Dominic arrived home an hour after I fell asleep. He woke me up by kissing the top of my head. I sighed and wrapped my fingers around his wrist. His skin was rough and warm and made me feel safe.

"Can we bake now?" I asked sleepily. I was going to make chocolate chip cookies, I needed to weigh out the ingredients and make the batter and actually bake them. Excitement had me opening my eyes and sitting up.

"Yes, I told you could bake today didn't I?" He said. He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and pecked my lips. I smiled into the kiss and squealed when he pulled back.

"Yay! I can't wait." I jumped out of bed and walked quickly to the stairs. Before I could take a step, an arm snaked around my waist and pulled me back.

"Careful, mate. I don't want you injuring yourself." Dominics deep voice warned I patted his arm and assured him I wouldn't injure myself. I tried to step forward but his arms stayed where they were with an iron grip, I waited patiently for him to release his hold. He didn't.

He just moved so he was standing next to me and then helped to walk carefully down the staircase.I gritted my teeth but didn't say anything, I didn't want him losing his shit at me. The house was silent, as usual. I never really noticed it before but now that I did, it was all I could think about. Maybe we should get some pets. I love animals (obviously) and the sound of their paws as they trot around the house would really help to add warmth to the house.

I already had a few pet names in my head by the time we reached the kitchen. I told Dominic the ingredients and he gathered them for me. Some of the shelves were a little too high up and he refused to allow me to stand on a ladder or a chair.

"I think, you're going to love these." I said confidently. I hadn't cooked in a while but I had made the recipe enough times that I knew it off by heart. Dominic leaned against the wall, his ankles and arms were crossed. His deep chuckle caused me to shiver.

"I am prepared to be surprised, kitten." He said. I could hear the smile in his voice and I smiled too.

"Good." I weighed the ingredients and started to mix them all.

"So," I said, he could be so silent sometimes, just staring at me "how was work?" I asked casually. I've gotten used to his abnormal quietness but baking in front of him while he stood and watched me was unnerving. He had the type of eyes that said he knew what you were thinking. Even if he wasn't reading your mind.

"Good." Came his short reply. I sighed and turned to face him, my hand mixing in the flour.

"Let's converse, tell me about your day. Look, I'll tell you about mine first. I woke up, had the breakfast, didn't like the vegan yoghurt but will try another flavour. Afterwards, I dressed myself, washed my face and teeth and slept. Now your turn." I paused. "Oh and I wrote and stuff."

I stopped mixing to look at him. His eyes never wavered from my own, he wasn't going to give in. I pouted and looked at him with hopeful eyes. Still nothing. I widened my eyes a bit more until he sighed.

I grinned at him and he shook his head, a smile inching its way to his face.

"Fine, I called packs and I dealt with rebels. That was all." He said bluntly. I nodded not wanting to push him further and not wanting to know what he meant by 'dealt with rebels. I finished mixing the batter and then scooped them onto baking trays to cook them. I started to wash the dishes but large hands stopped me and gently turned me around.

His head bent down and his lips kissed the top of my head. He inhaled my scent and sighed.

"I missed you today." He murmured into my hair. I wrapped my arms around him and snuggled into his chest.

"I missed you too." He kissed my head again and rested his chin onto the top of my head. We stayed like that until the oven beeped, alerting me that the cookies were done. I reluctantly pulled back from him and walked to the oven.

"Not so fast, little mate." He pulled the cookies out for me. Without gloves.

"Are you crazy?! Oh my God! Quick, put your hand under cold water." I rushed to the sink and turned the tap on. He laid all the baking trays down and then picked up a cookie. He broke it in half and took a bite.

I stared from my place next to the sink at him. He chewed and swallowed.

"They're good." He said. He took another bite and leaned casually against the counter. I shook my head and turned the tap off. I took a cookie but dropped it almost immediately.

"Jesus, they're hot!" I shook my hand out. He developed my hand in his much larger ones. The burning disappeared but he kept my hand in his. I looked up at him and he stared back at me, his eyes searching mine for any signs that I was still hurt.

He released my hands and pulled me to him. I stood on the tips of my toes and craned my neck. He laughed and bent down, his lips pecked mine gently before deepening the kiss. My toes curled and I leaned in closer to him, he kissed me again, this kiss is deeper than the last. I open my mouth to grant him entrance, his lips are soft and taste like -

A loud knock interrupts us and Dominic growls so loudly that even I flinch.

"You don't need to be afraid of me, kitten. But he does." He kissed my head and walked towards the door, his whole body tight with rage. I personally thought he was being over dramatic but was smart enough to keep my mouth shut.

"Hi, sorry-"

"What the fuck do you want?" Dominic interrupted.The man flinched and looked at me over Dominics shoulder. "Don't look at her!" He quickly looked away and I hesitantly walked forwards. I put my hand on his arm and rubbed it gently.

"Hey, calm down." I said calmly. I kissed his arm and he relaxed slightly. He was still tense but was slowly loosening up.

"What do you want?" He asked the man bluntly. While he was looking at him, I took the opportunity to look at him too. Dark tattoos covered every inch of his bald head that was bent down. He was muscular but not too muscular. Everything about him would have scared me before I was mated. He was the type of person I thought I would be mated to. Thankfully, I wasn't. I squeezed Dominics arm once more and shifted so I was standing under his arm with my side pressed loosely into his side.

"There was an incident involving two males and a female." He whispered. He knew better than to stutter and waste even more of Dominics time. I flinched at his words, knowing what he meant. Dominic, sensing my emotions, tensed and released a low growl.

