Dominic felt like he was made of stone as he lay on his mattress.
Rigid, lifeless.
Like a statue left to weather the centuries, he stared at the ceiling and replayed what he'd seen—what he'd missed.
Alpha Theo had tasked him to find Ayla and bring her home before the upcoming Wolf moon.
His personal mission had always been to find all the stolen children—his son most of all, but after eighteen years, hope had thinned to a stubborn habit.
Had it been too long?
How could he have been so close and not known it?
He'd been so consumed with capturing Ayla—using her to serve his Alpha's "real" mission—that he hadn't seen the truth standing right in front of him.
His massive hands were covering his face in shame as the thoughts kept rolling in.
How many times had he been right beside his own son and just walked by him?
Fuck those evil witches—and the curse they'd carved into his pack.
How could they think any of it was remotely right?
Was it fate that caused him to walk into that club?
Maybe he had suffered enough that the Moon Goddess showed him mercy, finally bringing Julius to him.
Other than the faint hint of a scent that he found momentarily, there was no reason for him to be there, yet he was.
It was more than that.
There was no reason for the two of them to speak the night before, yet they did.
Was something beyond what he could see pushing them together?
Or was it Ayla, not the Mood Goddess, that was ultimately responsible for them meeting?
No.
It was more than possible.
It would have never happened if it weren't for her.
He would've never come to this town if he hadn't been hunting her.
Ayla, terrified, stubborn, impossible, had become his blessing.
The more he thought about it, the more it made sense.
The more he followed the thread, the clearer it became: it all led back to Ayla.
She was a gift—one his Alpha was desperate to claim.
Without realizing it, Dominic felt his loyalty tilting—away from Theo, and toward the girl who'd led him to his son.
All the Alpha Theo had done was use him: worked him, lied to him, bled him dry.
In his mind, if it weren't for Ayla, the two men would never have crossed paths, not just once but twice that he was aware of.
Would they have crossed paths if he hadn't come to this town, though?
Maybe Julius and Ayla weren't cursed at all.
Maybe the curse belonged to the ones still chained to Theo.
Alpha Theo—and the Alphas like him—were the ones rotting from the inside.
Maybe the witches had done something they'd never admit was a favor—without anyone realizing it.
Had Dominic been too quick to curse them?
No. He knew exactly what it was.
The Alphas wanted her to break their curse.
That had to be it.
Maybe he needed one good wake-up call to see the corruption inside the pack for what it was.
That was why her so-called father wanted her so badly.
Alpha Theo wanted to steal whatever blessing clung to her.
Then the wheels started turning, as he started to wonder if his Alpha was even really her father, and truly just wanted the blessings that came from having her in his grasp.
Dominic knew that they weren't the only ones after her.
Other packs had teams in the field too, circling the same prize.
On the other hand, what if him if he didn't deliver the terrified young girl to his Alpha?
The Silver Moon pack was the only life he'd ever known.
It was his home—and it was all Raphael and Phoenix had ever known.
Whatever he chose would hit them, too.
Dominic didn't have anywhere to go if he didn't follow through with his mission, but neither did his team.
His wolf was loyal to the Alpha, no matter how thankful he was to her for finding his son, but was he?
Proof of life was the most he had gotten about his son since he was essentially born.
Now he had a decision to make.
In the adjoining room, Phoenix and Raphael sensed something was off the moment they realized Dominic hadn't left the suite.
They'd spent the day killing time in town, half scouting, half indulging, and assumed Dominic was angry about their lack of discipline.
Still, they went to check on him.
What they found stopped them cold.
Phoenix glanced at Raphael, worry flickering across his face—then covered it the only way he knew how: with a joke.
"Maybe staying in the human city wasn't such a great idea," Phoenix said. "I think it finally killed him."
Joking was his way of dealing with uncomfortable situations ever since he was a kid.
Dominic didn't move.
But his voice scraped out anyway.
"I'm not dead," he grumbled. "Just… tired."
