Chapter Five: Hard Choices

Dominic’s POV

 We were coming back from the annual werewolves conference held in New York. I was already tired, so I decided to take a nap. I asked Jonathan to turn off the AC so I could open the window. I love the smell of nature. Five minutes into my nap, I caught the smell of vanilla in the air—just vanilla. It’s very intoxicating and I knew I had not smelled something like that before. 

“Stop the car,” I said to Jonathan, removing my seat belt. 

He stopped without questioning my orders. The SUV following behind us stopped too. 

I stepped out of the car, likewise Jonathan. I instructed the rest of them to stay behind, while I mindlinked Jonathan about my new discovery.

Finding my mate was something I had always prepared for. And I wondered what she was doing deep in the woods.

“Could she be a rogue?” Jonathan said through the mind-link as if reading my mind. 

“Let’s find out,” I said, leading the way as I followed the scent. 

I saw her lying on the floor, her arms protecting her face from the rogue that was about to attack her. I rushed towards him, dragged him by the neck, and gave him several punches across the face. I handed him over to Jonathan, turning to face my mate, only to see her staring back at us, bewildered at the sight before her. 

Jonathan knocked the rogue out, I was sure he died. She stood up and walked slowly toward us as if she were watching her steps. 

“Mate,” I said in a low growl, trying to keep it in so I wouldn’t scare her away. 

I wanted to tell her more but I know I have no choice but to take her to the pack, in case eyes are watching. 

I could sense her fear the moment she heard the growl and saw my eyes change from hazel to gold. Lifting her up from the ground was not a big deal, compared to the weight I lifted, she was way too light. 

“My name is Lila, a mermaid from the Pacific, the third princess of the mermaid queen.” She stretched forth her hand for a handshake.

If she wasn’t my mate, I knew how angry I’d have gotten based on her actions. But my wolf won’t even allow me to get angry at her for long, or maybe it was the mate bond. 

After giving me a piece of her mind, I figured it was best I assured her she was safe with me, and no one would hurt her. But the way she shrugged and just faced the window made me know that she was yet to believe me. 

After a while, she fell asleep, she must have been very tired. I used that opportunity to take in her features; she’s actually very beautiful, I had to admit, and with her long hair that falls below her waist, I remembered her ocean eyes too. I knew the moon goddess won’t give someone worse than her as a mate, but the fact that she’s human, made things more complicated, and the fucking prophecy too. I knew at that point that I had to reject her. 

I was brought out of my thoughts when she started thrashing in her sleep. I tapped her arm, 

“Lila,” 

“Don’t touch me!” She screamed, and a tear fell from her face.

“I think she’s having a bad dream,” Jonathan said, watching us from the rearview mirror.

“Yeah, I will try again.” So I proceeded to touch her arm again.

“I said don’t touch me!” She screamed again, but she opened her eyes this time.

“Are you okay?” I asked, feeling extremely concerned. 

“Sorry, I had a bad dream.” I saw the fear in her eyes as she spoke. And I got angry. I couldn't ask what her dream was about or who was trying to touch her.

Her reaction when Drian ran towards us was hilarious, but I had to keep myself from laughing. I was sure, she was now convinced that I was indeed a werewolf, so I wouldn't need to talk much again.

I told her she was my soulmate the moment we got to my house. For some reason, she seemed not to have anything against it.

“I, Dominic Ashbane, reject Lila Rowan as my mate.” I tried not to show how hurt I was by my actions and words, even my wolf was screaming at me inside, but he knew better than anyone the damage accepting her as my mate would do. 

I saw the hurt in her eyes when I told her why I didn’t want her as my mate. I wished I could tell her I was lying, that I wanted her so bad and I was attracted to her. 

“I accept your rejection, there’s no way I’d want to be with a werewolf.” Maybe I was wrong about her feeling hurt. She probably just hated the fact that I rejected her first. But I guess accepting it was easy for her since she wasn’t a werewolf, she couldn’t feel the pain of rejection. 

I felt our bond severe the moment she left, and it was the most heartbreaking feeling I’ve ever had. 

******

I couldn’t sleep at night, I remember what Jonathan said Juliana had said to Lila. I scolded Juliana but the deed was done already. Lila must have taken us as bad people. I wondered how she was feeling since I was feeling quite bad and my wolf was restless as well. 

I went on doing the normal things I do on a regular day; signing documents, playing with the pups, training with the warriors, checking up on my family, and getting some work done. 

I was back in my room after taking a bath around 7:30 pm when I felt Jonathan in my head, trying to mind-link me. I allowed him.

“Alpha, one of our information sources called some minutes ago…” He paused.

“Some rogues are seen hiding behind the woods around Lila’s workplace.” He finished off.

“Did you investigate? They are not after her right?” Of course, I sent someone to watch her closely in case any harm came to her, I’d be able to protect her. But I hoped it wasn’t what I thought it was.

“Our man spotted them at 5 pm sending a letter to the hospital. He finally managed to get his hands on the letter Lila had thrown in the dustbin. It was a letter asking her to meet in the woods by 8 pm, and the sender wrote your name as the sender.” Shit!

“How long will it take us to get there by car?” I asked him, My wolf getting agitated.

“45 minutes.” He replied. 

“Then let’s run.”