in the passenger seat with remarkable composure, her hands folded calmly in her lap despite the high-speed chase. Only the slight tightening around her eyes betrayed her concern. In the back seat, my father observed our pursuers with practiced calm, his expression betraying nothing of the gravity of our situation.

"How did they breach our security protocols?" my mother asked, her voice steady. "These aren't random thugs—they're using tactical pursuit formation."

My father leaned forward slightly. "This level of coordination suggests internal knowledge," he said, his deep voice measured and controlled. "Continue evasive maneuvers, Dominic. I want to see how persistent they are."

I made a split-second decision, swerving onto a side street. "We can't go home—not until we understand who's behind this and what resources they have. I need to draw them away from Rebecca and Lucas."

I felt a tug at our mate bond—Rebecca reaching out. I sent back reassurance, though I wasn't sure if it would reach her through whatever interference was affecting pack communications.

"City center," I decided, changing lanes again. "Maximum witnesses, security cameras, and potential police presence. We'll use the crowd to our advantage."

My father nodded approvingly from the back seat. "Good thinking. Force them to either reveal themselves or back off."

My mother's eyes narrowed. "You're planning to let them get close."

"Close enough to identify, yes." I flashed her a grim smile. "Hold on."

I deliberately slowed the Bentley, allowing the nearest SUV to close the gap between us. As it drew near, my mother suddenly stiffened.

"Dominic," she said, her voice tight with disbelief. "That's a Collins vehicle—the detailing on the grill is unmistakable." She turned to look at my father. "Ronald has actually done it. He's betrayed decades of alliance."

My father's expression darkened, though his voice remained calm. "It seems Elizabeth's death has pushed him beyond reason. Continue, Dominic. Let's see how far he's willing to go."

My jaw clenched at the confirmation of what I'd suspected since the funeral. I checked my mirrors again, noting all four vehicles closing in. Time to disrupt their formation.

"Seatbelts secure?" I asked, not waiting for an answer before making a hard right turn into a narrow service alley, barely wide enough for the Bentley. The sudden maneuver caught our pursuers off guard, and I heard the satisfying crunch of metal as one SUV failed to make the turn in time, colliding with a dumpster.

My eyes flashed electric blue as I partially shifted, my senses sharpening dramatically. I could smell the adrenaline of our pursuers now, hear the squeal of their tires as they tried to regroup.

"That won't hold them for long," I muttered, emerging from the alley onto a busy commercial street. "We need to separate them further."

"Your instincts are good," my father commented, his tone unchanged despite the danger. "But remember, they want us to panic. Controlled aggression is what we need now."

I tried to reach out to Rebecca again, finding the connection slightly stronger now. I sent a quick message: "We're being pursued, but managing. Protect Lucas. I'll find a way back to you."

Her response came fragmented but clear enough: "Hospital... Raymond... Coming home..."

I grimaced, hoping she'd find the villa secure when she returned. My attention was drawn back to the road as another SUV appeared ahead of us, attempting to cut us off.

"Father, Mother," I said, accelerating rather than braking, "brace yourselves."

---

The industrial district at the edge of the city was largely deserted this time of day, which was both an advantage and a disadvantage. Less civilian presence meant fewer potential casualties, but also fewer witnesses to deter our pursuers.

I'd managed to lose two of the vehicles, but the remaining two had proven surprisingly tenacious, coordinating their movements to herd us toward this isolated area. As we rounded a corner, I saw what they'd been planning: two more vehicles waiting ahead, effectively blocking our path.

"They're forcing a confrontation," my mother observed calmly, though I could smell her anxiety.

My father surveyed the situation with the practiced eye of someone who had faced similar threats across decades of leadership. "A predictable tactic," he said, his voice still remarkably steady. "They want to control the environment of engagement."

I slowed the Bentley, assessing our options. Four vehicles, probably at least eight armed individuals. Not impossible odds for two Alphas, but the presence of my mother complicated matters. I needed to ensure her safety first.

"Father, when I create an opening," I said quietly, "I want you to get mother to safety. I'll handle the distraction."

My father's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. "You've grown into a fine Alpha, son, but this is not a solo mission." His voice carried decades of authority. "We'll coordinate. Your mother is no helpless civilian either."

My mother nodded in agreement, her expression fierce. "I've been Luna for thirty years, Dominic. I know how to handle myself in a crisis."

"We need a strategic approach," my father continued. "Divide their attention, then—"

Before he could finish, I felt a mental touch that wasn't Rebecca. "Alpha, Mr. Dominic Sterling, this is Rivera. Don't respond verbally. Your pursuers are monitoring standard frequencies. Nod if you can hear me."

I gave a slight nod, keeping my expression neutral. I sensed my father receiving the same communication, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"The perimeter team has identified at least three more vehicles in the area. Don't go to any of the predetermined safe houses—they've been compromised. Collins has employed rogue Deltas with military background."

That explained their coordinated tactics. I tilted my head slightly, silently asking for more information.

"Rebecca has delivered Raymond to Silvercrest and is returning to the villa. Beta Marcus has secured the immediate perimeter, but we've detected two potential incursion points."

My hands tightened on the steering wheel. Rebecca was heading back into potential danger.

"Your mate is stronger than you think, Alpha," Rivera continued, sensing my concern. "She has arranged for Lucas's protection. Sofia and Diana will move him to a secure location."

Relief washed through me, though concern for Rebecca remained. Sofia was human, but loyal and clever. Diana had served my family for decades and knew all our security protocols. Lucas would be as safe as possible under the circumstances.

My father leaned forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Trust your mate, Dominic," he said quietly, somehow understanding my concern without hearing Rivera's message. "She has the instincts of a true Luna."

The pursuing vehicles were moving into position now, preparing to box us in completely. We needed to act quickly.

"Rivera, I need a distraction to the east, and I need it in three minutes. We'll rendezvous at the old warehouse facility."