Chosen by the Beast Alpha

Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Lena’s POV

When his name lit up my screen, I couldn’t stop the little smile tugging at my lips as I picked up.

"Dominic," I tried to sound casual, almost teasing. "Did you miss me or something?"

Silence. Just his breathing on the other end. Two full seconds passed before he finally spoke, voice stiff as ever. "I’m not coming back tonight. There are things in the pack I need to deal with."

I blinked, caught off guard. He was... informing me of his plans? That was new. "Wait, are you actually telling me your schedule?"

Another pause. I could practically picture him frowning, thumb hovering over the hang-up button like he couldn’t wait to bail.

My mood weirdly lifted, and I even let out a small laugh. "Funny. I’m not going home tonight either."

His breathing instantly got sharper—irritated. Sensing his patience running out, I rushed to clarify. "Anna—my friend—she’s heading back to her pack tomorrow. I’m staying with her tonight at her apartment."

I hesitated, then shot the question back at him. "So what about you? Where’re you going? Meeting who?"

"You’re asking too many questions." He shut me down without hesitation, his tone dropping to ice.

"As your partner," I mumbled into the cushion under my chin, still sounding pretty justified, "isn’t it normal for me to check on what you’re up to?"

"I have things to do." He clearly wasn’t giving me more. Those words sealed the whole conversation. I hadn’t expected details anyway—just the fact that he called was already more than I’d thought I’d get.

"Okay. Got it," I said.

He hung up immediately. Not even half a second of hesitation.

I lowered my phone. Anna, sitting beside me, raised an eyebrow and instantly teased, "Wow, look at you two. Dominic actually updates you on his whereabouts now?"

I grabbed another pillow and tossed it at her lightly. "That’s different. He’s just informing me. I’m the one trying to close the distance. I mean... I have to find a way to survive next to him, right?"

Anna hugged the pillow to her chest, leaning forward, her joking expression fading into something more serious. "Be honest, Lena. What’s going on between you two? Where does Dominic actually stand with you?"

My mind flashed to last night—our closeness, and then how he’d pulled back like someone had dumped cold water over us. The smile I’d had a moment ago thinned. "He’s still testing me."

He had called first. Even if his tone was as stiff as ever, the call itself meant something. And the worry I felt for him... that was real too.

Anna watched me for a beat, then lifted her beer can slightly. "Well, you know I’ve got your back. No matter what you decide."

Early the next morning, I took Anna to the airport.

The terminal was full of loud announcements and rushing footsteps. Anna and I hugged goodbye.

"Take care of yourself, and come back soon."

"I know." She buried her face against my shoulder for a few seconds before letting go. "I’m just going back to see him, let him know I’m fine. The rest... I’ll figure it out when I get there."

"Keep in touch," I said, patting her back. "If you need anything, tell me anytime."

I watched Anna pass through security, her silhouette disappearing around the corner of the hallway. I turned to leave.

Right then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a tall figure slipping into the VIP passage. A figure I knew way too well.

I froze, staring at that direction for a couple of seconds. Was that Dominic Voss? I almost doubted myself.

I pulled out my phone and immediately dialed his number. It rang several times before he finally picked up. His voice came through, distant and echoing a little.

"What is it?"

"Are you at the airport?" I asked, pretty sure I hadn’t imagined it.

"Yeah. I’m heading to another pack for a visit." His answer was clipped and plain.

I blinked in surprise. He was visiting another pack today? But yesterday on the phone, he just said he wouldn’t be home.

I let out a slow breath. "When will you be back?"

"Not sure yet." He paused. "Anything else?"

"No."

He didn’t say another word before hanging up cleanly. I stood there, surrounded by the noisy terminal, feeling like there was a sheet of cold glass between him and me.

I asked him so many questions, not because I was nosy, but because I worried about him. I still didn’t know the details of that curse. Would running around like this trigger something?

But he never tells me anything, and half the time I don’t even know where to start.

After a moment, I sighed and lowered my head, typing out a message to Dominic: If you need a ride when you come back, tell me ahead of time. I’ll pick you up.

The message went out. No reply.

Two days passed. Dominic didn’t call. Not even a single text.

On the third afternoon, I finally caved and dialed his number.

First try, no answer. Second try, still no one picked up.

My worry kept climbing until the third call finally went through.

"What is it?" Dominic Voss’s voice came through low and rough, exhaustion leaking out with every word.

My heart, which had been hanging in midair, dropped just a little. I rushed to ask, "Are you okay? When are you coming back?"

"I’m already back."

I froze with the phone pressed to my ear.

He’d been the one actively calling me before, and I’d stupidly felt a bit happy about it.

Now? That tiny bit of joy just... evaporated.

This time, I didn’t even have the strength to pretend everything was fine, didn’t bother with jokes or light teasing to close the distance between us.

"Okay." And I hung up first.

The clacking of keyboards, coworkers chatting, footsteps... everything turned into noise.

I couldn’t focus on work anymore. I slipped into the quieter stairwell and called Anna.

"Lena? What’s going on? You sound drained."

Leaning against the cold wall, I tried to put my thoughts together and told her everything—how Dominic left without a word, and returned the same way.

Anna stayed silent until I finished, then let out a sigh.

"Lena, listen. He’s never really let you into his world. His whereabouts, his past, even that damn curse—he doesn’t plan on sharing any of it with you. You’re still just... standing outside that boundary. An outsider."

Outsider.

Her blunt honesty—something only a close friend could get away with—stabbed straight into my chest.

She paused, then lowered her voice.

"And the fact that he won’t actually be with you... could it be because of Eliza?"

My fingers tightened around the phone.

Eliza—the ex who left him because of the curse. I knew about her, but I never dared dig deeper.

"I know you’ve heard of her," Anna continued. "People said Dominic loved that she-wolf deeply. Everyone knew it. Then the curse hit, and she walked away. Maybe... maybe he still hasn’t gotten over her."

My mind went blank for a second.

I always thought he kept his distance because of the curse, but if the real reason was that he still had feelings for Eliza... then what did that make me?

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