Dominic's POV
The morning air was crisp, filling my lungs as I pushed through my jog. The repetitive rhythm of my feet hitting the ground usually helped clear my mind, but today, my thoughts were a mess.
Ashen had left early. Before I even woke up.
Did he plan it that way? Probably.
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair as I slowed my pace. He was still fighting this, still trying to pretend like nothing was changing. Like his heats weren't getting worse.
Stubborn omega.
A sharp rustling in the trees ahead snapped me back to the present.
I stopped.
My instincts flared.
A low growl rumbled from my throat as a scent hit me foreign, unwelcome.
Rogue.
The bastard lunged from the trees, claws out, aiming for my throat.
I dodged easily, shifting my stance before slamming my fist into his ribs. A sickening crack echoed through the clearing as he stumbled back, snarling.
Another one rushed me from the side.
Sloppy.
I grabbed him mid-attack, twisting his arm until he howled, then slammed him into the ground. Hard.
The first rogue was still trying to regain his footing when I grabbed him by the throat and squeezed. His eyes bulged.
"What are you doing on my land?" I growled.
He clawed at my grip, gasping. "We… we take omegas from each pack…" he choked out. "Checking if yours has any…"
My blood ran cold.
A low, dangerous growl built in my chest.
They were looking for omegas?
For Ashen?
I tightened my grip until he stopped struggling, then let his body drop lifelessly to the dirt.
The other rogue was still conscious, groaning on the ground.
I crouched beside him, gripping his jaw roughly. His eyes flickered with fear.
"You tell whoever sent you that if they ever step foot on my land again, I'll rip them apart limb by limb." My voice was dangerously calm. "And if they even think about taking an omega from my pack…"
I leaned closer, letting my claws press into his skin.
"They won't live long enough to regret it."
His body trembled.
I let go, standing, and watched as he scrambled away, disappearing into the trees.
My heart was still pounding.
I had to be more careful.
More ruthless.
Because now, they knew.
They knew my pack had an omega.
And that meant Ashen was in danger.
By the time I got back to the house, my hands were still shaking with adrenaline. Not from the fight I had dealt with worse—but from what the rogue had said.
They were looking for omegas.
Looking for my omega.
The thought made something feral rise in me, a possessive need to ensure Ashen was never within their reach.
I paced the living room, jaw tight, waiting. I needed to see him. To make sure he was okay.
The front door opened, and I stilled.
Ashen walked in, his expression unreadable, his body tense like he was carrying something heavy. But he didn't look at me. Didn't even acknowledge me.
He went straight to the kitchen.
I frowned. "Ashen."
Nothing.
He opened a cabinet, pulling out a glass, filling it with water.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. He was back to ignoring me, shutting me out. Fine. I'd deal with that later.
The front door opened again, and Ryker strolled in, shaking off his jacket. "Damn, it's hot today." He paused, looking between me and Ashen's stiff back. "What's with the tension? Did you two finally—"
I shot him a warning look.
He smirked but wisely dropped it. "Alright, what's up?"
I exhaled sharply. "Rogues."
That wiped the amusement off his face.
"They attacked during my run. Managed to kill one and send the other back with a message." I leaned against the counter, my fingers curling into a fist. "They were scouting for omegas."
Ryker's expression darkened. "Omegas? As in…?"
I nodded once.
His gaze flicked toward Ashen, who still hadn't turned around.
"Shit," Ryker muttered. "You think they—"
"They know," I said flatly. "Even if they weren't certain before, they are now."
A heavy silence settled between us.
I felt Ashen tense from across the room. He had heard.
Good.
Maybe now he'd understand why this wasn't just about him.
Ryker crossed his arms, nodding. "We need to tighten patrols. Alert the warriors."
"I want guards at every entry point," I said. "And I want eyes on Ashen at all times."
That made him spin around, his glare sharp. "No."
I met his gaze, unyielding. "Yes."
"I don't need a damn babysitter, Dominic."
"You do if rogues are hunting you." My voice was sharp, cutting through the air. "This isn't up for discussion."
His jaw clenched, his fists tight at his sides. "I can take care of myself."
I let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, yeah? What happens when you go into heat again, huh? You think you'll be able to fight off an Alpha rogue in that state?"
His nostrils flared, and I saw the flicker of doubt in his eyes.
Ryker cleared his throat, looking very interested in the floor. "I'll, uh… start on the patrol orders."
Smart man.
Ashen and I were locked in a silent standoff, his breathing heavy.
"You're not locking me up," he finally hissed.
"I'm protecting you," I shot back.
His chest rose and fell quickly, frustration pouring off him in waves. But beneath it, I caught something else.
Fear.
He was scared. Not just of the rogues—of what all of this meant.
