Chosen by the Beast Alpha

Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Lena’s POV

I remained where I stood. I didn’t turn away.

I couldn’t bring myself to leave—not when I knew it would break Luna Celeste’s heart. Dominic’s chest was rising and falling like he was barely keeping a lid on something feral, his fists clenched so tight the tips of his claws were already showing. Moon Goddess... at this rate, I’d be lucky if he didn’t tear me apart long before I ever managed to get pregnant.

But even if I bolted right this second, Luke would still be waiting at the Silvercrest Pack border. I’d just be walking into another death sentence.

The whole room felt like it was holding its breath. When Dominic suddenly moved, my body tensed on instinct, fully expecting him to pounce. Instead, he strode straight toward the bathroom.

"Sleep anywhere but the bed," he growled.

The door slammed shut, followed by the sound of running water. I leaned back against the cold wall, my neck still throbbing where he’d almost crushed it. For him, letting me sleep on the floor instead of strangling me counted as... well, mercy.

Not that I needed him to spell it out. Staying as far away from him as possible was basic survival. I dragged myself to the rug in front of the fireplace and sat down. My back screamed in protest, and I sucked in a sharp breath. Yeah... the idea of finding any kind of emotional stability in this messed-up arrangement? Time to let that fantasy die. All I could do now was tread carefully and stay alive.

I unlocked my phone. Anna had already messaged me, freaking out about whether I was okay. I snapped a picture of the corner of the rug in the dim light and sent it.

"Don’t worry. I’ve lived through worse. I’m safe for now."

The message had barely gone through when I heard the bathroom door open. I looked up.

Dominic stepped out wearing a dark gray silk robe, the belt hanging loose around his waist. The collar was open, showing off his sculpted chest and sharp collarbones. His hair was still damp, a few strands falling over his forehead, water sliding along the cut of his jaw and disappearing into the robe.

He didn’t look as lethal as he had earlier, but the pressure he gave off was still there—something between relaxed and predatory, like a top-tier hunter lying low but ready to strike at the first sign of trouble. Gorgeous, yes... and just as dangerous.

To be fair, Dominic was ridiculously attractive—every line of his face and body seemed engineered to perfection. The real issue was the man inside that perfect shell: a cursed, barely stable Alpha who could snap any second.

"You should sleep early," I muttered stiffly, tossing out something polite before practically fleeing into the bathroom. He didn’t respond—not that I cared. I just needed to get away from him for a moment before the tension choked me.

Warm water washed over me, and my thoughts spun. I had to figure out a way to actually sleep with him. Time was running out. I needed to get pregnant before he completely hated me... then take the money and leave this place for good.

Maybe... something like a stimulant? Anna had mentioned certain meds that amplified an Alpha’s desire. But if he ever found out...

No. Too risky. I shook my head under the spray, trying to clear the panic.

The bathroom was stocked with everything—fluffy towels, shampoo, body wash, even underwear that was expensive and exactly my size.

I was sliding off my jeans when the tiles betrayed me. The wet floor turned slick in an instant. I reached out for something—anything—but my fingers met only empty air.

I hit the cold tiles hard, my lower back slamming against the edge of the tub. The pain shot through me so sharply I gasped. I tried to push myself up, but my waist pulsed with every tiny movement, making it impossible to stand.

Lying on the freezing floor, I could only grab my phone and call Dominic.

"Dominic..." My voice came out tight with pain. "I fell."

"If you fell, then get up yourself." His tone was flat, like he was reading a weather report.

"I... can’t move." I tried pushing myself up with my arms again, but the sharp pull in my lower back made everything go blank.

There was a beat of silence on the line, then the call cut off.

A few minutes later, the bathroom door swung open. Dominic stood there, and the moment his eyes landed on me—sprawled awkwardly on the tiles, half-dressed in just my underwear—his brows drew together hard.

