Dominic’s POV
A
1 paused in the doorway of Reba’s hospital room, a bouquet of fresh wildflowers in my hand. The sight before me made my heart clench–she was out of <b>bed</b>, carefully taking measured steps across the room, her hand asionally brushing against the wall for support. Her determination was evident in the set of her shoulders, even as fatigue clouded her movements.
“<b>You </b>should have waited for me before trying to walk,” I said, quickly cing the flowers on the nearby table and <b>moving </b>to her side.
Reba turned<b>, </b><b>a </b>small smile lighting <b>her </b><b>face </b>despite the dark circles under her eyes. “The doctor said I should get moving a little. Something about cirction and avoiding blood clots.”
I gently took her elbow, steadying her. “Then at least let me help you.”
She didn’t resist as I guided her <b>back </b>toward the bed, my wolf humming with satisfaction at her eptance of my protection. The knowledge that she carried our child–a miracle I was still processing–made every protective instinct in me roar to life. I settled her carefully against the pillows, arranging them to support her back.
“Thank you for the flowers,” she said, her <b>eyes </b>moving to the colorful bouquet. “They’re beautiful.”
I sat on the edge of her bed, taking her hand in mine. I’d eliminated William–a direct threat to my mate and child- but I hadn’t yet told Reba. She deserved to know the truth, as painful as it might be.
“Reba,” I began, my thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Her <b>eyes </b>widened slightly, and I could sense her heartbeat quickening. “About the baby? Did the doctors tell you. something?”
“No,” I assured her quickly. “The baby is fine. This is about William.”
Her body tensed at the mention of her ex–fiancé’s name. “What about him?”
1 took <b>a </b>deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “William came to my office today. He was seeking a position <b>as </b>Delta in the pack.” I paused, watching her <b>reaction</b>. “During our conversation, he admitted to introducing your brother to Dn Hurst. He <b>knew </b>about Dn’s gambling operation and sent Jason there deliberately.”
Reba’s face paled, her fingers tightening around mine. “He… what? William knew Dn? He’s connected to what happened to Jason?”
I nodded grimly. “I’m sorry, Reba. After he confessed, I… my wolf took over. I couldn’t control my protective instincts.” 1 held her gaze steadily. “William is dead. I killed him for threatening you and our child.”
The silence that followed felt eternal. Reba stared at me, her expression unreadable, before she slowly pulled her
200
hand from mine and turned toward the window. Moonlight streamed in, illuminating her delicate profile as she <b>processed </b>my words,
“I understand if you’re afraid of me now,” I sald quietly, my chest tight with fear that I might lose her. “What I did
<b>Was </b>
“It’s not that,” she interrupted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just… five years. Five years together, and I never really knew <b>him </b>at all.” <b>She </b>turned back to me, her eyes shimmering with <b>unshed </b>tears. “He led my brother to his death. He tried to have me killed. The man I thought I loved…”
My wolf howled with the need tofort her, to erase every hurt William had ever caused her. “I’m sorry,” I said again, inadequate as the words felt.
Reba took a shuddering <b>breath</b><b>, </b><b>then </b>surprised me by reaching for my hand again. “Thank you for telling me the truth. Her fingers traced lightly over my knuckles<b>, </b>sending waves of electricity up my arm. “What will happen to Olivia and James?”
Her concern for William’s mistress <b>and </b>child, even after everything <b>she’d </b>learned, was so quintessentially Reba that it made my chest ache. Thispassion, this inherent goodness, <b>was </b>part of why my wolf had recognized her as our mate from the first moment.
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