Mated To My Ex’s Father

Weird Connection

TALIA’S POV

I didn’t really know much about Zane’s dad. Just the whispers that he gave up his Alpha title to his brother after losing his wife. And that was it.

“I wasn’t drooling,” I blurted the moment I noticed Nova’s smirk. She pinched me, hard.

My gaze drifted back to him as he walked over to Zane. Then, suddenly, he turned and our eyes locked.

My breath caught.

Every hair on my body stood on end and I couldn’t look away.

He wasn’t like Zane at all.

He was… striking. Almost unreal

There was something about him—this quiet, powerful energy that even my wolf stirred at.

“Talia!”

Nova’s voice cut through, stepping in front of me.

“What?” I blinked, still dazed.

“I’ve been talking, and you’re completely zoned out,” she said, nodding subtly in his direction.

I gave her a sheepish grin. “Just admiring… nature’s finest work.”

She rolled her eyes. “Come on, let’s go.”

I looked back at him, then at Nova. “You go ahead. I’ll join you in a bit. Just need a couple more drinks.”

Truth was, I couldn’t even move. It felt like I was rooted to my seat like gravity itself had shifted to keep me there.

Nova gave me a look. “Just admire Talia,” she warned, then walked off.

I stayed frozen, eyes still locked on him until I saw him start walking toward me.

My heart skipped.

It was like the air thinned around me.

I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think every part of me went still, waiting.

The closer he came, the more the world around me blurred. My throat tightened, my skin tingled, and my thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind.

And I couldn’t decide if I wanted to run… or breathe him in.

Then suddenly, he was standing right in front of me.

“Hi, I’m Dominic,” he said, offering his hand.

I lifted my head slowly… and froze. My eyes locked on his.

Blue. Dreamy. Intense.

I couldn’t look away if I tried.

“Hello?” he said again, pulling me gently back to the moment.

I blinked. “Uh—” I cleared my throat, my heart racing. “I’m Talia.”

I slipped my hand into his. It was warm… soft… yet firm, like it could hold me together if I ever fell apart.

“Mind if I sit?” he asked.

God, yes. My whole body screamed it.

“Sure,” I managed, my voice a breath too fast.

He smiled and settled in beside me, close but not too close.

The silence between us was thick, buzzing with energy I didn’t know how to handle.

I kept flagging the servers, pretending to need more drinks, but really I just needed something—anything to calm my nerves.

I was about to down another glass when his hand slid over mine.

I stilled.

His touch was gentle, and grounding.

I turned slowly to face him, my eyes drifting to his lips before I could stop them.

God, I hate alcohol.

“I think that’s enough,” he said softly, taking the glass from me without breaking eye contact.

His hand still covered mine as he called for water.

Then his voice dropped lower, more serious. “My son… doesn’t know what he wants. I hope you can forgive him.”

I heard the words but I wasn’t really listening.

His scent was messing with my head.

His lips… I couldn’t stop staring at them.

And then it hit me—he knew.

He knew I was Zane’s mate.

The ache rushed back in.

“It’s… it’s fine,” I said quietly, pulling my hand away and shaking my head to clear the fog.

I stood up too fast and the world tilted.

My body swayed, but he caught me before I could fall to the ground.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice soft, and steady.

“Yeah. I’m fine,” I mumbled, brushing off his hands, but I still stumbled.

Then I felt him again—his hand on my waist.

“Let me,” he said.

I turned to look at him. It didn't seem like a request at all.

His arm slid around my waist like it belonged there, like it knew what I needed before I did.

I didn’t protest.

I just let him help me, while I tried to steady the storm inside me.

As we walked in silence, he suddenly said, “You’re very pretty.”

I blinked. “What?” I wasn’t sure I heard right.

“I said you’re pretty. And Zane is making a huge mistake.”

His eyes moved from mine… down to my lips… then back again.

Slow and Intentional.

I swallowed hard. “Thanks,” I whispered, trying to break the tension, but it only grew heavier.

We walked a bit more, then I stumbled again—just a small misstep, but he held me fast, steady as ever.

“You okay?” he asked again, his hand firm on my waist.

And then… my eyes fell to his lips again.

I couldn’t help it.

I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss there.

He didn’t pull away.

Something inside me snapped.

I straightened, blushing, trying to act normal, but my heart was a mess.

My mind was spinning, and all I wanted was to feel that again.

I turned toward him and this time with no hesitation.

My hand reached for his neck.

And I kissed him.

Hard.

He froze for just a heartbeat, then kissed me back like he meant it.

Like he’d been waiting too.