by Alicia Banks
Taylor sighed again. “The things I do for brotherhood,” he said, before leaving.
It was almost noon when Taylor entered the cabin. Dominque had been using this time doing some stretches and making sure his previous wounds were tightly bandaged up.
“The pack is there,” Taylor said and Dominque nodded. Both men made their way to the clearing where everyone was waiting. Even Isabella and Rose stood there, both looking extremely worried.
Dominque walked to the center and looked at his people. “I know lately you have been dissatisfied with my leadership. You question my decisions. You question me for honoring the peace treaty with the humans. You question me for not being strong enough or brave enough. You even question my decision to safely return the human pup back to the humans,” Dominque said, his voice soft yet filled with fury.
“You plot and you plan against me. You challenge me and then you back stab me. I have learned my lesson. The one I thought carried a traitor’s blood, was the only one who stood by me. Even if it meant losing her life.” Dominque continued, pointing towards Isabella.
He then turned towards Clinton and said, “And the ones I thought loyal, are the real traitors.” He snarled. “Today, I will prove to you my dominance. Challenge me, whoever wants to. Challenge me one by one and if you defeat me, I will concede the pack to you.”
“Does anyone dare?” Dominque shouted after a minute of silence.
Clinton stepped forward and said, “I am injured, you are injured. I think it will be a fair enough fight. You should know, it will be a fight to the death.”
Dominque nodded and both men started to shift. Dominque felt his claws elongate and his fangs erupt, his body contorting till he was down on four legs, all his senses heightened. Clinton had shifted too, and they both slowly started circling each other. Dominque felt the adrenaline rushing through his body, keeping his gaze fixed on Clinton.
Clinton lunged first, roaring as he tried to sink his claws in Dominque, who managed to dodge him just in time. Dominque jumped at him, landing on top, pinning him down. Clinton howled and gave a powerful push with his back legs, forcing Dominque off. Dominque fell back and seeing this, Clinton was instantly on him, his claws slashing Dominque’s old wound, which started to bleed again.
Dominque bit his tongue, suppressing the pain-filled howl and slashed back at Clinton’s face, ripping his eye. Clinton sprang back, his eye bleeding. He bared his teeth and lunged towards Dominque again. Dominque moved forward too, and they met in midair. Dominque managed to sink his claws into his back, only for Clinton to use the momentum to turn himself and slash Dominque’s wound again.
Dominque fell on the ground, gasping in pain. His wound was bleeding profusely, and pain clouded his mind once again. Clinton walked over to him, bleeding from his back and his eye. He leaned close to Dominque and whispered, “You are too weak. You know, the first thing I am going to do is kill that traitor’s daughter.”
Dominque saw Isabella standing in the crowd, a stunned look on her face and tears streaming down her eyes. “Please,” she mouthed. Dominque looked at her beautiful face and then he suddenly lunged again, slashing Clinton’s neck.
He forced his body up and jumped onto Clinton before he could get up. Grabbing his throat between his teeth, he snapped his jaw shut. He pulled furiously, ripping Clinton’s throat open and then flinging him on the ground. Clinton lay there, bleeding, his eyes vacant.
Exhausted and weak, Dominque turned around and roared, “Anyone else have a problem with me?” Silence followed this and Dominque nodded. Taylor rushed to him and helped him walk, as the crowd slowly dispersed.
They barely made it back to Elder Lawson’s cabin before he collapsed.
Chapter 14
Isabella
Isabella couldn’t even begin to explain how terrified she felt, watching Dominque fight. Her heart had been in her throat and she could barely breath. When Dominque had fallen and Clinton stood over him, she was sure she was going to lose him. She felt her life crash around her, and the earth disappear from under feet. She remembered looking at him, whispering, “Please. Let him be okay. Please.” Her heart broke into a thousand pieces and she felt frozen in her place.
