Fate's Divide

4. Surprise

-Lena's POV~

A half eaten granola bar lay next to the large computer that Lena used to chart patient notes. Her fingers flew over the keyboard hastily, the clock reminding her that her last patient had been waiting to be seen for over fifteen minutes. She took a bite from the bar, washed her hands, and walked to the front of the infirmary. A small pregnant woman stood, following Lena to the exam area. The infirmary was technically only one large room in the packhouse, but it was shaped like an ‘L’, allowing for a partition to separate it into two sections.

Lena was thankful it was just a routine prenatal appointment. Patients poured into the infirmary all day, further tiring an already exhausted doctor. She had already drank several cups of coffee, not that the caffeine helped much. She desperately needed an assistant. The growing community put a strain on her, and soon, they would need to move the infirmary to a separate, larger building.

After the last patient left, the doctor finished up charting, almost falling asleep into the keyboard. Walking to the front area to quickly sanitize, her thoughts drifted back to her mate. She was eager to get home so she could do some research to figure out who he was.

Lena stepped just past the partition when she sensed another person in the infirmary. That familiar, delicious scent was there again. Her pace quickened, anxiety and anticipation gnawing at her brain. Could it be?

Just inside the doorway stood Dominic, handsome in a pair of dark wash jeans and a fitted white t-shirt that hugged his muscles. Lena froze, locking eyes with his beautiful hazel eyes. She was speechless.

“I think I have some cuts that need first aid,” he grinned. Her delicate floral scent made Dominic dizzy. He took a step towards her, waiting for her to respond. Seconds passed, though they felt like minutes.

Lena walked to her mate, acutely aware of the electricity between them. She couldn't believe it. He did sense her the previous night. He was here now, and he didn't keep her waiting long. Still not speaking a word, she studied his features, from his sandy brown hair to the stubble on his chin. A shaky hand reached up to lightly caress his cheek, and her entire arm tingled from the contact. A quiet, almost unintelligible growl escaped Dominic.

His velvety voice uttered her name, and the sound was music to her ears. She felt she could melt into a puddle at any second and fought to control overwhelming desire. He placed a hand on her waist, pausing to gain approval from the doctor first. Lena nodded once, and she felt him push her body closer till they touched. The sensation was electrifying. No doubt Dominic could hear Lena's heart pounding rapidly. He breathed in her delicious scent and leaned close to kiss her but was stopped by a hand on his chest.

“I… I don't even know your name,” she stammered.

“Dominic,” he replied. In the next moment, his lips crashed onto Lena's, savoring their softness. Surprise quickly gave way to pleasure, and she closed her eyes, placing her hands tenderly on either side of his face. Dominic dipped her backward slightly to deepen the kiss. Lena's wolf howled within, both thoroughly enjoying the thrills that came with each touch. She desperately wanted more. Her body was on fire. The mate bond is one of the most powerful unseen forces among werewolves, something she always knew but never understood until now. But they were strangers. And they weren't in a private room.

Lena reluctantly broke away from their passionate embrace. She laughed nervously, glancing away from him when she saw his frown.

“I wanted to go to you last night, but you vanished by the time I could walk away from my duties,” she explained, a hint of sorrow in her voice. “I wasn't even sure you knew I was there.”

The beta’s frown deepened at the confession. If he had just turned around when he saw her on the hill, she wouldn't have been upset. Now, her first memory of him was ruined, and he was to blame. Nonetheless, he would make it up to her, as they would have the rest of their lives together.

They sat down together, talking about their lives. They discussed the events of the ball and their roles in their respective packs, and when Dominic explained that he was the beta of the Alderson pack, Lena's jaw nearly dropped to the floor.

“A beta,” she repeated, shock rendering her silent. The Moon Goddess had blessed her with this perfect, strong leader, and all he got was a doctor. Her excitement turned to shame. There was no royalty in her blood, though there were special skills and abilities pack doctors had that no other wolf possessed. For many centuries, it was required for royalty to mate with royalty. Expulsion from the pack was punishment for breaking that law. That practice has since been banned, though the effects of the tradition still lingered today. If he would still have her, she would forever be in debt to her creator.

Sensing her embarrassment, Dominic lifted her chin so she was looking directly into his eyes. “You are meant for me, and I for you. I will always choose you no matter the circumstances.” She could listen to him say that forever. Suddenly, she remembered her current boyfriend, and that warm fuzzy feeling dissipated.

“Dominic…” She began, fear tightening in her chest. “I have… a boyfriend.” It was difficult to say the words out loud.

“Oh,” he grunted, a scowl on his face. Somebody else has been touching her?! Mingan growled in his head. The silence was menacing as he clenched and unclenched his fists several times.

It's perfectly normal to have flings, the beta tried to reason with his wolf, but he was having none of it. KILL HIM! Mingan barked. Dominic's eyes flashed a brilliant gold, and he shook his head rapidly, ridding himself of irrational thoughts. A wave of fear coursed through Lena as she watched the powerful wolf's anger.

“I'm going to end it. I would have done it already if I wasn't so busy today. I am so sorry,” she pleaded. He softened when he looked up at her, seeing the fear in her eyes, and cursed himself for not controlling his anger. All he wanted was to sweep her away, back to his home, and make her his mate forever. Their bond was strong despite being strangers, and he was eager for it to grow as they spent more time together. But the boyfriend thing was a problem. So was Lena’s vital role in her pack. It would be tricky to navigate their union, but the beta would do anything to ensure they could be together. Forever. Soon. After apologizing, the two talked a while longer until Lena was half asleep with her head resting on Dominic’s shoulder.

Dominic looked at the clock. Eleven. He stood, careful not to disturb her, then lifted her into his arms, where she stirred. Her cheeks donned a rosy hue when she realized she was in her mate’s arms.

“I'm taking you home,” he said, his voice gruff. “To your house, I mean.” Lena grinned. Part of her wished he would take her back to his house.

“I can walk, you know,” she protested, wriggling out of his arms. Her efforts were fruitless, though, as he tightened his grip on her and shook his head.

“Uh-uh. I've kept you up long enough. I am carrying you whether you like it or not.” He paused for a moment, hoping he hadn't made her uncomfortable. “You do like it, right?”

She pretended to think about the question. There was no doubt in her mind that she enjoyed the closeness of it, intoxicated by his scent and warmth. She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck. They walked out of the infirmary through the packhouse, and Lena directed him to her home. When they reached the front door, Dominic did not set her down. He carried her through the house, asked her where her bedroom was, and set her down gently on her bed.

Lena was slightly mortified. Her room was a mess, but if he noticed, he certainly didn't show that he cared. An awkward silence filled the room, neither of them knowing how to say goodbye. Lena wanted to pull him into bed with her. Dominic wanted the same. He envisioned wrapping his arms around her, her back up against his chest, feeling her curves and kissing her neck. But he couldn't do that just yet, so he smiled at her and took her hand into his.

“M'lady,” He said, kissing her hand tenderly. “I will be calling you tomorrow. Enjoy your rest.” Lena smiled at him and bid him goodbye, giddy from the evening she had just experienced. Finally meeting Dominic made her feel delighted, relaxed, and stronger than ever. She fell asleep, replaying their first encounter in her head over and over, excited to see him again.