Chapter 311
Chapter 312
+25 BONUS
Chapter 312
Alice was still hiding behind her menu and it took a few more calls of her name to convince her to lower it. When she did, it was only enough to peek out at Julian over the top of the laminated paper.
“She’s okay,” Alice said.
Julian opened his mouth, presumably to ask another question. Before he could speak, a man from the table. beside ours spoke up.
“I’m surprise you are back in our pack, Alpha.” The man stood. He was slightly wobbly, like he’d had too much wine. He leaned into Alice, which immediately had Julian and I both jolting to alertness. “Hopefully you like Rafael’s pack, sweetie. Because soon you and your whole family won’t be allowed in this one anymore p>
Enraged, Julian and I push jumped to our feet. Julian stormed forward first, swatting the man’s arm away before he could even think to place a hand on Alice’s shoulder. I went to Alice in the next instant, and wrapped her in a hug, holding her close as she trembled with fear.
“You forget yourself,” Julian growled. “I am still the Alpha of this pack and that isn’t going to change p>
The drunken man stumbled back, but another from somewhere else in the restaurant shouted, “That’s not what Tony said p>
“Tony has no authority!” Julian snapped. “Whatever he said are lies. He hasn’t been speaking any truths p>
Julian turned slowly, meeting the eyes of any who might dare to look at him in the room.
“Anyone who doubts my abilities as Alpha can challenge me directly,” Julian said. “Else you should stay quiet and respect me and my family. You frightened my child p>
Julian was dangerously close to losing himself. I could see the signs at once.
“Julian,” I said.
“Sit down, Amber. The waiter will be by soon to take our order p>
We weren’t staying here. He was being stubborn right now, trying to throw his weight around, but that wasn’t going to work with our little girl.
“Julian,” I said again, with a touch more softness.
Hearing the change, he turned to look at me, a question in his eyes.
I held his gaze a moment, then looked down at our trembling daughter.
Julian cursed again, lighter, under his breath.
“Yeah, okay,” he said, after. “We’ll stop at the drive thru instead. Come here, Alice. You want to go home p>
He held open his arms and Alice flew into them at once. Julian lifted her, holding her against his side. As he held her firmly with one arm, he held out his other hand for me. I took it.
Together as a family unit, proud despite having been driven from this restaurant, we walked toward the front
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Chapter 312
door with our heads held as high as we could lift them.
Only when we were outside, away from the onlookers‘ line–of–sight did we start to deflate.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “That was a terrible idea p>
+25 BONUS
“ It wasn’t,” Julian insisted. “The food here is great, and the service was going to be fine. You can’t control other people’s bad behavior p>
“I should have anticipated this might happen p>
“Hey,” he said, turning to me, stopping us in the middle of the parking lot. “You just wanted us to have a nice time. None of this is your fault. ”
I knew that was true, yet I felt as if this could have been avoided.
Yet, as I put my own self–pity to the backburner, I saw how upset Alice still was.
She was trembling like a leaf. Any other time, this fear would have been enough to cause her to shift.
Yet, as I looked closer at her fingers, they were all distinctly human.
Chapter 313
Florence
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.