I softened slightly. "I know you hate this," I said, quieter this time. "But you're mine to protect, Ashen. And I will protect you. No matter what it takes."
His lips parted slightly, his throat working as if he wanted to argue.
But he didn't.
Instead, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind him.
I let out a slow breath, running a hand down my face.
Ryker peeked back in. "Sooo… that went well."
I shot him a glare.
He grinned. "Want me to follow him?"
I exhaled. "No. He won't go far."
He couldn't. Not with me keeping him right where he belonged.
I gave Ashen time to cool off.
Not because I was afraid of his temper his glare was about as dangerous as a kitten swiping at a wolf but because I wanted him off guard.
I knew him well enough by now. If I pushed too hard, too fast, he'd bolt. But if I waited let his anger simmer, let him sit in his thoughts, let his body ache for something he refused to acknowledge then he'd be easier to handle.
And I loved handling him.
When I finally pushed open his bedroom door, he was sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. His entire posture screamed frustration.
Perfect.
"Go away," he muttered without looking up.
I didn't. Instead, I stepped inside and shut the door behind me, leaning against it. "You're sulking."
"I'm not—" He inhaled sharply when I moved closer, his entire body tensing.
I smirked.
He was always so reactive to me, even when he fought it. Maybe especially when he fought it.
"I get it," I said, low and smooth. "You don't want to need me. You don't want to be mine."
His hands curled into fists, his jaw tight.
I leaned down, gripping the bed on either side of his thighs, caging him in. "But your body already knows the truth, doesn't it?"
Ashen stiffened. "Stop—"
I inhaled deeply, taking in his scent subtle, laced with defiance and something sweeter beneath it.
"I can't stop," I murmured, brushing my nose along the shell of his ear. "And neither can you."
His breath hitched.
I let my lips graze his jaw, barely touching, teasing. "I feel it, Ashen." My voice dipped lower. "The way your pulse races when I get close. The way you hold your breath, hoping you won't react but you do."
He shivered, but his hands stayed clenched, like he was still fighting it.
I smirked against his skin.
Good. I loved a challenge.
I shifted, bringing my knee between his legs, parting them just enough to make him tense. My fingers trailed up his arm, slow and deliberate, feeling every muscle twitch under my touch.
He was so stubborn. So determined to pretend he wasn't affected.
But his body told a different story.
"Tell me to leave," I murmured, my lips barely brushing his. "Tell me you don't want this."
He swallowed hard, his throat working.
I dragged my fingers down his chest, teasing at the hem of his shirt before slipping beneath it. His skin was hot too hot.
He sucked in a breath when I dragged my nails lightly down his stomach.
"Dominic…" His voice was strained, breathless.
I grinned. "Yes, sweetheart?"
His hands snapped up, grabbing my wrists but he didn't push me away. He just held them, as if he was waging a war with himself.
I leaned in closer, pressing my lips just beneath his ear. "Say the word, Ashen."
His breath came fast, uneven.
I rolled my hips just enough to make him feel me.
A choked sound left his throat.
Fuck, he was so sensitive.
I kissed down his neck, letting my tongue flick against the rapid pulse there. His fingers tightened around my wrists, shaking slightly.
I pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes.
His pupils were blown wide, his lips parted.
I smirked. "Still want me to stop?"
His chest rose and fell quickly. His fingers flexed around my wrists, but he didn't pull away.
He was losing this battle.
Ashen's breaths were coming faster now, his grip still tight on my wrists, but he wasn't pushing me away. He was holding me there, fighting against himself more than me.
I smirked, dragging my fingers just a little higher under his shirt, tracing slow, teasing patterns against his heated skin. So sensitive.
"You didn't answer me," I murmured, letting my lips graze his jaw again. "Do you want me to stop?"
His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. His grip on my wrists tightened then loosened.
I took that as permission.
Slowly, I moved my hands up further, feeling every muscle twitch beneath my touch. His skin was burning, his body betraying him no matter how much he tried to resist.
I loved it.
I kissed just below his ear, my voice dropping lower. "You're shaking."
"I hate you," he muttered, breathless.
I chuckled, dragging my lips down his neck, my teeth grazing lightly. "No, you don't."
His body arched slightly when I found a sensitive spot, and fuck, I felt that reaction straight down to my core.
"You keep running, Ashen," I whispered, letting my hands slip lower, teasing at the waistband of his pants. "But where has that gotten you?"
His hands finally moved grabbing at my shoulders like he was trying to push me away, but his fingers stayed, clutching at the fabric of my shirt instead.
I rolled my hips just slightly, just enough to feel the sharp hitch in his breath.
"Stop," he gasped but it was weak.
I smirked, pressing my forehead against his. "Liar."
Ashen trembled beneath me, his body betraying him over and over again.
I loved watching him fight.
But I loved winning more.