Chapter 35: Truly Willing to Spend
Chapter 35: Truly Willing to Spend
(Aria’s POV)
+ Ports
I found myself frozen in place as Dominic’s intense silver–gray eyes locked with mine. There was something in his gaze I couldn’t quite read–a depth that made my wolf stir curiously beneath my skin.
“Dominic, if you stare any harder at that pastry, you might set it on fire,” Dr. Lewis teased, breaking the strange moment between
- us.
Dominic blinked, seeming to snap back to reality. “I’m not staring at the pastry,” he muttered, then louder to Dr. Lewis, “Go get another one.”
Dr. Lewis raised an eyebrow. “You’re ordering me around now? I’m your doctor, not your servant.”
“Nathan,” Dominic warned, though there was no real heat in his voice.
“Fine, fine. I’ll go. But only because I want another one myself,” Dr. Lewis said with a dramatic sigh. “The things I do for friendship.”
Dominic playfully kicked at him, making Dr. Lewis laugh as he dodged and headed toward the refreshment table. I couldn’t help but smile at their interaction.
It struck me then how genuine their friendship seemed–the easy banter, the comfortable teasing. I’d never seen Dominic interact with Alexander this way, despite Alexander often referring to Dominic as his close friend and pack brother.
“You and Dr. Lewis seem very close,” I commented.
Dominic nodded. “We’ve known each other since university. He’s one of the few people I trust completely.”
I took another bite of my pastry, mulling over this revelation. “Alexander always said you two were like brothers.”
Something flashed in Dominic’s eyes–annoyance, perhaps? “Alexander has a habit of exaggerating relationships when it suits him.”
That was certainly true. Alexander had a talent for reshaping reality to fit his narrative.
“Can I ask you something?” I said, my curiosity getting the better of me.
“You just did,” Dominic replied with a slight smirk.
! rolled my eyes. “Why are you helping me? I mean, really helping me? Alexander must have offended you somehow.”
Dominic’s smile faded, replaced by a cold look that chilled the air between us. “He offended me greatly,” he said, his tone suddenly hard.
I blinked, surprised by the stark change. “I don’t understand. Alexander always speaks so highly of you.”
“I’m sure he does,” Dominic replied with a snort.
Before I could press further, Dr. Lewis returned with two more pastries, handing one to each of us.
“You know,” he said casually, “I’ve known Dominic for years, and I’ve never seen him give up his dessert for anyone. You must be special, Ms. Summers.”
Dominic glared at him. “Don’t you have other people to annoy?”
.
“None as fun as you,” Dr. Lewis replied cheerfully. “Besides, I’m simply making an observation. You’re unusually generous with
Aria.”
“Nathan,” Dominic warned again, but his friend just grinned wider.
“What? It’s true. Remember that time I asked for a bite of your moon–berry tart and you nearly took my hand off?”
I couldn’t help but laugh at their bickering, which sounded more like schoolchildren than two respected professionals.
“It’s different,” Dominic muttered. “Aria’s-”
1/3
< Chapter 35 Truly Willing to Spend
+4 Ports>
He was interrupted by his phone ringing. Glancing at the screen, his expression shifted immediately. “Excuse me,” he said, stepping away to answer.
I watched as he spoke in short, clipped sentences, his posture growing increasingly tense. “No… Yes, I know… That’s not… Mother, please.”
My heart sank. Mother. That had to be Eleanor Blackwood, matriarch of the Shadow Pack. If she was calling now, it likely meant. that news of Dominic claiming me as his intended mate had already reached his family.
Dominic’s face was a study in carefully controlled frustration as he listened. He glanced at me once, his silver–gray eyes unreadable, before saying firmly, “I know,” and ending the call.
“Is everything alright?” I asked when he returned.
“Fine,” he replied, though his tone suggested otherwise. “Just family matters.”
I bit my lip, guilt washing over me. “I’m sorry. I’ve caused you trouble with your family, haven’t I?”
“No,” he said quickly. “It’s nothing to worry about.”
But I wasn’t convinced. Alexander had mentioned once that Dominic’s parents had a loveless, politically arranged mating. If that was true, Eleanor Blackwood would likely have strong opinions about who her son should choose as his mate.
And I was hardly an ideal candidate–a divorced Luna from a rival pack with no significant bloodline to speak of.
“Maybe we should leave,” I suggested. “I think we’ve accomplished what we came for.”
Dominic studied my face for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll take you home.”
The ride back to my apartment was quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts. My wolf was unusually restless, sensing my conflicted emotions.
“Thank you for tonight,” I said as we pulled up to my building. “I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
Dominic turned to look at me, his expression softening. “You don’t need to keep thanking me, Aria.”
