CHAPTER 18

MIA POV.
I knelt beside Dominic, my mind racing with concern. "Dominic, what's happening? Do you need me to call for help?" I asked as I was already looking around for someone to call. To my surprise, he grasped my arm, his grip tight, making me gasp in pain. "No. Don't call anyone. Just... get me out of here." he said, and I hesitated. He had a wild look in his eyes, and it was as though he almost didn’t recognize me… or was this some kind of trick to get into my room I thought before I dismissed it. He was the alpha of Dark Moon, and this was his house, he didn’t need to play games like this if he wanted to get into my room.
Making a split decision, I helped him to his feet, and he leaned heavily on me as I guided him into my room, and I closed the door behind us.

I realized that Dominic was having an anxiety attack. His rapid breathing, his trembling body, it all pointed to a panic attack. I briefly wondered what could have triggered it. Probably something psychological would be my best bet.
I drew on my professional expertise, I helped to calm down. "Dominic, focus on my voice.” I spoke to him softly as I sat him down on my bed. “Look at me.” I commanded softly, and to my surprise, he obeyed. I smiled at him with encouragement and took his hand in mine, stroking his palm with my finger. “Focus on what you are feeling.” I say and his eyes drop down to his palm. He takes a deep shuttering breath as I continued to stroke his palm. “Focus on the sensation that it creates on your skin.” I spoke and slowly but surely, his breathing began to slow, his body relaxing as he focused on my twirling finger on his palm.
As the minutes passed, Dominic’s eyes didn’t look so wild anymore. “That’s it. You are almost there.” I coaxed. “Breath in deeply and release it through your nose slowly.” I guided him. Dominic closes his eyes before taking a big gulp of air as I instructed and releases it through his nose. He opened his eyes. He seemed much calmer now. His eyes focused on me, and I couldn’t help but notice how light his eyes seemed just now. They were usually as dark as his nature but now it was more of a chocolate color with the tiniest flecks of dark gold in it. He blinked his eyes before he leaned back on my bed, his chest moving up and down in a more natural rhythm.
I stopped my ministrations, but I didn’t let go of his hand. Instead, I held it as I sat down beside him. "What happened, Dominic? What triggered this?" I asked. He stared up at the ceiling and swallowed before turning his head to look at me and I was sad to see the darkness had crept back into his eyes. He abruptly sat up straight again before coming to his feet. He walked a few steps away from me before he stopped. He doesn’t turn around when he speaks up. “Thank you.” He said and he cleared his throat. I somehow got the feeling that not many had seen him in this vulnerable state.
I don’t know why, but I got to my feet and walked over to him, gently putting my hand on his arm when I came to stand beside him. “What happened?” I asked. He sharply looked at me. “Nothing.” He almost sneered at me. My eyes quickly scanned his face for any signs of distress. His breathing had steadied, but his skin still looked pale and clammy. “That wasn’t nothing.” I retort gently. He turned his head away and took another deep breath. "Dominic, I need to know what's going on," I said firmly but gently. "Have you seen a doctor about these...attacks?" I asked. Dominic shook his head, his jaw setting in a stubborn line. "I'm fine, Mia. I don't need a doctor." He said and I merely raised my eyebrows at him, not convinced. "Don't be ridiculous. You almost just passed out in my room! That's not fine." I said, pushing a little for more information. Dominic sighed and rubbed his temples. "It's been happening for a while now.” He finally said, not looking at me. “I just...space out. It's no big deal." He said adamantly.
I frowned, unconvinced. "No big deal? What if you'd hit your head or hurt yourself?" Dominic shrugged, his eyes avoiding mine. "I'm just stressed, that's all. I've been working too much, not sleeping enough...it's nothing to worry about."
I could see the tension in Dominic's body, the way his muscles flexed as he prepared to deflect my concerns. But I pushed a little more. "Listen, Dominic, I'm not asking you to do this for me. I'm asking you to do it for yourself. Whatever is going on, it's clearly affecting your health.” I said and he glanced towards me. “And what if it happens again? What if you're driving or fighting or out in public and you get an episode like you just did?" I asked and Dominic snorted, a harsh sound.
"You still don't get it do you, Mia? In my world, showing weakness is what gets you killed. If anyone were to find out about this, I’m as good as dead. Everything I've worked for, everything I've built, it'll all be destroyed." He said as he turned to me. A bit of that alpha rage showing in his eyes. “I would rather risk it, than have it discovered about my attacks.” He said and I swallowed nervously.
Dominic's gaze locked onto mine. His eyes narrow at me, his voice low and menacing. "And you will not breathe a word about this to anyone, understand?” He said and I swallowed nervously as I took a step back. ”Not to your friends, not to your family...no one. You understand?" he said, his voice filled with unspoken threats.
I nodded, taken aback by the intensity of his warning. "I understand. "Dominic's gaze lingered on mine for a moment, as if searching for any sign of betrayal. Seemingly satisfied, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in my room, the door slamming hard behind him. As I watched him go, my mind raced with what had just occurred. The strong and fearless leader, Dominic Romano, had a weakness. I now held a secret that could potentially change everything, and I couldn't help but wonder how I might use it to my advantage.
A smile grew on my face as I realized the potential power I now held. I could perhaps use this to negotiate a way out of my situation. I got into bed as the possibilities swirled in my mind. It was frightening, yet tempting and I finally had something to hold onto that was in my control. It was with that thought that I manage to fall asleep with ease tonight.