Rejection on the Full Moon (Rejection Series) Chapter 24

"Thank you. Believe it or not, between opening my store and buying and renovating this place, I was actually broke for a while. It wasn't until the store started doing well for itself and gaining popularity that I finally had a stable income." I state, taking my hand out of his. I push open the only non-silver spot of the fence line, an iron gate, revealing a small path that leads from the paved driveway to just outside the sliding gate that allowed me to drive my car in and out of the property and into town.

I lead Dominic into my house, instructing him to take off his shoes at the front door or risk being skinned for making my floors dirty before guiding him into the kitchen. The smell of baked chicken and roasted vegetables fills the air as the oven keeps the meal warm. I motion for my guest to sit on one of the stools beside the kitchen island as I take the food out of the oven and place it in front of him. I then pass to Dominic plates, cutlery, and a bottle of wine before joining him to serve ourselves and dig in.

We continue getting to know each other, talking about our likes and dislikes, and it makes me wonder if the many Alphas of the Blood Moon Pack are as ruthless as the rumours make them out to be. So far, other than growling at me when Dominic first found out I was Fire Foot last year, he has been nothing but friendly; and maybe a little too tempting to be with.

With dinner finished and the clear night sky providing a view of the gorgeous stars, I suggest eating dessert on the patio on a lounge set by my pool. Dominic agrees readily to this idea. I show him where to take out the plates and cutlery we will need and glasses, then I grab another bottle of red wine and the cake from the fridge and head over to where he sits waiting.

"Wow." I laugh at his expression as I place the New York cheesecake with white chocolate drizzle and chocolate chips before him on the wooden table and begin to cut nice-sized slices for us to enjoy. I lean back into my chair, my eyes watching Dominic as he takes his first bite and lets out a delighted moan, his eyes closing in absolute bliss. The pool water bubbles gently in the quiet night, the only sound between us, and the scent of all the flowers swirling around from the breeze creates an intimate atmosphere. This probably is the best birthday I've had in a long time.

"To be frank with you, Amberle, I am glad I ran into you today." Dominic starts, ending the comfortable silence as he reaches for another large slice of cheesecake, practically making out with it as he shoves the fork into his mouth.

"Why's that?" I inquire, a bemused expression on my face while I watch my new friend. It seems like I'll have to hide this cheesecake from now on if he becomes a regular at my place.

"My Head Tracker is retiring to raise her pups, and I was hoping I could run into you again to ask you to join my pack and take her spot. You can still stay here and run your store, but the Trackers normally train from Fridays to Saturdays. I know you have employees and normally use those days to work on paperwork, so it wouldn't cut into your business." My eyes widen at first from his implied stalking me, then from his proposal to join his pack. For a moment, I stare silently at the wolf before turning my gaze to the water, my thoughts swirling. I am Fire Foot, the notorious rogue who loots powerful packs, yet, he wanted me in his pack. I couldn't lie to myself and say that the idea of finding a pack and being a member in a community once again didn't call to me. I wanted to be with other wolves once again and feel connected, but the fear of what happened back at Forest Paw held me back some days. But something in Dominic's eyes as he stares at me, without the pride and arrogance of an Alpha, causes a flicker of hope to burn bright inside me. Maybe this could be a new beginning, a new chapter in my life that I needed. The prospect of my dream job being handed to me on a silver platter on my birthday added to my decision. After a long silence, all while Dominic leaves me to my thoughts, I smile and nod.

"One month. I will train them for one month and tell you if I plan to stay or not afterwards." I answer firmly. If I felt like I belong in a month and that Blood Moon could become my new family, then I would stay. But if I felt like an outcast once again, then Dominic will have to find someone else.

"It's a deal. We can do a test run tomorrow and see how it works out since I know you closed the store this weekend." Dominic adds, and I couldn't help but chuckle at his enthusiasm. We shake hands, and I lead him to the study to make a contract of the terms for the month to come, and he leaves shortly after signing both copies—one for each of us. I spent an hour gathering things I would need for training and coming up with an idea that tested their abilities. As a Tracker, myself, being quick and quick-witted is an asset, and I needed to comprehend just how much work needed to be done tomorrow with the Blood Moon wolves.

Tomorrow, I would be training his wolves, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited.