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12:12 <b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>22 </b>
Mated by Contract to the Alpha
<b>Chapter </b><b>80 </b>
<b>Reba’s </b>POV
We walked toward <b>the </bke, following a path between ancient trees. The weight of Dominic’s hand <b>at </b>the <b>small </b><b>of </b>my back was reassuring. With <b>each </b>step deeper into this ce, I noticed subtle changes in him–his shoulders rxed, his stride lengthened, his breathing deepened. It was as ifyers of armor were falling away<b>, </b>revealing a <b>different </b>man beneath.
At theke’s edge, he stopped. Water stretched before us, perfectly still in thete afternoon light. When Dominic turned to face me, his expression made my breath catch. The guardedness that usually shadowed his features was gone, reced by a vulnerability I’d never seen before.
“Away from all the pressure and expectations… I just want to be myself with you,” he said, his voice rougher <b>than </b>usual. His eyes searched mine, as if looking for permission. “I want to show you all of me… including my wolf form<b>.</b><b>” </b>
The words sent a cold jolt through me. Steve’s attack shed in my mind–his face contorting, bones cracking as he transformed, those savage golden eyes, the teeth and ws tearing at my flesh. My heart hammered against my ribs. I took an involuntary step back, my palms suddenly damp.
“I…” My voice failed me. I swallowed hard. “I’m a little scared.”
Dominic didn’t move closer, giving me space. His expression softened, eyes filled with understanding rather than offense. He extended his hand slowly, giving me time to refuse if I wanted.
“I would never hurt you,” he said, each word deliberate and weighted with promise. “If you don’t want to see, we can
leave. Right now.”
<b>I </b>studied his face–the sincerity in those blue eyes, the tension in his jaw as he waited for my answer. This was Dominic<b>, </b>who had saved me, protected me, respected my boundaries even when his instincts pushed him otherwise.
This wasn’t Steve.
“No,” I said finally, forcing my voice to remain steady. “I want to see. I want to know the real you<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Relief washed over his features. <b>He </b>nodded, stepping back and beginning to loosen his tie. His fingers moved to his shirt buttons, methodically undoing each one.
I’ll go behind thatrge oak tree,” he said, indicating a massive tree a short distance away,
<b>As </b><b>he </b>disappeared behind the oak, I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to still my trembling. The <b>forest </b>around me felt unnaturally quiet<b>, </b>as if holding its breath in anticipation.
Then movement caught my <b>eye</b>. From behind the oak emerged a massive wolf with deep gray fur. My heart <b>stopped</b>, then raced painfully <b>fast</b>. <b>The </b>wolf–Dominic–moved with controlled power, each <b>step </b>deliberate<b>. </b><b>His </b><b>eyes </b><b>were </b><b>the </b>same intense blue as his human form, intelligence and awareness evident in their <b>depths</b>.
<b>12:12 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>22 </b>
A
<b>63 </b>
I gasped, stepping backward until my heel hit a rock. My chest constricted with a strange sensation, not just fear but something deeper–the mate bond between us suddenly so strong it was almost painful.
Wolf–Dominic remained motionless<b>, </b>watching me with those unnervingly human eyes. He made no move <b>toward </b>me, his bodynguage carefully non–threatening. Through our bond, emotions flowed–his concern<b>, </b>his patience, his hope.
<b>I </b>couldn’t move, frozen in ce bypeting emotions. Steve’s attack reyed in my mind, but the contrast <b>was </b>stark. This wolf wasn’t snarling or lunging. He was waiting<b>, </bpletely still, his focus solely on me.
Dominic lowered his massive head, a gesture that seemed intentionally submissive. The bond between <b>us </b>pulsed with reassurance. I felt his desire tofort me, to ease my fear.
I forced myself to inhale deeply, then took one shaky step forward. Then another. My hand trembled as I extended it, stopping inches from his head.
“You’re… not as scary as I thought you’d be,” I whispered, my voice unsteady.
I touched his forehead, fingers sinking into fur softer than I’d imagined. Dominic remained perfectly still<b>, </b>then slowly leaned into my touch. A rumbling sound vibrated from his chest–not a growl, but something more like
contentment.
The fear began to recede, reced by a sense of wonder. I knelt on the soft ground, bringing myself to his eye level. The terror that had gripped me moments ago faded as I looked into those familiar blue eyes.
“You’re… you’re still you,” <b>I </b>said softly, amazed by the realization. “I can see you in there.”
He moved back slightly, then nodded toward the open area by theke. Understanding his intent, I followed. Dominic began to run, his powerful body moving with a grace that was hypnotic to watch. Muscles rippled beneath his <b>fur </b>as he circled the clearing, his movements disying a freedom I’d never seen in his human form.
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<b>12:12 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>22
Mated by Contract to the Alpha