Chapter 44
Dominic POV
I felt bad as soon as I said it. I had shut Vivian down. Hard.
Even though she had come after me. And my friends were just trying to cheer me up. My hand slid down my face.
“Sorry,” I offered. “I appreciate you guys. I just
Marcus’s hand dropped on my shoulder, already smiling again. “Nah, man. Don’t sweat it. That was rough. BUT, let’s look to the future!” His hand swiped infront of me like he was pitching a bad business deal.
“Dude,” he says, leaning across the table, “Vivian’s party. You have to come. Vivian’s been planning this thing for months. And she’s your-”
Tyler elbows him. “Don’t say it.”
Marcus smirks.”–favorite admirer.”
Vivian blushes on cue, smiling down at her hands like she’s too shy to handle the attention.
Cute. Yet predictable.
Normally I’d play along, tease her a bit. But I wasn’t up for it.
Tyler tries a softer angle. “It’ll be good for you, man. Seriously. Blow off steam, Especially since, you know…” He waggles his eyebrows. “Ellie seems pretty committed to Lucas now.”
Something inside me goes razor-tight.
“She’s not,” I say, sharper than I meant.
Marcus lifts his hands like I’m pointing a weapon. “Sorry man, it’s just a joke.”
“It wasn’t funny.”
Tyler whistles low. “Touchy.”
I ignore him, jaw clenched as I stare at the courtyard pavement.
Committed to Lucas? Please.
Ellie wasn’t… she couldn’t actually-
She wouldn’t choose him.
Not like that.
The mark on her neck flashes in my mind, Lucas’s stupid smug bite, and my wolf surges, claws scraping at the inside of my skin.
I run a hand through my hair, trying to breathe past the pressure building in my chest.
She’s not serious. That’s right. She’s just trying to get back at me.
Punish me.
Fine. That’s fine. That’s normal.
But the way she right to him.
The way she let him stand so close…
The way she didn’t even look at me earlier….
My stomach knots.
Vivian notices my silence first. She scoots a little closer, placing a gentle hand on my arm.
“So my birthday” she murmurs. “It should be fun! Why don’t we-”
Marcus jumps in fast, grinning. “Nah, he’s distracted all over again. Come on man, either talk bout it or get over it.”
“Get over what?” I hissed.
“The mark, maybe?” He snorts. “Dude, you should’ve seen your face when she walked right by. Priceless.” “Marcus,” I warn.
Tyler tilts his head, nsure. “I mean….it was kinda crazy. Lucas dropping that ‘I choose Ellie’ line? Didn’t think the guy had it in him.”
Vivian chuckles nervously. “Boys, stop teasing him. I’m sure Dominic doesn’t care that much. He’s the future Alpha, who cares about her.” 1
I grit my teeth.
I don’t care.
I don’t.
“She’s not serious about Lucas,” I snap. “She’s just-being dramatic. Like always.”
Marcus exchanges a look with Tyler.
“Yeah,” Tyler says. “Probably.”
Marcus leans back. “Honestly, the mark looked pretty legit-”
“Marcus,” I growl.
He shuts up, eyes widening when he relizes I’m finally serious.
Vivian strokes my arm again, soft and comforting. “Dom… maybe you need a break. That class was a lot for everyone.” She gives a small smile. “You still haven’t said you’d come to my party. It would be good-”
I stand abruptly, the bench scraping behind me.
“Fine,” I say. “I’ll go.”
Marcus whoops. “Let’s go!”
Vivian beams like she just won the lottery. “Really? You mean it?”
I force a smile that feels like it’s cracking my face.
“Yeah,” I say. “Why not.”
2
6
If Ellie wanted to cause so much trouble, maybe a night at her place wouldn’t be so bad.
A slow smile crossed my lips.
+25 Bonus
Vivian’s house is loud enough to shake ribcages. I’d been here a few times when I was younger. When her parents were around.
But now it looked nothing like the nice dinner and homey vibe Ellie and Vivian’s parents had.
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