CHAPTER 45

MIA POV.
The next morning, I slowly made my way into the breakfast room. As tired as I was last night, I still couldn’t get to sleep after Vivienne left my room and now I felt like I was walking towards a prison sentence as the blank note from last night popped into my head continuously. I took a deep breath just before I entered the room. Dominic and Tony were already seated at the table but I could feel the heavy tension in the air as the silence in the room was deafening to my ears. Not even the knives and forks dared to make a sound.
Dominic was reading the newspaper with a half eaten plate of breakfast in front of him. I could see the way he clenched his jaws, that he was tense and probably still angry about last night. Tony was playing with his food with his fork as he scrolled on his phone. Neither men looked up or acknowledged me and I didn't know if I should be relieved or worried about that.
After taking my usual seat, I dish my plate with a few items of the breakfast that was laid out on the table but unlike last night, i wasn’t very hungry. I poked at my breakfast, the eggs congealing on my plate as I exchanged occasional, stilted glances between Tony and Dominic. My stomach was knotted with nerves but I tried to act as normal as possible, taking a bite of my breakfast here and there. We ate in silence, avoiding any conversation that might draw Dominic's attention.
My gaze drifted to the empty seat beside Dominic, where Vivienne used to sit. The empty chair haunted by her sudden absence and a buffer to the tenseness that usually gathered around the table. I couldn't help but feel a pang of loss, my eyes lingering on her chair before a guard stormed into the dining hall. "Sir, we have an unexpected visitor." he announced, his voice urgent. Dominic looked up from the newspaper at the guard. Something must have communicated between them like a mind link because Dominic's expression darkened as his jaw clenched. "Very well. I'll attend to it."
He pushed back from the table, his chair scraping against the floor. "Excuse me." he muttered, before walking purposely out of the dining room. I released a sigh. The tension in the room seemed to dissipate slightly with Dominic's departure, but my nerves remained on edge. Tony's eyes met mine briefly before he went back to scrolling on his phone. He didn’t seem to be bothered at all by the events that have taken place in the last forty-eight hours.
The Minutes ticked by as I took a few more bites and played a bit with my breakfast on my plate, before Dominic returned. His expression was unreadable but his eyes were intense. "Mia, please come with me." he instructed, politely but his voice curt.
My heart raced in sudden fear. Was it going to be my turn? Was he going to hurt me like he did to Vivienne? I hesitated. What should I do? I asked myself but I found myself getting up from the table as though I was on autopilot. Dominic turned and walked out of the room and I found myself following him.
As I trailed behind Dominic, my heart was pounding in anticipation. He didn’t say a word as he walked down the hallway until he stopped at a door. He produced a key, unlocking the door with a soft click. "Inside." he said, and held the door open for me. I peeked inside. It was an office and nothing looked out of place or dangerous. There were no whips in sight like in the rooms below, so I dared to step inside.
Dominic's gaze followed me, his expression still remained unreadable. Even though it was already sunny outside, the room was dimly lit with a few slivers of sunlight piercing the heavy curtains. The air was thick with the scent of old books and leather but it also captured the aura of him.
Dominic closed the door behind us, his movements smooth yet tense. "Your father is here, he wants to see you." he announced. My father? He is here? After everything that had happened, I wasn't sure if I was ready to face him. Vivienne's note, the blank paper, the secrets… It all swirled in my mind, leaving me uncertain and afraid.
I hesitated for a moment. “Should I see him?” I asked and Dominic’s eyebrows shot towards his hairline in surprise at my question. “I… I mean, after everything that has happened… the hunt,” I stuttered and stopped myself before I continued to be a blubbering mess.
“You are allowed to see your father whenever you choose, Mia. I would never keep you from your family.” Dominic said. For a moment I thought I saw hurt in his eyes before a hard look overtook them. “I know… I didn’t mean… I’m sorry, Dominic. I just meant that after the attack at the hunt… I didn't know if I was allowed to see anyone without you there.” I quickly said and Dominic looked at me in a moment of silence.
“I'll permit it, since it is on my packlands. But remember, Mia, what happens on my territory, stays in my territory.” He looked at me intently and I could feel the warning that emanated from his eyes as his words sent a shiver down my spine.
I swallowed nervously as my eyes remained locked with his. “I understand. If it is fine with you, then I would like to see my father.” Dominic nodded, a small, enigmatic smile pulling the corners of his lips. "Very well.” Dominic said as he straightened to his full height. “I will send your father in.” Dominic said and walked past me, leaving the office and leaving me with a feeling of trepidation.
The minutes ticked by slowly as I waited in Dominic’s office and I was startled when the office door opened again and my father’s anxious face came into view. His eyes scanned me from head to toe, searching for any sign of harm. I was surprised when he rushed towards me and embraced me tightly in a hug. "Mia, thank the Gods you're safe." he spoke, his voice cracking slightly with emotion. I felt my arms embrace him back on its own accord and… it felt nice. If I had to be honest, this was the first proper hug that I have gotten from him. There was alway something getting in the way or happening, but now it was just us.
