Chosen by the Beast Alpha

Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Lena’s POV

I had just stepped back into the tower when someone knocked on the door. I thought it was Dominic, so I pulled it open without thinking—only to see Ethan standing outside. For a second my mind completely froze. Seriously? He actually came all the way into Bloodmoon Pack territory?!

He didn’t look like his usual calm self at all. His eyes locked on me, sharp and stubborn, like he’d made up his mind about something and wouldn’t back off.

"What is it?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "It’s pretty late."

"I want to see him," Ethan said.

"Who?" I asked, even though I already knew.

"Your mate." He stepped closer, closing the distance between us. The calm Alpha presence he usually kept tucked away was gone—what hit me was restless, a little aggressive. "I at least need to see with my own eyes what kind of guy could make you pick him over me."

I really thought this whole thing was over. I didn’t expect Ethan to still hold on this tightly. "He’s not here," I said honestly. "My mate hasn’t come back yet."

"Not back?" Ethan stared at me, doubt written all over his face. "What a coincidence. I pick this exact time to come, and he just happens to be gone?"

There it was again—that questioning look. It instantly pulled up the argument Dominic and I had earlier, and a dull ache spread in my chest.

"I said he’s not here!" My voice shot up before I could stop it, all the repeated doubts and that tiny sting of hurt spilling out with it.

Maybe he heard the shift in my tone, because his expression softened for a second. But his voice stayed unwavering. "Then I’ll wait. I’ll wait until your mate comes back. I have to see him."

As he said that, he suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip too tight. "Lena, I just need an answer. You’re not brushing me off, right?"

"Let go!" I tried to pull back, but he held on. I was about to really start struggling when I heard the sound of an engine shutting off.

I turned immediately. Dominic’s car had stopped in the courtyard, and Daniel was already opening the back door for him.

Dominic stepped out, didn’t say a word, just walked over and came to a stop right between Ethan and me. His shoulders were broad enough that they completely blocked Ethan’s view of me.

Ethan’s expression shifted. He met Dominic’s gaze and asked, "Dominic Voss, are you really Lena’s mate?"

The air went still for a few seconds. I could feel Dominic tense up.

I honestly expected him to deny it. He never saw me as his mate in the first place. And after our fight earlier, he had to be in a foul mood. Seeing this scene, he’d probably assume I was trying to get close to Ethan again.

But then I heard Dominic’s voice—clear, steady, not a hint of hesitation.

"Yes."

Only one word. Just that single word.

Ethan’s expression shifted instantly. First came the shock—his eyes widened just a bit. Then the light in them dimmed, replaced by a kind of defeated clarity, like he’d finally realized he’d lost.

He looked at Dominic, then at me behind him, but didn’t say a thing. He just turned around and walked off into the night with his head down.

I didn’t move until his silhouette was completely swallowed by the dark. Only then did I slowly turn to Dominic. He wasn’t looking at me, but I saw the way his Adam’s apple moved, like he’d forced something down.

I closed the door and faced him again. I could feel my smile sneaking up on me no matter how hard I tried to keep it down.

"Dominic," I said softly, my voice bubbling with a laugh I couldn’t hide, "you told Ethan I’m your mate. You admitted it."

He froze for a second, then started heading upstairs. "Just to avoid future trouble." His voice was still icy, but he was explaining anyway. "I don’t like people challenging me or doubting what I’ve said."

I followed him. He walked straight to the liquor cabinet and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. His fingers curled around the cap, ready to twist it open.

I reached out fast, pressing my hand over his. "You’re drinking again?"

He stayed silent, didn’t loosen his grip at all.

"You really can’t keep this up. You already had plenty at the bar." I tugged lightly on the bottle, trying to take it from him. "With the curse on you... you need to stay clearheaded. You need to take better care of yourself."

His fingers clenched suddenly, knuckles going pale. "Give it back. You don’t get to order me around." His voice dropped low, edged with warning.

"No." I stepped back a little but kept my grip on the bottle. "This isn’t ordering you. It’s me caring about you. You admitted I’m your mate. As your mate, I get to care."

He stared at me, eyes sharp enough to make my pulse jump—like he was trying to see if I was scheming or lying. We just stood there, neither of us budging. After a few seconds, he suddenly let go.

"Do whatever you want," he said.

Holding the bottle, I felt a tiny spark of happiness flare, brighter than before. Maybe... maybe this was a chance.

"And Dominic," I said quickly before he could fully turn away, "I don’t want to sleep on the floor anymore."

"If not the floor, where exactly do you think you’re sleeping?" His brows drew together, his voice blunt and disbelieving.

"The floor is freezing," I said, meeting his gaze with the most honest look I could manage, my voice softening without me even trying. "Especially at night. I just... want something a little more comfortable."

He stared at me for a long time. Long enough that I almost thought he’d tell me to get out. I had pushed him a lot in just a few minutes—maybe too much.

Dominic finally lifted his hand, his long fingers brushing the top button of his shirt. He wasn’t in any rush, undoing one button after another, slowly revealing the sharp lines of his chest and the firm muscles along his stomach. The dim light in the master bedroom cast soft shadows across his skin.

"You can sleep on the bed. But remember, it’s just sleeping." His voice dropped even lower as he unfastened the last button and shrugged off the shirt. "Don’t get any ideas."

He didn’t look at me again. Instead, he turned and walked straight into the bathroom. A moment later, the sound of running water echoed clearly through the room.

I stayed where I was, my heart still beating fast, but the earlier anxiety was slowly replaced by this warm, creeping sense of relief. He hadn’t pushed me away. He’d actually... compromised.

Hugging my pillow, I carefully climbed onto the wide bed. I only took up a tiny spot on the edge. The mattress was soft, carrying Dominic’s clean cedar scent.

After a while, the water stopped. The bathroom door opened, and Dominic stepped out, still wrapped in a faint mist of steam. He didn’t say anything—just reached over and switched off the light.

The room fell into thick, heavy darkness all at once. I kept my eyes open, listening to the quiet rustle as he lifted the covers, feeling the mattress dip slightly under his weight. Then everything went still again.

A whole world seemed to stretch between us. But in this darkness, in this silence, we were lying on the same bed. He faced away from me, breathing evenly, like he’d already drifted off.

Maybe this really was the start of something good. I closed my eyes.

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