<h4>Chapter 757: Proud moment for your family</h4>


    Jeniva’s heart hammered against her ribs as she stood just a step away from the door. She caught her reflection in the ss of a framed print, frantically smoothing down her flyaway hairs and dusting off her leggings.


    "He’s going to think I’m aplete mess," she whispered, her frown deepening. She took a steadying breath and stepped back into the living room.


    The moment the door clicked shut, Dominick rose from the sofa. He held out the bouquet, ready to give to Jeniva.


    "Here, these are for you," he said softly.


    Jeniva looked at the flowers, then at her own hands, which were still gray with dust from the trash bags. "Thank you, they’re beautiful... but I can’t take them yet. My hands are filthy. I need to wash up first."


    Dominick offered a short, understanding hum and pulled the bouquet back, cradling it against his chest. He looked around the small room, his gaze lingering on a stack of books on the coffee table as Jeniva disappeared toward the bathroom.


    "I’ll be out in just a minute!" she called out over the sound of running water.


    Dominick turned away from the shelf, his mind still lingering on the photo of a younger, beaming Jeniva in her Sentinel Academy uniform. The pride in her father’s eyes was the center of that picture.


    "I’m done," Jeniva announced, stepping back into the room. She had scrubbed the dust away and pulled her hair into a neat, high tie that highlighted the sharp line of her jaw.


    Dominick noted the change with a subtle, appreciative nod. He stepped forward and held out the lush bouquet again. "Peonies," he said, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. "They reminded me of you. Soft, but resilient."


    "Thank you." Jeniva took them this time, her fingers brushing against his as she pulled the flowers close. She closed her eyes for a second, inhaling the sweet, heady scent. "They really are lovely."


    Before the silence could grow too heavy, Dominick reached down and retrieved the designer bag. "Also, I have something else. A formal invitation for my sister’s wedding."


    Jeniva’s brow furrowed in confusion as she looked from the bag to his face. "But... Your Highness, you’ve already told me about it. I didn’t think—"


    "This is different," Dominick interrupted, his expression shifting into something more regal and serious. "This is a formal invitation issued directly by the Alpha King and the Luna Queen. You aren’t just attending as a guest of the pce; you are being officially summoned as an honored guest of the crown."


    Jeniva’s eyes widened as she heard that and epted the heavy bag.


    "Thank you," Jeniva murmured, her fingers tightening around the handle of the designer bag. "D-do your parents... do they know about me?" She bit her bottom lip, a sh of insecurity crossing her face before she quickly looked away. "I mean, you probably wouldn’t want to tell them just yet. Forgive me, I shouldn’t have—"


    "I’ve told my brothers for the time being," Dominick interrupted gently, his voice grounding her. "My parents have been entirely consumed by the preparations for Kate’s wedding. It’s only two days away, and the pce is in a whirlwind. They’ve asked each of us to invite those we truly wish to see there, those who should grace Kate’s day. And I want you to be part of it."


    A small, genuine smile touched Jeniva’s lips, the tension in her shoulders finally beginning to ebb. "Thank you. That means a lot. Please, take a seat, I’ll bring you some water."


    She retreated to her room to set down the peonies and the heavy invitation before disappearing into the kitchen. Dominick sat on the modest sofa, feeling the sudden weight of his own formality.


    When Jeniva returned, she carried a simple tray with a ss of water, cing it carefully on the low table before sinking into the armchair across from him. She smoothed her leggings, her gaze scanning the small perimeter of the room. "The house... it must feel quite small to you," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of apology.


    "It’s a home, Jeniva. That’s what matters," Dominick replied. He picked up the ss, the cool condensation a sharp contrast to the warmth of the room. He took a few slow sips before resting it back on the tray.


    His gaze drifted to the shelf near the TV, lingering on the framed memories. "The photos... they’re lovely," he remarked, gesturing toward the disy. "It must have been an incredibly proud moment for your family when you graduated from the Sentinel Academy."


    Jeniva’s expression softened as she followed his gaze to the picture of her in uniform. "It was. My father was actually crying that day," she said, a bittersweet nostalgia coloring her words. "First one in his bloodline to be a sentinel. However, when I was asked to be a spy, I didn’t tell him. He would have been worried."


    Dominick hummed, his gaze lingering on the photo of her graduation. "Tomorrow, I’m scheduled to be awarded a medal, and likely a rank promotion alongside AJ," Jeniva informed him, her voice carrying a note of quiet pride. "I hope you’ll be there."


    "Of course I’ll be there," Dominick assured her, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "I wouldn’t miss it."


    The intimate moment was abruptly shattered by the sharp vibration of the phone in his pocket. He pulled it out, his brow furrowing as he stared at an unrecognized number. He pressed the button to decline, but before he could return his attention to Jeniva, the device began to wail again with the same digits.


    "It must be important," Jeniva noted, her expression shifting to one of concern. "You should take it."


    At her insistence, Dominick swiped to answer and brought the phone to his ear, his posture stiffening back into his royal persona. "Yes?"


    "Your Highness, it’s Denzel speaking," a voice came through, steady butced with an underlying gravity. "Might I have a moment of your time? I have something of great importance to discuss with you."


    "Denzel?" Dominick’s grip on the phone tightened. He wondered why his brother Gabriel’s Gamma was calling him directly, especially on an unsecured line. "Why are you calling me? What is this about?"


    "It’s about Juniper, Your Highness," Denzel revealed. "She was attackedst night."