The Savage Mate

Dominic's POV

The town of Blackthorn Hollow was the kind of place that seemed to exist outside of time. Nestled near the edge of an ancient forest, it was hidden from the rest of the world by towering evergreens and winding dirt roads that refused to be tamed by asphalt. The residents were few but close-knit, bound by the unspoken understanding that their small, remote community was not like the others beyond the trees. There was a secret here, one that whispered in the rustling leaves and echoed in the howls that pierced the night.

Dominic Blackthorn stood on the ridge overlooking the town, his sharp eyes scanning the dimly lit streets below. The wind tugged at his dark hair and carried the familiar, earthy scents of the forest, but he barely noticed. His thoughts were elsewhere, tangled in the heavy weight of responsibility that came with being alpha of the Blackthorn pack.

The ridge was one of his favorite places to think. From here, he could see everything-the forest, the town, the pack's secluded territory-and it gave him a sense of control. But tonight, even the view couldn't ease the tension coiling in his chest. The pack was restless. Rogue wolves had been sighted on the outskirts of their land, and though Dominic's patrols had dealt with them swiftly, the danger lingered like a shadow. A strong pack was a safe pack, his father had always said, and Dominic had built his reputation on that principle. He couldn't afford to let his guard down.

A sound behind him pulled him from his thoughts. He turned sharply, his muscles taut and ready for a fight, but the intruder was only Marcus, one of his most trusted enforcers. Marcus raised his hands in a gesture of peace, his expression grave.

Alpha, Marcus said, his voice low and respectful. We've found tracks near the eastern border. Fresh ones. Dominic's jaw tightened. Rogues?

Looks like it, Marcus confirmed. But there's something else. The scent... it's strange. Not like any rogue I've come across before.

Dominic's eyes darkened, and he nodded once. Double the patrols. I'll join the next sweep myself. Marcus hesitated, then added, There's one more thing. A new human arrived in town today. Moved into the old cottage near the general store.

Dominic's frown deepened. Blackthorn Hollow didn't get many newcomers, and for good reason. The town's isolation wasn't just physical; it was a barrier against outsiders who might stumble upon things they weren't meant to see. Humans were fragile, oblivious to the hidden world that coexisted with their own. They didn't belong here.

Keep an eye on her, Dominic said curtly. If she's trouble, we'll deal with it.

Marcus nodded and slipped away, leaving Dominic alone once more. But now his thoughts were divided. The rogues were a pressing threat, but the arrival of a stranger was an unwelcome complication. He didn't like complications.

Lily Winters stepped out of her car and took a deep breath, letting the crisp night air fill her lungs. It carried the faint scent of pine and damp earth, a far cry from the smog and exhaust she'd left behind in the city. She glanced around, taking in the quaint little town that would be her new home. The streets were quiet, lined with modest houses and the occasional storefront, their windows dark at this hour. It was peaceful- almost too peaceful, as if the town was holding its breath.

She'd arrived later than planned, delayed by the twists and turns of the forest roads. Her headlights had barely cut through the dense darkness, and more than once, she'd considered turning back. But she'd pressed on, driven by a need to escape the past that haunted her. This was her fresh start, and she was determined to make it work.

The cottage she'd rented was small but charming, with ivy creeping up its stone walls and a porch that creaked under her boots. It looked like something out of a fairy tale, and for a moment, she allowed herself to imagine that it was. Maybe here, in this secluded corner of the world, she could find the peace she'd been searching for.

Lily unpacked her car quickly, carrying boxes and bags into the cottage's cozy interior. The living room was furnished with a worn sofa and a bookshelf that begged to be filled. The kitchen was quaint, with a cast-iron stove and a window that overlooked the forest. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

By the time she finished, exhaustion had set in. She sank onto the sofa, her thoughts drifting. Her decision to move here had been impulsive, a leap of faith after everything she'd been through. She'd wanted to disappear, to leave behind the pain and betrayal that had shattered her life. But now that she was here, alone in the quiet, she couldn't ignore the nagging doubt that crept in. Had she made a mistake?

A sudden noise outside jolted her from her thoughts. It was faint, barely audible over the whisper of the wind, but it sent a shiver down her spine. She rose cautiously and moved to the window, peering out into the darkness. The forest loomed beyond the porch, its shadows deep and impenetrable. For a moment, she saw nothing. Then, just as she was about to turn away, something moved.

A figure emerged from the tree line, its outline barely visible against the inky blackness. It was tall and broad- shouldered, its movements deliberate and fluid. Lily's breath caught in her throat. She couldn't make out any details, but the sheer presence of the figure was enough to set her nerves on edge.

She stepped back from the window, her heart pounding. Who would be out there at this hour? The logical part of her brain told her it was probably a local, maybe a hunter or someone out for a late-night walk. But another part of her, the part she'd learned to trust after everything she'd been through, whispered that something wasn't right.

Dominic watched the cottage from the shadows, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. The newcomer was younger than he'd expected, her silhouette framed by the soft glow of a lamp inside. She moved with a quiet grace, her expression thoughtful as she unpacked her belongings. There was an air of vulnerability about her, but also a hint of steel beneath the surface. She didn't look like trouble, but Dominic had learned long ago that appearances could be deceiving.

He'd meant to stay hidden, to observe and leave before she noticed him. But as he stood there, his gaze lingering on her, something unexpected happened. A pull. Subtle at first, like the faint tug of a current, but it grew stronger with each passing moment. It wasn't just curiosity or suspicion-it was something deeper, more primal. His wolf stirred within him, restless and alert, and Dominic's jaw tightened in response.

Fated.

The word echoed in his mind, unwelcome and undeniable. He'd heard stories of fated mates, of bonds so powerful they defied logic and reason. But he'd never believed it would happen to him. He didn't want it to happen to him. He'd built his life around control, around keeping his emotions in check and his pack safe. A fated mate was a complication he couldn't afford.

Yet here she was, standing in the glow of her cottage, completely unaware of the storm she'd just unleashed in his world.

Dominic took a step back, retreating into the safety of the forest. His mind raced, a thousand questions swirling in his head. Who was she? Why had she come here? And, most importantly, how was he supposed to resist the bond that already threatened to consume him?

As he disappeared into the shadows, Dominic knew one thing for certain: nothing in Blackthorn Hollow would ever be the same.