Chapter 5 Walls Between Us

"Think you can manage here alone? Or do you want us to be together?"

Adrian's voice carried a teasing warmth as he helped me settle into the room. "I really don't mind, you know. I've missed you so much."

That was Adrian, always trying to make things lighter, even when everything felt heavy. He joked, but I could hear the concern in his voice.

"Brother," I looked at him seriously, "you don't need to treat me like I'm helpless. You should be the one resting. You were the one attacked by rogue wolves."

He let out a short laugh, brushing it off like it was no big deal. But I knew better. He was injured. He should've been lying in bed, not lifting and moving around just for me. It worried me. No matter how much he smiled, I could see the pain behind his eyes.

The moment I was cleared to leave the healer's residency, Adrian was already waiting for me outside. He didn't ask questions, just took my hand and led me to the new room.

I remember my conversation with Dominic earlier. He stayed quiet after I lied, maybe because he sensed I wasn't ready to talk. I definitely didn't tell him about the pregnancy.

I don't want him to know, especially him. And I don't even know why.

So, he kept his distance when he noticed I wasn't comfortable around him. And the space between us only grew heavier. Every time he was near, I felt uneasy. Maybe it was just me. Maybe I was the only one feeling this way.

"Cassie?"

Adrian's voice suddenly pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Are you even listening to me?"

I blinked a few times. "Oh. I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

He moved closer and sat on the edge of the bed, his face softening. "You seemed far away just now. I know it's a lot. Everything that's happened... with our parents. And then what Lance did to you. Now you're here in a whole new pack, trying to act like everything's fine."

I looked down, my fingers tightening slightly.

"But don't worry," he said gently. "You'll be taken care of here. Alpha Dominic... he's a good Alpha. Lance is nothing compared to him."

That made me pause.

I looked at Adrian but didn't say anything. I wanted to believe what he was saying. And maybe, to an outsider, Dominic did look like a great Alpha.

He was calm, composed, and had a certain strength that demanded respect.

But something about him felt... off.

I couldn't explain it, but my instincts told me not to trust him completely.

There was a wall around him I couldn't get past. And I wasn't sure I wanted to try.

I nodded slowly and forced a smile. "Go now, brother. I just want to rest for a bit," I said softly.

Adrian nodded and gave me a warm look. "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call me, okay?"

I smiled at him faintly. "I know."

He leaned in and kissed my forehead before finally leaving the room. As soon as the door shut behind him, the silence became deafening.

Being alone made everything crash down all at once. I felt overwhelmed.

This new room, this new pack, this new reality, none of it felt real. And Alpha Dominic... there were so many questions swirling in my head about him.

But I knew none of them would ever be answered. He was too closed off. Too unreadable. And yet, his presence lingered in my mind.

I was still heartbroken from what Lance had done. The betrayal, the humiliation... it clung to me like a shadow. And now, I was carrying his pup. A pup I didn't ask for. A pup I wasn't even sure I wanted.

The thought of it made my stomach twist. I wanted to get rid of it. I wanted to pretend like it never happened. But at the same time... guilt ate at me. It wasn't the pup's fault. It didn't deserve to carry the weight of my pain and shame. It didn't choose any of this.

I climbed into bed, closed my eyes, and hoped sleep would give me even a moment of peace. For a while, it did. But it didn't last long.

When I slowly opened my eyes, I felt something strange. A chill ran down my spine. Someone was watching me.

I blinked, trying to adjust to the darkness, and my eyes widened when I saw who it was.

"D-Dominic?" I gasped, shocked. I blinked again, as if my eyes were playing tricks on me.

"Did I startle you?" he asked.

I swallowed hard, my heart suddenly pounding in my chest. He stepped closer. How did he even get in? The door was locked. The windows were shut. I hadn't heard anything.

"I just wanted to check on you."

"I'm fine," I replied quickly, sitting up straighter.

He looked cold, emotionally detached even. I didn't understand him.

"You can go now," I told him. "You should have knocked. I would've woken up."

He didn't respond to that. Instead, his eyes dropped downward, and I suddenly felt heat rush to my face.

My legs were exposed. The blanket had slipped while I was sleeping, and I hadn't even realized it. I quickly pulled it over myself, feeling embarrassed.

His gaze shifted, but there was something different in his eyes, something unreadable.

He sat on the edge of the bed, and my body tensed. When our faces drew closer, I felt something strange. A jolt. An energy I couldn't explain. It made my chest tighten and sent panic shooting through me.

I immediately pulled away. My heart was racing. My breaths became shallow as I tried to calm myself down.

Dominic looked at me closely, his expression unreadable.

"Do you want to be strong?" he asked.

I nodded hesitantly, even though his question felt sudden and caught me off guard. "Yes."

"Good. Because I'm going to train you."