The two men looked at each other with worry.
"Sir, what happened?" Raphael asked.
Dominic stared past them.
"Honestly, I don't even know where to begin. When the lies started, or now."
"What do you mean?" Raphael nearly whispered.
Still refusing to move, the words came out in an almost hushed tone from Dominic's mouth.
"Don't worry about it," he said, too quietly,
"The mission stays the same. I won't have Theo punish you because I'm… questioning things. He wants Ayla. You bring her to him, like planned."
His words did not miss their ears for a second.
Phoenix and Raphael's eyes met each other- a silent message passing between them.
Raphael turned back to Dominic, still lying frozen on the white bed.
"Sir," Raphael said, steady and matter-of-fact. "We follow you. If you're questioning Theo, then we are too. If you say she shouldn't be taken to him… then we won't take her."
"You are not allowed to abandon the mission because of me—understood?" Dominic barked.
He pushed himself upright, alarm spiking at the idea of his men walking into a death sentence because of his moral spiral.
"No, sir," they yelled back, united.
Dominic stared at them.
This was the first time they refused to listen to him, but why?
Phoenix stepped forward.
"Whatever's got you like this is our burden too," Phoenix said, "If it's enough to make you question Alpha Theo, it's enough for us."
Raphael nodded in agreement, showing his support for both men in the room.
Dominic shook his head, disbelief and fear twisting together.
"Do you understand what you're saying"?
Both men nodded their heads without hesitation.
Both men nodded without hesitation.
"We do."
Dominic was filled with worry at their words and decisions.
"This is punishable by death," Dominic said, voice low. "It's treason."
The two young men stood before him and nodded to affirm the choice they had made.
Raphael stepped closer.
"You're like a father to us," Raphael said. "We trust your judgment. If you're seeing something wrong, we're not ignoring it."
Raphael had grown up without a father, killed in a pack war around the time the children went missing.
Dominic had taken him in anyway.
He'd raised him like family.
He'd always known Raphael wasn't his missing son—but loving the boy had still filled a hollow place in both of them.
Raphel and Phoenix had been inseparable since they were four, and it didn't look like they had any intention of separating from each other or their General in that moment.
They weren't just soldiers under his command.
They were his people.
Warmth spread through Dominic's chest—sharp and unexpected.
They weren't leaving.
And they trusted him the way he'd always wanted to believe trust could exist.
Dominic swallowed, then set one condition.
"I'm going to be honest," he said. "Then you decide what you want to do. No decisions until you hear everything—understood?"
Dominic refused to proceed without the men making an informed decision.
It took a minute, but they both found a chair, grabbed it, and placed themselves in front of the troubled man.
"You both know I've spent your entire adult lives chasing one mission," Dominic said.
"Not a day has passed that I haven't thought about our stolen children. Until today, I had nothing—no clue, no thread."
Phoenix and Raphael went still, eyes widening.
Raphael leaned forward, hope breaking through his shock.
"You found something?"
Dominic gave a gesture that indicated it was more complicated than that.
"More than that," he said. "I think I know why we can't find them. Not all of it—but enough to change everything."
The two men look confused.
Phoenix just had to be the smartass he was, and the others knew it would come at some point.
"Yeah, we all do. They were taken and cursed," Phoenix retorted.
Dominic rolled his eyes before continuing.
"If I'd had the full picture, I could've made progress years ago," he continued. "Instead, I've been fighting blind—hands tied behind my back. And I'm starting to think Ayla isn't his daughter."
The other two men felt a jolt in their stomachs at this last sentence.
"He wouldn't have us kidnap a child that isn't his," Raphael gasped. "If anyone found out, it would start a war."
Dominic wasn't so sure they would believe all his thoughts, but he continued anyway.
"Yes," Dominic said. "Which is why I'm hesitating. I don't know enough to move forward—and I know enough to see a trap."
