Dominic’s POY


    I watched Reba from the corner of my tye as we drove, noting every while change in her expression. The carefree smile <b>the’d </b>worn at the beach house had gradually given way to concern, het brow furrowing as she stared out the window, I couldn’t me her. The sanctuary <b>we’d </b>created at the beach house coullestst forever, and returning to the city meant facing the consequences of our choices.


    When she mentioned the strange smell, rm bells range in my mind. Enhanced senses weremon in pregnant mates of werewolves, but they usually developed more gradually. The speed of these changes suggested our child might he developing faster than a typical human pregnancy–not unheard of in mixed couples, but definitely requiring specialized medical attention.


    <b>As </b>we pulled into the driveway of Sterling Manor, I sent a quick text to Dr. Winters to arrange a check up for Reba. The doctor had been our family physician for generations, one of the few medical professionals who understood the unique physiology of werewolves and their mates


    “We’re home,” I <b>said </b>softly, reaching over to touch Reba’s hand, which was resting protectively over her stomach.


    <b>She </b>blinked, as ifing out of deep thought, and looked up at the imposing fa?ade of the manor. “Home,” she repeated, testing the word.


    I wanted to give her time to adjust, to settle in after our trip, but pack business wouldn’t wait. As soon as we stepped through the door, Diana approached with a stack of urgent messages


    “Mr. Sterling, she


    e greeted me with a rep


    a respectful <b>nod</b>, then smiled warmly <b>at </b>Reba. “Ms. Brown. Wee home.”


    *<b>Diana</b>, please arrange refreshments for Reba,” I instructed. “And ask Raymond, Emily, and Marcus to meet me in my study in twenty minutes.”


    Reba <b>gave </b>me a questioning look. I leaned down to brush my lips against her forehead. “Security meeting,” I exined quietly. “I won’t be long.”


    Her gray–green eyes searched mine for a moment before she nodded. “<b>I </b>understand.”


    I watched her follow Diana down the hallway, my wolf growling protectively inside me. Everything had changed now. Every decision I made, every strategy I nned, would be influenced by the need to protect not just my mate, but my child as well.


    In my study, I <b>paced </b>as I waited for my <b>team</b>. The marking had changed things more than I had anticipated. I could feel Reba’s emotions like shadows at the <b>edge </b>of my consciousness–her uncertainty, her determination, her love. It made focusing on business more difficult, but it also hardened my <b>resolve</b>. <b>There </b>were threats to eliminate, alliances to secure, a future to protect.


    The door opened, admitting Raymond, Emily, and Marcus. My most trusted lieutenants took their customary positions around the room- Raymond by the window, Marcus near the firece, Emily standing directly before my desk with perfect posture.


    “Reba is pregnant,” I stated without preamble. ‘She <b>is </b>also now officially marked as my mate. This changes our security priorities effective immediately.”


    I observed their reactions carefully. Marcus nodded, unsurprised–he’d likely sensed the <b>changes </b>in Reba’s scent. Raymond’s eyebrows <b>rose </b>slightly, but he quickly schooled his expression. Emily remained impassive, though her eyes sharpened with interest.


    “Emily,” I addressed her directly, “from this moment forward, your primary duty is Reba’s protection. You will be her shadow whenever I


    cannot be with her.”


    Am


    Emily sank to one knee, her head bowed in eptance of the assignment. “I will guard her with my life, Mr. Sterling. No harm wille <b>to </b>your male or your heir while I draw breath.”


    The formal pledge satisfied my wolf’s need for certainty. Emily was one of our most lethal fighters, despite her slender build an <b>demeanor</b>. She was also female, which would <b>make </b>her presence less Intrusive in Reba’s daily life.


    build and quiet


    “There’s something else.” I continued as Emily rose, “Tomorrow morning, I’m calling a meeting with the Collins family. It’s time formally terminate the betrothal agreement.”


    Marcus shifted his weight, the only sign of his difort. “The Collins pack won’t take this lightly. <b>Ronald </b><b>has </b>been counting on this alliance for years.”


    “The agreement was never binding.” I reminded <b>him</b>. “And even if it <b>were</b>, finding my true mate <b>supersedes </b>any arranged match.”


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