The Luna Queen's Rebirth (Ellie and Dominic) novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11 
Dominic’s POV 
I couldn’t understand what was happening to Ellie. For weeks, everyone had known she would invite me to the mating ceremony. She’d made it clear that I was her choice. 
But today, she’d done a complete 180. She claimed the invitation wasn’t for me, then stood there calmly while I accepted Vivian’s off. 
What’s more, she didn’t even react to my affectionate behavior with Vivian. Instead, she was laughing and chatting with Ryan like I didn’t exist. 
All of this left me inexplicably agitated. Which was why I’d impulsively challenged her and Ryan to that fight. 
Ellie was a good fighter, much better than almost all female werewolves her age. I’d noticed that long ago, and I’d always wanted her to show her full potential during training instead of just trying to act cute in front of me. 
Her performance still surprised me today, though. 
That was her true potential unleashed. 
When I saw her get injured – when I saw the blood seeping through her shirt – I was surprised by the sharp pang of guilt that hit me. 
Marcus had urged me to go check on her. “It was your claws that cut her,” he’d said. 
So, I’d grabbed some healing ointment and headed to the infirmary. 
But when I arrived, I walked in on an intimate scene that made my blood boil. 
Ellie was sitting there in just her sports bra while Ryan tended to her wound. His hands were on her bare shoulder. 
“Do you already have a dance partner for the mating ceremony?” I heard Ryan ask. 
Ellie had already noticed my presence. But without even looking in my direction, she smiled at Ryan. 
“I think I might have someone in mind,” she said. 
The meaning was clear. She was choosing Ryan. 
I felt Vivian relax beside me, probably relieved that Ellie wasn’t going to be competition anymore. 
But I wasn’t relieved. I was furious. 
I stormed out of the infirmary, slamming the door. 
Ellie would rather go to the mating ceremony with Ryan than invite me? After years of chasing after me? 
I threw the healing ointment into the nearest trash can. 
Back in my dorm room, I couldn’t stop thinking about Ellie and Ryan’s interactions. The way she’d smiled at him. The way she’d let him touch her. 
I was actually jealous. The realization hit me like a physical blow. 
Ellie used to only have eyes for me. I’d gotten used to that attention. 
Now she was looking at someone else the way she used to look at me. 
I grabbed my phone and called Marcus. 
“I need you to dig up information on Ryan,” I said. 
“Ryan?” Marcus sounded confused. “You mean the healer guy? Why?” 
“Just do it,” I snapped. 
“Okay, but he’s just a healer. He’s not really a threat to- 
“I said just do it.” I hung up. 
A few minutes later, Vivian knocked on my door and entered, looking concerned. 
“Are you okay?” she asked gently. “You seemed upset back at the infirmary.” 
I was pacing by the window, trying to work off the restless energy. 
“I’m fine,” I said curtly. 
“Ellie and Ryan do look pretty good together, don’t they? Maybe it’s for the best. She seems happy.” 
Her words only made me angrier. I spun around to face her. 
“For the best?” I repeated. “How is any of this for the best?” 
Vivian looked startled. “I just meant… now we can focus on our own partnership…” 
I turned back to the window, clenching my fists. My wolf was stirring restlessly. 
“You don’t want her dancing with anyone else,” he said simply. 
“That’s not what this is about,” I muttered. 
“Isn’t it?” 
“She’s being ungrateful,” I said out loud. “She just needs to be taught a lesson.” 
But the words felt hollow. The truth was, I couldn’t stand the thought of Ellie in Ryan’s arms at the mating 
ceremony. 
The thought made something dark and possessive rise up in my chest. 
I didn’t want to figure out what this feeling was, but I knew what I had to do. 
Ellie’s POV 
Sarah drove me home after the infirmary incident, her concern evident as she kept glancing at my bandaged shoulder during the ride.