Seraphina’s POV
Julian yanked his hands away from mine as if my touch burned him. He retreated several steps, creating an unwelco gulf between us.
"I have no idea what you an, Seraphina." His voice had returned to that emotionless monotone. The walls were going back up, brick by brick. He turned his head toward the forest, refusing to et my gaze.
"Enough," I snapped, moving directly into his field of vision. "Don’t you dare lie to . Not in this place. Not after everything."
My chest rose and fell as I fought to control my thundering heartbeat. "There’s no dark magic surrounding you," I declared. "I’ve been desperately searching for so external force to bla, but this coldness has been coming from you the entire ti."
Julian dragged his fingers through his dark hair, frustration radiating from every line of his body. When he finally t my eyes again, they weren’t the hollow voids I’d grown accustod to.
"Seraphina." His tone carried weight now, gravity. "You should focus your energy on earning back the trust of pack mbers who feel abandoned by a Luna who chose strangers over her own people. Stop ddling in affairs that don’t concern you." The condescending edge to his words made my blood boil, but I could see through the facade.
"I couldn’t care less about anyone’s trust or acceptance," I shouted back. "I want my mate returned to . I’m done with this stranger who looks at like I’m a burden he wishes would disappear. I want the man who holds my heart. I want my children’s father."
Sothing shifted in Julian’s expression, a crack in his armor. He moved closer, closing so of the distance between us.
"I’m furious with you, Seraphina," he confessed, his admission hanging heavy in the air. "Yes, I’m absolutely livid that you left us. That anger is genuine. But hatred? No, I don’t hate you."
A weary sigh escaped his lips. His eyes swept the surrounding woods, as though searching for hidden observers despite my protective barrier.
"I need you to hear clearly," he said, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "For the ti being, I’m asking you to step back."
"Step back from what?" Confusion clouded my thoughts.
"Cordelia," he said simply. "Her family connections. The Shadow Moon Fang. Keep your distance from all of it. I’m working on a solution. If you allow to handle this situation, everything will return to how it should be."
I shook my head violently, fear and bewildernt warring in my chest. "What needs to be solved?" The desperation in my voice was unmistakable. "What has Cordelia done to our pack? What has she done to you? Why is everyone behaving like they’re under so spell?"
Julian’s jaw clenched, his lips forming a rigid line. "I can’t provide those answers right now."
"Why the hell not?"
"Because knowledge is dangerous," he replied firmly. "Your ignorance is your protection. When the mont is right, I’ll reveal everything. That’s my promise to you. But today isn’t that day."
I studied his face, this man who was asking for blind faith. If I didn’t love him as deeply as I did, I would have fled after the way he’d treated upon my return. But following orders had never been my strength.
"So," I said slowly, processing his request. "What exactly are you expecting from ? You want to coexist in the sa house, with you being physically present but emotionally unreachable?"
The re thought sent sharp pain through my chest.
My wolf snarled within , her protective instincts flaring.
"Absolutely not," I growled. "I refuse to let Cordelia get close to you. I won’t tolerate it."
Julian’s eyes rolled skyward, irritation flickering across his features.
"Control your jealousy, Seraphina."
"This isn’t jealousy," I protested, though we both knew it was a lie. "This is protection."
"It’s jealousy," he countered bluntly. "And you need to rein in your wolf. Think with logic instead of emotion."
He stepped forward until re inches separated us. His intense gaze locked with mine.
"If I had wanted anything to happen with Cordelia," he said with brutal honesty, "six months of your absence provided ample opportunity. I could have taken her to my bed, but I chose not to."
His words stung despite their truth. Rather than comfort, they only amplified my feelings of foolishness.
"I still deserve answers," I insisted stubbornly. "I can’t simply sit idle while this unfolds."
"Patience is essential," Julian said with unwavering firmness. "You must trust to navigate this carefully. Are you capable of that?"
I gazed at his beautiful face, at those lips I’d dread about for months. Missing him felt like a constant ache in my bones. He was asking for everything.
"I don’t know if patience is within my capabilities," I whispered honestly.
"Try," he urged.
The weight of his request settled over . If I challenged him now, those walls would slam shut again. If I pushed too aggressively, the mask would return. I needed to play along, at least temporarily.
But my cooperation wouldn’t co without a price.
"Fine," I said carefully. "I’ll attempt patience. I’ll try to follow your lead in this."
Relief washed over Julian’s face. His tense shoulders dropped slightly. "Thank you. I appreciate it."
"However," I added quickly, "I want compensation."
Suspicion crept into his expression. "What kind of compensation?"
I reached forward and grasped the fabric of his shirt, pulling him down toward . Before he could object, I crashed my lips against his.
This wasn’t gentle or tentative. It wasn’t a sweet reunion kiss. It was fierce, passionate, and desperate.
I kissed him with months of pent-up frustration and love. Every ounce of anger and longing poured into that connection.
For one heartbeat, Julian remained motionless, stunned. Then sothing inside him snapped.
He groaned deep in his throat. His arms encircled my waist, crushing against him. He returned my kiss with equal fervor, his mouth hungry and demanding.
My wolf sang with pure joy.
Mate, she cried out. Finally!
Julian’s hands traveled up my spine, fingers threading through my hair. He intensified the kiss, his tongue claiming my mouth. It felt like wildfire, like coming ho after a lifeti of wandering.
Every cell in my body craved more. Each point of contact between us sparked with electricity. I wanted to remain in this clearing forever, to tear away his shirt and mark him as mine.
But reality intruded too soon. I had to break away, knowing that sohow we always managed to attract complications just when things seed to be improving.
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