When Dominque ripped open Clinton’s throat and stood there, strong, dominating, despite his wounds, Isabella felt such a rush of emotions she was confused. She didn’t know how she felt so strongly for him. They had barely known each other a few days, but Isabella couldn’t deny it. Even if it didn’t make sense. She couldn’t deny it. She was falling for him, hard.
Taylor helped Dominque back to the Elder’s cabin, who tended Dominque’s wounds. He said that there was a very high chance that Dominque would recover, he just needed some rest. Isabella was busy helping him mix some herbs, when he took out an envelope.
“Do you remember, on the day of the great battle, your father sent me a note?” he asked. Isabella nodded, frowning.
“He also sent a letter for you. He asked me to give it to you when you are ready. I am sorry I kept it from you so long,” he said. “I haven’t read it. I don’t know what’s in it.”
Isabella took it with shaking hands. She didn’t know how she felt about this. “Is it okay, if I go someplace alone to read it?” she asked, clenching her fist around the envelope.
“Go. I will look after Dominque and the pup,” Elder Lawson said softly. Isabella bowed in gratefulness and then ran out of there, clutching the envelope to her chest.
She had always imagined that she would somehow find some letter from her father, but she had always put it away as impossible. Now, she finally held something from her father and yet, she was scared, scared to know what it said.
She ran to her cabin and sitting in the corner on the floor, she opened it up and started to read.
“My child. If you are reading this, I am long gone from this world. I can imagine the life you would have lived, as a traitor’s daughter. I can imagine the pain and sorrow you would have to deal with. I am truly sorry, my little one. I am watching you play with your toys, as I write this. The humans will be upon us in less than half an hour.
I want you to know why I did it. Why I did something as grievous as betraying my own pack. My beautiful little child, you were born so sick. The healers said you would never heal. They said you were deformed because of the illness, that it would be kindness to kill you. To kill you. My own child.
I cannot tell you how I cried. How I wept. I stayed up at night, begging the moon spirit to save your life. I built a shelter to hide you from the rest of the pack, your deformities were getting worse. I was afraid they would call you a spawn of evil and kill you. I cannot explain how excruciatingly painful it was for me. The very idea that I would lose you tore my heart apart.
I hope someday you will have pups of your own and then you will perhaps understand what I went through. You will understand why I did what I did. She visited me one night. The Seer. In my dreams, she came, and it seemed like the moon spirit had finally answered my prayers.
She told me about the necklace, the one you wear around your neck, hopefully. It was the only thing capable of healing you. It was my only hope, but the humans, they had it. I was in despair, the answer had come, but the necklace seemed unreachable. I did the only thing I could. I tried to steal it, but they caught me.
They tortured me and then they gave me one single choice. They would give me the necklace, if I told them of our pack’s location. Betrayal! It was something I could not do. I resisted. They let me go, laughing at me, telling me that I had one day to decide, otherwise they would destroy the necklace.
I came back home to find you worse, my child. Barely breathing, lying quietly in your bed. Just like how your mother looked before her death. I knew I couldn’t lose you.
Forgive your poor father, I told them. For that necklace, I told them. I know they will be here soon, but at least, now, my child, you will live. You will heal. A father’s heart is now at peace.
But a wolf’s heart is
now in turmoil. I am sorry. Forgive me. I must go into battle. There is a very good chance I will not be coming back. But I will die taking as many of those wretched humans as I can.
Forgive your father. I love you. Never forget that, my Isabella. I love you.”
The letter ended and Isabella sat there, tears streaming down her face. It was all for her, that her father had done something like this. She felt sobs overpower her and she burst into tears. The door opened and Dominque stood there, looking at her.
“Isabella. I woke up and I couldn’t find you, so I came to look for you. What’s wrong?” he whispered, walking over to her. She handed him the letter as she clutched the necklace to her heart. “I love you, Dad,” she whispered.
Chapter 15
Dominque
As Dominque read the letter, he felt his heart going out to Isabella. Everything Gerald had done, he had done to protect her, and he had died feeling guilty for what he had done. Dominque looked up and saw Isabella quietly sobbing, her face buried in her hands. He moved forward and pulled her into a tight hug, softly stroking her hair.
