Chapter 199
Ellie's POV
I took my seat at the conference table and immediately began spinning lazily in my chair as the meeting started.
The room was filled with important people—Alphas from neighboring packs, advisors, officials—all dressed in expensive suits and carrying the kind of serious expressions people wore when they wanted everyone to know they were serious.
And then there was me.
I had no intention of making this easy.
"Ellie."
Dominic's voice cut through the room.
I looked up innocently.
"Would you mind taking notes?"
I smiled.
"Of course, Master."
The room went completely silent.
Every single person turned to look at me.
Including Dominic.
A man near the end of the table blinked.
"Master?"
I simply smiled wider, grabbed a notebook and pen, and began writing.
Dominic stared at me for several seconds, clearly debating whether to address what I had just done.
Eventually, he decided against it.
He let out a slow breath and turned toward the projector.
"Let's begin."
The presentation started.
"Last time everyone was here, we discussed the issues regarding the damaged roadway in the northern territory. The blockage affected our ability to import fine metals until repairs were completed..."
Pop.
The sound of my gum snapping echoed through the room.
Everyone looked at me.
I calmly chewed and continued pretending to take notes.
Dominic's eyes narrowed slightly, but he continued.
"Recently, another closure occurred in that same region, which is why I am proposing we permanently adjust our trade routes and avoid that stretch of road entirely..."
Pop.
Pop.
Pop.
This time, Dominic stopped.
Slowly, he turned his head toward me.
"Ellie."
I looked up.
"Yes?"
"Is the gum necessary?"
I shrugged.
"I mean, I forgot to brush my teeth this morning, so yeah."
A few chuckles escaped from around the table.
Dominic closed his eyes briefly, like he was trying very hard to maintain his patience.
Perfect.
Exactly what I wanted.
I wanted him frustrated.
I wanted him to realize that forcing me into this role wasn't going to work.
But instead of getting angry, Dominic surprised me.
"Actually, Ellie," he said calmly, "why don't you lead the presentation?"
I froze.
That was not what I expected.
I had been prepared for him to tell me to leave. To get embarrassed and angry. To finally reach his limit.
But the look in his eyes told me something else.
He knew exactly what I was doing.
And he wasn't going to let me escape that easily.
Fine.
Two could play this game.
"Sure!" I said brightly.
I stood and walked toward the projector.
The room watched me.
I clicked on the next slide.
"Okay, so... moving on to the next section."
I squinted at the screen.
"Hmm."
I leaned closer.
"Wait. What's that word say?"
The room went quiet.
Dominic stared at me.
"Ellie."
I looked back at him.
"What?"
"You're joking, right?"
I shook my head, putting on my most innocent expression.
"No. Sorry. I just can't read as well as you can."
My smile sharpened.
"I tend to miss things sometimes."
I paused.
"Important things."
The meaning behind my words was obvious.
"Like life-changing things."
I glanced at him.
"Such as certain clauses hidden in contracts."
The atmosphere instantly shifted.
The other people in the room became very interested in anything except the conversation happening between us.
Dominic rubbed a hand over his face.
He understood.
He always understood.
After that, he sent me back to my seat.
Unfortunately, he didn't send me away completely.
So I spent the rest of the meeting doodling in my notebook while pretending to listen.
By the time the meeting finally ended, I was almost certain Dominic would never ask me to attend another one again.
At least, that was the hope.
The moment the visiting Alphas left, I gathered my things and headed toward the door.
I didn't make it far.
Dominic caught my wrist.
"Ellie."
His voice was low.
"What the hell was that?"
I looked over my shoulder.
"What do you mean?"
His expression tightened.
"Did you actually think that was acceptable?"
I smiled faintly.
"Did I embarrass you?"
"Not just me."
His jaw clenched.
"The entire pack."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Ellie, I thought you would be good at this. I know you're capable of handling these responsibilities."
His eyes searched mine.
"So why are you acting like this?"
"I'm not acting like anything."
I pulled my arm free.
"If you don't like the way I do things..."
I tilted my head.
"Divorce me."
The word landed between us.
Again.
And again, I watched it affect him.
His face went pale.
His expression changed instantly.
For one second, I thought maybe this would be the moment.
Maybe he would finally say yes.
Maybe he would finally let me go.
I held my breath.
Waiting.
Hoping.
But Dominic said nothing.
Not a single word.
Instead, he looked away.
Then he turned and walked off.
I watched him leave, noticing the tension in his shoulders and the way his fists clenched at his sides.
For a brief moment, guilt crept into my chest.
A tiny, unwanted part of me wondered if I had gone too far.
But I pushed the thought away.
I couldn't afford guilt.
Not anymore.
I grabbed my things and left.
The academy was waiting.
And honestly, studying was far easier than dealing with Dominic Blackwood.