He looked down at me and frowned. "Go get a coat and scarf and hat then come straight back here." I nodded and scurried upstairs. I was back by his side within a minute. He kissed my head and then we left. The messenger man had disappeared somewhere. "It is only a two minute walk." He said gently, his eyes flickering down towards my stomach. I put my hand there and smiled at him.

We walked to a wooden building that I would have walked straight past. It was made of tall trees with a roof covered in leaves. It blended in with the large trees surrounding it. I pressed myself even more into my mate. I could smell other wolves, their anger rolled off of them in waves. When a wolf feels an emotion very strongly, you can feel it in a way. It reminded me of the days it was so hot you could feel ripples of heat going through your body. It was exactly the same but less pleasant.If I ever sensed a males anger, I turned the other way to avoid it.

Now, we were walking straight towards it. Dominic rubbed soothing circles on my arm and I relaxed.

The door barely made a sound as we opened it, it gently stirred the leaves causing them to flutter across the twig covered ground. The inside was tall and empty except for a few chairs and tables. The roof was high up and didn't stop the coldness from outside from getting in. The sun was hidden and it was dark except for a candle lit lamp on each table. I eyed them warily, one wrong move and we'd all be burnt alive.

My eyes left the lamp and traveled towards the chairs. Two males and a female occupied them. The female was small, her shoulders hunched and her arms wrapped around herself. Her bony shoulders shook and her long blonde hair was tangled and dirty. I couldn't see her face well but what I could see was covered in bruises and deep cuts. Her feet were planted firmly on the ground, as if she was ready to run if it came to it, no matter what the consequences.

I looked at the males. They sat slouched in their seats, relaxed. One of them was tall with curly black hair and fierce blue eyes. His skin was tanned and smooth. He was handsome in a way that he was born beautiful and knew it, was confident with himself. I always like people who were confident in their looks, in themselves but he was arrogantly confident. Beside him was another tall male with curly black hair but brown eyes. He was tanned also but sat straight and kept a neutral face. They looked at Dominic as we walked closed and respectfully bowed their heads. They looked oddly familiar. The female kept her head down.

Dominic stood straight, dwarfing me completely and smothering me with his body. I was pulled so tightly into his side that if I inhaled, all I could smell was him. I rolled my eyes at him and elbowed him when he squeezed my arm. He can't just nearly suffocate me and expect me to not be annoyed. His aura was released and they flinched, including me. He was just being a dick now. I looked up at him expecting to meet his annoyed look with one of my own.

Instead, I was met with an amused smirk and eyes dancing with mischief. I blinked at him and looked away.

You're a weirdo, I thought. He cleared his throat and I could have sworn it was so he wouldn't laugh.

"Would you like to explain yourselves?" His voice was void of any emotion. The one with the blue eyes straightened up and stood.

"Hello sir, I am very sorry for the inconvenience we caused." He said apologetically. "My name is Justin and this is my brother Dustin. My mate, Delilah, who is over there was sleeping with Dustin. I had a suspicion that she would cheat on me if the opportunity arose and was proven right when Dustin pursued her for me." His voice turned slightly mocking as he spoke and Delilah flinched. I bit my lip and looked up at Dominic for a brief second.

"It's true. She slept with me multiple times and lied to Justin about it. We confronted her today about it and she still denied it so we took matters into our own hands." Dustin said. At first glance, he would look honest and approachable. Now, he looked evil. I imagined horns sprouting from his head and smoke around him.

Dominic remained silent, his eyes studying the two.

"What did you do when you took matters into your own hands?" He asked coldly. I flinched again, not wanting to hear their answer.

With a smug voice, Justin began. "We tried to make her say it, we were lenient at first, only a few punches, but when she still refused to admit the truth, we decided to try and remind her of what she had done." He had a small smirk on his face and it was in that moment that I remembered who he was.

Last year, around Christmas time, I was at the annual Christmas party, a family where I lived held it every year. Most wolves were there and I walked quietly behind my brother. He was in a bad mood and knew his mate wasn't there. I needed to go to the bathroom but was too afraid to ask Nate to bring me. My father and mother were so absorbed in a conversation with another mated couple that I easily slipped away unnoticed.

My heart pounded in my chest as I made a beeline for the bathroom. I knew where it was and hurried towards it. Few people noticed me by myself but the ones that did, raised their eyebrows and gave me a disapproving look.

I made it to the bathroom and locked the door. I hurriedly did my business and washed my hands. I unlocked the door and stepped out, fixing my dress. I looked up and saw two males with a female. She was swaying from side to side and trying to hold onto the two of them. They snickered and moved out of her way. She fell to the ground in a heap, her long dress bunching up around her knees.

"Would you look at that James? She's begging for it." They both laughed and James dragged her by her feet into a bedroom. I stood frozen in the doorway, my eyes wide open and terrified. I knew I should walk away, pretend I didn't see anything. If anybody else saw it they would put their head down and scurry away.... but I couldn't. Not this time.

I took a shaky step forward and opened my mouth. Words refused to escape and with a growing desperation I rushed forward, I tripped over my dress and landed on one of them. We both tumbled to the floor.

"Oomph!" Strong hands gripped my waist. I tried to stand up but I was held down. I gasped for air, my mind went blank and I blindly clawed at the person. He cursed and yelled for help. Another set of hands pinned down my arms. I looked up with terrified eyes at the person. His curly black hair glistened under the light and fierce blue eyes stared into mine. I saw him outside earlier, he had just found his mate and left to go and mate with her.

"Man James, she's a feisty one." He growled. James' hands traveled up the length of my legs. I sucked in a deep breath and thrashed under his arms.

His booming laughter had me trembling under him. I was going to die or be raped. Or both.