Chapter 6 I was frozen at the altar , the weight of Philip's compulsion still coiling around me like invisible chains , forcing me to keep silent , but Dominic's words echoed through me , giving me hope . My vision blurred with tears of relief . He looked down at me , meeting my gaze , and the anger on his face was like a fire barely held back from setting the whole building ablaze . The air in the room shifted . " But - " 15 " I said , the engagement is off . " Dominic's voice cut through the tension like a blade , sharp and absolute . His words echoed through the hall , sending a ripple of gasps through the crowd . He shifted me to one side . " Renee ? " I couldn't answer him I couldn't speak . His brows drew together sharply . His jaw tightened . I thought he would release me , A stronger alpha could always override another's compulsion yet he didn't . Instead he slowly turned towards Tyler. Tyler's mouth opened and closed , his eyes flickering with uncertainty . He glanced toward Philip , but for the first time since this nightmare began , he looked uncertain of if he would find any support . Dominic stepped between us , towering over us both . I could hear the fact that his fangs had dropped like he was about to shift . I almost wished he would shift and tear Tyler to pieces " You … As gamma of my pack … " His tone was curdled with disgust . " I always You were young for your position . I knew you had a lot to learn . But I had never doubted your integrity . I had never doubted that you could serve the brioche pack with honor , following and embodying the principles of my pack . I had never thought you would bring embarrassment to me shame until now . " " A - Alpha , I didn't - " " Didn't speak up for her ? Didn't intervene for her ? Didn't even have the decency to listen to her concerns ? To care ? Were you too overcome with your own selfish desires not to see her plight ? Did you think that her father's consent was more important than hers ? " " I- " " Answer me truthfully if you are going to answer me at all , but do know there is no answer from your mouth that could make me think better of you ." His voice dropped lower , laced with contempt . " Watching her struggle against Philip's compulsion , and you still intended to force her into this ? I didn't think you were so pathetic as to plot to publicly disgrace your future wife for your own selfish ends , whatever they may be. " Tyler flinched , his fists clenching at his sides . " I- " " Quiet ." Dominic cut him off . Though it didn't have the air of a compulsion , it certainly felt as heavy as one because Tyler's mouth snapped shut . " You would not even argue for her right to speak thus you don't deserve the right ." A slow , burning satisfaction curled in my chest . I relished the way Tyler squirmed under his scrutiny . The murmurs that followed and rippled made me feel hopeful . At the least the people who might have been on Tyler's sides simply because Vivian was were likely to distance themselves . Dominic shifted , his gaze sweeping over me briefly before turning back to Tyler . " Back down . " His voice was steady , but the weight of it pressed into the air like a command . " Before you embarrass yourself and my pack any further . " Tyler's face twisted , his pride warring with his fear . But he didn't argue . He didn't dare . He glanced at me with a bitterness in his eyes , but I could say nothing . Even if I could I would have nothing to say . With Dominic vocally being on my side like there's no one would say a thing , not even Vivian . I was all but in the clear . But why hadn't he overwritten the compulsion yet ? " Release her , " Domini snarled . A sharp silence followed Dominic's command , stretching unbearably , though Philip still remained silent . I could feel his eyes boring into he back of my head . " Alpha Dominic , I- " " You will release her or I will challenge you here for your head . " The air turned harsh around us . I could only imagine the look of frustration on Philip's face . " You seem to care so much about your reputation , more than you care about your daughter - " 1/3 6 Chapter 6 " Alpha Domi- " " You will , for once , do right by her . Release her . Now ? Dominic's voice had dropped even lower , to something dark , something final . And I realized that he hadn't released the compulsion for my sake , to expose Philip's behavior as both correction and punishment . * You are released . " f The compulsion snapped . The weight on my limbs suddenly lifted , like a thousand - pound force being ripped away from me . My knees seatby buckled from the sudden release . I swayed and Dominic's steadied me with a hand on my shoulder . A shudder ran through me . I felt like every breath was at once too deep and not deep enough . My limbs tingled as my body seemed to all at once celebrate and freak out that it was under my . own control again . I hated the come down from being under compulsion the most . Philip exhaled through his nose . " As I was saying , Alpha Dominic -* " You do this often , don't you ? " Dominic cut in . I could barely lift my head , but as I did , I realized that Dominic was looking down at me . As of understanding and sympathy in his eyes . " You compel her often , don't you ? " How could he tell ? " She is a headstrong child . I'm sure you as a father can understand- " No , " he snarled . " I have never compelled my daughter to do anything . I reserve compulsion for criminals " W - Well - " " Consider this your only warning . If you pull this again - on her , on anyone - if I so much as hear about it , you'll regret it . " His voice was dangerously even . " And then I'll take you to Court myself . Let's see how well you hold up under a case of abuse ? I inhaled slowly . The Court stood as governance over all packs , it was more of a Senate made up of the most influential pack leaders . Phillip had always had eyes to get himself a seat on it eventually , but Dominic had had a seat since he became alpha as his father had before him and his father before him . An idea curled in the back of my mind , a seed of a plan I hoped I'd never have to use . But if it came to that . I would It wasn't as if I didn't have proof . I lifted my head a little more and spotted Vivian across the room . Her expression was thunderous , her sharp features twisted in barely concealed rage . I didn't need to guess why - this wasn't how tonight was supposed to go , their little plan was crumbling , whatever its true nature was Dominic turned from Philip , his eyes sweeping over the shocked crowd . His voice rang out , cutting through the silence with authority . " Leave . The evening is over . " There was no room for argument . The guests hesitated only briefly before moving toward the exit . Murmurs filled the air as they left . I stayed where I was , pulse steadying as the guests trickled out . I exhaled shakily , letting Dominic steer me towards a chair and lower me into it . He removed his jacket and settled it on my shoulders , the weight and warmth of it was like a soothing blanket on my mind . His scent filled my nose and he crouched down to look me in the eye . * I'll get you upstairs soon . Just breathe , and call for me if you start getting a headache . I nodded and he was gone again . I couldn't hold myself upright , I slumped against the table as I continued to shake , part adrenaline and part aftermath . The headache , blinding and near crippling , was definitely coming . Heels echoed against the marble floor , stopping just in front of me . I didn't need to look up to know who it was . She always had the most gaudy taste in shoes , and there was no mistaking the sparkle of her dress . " Well , well , Vivian drawled . " I didn't think you were so stupid to ruin the best match you could ever get . What would your mother think . " I alted my head up , meeting her gaze . Her usual smirk was in place , but there was tension at the corners of her mouth , a sharpness in her eyes that betrayed her irritation . She hadn't expected things to fall apart so quickly . " Considering the kind of man she ended up marrying I think she'd applaud me for getting out before I even began . " I smiled blandly . " Thanks for reminding me . I needed to pick me up . Vivian's lip curled . " You- " " You know , Vivian , you really should be more careful ." 2/3 Chapter 6 Her eyes narrowed . " What ? " ot I leaned forward slightly , lowering my voice just enough that only she could hear . " How much longer are you going to leave your dirty underwear on the floor ? " Vivian's entire face stiffened . For a second , she didn't move . Then , with a sharp huff , she turned on her heel and stormed off , her perfectly styled hair swaying with every furious step .