Chapter 313
Chapter 314
“We can’t send her back,” Julian said. “How would it look to send my own daughter to a rival pack? It would make me look weak. Right now, we need to show the pack that I can provide for my family p>
“You are a fine protector,” I told him. “You kept us safe tonight, but those looks and these situations… even our stress… it’s all taking a toll on Alice mentally. That’s not something you can protect her from by keeping her here p>
Julian frowned at my words, his brow furrowing unhappily. I could tell that he didn’t want to agree with me, but that he was considering my words very carefully.
Fortunately, I didn’t feel that I had to point out to Julian that his daughter was more important than his appearance in his pack. He already knew that. His saying so, valuing Alice and me above his pack, was part of the reason we were all dealing with such fallout now.
Julian glanced at me, worry in his eyes. “Would you want to go back with her p>
“No,” I said. I reached out and took his hand in mine. “I’m not going anywhere, not without you. We are a team now. But Alice… this is too much for her. I just want her to be happy p>
“I agree,” he said. “Let’s contact Rafael and see if he’d be willing to take her in until this all blows over p>
“No!” Alice cried out, suddenly appearing at the doorway.
Such a sneaky girl. Even though I had chosen to speak in the kitchen because it was so far out of the way, I hadn’t been smart enough to fool Alice.
She must have realized what we were doing and followed us.
Now, she ran out of her hiding space with tears in her eyes.
“You can’t send me away!” she cried. She grabbed the bottoms of both of our shirts and hung on for dear life, her little knuckles turning white. “I’m not going anywhere p>
I could see she was furious and upset about our decision, but still I hoped to calm her.
Keeping my voice steady, I told her, “You are just going to visit your Uncle Rafael. Once things are safe for you again, you will come right back to us, okay p>
“No!” she shouted again. “That’s not fair! You can’t do that p>
I glanced at Julian, and he tried next. “Alice. We just want you to be safe. You shouldn’t have to be scared p>
“I am scared! But I know you are too,” Alice said. “If you are staying, than so am I. I can be brave! I can help! You have to let me help p>
Again, I looked at Julian, and he looked back at me.
“There might be a way,” Julian said. “Tony is really awkward with kids. If people saw that side of him p>
“I can do it!” Alice said.
1/2
I gave Julian an exasperated look, then looked at Alice. “You don’t have to do anything, Alice. You can go stay at your Uncle Rafael’s and p>
“I want to stay, Mom. Please. You have to let me p>
Looking at her, at the determination in her eyes, it was very difficult to say no to her. Even though I wanted to shield her from everything that was happening here, I had the feeling that to do that would only succeed in hurting her even worse than she was hurting now.
She needed me to believe in her, to be proud of her strength and bravery.
To turn her away would stilt that side of her.
With a sigh, I nodded. “Alright. You can stay p>
“Yay!” Alice cheered.
“We’ll bring down Tony together,” Julian said.
2/2
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.