Chapter 13

Nova

I caught my breath and managed a small nod. My wrist was already bruising a little from where Henry had gripped me, and my mouth stung from the unwanted kiss, but I was otherwise unharmed thanks to Dominic’s swift intervention.

“Thank you,” I whispered, looking up at him through my lashes.

Dominic merely nodded and gestured for me to get behind him. He didn’t need to tell me twice; I immediately scurried behind him, peering around his tall frame to watch as Henry lumbered to his feet.

“You should know better than to lay a hand on a lady,” Dominic said coolly. “I can’t stand men who touch women.”

Henry grunted as he stood, reeling somewhat. Now that the two men were together, I was shocked by the physical difference between them.

It wasn’t just that one was a human and the other was a werewolf—although there was that, of course.

It was also the difference in… everything.

Henry was heavier than Dominic by a long shot, but Dominic was taller and more agile. Henry’s tawny blond hair and blue eyes stood stark against Dominic’s black and gold—like a bear and a panther standing off against one another.

In the case of a fight, I already had firsthand experience that the panther would win. I had just seen Dominic throw Henry with all the ease of tossing a baseball. Hell, there was even a dent in the wall where Henry had made his impact, and Dominic didn’t have a scratch on him!

As I peered around Dominic’s calm, composed shoulders, I couldn’t help but feel safer than I ever had before, even when the police had helped me escape Henry all those years ago.

But it wasn’t just the physical differences between the two men that took me by surprise; Henry had always gotten by with his charming personality and roguish humor—he was the rugby captain, after all—but Dominic…

Dominic exuded a cold, commanding presence. He was someone whose power and influence were utterly undeniable, and what mattered most was that he didn’t even have to try.

Henry had to try to be domineering through careful social manipulation and, when he didn’t get what he wanted, he would resort to physical dominance based on his strength and size. He was emotional, impulsive, and self-centered.

Dominic didn’t have to try or resort to unsavory tactics to get what he wanted. He just was the authority in every situation, which made most people want to obey, and whoever didn’t obey would pay the price.

He was measured and decisive, the type of man to carefully think through every move he made. Because he had lived a life where he had to work hard, use his mind to get his way. Pure muscle would get an Alpha far, but when it came to becoming the Alpha of Wintercrest?

Well, that required a lot more than muscle, charm, and anger issues.

Henry’s life had been one of privilege because of his rugby scholarship and well-off human family. He hadn’t had to work for a single thing in his life, and it showed. When standing off against a man like Dominic, Henry didn’t stand a chance.

The stark differences between the two men weren’t just in their looks or behavior, but in their entire outlook on life. It only took me knowing Dominic for a few days to realize that.

“So you’re the new lover,” Henry chuckled, dusting off his shirt. “I can’t tell if you’re her boyfriend or girlfriend. You’ve certainly got long hair like a fucking girl.”

I inhaled sharply, glancing up at Dominic. He didn’t even react to the jab or the insinuation that he was my new lover. If anything, he just seemed amused by Henry’s attempt to win the situation with juvenile comments aimed at Dominic’s appearance.

“You should go,” Dominic simply said. “Don’t want to disturb the other guests at this establishment, after all.”

Henry sneered, but it was clear he wasn’t willing to fight after how quickly and easily Dominic had sent him to the ground earlier. He had already been humiliated and wasn’t about to let it happen again.

“I’ll get her back,” he said, glancing at me. “I’ll get you back, Nova, one way or another. Someday—maybe not today or tomorrow, but sooner than you think—you’ll be mine again.”

I bristled quietly at his words. Henry brushed past, nearly knocking into Dominic’s shoulder as he went by.

Dominic gently crowded me against the wall behind him in a subtle but protective stance as Henry passed. His suit jacket brushed my face as he nudged me back, the scent of his cologne washing over me like a gentle embrace.

“Keep telling yourself that.” Dominic held his ground and watched as Henry backed away. Henry didn’t turn his back until he was at the corner, and then he turned on his heel and briskly left with a final furtive glance over his shoulder.

Only once he was definitely gone did Dominic step away and turn to me. My heart was pounding, although I wasn’t entirely sure if it was from fear or Dominic’s body sandwiching me against the wall.

I told myself it was the fear, if only to shove down the other thoughts I was currently having.

“Thank you,” I breathed, quickly smoothing down my shirt. “That was my ex-husband. We haven’t seen each other in six years. I thought he would be over me now, but…”

Dominic stared at me with those knowing golden eyes, and I realized what I had just said.

“Aria won’t be affected by this, I promise,” I said abruptly, not wanting him to fire me because he thought I would bring trouble into his daughter’s life. Although I wouldn’t blame him if he did. “You don’t have to worry.”

Surprisingly, a faint smile tugged at one corner of Dominic’s mouth. It was so subtle and quick that I almost missed it. The sight of it took me by complete surprise.

“I’m not worried. I’d say he’s all brawn and no brains, but…” He shrugged, adjusting his shirtsleeves again. “I’m not even sure if he’s got the brawn.”

I couldn’t help but giggle, even if the circumstances were dark. Dominic gestured for me to go first, saying politely, “Ladies first.” I moved past him and we returned to our table, where Aria was waiting.

“Our food came while you guys were gone,” Aria said, swinging her legs. “I was good and didn’t eat anything, even though my French fries look really yummy.”

I ruffled her hair as I took a seat. Aria glanced at me. “Are you okay? Did Daddy handle the bad guy for you? I thought you were in trouble so I told him to go check on you.”

I shot Dominic a sidelong glance, but he was already cutting his steak and didn’t look at me.

“Uh… Yeah,” I admitted, picking up my fork and digging into my fettuccine. “Your dad handled everything.”

“That’s good.” Aria picked up her grilled cheese and took a big bite. “Oh, by the way, I was thinking about your birthday, and it reminded me—you should come to my birthday party! And bring your daughter!”

I was surprised by that. “Are you sure your dad is okay with me bringing my daughter?”

To my pleasure, Dominic nodded. “I already told Aria it’s okay.”

I let out a little sigh of relief. “I think Lila would love that. You two would get along.”

Aria beamed and reached for her milk. “My birthday is on July twenty-fifth,” she said, taking a sip and getting a white milk mustache on her upper lip. “I’ll be seven!”

I paused, my fork halfway to my mouth.

July twenty-fifth just so happened to be Lila’s seventh birthday, too.