Chapter 16
311words
Dominic had kept his distance since our café meeting.
Our paths crossed only once, after a charity gala.
Avoiding acquaintances who might report back to my parents, I'd ducked into a narrow alley to wait for Sebastian.
That's when Dominic materialized from the shadows.
His black trench coat collected snowflakes, his dark hair frosted white, golden wolf eyes luminous in the darkness.
He studied me briefly. "Storm's getting worse. Let me drive you home."
"No thanks. Sebastian's on his way."
"I'm headed in that direction anyway." Without waiting for a response, he started toward the street.
As he passed, I caught the redness rimming his eyes.
Even werewolves could weep.
"Car's just around the corner," he said.
The alley remained silent except for the crunch of footsteps in fresh snow.
He turned back, realizing I hadn't moved.
"Too proud to walk beside me?" The wind nearly masked the tremor in his voice.
"Really, it's fine. Sebastian will be here any minute."
I waved him off.
"Oh." Flat acknowledgment. He turned.
In a blur of movement, he shifted to wolf form and disappeared into the swirling snow.
I heard through the grapevine that he'd be returning to Scotland in two weeks.
I assumed that would be our final encounter.
But my parents hadn't abandoned their hopes for a Grey Pack alliance.
On Christmas Eve, they insisted I deliver a gift to Dominic.
I tried to refuse, but my second sister squeezed my hand in warning.
The consequences of defiance were still fresh on my wrists.
Under her meaningful gaze, I swallowed my objections with a quiet, "Fine."
"If Dominic rejects the alliance, that's hardly your fault," she whispered.
My second sister helped load the gift into my car, consoling me. "Just delivering a gift. Two hours at most."