He swallowed. "I found my son today. He doesn't know who I am… or what he is. He has no idea a wolf lives inside him."
The room was silent.
If a fly landed on the window, it could be heard.
There was no right or wrong answer at that point.
All they could do was process what their General had just told them and see if there was more.
Dominic was a wise man, and he was pretty spot on when it came to gathering information and using it correctly.
When he had a feeling, it was best to follow it, but in this case, his emotions were involved.
Mixing emotions with missions was strictly prohibited, and the young men were beginning to see just why.
Could a person think clearly if they were their judgment was clouded with anger, sadness, and abandonment?
Raphael had a face covered with concern and questions.
"Are you sure it was your son?" Raphael asked quietly.
Dominic didn't have an ounce of hesitation when he responded.
His voice was firm and confident.
"I'm sure," he said.
"And I think Ayla is the reason our paths crossed. There were rumors for years—one of the stolen kids, or someone tied to them, was supposed to carry a 'gift.' If Theo believes that the gift is Ayla, it explains everything. And the more I look at it, the less I believe he's her father at all."
Phoenix was serious for what felt like the first time in his life.
"Do you know where to find him, your son"?
Dominic bristled.
"Of course I do," he said. "Don't insult me. I can find him… some of the time."
A hint of a smirk surfaced.
"What bothers me is how easily he, and Ayla, can shake me when they want to."
He really wanted to know how they did it, but his face showed pride.
"If we go near him tonight, you two behave," Dominic said, the edge in his voice slipping.
"Now that I know who he is, I can't afford to scare him off. I can't lose him."
The two men nodded in agreement, more so because they needed more information.
Curiosity gnawed at them.
Was he spiraling—or was he finally telling the truth no one wanted to face?
"Was it the guy she was with in the woods then?" Raphael asked.
Dominic took a deep breath.
"I don't think so, but it was too dark to tell. He works at The club though," Dominic said at last. "Should be called Devil's Temptress. He works security there from what I can tell."
The admission landed like a weight.
Across from him, the two idiots were already grinning.
Troublemaker one and two
lit up immediately—half eager to help, half thrilled at the idea of going back out… and maybe seeing the same girls again.
"Out. Now—both of you," Dominic snapped, "I need to think before I walk back into that mayhem."
Grumpy grandpa was back.
Phoenix and Raphael didn't argue.
They retreated to get ready for their "vacation night" in the human town.
Dominic couldn't figure out why they seemed to show so much loyalty, care, and devotion to him over their own Alpha.
Then again, he was the only person to show them care, compassion, and appreciation when they did anything instead of punishing their weakness.
Treating them like men versus tools.
People don't tend to bite the hand that feeds them.
In that moment, he was thankful for it.
Time seemed to disappear faster in the human town, even though it didn't actually move any faster.
Maybe it had something to do with them resting, relaxing, and having a little fun for once.
Before Dominic realized it, darkness was all around them.
Normally, it would be time to start the hunt for Ayla.
He couldn't help but lie there on his bed, looking through the sliding glass doors at the nearly black sky.
All of the stars appeared brighter that night, and the moon felt like it gave off a happy glow, like the Moon Goddess herself was shining down on him.
Begrudgingly, he got to his feet and pulled himself through his wide bedroom door, mustering the energy to bring his hand toward his mouth for the round-up whistle when he froze.
None of it was necessary because Phoenix and Raphael were standing right there waiting for him.
They knew this would be hard for him because he might have known that this boy was his son, but it was one-sided.
Support, that was what they were there to give the man who had always been watching their six.
Well...they also wanted to have a little fun and be slightly nosey.
Moonlight was dancing across the sky, landing on everything that lay under its bright glow, and it wasn't just waking up the three guards in the hotel room.
Just across town, Alexander and Ayla had drifted off for a nap while lying on the couch when the moonlight started to penetrate their skin.
She felt more alive than ever, as the rays felt like they flowed through her.
Ayla didn't know much, but she knew that she didn't feel like staying in for the night, even if that was the plan.
