Dominic Silvermane's Arc

Chapter 2 of 9

The rival pack claimed a corner of Moonfang Lodge for the night. Dominic watched from across the great room. His mate sat near their leader, a broad man who kept one hand on the back of her chair. She still wore the thin blue dress. She still shivered. And Dominic still did not know what the rival leader wanted from her. Scarlett appeared at his side, arms crossed. His beta had red hair and a temper to match it. She had loved him for years, and she made no secret of hating the white-haired woman who had walked in and taken his heart in one look. "You keep staring at her," Scarlett said. "Their leader sees it. So does everyone else." "She's freezing." "Then let her freeze. She's not ours." Scarlett stepped closer. "You want to know what hold he has on her? Ask him. In front of both packs." Dominic thought about it. A direct challenge could start a war. But he had to know the truth. He crossed the room. The rival leader rose to meet him. "Your alpha claimed her in the snow," the man said. "Loudly." "I did." Dominic kept his voice level. "Tell me your claim on her." The leader smiled. "No claim. She came to us for shelter last spring. Her own pack cast her out. She owes us food and a roof. Nothing more." Relief hit Dominic hard. No blood tie. No mate bond. Only a debt. He looked at the woman. "Is that true?" She nodded once. "I have no one," she said softly. Her green eyes met his. The bond pulled tight in his chest again. "Then I'll pay what she owes," Dominic said. "And she stays with my pack." The rival leader named a price. Dominic paid it without flinching. The man shrugged and stepped back. Just like that, the woman was free of them. Dominic did not touch her. He walked to a chest near the hearth and lifted out clothing he had set aside that morning. A coat of soft pale layers, trimmed in white fur, patterned in blue and gold. Tall fur-lined boots with warm knitted socks. He had guessed she came from a warmer land. He had guessed right. He held them out to her. "You dressed for spring. Our winters aren't kind. These are yours." She stared at the gift. Her fingers brushed the fur. "Why?" "Because you're cold," he said. "And because you're meant to stand at my side." She pulled the coat around her shoulders. The shivering stopped. For the first time, she looked like she belonged to his pack, not theirs. Behind him, Scarlett turned and walked out into the snow. She said nothing. She didn't need to. Dominic had freed his mate and dressed her in his colors before both packs. Now his own beta had seen exactly where her hope had gone. The fracture in his house had a new crack, and he had made it himself.