Chapter 145
Ellie POV
His father’s eyes immediately shift to Dominic.
“You will.”
The words are calm.
Too calm.
“Not far. Given her condition.”
A pause.
“But you will wait outside this room.”
The tension between them changes instantly.
It’s no longer just an argument.
It’s a battle neither of them is willing to name.
Dominic’s jaw tightens.
I can practically feel the restraint holding him back.
Like every instinct in him is telling him to stay.
To challenge.
To refuse.
But before it goes any further, I speak.
“It’s okay.”
I look up at him.
“I can handle this.”
His eyes meet mine.
He looks like he wants to argue.
Like he wants to tell his father exactly where he can go.
But instead, he forces himself to breathe.
His shoulders drop slightly.
“I’ll be right outside.”
The words are quiet.
A promise.
Then he walks out.
The door closes behind him.
And somehow, the sound feels heavier than it should.
Final.
Dominic’s father folds his hands together on the desk.
His posture is relaxed.
Almost comfortable.
But his eyes are anything but.
They move over me carefully, like I’m a puzzle he already knows how to solve.
“Miss Ellie.”
A faint smile touches his lips.
“You know, for someone who has made her feelings about my family very clear…”
He leans back.
“I have to admit, I’m surprised to see you here.”
I swallow.
“I…”
My fingers tighten together.
“Need a favor.”
His expression barely changes.
“Everyone eventually does.”
The words aren’t harsh.
That somehow makes them worse.
“I know why you’re here.”
My brows pull together.
“You do?”
“Of course.”
His voice is smooth.
Confident.
“You’ve reconsidered.”
A pause.
“You’re ready to accept your place.”
My stomach tightens.
“To become Luna.”
His eyes sharpen.
“To move forward with Dominic.”
He gives a small nod.
“Am I correct?”
I stare at him.
Then immediately shake my head.
“No.”
The answer comes out too quickly.
“No, that’s not—”
Something flickers across his face.
Not surprise.
Annoyance.
I don’t give him time to respond.
“I’m here because of my mother.”
His expression stills.
“She was arrested.”
My voice grows tighter.
“The charges are false. Vivian’s father’s company filed them.”
I force myself to continue.
“But I don’t have the authority to reopen the case. I can’t fight this the way I need to.”
I look directly at him.
“But you can.”
The room goes quiet.
“You have influence.”
I take a breath.
“You’re an Alpha.”
My voice cracks slightly.
“I need your help getting her released.”
He listens.
He doesn’t interrupt.
He doesn’t argue.
He simply watches me.
Occasionally, he nods.
Like he’s listening to someone explain a situation he already understands.
When I finish, he leans back.
“Well.”
His voice is calm.
“You are correct about one thing.”
I wait.
“Only Alpha family members have access to certain forms of legal authority.”
Relief hits me instantly.
Sharp.
Immediate.
“Exactly.”
“Yes.”
He raises a hand slightly.
Stopping me.
“Family.”
The word hangs there.
My relief disappears.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like I already know what’s coming.
“I am not familiar with your mother, Ellie.”
My breath catches.
“Outsiders cannot legally interfere with these matters.”
He doesn’t say no.
Not directly.
He doesn’t need to.
He simply leaves the words sitting between us.
Cold.
Logical.
Impossible to argue against.
I stare at him.
The meaning settles piece by piece.
“You’re saying…”
My voice fades.
He tilts his head.
Watching me.
“I’m saying there are paths to power.”
A pause.
“And there are paths outside of it.”
My hands curl tightly in my lap.
He isn’t refusing.
Not exactly.
He’s telling me the price.
The mansion suddenly feels different.
The walls feel closer.
The air feels heavier.
Because I understand now.
If I want to save my mother…
I don’t need permission.
I need access.
And the only way to get that access—
Is by becoming something I swore I never would.
A Luna.
His Luna.
And he knows it.