Chapter 177: Chapter 177 The Gift
Author
Alpha Zack dragged himself up the front steps, exhausted from the flight.
And there she was. Selina.
"Zack, my trial starts next month. Are you really going to just watch me burn?"
He glanced at her, ice-cold, and pried her fingers off his arm like they were something distasteful. "Not my problem anymore."
"Zack, you still carry weight with the Elders. Just speak up for me, and someone might take my case seriously. I’d actually stand a chance!"
"Selina, wish I could help." His tone dripped sarcasm. "But the elders doesn’t owe me any favors. And frankly? Actions have consequences."
Translation: he was throwing her to the Pack Court.
"You bastard!" She was shaking now, rage mixing with panic. "Is this because you picked the wrong woman? Zack, you screwed up. I never pretended to be Elara!"
"It’s your own damn fault. Your own blind ambition." Her voice turned venomous. "She’s already shacked up with Dominic, and you’re still pining after her like some lovesick teenager—"
"Shut up!" His voice could have cut glass.
"They haven’t had the mating ceremony yet." Zack’s jaw was granite.
"Don’t show up here again."
Selina went ice-cold.
[No mating ceremony yet?]
[Is this psycho actually planning to crash an Alpha King’s bonding ritual?]
Her head snapped up. Her eyes were arctic, but her mouth curved into something cruel.
A mating ceremony.
Perfect.
She’d have a little surprise for the future Luna too.
--
After leaving Wolfe Manor, Yardley drove Nancy home.
Alpha Dominic and Elara were in their own car, heading back.
"Dominic, didn’t you tell me once that Yardley had never been married?" Elara’s voice was casual, but curious.
Alpha Dominic’s foot hit the brakes hard. The car jerked to a stop on the shoulder.
"Why the sudden interest in my brother?"
It hadn’t been a loaded question until he made it one. Now Elara felt oddly defensive. "I’m just making conversation. Chill."
Alpha Dominic unbuckled his seatbelt and turned toward her. "You told me you loved me yesterday, and today you’re asking about another man. What am I supposed to think about that, wife?"
Elara rolled her eyes. "You’re being dramatic."
She wasn’t about to sell Nancy out.
Alpha Dominic’s hand slid along her jaw, thumb tracing her lower lip. His voice dropped to a growl. "Dramatic, am I?"
Then he kissed her.
But this wasn’t just a kiss - it was possession.
His mouth crashed against hers like he was staking a claim, tongue sliding past her lips with devastating skill.
He kissed her like he owned her, like every breath she took belonged to him.
At first, Elara’s hands pushed against his chest.
But when his teeth grazed her bottom lip, when his fingers tangled in her hair and tugged just hard enough to make her gasp, she was gone.
Her resistance melted into desperate need.
She arched into him, her body betraying every rational thought.
His hand slipped to her throat, not squeezing but holding, thumb stroking over her racing pulse.
They both forgot they were in a car. On the side of the road. In broad daylight where anyone could see her coming undone.
Until a sharp knock rattled the window.
Elara’s eyes flew open. A state trooper stood outside, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.
She wanted to disappear into the leather seats.
She shoved at Alpha Dominic’s chest, but he didn’t budge. His mouth was still working against hers, hot and relentless, like he hadn’t even heard the cop. Finally, after what felt like a small eternity of public humiliation, he pulled away.
[I’m never living this down.]
"What?"Alpha Dominic’s voice was rough with want, lips still swollen from kissing her.
"Oh my God, look outside!" Elara could feel the heat radiating off her entire body.
Alpha Dominic glanced at the officer and had the audacity to smirk. "You gonna write me up, Officer?"
The trooper cleared his throat. "Look, I get it. But this is a public road, not your bedroom. Keep it appropriate, yeah? Consider this your only warning."
Alpha Dominic leaned back lazily, hand still possessively on Elara’s thigh. "Want to write me a few more? I’m not quite done with my wife—"
"Ow—"
Elara dug her nails deep into his ribs.
Alpha Dominic winced and laughed. "Right. Moving along, Officer."
The trooper shook his head and walked back to his patrol car.
Alpha Dominic traced circles on her inner thigh, watching her still-flushed face. "All worked up, baby?"
"Dominic, if you don’t get us home right now, you’re banned from touching me for a week."
His hand stilled. That threat hit different.
He started the engine and drove like his life depended on it.
