Chapter 5

Samantha’s POV Was he here because of the twins? The thought struck me like a physical blow, and I gripped the glass in my hand so tightly that it almost shattered. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. Had Dominic found out? My gaze locked onto him, and everything around me blurred into an indistinct haze of panic. He stood near the entrance, exuding authority and undeniable power, and yet I felt stripped bare under his stare, as if he could see right through every carefully constructed lie I had built around my life. I swallowed hard, trying to push down the terror rising inside me. It’s impossible, I told myself desperately. There was no way he knew. I had gone to such lengths to protect my children—to hide our identities. I had changed my last name, changed their last names, and buried every trace of our past. Even to the twins, Dominic was nothing more than a ghost, a father I had lied about, saying he was dead. But why was he here? Why now? The meeting was not supposed to include the Silver Crescent Pack. I had checked the guest list a dozen times, and made sure he was not meant to be anywhere near me before the printout of invitations. And yet, there he was, looking more commanding, more… devastatingly handsome than I remembered. My wolf stirred uneasily inside me, a traitorous whisper of longing and need that I immediately silenced. ‘No. I will not fall for that again.’ I reminded my wolf whom I had just received when I gave birth to my twins. Seeing Dominic today, he seemed taller somehow, more mature, like the years had added something I had not anticipated. I hated myself for even noticing. Anger and resentment twisted in my gut, but there was something else too—an attraction I could not ignore, an attraction that had only grown stronger since I gained my wolf. It was confusing, maddening even, to feel this pull, and I shoved it away, focusing instead on the rage that had sustained me for years. He tore his gaze at me and they landed on Killian again, who stood close beside me. I watched as Dominic’s eyes narrowed, darkening in a way that made my breath hitch. Was he assuming that Killian and I were together now? The idea sent a jolt through me, and I instinctively tried to inch away, even though I knew how it might look. However, Killian leaned in, closer, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered something about the incoming guests and the significance of tonight’s alliances. But I could not focus on a single word he was saying. Every cell in my body was hyper-aware of Dominic’s presence, the way his attention seemed to latch onto us. Until I saw Olivia lingering behind Dominic. She had changed, too. Her poised demeanor and the way she hovered at his side made it clear she had become his right-hand woman, a position that did not sit well with me. She was different, colder, and more assured as if the years had made her just as dangerous as him. But it didn’t change the fact that she was just a filthy mistress who clung to him, and it still didn’t change that I would want to tear her smirking face. I could feel my heart pounding harder as I forced a smile, hoping Killian would not notice my distraction. His hand briefly touched my elbow, and I struggled to nod in agreement with whatever point he was making. Dominic’s gaze turned to me, his hazel eyes darkening dangerously, like a warning, making my wolf stir uncomfortably inside and I brushed it off. Then Killian finally straightened, excusing himself to greet another Alpha who had just arrived. And once he was out of the picture, that was when Dominic made his move. He crossed the room, with each step heavily fueled with threat, and I felt my heart hammering in my chest. My instincts screamed at me to run, to get away from him before he unraveled everything. But I held my ground, lifting my chin and trying to project the confidence I did not feel. “Samantha,” he uttered, his voice was smooth, almost deceptively calm, but there was a dangerous undertone that made my stomach twist. “I didn’t realize you’d stoop this low for attention.” I blinked, momentarily stunned. “Excuse me?” He arched an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing. “Parading around with Alphas like Killian. Is that supposed to make me jealous?” I clenched my jaw, my anger sparking to life. “There are plenty of Alphas here,” I shot back coldly, not bearing his insult. “I’m not here for you, Dominic.” He tilted his head, studying me. “Then why are you here?” His words felt like a challenge, one that made my pulse race. Did he know? Was this his way of trapping me, of trying to get me to slip up? “I don’t owe you an explanation,” I replied, masking the slight tremble of my voice. I hated that he could still do this to me, that he could make me feel so small, so vulnerable. “We’re not—” My voice caught, and I forced myself to continue. “We’re nothing to each other anymore.” It had been six years, I should be able to stand on my own now and not submit to his presence, although undeniably, he still affected me. I hate it. I hate that after all these years, he could still hurt me. And I hate it even more that I might still allow him to. But before he could respond, the room shifted as someone called for my attention. Relief flooded me, and I took the chance to step away, trying to collect myself before it was my turn to speak. I moved to the front, hands shaking as I clutched the notes I had prepared. But as I looked out over the crowd, I steadied myself. You’re not the same person you were six years ago, I reminded myself. You’re stronger now. You’ve built a new life. I cleared my throat and began my speech. “Thank you all for gathering here today,” I started. “This meeting is about more than just alliances. It’s about unity, about standing together in the face of whatever threats may come. We have each fought our own battles, and overcome our own struggles, and today, we stand here not as separate packs but as a collective force. Stronger together…” The words came easier as I spoke, and I could feel the impact they were having. Even Dominic seemed fascinated, his eyes locked on me with an intensity I tried to ignore. And Killian, too, looked proud, nodding with a small smile playing on his lips. When I finished, the applause was genuine, and for a moment, I felt a touch of pride. I had come so far, and no one— not even Dominic —could take that away from me. But my relief was short-lived. Needing a moment to breathe, I slipped away, heading toward the washroom. I splashed water on my face, trying to calm down when a cold voice from behind sent a shiver down my spine. “Fancy seeing you here, runaway Luna.” I turned to find Olivia leaning against the wall, glaring at me with disdain. I forced myself to stay calm, shaking my head. “I think you’ve got the wrong person,” I replied, dismissively. Olivia’s eyes narrowed, her frown deepening. “Stay away from Dominic,” she warned. “You left for a reason. Don’t think you can just waltz back into his life.” I crossed my arms in defiance, making my point crystal clear. “I’m not here for him,” I shot back. “And like I said, you have the wrong person.” Olivia pushed off the wall, stepping closer until the air between us was electrified in the most suffocating way. “Oh, I know exactly who you are,” she hissed, her tone dripping with certainty. “But you’d do well to remember your place,” she spat and turned. She strode out of the door and left me feeling shaken and angry. I took a moment to collect myself before I stepped out, following her and I paused when I noticed Olivia’s neck. There was no bite mark. No sign that Dominic had ever claimed her. I stopped. My heart thundered, and confusion swirled in my mind. Six years ago, I had thought he had marked her, that he had found his mate and had chosen her over me. But… had I been wrong?