Mated by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 80

Dominic's POV

Morning sunlight filtered through the blinds of my office as I reviewed the latest medical report Dr. Winters had sent over. It had been nearly twelve hours since I'd found Rebecca unconscious in that stairwell.

My phone rang, Marcus's name flashing on the screen. I answered before the first vibration completed.

"Mr. Sterling," his voice carried a note of relief. "She's awake and more alert this morning. The doctors say she's responding well to treatment."

My fingers tightened around the phone until the case creaked. "How is she?" The words came out clipped, controlled.

"Still weak, somewhat disoriented. Dr. Winters says this is normal progression for a concussion of that severity. She's been asking for you."

A momentary softening moved through my chest, my breathing easing slightly. The sensation lasted exactly three seconds before rage reclaimed its territory, sharper and colder than before. My vision altered, the edges of the room taking on the electric blue clarity that signaled my wolf rising close to the surface. I could feel my pupils dilating, my senses heightening.

"I'll visit her soon," I said, my voice unnaturally steady. "After I handle something first."

I ended the call and swiveled to my computer, back straight, shoulders set with purpose. I pulled up the invitation list for the Silver Moon Shadow quarterly charity gala scheduled for tonight. My fingers tapped a precise rhythm against the desk as I scanned the names. The event was our pack's most prestigious social gathering, attended by every prominent werewolf family in the region. Media coverage was extensive, with photographers from both human and werewolf publications vying for exclusive shots of the city's elite.

I leaned forward, nostrils flaring slightly. Perfect.

I pressed the intercom, the movement deliberate. "Sarah, come in please."

A human employee appeared moments later, notepad in hand. "Yes, Mr. Sterling?"

"Add Elizabeth Collins to the program as a special guest speaker for tonight's gala. Topic: 'Traditional Values of an Alpha's Mate.' Place her directly after my opening remarks." My voice remained level, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop with each word.

Sarah's eyes widened slightly – she knew enough about pack politics to recognize the significance – but she merely nodded, her gaze dropping in deference. "Anything else, sir?"

"Have the tech team prepare the multimedia system for a special presentation. Tell them I'll provide the content myself before the event." I dismissed her with a slight incline of my head.

Once she left, I made three calls in rapid succession. Within minutes, my office filled with key members of my inner circle: Marcus, who had returned from the hospital; Raymond, my head of security; and Vivian, my chief of public relations. They arranged themselves before my desk, standing rather than sitting, awaiting direction.

"I want everything," I told Raymond, my voice steady and cold. My hands rested flat on the desk, perfectly still. "Every frame of security footage showing Elizabeth entering and leaving Sterling Tower yesterday. Every angle of the stairwell. I want audio if it exists."

Raymond nodded once, sharply. "We've already pulled most of it, sir. There's clear footage of her following Ms. Brown into the stairwell and leaving alone approximately seven minutes later. The stairwell cameras caught portions of the confrontation, though some of the audio is muffled."

"Good. Edit it professionally. I want it seamless but authentic. No one should question its validity." I turned to Vivian, fixing her with an unwavering stare. "Contact every major media outlet. Make sure they have photographers and reporters at the gala tonight."

Vivian's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Social media coverage too?"

"Maximum exposure," I confirmed, each syllable precise. "Every platform."

Marcus watched me, his posture alert but expression cautious. "The Collins family has significant influence. This will create serious political ripples within the pack hierarchy."

"I'm counting on it." I leaned back in my chair, fingers steepled before me, elbows resting on the armrests in a position of absolute control. "For too long, certain families have believed their bloodlines place them above our laws. It's time for a reminder that no one—absolutely no one—attacks what's mine without consequences."

When they left to execute their tasks, I reached for my phone again. Elizabeth answered on the second ring, her voice breathy with excitement.

"Dominic! I was just thinking about you."

"Elizabeth," I kept my tone warm, measured, though my free hand curled into a fist against my thigh. "I'm calling about tonight's charity gala."

