CHAPTER 39

MIA POV.
“We’re here.” Dominic said as we seemed to arrive at the pickup point. There was a black SUV already waiting for us and as soon as we came into view, a man got out whom I could only assume was Beta Mike. Just like Dominic, his eyes kept combing over the surroundings. Dominic's hold on my hand tightened, the comfort of the warmth of his hand sent a flutter in my chest.
"Mike." Dominic greeted. Beta Mike's gaze swept over us, his eyes lingering on our holding hands before meeting Dominic's. "Alpha." Mike replied in greeting. "We can leave immediately if you are ready?" Beta Mike spoke and Dominic nodded and opened the passenger door for me. He briefly let go of my hand as I got in and to my surprise, Dominic got in next to me. "Let's get moving," he said as Tony and Beta Mike gave each other fleeting looks before Tony got in the front and Mike at the driver side. The engine purred to life. As we pulled away. Dominic's arm wrapped around me, pulling me to his side. His warmth seeped into me, and I lean into him more.
As we drove through the darkness, Dominic's arm remained wrapped around me, his hold gentle and protective. His eyes continuously scanned the passing trees, his eyes full of vigilance and caution. Watching for any signs of danger. I could also feel the tension against his bare chest as I rested securely at his side.
I watched as the darkness outside the window blurred together with the trees while we drove. I felt safe and the events of the night were starting to sink in. That must have been why my body started to tremble. As the adrenalin left my body, I was succumbing to the delayed shock and cold. Dominic's arm tightened around me, his gaze snapping to mine, concern etched on his face. "Mia, are you hurt?" he asked, his voice low and filled with concern. I shook my head, trying to reassure him but he didn’t look convinced. I tried to adjust the way I was sitting, and I felt a strange sticky and warm wetness on my arm. I looked down in confusion and gasped when I saw blood that had pooled on the seat between us. I followed the path of the blood, and my eyes landed on a deep cut to Dominic’s side, close to the waistline of the shorts that he had on. How had I not noticed it before! I chastised myself as my heart skipped a nervous beat. My eyes snapped up to Dominic’s.
"Dominic," I whispered. My voice trembling. "Your injured." I breathed. Dominic frowned before his gaze followed mine to see the pooled blood between us and to the cut at his side. His expression was indifferent, and he shrugged it off as nothing. "It's nothing," he said. My jaw drooped open in shock at his response. “But it looks deep, and you are bleeding a lot.” I spoke. Did he not realise how serious it was. Wasn’t he afraid of bleeding out or something. I wondered.
Dominic's arm held me a little tighter, warm and reassuring. "It's just a scratch, Mia. I'll heal quickly," he said, his voice calm and dismissive. But for some reason I couldn't shake off the worry. “But… there is so much blood…” I started to argue when a mirthless snort came from the front of the car. It was Tony. "Come on, Mia, don't overreact." he said, looking at me in the rearview mirror. “One would think that this was your first experience in a pack attack.” Tony mocked and I stayed silent. His eyes widened a little as he realised that it was. I knew there were always attacks on packs, but I have never been caught in the middle of one.
Dominic's hand rubbed comforting circles on my shoulders. "Mia, we've had worse attacks than this." he said, his tone calm and reassuring. "It might seem overwhelming to you now because it is new to you, but this is just another day for us.” Dominic said and I looked up at him fearfully. “We have learned to adapt and handle situations like this." He spoke and his face took on a sad look. "And you will too," he said. That was exactly not what I wanted to hear. I didn’t want to live the rest of my life looking over my shoulder and to live in fear of untimely attacks.
Tears welled up in my eyes, spilling down my cheeks as I gazed up at Dominic, his face blurring through my tears. A sob escaped my lips and then another. My body shook as silent tears ran down my face until a deep sated anger burned in my chest and I looked up to glare at Tony. He had an annoyed look on his face as he stared at me from the rear-view mirror, almost like me crying was irritating him, and that made me even more angry. When he saw me glaring at him murderously, his eyes widened in surprise before I lunged forward and grabbed him by the back of the hair, yanking his head back against his seat. A pained cry escaped his lips, but it didn’t make me feel any better, so I kept yanking.
"You did this to me!" My voice cracked as despair of my predicament boiled over. "This is your fault… If you never have approached me in school…" I scream as regret and loathing spilled out. My words trailed off as I choked on my tears. Suddenly, my hands were taken into large ones, making me release my hold on Tony’s hair. "Mia, stop." Dominic spoke into my ear, but I shook my head as I tried to wriggle my hands free. “It is going to be alright.” Dominic tried to reassure me again. I gave up the struggle in fighting Dominic and just went limp in his arms, my tears continued to flow uncontrollably, my body shaking with sobs.
“Let me go.” I begged him, my voice barely audible. I felt his hold on me loosen and I looked up at him. "Let me go... please, just let me leave this place." I felt Dominic tense after I spoke those words. His face was frozen as the silence stretched out between us before he spoke. "I can't, Mia." He said in a low voice and his words crushed the last bit of hope I had to get away.
I broke down in tears again. My body racking with sobs and for a moment, I saw a glimpse of guilt. Regret. But just as soon as it came, it vanished. Replaced by the cold and detached Dominic. I suddenly felt alone again. vulnerable. I shifted away from Dominic, leaving the warmth of his arms to cry silently by myself. There was nothing else I could do but sit and wait for whatever is next to come.
I stared blankly out the window, seeing the tree buzz by but also not seeing. The silence in the car was oppressive, weighing heavily on my already shattered emotions and I was relieved when the car finally pulled up to Dominic's manor. Without waiting for Dominic or any of the other men to open the door for me, I exited the car myself. My legs carrying me toward the house like I was on autopilot.
“MIA!” My head shot up to a female voice calling out my name. just as I thought my sobs were under control, another sob escaped my throat, but this time it was out of relief. I ran forward just as Vivienne came running down the steps towards me and we were both crying by the time we collided into a hug.