CHAPTER 33

MIA POV.
I lie awake in bed. Not wanting to leave my room. I felt exhausted from previous night’s crying, and I felt anxious to see Dominic again. His behaviour from last night was all I could think about. His anger and frustration had been evident, and I knew that he didn’t like seeing like that at all. did I seem weak to him? I wondered.
A knock at the door drew my attention and I sat upright in bed. “Come in.” I call out to the person on the other side of the door. I smiled when I saw Elizabeth entering my room. She was alone and she greeted me with a warm smile of her own before closing the door. “Good morning, Mia.” She greeted before she strode over to my curtains and opened them to let the sunlight in. I squinted my eyes against the light before I forced myself to get out of bed. “Good morning, Elizabeth.” I say and the elderly omega comes towards me with an outfit that she selected from my closet. “Come on, get dressed.” She says and hands me beautiful sunny, knee length dress. “Breakfast is being served and Mr. Romano has informed me that he would like to take you on a tour of the pack today." Elizabeth said. I hesitated as I started to get dressed and looked at her. “Dominic?” I asked uncertainly as his angry face from last night pops into my mind. She shakes her head. “No, the young Mr. Romano.” She said and she looked at me sympathetically. I didn’t really tell her about my and Tony’s relationship, but I think it was clear that we didn’t like each other much.
“Oh.” Was all I could say. A feeling of disappointment washes over me. Elizabeth left so that I could get dressed and I felt like crawling back into bed. I sighed as I knew it would only lead to confrontation with Tony, so I got dressed and left the sanctuary of my room to go down to breakfast. As I make my way to breakfast, I wonder if I'll see Dominic today. Part of me hopes to avoid him, unsure of how to handle him whilst another part of me longs to understand him.
As I enter the room, I see that Tony is the only one present at the table. He was already eating, and I thought it odd for him to be the only one present. He briefly glances up at me and nods his head in greeting before returning his attention back to his food. I sit across from Tony at the table. The silence stretching uncomfortably between us.
I force myself to plate some food even though I wasn’t really hungry. My stomach was a flutter of nervous butterflies, and I was worried that I had upset Dominic. I managed to take a few bites before I noticed Tony getting up from the table.
"Ready to head out?” He asks and I nod, pushing my chair back. "Yes, let's go." I speak. We had just left the dining room together when the front doors swing open. My heart stutters as my eyes land on Dominic waking through the doors. His presence fills the room, commanding attention. I felt relieved to see him but also nervous. "Good morning, Dominic," I say, trying to sound light and steady.
I swallow nervously as his eyes lock onto mine, and for a fleeting moment, I saw a spark of intensity before his gaze shifts to Tony, his face holding indifference. "Morning." He greets curtly, his voice devoid of warmth. "This little tour will have to be postponed." Dominic announces and I see relief cross Tony’s face. I guess he also didn’t look forward to this little outing too and I wondered if it was originally Dominic’s idea.
“That is fine by me, father.” Tony says while I keep my eyes on Dominic who turns to look at me again. "Your father has arranged a grand party tonight to officially welcome you back home. He's invited his entire family as well as mine.”
My heart plummets nervously. “A party? Tonight? Another one?” I ask incredulously. “Is that really necessary?” I ask. "Apparently, your father wants to make up for the unpleasant family dinner last night." He says and I close my eyes in dismay as the events of the last nights dinner attempt at my father’s house played in my mind.
"You'll meet more members of your father's pack as well as mine." Dominic spoke. “Aswell as potential relatives and allies. I notice the tension in Dominic’s jaw, the faint lines etched between his eyebrows. He seems uneasy, almost... worried or maybe he was lust annoyed with another upcoming party like I was. “That really isn’t necessary. I will call my father and explain…” I started to speak before Dominic’s voice cuts through mine, silencing me. “It has already been set in motion and invitations have been sent.” He said in an air of finality in his voice. I kept quiet upon hearing this, so he continued.
"The party will be held outdoors in accordance with ancient werewolf traditions, a moonlight hunt will follow instead of an indoor ball." I feel a thrill of excitement mixed with trepidation. A hunt under the moonlight? It sounds primal, wild, and utterly captivating. And something that I only ever had read about because we rarely had any of those back at my old pack. I have only shifted once in my life, and it was fairly recently as well.
I must express the risks that will be involved with tonight’s party.” He said and he looked to Tony again. "Rival packs might see this as an opportunity. We must be ready and must remain vigilant." He spoke to Tony, and I was surprised to see Tony looking seriously at his father. “Yes, father.”
I frown, a little confused. "You think they'd attack us?" I asked. “I thought Dark Moon is one of the strongest packs. Who would be so stupid to attack us? Especially with my father’s pack here as well?” I continued to ask. Dominic's jaw clenches. "A big gathering like this is a golden opportunity to strike or at least gather intelligence.” He spoke and I nodded in understanding.
“That will be all.” Dominic said and he was just about to turn around to leave when I called out to him. "Will Vivienne be there?" I ask and Dominic's gaze falters, and there was only a moments pause before he nodding curtly and left without any more words.
His hesitation sparks my curiosity. Did something transpire between him and Vivienne? Was it about last night? I wondered before my thoughts went to upcoming party.