Chapter 177
Dominic POV
I never expected her to care that I saw her before the wedding.
Not because of some old superstition.
Not because of tradition.
Maybe it was simply because the dress was unfinished.
Because she wasn’t ready.
Whatever the reason…
It mattered to her.
And somehow, that mattered to me.
I step closer.
Immediately, she retreats.
Not far.
Just enough until her shoulders meet the wall behind her.
Her breath catches.
I stop myself from touching her.
Instead, I place my hand beside her head, palm flat against the wall.
Close.
But not forcing.
Giving her the choice.
My eyes stay on hers.
“You’re right,” I say quietly.
Her brows pull together.
“I am looking.”
A pause.
“At you.”
Something flickers across her face.
Surprise.
Confusion.
Something softer.
“Dominic…”
“Yes?”
She hesitates.
Then her voice drops.
“Why do you defend her?”
My expression tightens.
“I don’t.”
She looks unconvinced.
“I manage situations.”
“Even when I tell you what actually happened…”
Her fingers tighten around the fabric of her dress.
“You still protect her.”
The frustration in her voice is quieter now.
More painful.
“I wish…”
She swallows.
“You would just trust me.”
“I do.”
The answer comes immediately.
“I trust you.”
Her eyes search mine.
“Then why?”
“Because I choose control over chaos.”
My voice lowers.
“That doesn’t mean I don’t believe you.”
I pause.
“I am me, Ellie.”
A breath.
“But I am also the Alpha.”
Her expression softens slightly.
“I would go to war for you.”
My gaze holds hers.
“I just don’t want you living in one.”
For a moment, neither of us speaks.
Then one of her hands slowly leaves the dress.
Her fingers press lightly against my chest.
A hesitant touch.
Like she isn’t sure if she’s allowed.
Her eyes drop.
Just briefly.
To my mouth.
And this time, she doesn’t look away quickly enough.
“I just…”
Her voice is barely there.
“I hear you.”
A pause.
“But I feel like you don’t hear me.”
Her fingers curl slightly against my shirt.
“Trust me.”
Then softer:
“I’m sorry.”
I close the remaining distance between us.
Not rushing.
Not demanding.
Just close enough for her to feel my presence.
“You don’t trust me either.”
Her eyes lift.
The truth sits between us.
After a moment, she exhales.
“You’re right.”
Her grip tightens slightly.
“Dom…”
I don’t let her finish.
I kiss her.
For one second, she freezes.
Then she relaxes.
Slowly.
Her hands move to hold onto me, pulling me closer instead of pushing me away.
The argument disappears.
The frustration.
The fear.
Everything except the fact that she is here.
With me.
I want to forget every complication.
Every contract.
Every expectation.
But instinct reminds me to be careful.
So I steady her instead.
One hand at her waist.
The other was resting gently against her back.
She breathes my name.
“Dom…”
Not a protest.
Not really.
I pull back slightly, my forehead almost touching hers.
“Tell me to stop.”
The words leave me quieter than expected.
Her eyes search mine.
For a moment, neither of us moves.
Then—
“My dress,” she whispers.
I blink.
“What?”
A faint blush spreads across her face.
“It’s slipping.”
Reality returns instantly.
She quickly adjusts the fabric, turning away with a frustrated sound.
“Okay.”
A pause.
“Enough.”
I step back.
The distance returns.
But something has changed.
Her cheeks are flushed.
Her eyes are still avoiding mine.
And somehow, that tells me more than words could.
“Gods,” I say softly.
She looks at me.
“You’re beautiful.”
Her mouth opens.
Then closes.
“You’re…”
Before she can finish, there is a knock.
We both freeze.
The seamstress’s voice comes from the other side.
“Is… everything alright?”
Ellie’s eyes stay locked on mine.
“No,” she says quietly.
I almost smile.
Almost.
Instead, I straighten and put the distance back where it belongs.
“Finish the fitting,” I call.
She doesn’t argue.
But her cheeks turn even brighter.
“Fine.”
A pause.
“Just get out.”
I leave the room.
The door closes behind me.
Vivian is waiting outside.
The moment she sees me, she studies my expression.
“Is she—”
I smooth my face back into something neutral.
Mostly.
But I can’t completely hide the small curve at the corner of my mouth.
Because whatever Vivian thinks she understands…
She doesn’t.
Not about Ellie.
Not about me.
Not about what is happening between us.
And when that door closes again on our wedding night…
It won’t be because of a dress fitting.