Heat rushed to my face. I tried to cover myself, but even the smallest motion tugged at my waist and sent a stabbing ache through me.

"I really can’t move." To prove it, I pushed against the ground again; the second my waist lifted even a little, tears burned their way up.

Dominic’s gaze darkened. He stepped forward in quick, controlled strides and crouched down. His arm slid under my knees and behind my back, lifting me easily. I caught the clean cedar scent on him, the tense shift of muscle as he held me.

He carried me out of the bathroom and set me on the large bed.

The moment I hit the mattress, I panicked and yanked the blanket up to my chin, leaving only my too-pale, pain-stricken face exposed.

"Thanks," I muttered.

Dominic pulled out his phone and dialed the estate’s internal line. "Get the doctor to the master bedroom."

When he hung up, he shot me a look that was all irritation.

"Could you... grab me something to wear?" My voice was muffled. "If the doctor comes in and sees me like this..."

"Shut up." The words were sharp, but he still walked to the rack, took down a light gray lounge set, and tossed it beside me.

I managed to get the top on, but when it came to the pants, the pain in my back made it impossible. I could only look at him again, helplessly.

"Can you help me? Please?" The pain made my voice tremble. "I really... can’t move."

Dominic’s jaw tightened, but he still came over. He lifted the blanket, completely ignoring how my whole body went rigid, how my face instantly heated, and then mechanically pulled the pants onto me.

When he lifted the blanket and leaned in, all cool annoyance and controlled distance, I felt my blood rush straight to my cheeks. The cold air hit my skin, raising a faint shiver. I tried to steady my breathing, but my stomach still rose and fell with tiny, nervous waves I couldn’t hide.

He yanked my legs free of the jeans with a rough, almost impatient motion, then grabbed the soft pajama pants and pulled them onto my legs like he was just going through the motions. His fingers brushed my waist by accident, a barely-there touch, but my whole body jolted anyway, that patch of skin going tight and hot in an instant.

My face was definitely on fire, but he didn’t comment, didn’t even look at me. He just tugged the blanket back over my body, quick and impersonal, like he couldn’t wait to be done with it.

A knock landed on the door right on cue. The estate’s doctor stepped in—middle-aged, maybe in his fifties, the kind that looked like he’d seen everything already.

"She fell," Dominic said, short and sharp. "Check her."

The doctor came over and examined my back and legs with practiced hands. Every time he pressed a sore spot, I sucked in a breath between my teeth.

"Mostly mild muscle and ligament strain. No bone injury. Rest, some gentle stretching, and you’ll be fine soon," he said. Then he glanced at my face, hearing how stuffy my voice was. "And you’ve caught a bit of a cold."

"Yeah," I muttered. Spending a whole night curled on the bathroom floor was catching up with me.

The doctor hesitated, flicked a quick look toward Dominic, then asked carefully, "Do you currently have any plans for pregnancy? I need to know before prescribing certain medication."

The air froze. Before Dominic could open his mouth and toss out something cold and cutting, I nodded. "Yes."

I felt Dominic’s stare hit me like an ice pick—sharp, silent, accusing. He probably thought I’d say anything to achieve whatever goal he imagined I had.

I lowered my gaze, refusing to meet his eyes. I’d said it was a plan, not that it was happening. And honestly, wasn’t that what everyone assumed I was here for anyway?

The doctor accepted it without further questions. He wrote down some topical ointment and meds for the soreness, gave a few instructions, and left quietly.

Once he was gone, the room fell into a heavy silence again.

Dominic stood by the window, his back to me. "Since you insist on staying, we’re setting up rules."

He turned, those gray eyes cool and distant. "My assistant will come tomorrow. We’ll draft a detailed agreement—your rights, your obligations, everything spelled out."

"I agree," I said quickly. "As long as it means you won’t try to throw me out again."

He let out a humorless laugh. "You’ll walk out on your own, Lena. I promise you that."

Then he slammed the door on his way out.

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