Chapter 118
Dominic POV
The applause hasn’t even finished rippling through the room when my parents say Ellie’s name.
I stand there on the edge of the stage, jaw tight, shoulders squared, every instinct in me bristling.
I didn’t know what to feel.
Relief it wasn’t some princess I didn’t know?
Shock that my parents actually warmed up to someone?
Or the fact it was my fated mate… one that wanted nothing to do with me.
Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised, I’ve seen the way they’ve been watching her all night. But I didn’t think they would actually choose her, not after how much they seemed to dislike her in the past.
But, again, problem: She doesn’t want me.
The whole thing started to feel more like a humiliation ritual then honnor. And the look on Ellie’s face was screaming get me
out. I
So I did.
“With respect,” I say to my parents, my voice carrying easily through the hall, holding in my frustrations with a calm tone.” You’re wrong. Ellie wasn’t the prime choice of the night,” I continue, ignoring the way my mother’s eyes narrow. “And my opinion should carry some weight here. I’m the one who has to live with this.”
My father’s expression hardens immediately, and my mother doesn’t even try to hide her displeasure.
“Dominic,” His hand reaches out, ignoring the crowds whispers, gesturing for me. “Why don’t we have a chat.”
I feel a weight hit my shoulders.
“Right,” I mutter, following them behind the stage as stares follow.
“That was inappropriate, Dominic.” My father snaps once we are behind the curtain.
“Inappropriate?” I repeat. “You’re choosing my wife and I don’t have a say?”
“No,” my mother cuts in smoothly. “You don’t. Publicly undermining us and publicly undermining you’re new Luna is not exactly a look we want.”
I scoff. “You mean the girl who’s already turned me down? It’s mutual.”
My mother’s gaze hardens. “Watch your tone. From the moment Ellie entered your orbit, you’ve been careless. Reactive. You lash out instead of thinking, even bossing her around in the past. Don’t think we didn’t notice.”
“You didn’t care! Encouraged it even!” I snapped back. “You used to hate her. Think her weak.”
“People change,” my mother shot back. “Us and her. Clearly.”
Clearly not.
“She’s grown into a capable young woman,” my father says firmly. “A strong wolf.”
“And one who no longer needs your favor,” my mother says coolly. “If anything-” her eyes thick back toward the stage” it seems you’re the one seeking hers.”
Something ugly rumbles up from my chest before I can stop it, a low growl slipping through my teeth
+30 Bonus
“She isn’t the one,” I say flatly. “Pick someone else.”
My father’s own lip begins to curl. “Excuse me? Have you not been listening, boy?”
“Anyone,” I add, the words coming faster now. “I don’t care who. Just not her.”
My mother folds her arms. My father takes a step closer.
“Enough. You’re asking us to ignore destiny,” he says. “A perfect set up for the Alpha and Luna of our pack. Even the Moongoddess blessed it.”
“I don’t want her okay?! I’m asking you to listen,” I shoot back. “She doesn’t want this either. She’s told me that–clearly. Repeatedly. You forcing it won’t change her mind. It’ll just make everything worse.”
“For whom?” my mother asks.
“For her,” I snap. “For me. For the pack, eventually. You think binding someone who doesn’t want to be here ends well?”
“She’s your fated mate,” my father says again, like that’s the end of the discussion. “And from where we’re standing, Dominic, it’s not a bad choice.”
I clench my fists at my sides, nails biting into my palms.
But then I near a screeching tap of the microphone of the stage behind us, my family and I whipping around to see… Ellie on the
stage.
Even with her back to me, she looks pissed.
…Shit.
Ellie POV
The applause is the last thing I wanted tonight.
I stand there with my hands folded, my smile frozen into something practiced and distant, while Dominic’s parents speak about me like I’m not standing ten feet away.
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