Ashen's POV
I hated this.
Not the training. Not the fighting.
But this,this damn waiting.
Dominic wasn't attacking me. He wasn't pushing, wasn't forcing me into a fight. He was making me stand there, making me think, making me hold still long enough to let doubt creep in.
I gritted my teeth, tightening my grip on the wooden knife. "This is ridiculous."
Dominic smirked, twirling his own knife between his fingers. "You think everything is ridiculous."
"That's because you do everything in the most annoying way possible."
He hummed like he was considering my words. "Or maybe you just have no patience."
I huffed, shifting on my feet. "I have patience."
"Do you?" He took a step closer, slow and deliberate. "Then why are you so tense?"
"I'm not tense."
Dominic's smirk widened. "Really?"
Before I could react, he reached out, brushing his fingers lightly over my shoulder. The touch was barely there, but I stiffened on instinct, my body tensing.
His smirk turned smug. "Hmm. Interesting."
I swatted his hand away. "Stop messing with me."
"I am training you." He twirled the knife again, looking far too pleased with himself. "I'm teaching you how to control yourself, remember?"
I glared at him, gripping my weapon tighter. "If I stab you with this thing, will that count as control?"
Dominic chuckled. "That would be the opposite of control, pup."
I growled. "Don't call me—"
A sudden, sharp howl echoed through the training grounds, cutting me off.
Both of us snapped to attention.
Rogues.
Dominic's entire demeanor shifted in an instant, his teasing smirk vanishing, replaced by something sharp. Cold.
He turned to me. "Come on."
I blinked. "What?"
"I'm taking you to the safe room." His voice was clipped, already moving toward me.
I stepped back. "No, you're not."
His eyes flashed. "Ashen—"
"I'm a warrior," I snapped. "You don't get to hide me."
His jaw clenched, muscles tightening like he was holding back the urge to argue. But he didn't. Instead, after a long moment, he exhaled sharply through his nose.
"Fine," he said, voice low. "Stay close."
I nodded, gripping my weapon.
The rogues broke through the perimeter a moment later, wild and frenzied, eyes glowing with madness.
The fight was immediate.
I moved on instinct, dodging, blocking, slashing with the wooden knife. It wasn't a real weapon, but it was enough to land hits, enough to fight.
I felt alive.
For once, I wasn't running. I wasn't hiding. I was standing my ground.
Until I wasn't.
A rogue swung wildly, a thick wooden staff in his hands, and before I could react—
CRACK.
White-hot pain exploded in my ribs as the staff slammed into my side. My knees buckled, breath knocked from my lungs.
I hit the ground hard, vision blurring.
Then Dominic was there.
His snarl ripped through the air as he tore through the rogue like it was nothing, his claws slicing through flesh, his dominance crashing over me like a tidal wave.
Then he was crouching, hands firm but careful as he touched my shoulder.
"Ashen." His voice was sharp, urgent. "Look at me."
I tried, blinking through the pain.
His face was set in a hard scowl, but there was something else there something almost panicked.
Then, without another word, he scooped me up into his arms.
I groaned, trying to push at his chest. "I can—"
"Shut up." His voice was tight, his grip unyielding.
I could have fought him. I could have forced him to let me stand.
But for some reason… I didn't.
I let him carry me, let him rush me through the pack house, straight to the pack doctor.
Because for the first time in my life…
Someone wasn't telling me to be stronger.
They were just making sure I was okay.
The pack clinic smelled like antiseptic and herbs, the sharp scent filling my nose as Dominic practically stormed through the door with me in his arms.
"Get the doctor. Now," he barked at one of the healers.
"I can walk," I gritted out, pushing at his chest.
His grip didn't budge.
He dropped down onto the nearest cot, keeping me caged against him. His scent—dark, commanding, laced with something almost frantic—wrapped around me, making my head spin.
Then he leaned in, voice a low growl. "You got hit with a damn staff, Ashen. So unless you want me to tie you to this bed, you're staying put."
I swallowed hard.
A few moments later, the pack doctor, an older man named Elias, strode in, eyes immediately flicking over me.
"What happened?" he asked, already reaching for his supplies.
"He was reckless," Dominic snapped.
I glared at him. "I was fighting."
Dominic ignored me, his entire body vibrating with tension.
Elias sighed. "Let me see."
Dominic finally, finally loosened his grip enough for me to lean back. I hissed when Elias pressed against my ribs, his fingers firm and knowing.
"Bruised," he said after a moment. "Might be a slight fracture. We'll wrap it."
Dominic's jaw clenched. "How long until he's fully healed?"
Elias gave him a flat look. "He's a shifter. A few days. But only if he rests."
Dominic's gaze snapped to mine, daring me to argue.
I scowled but said nothing.
Elias started wrapping my ribs, working efficiently, but I could feel Dominic watching me the entire time.
The silence stretched.
Then, finally, he muttered, "You should've gone to the safe room."
I exhaled sharply, turning my head toward him. "And let others fight for me? No."
His eyes flashed. "You think I don't know how strong you are? I do. But there's a difference between strength and recklessness."
Something in his voice made my chest tighten.
He wasn't just angry.
He was worried.
I looked away.
Elias finished the wrap and patted my shoulder. "You'll be sore for a while. Take it easy."
Dominic stood immediately, towering over me. "You heard him. You're resting."
I sighed, swinging my legs over the side of the cot. "I can—"
The moment I stood, a sharp ache shot through my ribs, making me wince.
Dominic was there instantly, his hands gripping my waist, steadying me.
His face was inches from mine, eyes dark, intense.
