LENA
The mansion seemed even larger when Dominic took me through it, the corridors stretching endlessly as we passed one room after another. The high ceilings and polished wood floors made everything feel like I was in a dream, and yet, the weight of the mansion's grandeur only reminded me of how out of place I was here. I couldn't get over the sheer size of the place—every hallway, every doorway, felt like it belonged to someone far more important than me.
Dom walked beside me with that same easy confidence he always carried, as though he belonged here. I couldn't help but notice how everyone we passed—every wolf we encountered—greeted him with a look of respect, admiration, sometimes even awe. It was subtle but undeniable. There was a quiet authority to Dom, something that commanded attention without him having to say a word. And despite everything, it made me realize just how deeply rooted he was in this pack.
As we walked, he kept glancing at me, as if making sure I wasn't about to bolt for the nearest exit. I didn't know if it was because he thought I'd try to run or if it was something else—his overprotectiveness, maybe.
We turned down a hallway, and Dom's hand gently brushed against my lower back as he ushered me forward. His touch was fleeting but enough to send a strange warmth through me, an electric pulse that made my heart race for a split second. I shook the feeling off, my mind too busy with the thought of all the things I didn't know, all the things I needed to figure out.
"Here," Dom said, nudging open a door to a sitting room. It was cozy—compared to the rest of the house, at least. The walls were lined with bookshelves, and a fire crackled merrily in the hearth. There was a group of people gathered around, chatting in low voices.
The first person I saw was Lucas. He stood by the fire, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a drink. His eyes immediately met mine, and to my surprise, his expression softened, his lips curving into a genuine smile. I couldn't help but relax a little, the warmth in his eyes reassuring me, if only for a moment.
"Ah, Dom," Lucas said, nodding. "And you must be Lena." He offered me a friendly smile, his tone light and welcoming. "I hope you're adjusting well. I know it can be a lot to take in."
I returned the smile, grateful for his friendly demeanor. "It's been a lot to process, but I'm getting there."
"Good. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm around. It's not easy to get used to all of this," he said, gesturing vaguely to the room as if everything here was a little too overwhelming at first glance.
I appreciated the kindness in his voice. There were moments when I could feel the tension in the air—the unease that surrounded me—but with Lucas, I could sense no judgment, just understanding.
Dom's presence beside me was a constant, though. It was like the walls between me and everyone else were built thicker with every step we took, and his hand was always just close enough to remind me that I was tethered to him.
We moved further into the room, and that's when I saw Evan. My stomach fluttered in an unexpected way—because, despite the overwhelming nature of everything here, Evan had been a source of comfort the night I arrived. He had been calm, collected, a steady presence when I'd felt completely lost.
"Lena," Evan said, his eyes lighting up when he saw me. He straightened from where he had been leaning against the back of a chair, a half smile on his lips. "Glad to see you're still with us."
I smiled, feeling a weight lift off my chest at the sight of him. "Hi," I said, genuinely relieved to see a familiar face. "I was wondering when I'd run into you again."
"Hopefully with less drama this time," he said with a laugh, and I couldn't help but chuckle in return. He wasn't wrong. The last time I'd seen him had been... a bit of a mess.
Dom, noticing the shift in mood, let out a low hum of approval. "Good to see you two getting along," he said, his tone cool but with a touch of warmth. His gaze softened when it landed on me.
I wasn't sure why I felt the sudden urge to ask, but something about the way everyone referred to Dom, with so much familiarity, made me feel like I should at least know the answer. I hesitated for a moment before speaking up, my voice quiet enough to only be between the two of us.
"Dom," I began, and his name felt strange on my tongue after calling him everything but that. "Do you—do you prefer being called Dom?" I stumbled over the words slightly, but I couldn't shake the question. I had heard everyone around me use his name, but something about it felt intimate.
His gaze met mine, and for the briefest of moments, I saw something flicker behind his eyes—something softer, almost appreciative. He didn't immediately answer, as though he was considering the question more deeply than I had expected.
"I don't mind," he replied finally, his voice deeper than usual, as if my question had caught him off guard. "It's what most people call me. It's easier."
I nodded slowly, feeling a strange sense of clarity as I spoke his name again, this time with more confidence. "Dom," I said, testing the way it felt in the air between us. It was simple, just his name—but somehow it made everything feel more real, more tangible.
His lips quirked upward at the sound of his name on my lips, but he didn't comment. Instead, he motioned for me to follow him again, and we continued our tour of the estate.
As we walked, I noticed how everyone we passed greeted him—some with respect, others with admiration, and a few with what could only be described as reverence. It was clear that Dom wasn't just their leader by title; he had earned it. There was something about him, something commanding, yet strangely approachable. He carried himself with the kind of quiet confidence that made people want to follow him, not out of obligation, but out of respect.
The more we moved through the estate, the more I saw it. Dom wasn't just the leader of this pack; he was the heart of it. And as I walked beside him, I felt something shift in me. A part of me had started to see him differently—not just as the person I was bound to, but as someone who was capable of commanding loyalty. Someone who could protect and guide.
We passed another room where a few others were gathered, and Dom's hand brushed against my back again, a subtle reminder that he was always near. His presence was like a constant current, pulling me in, no matter how much I tried to resist.
Finally, as we reached the end of the hallway, Dom stopped and turned to face me. There was a moment of silence, and then he spoke again, his voice softer now.
"Are you settling in at all?" he asked, his gaze studying me.
"I think I'm starting to," I replied, feeling a surprising sense of ease wash over me. "It's not easy, but it's starting to feel a little more familiar and a little less like a fever dream."
He nodded, but his eyes were searching. "Good," he said simply, and I was struck by the intensity behind those words. "You're not alone in this, Lena. I know it's more than anyone should have to figure out in so little time."
I didn't know what to say to that. The truth was, I wasn't sure if I was ready to be "not alone" in this new world. But for the first time, I wasn't sure I wanted to be. The pull I felt toward him was undeniable, and despite all my questions, despite all my doubts, a part of me wanted to reach out and find solid ground with him.