"Oh?" The hopeful note in her voice triggered a twitch in my jaw.

"I'd like you to attend as my personal guest. Would that interest you?"

Her intake of breath was audible. "I would be honored, Dominic. Does this mean—"

"Let's discuss details when I pick you up," I interrupted, my voice smooth but allowing no room for question. "I'll send a car for you at seven."

"I'll be ready," she promised, voice practically trembling with anticipation.

After ending the call, I found Marcus lingering in the doorway, his expression troubled.

"You're going to destroy her," he said quietly. It wasn't a question.

I met his gaze directly, allowing some of my wolf to show. I felt the heat behind my eyes as they shifted color. "She attacked a defenseless human woman. She attacked my mate."

"I'm not questioning your right to retribution," Marcus clarified, his stance shifting slightly backward. "I'm concerned about the method. This is... unusually public."

My lips curved into a cold smile, revealing just the edge of teeth. "That's precisely the point. Let her fly as high as possible, Marcus. The higher she rises, the harder she'll fall."

---

Elizabeth's villa was a sprawling Tudor-style mansion on the north side of the city, surrounded by immaculate gardens and protected by an ornate iron gate. As my car pulled through the entrance, I noted the additional vehicles in the circular driveway – clearly, Elizabeth had invited her parents to witness what she believed would be her triumph.

Raymond pulled the car to a stop, and I straightened my already perfect tie with practiced precision. The Sterling family crest gleamed on my cufflinks, a silent reminder of my authority.

The front door opened before I reached it. Ronald Collins stood there, his face displaying a self-satisfied smile that triggered a surge of disgust within me. My fingers flexed once before settling into stillness.

"Dominic! Come in, come in." He ushered me inside with exaggerated hospitality. "Margaret and I were just saying how pleased we are about this evening's arrangements."

Margaret Collins, a slim woman with the same blonde hair as her daughter, approached to air-kiss my cheeks. "It's about time, if I may say so. We've always known Elizabeth was destined for greatness."

I offered them both a practiced smile that never reached my eyes. "Elizabeth has certainly made herself... memorable." The slight pause before the final word was deliberate, though neither of them seemed to notice the danger in it.

"She'll be down in a moment," Margaret gushed. "She's been preparing all day."

Ronald leaned closer, his voice dropping conspiratorially. "Between us, I think tonight would be perfect for a formal announcement. The press will be there, all the right families..." He trailed off meaningfully.

"It will certainly be a night no one forgets," I agreed, maintaining my pleasant expression while my eyes hardened. For a split second, Ronald seemed to register something in my gaze that made him straighten, uncertainty flickering across his features.

The sound of heels on marble interrupted us. Elizabeth descended the grand staircase, one hand trailing dramatically along the banister. She wore a custom sapphire blue gown that matched my suit perfectly – a coordination that would have seemed planned to observers. Diamonds glittered at her throat and wrists, catching the light with every movement.

"Dominic," she breathed, reaching the bottom step and extending her hand, her eyes sweeping over me possessively.

I took her hand, brushing my lips across her knuckles in a gesture that made her pupils dilate. I straightened slowly, standing at my full height, looking down at her from my superior position. "As do you, Elizabeth. Shall we? We wouldn't want to be late." My tone conveyed finality, brooking no delay.

As I guided her toward the door, my hand resting lightly but firmly on her lower back, she leaned close, her perfume assaulting my sensitive nose. "I've been thinking about what I'll say in my speech," she whispered. "About how an Alpha's mate must embody strength, purity of bloodline, and unwavering loyalty."

"Indeed," I murmured, my eyes fixed forward. "Loyalty is paramount."

Her parents followed us out, Ronald making one last attempt. "Perhaps after the gala, we could discuss the details of joining our families' business interests? I've prepared some preliminary paperwork—"

"One step at a time, Ronald," I cut him off, my words polite but my tone leaving no room for discussion. "Tonight is about celebration, not contracts."