Chapter 16 - Dominic #2
“What happened?” I ask her in a distinctively clear tone that carries over to everyone who's stopped dancing to watch the scene unfold.
“Amber accused me of—”
“The half-breed mutt didn't want to leave Simon!” Amber cuts in with her loud accusation.
Flinching from Amber's outburst, I keep my eyes focused on Cecelia, nodding for her to continue explaining what happened, keeping in mind that I need to remain as calm as I can, not to embarrass her, but also be firm enough to defend her.
“What happened, Cecelia?”
“That's exactly what she's accusing me of, but Simon was the one who didn't want to stop dancing with me.”
Nodding, I turn around with one arm behind me to protect Cecelia as I face Amber. “There has been a misunderstanding, it seems. Your partner refused to stop dancing with Cecelia. You're mistaken.”
Simon steps forward and sneers. “So, you're gonna believe the useless half-breed?” he asks with a pointed brow.
Knowing that this was all part of a plan to provoke me, I take a deep breath to calm myself.
If Simon expected a fight to break out, he was wrong.
For the sake of Cecelia's dignity, I remain calm and collected even though my blood is boiling and all I want to do is throw my fists in his face.
But with the reminder that Cecelia shouldn't get hurt, I say instead, “The omega is my partner, and I will not listen to any words spoken against her. This is a warning, Simon, for you and Amber to stay away from her, or you will face my wrath.”
A chorus of gasps rings out in the hall, and Simon takes a step forward. He stares me square in the face, but I don't flinch, making him well aware that I mean business. I've already issued a warning.
“If you're done throwing a fit, everyone can go back to enjoying themselves,” I continue, turning to glance at the rest of the room. “If you want a real fight, we can arrange it and not disrupt the others.”
Simon glares at me furiously, slamming a palm against his chest. “Why don't you fight me now, Dominic?” he challenges. “Are you a pussy?”
I growl lowly as I glare back at him, but remember that we're in the presence of the council, and I won't lose my temper. If there's one way I can protect Cecelia, it's by becoming the alpha, and I won't allow this entitled brat to ruin my chances at that.
“Simon, I'm warning you…quit this now before it's too late,” I warn him in a measured tone. “You're gonna get us both kicked out of the trials, and it's time you get your priorities straight. This is bigger than both of us.”
Simon stares at me with rage in his eyes, subdued when Amber grabs his arm and whispers something in his ear that gets him walking backward.
“Be careful, Dominic,” he warns, just as he turns and shrugs away from Amber.
“As you were,” I announce to the others on the dancefloor, and slowly, everyone returns to dancing in pairs. As I turn to Cecelia to make sure she's okay, the music is cut, and Alpha Sirius takes to the mic.
“Excuse me, everyone,” he says to the crowd that has abruptly become silent. “I have an announcement to make.”
Cecelia steps beside me and we exchange confused glances before turning our attention to the stage.
“As you all know,” Alpha Sirius continues, “we have been conducting the trials to determine who your next leaders will be.
Tonight was one of the tests in the trials, but the council has agreed that we won't have to execute our plans. We've just witnessed exactly what we needed to see to dictate our winner tonight. Dominic Rivera, you have displayed excellent leadership qualities in a social setting,” he says as he points to me. “Well done. Any honorable alpha will know that a social gathering is of utmost importance, and maintaining peace among pack members is what makes a good leader. But what truly stands out is defending the she-wolf beside you. An alpha’s greatest treasure is his luna. Congratulations.”
In front of me, Simon curls his fists at his sides and storms off the dancefloor with Amber chasing his tail. A round of applause rings out, but I turn to Cecelia, my focus solely on her.
I might have just won the test by keeping the peace and defending Cecelia, but I had no idea that this was a test. That's not why I did it, and in Cecelia's soft eyes, I can see that she's realized it, too.
I defended her because I care about her.
“Wanna dance to celebrate our victory?” I ask with a smile, holding out my hand.
But Cecelia shakes her head even as she places her hand in mine.
“I think I'm done dancing here tonight. I'd like to go back to the cabin,” she says with a distinctively suggestive tone, her eyes glowing vibrantly as she bats her eyes seductively at me.
The scent of her pheromones is strong and prominent, as if she's just entered her heat. I look around to make sure no one else can sense it, but it appears I'm the only one attuned to the scent of her arousal.
When my eyes meet hers again, she's staring at me expectantly.
“Of course,” I say, gulping nervously because I have no idea where this is going, but I’m curious to find out.
“Lead the way, Dominic.”