Page 75 of The Wolf

Julia steps closer, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “See? Wasn’t that hard to let go, was it?”

She doesn’t understand. And that’s alright. How could she?

The truth is, the only person I should be angry at ismyself.

I was the one who left her—scared, alone, and defenseless against everything I should have protected her from.

I reach for her, pulling her into my arms once more. Her tiny body sinks deep into my fur while I hold her closely as though she might vanish if I let go.

“I’msosorry,” I murmur, burying my snout into her hair. “I keep failing you. Over and over again.”

“Alex, stop,” she mumbles into my torso, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Nobody could predict that.”

“I should have predicted that.Me.”

“You didn’t know Lilith’s power, although subdued, is strong enough to blind the mating bond,” she reasons, her tone soothing. “Please, don’t blame yourself for that.”

But we both know I’ll carry that guilt with me forever.

“Are you still in combat mode? Because you didn’t even sayhito me and I’ve been so scared,” she complains playfully.

I smirk. “Hi.”

We kiss barely a moment later, her despair palpable. She never signed up for this. Any of this. The horror she went through when she believed in a fairytale. My heart feels heavy yet full as I deepen the kiss, pouring all my love for her into it.

“God, how I missed you!” She pulls back just slightly, her eyes studying me carefully. “Look at yourself. You’re all bloody.”

I do feel disgusting with all this gunk on me, but at least all my injuries healed on the way, and she doesn’t have to see that.

“You are too, you know.”

She shakes her head, letting out a short giggle. “So, you really ran from Nevada? All the way, no stopping, nothing? That’s some impressive stamina!” she jokes, her eyes sparkling, as she tries to lighten up the mood.

With a single movement of my arm, I sweep her off her feet and carry her toward the castle. I see that something is bothering her, but I wait for her to speak up.

“Do you think I’m naïve?” she asks suddenly, her voice soft but curious.

I glance down at her, slightly amused. “You’reinsubordinate, that much is certain,” I tease, though I realize she’s looking for a serious answer. “Naïveis a strong word,” I continue after a beat. “You have a very gentle way of seeing the world, below all that sarcasm and self-deprecating humor. You trust so easily because you always want to see good in others. And Ilovethat about you.”

Her lips curve into a smile, tears spilling from her eyes. “I’m so thankful you’re back,” she whispers, her voice breaking.

“And I’m never leaving you again,” I promise, holding her closer as we step through the gates.

24.

King

Julia was distraught the whole night and couldn’t sleep because of the nightmares and period cramps. She felt miserable. And I felt like I wasn’t doing enough… like I wasn’t being enough for her. While, at the same time, I was worried about the others.

However, the day begins on a better note, as they slowly start to return to the Veil.

Julia and I step outside to welcome the arrivals. Clara is already there, standing at the forefront, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet as Edwin and their sons come through the gently shimmering dome portal. She rushes forward to greet them, pulling each one into a fierce embrace. Her joy is infectious, though shadowed by the ones who didn’t make it back.

Nearby, Meg perches on the stone bench, her sharp, curious eyes scanning the creatures. She swings her legs idly, but there’s an alertness to her posture that exposes her ever-watchful nature.

Above us, the gargoyle looms in his usual spot atop the tower. I can feel his gaze burning into me, but I don’t look up. I can’t—not yet. The wound of his betrayal is still too raw for me to even tolerate him. Perhaps not ever. All I want is to break him and bleed him dry. Just knowing he’s up there is enough to shatter my inner fucking solitude. He doesn’t apologize or ask for forgiveness—not to me, at least—and I damn sure don’t offer it.

But Julia does. Of course. She always does the opposite of me. Her compassion runs where my anger digs in.

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