Chosen by the Beast Alpha

Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Lena’s POV

"Maybe it’s not that he thinks the timing isn’t right. Maybe he just feels that having a kid with you would mean completely betraying Eliza." Anna’s voice cut into me like a blade. "Lena, has it ever crossed your mind that he might never really accept you?"

Maybe Dominic hadn’t gone to visit the other packs at all. Maybe he’d gone to see Eliza.

The thought was totally groundless, but it sprouted in my chest like weeds after a storm, growing faster than I could pull it out.

His past, his feelings for Eliza... I knew nothing. I kept trying to get closer, but who was I kidding? I was just an Omega who walked into his life because of a damn agreement — a stand-in. On what basis did I expect him to forget the person he actually loved?

When I didn’t answer, Anna’s tone softened, cautious, almost tiptoeing. "Sweetie, I’m not saying this to hurt you. I just... think you deserve to see things clearly."

She paused, suddenly sounding drained. "Honestly, I’m in no position to give advice. I... still haven’t told Daniel I’m going home. I don’t even know how to bring it up. I’m terrified he’ll look disappointed."

"Anna..."

"I know I should tell him. I do. But I want to settle things at home first, then talk to him properly. Maybe by then I’ll know what to do about that marriage contract with that Alpha." Bitterness slipped into her voice. "I don’t want Daniel stressed out because of me. I don’t want to dump all this on him."

I could hear her struggle — and I realized we were both stuck in the same kind of mess. Love, choices, and finding a place to stand without losing ourselves.

"I get it," I heard myself say, my voice strangely steady. "I really do, Anna. Maybe I’ve been wrong since the beginning. How long have he and I even known each other? How could I ever expect to replace someone he truly loved? I just need to do what I’m here to do — have the pup, and walk out alive."

I understood it in my head, but my chest still felt like someone was jabbing needles into it. Anna kept saying comforting things on the other end, but everything started sounding far away.

I thought things between Dominic and me had changed.

But reality was simple: in his heart, I would always be Eliza’s shadow.

Work finally ended. By the time I reached the tower, the sky was already pitch-black.

I pushed the door open. Only one wall lamp was on in the living room.

That’s when I saw him.

Dominic was asleep on the couch, lying on his side, one arm thrown over his forehead to block the light. Even from across the room, I could tell something was off.

He looked paler than usual, with fresh stubble roughening his jaw, his whole body slumped like he’d run himself into the ground. I stood there for a few seconds before tiptoeing upstairs to grab a thin blanket from the bedroom.

Coming back down, I crouched beside the couch, spreading the blanket carefully. I had just brushed it against his shoulder when fingers clamped around my wrist.

I gasped, lifting my head — and crashed straight into his open eyes.

Under the dim light, his gray irises looked almost black, shot through with red.

"I woke you," I whispered, trying to pull my hand back. "You look like you need real sleep."

He didn’t let go. Didn’t speak. Just stared at me, gaze heavy and unreadable.

I thought I’d annoyed him awake. I was about to apologize when he suddenly yanked my wrist toward him, hard.

I lost my balance and fell straight into the couch. Before I could even figure out what was happening, he was already over me, his body pressing down, and his burning-hot lips crashed onto mine.

The kiss wasn’t gentle at all, but it wasn’t exactly the same as last time either. It was rushed, fierce, like he’d snapped and didn’t care about anything anymore. His teeth bumped into my lip—sharp, stinging. I instinctively tried to push him back, but he caught my wrist and pinned both hands above my head.

"Mm... Dominic..."

He acted like he didn’t hear me. His other hand clamped onto my waist, the pressure so hard it felt like he wanted to mold me into the cushions.

Then his tongue forced my lips apart again, pushing deep into my mouth. The way he moved—rough, almost aggressive—swept along my palate and tangled with my tongue, sucking hard like he wanted to pull the air right out of me.

The kiss kept sinking deeper, heavier. My breath got completely swallowed up, leaving only the messy mix of spit and those wet sounds ringing painfully loud in my head.

At the same time, the hand that had been restraining me slid away. He moved fast, popping open the buttons of my shirt one by one. His fingertips were cold, brushing my skin on their way down, sending shivers racing through me.

The fabric fell aside, exposing my underwear and more bare skin. He lowered his head, trailing kisses from my jaw down, sucking hard at my neck and collarbone. The marks from last time still hadn’t faded, and now darker ones layered over them.

Pleasure shot through me, sharp and uncontrollable. My body trembled under his grip and touch. When his thumb grazed my nipple, I couldn’t help arching my back, a small sound slipping out of my throat. He clearly noticed. He kept rubbing, pressing, rolling my nipple between his fingers until it hardened fast.

My mind went completely blank. I shut my eyes, my grip on his shirt loosening as I could only take everything he was giving, powerless to do anything else.

Just when I thought this was going to spiral into something even more out of control—

Dominic stopped.

Out of nowhere, his whole body tensed. Then he pushed himself up abruptly, putting just enough distance between us to break the moment.

His harsh breathing echoed in the quiet living room, one hand braced beside my head. He kept his face lowered, the hair falling over his forehead hiding his expression.

This was the second time he’d pulled away from me like this. First in the bedroom. Now here.

He turned his head to the side, avoiding my eyes completely. The storm that had consumed him seconds ago drained out of him fast, leaving only that cold, rigid restraint he wore like armor.

And suddenly, everything connected.

Dominic came back from another pack, looking worn-out, shaken, barely holding it together—and then forced himself to stop at the last second. It all lined up too perfectly.

He had gone to see her. The she-wolf he had actually cared for. The one who walked away from him.

He saw her, something got triggered, and when he came back... I happened to be here. Lena Foster, the convenient stand-in. The person he could use to vent, to prove he didn’t care anymore. A tool, nothing more.

I didn’t push him away. I didn’t say anything. What right did I even have to push him away?

So I just lay there, quietly, letting his ragged breaths slowly even out, letting that tired, messy aura clinging to him linger over me.

It took a long while—long enough for the sky outside to dim again—before he finally moved.

He pushed himself upright, the motion slow, almost heavy. Then he turned his head, his gaze landing right on my face. Those gray eyes of his still carried a mess of emotions, layered and unreadable.

For a split second, I thought I saw panic flicker in Dominic Voss’s eyes. Panic—on him. But I quickly brushed the thought aside. An Alpha like Dominic? Panicking because of a kiss? Or because of me? Yeah, right. I was definitely overthinking.

I slowly straightened up too, smoothing out my clothes and running my fingers through my hair where he’d messed it up. The sound of fabric sliding against itself felt loud in the dead-quiet living room.

"Honestly," I said, letting out a laugh that I tried to make sound casual, teasing, "your kissing skills could use some work. Way too rushed."

I didn’t give him time to respond. I stood, grabbed the bag I’d tossed aside earlier, and said, "I’m gonna take a shower."

Only after I closed the bedroom door behind me—leaning against the cool surface—did I finally let my eyes fall shut as I pulled in a long, steadying breath.

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