<b>Chapter </b>109


    Dominic’s POV


    The scent of frying bacon pulled me from a deep sleep, rich and tantalizing as it permeated the bedroom. I remained still for a moment, eyes closed, savoring both the aroma and memories ofst night with Reba. Her vulnerability and jealousy had surprised me–and pleased my wolf in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The way she’d pushed against my chest, demanding answers about our future, challenging me despite my dominance… it awakened something primal


    within me.


    My wolf felt unusually settled this morning, content in a way I rarely experienced. The connection Reba had formed with both sides of me was unprecedented. She’d seen my wolf form at theke and hadn’t run. She’d touched me, epted me. Andst night, she’d surrendered to mepletely, letting me bind her wrists and worship her


    body.


    Rolling onto my side, I nced at the empty space beside me. The sheets still held her scent, mingled with lingering traces of our passion. I inhaled deeply, letting it fill my lungs before reluctantly reaching for my phone.


    My screen disyed several unread messages. The Nakamura deal was experiencingplications that needed my immediate attention. I set the phone aside with a sigh and stood, stretching my muscles before pulling on a pair of


    sweatpants.


    I needed to resolve the situation with my father and Collins soon. Once that was handled, I could focus entirely on Reba and our mate bond–a connection I was finally ready to acknowledge, even if I wasn’t quite ready to


    Following the enticing smell, I padded barefoot to the kitchen. Reba stood at the stove, her back to me, wearing nothing but my dress shirt fromst night. The fabric barely covered the curve of her ass, her legs seeming endless beneath the hem. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, exposing the nape of her neck where my mark would eventually <ol><li>go. </li></ol>


    Mine. The thought came immediately, possessively.


    I moved silently across the kitchen floor, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind and nuzzling the spot


    where her neck met her shoulder.


    “A man could get used to this, I murmured against her skin, feeling her slight jump of surprise before she rxed into my embrace,


    She smiled, leaning back against me. “To bacon? I thought werewolves preferred their meat rare,”


    My chuckle vibrated through my chest into her back. “To waking up to a beautiful woman cooking in his kitchen.” My hands syed across her stomach, pulling her closer. “Wearing his shirt.”


    Her cheeks flushed with heat. “Your shirt was closer than my clothes.” She turned thest piece of bacon before adding, “Andrger. Morefortable.”


    20:38 Wed, Sep <b>24 </b>


    “It looks better on you anyway.” I pressed a kiss to her temple before releasing her to pour myself coffee from the pot she’d made.


    We moved around the kitchen with surprising case, settling into afortable routine as if we’d been sharing this space for years rather than days. When Reba mentioned washing the dishes, I shook my head.


    “Leave them. Diana will handle it when shees in.”


    “Your poor housekeeper,” she teased, following me with mugs of coffee. “I can wash my own dishes, you know.”


    I sat across from her at the breakfast nook, enjoying the morning light on her face. “If Diana saw me letting you wash dishes, she’d probably quit. She takes great pride in managing this household.”


    “Heaven forbid you pick up after yourself,” she said, but her smile took any sting from the words.


    We ate infortable silence, the only sounds the asional clink of silverware against tes and the soft rustle of pages as Reba checked work emails on her phone. I watched her, noting how her brow furrowed in concentration.


    “You furrow your brow when you concentrate,” I observed, reaching across to brush my thumb between her eyebrows. “Right here.”


    She blinked, looking up from her screen. “Do I? It’s a bad habit. My mother always said I’d get premature wrinkles.”


    My phone buzzed again–it had been vibrating periodically throughout breakfast, but I’d been ignoring it. This time, I frowned and picked it up, scrolling through what appeared to be multiple messages. Marcus was reporting that my father had called an emergency meeting of the pack elders, likely to discuss my rejection of the Collins alliance.


    I typed out several quick responses, my thumbs moving rapidly over the screen. When I set the phone down, I carefully controlled my expression, but Reba’s perceptive gaze told me she noticed the change.


    “I need to go to Sterling Manor,” I said, keeping my tone deliberately casual. “Some family business that needs handling.”


    “Is everything okay?” she asked, setting her own phone aside.


    I nodded, though I knew the tightness around my eyes betrayed me. “Nothing to worry about. Justpany matters.”


    I dressed quickly, selecting a charcoal suit and blue tie that Reba had once mentioned brought out my eyes. When I emerged from the bedroom, she was clearing the breakfast dishes, still wearing only my shirt. The sight of her moving around my kitchen so naturally stirred something possessive in my chest. This was right. She belonged


    here.


    “I shouldn’t be long,” I said, checking my watch. “Will you be here when I get back?”


    :


    <b>42 </b>


    She turned, leaning against the counter. “I thought I might work on some sketches for ss. The light in your study is perfect in the afternoon.”


    I nodded, pleased at the thought of her making herself at home in my absence. “Use whatever you need. Diana will


    be in around noon.”


    My phone buzzed again, and I nced at the screen to see another message from Marcus. The situation was escting faster than I’d anticipated. I needed to leave now.


    “I have to go,” I said, crossing the kitchen to cup her face in my hands. I kissed her softly, tasting coffee and something uniquely Reba. “I’ll call youter.”


    She nodded, her gray–green eyes searching mine. “Be careful.”


    The concern in her voice warmed me. Few people in my life worried about my well–being; most assumed I was invincible. Reba saw through the fa?ade to the man beneath.


    I kissed her once more, then forced myself to step away. My driver would be waiting outside with the Maybach.


    As I walked to the door, I felt her watching me, sensed her unspoken questions. But family politics was thest thing I wanted to burden her with. She’d already faced enough challenges adapting to my world.


    “Dominic,” she called just as I reached for the door handle.


    I turned back, raising an eyebrow in question.


    “Thank you,” she said simply. “Forst night. For… everything.”


    The genuine gratitude in her voice made my chest tighten. I nodded once, not trusting myself to speak, and then I was gone, closing the door behind me.


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