Chapter 8: Dominic Forces Elise Into His Car

Elise's POV

Dominic's steel-blue eyes lifted from the documents he was already reorganizing, one dark eyebrow arching in that infuriatingly perfect way of his. "We'll begin appearing as a couple tomorrow. The official announcement to both packs will follow shortly after." His deep voice was matter-of-fact, as if we'd just scheduled a business lunch rather than arranged what amounted to a fake marriage.

"You expected something else?" He leaned back in his chair, studying me with that penetrating gaze that always made me feel like he was seeing straight through me.

"Um, yes... kind of." I shifted in my seat, suddenly feeling ridiculous. What had I expected? A complex negotiation with lawyers? Blood oaths? Maybe part of me had expected him to back out entirely.

The truth was, I didn't want to leave. The thought of returning to my cold, empty apartment made my chest tighten. When I was alone, the darkness inside me grew louder, more insistent. Some nights I had to lock myself in my bedroom, afraid of what I might do if I didn't.

Amber, my wolf, whimpered softly in my mind. We should stay here. It feels safer.

I mentally hushed her, focusing on Dominic, who was watching me with unnerving intensity.

"What are you afraid of, Elise?" His voice had softened, almost imperceptibly.

For one wild moment, I nearly told him everything—how the darkness was slowly consuming me from within, how I feared I was becoming a monster. How some nights I woke up with no memory of what I'd done or where I'd been. How the episodes were becoming more frequent since I'd returned to Rustvale.

But my pride wouldn't let me. Not with him. Not with the man who had every reason to see me as nothing but a business transaction.

"Nothing," I lied, smiling tightly. "Just processing."

Dominic's jaw tightened. "If this arrangement is going to work, we need honesty between us. Complete honesty."

I nearly laughed at the irony. The mighty Alpha of the Obsidian Pack, preaching about honesty while orchestrating an elaborate charade to secure his position.

"Don't we need to sign something?" I deflected. "A contract?"

His eyes narrowed slightly, clearly aware of my evasion, but he let it slide. "My lawyers will draft the papers. All the conditions we discussed will be included." He glanced at his watch. "I have another meeting in twenty minutes."

That was my dismissal. But leaving meant going back to my apartment, to the silence that would eventually be filled with her whispers. Shadow. The darker presence I tried so hard to ignore.

"Where's Oliver?" I asked, desperate to delay my departure.

Dominic's patience was visibly thinning. "At the pack house with Helen, as I mentioned earlier."

"Right." I nodded, still not moving.

"Is there anything else?" His tone had cooled several degrees.

I stood up abruptly, smoothing down my skirt. "Forgive me for caring about my future stepson," I snapped.

His eyes flashed dangerously. "Oliver is not part of our agreement. Your role as Luna is strictly ceremonial and public-facing."

Something inside me flared hot and angry. "Excuse me for giving a damn about a child who deserves better than being a pawn in his father's power games," I snarled, then spun on my heel and slammed the door behind me so hard the glass rattled.

Only when I reached the massive circular driveway did I realize my predicament. I'd come here in Dominic's car. My phone and wallet were in my purse, which I'd left behind in my dramatic exit.

"Shit," I muttered, glancing back at the imposing structure. Pride warred with practicality. I could go back in, apologize, and ask for a ride... or I could walk.

My chin lifted. Walk it was.

The Blackwood estate wasn't exactly downtown. It sat on several acres of private woodland, a good five miles from the nearest public transportation. But I'd be damned if I'd go crawling back to Dominic Blackwood.

This is stupid, Amber grumbled as I set off down the long, winding driveway.

"Shut up," I muttered out loud. "We could use the exercise."

An hour later, my stylish heels were killing me, my feet were blistered, and I was seriously regretting my decision. The afternoon sun beat down mercilessly, and I could feel sweat trickling between my shoulder blades beneath my silk blouse.

Worse, the isolation and physical discomfort were making it harder to keep her at bay. Shadow was stirring, pushing against the mental barriers I'd erected.

Let me out, she purred. I'll get us home safely.

"Not happening," I gritted out, pressing my fingernails into my palms until I felt the sharp sting of pain. Pain helped me stay focused, stay present.

The rumble of an approaching engine cut through my spiraling thoughts. I straightened, trying to look composed as Dominic's sleek black Bugatti pulled alongside me.

The window rolled down, revealing his thunderous expression. "Get in the car."

"I'm fine, thanks," I replied, forcing myself to keep walking.

The car inched forward, keeping pace with me. "This isn't a request, Elise. Get. In. The. Car."

I flipped him off without breaking stride.

There was a moment of silence, then: "Either you get in willingly, or I swear I will throw you over my shoulder and put you in it myself."

I stopped and turned to face him fully. "Fuck off."

The car screeched to a halt. Before I could blink, Dominic was out and striding toward me, power and fury radiating from every line of his body. I backed up instinctively, but I was no match for his speed. In one fluid motion, he hoisted me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing and carried me to the passenger side.

I pounded my fists against his back. "Put me down, you arrogant—"

He deposited me onto the seat with surprising gentleness that contrasted sharply with the steel in his gaze. "Seat belt," he ordered, then slammed the door.

I was about to unleash a tirade when he slammed on the brakes and turned to me, his eyes blazing with an intensity that made the words die in my throat.

"Shut your mouth, Elise," he growled, "or I swear I'll completely lose control and put you over my knee for leaving without protection and disobeying a direct order."

I gaped at him, outrage and something far more complicated surging through me. For a heartbeat, I considered calling his bluff, but something in his expression told me he was deadly serious.

Wordlessly, I clicked the seat belt into place.

"Good girl," he murmured, his voice dropping to a low register that sent an involuntary shiver down my spine.

As the car accelerated smoothly back toward the city, I stared out the window. If this was a preview of our arrangement, we were both in serious trouble.