Chapter 281
Chapter 282
Julian’s POV
+25 BONUS
“You are leaving?” I asked, my voice mostly caught in my throat, so what words did escape sounded strained.
“Yes,” Amber said. Her gaze dropped away, avoiding mine. “I’m sorry, Julian. I would stay if I could, but I found a new lead that could help Alice. There are so few leads as it is, that I can’t let this one get away. I have to follow it. You understand, don’t you p>
I stood up from the chair to have this conversation properly, with both of us standing. It was too important for me to just sit there.
“Where would you be going?” I asked.
“The lead is in Rafael’s pack p>
“And it’s safe for you there?” Julian asked. “I know the public was a bit… overly friendly with you before.” Amber swallowed hard. “Rafael has already arranged for Alice and me to have security p>
“And you are taking Alice with you,” I said, realizing.
Amber looked up at me. “I wasn’t sure that you would want the additional task of baby sitting on top of everything p>
“She’s my daughter,” I said. “I would be happy to look after her, though… There is much going on here p>
Even as I said the words, thinking that Alice and Amber would both leave me behind, I knew that wasn’t what I wanted.
My obligations were suddenly torn. Did I stay here and try to keep my family and my pack together with my own two hands? Or did I follow my heart and go with my mate and daughter to try to find a cure for Alice’s condition?
I wanted desperately to be in two places at once.
If I went with them, Tony would undoubtedly use it as an example of me running away from the pack. He’d use it to splinter the pack further, and increase the hostility towards me.
On the other hand, if I didn’t go, I was leaving Amber and Alice to face this on their own, possibly with Rafael, who hated me and would likely try to turn Amber against me. Plus, I would be missing the chance to help Alice finally find her cure.
“You shouldn’t have to do this alone,” I started.
“You have to stay here, Julian,” Amber said, seemingly making the choice for me. When she put it like that, didn’t know if I had it in me to argue. I did have to stay here, but just as much, I needed to go with her.
I
I hated this impossible choice.
“Are you sure?” I asked. “ I want to be with you and Alice p>
“Your people need you,” Amber said.
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Chapter 282
+25 BONUS
“But what about you.” I wasn’t trying to bait her, but if she said she needed me too, there was nothing I wouldn’t have done to follow her wherever she was going.
“We will have Rafael,” she said, which was a blow to the gut as keenly as if she had punched me.
“Yeah, but p>
“Your family and your pack need you here, Julian,” Amber insisted. “Alice and I will be okay.” She checked her watch. “I need to get home and pack for us. Rafael had already prepared for a flight to take us back this evening. Alice and I can’t be late p>
“But Amber p>
As she started to turn, she stopped and looked at me.
Despite the new closeness, suddenly I felt like she was still too far away for me to bridge the distance between us. All of the things I wanted to say to her, as well as all of the reassurances I hoped to hear from her, fell into the chasm between us, unspoken and unfelt.
I couldn’t say nothing though, so I told her simply, “Be careful p>
“You too,” she told me and walked out of the room.
She passed by the enforcers and back out into the waiting room.
With a sigh, I moved back to my chair and sat down. As soon as I looked at Mom again, I startled. Her eyes were wide awake and she was staring right at me – with a look of annoyance on her face.
“What are you doing, Julian?” she asked me.
I guessed I didn’t need to ask her how long she had been awake for. It had clearly been for some time, long enough to eavesdrop on Amber and my conversation.
Although I supposed I couldn’t call it eavesdropping if it happened right in front of her, and I guess, with the tension, I couldn’t blame her for not speaking up.
“I’m getting ready to sit with you a while longer, Mom,” I told her.
“No. I mean, why are you letting her go p>
I lowered my head. “I’m needed here, Mom. Things have happened and the pack is on the verge of breaking apart p>
“It’s always that way,” Mom said, somewhat dismissively. “Staying here while Amber leaves would be one of the greatest mistakes of your life. And while I love you, dear, you’ve made a great many of them already p>
Her sudden defense and support of Amber confused me. “I thought you preferred Olivia p>
“Don’t bring up ancient history,” she said. “And don’t deflect.” She sighed. “I do apologize for overhearing your conversation, but I did hear it. I know you want to keep the pack together, but the pack is stronger than you think. It’s held together without you all this time, hasn’t it p>
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Chapter 282
“Yes, but
+25 BONUS
“It shows you are capable, son,” Mom said. “That you are able to keep the pack running without even being here. This pack will hold. But your young family might not p>
“Just like the pack is strong, the bond between Amber, Alice, and me is strong too p>
“Is it?” Mom asked, lifting a brow. “Then why do you look so worried p>
I couldn’t answer that so I held my tongue.
“Tony doesn’t know what it takes to be an Alpha,” Mom said. “But you do. You’ve always had the right kind of stuff. Your father and I could both see it in you p>
I perked slightly at this compliment. Since Dad’s passing, it was nice to hear of him being talked about, especially by Mom, who loved him so very much. She was the perfect Luna to his Alpha, and they had been a love match, rare for their time.
“A true Alpha is the kind of man who would do anything for his family,” Mom said. “Your wife and your daughter are about to go on a potentially dangerous trip. You cannot let them go without you, Julian. It’s in your blood, the need to protect your mate and pups. Stop fighting it p>
I could feel that pull so strongly. “But the pack p>
“Will still be here,” Mom said. She laughed. “Tony might have plans but he’s forgetting how slowly things move in politics. He will not be able to usurp you overnight, even if you leave p>
I thought on this, reflected deep within myself to confront the feelings within.
To stay or to go.
To keep my pack together or to protect my family.
I thought of the promises I had made to Amber, the ones that had been crudely leaked to all of the pack.
I had promised Amber to always be there for her, and here I was, failing her at the first sign of trouble.
“Ah, ” Mom said. “There’s the spark in your eyes p>
“I can’t let her go without me,” I said.
Mom smiled. “Then go and get her, Julian. And live for the people you cherish most p>