Seraphina’s POV

Julian yanked his hands away from mine as if my touch burned him. He retreated several steps, creating an unwelcome gulf between us.

"I have no idea what you mean, 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 meet my gaze.

"Enough," I snapped, moving directly into his field of vision. "Don’t you dare lie to me. 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 some external force to blame, but this coldness has been coming from you the entire time."

Julian dragged his fingers through his dark hair, frustration radiating from every line of his body. When he finally met my eyes again, they weren’t the hollow voids I’d grown accustomed to.

"Seraphina." His tone carried weight now, gravity. "You should focus your energy on earning back the trust of pack members who feel abandoned by a Luna who chose strangers over her own people. Stop meddling 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 me. I’m done with this stranger who looks at me like I’m a burden he wishes would disappear. I want the man who holds my heart. I want my children’s father."

Something shifted in Julian’s expression, a crack in his armor. He moved closer, closing some 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 me clearly," he said, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "For the time 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 me to handle this situation, everything will return to how it should be."

I shook my head violently, fear and bewilderment 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 some 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 moment 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 me upon my return. But following orders had never been my strength.

"So," I said slowly, processing his request. "What exactly are you expecting from me? You want me to coexist in the same house, with you being physically present but emotionally unreachable?"

The mere thought sent sharp pain through my chest.

My wolf snarled within me, 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 mere 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 me to navigate this carefully. Are you capable of that?"

I gazed at his beautiful face, at those lips I’d dreamed 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 me. 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 come 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 me. 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 something inside him snapped.

He groaned deep in his throat. His arms encircled my waist, crushing me 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 home after a lifetime 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 somehow we always managed to attract complications just when things seemed to be improving.