Chapter 183: Chapter 183 Behind Closed Doors

Seraphina’s POV

The walk home from the pack house felt endless. Every step drained more energy from my already exhausted body. Fighting Cordelia with magic instead of claws had taken everything out of me mentally, and helping around the pack house afterward hadn’t helped.

All I wanted was a steaming hot bath, my comfortable bed, and a few hours to forget about the pack’s endless drama.

I turned my key in the front door and stepped into what I expected to be an empty, silent house. The kids wouldn’t be back from their playgroup for a while.

Instead, the television hummed softly from the living room. I walked in and froze. Julian sat on our couch with his shoes kicked off, feet propped on the coffee table, looking completely at ease.

I raised an eyebrow. So much for being the distant, cold Alpha who supposedly didn’t care about me anymore.

"You’re here early," I said.

Julian glanced up from the screen without smiling.

"I live here, Seraphina," he said matter-of-factly.

"I’m aware," I replied, heading to the kitchen for water. "But for someone who wants everyone thinking we can’t stand each other, you’re spending an awful lot of time here."

I leaned against the counter and sipped my water, watching him over the glass rim.

"People will start to notice," I said with a smirk.

Julian rolled his eyes and got up, walking into the kitchen. His relaxed demeanor vanished, replaced by his usual serious expression.

"Nobody questions a father visiting his children," he said. "It’s the perfect excuse."

"The kids aren’t even home yet," I pointed out. "They’re still at playgroup."

Julian stopped a few feet from me and crossed his arms. The movement made his muscles strain against his shirt.

"You’re right," he admitted. "That’s not why I’m here."

"Then what’s the real reason?" I asked.

"Because you’ve been causing trouble," he said, his voice dropping to a warning tone.

I sighed heavily. "Here we go."

"I heard about the training grounds," Julian said. "The whole pack is talking. You embarrassed Cordelia in front of everyone."

"She had it coming," I said with a shrug. "She was strutting around like she owned everything. Someone needed to put her in her place."

"Seraphina, I specifically told you to avoid her!" Julian snapped, anger flashing in his eyes. "I told you I have everything under control. I told you to trust my plan. Instead, you started a public fight with her."

I slammed my glass down hard.

"I’m not some child you can scold, Julian!" I shouted. "I’m your mate, not one of your pack soldiers who follows orders."

"I’m trying to keep you safe!" he shot back.

"I don’t need your protection!" I yelled. "I was just playing with her. I didn’t even shift or use more than a fraction of my real power. It was nothing."

Julian moved closer, invading my space. His scent filled my senses, making my wolf ache for the physical connection we’d been missing.

"Don’t antagonize her," he warned. "You have no idea what her family can do. You’re waking something dangerous."

"I’m not scared of Cordelia," I said, meeting his intense gaze. "I’m stronger than she is. I’m stronger than her entire bloodline. I’m a White Wolf, Julian. Why won’t you trust my abilities?"

"This isn’t about raw power!" he said, frustrated. "It’s about being smart! Why can’t you just listen to me?"

"Why can’t you be honest with me?" I countered. "Tell me what you’re hiding. Explain why we’re supposed to fear someone so weak."

"I can’t tell you!"

"Then I won’t stop fighting!"

We stood inches apart, fury radiating between us like heat. The kitchen felt charged with electricity, but suddenly the front door burst open.

"Mommy! Daddy!"

The tension shattered instantly. We both stepped back as our children rushed into the kitchen, faces glowing with dirt and happiness. They saw only their parents, oblivious to the anger and secrets.

Julian’s expression transformed completely. The rage melted away, replaced by pure love and warmth.

"Hey there!" he said, lifting Elena into his arms. "Did you have a good time?"

"We played chase!" she giggled.

For the next few hours, our war went on pause. We prepared dinner side by side. Julian handled the chopping while I worked on the sauce. We gathered around the table as a family.

It felt perfect. We laughed at the children’s silly stories. Julian sneaked food from my plate when I wasn’t watching, and I playfully kicked his shin under the table. For those precious moments, we were simply a normal, loving family. The happiness was so intense it almost physically hurt.

After dinner, we gave the kids their baths and tucked them into bed. Julian told them a bedtime story while I gave goodnight kisses.

When we closed their bedroom door, silence returned to the house.

Julian and I stood in the hallway. The happy family pretense disappeared, but the anger didn’t return.

Something else took its place.

Julian stared at me with burning eyes. "You’re impossible," he whispered. "The most impossible woman I’ve ever known."

He reached for my waist and yanked me against him. His mouth crashed onto mine with desperate hunger.

I didn’t resist. I melted into him completely. My arms wound around his neck, fingers threading through his hair.

He lifted me effortlessly, my legs wrapping around his waist. He carried me to our bedroom and kicked the door closed.

He placed me on the bed and I bounced slightly. Before I could recover, he was over me.

"You make me lose my mind, Seraphina," he growled against my throat.

His lips found my neck, hitting that sensitive spot that sent shivers down my spine.

"Prove it," I whispered.

He needed no further encouragement. His hands roamed everywhere, pulling my shirt over my head and tossing it aside. I tore at his shirt buttons, desperate to feel his skin against mine.

When we finally made contact, electricity shot through both of us. The mate bond blazed to life, hot and brilliant. It felt like lightning in my blood.

He kissed me with fierce intensity, his tongue claiming my mouth. It wasn’t tender. It was hungry, desperate, mixing anger with fear and overwhelming love. We’d been separated for months. Our bodies craved each other.

"Mine," he rumbled, his wolf’s voice breaking through.

"Yours," I answered breathlessly.

We moved together in our familiar dance, every touch a vow, every kiss forgiveness.

The room grew stifling. The sheets twisted around our limbs. I pressed my nails into his back, anchoring him to me. I wanted us so close we became inseparable.

"I missed you," he breathed against my lips, his walls finally crumbling. "I missed this. I missed everything about us."

"I’m right here," I promised, gazing into his eyes. "I’m not leaving."