Mine to Claim

Chapter 47

I open my eyes to the feel of something cold beneath my cheek. Nuzzling into the cold yet cosy thing, I realize it is Dominic when his mind nudges against mine.

"You slept," he murmurs from above me, making me look up at him. Up close, his eyes reflect with tiny crystals around the reddish iris, giving him an otherworldly look.

"The only person who is otherworldly between us, is you, my love," whispers Dominic, while moving a finger over my closed fist that's resting between my cheek and his chest.

I smile, feeling a bit shy at his open display of affection towards me. This is new for me. For us. But it feels good and I am still learning to embrace this side of Dominic without any reservations.

"Thank you!" I whisper it over his heart that's beating steadily however, mine is pumping rapidly.

Dominic pulls me closer to him, and places his leg over my hip, almost draping himself over me while nuzzling over my head. The action causes his beard to get stuck in my hair. It is oddly soothing.

"It is me who is thankful, my love. Your strength is enormous. It is my pride," he whispers bringing a smile to my face.

It is a wonder how I smile so easily with him.

I hold him a bit tighter, letting my fists open but at the last moment close them, only now remembering about the pearls in my palms.

"Show me," whispers Dominic and for a moment, I forget that our minds are connected.

Feeling a bit shy, I lean back a little, allowing some space for my palm to accommodate between us and then open my fist for him to take a look.

"Wow!"

His eyes glow a bit and then he leans into my palm, almost sniffing the pearls in my hand.

"Are... are those your mother's?" he asks, while looking at them closely. He raises my palm up in the air and scrutinizes the pearls from different angles.

"Yes."

"How did you find them?" he asks while looking down at me, his curious yet soft gaze making butterflies dance in my belly.

"Umm, I had a dream, maybe, or I sleepwalked, I am not sure, but I was in the cavern, at the Legacy wall and mama was there. She cried and these are the pearls formed from her tears," I explain in brief, while looking at those pearls in my palm.

I skip the part of meeting that man, pushing it to the far side of my mind because even the slightest of hint can alert Dominic and he might ask me more questions.

I need to find out about the old man from Sierra, before speaking about him to anyone.

"We should treasure the gift from her," he says while dropping a soft kiss on my forehead.

I nod in affirmation and close my fist, relishing the feel of lying in Dominic's arms like this as if I have no other care in the world.

Perhaps I don't.

~~~

Walking through the corridor when I can easily teleport to the kitchen of Fenris's home is a different feeling altogether.

Somehow my shoulders feel light when I am walking, and I feel less burdened. Is it because I have accepted my past and look forward to having a future where I am happy with a mate?

Never had I believed that I would have a mate. That the Moon Goddess would bless a cursed daughter with all the happiness in the world.

Having a brother, a sister, a mate, an extended family in the form of cousins and pack members.