Chapter 152
+15 BONUS
Chapter 153
Julian’s POV
I didn’t want to frighten Alice, so I kept my hand on her shoulder firm but light. Yet, every other muscle in my entire body was ready. I felt coiled like a snake, ready to pounce the minute Chase showed any sign of suspicion.
I didn’t trust him on the best of days, and today, right now, was far from that. After what Amber had told me, with someone, likely Olivia, having showed up at Alice’s school to try to take her out of it, I was on edge.
This only made the instances I saw of Chase and Olivia interacting during our celebration more suspicious.
I thought I knew Olivia better, and would have never thought that she’d target a child. Even now, despite Amber having been so sure that it was Olivia who had done the act, I struggled to wrap my mind around it.
Yet, with Alice, I wasn’t willing to take any chances. Not with Olivia. And certainly not with Chase.
Chase held his arms out, as if expecting Alice might run into them. Maybe she even would have if Amber and I weren’t holding her back.
Chase, noticing, lifted his gaze to Amber, ignoring me entirely.
“ What’s wrong?” he asked.
“ Nothing,” Amber said quickly. “We’re just being a little cautious today. You can say goodbye without touching p>
Chase laughed like she was joking. “Cautious? Of me?” A moment later, he must have realized she was serious because he abruptly stopped laughing. “I don’t understand,” he said.
“Just say goodbye from there, Chase,” Amber insisted. “Please p>
“This is ridiculous, Amber,” Chase said, his smile starting to waver. “ If you want to accuse me of something, you can do so, but don’t punish Alice for whatever you think I’m up to. I just want to say goodbye. Who knows when I’ll see either of you again? ”
Never, if I had my way.
“ You don’t need to hug her to say goodbye,” I grumble.
“ Stay out of this, Alpha,” Chase said. “This doesn’t concern you.” He was dismissive of me at first, but then seemed to realize something and shifted his gaze to me. When he did, it turned into a glare. “ This is your doing, isn’t it? You’ve turned Amber and Alice against me p>
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Chapter 153
+15 BONUS
I neither confirmed nor denied, just glared right back.
“Amber, whatever he says, you can’t believe him,” Chase said, returning his attention to Amber. “I know I have a reputation back home, but that’s a version of me that’s riddled with gossip and untruths. You know me better than that. Hells, I’ve told you all of my dark secrets p>
Glancing at Amber, I saw some conflict on her face. Alarmed, I quickly told her, “I suspect he knows Olivia
more than either of them are admitting to p>
That seemed to steal Amber’s resolve. “Just say goodbye from there, Chase. If you are genuine, this will
not be a forever goodbye, and we can hug on a happy reunion p>
“Why wouldn’t I be genuine?” he asked. “It’s one hug. What could be so wrong about that p>
“Alice, I’m sorry, honey,” Amber said. “But you will have to say goodbye to Chase like this, okay? ”
“Okay…” Alice said, confused but obedient to her mother. She was looking at Chase somewhat strangely
now too.
It was odd that he was so insistent about hugging her. I was glad I wasn’t the only one to think so.
“Goodbye, Uncle Chase,” Alice said.
For a moment, Chase just grinned at her. He otherwise froze, as if he was thinking through something.
Gods knew what that could be.
I stood at the ready though, uncertain and cautious.
Maybe he was just offended. Maybe he was saddened to have to say goodbye like this to Alice and
Amber. Maybe he was being entirely genuine right now.