Dominic's POV
The pack felt different without him.
Which was insane.
It had only been a few days. A few days of no snarky comments, no stubborn glares, no smart-ass remarks that made me want to either strangle him or kiss him senseless.
I sat at my desk, pretending to focus on the reports in front of me, but my mind kept drifting.
By now, the training trip should be wrapping up. If everything went as planned, they'd be back before sundown. And the moment Ashen set foot back in my territory—
He owed me a date.
The thought alone made me smirk.
He probably thought I'd forget. Or that I wouldn't actually go through with it.
But he underestimated me.
I leaned back in my chair, stretching my arms behind my head. Poor thing has no idea what he just signed himself up for.
Ryker strolled into my office without knocking, which earned him a glare. He just grinned, dropping into the chair across from me.
"You look way too amused for someone who's been sulking all week," he teased.
I scoffed. "I don't sulk."
"Uh-huh." He raised a brow. "You've been moodier than usual, growled at three warriors for breathing too loudly, and I'm pretty sure you almost snapped at one of the elders yesterday."
I shrugged. "He was annoying me."
Ryker chuckled. "Right. Nothing to do with Ashen being gone, then?"
My smirk faltered, but only slightly. "They'll be back soon."
"And then?"
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. "Then, he's mine for the night."
Ryker blinked, then let out a low whistle. "Damn. You're really making him go through with it?"
"Oh, absolutely." My smirk returned, sharper this time. "He made a deal. And I never let a deal go unpaid."
Ryker shook his head, laughing. "You're something else, Dom."
I just grinned, already imagining the look on Ashen's face when I reminded him.
Tonight, he was mine.
By the time the warriors returned, I was already outside, arms crossed, waiting.
The convoy rolled in, and I immediately spotted him.
Ashen walked near the front, his dark hair slightly damp with sweat, clothes dusted from the trip, but otherwise, he looked fine. More than fine. He looked good.
Not that I'd tell him that.
I watched as he exchanged a few words with Roy, then tried to slip away toward the packhouse.
Nice try.
I stood in front of him
Ashen's eyes flickered with irritation the moment he saw me. "Move."
I smirked. "Not even a 'hello, Alpha'? I'm hurt."
He scoffed, trying to sidestep me, but I shifted, blocking his path.
"You're back," I said smoothly. "And you're in one piece. Good."
"Obviously," he muttered. "Can I go now?"
I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. "Not so fast, Wolfe. You owe me something."
His jaw tightened. "If this is about—"
"Our date? Yes, it is," I cut in, enjoying the way his nostrils flared. "Tomorrow. Be ready."
Ashen rolled his eyes. "You tricked me into agreeing to that."
"You made a deal," I reminded him, voice smug. "And I fully intend to collect."
His lips parted like he was going to argue, but then he exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Fine," he gritted out. "But don't expect me to enjoy it."
I grinned. "Oh, I fully expect you to enjoy it, Wolfe. More than you think."
His glare could've melted steel, but he didn't argue. Instead, he pushed past me, muttering curses under his breath.
I watched him go, a satisfied smirk tugging at my lips.
Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.
The next day arrived too damn slowly.
I spent the morning handling pack matters, but my mind kept drifting back to him. To the fact that, for once, Ashen couldn't run from me. He owed me this, and I'd make sure it was worth every second.
By midday, Ryker strolled into my office, a knowing smirk already in place. "So, the big day is here. Got everything planned?"
I leaned back in my chair, smirking. "Of course."
Ryker raised a brow. "And he's actually going?"
"He made a deal. He has no choice."
He let out a low chuckle. "You really are a menace."
I grinned. "And yet, here you are, still my Beta."
"Someone has to clean up your messes," Ryker shot back, shaking his head. "So, what's the plan?"
I tapped my fingers against my desk. "Nothing too extravagant. Just enough to throw him off. Keep him on edge."
Ryker snorted. "In other words, you're gonna torture him with subtle flirting and enjoy watching him squirm."
"Exactly."
"You're the worst."
"And yet, you admire me."
Ryker laughed, shaking his head as he walked off. "Good luck, Alpha. You'll need it."
I didn't need luck.
I needed him.
And tonight, I was getting one step closer to making him mine.
Ashen was already scowling when I met him outside the packhouse, arms crossed, glaring like I'd personally dragged him here by force.
"This is stupid," he muttered.
I smirked. "And yet, here you are."
His jaw clenched, but he didn't deny it.
I stepped closer, lowering my voice just enough to watch his ears tinge red. "Relax, Wolfe. It's just a date. Not a death sentence."
"That depends on how annoying you plan on being," he shot back.
I chuckled. Oh, he had no idea.
We rode out on my bike, the wind sharp against us as I took the scenic route. I felt every small shift of his body behind me, every time he hesitated before gripping my jacket just a little tighter.
By the time we reached the secluded clearing I'd chosen, the sun was dipping low, casting the lake in deep golds and blues. The air was crisp, cool, carrying the scent of pine and fresh water.
Ashen slid off the bike first, shaking out his hair before eyeing me suspiciously. "So? What's the plan? You gonna bore me with small talk?"
I stepped off, crowding into his space just enough to make him tense. "That depends. You gonna admit you're actually enjoying yourself?"
He scoffed, turning toward the lake instead. But I saw the slight twitch of his fingers, the way he swallowed a little too hard.
I let him have his moment, setting out the food I'd packed. Nothing fancy, just enough to make it clear I actually put effort into this.
Ashen hesitated before sitting, glancing at me warily. "What, no five-course meal? No candlelight?"
I smirked. "Would that have impressed you?"
He rolled his eyes, but I caught the faintest twitch of his lips. "No. But at least it would've been funny."
I leaned in, resting my chin on my hand. "You think I'm funny, Wolfe?"
He scoffed. "I think you're infuriating."
"That's not a no."
He picked up a piece of bread and threw it at me.
I caught it easily, laughing. "Feisty."
Dinner passed in a surprisingly comfortable silence. He didn't talk much, but he didn't push me away either. Progress.
Then, just as I was about to push things further, he shifted—unaware that his shirt had ridden up just slightly, exposing the smooth, taut skin of his waist.
I reached out before I could think better of it, brushing my fingers lightly against his side.
He froze.
"You're ticklish?" I murmured, smirking.
"Don't," he warned, eyes wide.
So, of course, I did.
He yelped, trying to twist away, but I caught him easily, pinning him against the grass with one arm caging him in. His breath hitched as I hovered over him, our faces inches apart.
The playful teasing led into something else—something heavier.
He wasn't pushing me away.
He was waiting.
I leaned in slowly, giving him time to stop me. When he didn't, I brushed my lips against his. Just once. Testing.
A sharp inhale. His fingers curled into the fabric of my shirt.
So I kissed him again.
Deeper this time, lingering just long enough to feel the warmth of him, the way his body tensed before slowly, hesitantly, melting into mine.
When I pulled back, his breath was uneven, his pupils blown wide.
I smirked. "Still think this date was stupid?"
He swallowed hard, looking anywhere but at me. "Shut up."
I chuckled, brushing my thumb over his lower lip before finally letting him go.
Yeah. This was progress.