Chapter 11 - Cecelia
Stirring awake, I feel the warm sun kissing my cheek before my eyes open. A subtle smile curls my lips, and the tingling between my thighs reminds me of what occurred the night before.
With the warmth flowing through the tiny holes in the lace curtain covering the bedroom window, I don’t sense Dominic’s absence until I open my eyes and find the bed empty beside me. A heavy-hearted sigh escapes my lips as my arm drops onto the side of the bed he’d been sleeping on when I fell asleep, and my face turns toward the ceiling as I trace a wooden beam running overhead.
My heart sinks as I suddenly feel used again, despite Dominic’s assurance that what happened wouldn’t mean anything but curing my wolf’s heat. He’s also assured me he’d take me seriously now, though I can’t help but feel like it’s only so I don’t blow a gasket and end up in heat again.
He probably regrets what he was forced to do, and I regret letting him strip me of a T-shirt I swore I’d never allow to come off me. I’d opened my legs for a male wolf who couldn’t care less about me, and now I’m left to mend a torn heart that wasn’t whole in the first place.
Blowing a breath through puckered lips, I wipe a hand across my face, rolling my eyes at myself and feeling so pathetic for allowing this to happen. I swore to myself that I’d never let Dominic Rivera affect me like this ever again, and we weren’t even stuck in this cabin for three days before I let myself go.
I grunt as I lift my weight onto my elbows, noticing the thin white sheet that covers me like a symbol of my demise at a memorial service.
“Death to Cecelia Morales’s dignity,” I scoff bitterly as I throw the sheet back and kick my legs off the side of the bed. There’s no point in wallowing in my disgrace, especially if Dominic left before I could wake up.
What was I thinking? Did I really expect him to greet me with a kiss and open arms that reflected his warmth from last night? That warmth was only brought on because of my heat, and like he said, if my heat wasn’t quelled, I’d be of no use in the trials while I writhed in torment.
Feeling utterly violated and used again, I hug my arms over my chest as I gather myself to my feet, holding back the tears that threaten to spill out if I don’t stop thinking about last night. The first thing I need to do is wash off any traces of Dominic on my skin, so I make the walk of shame to the shower.
Once inside the shower stall, I let my tears flow as if the cover of warm water hides the one thing I don’t want to face. If only I could have controlled my anger, I wouldn’t have gone into heat and become vulnerable to the only male who could take my pain away. Sniffling and using the shower to wash my tears away, I spend every second gathering my composure and building up my walls again.
I should never have let them down to begin with, and now I have to remain more mindful of my temper and not risk going into heat again. I should remain focused on the trials—that’s the only reason I’m here. It’s not like I can run away without Dominic catching me again.
I have no choice, and I have to make peace with that. Besides, what else does a useless, pathetic Omega have to look forward to, anyway? This life was never my own, and all I have to look forward to is clearing my father’s name and paving a better life for myself in Nightmist.
Turning the shower off, I step out and go to my bag on the bedroom floor that was packed for my escape. Taking a deep breath, I look at my options, deciding to forego my usual baggy T-shirt and cotton pants for something that doesn’t scream that I’m depressed.
The last thing I want is for Dominic to think that I’m weak, that I would be affected by what happened last night. So, I pick out my brightest summer dress as my armor for today’s test. It’s flowy and bright, and shows off my thick calves and just enough cleavage to show my indifference. Securing my hair into a tight bun as if I'm a warrior about to set off for battle, my first fight is the one against my heart when I walk out of the bedroom to find Dominic entering the cabin.
“Good morning…” His voice trails off as he hesitates by the door, brows raised as if he wasn't expecting to find me here when he walked in. It's almost as if he's too shocked to even say my name, and he clears his throat while he slowly closes the door behind him.
“Good morning, Dominic,” I greet back coldly, shrugging as I pass him on my way to the kitchen. Saying his name will definitely drive in the fact that I'm not affected by the events of the previous night. So will what I have to say next.
“Would you like something for breakfast? I know we have a long day ahead of us, with the test today. Eggs?”
I grab a clean pan from the rack and turn from the sink, noticing his hesitation as he approaches.
“Sunny-side, please?” he says as if he's asking a question. “Er—I'm gonna head to the shower in the meantime.” He points at the bathroom door. “I was out for a run early this morning, so I need to wash off.”
“Of course,” I respond bluntly, then turn to the stove when the air between us feels too awkward to keep looking at him. He doesn't say another word before heading to the bathroom, and just as I suspected, last night will be buried alongside what happened between us three years ago.
I wasn't expecting anything else, so I shouldn't feel this disappointment coursing through my veins or filled with anger. Lugging in a few deep breaths, I gather my composure again, not wanting to go into heat again.
My first experience with an intense heat cycle that came out of nowhere was the worst night of my life, second only to losing my virginity on my twenty-first birthday. I can manage my anger if I just remain conscious of it, just so I can get through the trials and do my best to help Dominic win. Hopefully, he'll stick to his end of the deal when he's crowned alpha, and I can put to rest these feelings of wanting to be near the enemy all the time.
I stand to gain nothing with my walls lowered, so I'll just have to keep them up with newfound strength in the reminder that Dominic Rivera doesn't have a heart.
Chapter 12 - Dominic
“After two tests in the trials, the scoreboard is as follows…” Alpha Sirius announces as he holds a clipboard while he stands at the mic on the stage in the hall prepared for this evening's test.
“In the lead is Simon Barker with fifteen points,” Alpha Sirius continues, and an irritated grunt surfaces when I hear his son's name. I glance at the redheaded Simon, seeing red when I notice the proud grin on his face.
Because of my loss in yesterday's test, I was set back five points, placing Simon in the lead, with Santo following close behind with twelve points. I only have ten points from winning the first game, which puts me in third.
I've never been in third place for anything in my life.
Alpha Sirius continues updating us with our points and then proceeds to explain today's test.