“It was all for me. I was the reason he was forced to betray his own pack. He died believing he was a traitor,” Isabella said, sobbing into his chest. Dominque hugged her tighter, hoping to somehow take all her pain away.
“It’s alright. It’s not your fault,” Dominque whispered, kissing her hair.
“My Dad was a hero,” Isabella said, pulling away, looking in his eyes.
Dominque slowly cupped her cheek and looked into her eyes. He whispered, “Your Dad was a hero. I will engrave his name in the memorial stone with the other warriors, myself.”
He pulled her in his arms and hugged her tightly. A sudden breath escaped from Isabella’s lips as it shocked her a little, but when she felt his warm arms around her body, she relaxed. It was so comforting to be in his arms as her head rested on his bare chest. They stayed in each other’s soothing embrace for a long time.
They were completely lost in each other when Dominque’s hands slowly moved on her back and reached her waist unconsciously.
Isabella suddenly jumped when she felt his warm manly hands on her waist. She stared at him for a minute, frozen.
Dominque took a step back. “I am sorry, Isa…” Before Dominque could say anything, she pressed her lips to his, kissing him passionately. Tears were still streaming down her cheeks, and Dominque pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. She kissed him as if her life depended on it, as if this was the last time they would ever kiss.
“Thank you, Dominque,” she said, pulling away and looking into his eyes. “Before I met you, I lived like a body without a soul. I lived because I had to. Now that I have you, I want to. I want to live. My heart feels alive, Dominque.”
Dominque felt such a rush of powerful emotions through his heart, he didn’t know how to explain it. He kissed her again, hungrily, hoping to convey his feelings. Feelings, he didn’t have words to explain. She moaned softly into his mouth and Dominque groaned, slipping his tongue into her mouth. Her hands started to slowly unbutton his shirt, her fingers tracing his chest, as more and more of it got exposed.
Dominque let out a soft growl, breaking away from the kiss. He pulled her body close and she smirked, getting up. She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards her bed, where she made him sit down. She kept on smirking, looking mischievous as she sat down on his lap, wrapping her legs around his waist. She winked at him, sticking her tongue out, running her hands through her hair, seductively. She arched her back, teasing him, gyrating in his lap.
Dominque growled again and then attacked her neck with kisses, licking her skin, nibbling it gently. She moaned his name and Dominque trailed kisses down her shoulder and then onto her collar bone. Isabella pulled his face up and kissed him again, as she hungrily pulled his shirt off. She placed kisses on his chest, licking him as Dominque struggled to get her shirt off.
“Isabella.” He groaned, as she pushed him to lie down on the bed. She straddled him and start to grind against him, clearly enjoying the effect she was having on him. She leaned over and started to tease him by placing kisses on his chest. She trailed them down his stomach, reaching the waist band of his shorts, where she slowly licked teasingly.
Dominque growled and then suddenly flipped her over. He heard her gasp as he mounted her, and he hungrily kissed her. His hands found her bra, and he quickly took it off, throwing it away. He trailed kisses down her neck, going down to her chest, where he slowly ran his tongue along her cleavage.
His hands cupped her breasts as he gently teased her nipples in his fingers, making her moan. Dominque pinned her down, grinning, and hungrily attacked her breasts. He lightly grazed his tongue on them, feeling her nipples erect under his ministrations. He took them into his mouth, sucking and licking them.
“Fuck, Dominque.” She gasped and Dominque’s tongue trailed down her stomach. He reached her jeans. He unbuttoned them and slid them off, till she lay there in nothing. She was beautiful, her skin smooth and milky. He kissed her again and her hands started trailing down his chest, teasing him.
He felt her fingers pull his shorts down and take his throbbing member in her hands. Dominque gasped; he had never felt anything this good in his life. Isabella softly stroked him as she continued to kiss him. He trailed his fingers down her stomach and slid his finger in between her lips and found her completely drenched.
