Mated by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 177

Rebecca's POV

As the exhibition began to wind down, I found myself in a quiet corner of the gallery, taking a moment to absorb everything that had happened. The response to our collection had exceeded my expectations, with several industry professionals expressing interest in our collaborative work.

"Rebecca."

I turned to find Adrian standing there, holding an envelope.

"I wanted to catch you before you left," he said, his expression genuinely warm. "Our collaboration has been an incredible success. Seeing how seamlessly we merged sustainable practices with practical design—it's exactly what we hoped to achieve."

I smiled. "This partnership project really pushed both of us creatively. I'm proud of what we accomplished together."

He nodded, then extended the envelope toward me. "Professor Jones left this for you. The London College of Fashion was impressed by our sustainability showcase and specifically asked about your techniques. They're inviting you to participate in their special sustainable design program this summer."

I took the envelope, surprised. "London?"

"The timing is actually perfect," Adrian said with a genuine smile. "I'm moving there next month. With Claire."

Dominic approached, carrying a sleeping Lucas while Marianne followed with Ella. He sensed the shift in the atmosphere and gave Adrian a measuring look.

Adrian straightened slightly but remained relaxed. "Mr. Sterling," he acknowledged with a polite nod. "Professor Jones was just telling me how impressed she was with Rebecca's work. She left this invitation from the London College of Fashion."

I watched the two men exchange professional greetings, the tension that once existed between them notably absent. Adrian's gaze moved briefly to Lucas sleeping against Dominic's shoulder, then to Ella in Marianne's arms, his expression reflecting only genuine goodwill.

He extended his hand to Dominic. "It's been a pleasure working with Rebecca on this project. Her talent deserves every opportunity to shine."

Dominic shifted Lucas slightly to free his hand, then shook Adrian's firmly. "The exhibition was remarkable. Congratulations to you both."

Adrian looked at me one last time, his eyes clear and resolved. "I wish you all the best, Rebecca. Claire and I would be happy to show you around London if you decide to take the program. It's mostly remote with just two weeks in-person."

With that, he turned and walked away, his posture reflecting the contentment of someone moving confidently toward their future.

---

A week later, Dominic and I sat in the gardens of Sterling Manor, discussing the London fashion program. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the manicured lawn where Lucas played with a ball, occasionally bringing it back to us like a proud puppy.

"What do you think?" I asked, watching Ella sleep peacefully in Dominic's arms. "The program would be mostly remote, with just two weeks in London."

Dominic considered this. "Would you want me and the children to come with you for those two weeks? Or would you prefer to focus entirely on the program?"

His question—free from assumptions or demands—reminded me of how far we'd come together.

"I'd love for you all to join me," I said honestly. "Maybe we could make it a family trip? Show Lucas some of London's sights between my sessions?"

Dominic nodded, his eyes warm. "I think that sounds perfect." He shifted slightly, adjusting Ella's position. "I've been thinking—the east wing has that large room with the perfect natural light. What if we converted it into a proper design studio for you? You could work from home most of the time, but have a dedicated space that's yours."

I looked at him in surprise. "A real studio?"

"With everything you need," he confirmed. "Storage for fabrics, proper lighting, work tables, maybe even a small area where the children could play while you work, like you've set up in the study but more permanent."

The thought of having a space specifically designed for my work—a space that acknowledged and supported this part of my identity—filled me with emotion.

"That would be..." I struggled to find the words. "That would be incredible, Dominic."

He smiled, reaching out to take my hand. "You've embraced every aspect of being my mate and Luna. You've given me two beautiful children. Let me give you this space to nurture your own dreams."

Lucas ran up to us then, slightly out of breath. "Mama, ball!" he announced, proudly holding up his toy.

I pulled him into a one-armed hug. "That's wonderful, sweetheart. Are you having fun?"

He nodded enthusiastically, then looked at his sleeping sister. "Ella sleeping?"

"Yes, she's tired," Dominic explained softly. "Just like you get tired after playing."

Lucas considered this seriously, then placed his ball carefully on the grass. "I be quiet for Ella," he whispered dramatically, making both Dominic and me smile.

As I watched my son gently pat his sister's tiny foot, I felt a wave of contentment wash over me. Here, in this garden with my family, discussing plans that honored both my role as mother and Luna and my identity as a designer, I felt truly whole.

---

Three months later, I stood in the doorway of my newly completed design studio, taking in the transformation of the east wing space. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, illuminating the cream-colored walls and gleaming hardwood floors. Custom-built storage units lined one wall, filled with carefully organized fabrics, threads, and design materials. A large work table occupied the center of the room, its surface clear and waiting for my next project.

In one corner, a comfortable children's area had been created with soft rugs, toys, and a small table where Lucas could draw or play while I worked. A bassinet for Ella sat nearby, positioned so I could easily see her from my work table.

The walls featured framed sketches from my first collection, alongside professional photographs of the finished garments. A large corkboard displayed Lucas's colorful drawings, integrated with my own design inspirations. And in a place of honor hung a family portrait—Dominic, Lucas, Ella, and me, captured in a moment of perfect happiness.

The space was everything I could have wished for—professional yet personal, accommodating both my work and my family.

I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Dominic approaching, Ella cradled in one arm while Lucas walked beside him, clutching his hand.

"What do you think?" Dominic asked, his eyes taking in my expression. "Is it what you envisioned?"

"It's perfect," I said, emotion making my voice soft. "Better than I could have imagined."

Lucas immediately ran to the children's corner, exclaiming over the new toys and art supplies. Ella, now six months old, watched with bright eyes from Dominic's arms, taking in the colorful new environment.

As I moved further into the studio, I noticed a small envelope propped against a new sewing machine. Opening it, I found a postcard from London, with Adrian's neat handwriting on the back:

*London is everything we hoped for. Claire and I are settling in wonderfully. Hope your designs are taking shape as beautifully as your life has.*

I smiled, genuinely happy for his new beginning. Setting the card aside, I joined Dominic by the windows.

"Happy?" he asked, adjusting Ella in his arms as she reached curiously for a swatch of fabric on a nearby table.

"Very," I replied, watching as Lucas arranged colored pencils with serious concentration. "Seeing you find this part of yourself again makes me happy too," Dominic said softly.

I surveyed the room—my professional space, filled with evidence of my design work, my children, my mate. "I didn't just find a part of myself," I said, understanding washing over me like a warm tide. "I found my complete self."

Dominic's arm slipped around my waist, pulling me close as we watched Lucas start a new drawing. Ella cooed softly, reaching for my hair with tiny fingers. Through our bond, I felt Dominic's contentment mirroring my own—a sense of rightness, of wholeness, of all the pieces of our lives fitting together in perfect harmony.

In this moment, surrounded by the physical manifestation of both my roles—mother, Luna, designer—I knew I had finally achieved the balance I'd been seeking. Not by compartmentalizing or sacrificing parts of myself, but by integrating them into something stronger and more beautiful than I could have imagined.