Chapter 283
Chapter 283
"I just think you're giving up too much for Dominic," Mason broke our silence. "Especially Yale."
I sighed, stirring my tea absently. I hadn't wanted to spend our final hours together discussing Dominic.
"This is my choice, Mason. I love him, and that's enough for me." My voice came out more defensive than I'd intended, but I couldn't help it.
Mason raised his hands in mock surrender, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Well, I guess that means I never stood a chance, huh?"
I rolled my eyes. From the beginning, I never saw him as boyfriend material. We were just friends, purely friends.
The conversation flowed easily after that. For hours, we reminisced about old times and discussed Mason's ambitious college plans.
The thought of not being able to spend time with him like this anymore made me sad. He was leaving tomorrow, and I didn't know when we'd see each other again.
I glanced at my watch and was shocked to see it was nearly four o'clock.
"If I'm boring you, I apologize," he said with a mocking smile.
"You're not," I smiled back.
"Do you want to leave?"
"And go where?" The weather outside wasn't getting any better. The rain was still coming down hard, and the sky was full of dark clouds.
He shrugged. "I guess we picked a terrible day for a reunion."
"At least we had one. You didn't stand me up. I would've been really upset if you left without saying goodbye."
"I wouldn't do that, shorty."
"Should we go? The weather isn't getting any better."
Outside, the rain had intensified, drumming against the café's roof with increasing urgency. A pang of melancholy hit me as I realized we wouldn't be able to sit like this again for a long time.
"Yeah, it's getting late, and I still need to finish packing."
"I'm really going to miss you, Mason," I said quietly, my voice catching slightly.
His smile turned wistful. "Me too. Who am I going to chase after now?" he joked.
"I'm sure some girl will fall for you at first sight." I put on my jacket. "Promise me we won't lose touch."
"Not a chance, shorty," he promised.
---
By the time I made it back home, the rain was coming down in sheets. I spotted Dominic's car already parked in the driveway and hurried inside.
He sat on the living room sofa while the local news played quietly on the TV, the meteorologist gesturing at a storm moving across the region.
"Hey," I called, dropping my keys on the entryway table.
"Hey, baby." He looked up.
"It's really coming down out there," I replied, kicking off my wet shoes and sitting down beside him.
"Are you okay?" He put his arm around my shoulders. "How was your day?"
"Fine." I rested my head against his arm.
I was tired and didn't feel like going out for dinner. I just wanted to take a bath and relax comfortably. That's how I'd been spending my days lately. Not that I had anything else to do anyway.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm just a little tired."
"And?"
"And a bit frustrated." I sighed.
He studied me carefully. "Is it because you have nothing to do right now?"
"Maybe," I shrugged, pulling my knees up to my chest.
"It won't always be like this," he said, his deep voice reassuring. "You'll start college soon. If you want, you could work at the gas station."
I let out a long breath. "I don't even know what I want anymore. That's the problem."
"I think I'll take a shower before we head to your parents' house," I said, already moving toward the stairs.
"Yale will always be an issue, won't it?" Dominic's question stopped me cold.
I turned back, confused. "What?"
"You'll always regret not going, even if you don't admit it." His tone wasn't accusatory, just matter-of-fact.
"No," I said firmly. "I chose to stay here. If I really wanted Yale, I would have gone already. I'm going to take a shower now."
I continued upstairs, Dominic's words echoing in my mind. As I stepped under the hot shower, letting the water cascade over my skin, I couldn't help but wonder if he was right. Did I regret staying?
I sighed, squeezing my eyes shut.
---
When I returned to our bedroom wrapped in a towel, Dominic was sitting on the edge of our bed.
"I don't want to feel your struggle every day," he said without preamble. "If you want Yale, then go."
I frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"I don't want you to regret anything," he continued. "I know you regret staying here."
"I did want Yale," I admitted, sitting beside him. "But I chose us—chose you. I don't regret anything."
His jaw tightened. "You don't look like someone who made the right decision."
I sat beside him, resting my head on his shoulder. "I'm just having a hard time. I feel like I'm doing nothing all day, every day. I wake up and do the same things, and you're always busy with your affairs."
"Darling..."
I took a deep breath. "I know it won't always be like this, but I'm talking about now. I'm frustrated. I'm bored. I feel purposeless and like I don't really belong with the pack."
"But you do have a purpose," Dominic countered. "You're the Luna of the pack."
I let out a bitter laugh. "I don't even know half the pack members. You never tell me what's going on, never include me in any decisions or activities."
He frowned. "I didn't know you wanted to be involved."
"Seriously?" I stared at him incredulously. "You thought I wanted to be excluded from everything?"
He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm just used to sharing pack matters with my father and Hunter. I didn't have a true mate for years, so I'm sorry. This is all new to me too. I guess I'm just used to carrying responsibilities alone."
His expression softened. "I very much want you there by my side, but you're not ready, your wolf isn't ready."
His words pierced something deep inside me. I felt a flash of hurt, but decided against arguing further.
"Fine," I said flatly, searching the room for what to wear tonight.
"I can't really argue with that," I admitted, pulling on a sweater.
As I dressed, I mulled over his words. He wasn't wrong—while everyone around me controlled their wolves, mine remained dormant.
I longed to be one with the wolf sleeping inside me, to stop being an outsider in the pack. I wanted to join the patrols around, to shift and let my wolf run free.
Was something wrong with me? Why hadn't my wolf awakened yet?
Suddenly, a warm sensation flooded through my body, like liquid heat flowing through my veins. It felt like something responding to my yearning, answering my call.
I glanced at the mirror and gasped. My eyes had changed to an icy blue.
Then I felt it.
Her presence.