Seraphina’s POV

After my conversation with Julian, I returned to preparing breakfast for my family, though anxiety gnawed at my stomach like a persistent ache.

Dorian was a constant shadow in my thoughts. If he discovered Julian had left our territory, it would only be days before he struck. The man was a hunter by nature, always prowling the edges of our lives, searching for any crack in our defenses he could exploit.

"You are the Luna," I murmured under my breath, the words serving as both reminder and prayer. These people depended on me. My children needed me. Whatever happened, I would stand between them and danger. Julian had tried to reassure me earlier with his typical Alpha composure, explaining how he’d positioned scouts along every boundary line. They would alert us to any threat. But even his careful planning hadn’t been enough to stop Dorian before.

I began arranging the morning meal on plates, spooning out scrambled eggs, strips of bacon that crackled with residual heat, and thick slices of buttered toast. "Breakfast is ready!" I called toward the stairs, injecting false cheer into my voice. "Come eat while it’s hot!"

The familiar thunder of small feet echoed from upstairs, followed by the chaotic sounds of my children racing down the steps.

Then they appeared in the doorway. Elena and Theo burst into the kitchen with their usual morning energy, faces bright with anticipation. But the two figures behind them made my welcoming smile freeze completely. My father lingered near the entrance, wearing a sheepish expression that didn’t quite hide his amusement. And beside him, as casual as if he’d never left at all, stood Julian.

"Daddy!" Theo’s scream of joy pierced the air. Elena, typically more reserved, abandoned her usual shyness and threw herself at him, tiny arms wrapping around his legs with fierce determination. Julian dropped to their level, a genuine grin spreading across his features as he lifted both children effortlessly, holding one against each hip.

The sight should have warmed my heart. My wolf should have been singing with happiness. Instead, I felt my smile become a mask, painted on for the sake of my children’s joy while fury simmered beneath the surface.

He was supposed to be gone. We had an agreement. A very explicit understanding about maintaining distance for appearances.

Yet here was Julian, radiating that insufferable confidence that made my blood heat with anger, walking directly to the head of our dining table. He settled into the chair as if it belonged to him, children still clinging to his frame, acting as though this was just another ordinary morning instead of a complete violation of our arrangement.

My parents entered next, followed by Ma and Pa, then Vivian trailing behind. The kitchen filled with family members I hadn’t expected to see gathered together. This impromptu reunion was the last thing I needed.

My thoughts raced as rage built in my chest. ’What exactly do you think you’re doing?’ I attempted to reach him through our mate bond. ’Leave. Now. We had an understanding.’

Nothing. Complete silence where our mental connection should have been. He had deliberately blocked me out, cutting off our link like slamming a door in my face. This was intentional. He was making some kind of statement.

Left with no alternatives, I released a breath that felt like surrendering and pulled out the chair to his right. My customary place at his side. I sat down with forced composure, reaching for my own plate despite having lost all appetite.

For the first time in days, genuine happiness radiated from my children. Elena’s eyes sparkled with a light that had been missing since before everything fell apart. Theo chattered endlessly about yesterday’s adventures with the other pack children, describing elaborate games of warriors and battles fought in the mud. Julian listened with perfect attention, making exaggerated sounds of amazement and interest that delighted them.

Even Vivian had emerged from her room. She looked healthier today, less ghostly pale. The fact that she’d bothered to shower felt like a small miracle. I tried not to stare at her directly, but bitterness still coated my tongue. She remained the source of my deepest pain.

More than Julian’s betrayals, she was responsible for my lost child. The miscarriage that had shattered something inside me. Forgiveness felt impossible. I wasn’t certain I would ever find it in myself to absolve her.

My parents sat across from Ma and Pa, an arrangement that would have been unthinkable before the Zenith pack tragedy. Before we lost so much. Grief had somehow softened them, made them more open to connection. They shared quiet conversation over tea, a peaceful moment amid the chaos.

"Listen carefully, children," Julian announced, his voice cutting through the happy chatter.

Both kids immediately fell silent, focus fixed on their father.

"Daddy needs to travel for a couple of days," he explained gently. "There’s something very important I have to handle for the pack."

Theo’s bottom lip began trembling. "No. Stay here, Daddy."

Elena looked ready to cry as well. "Don’t leave us."

Julian rose from his chair and knelt beside them, ruffling Theo’s dark hair. "You need to be strong for your mother, alright? Show me how brave you can be. Daddy will return before you miss me too much."

They started to protest, small voices rising in complaint, but Julian handled them skillfully. He explained that this was "extremely important" pack business, that their father had crucial responsibilities to protect everyone’s safety. Gradually, their tears became sniffles, and they nodded with the solemnity of tiny soldiers accepting orders.

Julian straightened, his gaze moving around the table before settling on me with unmistakable intent. "Besides," he declared loudly enough for everyone to hear, "shouldn’t you give your mate a proper goodbye kiss?" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

My spoon crashed against my plate, the metallic clang startling in the sudden quiet. I stared at him in complete shock. He’d spoken those words boldly, publicly, in front of our entire family. My jaw clenched so tightly it sent sharp pain through my skull.

"Don’t," I managed through gritted teeth, maintaining a strained smile.

The children giggled at what they perceived as playful banter, completely oblivious to the tension crackling between us like electricity.

Before I could process his intentions, he was moving toward me. His hand, warm and strong, encircled my wrist. He pulled me from my chair with gentle but irresistible pressure.

He guided me through the kitchen and out the front door. Once we were outside, away from watching eyes, I jerked my hand free from his grip, yanking it back violently. My chest rose and fell with barely controlled fury, a tempest raging inside me.

"What exactly do you think you’re doing?" I hissed, keeping my voice low but fierce. "You made a complete mockery of our arrangement, Julian. You walk back in there, claim your place at the head of our table, and pretend nothing has changed? And you blocked our mind-link? Seriously?"

He didn’t retreat or apologize. Instead, he stepped closer, his stare steady and uncompromising as it held mine. Before I could react, his palm cupped my cheek, thumb brushing across my skin with devastating gentleness. His touch sent electric shivers racing down my spine, sparks igniting everywhere our skin connected.

"Push me away all you want, Seraphina," he said quietly. "But you’re not going anywhere. And I will fight for our family. For us. No matter what obstacles you put in my path."