CHAPTER 42

MIA’S POV.
The sunset bathed us in the golden glow of the rays as we walked along the lakeside. I had to admit, the day didn’t go at all as I thought it would go but instead it was better than I expected. On the drive here this morning, Dominic was tense and silent but now, Dominic's reserved demeanor softened, and the silence between us was filled with peace and mutual understanding but I also couldn’t help but feel like this was a date. We were on a stroll, side by side by the lake at sunset and the only thing missing was him holding my hand. I briefly wondered what he would do if I were to initiate contact? I wondered. The heat rushed to my cheeks just thinking about taking Dominic's hand or touching him. There was a flutter of excitement in my chest and a part of me dared me to be so bold and to do it… but I didn't.
I was scared that I would break this peaceful and intimate moment so I opted to make small talk instead. I cleared my throat. As I looked up at him and was about to open my mouth, I hesitated for a moment. He looked to be deep in thought with a frown between his eyes. Was something bothering him? I wandered so I went ahead and started to speak anyway.
"Last night's family gathering was quite something, I didn't realize I had such a big family." I said, trying to keep my voice even. As I said it, I recalled the different faces from last night. “And yours as well.” I added.
Dominic turned his face towards me where I walked beside him. I was glad to see the frown had gone as he looked at me for a moment before he spoke. “Large families are normal for packs the size of ours.” He says before looking ahead of him again. “Except for me. I am an only child but I have many cousins who I grew up with and are practically like siblings, I suppose. my parents have numerous siblings, and their children are my cousins, who've essentially become my siblings," he explained. “Sometimes, a pack's shared lifestyle blurs the lines between immediate and extended family. And like any big family there are those you are close to and those that you are not.
I nodded. I guess I could understand some of what he was saying but I never had any real siblings or family while I grew up to actually know for myself. Until now. "I met some of my cousins last night at the hunt." I said, a smile pulling at the corner of my mouth at the thought about the instant family I have gotten. "They all seemed to remember me as a baby, and they even called me Mimi." I glanced at Dominic. He was looking at me with a neutral expression as he listened to me talk.
“Is Mimi a known nickname to call someone with a name such as mine?” I asked and Dominic looked to be in thought for a moment. We were still walking side by side at the lakeside. “I cannot say that I am familiar with it.” Dominic says and looks in front of him again. ”I've never heard anyone else use it before, except for last night. Them and Vivienne of course.” I say and Dominic looks back to me with a furrowed brow. “What?” He asks, missing the way that his shoulders tensed.
"Vivienne also calls me that sometimes." I clarified, and I chuckled as a thought popped into my head. “You know, I just thought of something silly.” I said as I giggled. “One of my cousins from last night said something interesting. He mentioned to me having an aunt also named Vivienne." I spoke and chuckled again. I didn’t even notice Dominic's pace that slowed as his demeanor turned cold.
"Can you imagine?" I laughed lightly, not sensing the changed mood from Dominic as I kept walking. "What would the chances be if Vivienne was my aunt all along, and I just didn't know it." The words spilled out, meant as a joke, but it was then that I sensed that something was off. I turned to look at Dominic but that was when I realized that he had stopped walking a few heartbeat ago and we were now standing at least five feet apart.
“Dominic?” I called as I looked at him, a frown of confusion on my face. “Are you alright?” I ask as I turn back to face him. His eyes snapped to mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. Dominic clenched his jaw, the muscles in his face tensing, and his lips pressed into a thin, hard line. The tranquil atmosphere surrounding us shattered, replaced by an almost palpable aura of fury. What did I say? I wondered as the sudden change in his mood sent a shiver down my spine and not in a good way. Gone was the relaxed, affable companion of moments before; in his place stood the cold Dominic that I have come to know.
Dominic stepped forward and took me by the arm, hard. I grimaced in pain as Dominic started to drag me back towards the school. His grip on my arm was like a vice, his fingers digging into my skin as he swiftly pulled me toward the car.
"Wait, what's wrong?" I asked again, trying to pull free, but his hold was relentless.He didn’t answer me nor did he look at me again before he opened the passenger door and practically threw me into the passenger seat. “Buckle up.” Was all he said. He slammed the door shut before he strode around the car in his long strides and got into the driver seat. "Dominic, did I say something wrong?" I asked, but he didn’t answer me. We sped back down the driveway to the gates and left the school grounds. "Please, tell me what's wrong," I pleaded, my voice trembling. But he didn’t even look at me so I decided to just keep quiet.
The silence was oppressive as Dominic's jaw remained clenched, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. My mind raced of what could be wrong and the more I thought about it, the more fear crept into my chest. Had I unknowingly revealed a secret? Had I offended him somehow? Was he going to hurt me or throw me out? I wondered as he drove the car in a frantic rush towards the pack house and my anxiety spiked with each passing mile. What had triggered this sudden anger? Was it something I'd said about Vivienne?
Dominic's grim expression offered no answers, only deepening my unease. I was glad to see the pack house in the distance but I also felt a mix of relief and apprehension. What would happen when we stopped? I wondered as we turned onto the driveway of the manor.