DOMINIC'S POV
I paced my office, arms crossed, frustration curling in my chest. This shouldn't be so damn difficult. I'd handled rogue attacks, negotiated with cutthroat alphas, and commanded a pack of warriors without breaking a sweat.
But planning something for Ashen? That was an entirely different battlefield.
I needed to take him out, to get him alone, but if I so much as mentioned the word "date," he'd probably bolt faster than a rogue caught trespassing.
I gritted my teeth. I wasn't about to lose ground with him.
The door swung open without warning, and Ryker strolled in, looking entirely too amused.
"You've been pacing for the past ten minutes," he drawled, dropping into a chair. "Pretty sure you're about to wear a hole in the floor."
I shot him a glare. "Do you ever knock?"
He smirked. "Do you ever relax?"
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. "I need to get Ashen out of here for a while."
Ryker's smirk widened. "Oh? Alone?"
I didn't take the bait. "Yes."
His brows lifted. "And let me guess,you don't want him to know it's a date?"
I tensed. He was enjoying this way too much.
Ryker clicked his tongue. "Damn, Dom. You planning a date? Hell must be freezing over."
I growled. "It's not a date."
He gave me a knowing look. "Right. Just two people spending quality time together. Definitely not a date."
I ignored him. "I need something casual, something that won't make him suspicious."
Ryker tapped a finger against his chin, then grinned. "Tell him you're taking him on patrol."
I frowned. "Patrol?"
Ryker stretched, looking way too pleased with himself. "Think about it,he won't question it. You get him alone, outside the packhouse, and if you're lucky, he might actually relax for once."
I considered it. It wasn't a bad idea. I could take him through the mountain trails, away from the constant weight of responsibility, away from the walls he always had up.
It wasn't a date.
But maybe… it could be something close.
I grabbed my jacket and my keys, already heading for the door.
Ryker chuckled behind me. "Try not to look too eager, lover boy."
I flipped him off without looking back.
Time to see if Ashen would take the bait.
I found Ashen where he always was,pushing himself harder than necessary.
Sweat glistened on his skin as he landed another precise strike against the training dummy, his muscles taut with effort. He moved like he was fighting off an unseen enemy, like stopping wasn't an option.
He didn't notice me at first, too focused, too locked in.
Then, without turning around, he spoke. "You're staring."
A smirk tugged at my lips. "Maybe."
He exhaled sharply, finally glancing over his shoulder. His sharp blue eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"
I stepped closer, arms crossed. "You're coming with me on patrol."
Ashen blinked, then frowned. "Can't you go with Ryker? Or literally any other warrior?"
"No."
His frown deepened. "Why?"
I shrugged, keeping my expression unreadable. "You need to get out of here for a while. And I need a second pair of eyes."
He hesitated, studying me. I could see the gears turning in his head, trying to figure out if there was a catch.
"There are plenty of warriors more qualified—"
"I said you," I interrupted smoothly. "Or do you need me to make it an order?"
His jaw clenched, the challenge in my voice sparking something defiant in him.
Good. I knew how to get under his skin.
Finally, with an annoyed sigh, he grabbed a towel and wiped his face. "Fine. But if this is just an excuse to get on my nerves, I swear to the gods, Dominic—"
I smirked. "Relax, Wolfe. Just a simple patrol."
He didn't look convinced.
But he was coming. That was all that mattered.
"Meet me at the garage in ten minutes."
I turned before he could argue, hiding the satisfaction curling in my chest.
This wasn't a date.
But by the time the night was over?
Ashen would feel it.
I leaned against my bike, waiting. The cool night air settled over the pack grounds, the hum of the forest in the background. I had just finished checking the fuel when I heard footsteps approaching.
Ashen slowed to a stop a few feet away, towel slung over his shoulder, still looking suspicious as hell. His gaze flicked to the bike, then back to me.
"This is what we're taking?" he asked, crossing his arms.
I smirked. "It's faster than the truck."
His frown deepened. "It's also more reckless."
"That a problem?"
He exhaled sharply, clearly debating whether to argue. But he didn't turn around and walk away, so I counted that as a win.
Without another word, he swung a leg over the bike, settling behind me.
I felt the hesitation in the way he sat—stiff, barely touching me, like he was trying to keep as much distance as possible.
Yeah. That wasn't going to work.
I glanced over my shoulder. "Hold on tight."
"I'm fine."
"Ashen—"
"I said, I'm fine."
I rolled my eyes. "Suit yourself."
Then I revved the engine.
The bike roared to life beneath us, and the moment I kicked it into motion, Ashen jerked.
Before he could stop himself, his hands shot forward, grabbing onto me. His arms tightened around my waist, his breath sharp against my back.
I smirked. "Told you."
"Shut up," he muttered, but he didn't let go.
I didn't press it.
Instead, I gripped the handlebars tighter, speeding toward the open road.
Let's see if he could handle a little freedom.
The road stretched out before us, endless and open. The cool night air rushed past, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. Ashen's grip on me stayed firm, his body warm against my back. He hadn't let go since we took off, no matter how much he wanted to pretend otherwise.
I took a turn down a narrow path, leading us away from the main patrol route. The trees thickened, shadows stretching under the moonlight.
After a few more minutes, the lake came into view, its surface still and dark, reflecting the night sky. I slowed the bike to a stop near the edge, shutting off the engine.
Ashen immediately pulled back, putting space between us like he hadn't just spent the last twenty minutes holding on to me like his life depended on it.
He slid off the bike, frowning as he took in our surroundings. "This isn't a patrol route."
