Chosen by the Beast Alpha

Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Lena’s POV

After a few more drinks, my coworkers and I finally stumbled out of the bar.

Out of nowhere, one of the girls suddenly leaned in, her eyes bright like lightbulbs, lowering her voice excitedly, "Oh my god... look behind us! I swear I’ve never seen Alphas that good-looking in my whole life!"

I followed everyone’s gaze and looked back. Not far from us, Dominic Voss and Samuel Clarke were also stepping out of the bar.

Dominic pulled on his black coat as he walked, his movements clean and sharp, his whole presence cold like the kind of winter that warns strangers to stay away. He was turned slightly, talking to Samuel. Samuel wore a perfectly tailored suit and glasses, leaning in a little to listen, looking so handsome it was hard to look away.

The moment the two of them appeared, not only did my coworkers sneak looks their way, even the she-wolves going in and out of the bar were staring. A few bold ones even went straight up to ask for their contact info.

Samuel handled it effortlessly, his smile professional and polite as he handed out two business cards. Dominic, on the other hand, completely ignored every gaze aimed his way, heading straight for his car.

When he passed by me, I instinctively stepped aside to give him room. His steps didn’t pause at all, and he didn’t look at me—not even once—treating me just like those she-wolves, as if I didn’t exist.

At that moment, Samuel shook off the two she-wolves and walked straight toward me, stopping right in front of me. "Need a ride home, Lena?"

His voice wasn’t loud, but perfectly loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. My coworkers went instantly silent, staring at me like someone had hit a pause button, a dozen burning gazes landing on me at once.

I knew too well—if I said "no" right now, they’d surround me for the next half hour and interrogate me.

Who is this Alpha? What’s your relationship? Why did he ask only you?

Just thinking about it made the back of my neck prickle.

Right then, Dominic—who had reached his car and was just about to open the door—stilled. Under the streetlight, his face was unreadable, but the pressure rolling off him was unmistakable even through the air.

I didn’t hesitate anymore. I lifted my head and met the hint of a smile in Samuel’s eyes, replying naturally and calmly, "Sure. Thanks."

Samuel raised a brow, glanced briefly at Dominic, then looked back at me with a smile that reached his eyes. "My pleasure."

He led me toward his black sports car and even opened the passenger door for me. "After you."

I bent down and got in. The moment the door closed, everything outside was shut out. Through the window, I saw my coworkers’ jaws practically on the ground, Daniel’s face annoyingly calm, and—I saw Dominic still standing exactly where he was, not moving an inch.

Samuel walked around to the driver’s side, and before getting in he even waved casually toward Dominic. "See you around."

He didn’t ask where I was going and simply started the engine, heading straight in the direction of Dominic’s estate.

His fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, clearly in a good mood. At a red light, he glanced sideways at me, his tone light and teasing.

"So... I heard you can’t leave Dominic?"

I met his eyes. "Dominic told you that?" Besides Dominic himself, I couldn’t think of anyone else who’d say something like that.

"Yeah." He admitted it without hesitation, then leaned in a little, his tone suddenly teasing. "So tell me, why pick a cursed Alpha as your partner? Don’t tell me you actually fell for him?"

"He did me a favor." I turned my gaze to the night sliding past the window, forcing my voice to steady. "I’m just paying him back. And we have an agreement. That doesn’t change."

"Pay him back?" Samuel let out a soft laugh, clearly not buying it. "With that guy’s personality, what did he even do to make you willing to be his partner?"

Right then, the car drove onto a bridge spanning a deep gorge. On one side, a stretch of black forest flickered into view. Darkness piled on darkness, overlapping with the memory of that hopeless night.

My fingers tightened on my knee. I thought of the night my mom tried to end her life... and then of Dominic earlier, sneering at me, questioning every word I said.

"It’s true." I answered Samuel, almost a whisper. "Dominic really did save me."

The car fell silent. I could still feel Samuel watching me, like he half believed me... and half didn’t.

He didn’t press further. The car rolled off the bridge, cut through the quiet streets, and finally stopped in front of Dominic’s tower.

"We’re here," Samuel said, his voice back to that easy tone. "Lena, it was nice meeting you. Tonight was... interesting."

I ignored the hint in his voice and pushed the door open. "Thanks."

The tower was completely dark. Dominic wasn’t home yet. I knew he didn’t want to see me. Honestly, I felt the same.

Dominic’s POV

My phone vibrated just as Daniel followed my order and took the longer route. I needed the extra time to cool off, to scrub that scene outside the bar out of my head. Lena walking straight to Samuel’s car without even glancing back—unbelievable.

I glanced at the screen. Samuel’s name flashed, and just seeing it made my irritation spike.

I answered, and his voice came through immediately, annoyingly amused. "You fought with such a gorgeous partner, and you didn’t even take her home. What’s going on in that head of yours?"

"Just get to the point." My tone was edged with impatience.

"Alright, alright—did you and Lena know each other before?"

"No."

"But she says you saved her life," Samuel drawled, every word dripping with that can’t-wait-to-watch-the-drama tone of his. "She says she’s here to repay you. So... is any of that true?"

Only cold, bitter sarcasm churned in my head. She was lying again. I’d never even met her before all this.

"You just buy whatever she feeds you?" I let out a short, sharp laugh. "With judgment like that, I’m shocked some she-wolf hasn’t already conned you out of everything you own."

"I call it believing the good in people, not being stupid," Samuel said, completely unfazed. "I always get along well with the women I deal with — things are clean, simple, and we’re honest with each other."

Honest? Lena? She spun lies like it was her mother tongue. Only she could toss out such a cheap, fake excuse with a straight face.

That image flashed again—Lena walking straight toward Samuel’s car without a second of hesitation. It jabbed at me like a splinter under the skin. I cut the call without another word.

A life-saving favor... she really had the nerve to make that up.

"Alpha," Daniel’s even voice drifted from the front seat, "Luna Celeste will arrive tomorrow morning."

Right. I’d almost forgotten. The only way to break that damn curse was for my mate to give birth to my wolf’s heir. My mother never let that matter go, so every visit from her was always about that.

As we got close to the estate, an unusual hesitation crept up on me. I could easily keep ignoring Lena, keep everything cold and controlled. My mother’s pressure—I could handle that on my own.

I didn’t want to see her. That she-wolf who lied without blinking. Tonight she’d acted all sincere, but for half a month before that, she’d basically vanished from my life. Nowhere close to what a mate should be.

All she wanted were the benefits tied to me. Hell, she’d even tried going around me to latch onto someone else. Unbelievable. I’d actually trusted her for a moment.

But the way she’d held her back straight when she left the bar, and further back—those flames of anger and hurt burning in her eyes—they were carved into my memory whether I liked it or not.

The curse already gnawed at me nonstop, and now the irritation clawed even deeper, scraping at every last nerve.

We weren’t even at the gates yet when raised voices cut through the night. Through the window, I spotted Ethan Thorne immediately. He had his back to me, reaching out to grab Lena’s arm.

My gaze went ice-cold. "Stop the car," I told Daniel. "Open the door."

Daniel followed the order without a sound. I stepped out and strode straight toward the two of them arguing at the entrance.

Damn it.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!