Chapter 94

Dominic

I was still on edge when we returned to the Pack, and tried to distract myself with the ever-growing list of Alpha duties. I only last about thirty minutes in my office when I began to feel restless. The emails and ledgers would have to wait.

“Lucas,” I called out to my Beta across the room. In his down time, Lucas could be found meditating with his eyes closed. “I think I’ll spend the afternoon among my Pack.”

“Good idea, sir,” he said with his eyes still closed.

I watched him as he took a final deep breath in through his nose and out through his mouth. I wondered if I should be taking a page out of his book to reach such steadiness of mind and spirit.

The weather was beautiful, the spring air crisp and light and only a few wisps of clouds in the sky. It felt good to be out and among the people, offering an ear to their concerns whether large or small.

“Dominic, what a surprise!”

I knew the librarian from growing up in the Pack. Her family were old stock, from generations ago when her ancestor married one of mine.

“Galen, it’s good to see you,” I said as I walked to the front desk. “I’m making the rounds today, just checking in. How are things here?”

“Great, thank you,” she said, coming out from the desk and gesturing to the board where colorful books were stuck onto a growing stack. “We’re in the middle of our read-a-thon, hoping to garner interest in donations for summer programs.”

“That’s great, I remember the flier,” I said with a genuine smile. “How many days left?”

“Nine, and we’re just over halfway. I’m optimistic!”

“Well,” I said, looking at the empty space on the board, “let me know if you come up short. I’d like the Pack to cover the rest.”

Her eyes opened wide and she took a breath as if to speak, but just nodded graciously instead.

“It’s important we have a place for community members, and one that offers vital information and learning opportunities.”

“It is,” she said, still nodding. “Really, this is incredible. Did Luna Mira have anything to do with this idea?”

I raised my eyebrows. “No, not this one,” I said, wondering if I should be offended that she didn’t think the idea was mine. “Though she is a big supporter of libraries everywhere.”

“Yes, that is why I— never mind,“ she abandons the thought. “Thank you, Alpha. And congratulations again on such a beautiful wedding ceremony. You two really seem like a perfect match.”

She put a friendly hand on my arm, then went back to her tasks. I walked out feeling off-balance. The interaction was so positive, but I somehow felt guilty when she mentioned Mira.

I set a brisk walking pace as Lucas and I continued on our meandering journey through the township I protected. On a residential street, an older couple were in their front yard working in their garden beds.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Bancroft!” I waved as I crossed the street to their fence. “Beautiful day for yard work.”

“Oh, Alpha!” Mr. Bancroft put a hand to his brow to shade his eyes to see me. “Good afternoon, how are you?”

“I’m fine, sir, just fine,” I bowed my head slightly, in reverence towards an elder. “What are we planting this year?”

“First, we’re expanding,” Mrs. Bancroft said, one hand on a spiked rake and one on her hip. “Merv built me a teepee trellis for my cucumbers, so we’ll be pushing the flower garden further away from the vegetables.”

“Will we see more of your famous dahlias this year?”

She beamed. “Of course, and this year,” she leaned in conspiratorially, “I have a bulb called the Waltzing Mathilda that is just to die for.”

“I look forward to seeing it.”

“I’ll send some along to the Alpha family when they come in,” she went on.

“Speaking of waltzing,” Mrs. Bancroft said, putting his arm around his wife, “grand shindig that other night, Dominic. The missus and I haven’t danced like that in a long time!”

“Oh, yes, I’m glad you enjoyed yourselves.”

“A gorgeous evening, practically perfect,” she added in agreement. “A little intense at the end there, though, with…”

“Now Sarai—“ Mr. Bancroft tried to cut in.

“What? It was intense!” she threw up her arms, proving her innocence. “It is, of course, so good to have Celeste back, my goodness what a nightmare she must’ve lived through. But too bad she had to pull the focus from the beautiful couple.”

I realized I had stopped breathing. “It was certainly a surprise,” I said, hoping to get out of this conversation.

“Do tell Mira I said hello, dear,” Mrs. Bancroft said, picking up her tool again. “I’m still so grateful she gave me those herbs last night for my sinuses.”

“I’m grateful too,” her husband said, adding his impersonation of his wife’s snoring.

She hit him playfully, and they went back to their work.

Next stop was the health center, then the town hall, and then to the parks and grounds keepers. I heard requests, made small talk, and not one conversation left out a mention of Mira or Celeste or my wedding night.

Somehow I felt worse when I made my way back to my office than when I had left it. The saga continued when I found a visitor sitting outside, looking bashful.

It was Celeste, and this time she had a small pastry box in her lap.

“A peace offering,” she said, handing me the box of what turned out to be oatmeal cookies from the local bakery.

“Let’s talk inside,” I said as I opened the door.

“I just wanted to apologize, again, for yesterday,” she said at a fast pace, “I was upset and stupid and wasn’t even thinking and I’m sorry.”

I sighed, looking at her. “It’s alright.”

The kiss had lasted maybe four seconds, but it was still four seconds too long. I didn’t kiss her back, but I didn’t pull away quick enough. For that, I was also responsible and bore the guilt.

“It was a vulnerable moment, a mistake,” I added.

“Mistake, right,” she responded, deflating. “I hope Mira wasn’t too upset— should I apologize to her too?”

“Oh, well, she—“ I tried to formulate a sentence, failing, “I…haven’t told her, yet.”

“Oh.”

“With the Rogue attack, and everything, it just wasn’t the right time.”

“I see,” she said, levity returning to her voice.

“How are you feeling today? Any more…episodes?” I asked her.

“No good, yeah I’m feeling good,” she stammered. “I found a guided meditation app, so that’s been helping me find some calm.”

“That’s great, and please,” I said, becoming the Alpha again, “there are so many resources for those with PTSD, we’ve invested in the program since so many soldiers have been traumatized by the ongoing Rogue Wars.”

“Thanks, I will,” she got up from her seat, ending the conversation.

“Celeste,” I said, watching her pause at the door, “I’m glad we can be friends, even if we used to be…”

“In love?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, Dominic,” she said, looking sad, “you never could see what was right in front of you. It will be your downfall someday if you’re not careful.”

“What do you mean?”

“I never stopped loving you,” she said, direct and serious. “I will love you until the day I die. No matter what.”