Chapter 63
Dominic POV
I hadn’t slept much. One night was filled with an almost, the next, just…couldn’t sleep.
It’s hard to after your fated mate storms out of your room like you’ve committed a war crime.
Marcus, of course, found this hilarious walking between classes.
“So let me get this straight,” he said, walking beside me with all the grace of an annoying mosquito, “you claimed her…and then she ran away?”
I ground my teeth. “Marcus.”
“Oh, no, wait-better. She ran away right as you woke up That’s impressive. Even for Ellie.”
“Marcus.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Did she sprint? Or was it more of a dramatic flounce? Actually-she flounces a lot, doesn’t she? Kinda cute-”
I stopped ewalking.
Marcus crashed into my back.
I turned slowly, leveled him with a glare sharp enough to peel paint off walls.
“Dude, I don’t know what your on today, but drop it.”
He held up both hands. “Just trying to lighten the mood, man.”
“Well, stop. I’m not in a mood that needs lightening.”
Jake snorted behind us. “Yeah, you’re in a mood that needs sedation.”
I growled at him. He wisely shut up.
We headed across the courtyard, and I tried-tried-to focus on something other than Ellie’s scent still faintly clinging to my shirt, the bond flickering between us, or the way she’d looked at me like I was the villain in her personal tragedy.
She’d been drugged.
And she’d misunderstood-again.
And still… it stung, the way she left.
I exhaled through my nose, sharp and annoyed. “I’m not talking about it anymore.”
“Talking about what?” a voice chimed behind me.
I stiffened.
Vivian.
I turned, bracing myself for yelling, shrieking, tears, something dramatic. Instead, she smiled. Bright. Sweet. Perfectly composed.
1/3
“Hi, Dom!”
+25 Robus
Marcus and Jake both snapped their heads toward me so fast it should’ve caused spinal damage.
“Uh…” Marcus murmured in my ear. “Why… isn’t she mad? Hasn’t word spread? I mean you left her mid ball —
I elobowed him. Plus, I had no idea.
”
Vivian stepped closer, clasping her hands behind her back in that doll like way. “It’s been a minute! I feel like we hardly see each other anymore.”
“…Uh-huh.” I stared at her suspiciously. “You’re… cheerful.”
Her smile widened. “Should I not be?”
Jake whispered, “Dude, what did you DO?”
Nothing. I think? That was the problem.
Vivian should be furious. I’d left her at the Alpha Ball. I’d chased Ellie. I’d all but announced my preference in front of half the Academy.
But here she was-sunny, glowing, acting like we were on friendly terms.
“Were you looking for us?” I asked carefully.
“For you,” she corrected sweetly. “But I don’t mind the company.”
Marcus muttered, “Something’s wrong.”
Vivian giggled. “Marcus, you’re so paranoid.”
Marcus went rigid. Jake looked at me like we were in another dimension.
And honestly? I wasn’t far behind him.
Because Vivian’s voice was light…but something underneath it was off. Too calm. Or maybe… she really wasn’t mad?
She tugged playfully at my sleeve. “Dom?” she said softly, clasping her hands behind her back. “Do you… maybe want to hang out after school? Just us?”
Jake mouthed: WHAT IS HAPPENING?
Marcus mouthed: BRO RUN.
Guilt punched me square in the gut.
I still saw her face at the Alpha Ball-dressed up, waiting for me. It wasn’t…my best moment. I owed her.
I exhaled. “Yeah. Okay. After school.”
Her smile brightened instantly, all soft sweetness.
Marcus shot me a look across the courtyard that said you idiot.
Jake muttered, “He’s gonna die.”
I ignored both of them.
2/3
25 Bonus
Later, I did end up meeting with Viv. We walked through the Academy gardens, the air thick with the smell of herbs and damp stone. Vivian kept close, no closer than usual, but carefully polite, her fingers brushing my sleeve like she was testing boundaries.
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