The Luna Queen's Rebirth (Ellie and Dominic) novel Chapter 115

Chapter 115

Vivian POV

I am not nervous.

Nervousness is for girls who don’t plan.

I smooth my gloves as I stand at the edge of the ballroom, breathing in candle smoke and polished marble, letting the music settle into my bones. Every detail tonight has been chosen with intention, every curl pinned just so, and every jewel placed where it catches the light without begging for it.

This is war.

And I came dressed for it.

My gown is impossible to ignore, liquid gold silk poured over my frame, fitted sharply through the bodice before flaring into a skirt that catches every flicker of candlelight. The neckline dips just enough to be daring, framed with faceted gems that sparkle when I move, drawing the eye exactly where I want it. Structured sleeves sit at my shoulders like subtle armor, giving my posture strength, while the fabric trails behind me in a controlled, deliberate sweep.

It was perfect dress to bounce back in, reclaim my power.

Because that earlier dismissal still burns.

My fist clench.

Dominic’s parents looking at me like I was something inconvenient, something that had wandered too close to the stage. That wasn’t the first time they have taken my kindness as weakness.

But I got the message.

Meekness didn’t work. Flattery didn’t work. Fine.

I adapt.

They don’t want a sweet girl. They want authority. They want a Luna who doesn’t ask where she belongs.

That, I can do.

From the front of the ballroom, I can feel his parents eyes. They’re sharp, measuring, cutting through the glitter and movement as they watch from there guest thrones. Dominic stands near them, already surrounded, girls orbiting him like moths convinced they’re special.

This entire thing was for him, can’t blame them for trying. But we all knew who the main event was for the night.

I don’t rush.

I move when the moment is right.

The crowd parts easily as I walk forward. Confidence does that. As they part, I stop in front of Dominic and smile up at him, soft and inviting.

+30 Bonus

“Hey,” I say soft, hand moving to his collar. “You look so handsome tonight.”

He stares at me stiffly. Then nods and thanks.

“Dance with me?” I ask.

He blinks, then nods again, relief flickering through his expression. Of course he agrees. Dancing with me is an honnor for him. Duh.

The music swells, and we step onto the floor.

And obviously, we are flawless. I’m flawless. He matches my steps, like I pretend he’s leading.

Every turn is precise. Every step perfectly matched. I let my hand linger at his shoulder, my smile warm, my laughter light.

I feel eyes on us, everyone. I feel there approval, attention, assessment.

Yes. This is it.

I guide him through a dramatic dip, letting my hair spill like silk as the music ends.

Applause erupts.

I beam, triumphant as he pulls me up to his chest. “You were amazing, Dom!” I swell. “We make such a good team!” Giggling cute.

His head tilts. “I suppose. You did well.”

Then my hand moves to his cheek.

He tenses. Of course he is nervous. I had one last move to seal the deal.

But I close the space between us for a kiss-

“Attention, please.”

The voice cuts through the room.

I freeze. Dominic pulls away slightly, eyes on the announcer.

す

୮

The man continues ceremonially. “We are honored to welcome two additional guests this evening.”

The ballroom turns as one.

And then-

Ellie.

She appears at the top of the staircase like…like a perfect sight.

I look to Dom.

He’s…staring.

I hate it.

+30 Bonus

The 100m stills as she descends, Sarah just behind her, both of them poised, effortless. Admiration ripples through the crowd in a way Ldon’t like In a way that wasn’t supposed to happen.

“Is that Ellie?”

“Woah, she clean up good.”

“How muhc you wanna bet she crawls right over to Dom?”

Everyone waits for the obvious. For Ellie to come to Dominic.

Even Domininc turns slightly from me but-

Instead, she stops, looks at him, then turns away.

She walks toward the drinks.

The whispers explode.

“What? She…isn’t going?”

“Maybe they really are over?”

“Then why would she be here?” 1

I look up at Dominic.

He’s staring. Again. Like he’s more confused then…adming now.

Then I glance toward his parents.

They’re whispering. Leaning toward one another, expressions sharpened with interest. Real interest. Not polite tolerance on…Ellie.

He’s already moving toward Ellie.

I hate the sight of it. Hate how natural it looks, how easily he slips into her orbit, how if that was me, she’d

snap.

My wolf begs to move.

I don’t

416

TW 41

I won’t cross the floor.

I won’t ask her to dance

I won’t give her the satisfaction of knowing she still has this kind of power over me-

Lucas puts his hand out to her.

…Damn it.

+30 Bonus

Ellie POV

Oh, I hoped I looked cooler then I felt doing that.

Too many eyes.

Too many whispers.

I sip my drink slowly, letting the music carry around me instead of through me, determined to make this night something better than it was before. All I had to do was lay low-

“Ellie.”

Lucas appears, and my heart sinks. He’s already smiling. And I’m…still not interested in being seen with

him. Yet.

“You look beautiful,” he says, sincere enough that it doesn’t sound rehearsed.

I give him a brief smile. “Thank you.”

He hesitates, clearly expecting more, then clears his throat. “I, uh-actually, I wanted to say I got to talk to Dominic earlier.”

I don’t even look at him.

“Oh.”

Lucas blinks. “I just thought-”

“I know what you thought,” I cut in, turning to face him now. My voice stays calm, but there’s an edge underneath it. “And Lucas, I’m going ot be honest, I’m just really tired of his name following me everywhere like it’s part of my identity. Can we just…not talk about him or any of that tonight?”

He exhales, rubbing the back of his neck. “Right. Sorry.”

There’s an awkward pause.

“So,” he says, holding out a hand, “would you like to dance?”

I open my mouth to answer-no-and suddenly my hand is being taken.

I suck in a yelp as I’m pulled backward, the glass nearly slipping from my fingers as someone steps seamlessly into my space.