CHAPTER 48

MIA POV.
I laughed as I carefully cradled my tea cup in my hands, trying not to spill the precious contents. Elizabeth sat beside me, her bright smile and sparkling eyes infectious. After I had invited her to join me for afternoon tea, she began to share amusing stories about the household staff.
"I swear, Mia, That omega cook of ours can have quite the temper on her just like some of her dishes." Elizabeth said, her laughter bubbling over. "Just last week, she chased one of the warriors through the kitchen, wielding her rolling pin in one hand and her claws in the other because he tried to sneak a peak inside her pots."
I giggled, feeling tension melt from my shoulders. "What did the poor man do?" I asked and Elizabeth's grin widened. "In his haste to get away, he accidentally knocked over the frying oil and it went spilling out all over the floor.” Elizabeth said as the laughter continued. “I wish you could have seen it. The cook and the warrior were both sliding all over the place as she tried to clobber him with the frying pan while trying to get away.” Elizabeth said and I could just picture the whole scenario in my head and giggled even more.
Our laughter mingled, carrying on the gentle breeze. For a fleeting moment, I forgot about Dominic's piercing gaze, my father's worried expression, and the weight of Vivienne's secret that divided my feelings of loyalty and obligation.
My laugh subsided and I took in a big breath of air as I tilted my face to the sun. The warm sunlight seeped into my skin, soothing my frazzled nerves. I closed my eyes, letting the peacefulness envelop me as the warm sunlight danced across my face.
I opened my eyes to find Elizabeth watching me with a softness in her gaze. "You look more relaxed today." she said, leaning forward to refill my tea cup. "I feel more relaxed." I replied, smiling. "Thank you, Elizabeth. This is exactly what I needed."
Elizabeth looked please to hear this but I should have known the peace wouldn’t last forever. My heart jumped into my throat when a movement caught my eye and I instantly knew who it was. Dominic stormed into the garden, his presence shattering the serenity of the moment. His eyes a blazed with anger, his jaw clenched as his eyes pinned themselves on me. I swallowed as I tensed in fear. What happened now? I wondered.
Elizabeth, who was sitting with her back towards the entrance to the garden, paled as though sensing the tension. She rose from her seat, immediately turning to face her alpha, bowing in submission and respect. "Sir…” She started to speak. I briefly wondered if she thought she was the one in trouble for being outside with me but Dominic cut her off in a cold tone, his angry eyes never leaving mine.
"Leave us," he growled. Elizabeth hesitated for a second before hastily leaving me alone with Dominic. I saw her look back at me worriedly before she disappeared inside the manor.
He strode toward me, his long strides devouring the distance. In his hand, he clutched a crumpled piece of paper. The note! The blank note that Vivienne gave me. My heart skipped in fear. Dominic thrust the note onto the garden table in front of me, his voice low and menacing. "What is this?" He demanded. Anger clearly in his voice and I swallowed fearfully. "I... I don't know." I answered and it was the truth. I didn’t know what the paper contained… it was blank.
A slight growl angrily escaped his throat. "Don't play stupid, Mia. This note was hidden in your room. What is this?” He demanded again. I shook my head. “I told you. I don’t know. There is nothing on it.” I said but Dominic was not convinced. “Then why hide it?” He said and I swallowed nervously again, not wanting to answer, but he continued. “Is this what your father was referring to?” He demanded. “Is it this what you were supposed to give him?” He asked as he came closer to me. “Who gave it to you? Was it Vivienne?” He asked angrily as his face was a breath from mine.
“I… I.” I stuttered. What was I going to say. If I told him the truth, he would be angry and if I lied, then he would be angry anyway. Suddenly, Dominic grabbed me. his hand taking hold of my arm as he yanked me up from my seat. He was Impatient with anger from not getting a response from me and fresh fear coursed through my veins.
"Let's go," he growled, his voice low and menacing. Dominic's grip on my arm tightened as he almost dragged me behind him, his fingers digging deep into my skin. I winced and uttered a small cry in pain but he held on tight.
I struggling to keep up with his long strides as he dragged me into the house. As we entered through the doors, the cool darkness enveloped us, and I felt a sense of dread wash over me. Where was he taking me? I fearfully thought. Dominic's grip on my arm was relentless, his fingers bruising my skin, but still I tried to twist free, causing more pain.
"Stop struggling, Mia." he warned, his voice dripping with anger. As Dominic pulled me through the winding corridors, a sense of dread crept over me, and my heart sank with each step. I recognized the door ahead, the basement. Panic set in, and I dug my heels into the floor, trying to resist, but Dominic's grip only tightened. He uttered an annoyed yell and yanked me closer and I almost fell to the floor. I managed to keep my footing but I struggled desperately, twisting and squirming, but his grip remained unyielding, his strength overpowering my small frame. My breath came in panicked gasps as he dragged me down the stairs, the air growing thick and heavy with every step. The basement's chill enveloped me, its darkness seeming to swallow me whole. "No, no, please no!" I begged, my voice echoing off the cold walls, but he didn't relent.
Tears streamed down my face as I begged and pleaded with Dominic to release me, but he remained unmoved, not even looking back at me as he continued to drag me along. He pushed me inside one of the rooms, and my heart sank as I recognized the space. This was the room that he had whipped those two naked woman in. Was he going to do the same with me… or worse? I thought to myself. Dominic threw me against the metal table in the centre of the room and I grabbed onto it to stop myself from falling. For a brief moment I thought of running but as soon as I turned, with the coldness of the metal table at my back, I changed my mind because of the fear that ran through my body.
Dominic was standing between me and the door and the look he had on his face had me frozen in place. "It's time you learned your place, Mia." Dominic stated, his voice devoid of emotion. I recoiled, the coldness of the metal table seeping into my back as I pressed against it. He advanced toward me. Each deliberate step heightened my fear, my breath catching in my throat. I was trapped, helpless, and utterly alone with this man and Vivienne was not here to save me again.