“Dominque,” Isabella moaned. Dominque searched till he felt her clitoris and slowly rubbed her, teasingly.
“Fuck, Dominque. Take me,” she whispered. Dominque swallowed. She looked so beautiful, with her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed. She placed himself at her entrance. He gently thrust into her, groaning as he felt her tight walls.
“Fuck, you feel so good,” Dominque said, groaning. He started to thrust into her, as his fingers found her clitoris. He rubbed her, watching her moan and thrash.
She arched her back and said, “Don’t stop. Oh please!” Dominque continued to thrust into her faster, as she withered on the bed. He knew he couldn’t hold off for long, she felt so good. Isabella started to moan, as an orgasm washed over her, her walls clenching and unclenching around his member.
“Fuck.” Dominque groaned; he knew he couldn’t hold off anymore. He felt his own orgasm wash over him, as he filled her up with his seed. He collapsed next to her, and they both lay their panting. After a few minutes, Isabella made her way over to him and laid down on his chest.
“I think I am in love with you, Dominque,” she whispered.
“Aye. I am in love with you too, Isabella,” he replied.
Chapter 16
Isabella
Isabella lay in his arms as Dominque gently traced her arms. She had yearned for love and companionship, and she couldn’t believe that she finally had it. She trailed her fingers down to his stomach and whispered, “How is your wound doing?”
“It could be better,” Dominque replied, sleepily.
“I still can’t believe that I was the reason my father was forced to betray his own pack,” Isabella said, sighing.
“Hey,” Dominque said, hooking a finger under her chin and lifting her face up, so she was looking at him. “It wasn’t your fault. What happened was a tragedy, nothing more.”
“I know. I wish I could thank him. For all he did for me,” she whispered.
“I wish I could thank him for bringing you into the world.” Dominque teased and Isabella laughed.
“Not sure if he be would be happy that you just defiled his daughter,” she quipped back.
“Defiled? I think not. My intentions are pure,” Dominque replied.
Isabella raised an eyebrow and said, “What exactly are your intentions?”
“A wife, eventually. Maybe adopt the pup too. No one seems to want him,” Dominque replied.
“A wife?” Isabella asked, tilting her head.
“Yes, I was thinking of that young wolf, Laila… a very pretty little thing,” Dominque said, a t
easing smile on his face.
Isabella snorted. “A bit out of your league, isn’t she?” she said, not taking the bait. Laila was the daughter of great leader of Wakerlin Woods, Marco Farkas. He was the one who helped Alexander, during the great battle. He had a beautiful daughter who lived in Australia and now she was back.
“Aye. So are you, and yet here we are.” Dominque teased.
“That’s because I have recently been blinded by my heart and rather strange emotions,” Isabella replied, smirking.
Dominque laughed and intertwined her fingers in his.
“Lucky for me. Got the hottest girl in the pack,” Dominque replied, before placing a loving kiss on her forehead.
“Thank you, Dominque. Now that I have you, I can’t believe I have spent my entire life without you,” Isabella said, softly, a warm smile on her face.
“I know. It’s so hard to believe that I feel so strongly. I have known you a few days, but it just seems like my heart has known you since forever,” Dominque replied, gently cupping her cheek.
“To think if it hadn’t been for the human pup, we would have never started talking. I would have continued to live my secluded life. You would have lived on as the leader of the pack, not even sparing a single thought of me,” Isabella said, kissing his cheek.
“Hmm… You are right. Spent all my life blaming humans for what happened. Now a human brought you to me. Maybe it’s all fate after all,” Dominque said, smiling.
Isabella absentmindedly clutched her necklace. “You are right. Maybe it is fate. Maybe it has always been fate.”
Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and they heard Taylor’s voice. “Dominque? You in there?”
Isabella and Dominque scrambled, quickly putting their clothes on.
“Taylor. What is it?” Dominque shouted.