"I told you," he murmured, voice softer now.
I swallowed, unable to look away.
His hands were warm against me.
Too warm.
I forced myself to clear my throat, stepping back. "Fine. I'll rest."
Dominic didn't move for a long moment.
Then, finally, he exhaled, raking a hand through his hair. "Good."
But even as he stepped back, even as he let me go—
I could still feel his hands on me.
I hated this bed.
Every time I tried to shift, sit up, or even breathe too deep, a wave of dizziness crashed over me, making my vision blur. It was infuriating.
And now, to make things worse I had to pee.
I sighed, bracing my hands on the mattress and pushing myself up. The room tilted.
I clenched my teeth, forcing my body to cooperate. I was not about to ask for help just to take a damn piss.
But before I could even try to get my legs under me—
A shadow moved.
Dominic was beside me instantly, his hands already reaching to steady me.
"I got it," I muttered.
"No, you don't," he said flatly.
I glared at him. "I'm not some helpless—"
Before I could finish, he bent down and picked me up like I weighed nothing.
I yelped as my feet left the ground, my hands automatically gripping his shoulders. "Dominic, put me down!"
"Nope," he said, completely unbothered, striding toward the bathroom.
"This is ridiculous," I grumbled, squirming in his hold.
He didn't even flinch. "You were about to fall on your ass. You should be thanking me."
I scowled. "I'd rather piss myself."
Dominic just smirked. "Go ahead. I'll make Ryker clean it up."
I growled.
When we reached the bathroom, he set me down carefully, his hands still on my waist like he was ready to catch me again.
I rolled my eyes. "What, are you gonna hold my dick too?"
His smirk widened. "Sure."
I shoved him back, my face burning. "Get the hell out!"
He laughed, backing away with his hands up in surrender.
"Call me if you need help," he said, amusement thick in his voice.
"I won't."
He just chuckled and leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
And that's when I realized—
He wasn't leaving.
I narrowed my eyes. "Dominic."
His smirk never wavered. "What?"
"Turn around."
He sighed like I was being unreasonable but finally turned, facing the wall.
I let out a breath, shaking my head.
I was never going to live this down.
I let out a relieved sigh as I finished, adjusting my stance before flushing.
"Alright, Dominic. You can go now."
He turned his head slightly, as if debating it.
I crossed my arms. "I need to bathe. Unless you plan on scrubbing my back, get out."
His lips curled into a smirk. "Tempting."
"Out," I snapped.
With a low chuckle, he finally left, closing the door behind him. I shook my head, muttering under my breath as I turned on the water.
The warmth was heaven. My sore muscles loosened, the tension easing from my body as I ran my hands over my skin.
Finally—some peace.
Or so I thought.
The door swung open suddenly.
I jerked around, eyes wide. "What the fuck, Dominic?! Get out!"
But before I could shove him away, he was on me.
His hands gripped my waist, pinning me against the cool tiles. His smirk was downright wicked as his fingers skimmed lower, teasing.
"I thought you might need help after all," he murmured.
My breath hitched. "Dominic—"
His fingers wrapped around me, stroking, teasing, playing.
Heat coiled in my stomach, my legs threatening to give out as his lips brushed against my jaw, then my throat.
"You were saying?" he whispered.
I hated how easily my body responded, how effortless it was for him to reduce me to this.
"Shut up," I hissed, gripping his shoulders.
He just chuckled, biting down on my neck. I gasped.
What followed was nothing short of torture.
Teasing.
Touching.
Kissing.
By the time we stepped out of the shower, I was breathless, my skin flushed. Dominic looked way too satisfied, his hair damp, a smug smirk still playing on his lips.
I swore I'd wipe it off his face later.
Then—
The door swung open.
Ryker stepped in, eyebrows lifting as he took in the sight of us both still wet, towels barely secured around our waists.
"Am I interrupting something?" he asked, lips twitching.
"No," I said immediately.
"Yes," Dominic said at the same time
Ryker's brows lifted higher, his lips twitching with amusement. He looked between us—Dominic, still smug as hell, and me, probably looking like I wanted the floor to swallow me whole.
I shot Dominic a glare. "No, he's not."
Dominic, the asshole, just smirked. "Yeah, you are."
Ryker snorted. "Should I come back later? Maybe bring some candles? Set the mood?"
I groaned, running a hand down my face. "For fuck's sake."
Dominic just chuckled, completely unbothered.
Ryker leaned against the doorframe, clearly enjoying this way too much. "As much as I'd love to let you two get back to whatever the hell this is, we've got a problem."
Dominic's smirk vanished. His body tensed instantly, his Alpha instincts kicking in. "What is it?"
Ryker's amusement faded as well. "Another rogue sighting. Closer this time. It wasn't just a stray we think they're testing our borders."
Dominic cursed under his breath, his expression darkening. "How many?"
"Two scouts spotted at the east perimeter. They ran before our patrols could engage."
I felt my own hackles rise. Rogues never just scouted for no reason.
They were planning something.
Dominic turned to me, his gaze sharp. "You're not coming."
I bristled. "Excuse me?"
"You're still healing."
"I'm fine."
"You got your ass knocked down by a stick."
My eye twitched. "I—"
Ryker choked back a laugh.
I turned my glare on him. "Do you have something to say?"
He held up his hands. "Nope. Just… enjoying the show."
Dominic ignored both of us, already moving toward the door. "Stay here. Rest. That's an order."
I opened my mouth to argue, but he was gone.
I let out a sharp breath, frustration boiling under my skin.
Rest?
Like hell I was sitting this out.