Chapter 3 Rebecca's POV A 90 She lunged forward , clawed fingers reaching for my throat . I stumbled backward , knocking over a side table , my heart hammering against my ribs so violently I thought it might shatter . But before those claws could connect , a blur of movement intercepted her . " Enough ! " William's voice cut through the room like a whip . He stood between us , one hand gripping Olivia's wrist . " Control yourself . Now . " Olivia's transformed face twisted with fury . " She struck me ! A human struck a wolf ! The law demands " She's still my mate . " William's voice dropped to a dangerous octave . " Return to human form . Immediately . " For a tense moment , I thought Olivia might attack us both . Then , with visible effort , she began to shift back , her features softening into human beauty again . But the hatred in her eyes remained feral and undiminished . " This isn't over , " she hissed at me . William's face hardened . " Rebecca , you're upset , but you need to understand what you're doing . Rejecting a mate bond has consequences . The pack won't- " " I don't care about your pack rules , " I found my voice at last , a strange calm washing over me despite the trembling in my limbs . " You lied to me . You cheated on me . You used me . All while making me believe I was special . " " You disgust me , " I whispered , backing toward the door , my hand finding the doorknob behind me . " Both of you . " William's expression darkened . " If you walk out that door , you're rejecting the mate bond . There's no coming back from that . " " Good . " I yanked the door open . " Consider yourself rejected . " I could hear William shouting behind me , threatening the dire consequences of refusing a mate bond , but all I felt was an overwhelming sense of relief mixed with the pain of betrayal and fear of Do you like this story ? + ADD TO LIBRARY 7:51 Sat , Sep 20 Chapter 3 : 90 I ran until my high heels scraped my heels raw , finding myself downtown , far from the upscale residential area where William's apartment was located . I'd run blindly , with no destination in mind , and now I stood on a busy street corner , surrounded by bars and restaurants still bustling with late- night crowds . Exhausted , thirsty , disillusioned , disappointed , heartbroken , and furious , I stumbled into a high - end establishment called " Moonlight Lounge . " I slid onto a barstool and ordered a double vodka tonic , telling the bartender to " keep them coming . " As the alcohol began to take effect , memories flooded back unbidden . William in that coffee shop five years ago , his amber eyes finding mine across the room with what I'd thought was destiny . William explaining he was a werewolf , describing the sacred mate bond : " We wolves only have one true mate in life , and you're mine . " Olivia when we first met , warm and friendly , offering advice about werewolf society and William : " As Whilliam's friend , I'll help you understand everything about being a wolf's mate . " I took another gulp of my drink , the bitter reality settling in my stomach like lead . I had no fiancé , no home , no job ( I'd quit my teaching position at William's insistence ) , and I was in a city largely controlled by a werewolf pack whose Delta I'd just publicly rejected . Not to mention I had no idea how I'd help my sick father now . The alcohol buzzed pleasantly through my system , taking the sharp edge off my pain without fully numbing it . It was well past midnight when the atmosphere in the bar shifted . Conversations hushed , and a path cleared through the crowd as a tall figure moved toward the VIP section . The bartender immediately prepared a whiskey neat without being asked , and I found myself studying the man who commanded such deference . He had high cheekbones , defined lips , a square jaw , and a straight nose . His deep brown hair fell in loose waves , and when he glanced in my direction , I caught a flash of the deepest blue eyes I'd ever seen - like midnight ocean depths holding secrets no human could fathom . On his right pinky finger was a black onyx ring I recognized as the mark of the Sterling family . Dominic Sterling . Future Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack and CEO of Sterling Enterprises . Seeing him in person , I could believe it . There was something magnetic about him that made my skin flush with unexpected heat . 2/4 7:51 Sat , Sep 20 Chapter 3 07 ) 90 I checked my phone and realized it was past midnight . I'd had too much to drink , my bank account was nearly empty , and I had no way to get back to Sofia's - I'd left my wallet and phone charger there , thinking I'd only be gone a few minutes to retrieve a necklace . A ring I would never need now . I paid my bill with my nearly maxed - out credit card , leaving a modest tip . As I stood , the room swayed slightly , the alcohol hitting me harder than expected . I turned to leave , but in my wobbly state , I collided with a solid wall of muscle clothed in what felt like custom - tailored silk . The scent hit me first - musk and cologne , but something else beneath it , something primal and intoxicating that made my breath catch and my pulse quicken . A warmth spread from my core outward , making me acutely aware of every inch where our bodies connected . I looked up into deep blue eyes that momentarily flashed gold at the edges , and something electric passed between us - like a current jumping between two live wires . " I'm sorry , " I mumbled , unable to look away from Dominic Sterling's face . My lips parted involuntarily as his gaze swept over me with an intensity that seemed to pierce through all my defenses . Something strange flickered in his expression - shock , recognition , something that made his pupils dilate and his breath visibly hitch - and I felt an odd connection , a pull I'd never experienced before . It was as though some dormant part of me suddenly awakened , reaching desperately toward him . But that was ridiculous . It must be the alcohol . Yet my body didn't seem to care about logic , reacting to his proximity with a desperate yearning that shocked me . I steadied myself , still trapped in the magnetic field of those deepest blue eyes . Eyes that suddenly held a flicker of recognition that made no sense - we'd never met before . His hand had instinctively settled on my waist to steady me , and where his fingers pressed against my dress , my skin burned with awareness . But as I stared at Dominic Sterling , a wicked thought crossed my alcohol - muddled mind . William Moretti's greatest fear . The man my ex had warned me never to cross paths with . Perfect . What would happen if I spent the night with the man William fears most ? " You okay ? " His deep voice rumbled through me , commanding and authoritative yet somehow intimate , as if he'd whispered it against my ear . The sound sent shivers cascading down my spine . Around us , bar patrons instinctively stepped back , creating space . I straightened my spine , meeting his gaze directly . " How do you know I'm not okay , Mr. Sterling ? " I 3/4 7:51 Sat , Sep 20 Chapter 3 deliberately let my fingers brush against the black onyx ring on his right hand , allowing them to linger a moment too long on his warm skin . His eyes narrowed slightly , his nostrils flaring as if catching my scent . " You recognize me . " A statement , not a question . 90 I smiled , emboldened by alcohol and heartbreak . " Who in this city doesn't know the future CEO of Sterling Group ? " I leaned closer , lowering my voice to a sultry whisper , close enough that my breath would caress his neck . " I also know you're the heir to the Silver Moon Pack . " Dominic glanced around , suddenly alert , his body tensing in a way that only emphasized his power . " Interesting knowledge for a human girl . Who sent you ? " " Nobody . " I moved closer , the scent of his cologne making my head swim and heat pool low in my belly . " Tonight , I'm acting entirely for myself . I deliberately lowered my voice , letting my lips nearly brush his ear . " I want to leave this place . Preferably not alone . What about you , Mr. Sterling ? " His expression remained guarded , but something flickered in those blue depths - hunger , curiosity , and something almost like reverence . His breathing had deepened , and I could see the rapid pulse at his throat . " Come with me , " he said finally , his hand finding the small of my back , fingers splaying possessively as he guided me forward . Chapter Comments טל Visitor 10 hours ago hmm 5 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!