Chapter 7 The hall had mostly emptied , but I remained seated , unwilling to move just yet . Vivian had picked up her underwear from the floor I wish I had had the strength to see her do it , but I was still shaking . My body thrummed with leftover adrenaline , my mind struggling to catch up with the fact that it was over , and the rest of me was just bracing for the pain that would start to set in soon . I pulled Dominic's jacket closer around my shoulders , hoping that the warmth of it , the solid weight of it , and his scent would stave some of it off . It seemed to be working so far . Usually , I'd already be curled up on the floor in some dark room , eyes closed and covered , and too afraid to even move less than pain get worse . Dominic stood a few feet away , watching the last stragglers disappear through the doors . When he finally turned to me , his expression was unreadable . " You can stay the night , " he said . " The room you've been in . After they're gone , I'll get you upstairs . " I nodded . " Thank you . " He opened his mouth then shut it . " We'll talk more soon ." A quiet shuffle of movement caught my attention . The maid from earlier - the one who had helped me dress and told me about the underwear - hovered near the entrance of the hall , her fingers twitching at her sides as if debating whether or not to approach . Her gaze darted to me , something like relief softening her features . She opened her mouth , but before she could speak , Dominic was already gesturing to her . " Martha , if you could get something for the nausea and the pain and have it taken to her room ? Dim the lights as well . " She nodded and jumped to hurry off with a small nod and another look in my direction . I nodded to her and managed to smile even as it sent a jolt of agony through my face . When the last person was gone , Dominic turned to me . He exhaled sharply and came to lift me out of the chair . My face he did my whole body felt like it was slowly catching a fever . " I - " " Close your eyes . The path between here and your room is pretty bright , even if they managed to dim them . " I swallowed my protest just as the hall's lights started to dim . The tension started between my eyebrows , twisting sharp and slow until I had no choice but to close my eyes and press my face into his shoulder . " I'll try not to get lipstick on your collar . " He chuckled , the sound of it rumbling through me as he walked through the estate . The exhaustion started to settle in now that the worst of the night had passed . I didn't remember going to sleep , but I knew that as soon as the pain had drifted away and the shaking was gone , I had never slept better . I drifted through the darkness of sleep , floating on a vast ocean of clouds and comfort . It was odd . I should have felt afraid , knowing that I had never been able to swim , yet I wasn't . I couldn't remember if I had ever felt more at ease . Morning light streamed through the windows , pulling me out of my sleep gently . I blinked and frowned at the room , I was tucked in and warmer than expected . Grateful too . " Good morning " I looked over at the maid , Martha , as she came in with a tray and a smile . " How are you feeling ? " I winced , looking around . " Better than expected " " Relief , I imagine from dodging a massive bullet . I chuckled at that . " Thank you for your help last night . " She nodded with a smile and setting the tray in my lap . " Alpha Dominic asked me to bring you breakfast here so you wouldn't have to deal with .. Tyler . I nodded . " Thank you . I'll cat quickly and head home . " She winced . " Will you be okay ? " 1/8 Chapter 7 I considered the question and nodded . Philip wasn't the type to try Dominic's patience , especially after being outed like that the night before . He might be pissed off , but it wasn't like he could do much to me . My mother's fortune , her entire estate , not just the portion that was to be mine , was the backbone of his pack , and I was the only heir . Though … now that I thought about it , I had to wonder if by some chance , some small chance , that Philip had been in on Vivian and Tyler's plan , or if he had a plan of his own leading up to my marriage to Tyler , I shuddered at that and made plans to leave Frostborne as soon as possible . I'd probably end up living in an apartment in the city , but it was better than wondering if Philip was going to try to kill me . I finished eating , packed up , dressed , and headed out . The estate was quiet as I made my way toward the front , rolling my suitcase behind me . Bur just as I reached the main floor , heading toward the main doors , I saw him - Tyler , lingering near the entrance , Waiting for me . I could tell the way he looked up and started to approach . My stomach clenched . Whatever he wanted to say , I didn't want to hear it . Before I could plan an exit , a familiar voice cut through the morning stillness . " She's leaving . " I turned to see Dominic standing at the top of the stairs , his sharp gaze locked onto Tyler . He didn't wait for a response before striding toward me . Without hesitation , he opened the front door and gestured toward a sleek , black car idling outside . " Get in . " I didn't argue , Relief flooded me as I moved past Tyler without looking at him , slipping into the backseat of Dominic's car . The second Dominic followed and shut the door , the driver pulled away . The tension in my shoulders cased as the estate disappeared behind us . For a long moment , silence stretched between us . Then , finally , I spoke .. " Thank you , " I said , glancing at him . " Again . For interceding . " Dominic didn't look at me , his expression as impassive as ever. " Philip compelling you was beyond wrong . And I can't afford to let Tyler's lack of morals go unchecked . He's slated to take his father's place in my pack . " I hoped he wouldn't grow to regret that decision . Tyler's father was an asshole , traditional , chauvinistic , and generally the complete opposite of Dominic , but there had never been a question about his loyalty … Or his desire for more power , I stared at him , waiting to see if there was more . But that was it . That was the extent of his reasoning . That was all well and good , but I didn't care why he helped me . Not really , Whether he believed that I was in love with him or not , whether he cared , whether it was just out of moral obligation , I didn't care . I was free and that was all that mattered to me for now . So I just nodded , keeping my voice even . " Well , thank you for driving me home . " He didn't respond , and I didn't push . I leaned back against the seat , letting my eyes slip shut as the estate rolled by , then the lush forests around it . We passed through the main city and onward towards the Frostborne packhouse . I set my jaw as it came into view . The driver pulled up and got my bag out of the trunk . I thanked Dominic again , though it seemed that he wished I hadn't . I thanked the driver and headed up to the front steps . The black car pulled away , disappearing down the driveway . My grip tightened around the handle of my suitcase as I wheeled it up the front steps . 1 barely made it to the door before Philip appeared . He stepped in front of me , blocking my way , his expression furious and cold . " You really think you can just walk back in here after what you pulled last night ? " His voice was low , sharp as a blade . I met his glare head - on , keeping my spine straight even as uncase curled in my stomach . " I live here . " His laugh was cold , humorless . " Not anymore . " I clenched my jaw , not wholly surprised that this was the path he was going to choose . " You can't be serious 42/3 +15 Chapter 7 " Oh , I'm dead serious , Renee . " He took a step closer , the two of us were nearly eye to eye , with me being just a bit taller than him , even in my flats . " You embarrassed me . You defied me . You think I'm just going to let that go ? " " I didn't defy you , " I said , my voice steady . " I made a choice . A choice you had no right to make for me . " His eyes flashed . " Change your mind . " " No. " The word left my lips without hesitation , and for the first time , I saw something else flicker in his expression . Not just anger - disbelief . Like he truly hadn't expected me to say no . Then , he sneered and turned back inside . " You're going to regret this , Renee . I'll make sure of it . You'd better practice your groveling for when you come crawling back ." Then , he slammed the door in my face , bolting the door .