CHAPTER 212 THE BATTLE BEGINS

DOMINIC Laura's lips were warm and persistent, but they ignited nothing within me. I placed my hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her away. Her eyes, a shade too dark to be natural, flashed with hurt. "Laura, stop." My voice was firm, but the need to be gentle softened it. "I already have a mate. You need to focus on someone else." Her defiance turned into desperation. "Dominic, you don't understand," she whispered, leaning in again. "I want to give myself to you. We belong together." I stepped back, breaking the connection. Her eyes were full of longing, but it only made me more determined to stop her. "No, Laura. We don't." Her eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint. "Your mate? You're talking about that witch, Minerva, aren't you?" "She's not a witch," I snapped, stepping back to put more distance between us. "She's my mate, and you need to respect that." Laura's lips twisted into a sneer. "Respect? Dominic, you don't understand. I can give you everything that she can't.