Dominic's POV
I watched Ashen storm out, his shoulders tense, his towel barely clinging to his waist as he disappeared down the hall.
Stubborn.
Defiant.
Mine.
I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders as I leaned back against the wall. The scent of his anger and confusion still lingered in the humid air, mixing with the faint remnants of soap and water.
He thought he could push me away.
He thought he could fight this.
I smirked to myself.
I'd seen omegas reject their nature before,desperate to prove they were something else, something stronger. But Ashen… he took it to another level. He'd buried it, hid it so well that even I hadn't suspected a thing at first.
How long had he been living like this? How much had he suffered, just to deny what he was?
I ran a hand through my hair, my smirk fading slightly.
It pissed me off.
Not because he was fighting me,I liked the challenge,but because somewhere deep inside, I knew… this wasn't just pride. It wasn't just rebellion.
It was fear.
And that? That didn't sit right with me.
I pushed off the wall, making my way out of the training facility. The sun was dipping lower in the sky, casting golden streaks across the pack grounds. I spotted Ryker near the main building, talking to a few warriors. When he saw me, his brows shot up.
"Let me guess," Ryker smirked. "Ashen finally snapped and punched you?"
I scoffed. "Not yet."
"Shame. I would've paid to see that."
I ignored his teasing, my gaze drifting toward the packhouse where Ashen had disappeared. My wolf was restless, pacing beneath my skin. He was close.
And no matter how much he fought it…
I wasn't letting him go
The sharp crack of a punch landing sent a vicious snarl tearing from my throat.
I moved before I could think.
Ashen—bleeding.
His body bruised and battered, but his stance was still firm, his eyes filled with the same defiant fire. He wasn't backing down.
But Garrick was towering over him, about to strike again.
Not happening.
I lunged, grabbing Garrick's wrist mid-swing and wrenching it back. A loud pop echoed through the field as he howled in pain, stumbling away from Ashen.
The entire training ground fell silent.
Garrick clutched his shoulder, face twisted in agony. "A-Alpha—"
I stepped closer, my voice like ice. "You don't know when to stop, do you?"
He swallowed hard, panic flashing in his eyes. "He—he challenged me."
"I saw," I bit out. "And I saw you take it too far."
Ashen exhaled sharply, swaying slightly. Too hurt. Too stubborn to admit it.
I turned to him briefly, masking my concern. "We're done here."
Ashen stiffened but didn't argue. Good.
I shot Garrick a final warning glare. "Try this again, and you'll regret it."
Then I grabbed Ashen's arm,firm but not harsh,and led him away.
As we walked, I kept my voice low. "You're reckless."
Ashen scoffed, wincing slightly. "I handled it."
I clenched my jaw. He was hiding his pain, but I wouldn't push him here. Not in front of everyone.
No one could know what he was to me. Not yet. Not until he was ready.
But that didn't mean I'd let anyone touch him.
Not now. Not ever.
I barely managed to keep my temper in check as we reached my office. Stubborn omega.
The moment I let go of his arm, Ashen stepped back like I burned him. "I don't need your help," he muttered, wiping the blood from his split lip with the back of his hand.
I took a slow breath, my patience hanging by a thread. "Sit."
Ashen crossed his arms. "I said I'm fine."
I looked him up and down. His shirt was torn at the shoulder, bruises forming along his arms. A slow trickle of blood dripped from his temple. His stance was steady, but I could see it,the slight sway, the exhaustion settling in.
He was hurting.
And still, he fought me.
Without another word, I picked him up.
Ashen's breath hitched in shock. "What the—put me down!"
I did. Roughly. Right onto the damn couch.
He glared. "You asshole—"
I crouched in front of him, already grabbing the first-aid kit. "You're hurt." My voice was sharp, leaving no room for argument. "I don't care how strong you think you are,you'll sit there and let me fix this, or I'll tie you to the damn chair."
Ashen clenched his jaw but said nothing.
Good.
I took a cloth, dabbing at the cut on his temple. He flinched but didn't pull away.
His scent was stronger here, now that he wasn't using those damn suppressants as much. I forced my wolf down, focusing on cleaning his wounds.
After a long silence, I spoke. "Why didn't you dodge?"
He exhaled through his nose. "I did."
I scoffed. "Not well enough."
Ashen's eyes darkened, his expression unreadable. "You don't have to do this."
I met his gaze, steady. "Yes, I do."
Ashen's gaze flickered with something unreadable before he looked away. His jaw was tight, like he was holding back words he didn't want to say.
Stubborn bastard.
I dipped the cloth into the antiseptic and pressed it against his temple. He flinched but didn't pull away.
"Hold still," I muttered.
"I'm not a damn pup," Ashen bit out.
I smirked. "No, you're worse. Pups know when to accept help."
He huffed, crossing his arms but letting me work. I took my time, cleaning the blood from his face, moving carefully down to the split on his lip.
His breath hitched when my fingers brushed against his chin.
I froze.
For a second, neither of us moved. His golden eyes locked onto mine, sharp but uncertain. I could hear his heartbeat fast. Unsteady.
Was it anger? Fear?
I wouldn't push. Not yet.
I pulled back, acting like I didn't notice. "You're lucky that bastard didn't break your nose."
Ashen scoffed. "He tried."
I hated how casual he was about it. Like getting beaten down was just another day for him.
My grip on the cloth tightened. "Next time, you call for me."
Ashen's expression hardened. "I don't need you to fight my battles."
I held his gaze. "Too bad. I will anyway."
His breath caught for just a moment. Then he tore his eyes away, muttering, "You're insufferable."
I grinned. "And you're terrible at accepting care. Guess we're even."
He didn't respond, just let me finish patching him up.
It wasn't much. Just small steps.
But I'd take it.
The silence stretched between us, thick with tension neither of us wanted to name. Ashen didn't move, his posture stiff, but he let me finish tending to his wounds.
That was progress. I'd take it.
I put the first-aid kit aside and leaned back slightly, studying him. His lip was swollen, his cheek bruised, but his golden eyes were as defiant as ever.
"You should rest," I said finally.
Ashen scoffed. "Not happening."
Of course not. Stubborn omega.
"You're still recovering from the lack of suppressants. Your body's weak."
Ashen tensed, like he expected me to throw that in his face. I didn't. I just stared him down, waiting.
After a beat, he exhaled sharply. "I don't need you hovering over me."
I smirked. "Too late."
He glared. "If you think I'm going to sit here like some fragile—"
I cut him off. "You think I see you as fragile?" My voice was low, firm.
Ashen hesitated.
I leaned in slightly, my gaze locking onto his. "You took that beating and didn't back down. You don't submit, even when it's stupid not to. I don't see you as weak, Ashen."
His breath hitched. Just slightly.
I saw the way his fingers twitched, how his shoulders tightened like he wanted to fight me on this, like he needed to.
But I meant what I said.
I wasn't going to break him down. I was going to hold him up.
After a long moment, he muttered, "You're annoying."
I chuckled. "I get that a lot."
His lips twitched,almost like he wanted to smile.
Almost.
I stood, stretching. "Get some rest."
He crossed his arms, clearly debating whether to argue. Instead, he just muttered, "I won't be caged, Dominic."
I nodded. "And I won't let you break."
His golden eyes flickered with something unreadable. But this time, he didn't fight me.