The Luna Queen's Rebirth (Ellie and Dominic) novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22 
Ellie’s POV 
Everyone around fell silent, not daring to speak. The usual chatter and laughter of the courtyard died away as all eyes turned to us. Students who had been walking by stopped in their tracks, sensing the tension in the air. 
Dominic’s expression stayed neutral, but I noticed tension in his shoulders and a slight jaw tightening. His followers–Marcus, ke, and others–stood behind him in a semicircle, appearing uncomfortable with the public confrontation. 
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Dominic said, his voice steady but lacking his usual confidence. 
“Don’t lie to me!” My voice cracked with emotion, carrying across the courtyard for everyone to hear. “You’ve been threatening people, haven’t you? Making sure no one will dance with me so I have no choice but to come crawling back to you?” 
Some of the watching students exchanged glances, clearly recognizing the truth in my accusation. A few of the Omega boys I’d approached looked away guiltily, confirming my suspicions. 
“You’re being dramatic,” Dominic said dismissively, but his eyes wouldn’t quite meet mine. “No one’s stopping you from finding a partner. Maybe you’re just not as popular as you think you are.” 
The gaslighting only made me angrier. Here he was, manipulating everything behind the scenes, and he couldn’t even have the decency to admit it. The casual cruelty of his words – suggesting that my inability to find a partner was due to my own failings rather than his interference – felt like a slap. 
“Am I?” I laughed bitterly, my voice rising. “Then explain why every single person I’ve asked has suddenly changed their mind. Explain why they all look terrified when I mention your name.” 
I gestured toward some of the Omega students in the crowd. “Ask Danny why he backed out. Ask Peter why he suddenly remembered he had ‘family obligations.‘ Ask any of them what you told them would happen if they danced with me.” 
Marcus looked like he was about to speak up, probably to defend Dominic or make some excuse about pack hierarchy and natural order. His loyalty to Dominic was unwavering, even when Dominic was clearly in the 
wrong. 
But I was done listening to their justifications and excuses. 
“Don’t,” I said sharply, turning my glare to Marcus. “Don’t you dare try to defend this. You know exactly what he did.” 
The argument escalated quickly, drawing more and more attention. Students were pulling out their phones now, some recording, others texting frantically to friends who weren’t there to witness the drama firsthand. 
– 
My mind flooded with memories from my past life – moment after moment of everything I had done for Dominic, only to be repeatedly let down. 
All the times I’d defended him when others questioned his methods. When pack members complained about his aggressive expansion tactics, I’d been there to smooth things over, to explain that he was just ambitious, just trying to make us stronger. 
All the times I’d made excuses for his coldness, telling myself he would change once we were truly mated, once he felt secure in our bond. I’d convinced myself that his distance was just protection, that he was afraid of being vulnerable. 
All the times I’d sacrificed my own happiness for the chance to earn even a small smile from him. I’d given up my dreams of becoming a healer, my friendships, my independence – all for someone who saw me as nothing more than a convenient accessory to his life. 
And this was what I got in return. Manipulation. Control. Possessiveness disguised as protection. 
The realization that nothing had really changed – that even in this new life, he was still trying to control me – was devastating. 
Tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Not here, not in front of everyone, not in front of him, 
“What did I ever do to make you hate me this much?” My voice broke despite my efforts to stay strong. “Was it just because I used to like you? Well, I don’t anymore…” 
The words hung in the air between us, raw and honest. Some of the watching students looked shocked – everyone knew about my years–long pursuit of Dominic, and hearing me publicly declare that those feelings were dead was clearly unexpected. 
Dominic’s expression froze when he saw me on the verge of tears. For just a moment, his carefully constructed mask slipped, and I saw something that might have been regret. Or maybe it was just surprise that I was actually standing up to him.