What was the worst that could happen?
Tapping on Alexander's shoulder, he quickly became aware that she had a mischievous idea of some kind.
Maybe it was the devilish grin that was plastered to her face.
It was different, and not one he had seen on her before, and he liked it.
He half expected trouble—Ayla-style trouble.
If she was about to drag him into another reckless idea, he wanted a second to brace himself.
Alexander reluctantly looked over toward Ayla, one eye nearly squinting, to see what the angel next to him was eagerly awaiting to ask him.
Before he knew what was happening, a warm pair of lips landed on his.
She was clearly up to something, but how big of a something?
Then, her tiny hand wrapped around his neck and pulled him in closer, allowing her better access to deepen the kiss.
Without a moment of hesitation, she was pushing herself on top of him with one leg, while guiding her other leg over him.
Immediately, she started grinding her hips over him, rubbing on him just right to arouse him.
Honestly, it didn't take much.
He was right where she wanted him, as she straddled him seductively, kissing him with fire.
Within seconds, her warmth radiated to the point that he could feel it, and it caused him to grow to his fullest form with anticipation.
With her only wearing an oversized t-shirt and him in boxers, there wasn't much in her way as she used her free hand to pull his boxers out of the way and put his massive, hard cock precisely where he needed to be, applying just the right pressure on the way down to feel him enter her all the way.
Slowly, but not too slowly.
Alexander let out a small moan as she continued moving up and down with a slight swirl to her hips.
Her hand moved to the front of his neck, applying just enough pressure that he didn't pass out as she squeezed.
She wanted him to know she was in control.
Instinct told him to grab her hips in an attempt to guide her for his own optimal pleasure, but she grabbed them and held them above his head.
"NO," she demanded, "only if I get what I want".
He knew he could only get what he wanted if she did.
Ayla would never admit that every time she lowered herself, he hit her G-spot, and she nearly broke and gave in.
Alexander could only sit and enjoy the ride because he had no clue what it was, but it had to be big.
With begging eyes, he looked at her because she paused her motions, as if to inquire about her request.
"Don't stop," he begged.
Ayla couldn't admit that she had to stop to maintain control and stop herself from orgasming too soon, but she would use it to her advantage.
Being in control turned her on way too much, though, and almost got her off immediately, sending waves of pleasure through her body.
Alexander grabbed her breast forcefully, now that she wasn't moving.
She began her ride again, the moans fell off her lips, grabbing his hands, pulling at them, which only made it worse, as the pain was pleasurable.
It was hard to stay in control as she moaned, and a gush of liquid came down through the up and down motions she made, covering his cock as her inside sucked on him like a vacuum, pulsing.
"Really. You like it that much"?
His face showed every bit of shock that he couldn't manage to hold back, so he had to look away as she continued her swirling motion up and down, because she didn't stop, even after orgasming.
Ayla was determined to have another one.
He knew he didn't have long before she would stop again, so he attempted to grab her hips again.
To his surprise, he wasn't stopped.
"How much of a problem do you think it would be if we went to the club?" She barely got out the words before another wave of an orgasm came crashing in.
She was confident she would get her way.
Everything that he and Julius were attempting to do to keep her safe, and she was asking to go right into the middle of it!
What was running through her mind right then?
There was no way she had forgotten the conversation that they had before they fell asleep on the couch.
He knew it was a great nap, but THE CLUB.
Every time he thought about the words, it was like he thrust himself harder into her, and she let out a louder moan.
Ayla was going to be the death of him; he just knew it.
It was starting to feel too good; he couldn't think anymore.
She was too tight, too warm, too wet.
He was done being under her, as he flipped her over.
She was not the one in control, not anymore, he thought to himself.
He was in control, and he proved it as he pushed into her, harder and deeper, and there it was, simultaneous release.
All she could do was smile, and he knew why.
"THE CLUB, of all places", he said as he flopped backward.