Chapter 281

Chapter 281
I waited nervously on the leather couch in our living room, my stomach tied in knots. The tea I'd brewed sat on the coffee table, still too hot to drink. My fingers fidgeted with the hem of my sweater as I watched Dominic pace the room, gathering his thoughts before our conversation about Estelle.

Finally, he sat across from me, his gaze unwavering. "Before I explain anything, I need you to remember something important," he began, his voice deep and steady. "I love you, Riley. You are the only woman I want. You're my mate, my destined one, and you'll be my wife and the mother of my children. Nothing will ever change that."

I frowned, absorbing his words while bracing myself for whatever would come next. "According to those messages, Estelle seems to believe you two are destined to be together."

"I know," he ran a hand through his hair. "And I'll explain why she thinks that."

I drew in a deep breath. "I'm listening."

"I love you too," I replied softly, meeting his gaze.

His expression softened, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "It will only ever be you, Riley. No one else."

Dominic leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Estelle and her family have been part of our pack for as long as I can remember. We grew up together, trained together."

I thought I could guess what he was about to say, but I quietly let him continue.

"Most werewolves sense their destined mates around sixteen. But I didn't find you until I was twenty-four."

I tilted my head, processing this information. "We lived in different states. That's a pretty big obstacle."

"I know, darling. Eight years is a long time," he acknowledged, his jaw tightening slightly.

"If you never found your true mate... you would have mated with Estelle, right?"

Suddenly everything made sense. She'd hated me since I moved here. The little gestures, the whispers and sneaky comments. She was jealous, but more than that, she was angry because I had ruined her chance to be Dominic's mate.

What would have happened if they weren't destined for each other?

"She's a strong wolf. It would have been the best choice for continuing the pack bloodline."

"When was this supposed to happen?" My voice sounded steadier than I felt.

"After she finished college."

I couldn't help the small, humorless laugh that escaped me. My hand unconsciously drifted to my stomach, where our child was growing. If I hadn't moved from Malibu, Dominic would be with Estelle now. The thought made my skin crawl.

"It would have been a union of duty, nothing more," Dominic continued, his voice hardening. "If I had never met you, I would have lived an unhappy life with a girl I couldn't stand."

"But you slept with her."

He didn't deny it. "I've been with several women before you, Riley. But I never felt fulfilled. I was empty inside." His eyes darkened with the admission. "Sex was just a release for me."

I shifted uncomfortably. No one wants to hear about their partner's past lovers, but I understood. Everyone had a past. And he was sharing a bit of his with me.

"I'm sorry if this is difficult to hear, but it's time you knew the truth. I wasn't a good person, Riley," he confessed, his voice dropping lower. "I did terrible things to people. I didn't care about anyone." He reached for my hand, his touch warm and secure. "Then I found the one person who could redeem me."

"Would you really have sacrificed your happiness for the pack?" I asked.

"The pack is my family," he stated simply.

"I am your family."

"Before I met you, I had nothing. I would have mated with Estelle for the pack, but we would never have been true mates."

"She's trouble, Dominic," I said, voicing my concern. "Those messages... she still thinks there's a chance between you."

She was dangerous.

"She and her family are not welcome here, and they know it."

"And that's enough to stop her?"

Dominic's expression hardened. "She and her family have been expelled from the pack. If she's smart, she won't come back."

I really hoped he was right. I wasn't afraid of her, but I was vulnerable now. I wasn't just thinking about myself anymore, and I swore if she tried to hurt my baby, I would end her.

I stood up, suddenly feeling drained. "I'm going to bed. I've heard enough about Estelle for one night."

"Are we okay?" he asked, a rare vulnerability in his voice.

"We're always okay," I assured him, meaning it despite my lingering unease.

As I headed toward the stairs, I realized I'd made peace with Dominic's past. What mattered was me—and our child. Whatever Estelle thought she could salvage with those pathetic messages was irrelevant.

"I love you," he called after me.

I turned back, offering him a small smile. "I love you too."

"I'll be up soon. Just need to check the locks."

I nodded and continued upstairs, my mind finally quieting. I changed into my pajamas and slipped under the covers.

I was nearly asleep when I felt the mattress dip and Dominic's strong arm wrap around my waist, pulling me against him. I nestled my head against his solid chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat lulling me to sleep.

I woke before dawn, carefully extracting myself from Dominic's embrace. The sky outside was still dark, with just a hint of light beginning to touch the horizon. I slipped on my thick robe and padded downstairs.

In the kitchen, I brewed another cup of tea and tidied up the dishes from last night's dinner. I planned my day. I decided I'd go for a light jog on the forest trail later.

Running had been my way of escaping stress and anxiety. Now, I just wanted to enjoy it for what it was.

I grabbed my tea and a thick blanket from the storage closet and headed to the back patio. Wrapping the blanket around my shoulders to ward off the chill, I settled onto a bench to watch the sunrise.

I loved mornings, loved that sense of peace before the bustle of a new day began.