“I do though,” I insisted. “You’ve risked a lot to help me.”
He shook his head slightly. “Goodnight, Aria. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I nodded and stepped out of the car, watching as he drove away. Despite his reassurances, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my problems were becoming his problems.
As soon as I got inside, I called Olivia, needing to share the evening’s events with someone who would understand.
“So you’re telling me,” Olivia said after I recounted everything, “that Dominic Blackwood introduced you as his intended mate, publicly antagonized Alexander, and ordered specialty pastries for you?”
“Yes, but-”
“And you still don’t think he likes you?” She sounded exasperated.
“It’s not like that,” I insisted. “He’s just helping me with Alexander.”
Olivia made a disbelieving noise. “Right. And I’m secretly a vampire.”
“Be serious,” I sighed. “I need to find a way to repay him for all his help.”
“Repay him?” Olivia repeated. “Aria, the man is the Alpha King of the Shadow Pack. He’s probably one of the wealthiest
werewolves in the Northern Territory. What could you possibly give him that he doesn’t already have?”
It was a fair question. What do you give someone who can buy anything they want?
“It’s not about the money,” I said slowly. “It’s about the gesture. I want to show him I appreciate what he’s doing for me.”
“Well,” Olivia said thoughtfully, “what does he like?”
I tried to think of anything Dominic had mentioned enjoying. “I don’t really know,” I admitted. “We haven’t exactly had a lot of personal conversations.”
“What about a nice lighter?” Olivia suggested. “Men usually appreciate practical gifts.”
< Chapter 35. Truly Willing to Spend
+4 Points>
“Does he smoke?” I asked, surprised. I’d never seen Dominic with a cigarette.
“All Alphas have cigars occasionally, especially at business meetings or celebrations,” Olivia said confidently. “Trust me, a high–quality lighter would be a useful gift.”
I wasn’t entirely convinced, but it seemed like a reasonable option. “Alright, I’ll look for a nice lighter.”
“Great!” Olivia said. “I’m free this weekend. We can go shopping together.”
I smiled, grateful for her enthusiasm. “Thanks, Liv. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
The next three days passed in a blur of work. I volunteered for overtime at Silver Leaf Herbalists, eager to prove my worth and distract myself from my complicated personal life. By Friday, I had completed the special batch of remedies I’d been assigned- healing salves infused with rare silver pine extract.
“These look perfect,” my supervisor commented, inspecting my work. “You have a genuine talent, Aria.”
I beamed at the praise. “Thank you. I’m looking forward to our next project.”
As I was gathering my things to leave, Jason Hart approached my workstation. He was a fellow herbalist, relatively new to Silver Leaf like me, with friendly green eyes and an easy smile.
Aria, hey,” he said, a bit nervously. “I was wondering…”
He pulled out two tickets from his pocket. “There’s this exhibition on historical herbal remedies at the Cultural Center tomorrow. It’s supposed to have some really interesting displays about the medicinal plants we’ll be working with next week.”
I looked at the tickets, recognizing the exhibition as one I’d been interested in attending. “That sounds fascinating,” I said
honestly.
“Would you like to go? Together, I mean.” His hopeful expression made me feel guilty about what I was about to say.
“I’m sorry, Jason. I already have plans tomorrow with my friend Olivia.”
His face fell. “Oh. No problem, I understand.”
“But thank you for thinking of me,” I added quickly. “It’s very thoughtful.”
Jason nodded, then suddenly held out the tickets. “Here, take them anyway. Maybe you and your friend would enjoy it.”
“I couldn’t-”
“Please,” he insisted. “They’ll just go to waste otherwise.”
I hesitated, then accepted the tickets with a grateful smile. “That’s very generous. Thank you.”
As I left the building, Jason suddenly ran after me. “Aria, wait! You forgot your phone!”
I turned, surprised, as he handed me my mobile phone that I’d left on my workstation. “Thank you! I’d be lost without this.”
He smiled, our fingers brushing as I took the phone. “No problem. Enjoy your weekend.”
Olivia was waiting for me outside, her eyebrows rising as she watched Jason return to the building.
“Who’s the cute guy?” she asked immediately.
I rolled my eyes. “Just a colleague. He gave me these tickets to an herb exhibition.”
Olivia whistled as she examined them. “These aren’t cheap, Aria. That’s at least a hundred and fifty dollars‘ worth of tickets.”
“What? No way,” I said, shocked.
“Way,” Olivia confirmed. “Looks like someone’s interested in more than your herbal knowledge.”
I shook my head, dismissing the implication. “We’re just colleagues. Now, let’s go find that gift for Dominic.”
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