<b>Chapter </b><b>176 </b>


    Reba’s POV


    420


    I followed Dominic up to his office, my emotions still raw from the confrontation with Adrian. The way Dominic had appeared, defending me with such fierce intensity–it stirred something primal within me. Yet I couldn’t deny the exhaustion creeping through my body, a constant reminder of the precious life growing inside me.


    Once inside his spacious office, I sank onto the plush leather sofa, closing my eyes briefly as I gently massaged my temples. The dizziness had subsided, but a dull ache remained.


    “I’m fine,” I said, sensing Dominic’s concerned gaze. “Don’t worry,”


    He moved to the window, his silhouette powerful against the city skyline. The afternoon sun caught the angles of his face, highlighting the tension in his jaw. I studied him, wondering about the encounter with Elizabeth that had clearly affected him more than he was letting on.


    “What did you tell Elizabeth?” I asked directly. “About the Collins Group proposal to work together again?”


    Dominic turned, his expression neutral but his eyes betraying a hint of lingering anger. “I rejected it. Sterling Group won’t be doing business with Collins Group again.”


    I nodded slowly, remembering the first time I’d seen them together at Oak Park. Even then, he’d been dismissive of her, though I hadn’t understood why at the time. A puzzle piece clicked into ce in my mind.


    “There’s more to it than her attacking me, isn’t there?” I met his gaze steadily. “Why do you hate Elizabeth so


    much?”


    Dominic’s eyes darkened as he crossed the room to sit beside me. The leather creaked under his weight, and his scent enveloped me. His jaw worked for a moment, as if he was deciding how much to share.


    “It’s not just that she was seeing another wolf while pretending to court me,” he began, his voice low, fingers absently tracing patterns on the leather between us. “And it’s not only because she hurt you.”


    He paused, his shoulders tensing slightly. “We were in the same business course in college. There was a party one night. I had too much to drink–something I rarely do.” His voice hardened. “Elizabeth followed me to an empty room and…” His jaw clenched, a muscle twitching along his cheek. “She tried to take advantage of me while I was barely conscious.”


    My breath caught in my throat. “She what?” The words came out in a horrified whisper as heat rushed to my face.


    “I came to enough to stop her before things went too far,” he continued, his expression hardening, eyes fixed on a distant point. “Even drunk, my wolf knew something wasn’t right. I could sense my mate was out there somewhere, even though I hadn’t met you yet.”


    Anger zed through me like wildfire. My hands clenched into fists, knuckles whitening. My heart pounded against


    <b>9:15 </b><b>Fri</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>26 </b>…


    Chapter 176.


    my ribs, and I could feel my face flushing with rage.


    “I’ll kill her,” I whispered, the words escaping before I could stop them. “How dare she? How fucking dare she <b>do </b><b>that </b>


    to you?<b>” </b>


    Dominic’s eyebrows rose slightly, a small smile ying at his lips though his eyes remained serious. “Little doe<b>, </b>how exactly do you n to kill her? Perhaps I could be your aplice.”


    His light tone didn’t match the intensity in his eyes. I reached out, cupping his face between my palms, my thumbs stroking his cheekbones. His stubble was rough against my skin, and I could feel the slight tremor in his <b>jaw</b>.


    “I’m not joking,” I said fiercely, my voice trembling with emotion. “Maybe I don’t have the strength to kill her<b>, </b>but Dominic, I would protect you. With everything I have.”


    He stared at me, something shifting in his expression–surprise, followed by a vulnerability I rarely saw. His eyes softened, the blue deepening as they searched mine. He nodded slowly, covering one of my hands with his <b>own</b><b>, </b>his touch warm and steady.


    “Thank you, little doe,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. Then he leaned forward to press his lips against mine in a soft, tender kiss that made my heart ache with love for him.


    In the afternoon, I tried to focus on my work, but my mind kept drifting back to Dominic’s revtion. The thought of Elizabeth trying to take advantage of him made my blood boil.


    Chapter Comments


    Sandy Kiri Hiku


    1 days ago


    would have been interesting if we had Elizabeth’s POV


    LIKE