I smirked, swinging my leg over and standing. "Changed my mind."
His eyes narrowed. "We're supposed to be patrolling."
"We are," I said, kicking off my boots. "Just in a different way."
Ashen's gaze flickered down, watching as I pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it aside. His brows furrowed. "What the hell are you doing?"
I popped the button on my jeans. "Going for a swim."
He stiffened. "You're joking."
"Do I look like I'm joking?
He was still standing there, arms crossed, jaw tight.
know you can." I held his gaze, unwavering. "Doesn't mean you have to prove it every damn second."
Ashen scoffed, turning toward the lake. His posture was still rigid, but he didn't immediately argue. That was progress, at least.
I watched him for a moment before pulling off my jacket and setting it aside. "Come on."
He shot me a suspicious glance. "What?"
I smirked. "You ever swim at night?"
His frown deepened. "No."
"Then now's your chance." Without waiting, I grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head.
Ashen's breath hitched. It was barely audible, but I caught it. His gaze flickered over my chest before he quickly looked away.
Interesting.
"You're insane," he muttered, crossing his arms.
I only smirked wider before kicking off my boots and stepping toward the water. "Suit yourself, Wolfe. But I am going in."
Then I dove.
The water was cool against my heated skin, sharp and refreshing. When I surfaced, I ran a hand through my wet hair, glancing back at him.
He was still standing there, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
Dominic's smirk didn't fade as he treaded water, watching Ashen with open amusement. "You can't swim?"
Ashen scowled. "I never had time for… stuff like that."
Dominic arched a brow. "What, you were too busy being a stubborn ass?"
Ashen bristled but didn't take the bait this time. His arms tightened across his chest, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes.
Dominic's amusement dimmed just slightly. "Come here," he said, his voice lowering, smoothing out.
Ashen scoffed. "And drown? No thanks."
Dominic swam closer to the shore, resting his arms on a half-submerged rock. "I won't let you drown, Wolfe."
Dominic's gaze softened, just a fraction. "Come on," he murmured. "Just step in."
Ashen exhaled sharply, like he was already regretting his life choices, then—to Dominic's surprise—he actually obeyed. He took a tentative step forward, his boots sinking slightly into the wet sand.
"That's it," Dominic encouraged. "Just a little more."
Ashen shot him a glare. "I swear, if you dunk me—"
Dominic chuckled. "I'm not that much of an ass.
As he he took another step, and the water crept higher, soaking into his pants. He kept his arms stiff at his sides, like even the lake itself might betray him.
I stayed where I was, watching him carefully. "Relax, Wolfe. It's just water."
"Water that can kill you," he muttered.
I smirked. "So can a rogue's claws, but you don't hesitate to fight them."
His glare was sharp, but there was something else there,something wary, uncertain. I wondered if it was because he didn't like feeling out of control. That would make sense. Ashen was always bracing for a fight, always preparing to defend himself.
But water? You couldn't punch it. You couldn't out-stubborn it.
"You trust me?" I asked suddenly.
Ashen stiffened. "What?"
I tilted my head. "It's a simple question."
He scoffed. "You're a ruthless Alpha who enjoys pissing me off."
"That's not an answer."
His hands clenched into fists, and for a second, I thought he'd turn around and walk away. But he didn't. He just exhaled sharply through his nose, gaze flickering to the water.
Ashen took another hesitant step, then another, the water rising to his calves. His muscles were tight, his body rigid, like he was ready to bolt at any second.
I wasn't having that.
Pushing off the rock, I moved toward him, slow but deliberate. His breath hitched the moment he realized how close I was. His gaze snapped to mine, wary and uncertain.
"Relax," I murmured.
His lips parted, but before he could argue, I reached out. My hands found his waist, firm and unyielding, and in one smooth motion, I pulled him forward.
Ashen sucked in a sharp breath, his hands flying up to grip my shoulders as the water swallowed him up to his thighs. His body collided with mine, and fuck,he was warm, even with the cool lake wrapping around us.
His fingers dug into my skin, tense and unsure. "Dominic—"
"I've got you," I murmured, my grip steady, unwavering. "I won't let you fall."
His chest rose and fell in quick, uneven breaths. He was still stiff, still fighting the instinct to retreat,but he wasn't pulling away.
His pulse hammered against my fingertips. His scent earth and rain, something untamed—wrapped around me, and suddenly, the air between us felt too thick, too charged.
I let my hands slide lower, resting just above his hips, keeping him anchored. His lashes flickered, his throat bobbing with a hard swallow.
His grip on my shoulders tightened. "I hate this," he muttered, but his voice was softer now, edged with something else.
"No, you don't."
His breath hitched.
I leaned in, just enough to feel the warmth of him against my skin. His lips parted, but he didn't move away.
Didn't stop me.
"Tell me to stop," I murmured, voice low, rough.
Silence.
His fingers twitched against my skin, his lashes lowering just slightly. The tension between us pulled tight, crackling like a storm ready to break.
And then, finally, he moved.
It was small barely there but he tilted his chin up, closing that last inch between us.
That was all the invitation I needed.
I closed the distance, capturing his lips with mine.
Ashen froze for half a second, a sharp inhale against my mouth—then he melted.
His fingers slid from my shoulders to my neck, gripping tight, and fuck—he kissed me back. Hard.
The lake rocked around us, the cool water a sharp contrast to the heat surging between us. His lips were soft but urgent, his breath mixing with mine as I deepened the kiss, tasting the quiet desperation beneath it.
He clung to me like I was the only solid thing in a world threatening to pull him under.
And maybe, just maybe,I was