24| Blood Bound

DOMINUS MARUTO

The sun was already rising as I drove through the quiet, winding road that led back to Oakwood. The long hours of the night had drained me, but they had been necessary. I had spent every second carefully navigating through endless conversations, first with the council elders, then with the twin alphas of Crystal Moon Pack. My message to them all had been clear: stay out of my pack’s business.

Whatever makes them think they can stop me, especially those twins who have no idea what's coming to them.

The elders were more cunning than I expected. They played their part well, pretending to be slow, wise, and patient, but I saw through them. It took heavy convincing to get them to approve the use of the former Alpha's hunting grounds. The area had been untouched since his death, which made it perfect for what I needed. I didn’t want the land itself, I needed the underground storage space. It was the perfect hiding place for the weapons I’d bought from humans, far away from prying eyes.

When the elders finally agreed, it wasn’t because they believed in the plan. It was because of the money I promised and the contracts I handed over, contracts I had no plans to honor. The elders weren’t my biggest concern anyway. As long as I had Jeremy Harold, their head, under my thumb, the rest would follow blindly. Jeremy, the fool, thinks he’s playing me. But I’m always ten steps ahead. He doesn't know he's already inside the trap I built for him.

He had followed me to Crystal Moon to meet the twin alphas. Their behavior was suspicious from the start. Adonis, especially, refused to talk privately, even when I insisted the matter was sensitive and required both his and his brother's presence. That was a red flag. But I didn't let it bother me. The only thing that mattered was access to their resources and those vast storage units beneath the mountain. I’ve gotten what I came for.

Soon, everything they own will be mine. And when the time comes, they’ll be begging for a drop of water. Even the very soil under their feet will no longer belong to them. Slowly but surely, everything will fall into my hands, and I will show them all what true power looks like.

Still, there was something bothering me. A scent… familiar. It had clung to Adonis, like a whisper. It made me suspicious. Cedar. But no, that couldn't be. She wouldn't dare run. Not when I had doubled the guards, locked every gate, and set the entire Oakwood territory on high alert. She wouldn’t have made it out. And if by some miracle she did escape, she wouldn't have made it far.

Either way, I’d find out the truth soon. I have eyes everywhere, and if she was hiding in Crystal Moon, they'd suffer for it. She knows that. The cost of betrayal is death, and not just for her.

I gripped the steering wheel harder, my eyes burning with determination. I was getting closer, so close, to taking full control. All I needed was Cedar. I had to get her to the hill, complete the soul-binding ritual, and begin draining her power. It was a process I’d done before, over and over again, and it always worked.

This time, it’s just more complicated. Too many forces surround her, prophecies, allies, enemies pretending to be friends. Too many people want her for themselves. Some fools want her for selfish desires, but I beat them to it. They don’t understand the game. But I do. I’ve always known how to win.

I pulled into the driveway of my private home and turned off the engine. The guards drew the estate gates closed, I watched them for a moment in the mirror.

“Dominus arrives!” the doorman shouted, holding the main door open just as I stepped out of the car.

“Park the car properly, Sebastian,” I ordered, tossing him the keys without looking at him. I didn’t wait for a response, I was already heading inside, my feet moving faster than my thoughts.

I climbed the stairs three at a time and made my way straight to Cedar’s room. Something in my gut twisted. I didn’t bother knocking.

Just as I raised my hand, the door swung open, and I came face-to-face with Kayla, the pack doctor. Her eyes widened when she saw me, her hand gripping the handle of her medical kit. Her mouth formed a perfect circle of surprise.

“I didn’t summon you,” I said coldly, my eyes narrowing.

She shrank under my gaze but quickly explained. “She came to me… I don’t know what’s happening exactly. She was reacting to something, some kind of internal energy. If it keeps growing, it could destroy her from the inside. I had to sedate her for the time being.”

I stepped forward, forcing her to move aside as my eyes scanned the room. Cedar lay on the bed, her body wrapped tightly in the duvet up to her shoulders. Her chambermaid, Damira, stood next to the bed, head bowed so low she could’ve kissed the floor. She couldn’t even look at me.

“Does anyone else know about this?” I asked sharply, still standing in the doorway.

“No. Only…” Kayla glanced at the trembling maid.

“Go,” I said to her, my voice low and deadly. “And keep your mouth shut. You know what will happen to you if a word of this gets out.”

She nearly stumbled in her haste to escape the room. I locked the door behind her.

“Alpha Dominus!” Damira cried as she fell to her knees, her voice breaking with fear. “I swear on my life… and my family's, I didn’t hear or see anything.”

“You’re off duty until tomorrow. Let’s hope your silence saves your bloodline,” I said, dismissing her with a wave.

Once she was gone, I turned my attention back to Cedar. I walked slowly to the bed and sat beside her. I brushed her hair away from her face, watching how her brow furrowed even in sleep. She didn’t relax at my touch, instead, she frowned deeper. Even in her dreams, she resisted me.

She hates me.

Her mind was still shielded from mine, something I hadn’t expected. But it doesn't matter. I would get what I wanted. And in the end, I would give her peace.

“Don’t fight it anymore,” I whispered. “You’ve carried too much pain. You’ve longed for freedom. I’m giving you exactly that. I’m doing you a favor, Cedar. You’ll be with your family again. You’ll finally be free.”

There was no time to waste. I didn’t need to check my office or take a moment to rest. All that mattered was getting her to the hill. We needed to begin the blood-binding ritual while her energy was still unstable, while I could still overpower it.

The door creaked open again, and I turned. Cena stepped in quietly, his eyes cold and sharp.

“Dominus,” he said softly, but his voice was clear and steady. “Everything is ready.”

I smiled, my heart steady as steel. Finally, the time had come.