The Luna Queen's Rebirth (Ellie and Dominic) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16 
Ellie’s POV 
Dominic was enraged. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and I could see his wolf practically clawing to get out through his eyes. 
“This is your last chance, Ellie,” he told me through gritted teeth, his voice low and dangerous. “Don’t throw away everything we uld have over pride.” 
But I scoffed in contempt, the sound carrying across the silent field. “Last chance for what, exactly? To humiliate myself begging for scraps of your attention? To pretend that three years of emotional neglect was somehow romantic?” 
“You’re being completely unreasonable-” 
“Am I?” I raised my voice so everyone could hear. “Tell me, Dominic, what exactly are you offering me? A pity dance? A chance to be your backup plan when Vivian’s not available?” 
The crowd was eating this up. Phones were definitely recording now. 
The two of us began arguing loudly. Other students backed away, forming a wide circle around us. Some were recording with their phones. This would be all over the school social media within the hour. 
“You’re being completely unreasonable,” Dominic snapped. 
“I’m being honest for the first time in years,” I shot back. 
“After everything I’ve done for you— 
“Everything you’ve done for me?” I laughed bitterly. “Like what? Letting me buy coffee for your friends? Tolerating my presence while you flirted with my sister?” 
Dominic’s face darkened even more. Students were whispering and pointing now. 
Lucas had been watching the whole scene unfold with obvious delight. He was clearly enjoying every second of Dominic’s public humiliation. 
“Well, well,” he called out, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. “Looks like the great Dominic finally met someone who won’t worship at his feet. How refreshing.” 
The crowd gasped. Lucas was openly challenging Dominic in front of everyone. 
Dominic whirled around to face him, his composure finally cracking. “This has nothing to do with you, Lucas.” 
“Oh, but it does,” Lucas said, strolling closer with predatory grace. “See, I find it absolutely fascinating that someone who claims to be future Alpha material can’t even handle a simple rejection. Makes me wonder what other leadership skills you’re lacking.” 
The tension in the air was electric. Dominic’s friends moved closer, ready to back him up if this turned physical. 
“Don’t mistake kindness for weakness,” Dominic warned, his voice deadly quiet. 
“Kindness?” Lucas laughed outright. “Is that what you call publicly cornering someone who clearly wants nothing to do with you? Fascinating definition.” 
“Don’t come crawling back when you realize your mistake,” Dominic snapped at me, his voice shaking with humiliation and fury. “Don’t expect me to be there when your little rebellion falls apart.” 
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I replied coolly. “I’d rather crawl through broken glass than come back to you.” 
With that devastating parting shot, he turned and stormed off, his entire entourage following him like a pack of confused puppies. 
Lucas walked over to me, his eyes bright with amusement and something that might have been genuine admiration. 
“Now that,” he said with a slow clap, “was a masterclass in public humiliation. I’m genuinely impressed.” 
I was aware of Lucas’s playboy reputation and his complex relationship with Dominic. I didn’t want to get caught up in their rivalry, so I tried to excuse myself quickly. 
“I should get to class,” I said, attempting to step around him. 
But Lucas moved to block my path, his smile widening. “Running away from me too? I’m starting to develop a complex.” 
“I’m not running,” I replied firmly. “I just don’t have time for games.” 
“Who says I’m playing games?” Lucas asked, tilting his head. “Maybe I’m genuinely curious about the girl who just brought the great Dominic to his knees.” 
Lucas raised an eyebrow, his expression becoming more serious. “Still carrying a torch for our departed prince?” 
I stopped and turned back to face him. The question was pointed, but not unkind. 
“Dominic and I have nothing to do with each other,” I said firmly. “He made his feelings perfectly clear. He doesn’t want me, and honestly? I’m starting to realize I don’t want him either.” 
Lucas looked genuinely surprised, his playful mask slipping slightly. “You really believe that Dominic doesn’t have feelings for you?” 
“Everyone knows Dominic’s heart belongs to Vivian,” I continued, surprised by how steady my voice sounded. ” He even accepted her dance invitation. ” 
He didn’t press further, which surprised me. I’d expected him to keep poking at the wound. 
I managed to slip away, but I could feel his eyes on me as I walked back toward the school building. 
Later that day, I was sitting in my last class when I glanced at my bag. I wanted to check something, but when I looked inside, I noticed the invitation had disappeared. 
I searched through my bag frantically, but it wasn’t there. 
I instantly recalled the likely moment Vivian had taken it. She’d been sitting near me earlier during lunch, and I hadn’t been paying attention. I’d been too distracted thinking about the confrontation with Dominic. 
After class, I caught Vivian trying to sneak away through the side exit. She was walking quickly toward the parking lot, probably hoping to avoid me. 
I stopped her with a firm voice. “We need to talk.” 
Vivian turned around, her face the picture of innocent confusion. She looked genuinely puzzled, which only made me angrier. 
“About what, sister?” she asked sweetly. 
“About the invitation you stole from my bag. Don’t even think about denying it.” 
Vivian’s eyes widened dramatically, and she put on her most wounded expression. “Ellie, I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about. Why would you accuse me of something so awful?” 
A small crowd began to gather. Students were always drawn to drama, especially when it involved the two of us. We had a reputation for these kinds of confrontations. 
“She’s obviously just trying to cause trouble,” someone whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. 
“Poor Vivian. First Ellie loses Dominic, now she’s taking it out on her sister.” 
“I heard Ellie had some kind of breakdown earlier. Maybe she’s losing it.” 
But I spotted a corner of my invitation sticking out of Vivian’s bag. The familiar cream–colored paper with the gold trim that I’d specially chosen. 
“Then explain this,” I said, reaching over and snatching it back. 
Vivian immediately lunged to grab it back from me. “Give that back! It’s mine!” 
“Yours?” I held it higher, out of her reach. “With Dominic’s name written in my handwriting?” 
We struggled for a moment, both of us grabbing at the paper. Students around us started cheering like it was some kind of entertainment. 
“Fight! Fight! Fight!” someone chanted. 
That’s when Dominic appeared, probably drawn by the commotion. He must have heard the noise from down the hall. 
He stepped between us with practiced authority and intercepted the invitation, taking it himself before either of us could stop him. 
“What’s going on here?” he demanded. 
The hallway fell silent. Everyone wanted to hear this. 
He looked down at the invitation, and his expression changed completely. He noticed that his name was written on it in my careful handwriting. A slow, smug smile spread across his face. 
“Well, well,” he said, holding the invitation up like a trophy. “So you do still want me. All that defiance was just an act, wasn’t it?” 
The crowd pressed closer, phones out, everyone eager to witness whatever happened next. 
In response, I grabbed the invitation from his hands with more force than necessary. Then I looked him dead in the eye as I slowly, deliberately tore it to shreds. 
The pieces of paper fluttered to the ground like snow. The hallway went completely silent except for the soft sound of paper hitting the floor.