Chosen by the Beast Alpha

Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Lena’s POV

I was gasping for air, his scent still clinging to my lips. My whole body felt like jelly, completely useless, but what really hit me harder was that sudden, gut-deep emptiness.

Just a moment ago, Dominic had his face buried against my neck, his breath hot enough to make me shiver. I could feel every heavy thump of his heart against my skin, feel the heat rolling off him, the tight control in every line of his body. His hands moved over me like he knew exactly where to touch, sparking a hunger I didn’t even know I could feel.

And now he was gone, leaving me sprawled there with this hollow ache inside me, like something had been ripped out. Being filled by him and then abruptly losing that warmth... it was unbearable.

In that messy, too-short moment, I knew something had changed. My heart wasn’t racing because I was scared. It was because I wanted more. I wanted him back in the bed, wanted him not to stop, wanted him to actually claim me.

When my breathing finally steadied a little, I turned my head. Dominic stood by the window, back to me, shoulders rigid like he was barely keeping himself together.

"Dominic..." I called softly, my voice still shaky, "about... you know, having your wolf pups. Maybe we should talk about actually doing it."

"Not happening right now." he cut in, his voice cold enough to sting. "I told you. We wait until after the next full moon."

"But just now—" I started, because he’d reacted, I knew he had.

"Just now was acting." He finally turned around, those gray eyes freezing straight through me. "Don’t mistake a performance for something real, Lena."

But I saw it—the faint red still dusting his ears and the side of his neck. He was lying.

"You weren’t acting." I pushed myself upright, meeting his eyes with my own stubborn glare. "You wanted me. Just like I wanted you."

His expression iced over even more. "You’re wrong." Then he turned and walked back into the study, slamming the door so hard the echo bounced around the tower.

That sharp thud made something inside me drop. The sting of rejection and that hollow ache came rushing back all at once. I knew I shouldn’t care, shouldn’t let myself fall into this mess of feelings, but I couldn’t stop it. Being held by him felt too real, too much like being wanted. And I was already addicted.

I stood outside the closed study door for a few seconds, then raised my voice. "So... can I still come back after ten tonight?"

Silence.

But the corner of my mouth lifted anyway. He didn’t love me—honestly, he probably didn’t even like me yet. But he was starting to care. In that awkward, confused, totally Dominic way. And for now, that was enough.

Suddenly my phone buzzed. It was Anna.

"Hey, you free now?" Her voice sounded muffled, nothing like her usual bright tone. "Can we talk? If I keep staring at these walls, I’m gonna start yelling at them."

"Of course." I checked the time. "Where do you want to meet?"

"My apartment. I’ve got drinks in the fridge. Better than going to a bar and letting strangers watch me rant."

I wrapped up the last bit of work and headed straight to Anna’s apartment. When she opened the door, her hair was in a messy bun, an oversized ancient T-shirt hung off her frame, and she was holding a can of beer.

"So," I took the other can she handed me and flopped onto her couch, trying to get comfy, "what’s got you looking like the world personally offended you? Work drama, or something else?"

"Worse than work." She took a long pull from her beer, let out a tired sigh. "It’s my parents."

In many ways, Anna and I were cut from the same cloth. Her parents were the Alpha and Luna of a small pack too. She’d also run off to another territory to find some breathing room.

But at least she had it a bit easier than I ever did. She rarely brought up her family around me—probably because she worried it’d remind me of my own messed-up past.

"They want me to go back and mate with some Alpha from another pack." Anna dropped down beside me, rubbing her temples. "They want me ‘settled,’ and apparently linking two packs together is a great bonus."

Her words hit a sore spot I didn’t want to admit to. When I went back to my pack, all I got was my father and stepmother practically tossing me at the Bloodmoon Pack like I was some defective bargaining chip.

"Don’t listen to them, Anna." My voice came out sharper than I meant. "Just because they’re your parents doesn’t mean you owe them your whole damn life. It’s your choice."

Anna sagged, her shoulders drooping as she sighed. "I know, but... this time it’s different. My dad—he’s sick. Really sick. Things haven’t been good."

Worry and conflict flickered in her eyes. "I left because I needed distance, needed to breathe. But now... I feel like I have to go back. At least to see him."

She paused, a deeper emotion softening her face. "And... I still don’t know how to tell Daniel about all of this."

"Daniel?" I blinked. "You two are...?"

"We haven’t marked each other yet, but we... like each other. A lot." Her cheeks flushed a little. "I’m happy with him. He treats me well. I really care about him. And now my parents want to marry me off to some Alpha, and I have no clue how to tell him that."

A sharp ache twisted in my chest. I could feel Anna and her parents actually cared about each other—even with their pressure and expectations, there was still affection there. And she had Daniel, someone who genuinely wanted her.

After my mom’s death, I became a stain on my pack, a curse in my father’s eyes. That kind of bond Anna had—family that still mattered, someone who loved her—it felt like something I hadn’t touched in forever.

I stayed quiet for a moment, swallowing down the tightness in my throat. When I spoke, my voice softened. "Then go back and see your father. As for Daniel... if you two really care about each other, talk to him. Be honest."

Anna didn’t notice my shift. She turned to me, eyes steady and serious. "I love my dad, Lena. I really do. So I’m going home. But—there’s no way I’m becoming mates with some random Alpha. Not happening. I have Daniel. I only want him."

Her voice was firm even though she looked both sad and stubborn. I reached out and pulled her into a hug. "Then do what your heart tells you. Whatever you choose, I’m with you. I’ll stay here tonight."

Anna leaned into me, letting out a long exhale before hugging me back. "Thank you, sweetheart."

Right then, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I loosened my hold on Anna and pulled it out.

Dominic Voss was calling.

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