Chapter 282

Chapter 282
Days seemed to stretch on forever when you had nothing to do. I'd been sitting on our back porch for nearly half an hour, watching raindrops collect on leaves and listening to the gentle patter against the roof. Everyone else was moving forward with their lives while I was stuck in this transition period—high school was over, college plans on hold.

I tilted my face upward, letting the light rain kiss my cheeks. A small smile crept across my lips as I savored the sensation. I loved both the clear days and the rainy ones.

I have an entire family I don't know. I rarely participated in pack activities. Honestly, I didn't even know where to begin. Dominic only told me what he thought I needed to know, which I'd accepted, but I was starting to wonder how many pack members I'd never even met.

The rain began to fall harder, and I finished the last of my tea before heading back inside. I rinsed my mug and placed it on the drying rack, pausing to listen for movement upstairs. The house was silent. Dominic was probably still asleep.

I decided to shower and get ready for the day.

After my shower, I wrapped myself in a towel and padded back to our bedroom to dress. By the time I made it downstairs again, Dominic was in the kitchen, his hair still damp from sleep, making breakfast.

"Morning," I said, inhaling the mouthwatering aroma of waffles, bacon, and eggs.

"Morning, baby." He poured orange juice into a glass and slid it toward me. "Sleep well?"

"Mmhmm," I nodded, taking a sip. "What about you? You got in late."

"Well enough." He flipped a waffle onto a plate. "What are your plans today?"

I leaned against the counter. "Besides having lunch with Mason, I don't have much else to do. I'm always idle, that's why I was planning to go for a run."

"Running? In your condition?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm pregnant, Dominic, not dying."

He placed the plate in front of me, his expression serious. "You need to be careful during pregnancy. The first trimester is crucial."

"I know that," I replied, cutting into my waffle. "I'll be careful. Just a light jog to clear my head."

He studied me for a moment before his expression softened. "What would you think about getting away for a few days? We could go to the cabin. Just us. No pack business."

I considered his offer while chewing a piece of bacon. "I'd like that. We could go after I visit my father."

The thought of seeing my father again sent a flutter of nervous energy through me. I'd only recently found him, and our relationship was still new, fragile.

Dominic nodded, seeming pleased with my answer. "I need to shower and meet Hunter at the training grounds."

"Training? Should I be worried?" I asked.

"No." He kissed the top of my head. "Just routine. The younger wolves need regular practice."

"Okay." I trusted him, but couldn't help wondering if there was more to his affairs.

"Be careful driving in this weather," he added, heading toward the stairs.

"I'm always careful," I smiled.

After finishing breakfast, I checked the weather forecast on my phone. The rain was supposed to continue all day, growing heavier by afternoon. Maybe running wasn't the best idea after all.

I texted Mason: Weather's awful. Meet at the café?

I didn't want to risk driving out of town with the possibility of roads closing due to bad weather.

I didn't wait for a reply before grabbing my keys and wallet. If he could come, that would be great. Even if Mason didn't show, I could enjoy coffee and a muffin on my own. Besides, getting out occasionally was good. Staying home with nothing to do would drive me crazy sooner or later.

I couldn't keep putting off enrolling in college. I really wanted to go to college and get a degree, but even though several months had passed, I still hadn't enrolled. Was I kidding myself? If I weren't staying here, I'd be at Yale right now.

I parked outside the coffee shop and turned off the engine. The café was quieter than usual when I arrived, the weather keeping many people at home.

I hung my damp coat on the rack by the door and checked my phone. Still no response from Mason.

"Hi, ready to order?"

"I'll have tea with lots of milk, please." I smiled at the server. I'd hold off on the muffin for now.

The bell above the door jingled, and Mason rushed in, his hair plastered to his forehead from the rain. He smelled of wet grass and rainwater.

"Sorry I'm late," he slid into the seat across from me. "My car wouldn't start at first, then when I finally got it going, I realized halfway that I forgot my wallet and had to go back for it. Really sorry."

"I was beginning to think you weren't coming," I replied, pushing a napkin toward him.

He wiped his face, looking apologetic. "If this keeps up, roads might start closing."

"It's just a little rain." Not as bad as last time, there's no strong wind, and we still have electricity.

"They say it's going to get worse," he said.

"Are we really going to sit here and talk about the weather?" I raised an eyebrow. It felt like I hadn't seen him in ages.

Mason gave me a half-smile. "No, I guess not." He paused, his expression turning serious. "You know, I'm going to miss you."

"Me too," our friendship was special, and I would miss him terribly. "You were one of my first friends here."

"So," he leaned forward, "what are your plans next?"

I nodded. "I'm enrolling in college tomorrow."

"I still can't believe you gave up Yale for Dominic."

"Hey," I frowned, feeling a flash of irritation.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have said that. It's just that Yale is such an incredible place. He must be really special."

If only Mason knew the truth. Yes, Dominic was definitely special. He was everything to me, and we would be together forever. This wasn't just some brief relationship that would only last a few months.

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I can study anywhere. It's just a school. I'm happy here."

"Are you sure staying here is what you really want?"

His question caught me off guard. I wasn't quite sure what he was getting at. Was he trying to make a point? Was there something he wasn't telling me?