"Even if your father is dying, Juniper doesn’t wish to see him. How can you even expect her to accompany you after what you all did?" Denzel warned. "Just stay away from her."
Cillian didn’t flinch. Instead, he stepped closer, his expression hardening. "I told you my father won’t live much longer. Why do you think I showed up at her door after all these months? Dad said he has sothing vital to tell her, sothing he must say before he passes."
He paused, a cold smirk playing on his lips. "And you should know, Juniper has a habit of blaming others when things go wrong. If you keep her here and he dies with those words unspoken, she will bla you one day for not letting her go."
Denzel’s fists tightened on his sides. He knew the psychological gas the Vittileo brothers played, but Cillian’s words carried a grain of truth that was hard to ignore. If there was a secret, sothing that could change Juniper’s life or provide the closure she lacked, denying her that chance might backfire.
"She’s an adult, Cillian. She made her choice today," Denzel countered. "If she changes her mind, it will be on her terms, not because you dragged her out of that house."
Cillian humd. "I’ll be in the city for two more days. If she regains her senses, just call ." He gave Denzel his business card and headed to his car before driving away.
Denzel looked at the card for a mont, the weight of Cillian’s words lingering in his mind before he finally drove away.
Once he reached his house, he collapsed onto the couch and pulled the card from his pocket. He stared at the contact information.
"I need to tell June about this," he muttered to himself. "Maybe later, when she’s in a better headspace. But I wonder what her adopted father must tell her that he sent his son to find Juniper. It must be sothing crucial."
He knew that withholding information about a dying father, no matter how much of a monster the man had been, was a dangerous gamble. If she found out later that he had kept it from her, God knows what could happen.
Letting out a heavy sigh, he stood up and headed to his room to freshen up, hoping a few hours of rest would bring so clarity on how to handle this matter.
~~~~~
"What?" Gabriel frowned, his pace faltering in the middle of the garden as Karn’s words sank in.
Little Noah began to squirm in his arms, his small hands pushing against Gabriel’s chest.
Ever since the boy had learned to crawl, he was determined to spend every waking second on the ground.
"Want to go to your mama? Huh?" Gabriel muttered, his gaze shifting briefly to his son’s impatient face. He scanned the area for assistance and spotted a maid nearby, busy clearing a tray and empty glasses from the garden table.
"Take him to Alie," Gabriel directed, handing the restless toddler over. He waited until they were out of earshot before turning back to Karn.
"Did Denzel tell you? Or did you—"
"He told as we t in the cafe, asking about June’s history with her family. Cillian is here to take June and she doesn’t wish to go with him. Denzel, sohow has intervened and helped Juniper," Karn clarified, cutting through Gabriel’s suspicion.
"That’s why I decided to tell you because I thought you should know. I’m not sure what to make of their relationship yet, but Denzel is a kind man."
"Hmm. You’re right. His kindness matches Alie’s," Gabriel affird, his expression softening slightly at the ntion of his wife. "Just keep an eye on them. Make sure Denzel doesn’t get hurt in this. If the Vittileos are involved, kindness is usually the first thing they exploit."
"I’ll stay close to the situation," Karn promised. "Denzel is smart, but even he might not realize how deep this water is."
Gabriel gave a firm nod. "Don’t let Denzel find out. Just observe everything unless you feel you need to step in."
"I won’t. Honestly, I thought Denzel might have feelings for June," Karn stated, leaning back against the garden wall. "Usually, you don’t go this far for soone unless there’s a specific motive involved."
"We’re talking about Denzel, though. Feelings or not, he’s fundantally kind," Gabriel replied. He watched a maid cross the lawn in the distance, his mind already calculating the risks.
"Juniper isn’t the sa person she was at the palace. She won’t be the one to harm him. It’s the Vittileos we have to worry about. An Alpha’s pride is easily bruised when a lower-ranking wolf challenges their authority."
Karn’s expression grew somber. "You’re right. Alphas aren’t used to being told ’no,’ especially by soone they consider a subordinate. If Denzel keeps standing between them and Juniper, they’ll stop seeing him as a Gamma and start seeing him as a target."
"Exactly," Gabriel muttered, his gaze turning cold.
"Don’t worry. I won’t let Denzel be hard. I’ll keep a close watch on him," Karn assured him, his tone turning more professional.
"Hmm. By the way," Gabriel pinched the bridge of his nose for a mont before lowering his hand. "Alie has invited you and Aisha for dinner tomorrow. Bring her. Alie is determined to beco friends with her."
"Sure. I will," Karn said, a genuine smile breaking across his face. "I find myself falling more deeply in love with her every single day. Sotis it still feels unreal. You know she was an out-of-reach dream for for a long ti."
Gabriel chuckled, his own expression softening with a rare, warm smile. "Destiny is sothing no being can outrun. She was always ant to co your way," he affird, clapping Karn on the shoulder.
Karn nodded. "I’ll see you tomorrow night, then. And I’ll make sure Denzel stays safe in the anti."
Gabriel watched him walk away, the quiet of the garden returning.
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