Delay 153_Mated by contract to the alpha

Chapter 153 

 I could almost feel him hesitating on the other side of the door, torn between respecting my privacy and his instinct to protect. Finally, I heard him step back. “I’ll be in the study when you’re ready,”

 When I stood to rinse my mouth, I avoided my own reflection in the mirror. I didn’t want to see the fear in my eyes.

 Later, in the study, Dominic spread maps across his desk, his finger tracing routes. “Dn’s men will be intercepted here,” he exined, pointing to a secluded stretch of road near Oak Park. “We’ll have teams positioned at these three points.”

 I watched his face as he spoke, noticing how his eyes flickered with an eerie blue light when he discussed strategy. It was the same intense gaze that would soften when he looked at me in private moments. Now it held nothing but

 cold calction.

 “If necessary, they’ll be dealt with on site,” he continued, the words sending a chill through me.

 My fingers dug into the leather armrests of my chair, knuckles turning white. I hadn’t realized I was shaking until Dominic suddenly stopped talking and looked directly at me.

 “You’re trembling,” he said, his voice softening with concern.

 I stood abruptly. “It’s just cold in here,” I lied, rubbing my arms. “I think I need a sweater.”

 Before he could respond, I was already heading for the door, desperate for air that didn’t feel heavy with ns of violence. I didn’t make it far. Dominic caught up to me in the hallway, gently taking my arm.

 “Since we arrived, you’ve been avoiding my eyes,” he said quietly.

 I stared at the polished hardwood floor, my fingers nervously twisting together. “I’m just worried about Sofia,” I said, the half–truth bitter on my tongue.

 a moment. “I need to leave to set things in motion,” he finally said. “I won’t be staying here

 Dominic was silent for a tonight.

 I nodded, still not looking at him.

 “My men will take care of Dn,” he continued. “He won’t be a threat to either of you after tonight.”

 Something in his tone made me nce up involuntarily. Take care of. Such a benign phrase for something so final. My gaze drifted to the window, my body tensing slightly before I could control the reaction.

 But it was toote. Dominic had noticed. His expression shifted, understanding dawning in his eyes followed by something that looked painfully like hurt.

 9:10 Fri, Sep 26 B

 “You’re afraid of me,” he said. It wasn’t a question.

 I wanted to deny it, to reassure him, but the words caught in my throat. All I could do was bite my lower lip and look away again.

 Dominic turned his back to me, his shoulders rigid. “I thought after the marking… his voice trailed off. “I thought you could ept all of me.”

 I reached out, my hand hovering near his shoulder but not quite touching. “I’m trying to understand your world,” whispered.

 When he turned back to face me, his expression was carefullyposed, but the warmth in his eyes had dimmed. “But you can’t,” he said simply.

 “No, I can,” I insisted, looking down at my trembling hands. “I just need more time.”

 Dominic stepped closer, his voice low and intense. “When you look at me, what do you see, Reba? A protector, or a predator?”

 My silence was the cruelest answer I could have given.

 I would never use the methods I use against my

 He walked to the door, pausing with his hand on the frame. “I would never enemies on you, Reba,” he said without turning around.

 I finally moved toward him, my shaking fingers lightly touching his arm. I know that,” I said softly. “But when I see that side of you…” 

 Dominic looked down at my hand. “One day you’ll need to ept that protecting you means I must be ruthless with those who threaten you.”

 I couldn’t find a response, and my hand fell away from his arm.

 He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, his eyes full ofplex emotions. “I’lle back,” he said. “And I hope by then, you can ept all of me, not just the parts you’refortable with.”

 After he left, I stood at the bedroom window, watching his car disappear down the winding road. I ced my palm against the cold ss, as if I could somehow bridge the invisible barrier between us–between his world and mine.

 My other hand drifted to my stomach, cradling the secret growing inside me. “Will you inherit his strength or my weakness?” I whispered. “His ruthlessness or my hesitation?”

 The mark on his neck shed in my memory, along with the hurt in his eyes when he realized I feared him. I had wounded him with my silence more deeply than I’d intended. 

 9:10 Fri, Sep 26 ”

 By 

 the bedside table, I noticed he had left a small silver dagger. A protection weapon. I picked it up, testing its weight in my palm, and held it against my chest in the darkness.

 “Can I live forever with a man who can both tenderly caress me and coldly order death for my enemies?” Tanked the

 empty room.

 After long moments of silence, I made my decision. He deserves to know. This life belongs to both his world and

 mine.”

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Delay 153