The Panther's Second Chance (Book 10 of the Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 21

"Let me take your plate," Dominic said, reaching over and grabbing it.

Natalia watched him stand to take it over to the bus tub, and looked at her brother. He was still eating and his gaze darted over to her. How's it going?

Good so far.

Heard Abby kicked your ass yesterday.

Ugh does everyone know?

Not everyone. But I can understand the distraction. He smiled at her.

Dominic walked back over. "Ready?"

More than ready. She stood and followed him out of the dining hall, then down the hall to his room. He opened the door and held it for her.

Natalia walked inside and sat down on his bed, making herself comfortable. Dominic sat down across from her.

"I want to talk," he said.

"Okay."

"I want you with me all the time. I am probably going to ask for an apartment," he said.

"You want to move into an apartment?" She really hadn't thought about it much yet, but Dominic had been in this room for as long as she could remember.

"When I first joined the pack, I never thought I'd have a mate. I stayed in this room when I'd visit, and it just became home. But now, it makes more sense for us to have more space," he said.

"I don't think you have enough closet space for me," Natalia said with a smile. Dom's closet wasn't very big. Her own was bigger.

"Probably not," he said with a smile. "What do you think?"

"I like the idea of us starting fresh. Do you want pups one day.. or ..." She frowned.

"Um.. I have no idea." His eyes widened as he stared at her and Natalia realized he'd probably never given it much thought.

"Not now. We have plenty of time," she said.

He nodded. "So, tell me what you were planning before you got stuck with me."

She tipped her head sideways. "What do you mean?"

"If you hadn't found your mate on your eighteenth birthday, what would you be doing? Pack liaison? Getting involved in the family business? None of the above? College?" He stopped.

She was quiet for a moment, thinking. "I kind of wanted to dabble in both the business side and be a liaison. I'm not in a rush to go to college, though I did think about taking some online courses."

He nodded slowly, taking her words into consideration. "You know what I do. Mostly business, and now I'm taking on some liaison work."

She nodded. She knew all that already. She didn't like the fact that he'd be leaving. She knew he'd invited her to go on the liaison trips, but she also knew he was gone way more for business.

His gaze was still on her, studying her intently. He had gorgeous blue eyes. She really loved how beautiful they were.

"Daniel wants me to slow down some with my business travel, which I'm fine with, but when I do go, I would prefer you go with me," he said.

Her heart leapt at that. "You would?"

He smiled. "You want to learn it, so why not?" He moved the pillow up and leaned back against the headboard, resting his back against the pillow. "Come here, Natalia."

She crawled over next to him, and to her surprise, he lifted her and placed her on his lap so that she was facing him, straddling him.

"Plus, I'm not sure I want to leave you behind," he said softly.