Chapter 103: Chapter 103 Secrets
Elara
I sat in my room for a good while, trying to cool my flushed cheeks after that encounter with Dominic.
My mind couldn’t stop replaying the image of him walking out of my bathroom with just that towel hanging dangerously low.
My thoughts were interrupted when Linda knocked on my door. "Luna, dinner is ready. It’ll get cold if you don’t come down soon."
I sighed softly, knowing I couldn’t avoid him forever.
Hide today, deal with the awkwardness tomorrow. What was the point?
"I’m coming," I called back.
The bathroom’s steam had cleared out through the ventilation fan. I splashed cold water on my face, patted it dry with a tissue, and headed downstairs.
Dominic was already seated when I arrived.
His eyes tracked my every movement as I entered the dining room.
"Feeling better?" he asked, his voice deeper than usual.
I nodded slightly. "Yes."
We ate in silence for about five minutes before the impatient Alpha broke it.
"Did you watch the press conference this afternoon?" Dominic asked directly.
I kept my head down, my fingers nervously playing with my fork, moving food around my plate.
"I did," I finally looked up at him. "Why did you say those things?"
This question had been bothering me since I watched the broadcast.
Was he actually defending me? Why mention he was worried I’d be jealous? Were those words meant for others to hear, or were they meant for me?
Dominic’s eyes darkened, the light in them freezing over. "It was nothing. You didn’t think I was saying it for your benefit, did you?"
I paused momentarily, but the relief that washed over my face made his eyes grow even darker.
"I said those things for appearance’s sake," Dominic returned to his usual casual tone. "The pack expects us to look united. Bad for business if people think we’re having problems."
He paused for a beat, his lips curving slightly. "Did you think I was saying all that for your sake?"
My heart skipped. "No, of course not!" I denied quickly, my voice louder than intended, with a slight tremor at the end.
I was annoyed at my awkward response when my eyes accidentally caught sight of a very clear tattoo just below his collarbone.
Dominic was wearing a robe that was slightly open at the neck. I hadn’t noticed it before, but today the tattoo stood out clearly.
"D.E."
Were those the initials of the person he loved?
My feelings became complicated.
I never expected Dominic to be so devoted, tattooing his beloved’s initials so close to his heart.
This person must truly be special to him.
I couldn’t quite identify my emotions - disappointment mixed with a strange sense of relief.
At least now I knew where I stood. We could maintain our business arrangement, and I could stay true to my principles.
Dominic changed the subject. "Are you visiting your grandmother tomorrow?"
"Yes," I replied, then added with surprise, "Will you be coming with me?"
"Yeah. Although I haven’t met her many times before, I’m sure she’d like to see that I’m taking good care of you. That we look like a real couple."
I thanked him quietly.
"I hope she wakes up someday," I whispered.
But even as I said it, my mind kept drifting back to those initials.
Author
Alpha Dominic had no intention of removing the trending topic from social media. The press conference was exactly where he wanted it - front and center.
Alpha Hunter, with his housekeeper’s help, had watched the press conference three times. He looked at Yardley with disappointment. "Look at your brother. Married and still hasn’t won his wife’s heart. What a mess!"
Yardley maintained his usual silence during dinner. He ate with perfect manners, occasionally serving his son, but never responding to his father’s comments.
Eventually, Hunter turned his attention to his eldest. "But you’re even worse than Dominic !"
"At least Dominic has a wife," the old man huffed. "You? Nothing to show for it!"
Orion’s eyes lit up with excitement. He hadn’t forgotten about Nancy. "Grandpa, Aunt Elara knows a lady who might be single!"
Yardley gave his son a cool glance. "Who told you she’s single?"
Orion’s face reddened, and he mumbled, "I... I just guessed."
"You guessed wrong," Yardley stated flatly.
Orion suddenly became animated. "Dad, how do you know I’m wrong? What if Aunt Nancy really is single?"
Yardley narrowed his eyes in warning at his son. "Didn’t you notice the wedding ring on her finger?"
Orion fell silent. How would an six-year-old notice something like that?
Yardley, satisfied that his son had finally stopped talking, looked up to find his father studying him with curious eyes.
"I’m done. You two enjoy your meal. I need to handle some work in my office," Yardley said, standing up.
Alpha Hunter watched his clearly uncomfortable son leave, then beckoned to his grandson. "Orion, who is this Nancy?"
The boy’s face lit up at the question. "Grandpa, she’s a lady who looks a lot like Mom!"
"Dad used to keep Mom’s photo in his wallet, but he hid it! I’ve seen it, and she looks exactly like her!"
Hunter rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "She just looks similar? Are you sure this lady doesn’t have a husband?"
Orion shook his head. "I don’t know, Grandpa. I hope she doesn’t, but you can ask Aunt Elara. She knows Nancy!"
That evening, Alpha Hunter called Elara.
Unfortunately, he learned that Nancy not only had a fiancé but was also getting married soon.
He chuckled. "Thank you, Elara. That clears things up."
"I thought I could play cupid for Yardley when Orion brought her up. Seems I was mistaken."
Elara laughed softly. "Dad, I don’t know her that well either. She’s just the Financial Director at the hotel."
"I see, Elara. Is Dominic busy these days? Come over for dinner tomorrow. Orion misses you."
Elara smiled, feeling warm. "Sure, Dad. Tomorrow we’re visiting my grandmother at the hospital, and we’ll come over afterward."
Meanwhile, in the office on the second floor, Yardley was leaning against the window with a cigarette between his fingers.
He called his assistant with a casual tone. "For the meeting Thursday, contact Park Hotel Group. Let’s change the venue to their conference center."
"Boss, we’re switching locations last minute?" his assistant asked, surprised.
Yardley’s expression remained unchanged. "Yes. It’s more convenient for everyone."
His assistant hesitated. "...Alright."
But both of them knew convenience wasn’t the real reason.
