Chosen by the Beast Alpha

Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Lena’s POV

By noon, Celeste was driving me toward a private spot—a vacation villa the Bloodmoon Pack used for their gatherings.

On the way there, I sat with my hands clasped tight on my knees, staring at the snow-covered road rushing by outside. With every mile we got closer, my stomach twisted a little more.

Right before we got out of the car, I muttered, "Celeste... I don’t know if I should really be here."

"You’re Dominic’s mate, part of the Bloodmoon Pack. Why wouldn’t you come?" Celeste said, giving me a quick look. "Besides, it’s a good chance for you to get to know everyone."

I really did want Dominic to be safe, but involving myself with his family? That part had always freaked me out.

"Relax. They’re not gonna bite," Celeste teased, flashing me a grin. "You don’t need to do anything special. Just stay close to Dominic. And don’t stress about names—you’ll pick them up later."

Her words eased me a bit, enough that I could breathe normally again.

When we stepped inside the villa, warm air wrapped around us. The place was bright and cozy, with arched ceilings, a huge stone fireplace, and pine garlands hanging everywhere.

Celeste guided me through the hall, and as we reached the dining room entrance, I spotted Dominic.

He stood there in a black coat, tall and lean, completely still—like someone had placed him there as part of the décor.

Celeste walked up to him and grabbed his hand. "Why are you standing out here? Aren’t you freezing?"

"I’m fine. Just needed some air," Dominic replied, but his gaze shifted straight to me.

A ridiculous thought flashed through my mind. Was he... waiting for me?

"Is everyone here?" Celeste asked.

"Yes."

"Keep Lena with you," she reminded him. "Don’t let her wander around alone."

Dominic shot me a quick glance. "Alright."

He actually agreed. That alone was enough to throw me off.

I was nervous—way too nervous—and there was no hiding it. This mate bond didn’t start with love, not even real feelings. I never imagined I’d still be living as his mate after the contract ended.

But now everything was different. It hit me all at once, too real, too fast, and I was nowhere near ready for it.

While Celeste walked ahead, I tugged lightly on Dominic’s sleeve. He tilted his head toward me, brows lifting a little.

"I thought we weren’t supposed to let people know about... our situation," I whispered. "You said that when we signed the agreement."

Dominic frowned, eyes narrowing on me. "We did sign an agreement. But that part doesn’t apply to me."

"But won’t it get awkward for you later, if you end up with someone else?" I asked.

I wasn’t trying to pick a fight; I was just stating the obvious. If he survived the curse, he’d definitely want a real mate someday—one he actually chose.

Dominic’s expression suddenly went cold enough to freeze bone. "That’s none of your business. Besides, you’re the one who can’t wait to find a new mate, aren’t you?"

He strode off. I scrambled after him—he was literally the only person I knew here.

"That’s not what I meant!" I raised my voice. "Look, if you want to end the contract, that’s up to you, not me! I just don’t want your pack thinking you’re unreliable when you bring a new mate here someday. I’m trying to look out for you!"

"Ha." Dominic didn’t look back, just gave a short, cold laugh.

"If you’re not worried, then I’m definitely not worried," I said, straightening up, borrowing his confidence like armor I didn’t actually own.

The main hall buzzed with life. The guys were clustered together, joking around. The she-wolves chatted softly, warm and welcoming. Wolf pups zoomed through the crowd like little rockets, laughing and tumbling.

It was a picture of joy—a real pack. I hadn’t seen anything like it in years, not since my mother died.

Watching the pups race around, something inside me loosened, and I caught myself smiling.

"Dominic, Lena, come here!" Celeste called.

I blinked, realizing the whole pack had turned to look at us. Dozens of eyes. All on me.

Heat rushed up my neck. I suddenly had no idea where to stand or what to do with my hands.

Then Dominic held out his hand to me. His palm open. Waiting. No command, no explanation—just an invitation.

I took it. His fingers were cool, the joints sharp, his palm pressing firmly against mine. Two different kinds of warmth mixing together. We tightened our grips at the same time.

My heartbeat kicked up. He didn’t look at me; he just guided me through the room, introducing me.

"This is Lena," he said. After a tiny pause, he added, "My Luna."

Dominic Voss—someone who never shows his cards and never declares anything in public—just said that out loud.

No one shot me weird looks, no one asked any awkward questions. Nobody acted like I didn’t belong here. The whole vibe was real, warm, almost... welcoming.

After the introductions, Dominic left me with Celeste and the other she-wolves while he went off to find Theodore and the rest of the guys.

"Lena! You’re officially one of us now. Seriously, chill a bit and go have some fun," Celeste said with this relieved smile, then drifted off to help some other pack members.

The she-wolves were all surprisingly kind. They talked to me so naturally, never pushed, always waited for the right moment to ask something, and never made me feel cornered.

For the first time tonight, I loosened up. I mean really loosened up. In this whole whirlwind, I finally felt like an actual person—not some decoration someone dragged along.

My phone buzzed. Anna was calling.

I stepped outside to pick up. "Anna?"

Silence. Just quiet, shaky sobbing.

My chest tightened instantly. "Anna, talk to me. What happened? You’re scaring me."

"I met that alpha. I feel nothing for him! Nothing!" Her voice was rough, like she’d been crying forever. "But my mom said if I don’t stay, she’ll kill herself. Lena... I never should’ve come home."

My stomach dropped hard.

"Can’t you try talking to her? Just... try?" I asked, panic creeping in. "Why are they pushing you this far?"

"For appearances," Anna said bitterly. "For their stupid reputation, for their deals with other packs. They’ll do anything. It’s all my fault. I was dumb enough to think I could just run away."

"This is not your fault." I bit down on my lip. "Do you want me to drive over and pick you up?"

"We’re too far apart," Anna whispered.

"It’s just a few hundred miles. If I leave now, I’ll be there by morning."

I was already mentally mapping the route when she suddenly shut me down. "No, Lena. Don’t come. Even if you did, my parents would never let you take me."

"Then what are we supposed to do?" I leaned back against the wall, mind blanking out, breath catching in my throat.

After a long, suffocating silence, I finally heard her murmur, "If this is what fate wants from me... then fine. I’ll take it."

The exhaustion in her voice made my stomach twist. "You’re really giving up? Anna, this is your life we’re talking about."

"Do I even have another option, babe?" She sounded like she’d already waved the white flag.

"Hold up. Just... breathe. Let me think."

"There’s nothing to think about."

I lifted my head and spotted Dominic a few yards away. He must’ve come out looking for me, catching me pacing.

And then an idea hit me. A surprisingly decent one.

"Stay there," I told Anna quickly. "I’ll call you right back. Don’t give up yet, and don’t do anything stupid."

I hung up and marched straight toward Dominic. He stood there with his hands shoved in his pockets, watching me with that unreadable look of his.

"Does Daniel know Anna’s being pushed into that blind date?" I blurted out.

Dominic raised a brow. "Come again?"

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