Seraphina’s POV
The burn from Julian’s kiss seared my lips, leaving behind a sensation that felt more like violation than affection. I wrenched myself away, my pulse hamring against my throat. "Never. Never do that again, Julian." The words escaped hoarse and raw, carrying a rage that caught off guard.
His striking features twisted with bewildernt, then sothing resembling sha flickered across his expression. "Seraphina, I..."
"Stop," I snapped, my stare boring into the ground where his mouth had claid mine, desperate to scrub away the mory. "I understand exactly why you did it. For Alpha Dorian’s benefit. You noticed him observing us, and you needed to put on a performance. You were territorial, weren’t you?" The accusations poured out bitter and unfiltered. This wasn’t how a first kiss should happen, not as theater, not born from male pride. My chest constricted with longing for sothing authentic, sothing chosen rather than seized in a mont of possessive display.
He exhaled slowly, the sound weighted with exhaustion. "Seraphina, there was more to it. You must realize that."
"Then explain it to , Julian," I demanded, my anger reaching a boiling point. "Because it certainly wasn’t genuine desire. This was all strategy, and I refuse to be a pawn." I pivoted away, unable to withstand his penetrating stare any longer.
Heat flooded my cheeks at the thought of facing Alpha Dorian or the children after that spectacle, knowing they’d likely witnessed our entire exchange.
The well-worn route to our ho stretched endlessly before . I marched forward with fierce determination, each footfall a silent protest against his manipulation.
Julian’s presence trailed behind , his steps creating a quiet rhythm that followed mine. His nearness pressed against my awareness like a suffocating blanket, but I kept my gaze fixed ahead. All I craved was sanctuary within our walls, distance from his gas and theatrical gestures.
Upon reaching our weathered oak entrance, I prepared to barricade myself inside. But as my fingers brushed the cold surface, sothing made pause.
Then my blood turned to ice.
My parents. Positioned in the center of our living space, radiating anticipation. My mother wore an expression of concern deeper than her usual disapproval, while my father stood rigid, arms folded, his face an unreadable mask.
A wave of dread crashed over , washing away any lingering frustration with Julian. "Mom? Dad? Why are you here?" The question erged as barely a whisper, tinged with unwelco shock. Their visit was completely unexpected, and if I was being truthful, entirely unwanted.
My mother forced a brittle smile. "Seraphina, sweetheart. We thought we’d surprise you with a visit."
"A surprise?" I repeated, my thoughts spinning wildly. "You didn’t even call first." My gaze shifted between them before settling on Julian, who had entered behind . His jaw was clenched tight, his stare fixed on my parents with an intensity that matched my own bewildernt and irritation.
He moved closer, his palm settling protectively against my lower back, a claiming gesture that sohow provided comfort in this mont. "Advance notice would have been courteous," he stated, his voice controlled but carrying an edge of steel. He addressed my parents directly, his eyes shifting between them. "Seraphina and I find these ambush visits inappropriate. Particularly when they clearly distress her."
I felt grateful he’d voiced what I couldn’t without seeming heartless toward my own family.
My mother’s facade cracked slightly. "Julian, we ant no offense. We simply wanted to check on how you’re both adjusting."
"That conversation could have happened at any scheduled ti," Julian countered, his tone growing harder. "Instead of cornering us. And frankly, Alpha Maxwell and I have no outstanding pack matters to address. Unless there’s an urgent reason for this unannounced intrusion, I expect an explanation." His alpha presence filled the confined space with unmistakable authority.
My father finally relaxed his defensive posture. "This has nothing to do with pack affairs, Julian. It’s personal."
Personal. The word settled over us like a dark cloud, heavy with hidden anings. Personal involving whom? My parents and ? My parents and Julian? My stomach clenched with anxiety. I despised feeling blindsided, kept in darkness about incoming revelations. "Personal in what way?" I questioned, stepping away from Julian’s touch, needing space to process. "What could possibly be so personal that it justifies this uncomfortable surprise visit?"
My mother twisted her fingers nervously. "Seraphina, we’ve been concerned." The statent was laughably false given the complete absence of warmth between us, especially after our last bitter conversation.
"Concerned about what exactly?" I pressed, my voice climbing. "We’re perfectly fine. We’re content. Your worry is completely unfounded." The sarcasm dripped from my words since this arrangent was precisely what they’d demanded, so their presence made no sense.
My father released a weary sigh. "There are facts you’re unaware of, Seraphina. Information we’ve kept from you."
Before I could demand clarification, before my mother could offer another hesitant response, our front door groaned open. Roxanne stood frad in the doorway, her complexion ashen, her eyes wide with a combination of terror and excitent. Her focus locked imdiately onto Julian, her voice quivering as she spoke.
"Julian," she whispered, her attention fixed entirely on him. In that instant, every part of went numb and silent because I sensed what was coming and felt completely unprepared. "I need to tell you sothing." She drew a trembling breath, her hand moving instinctively to cover her stomach. "I’m pregnant. And you’re the father."
The declaration exploded in the already tense silence, a devastating revelation that left completely breathless.
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