Chapter 122
Dominic's POV
By the time I get home from training, every muscle in my body is screaming.
My shoulders feel like they're made of stone. My knuckles are split and raw beneath the wraps. My lungs still burn, as though I left the ring before I could catch my breath.
Usually, that kind of exhaustion helps.
Usually, it drowns out everything else.
Tonight, it doesn't even make a dent.
I haven't seen Ellie in days.
Lucas either.
Not since everything fell apart that night.
The distance should feel like relief. We both needed space.
Instead, all it leaves behind is an empty ache.
I shove through the front doors, letting them slam shut behind me hard enough to echo through the house.
The familiar scent of roasted herbs and fresh bread greets me.
Not the cold, silent atmosphere I'm used to.
Soft laughter drifts from somewhere deeper inside the manor—maids chatting while they work, by the sound of it.
The house feels... alive.
I peel off my training gloves and toss them onto the entry table before heading toward the kitchens. My plan is simple: grab food, avoid everyone, disappear upstairs.
No conversations.
No lectures.
Definitely no family politics.
"Dominic."
My mother's voice stops me in my tracks.
I turn.
She's standing behind the massive kitchen island, sleeves folded neatly to her elbows, every strand of hair perfectly in place despite the bustle around her.
Two maids linger nearby, pretending to polish silverware while listening to every word.
"What?" I ask flatly.
She notices the edge in my voice but ignores it.
"Ellie will be joining us for dinner tonight."
The words hit harder than any punch I took during practice.
A humorless laugh escapes me.
"No," I say. "She won't."
One elegant eyebrow lifts.
"You heard me."
I drop my duffel bag onto the floor with a heavy thud.
"Stop interfering," I say. "Haven't you done enough already? She already turned you down. Publicly."
The room goes still.
Even the maids stop moving.
Mother's expression never falters, but something colder settles behind her eyes.
"No," she says evenly. "We made an announcement. We are the Alpha family."
Her gaze sharpens.
"You children are not."
A bitter laugh leaves me.
"So that's your excuse?"
"It's a reminder," she replies. "You do not speak to me in that tone."
"I don't get to do much these days," I shoot back. "Apparently, the only people who get choices around here are you and Father."
I gesture toward the dining room.
"You invited her after I specifically asked you not to."
"Our choice is Ellie."
I shake my head.
"No."
I meet her eyes.
"She's your choice."
She walks around the island until we're standing only a few feet apart.
"And yours," she says quietly. "Whether you accept it or not."
My jaw tightens.
"She doesn't want this."
My mother's expression remains infuriatingly calm.
"She doesn't know what she wants."
I stare at her.
"She's young. Emotional."
"She's not a child."
"No," Mother agrees immediately.
"She's an exceptional young woman."
Her voice softens, though only slightly.
"Top of her class at the Healer Academy."
"Strong."
"Intelligent."
"Confident."
A faint smile touches her lips.
"She's grown into a remarkable mate... even if she has quite the temper."
Then the smile disappears.
"But none of that changes our decision."
"Or the will of the Moon Goddess."
I let out a sharp breath.
"You don't get to call it admiration when you're trying to trap her."
For the first time, irritation flashes across Mother's face.
"You are both adults now."
She folds her arms.
"You don't get to run away from responsibility simply because it's uncomfortable."
I laugh bitterly.
"Responsibility?"
My voice rises.
"You mean control."
"The future," she corrects.
"She is your fated mate."
Each word is measured.
"Chosen by destiny."
"Blessed by the Moon Goddess herself."
"There is no greater match than that."
I scoff.
"This is unbelievable."
"No," she snaps.
"What's unbelievable is how determined you are to destroy something good because you're too stubborn to admit how you feel."
I take one slow step closer.
"You don't know how I feel."
"I know exactly how you feel."
Her answer comes without hesitation.
"You're afraid."
The word lands like a blade between my ribs.
Anger surges through me before I can stop it.
Mother gestures toward the hallway leading upstairs.
"Go shower."
"No."
Her expression hardens into pure Alpha authority.
"Dominic."
My name is no longer a request.
It's an order.
"You will behave tonight."
"You will sit at that table."
"You will treat Ellie with respect."
"And you will not humiliate her again."
My chest constricts.
"I never wanted to—"
"Enough."
The single word silences me.
She holds my gaze, unwavering.
"Tonight," she says firmly, "we're going to fix this."