He pulled back, looking me in the eyes worriedly. "Are you okay? Were you… hurt?" He asked as his gaze darted towards Dominic, who stood observing us with an impassive expression. I shook my head, trying to reassure him. "Yes, I'm fine. Thanks to Dominic, I wasn't hurt.” I said and glanced towards Dominic with a small smile, but for a moment my father didn’t look convinced.
“I am sorry for only coming to you now.” My father said, his face still etched with worry. "I only found out about the situation this morning." he explained, his voice laced with frustration. "The house was on lockdown yesterday, and I couldn't get any information. No one would speak to me." My father said angrily and I looked at him guiltily. “I’m sorry, I should have sent word but…” I started to apologize but my father shook his head as an angry look entered his eyes. “You have nothing to be sorry about. It is Dominic who should have immediately informed me about the situation.” My father said and his eyes darted to Dominic in an accusing manor.
Dominic's expression remained impassive. "I apologize for the inconvenience, Hunter, but security measures had to be taken." Dominic replied calmly. “It wasn’t just for my pack’s safety but for Mia’s as well.” Dominic added and at these words, my father seemed to calm down a little. “Very well, but the next time something like this happens, please send word of it.” My father asked but I felt the underlying warning in his tone. Dominic didn’t react. Instead, he took a seat behind his desk, sitting back in his chair.
My father's eyes narrowed, his voice taking on a serious tone. "The attack on the estate...do you know who it was?" Dominic's expression turned serious. "I have an idea of who it could be. I suspect one of my rivals but until I can prove it, I cannot accuse anyone at this moment.” Dominic said, holding my fathers gaze.
“But until then, my daughter is in danger. What are you going to do about this?” My father asks. I look at Dominic. Although I could see a flicker of annoyance in his eyes, he remained in control of himself.
“We are taking measures to ensure our security so you have nothing to worry about. Mia is my main priority and she will be protected at all times." My father didn’t look so convinced but didn’t say anything further on it. “May I have a private word with my daughter please?” He asks and at this, Dominic narrowed his eyes but nodded, getting up from behind his desk. “Send word with one of the guards outside when you are done.” He said and walked out of his own office, shutting the door behind him.
My father turned to me, his eyes filled with concern as his eyes searched mine. "Mia, if you want to come home, we can leave right now. You don't have to stay here." I hesitated, my mind racing with conflicting emotions. Dominic's cruel, yet possessive protection, Vivienne's cryptic warnings, and the unknown dangers from another pack lurking outside these walls all swirled together, making me uncertain. "Alpha… Dad.” I start to speak before correcting myself. “I think I'll stay," I said firmly and I was glad that my voice came out strong. My father's face fell, disappointment etched on his features. "I want to stay with Dominic. He has taken care and protected me this far and… I want to stay with Tony." My father's eyebrows shot up, surprise written across his face. "Really?" he asked, his tone incredulous. I nodded, my cheeks flushing. "Yes,Tony is my fiancé and I have to uphold my part of the deal." I said and I felt my stomach turn just saying out loud that Tony was my fiance.
I didn’t know how to explain it but somehow, in that moment, I wanted to hold onto that connection as an excuse to remain here.
My father's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with skepticism. " Are you two getting along? Do you truly love him?" He asked and studied me, as if searching for any crack in my facade. “Does he love you?” He added and I wanted to scream ‘NO’ but I bit my tongue to keep from uttering the truth..
I forced a smile, feeling a guilty flush rise to my cheeks. "Yes. We're happy together." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I couldn't admit the truth. I was more attracted to Dominic than to Tony but even thinking that way had my feelings all jumbled up.
My father's expression remained unconvinced. "I see," he said slowly. "Just so you know, if you ever change your mind, I can introduce you to other suitable young gentlemen. You deserve someone who truly cares for you." I nodded, feeling a pang of discomfort. His words were gentle and a reminder that I wasn't trapped.
His tone shifted then, becoming subtle and cautious. "Mia, do you...have anything to give me?" He asked and I saw his gaze shift to the closed door. I could sense nervousness from him as my heart skipped a beat. Vivienne's note flashed in my mind. Could he be referring to that? I hesitated, unsure how to respond. All the scenarios came flooding back into my mind of the repercussions of what would happen if it were discovered and I still hadn’t decided on what I was going to do.
"No, Dad," I said finally, trying to sound nonchalant. "I don't have anything." My father's eyes lingered on mine, searching for any sign of deception. For a moment, I thought he'd press the issue, but then he nodded, his expression neutral.
"Very well. Take care of yourself, Mia. And remember, if anything happens or you change your mind, you can always come to me."
“Thank you, I will.” I said and gave him a smile which he returned.