< Chapter 120 Are You Jeal
Chapter 120: Are You Jealous?
Chapter 120: Are You Jealous?
(Aria’s POV)
I couldn’t help but purse my lips tightly as the walter placed our perfectly prepared venison steaks in front of us. The aroma filled the private dining room, but my appetite had completely vanished.
Under the table, I quickly kicked Dominic’s shin with my foot, trying to signal him desperately to refuse my aunt’s outrageous suggestion about hiring Sadle.
To my complete dismay, Dominic didn’t seem to be picking up on my frantic signals at all.
“That’s an interesting proposition,” Dominic said thoughtfully, completely disregarding my desperate gestures under the table. “Sadie is welcome to submit her resume to Shadow Security’s human resources department.
My mouth fell open in shock. What was he thinking?
I tried to discreetly pull on his sleeve, hoping to catch his attention and make him reconsider.
But Dominic unexpectedly grabbed my hand instead, his fingers interlocking with mine beneath the
tablecloth.
His hands warmth immediately made my heart race uncontrollably. My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, responding to his touch with alarming intensity.
Our fingers remained connected, his grip both protective and possessively firm. The sensation caused me to break into a nervous sweat.
I was terrified that my observant aunt would notice our hidden hand–holding and draw her own conclusions. “Aria, dear, you haven’t touched your steak at all,” Aunt Sophia’s voice cut through my panic. “Don’t you have an appetite tonight?”
Everyone’s eyes suddenly focused on me. I felt trapped under their scrutiny.
In a moment of desperation, I pinched Dominic’s finger hard, hoping to get his attention and make him release my hand.
The unexpected pain drew a sharp intake of breath from him. His eyes flashed briefly with surprise and something that looked almost like amusement.
“Alpha Dominic, are you alright?” Uncle Robert asked with concern.
All attention immediately shifted to Dominic at the sound of his sharp breath.
He calmly rubbed his finger and smiled sheepishly. “I accidentally scratched myself on the edge of the table. Just a small injury.”
His lie was smooth and believable. I shot him a grateful look.
Throughout the rest of the meal, Aunt Sophia persistently continued her matchmaking efforts between Sadie and Dominic,
“Sadie graduated with honors from Northern Territory University,” she boasted. “She’s always been such a responsible, hardworking young woman.”
Chapter 120, Are You Jeal
“Mom, please,” Sadie blushed prettily, playing her part perfectly.
Dominic remained diplomatically unresponsive to all the hints and suggestions. His Alpha composure never wavered, though I caught subtle signs of his growing impatience.
Eventually, Aunt Sophia shifted her attention directly to me with calculating eyes.
པ ར ༅ རྫ
“Aria, since Dominic is still unmated, does he have someone he’s interested in pursuing?” she asked with
false casualness.
My eyes met Dominic’s penetrating gaze across the table. I felt a strange ripple of emotion pass between us
though it quickly disappeared.
“As a matter of fact, I do have someone in mind,” Dominic replied, his deep voice carrying undertones I couldn’t quite decipher.
His response surprised me. My wolf stirred with unexpected unease.
“Really?” Aunt Sophia’s eyes lit up with gossipy interest. “Then why aren’t you two together? Perhaps the she–wolf doesn’t reciprocate your feelings?”
I felt my aunt had seriously overstepped appropriate boundaries.
“Aunt Sophia, that’s really none of our business,” I interjected firmly.
But Dominic simply smiled with what looked like genuine sadness. “Actually, that’s exactly right. She doesn’t seem to return my feelings.”
My mind immediately went to Alison Lewis, Dr. Nathan Lewis’s accomplished sister. She was the only she–wolf I’d heard rumors about being associated with Dominic.
A pang of unexpected sadness tightened my chest. The thought that there was a she–wolf out there who didn’t appreciate Dominic’s worth made my wolf whimper softly.
After dinner, Dominic drove us back to Moon Valley Residences in his luxury SUV.
The ride was filled with Aunt Sophia’s continued chatter about how wonderful Sadie would be as an
assistant.
Once my family had gotten out of the vehicle and headed toward the elevator, I lingered behind.
“Dominic, wait a moment,” I called out.
He rolled down his window, his eyes curious. “What is it?”
“Why did you agree to my aunt’s request about Sadie working as your assistant?” I demanded. “I was giving you clear signals under the table to refuse.”
Dominic tilted his head with an air of innocent Alpha authority. “Was I supposed to understand those
signals?”
His apparent obtuseness frustrated me beyond measure.
“My aunt is clearly trying to set you up with Sadie as a potential mate!” I explained with exasperation. “Couldn’t you see that?”
A mischievous glint appeared in Dominic’s eyes. He leaned closer to the window, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper.
<Chapter 120. Are You Jeal
“What? Are you jealous?”
My heart skipped a beat. My wolf responded immediately to the playful challenge in his voice.
“I… of course not!” I stammered, heat rushing to my cheeks. “I just thought you should be aware of her
intentions.”
My embarrassment was painfully obvious, despite my attempts to mask it.
Dominic chuckled softly, the sound sending shivers down my spine.
“Aria, I couldn’t directly refuse your aunt without embarrassing you in front of your family,” he explained patiently. “That would have created an uncomfortable situation for everyone.”
His reasoning made perfect sense, but I still felt confused.
“Then why did you agree to consider Sadie for employment?”
“I merely agreed to receive her resume,” he clarified with a strategic smile. “Shadow Security’s human resources department will handle the rest. If she isn’t qualified for any actual positions, that’s not my personal decision.”
Relief flooded through me. I finally understood his tactical thinking and hidden intentions.
“You had it all planned out,” I said with grudging admiration.
“I try to think several steps ahead,” he replied with characteristic confidence.
Dominic then leaned closer to the car window. His imposing Alpha silhouette almost engulfed me in the dim lighting of the underground parking garage.
His distinctive scent of cedar and moonlight filled my sensitive wolf senses, making my head feel slightly
dizzy.
“Speaking of planning ahead,” he said with his signature smirk, “you still owe me a favor for my help with the pack servant investigation.”
I blinked, recalling his crucial assistance in finding the witness from the territorial gathering.
“What do you need in return?” I asked seriously.
Dominic’s eyes danced with mischief. “I want you to accompany me somewhere tomorrow.”
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