Chapter 29

Adrian POV

“I have to tell her.” Julian announces as he comes into my study the next morning.

“You can’t.” I insist. I don’t have to ask what he’s talking about.

“I have to. She deserves to know.” Julian insists. There is no doubt that Lily deserves to know, but that’s not what matters right now. What matters is what is good for her and after yesterday, I don’t think her boyfriend telling her he’s a werewolf is what she needs right now.

“She was just attacked by a wolf yesterday.” I reason with him. “You saw her. She was terrified. She probably still is. Telling her what you are will only serve to scare her more.”

Julian sighs and runs a hand through his hair. I clasp my hands over my desk and look at my son, hoping he hears the wisdom in what I’m telling him.

“I’m not saying she can never know. I’m saying now is not the time. You need to think this through, son. She needs to be told gently.”

I give Julian a moment to consider this. Finally, he nods and says, “Fine, but I’m going to tell her soon. She needs to know.”

I consider asking him what the urgency is, but he doesn’t give me a chance as he storms out the door. There is something about his demeanor that makes me nervous. Whatever last night had been about, he isn’t done.

Lily POV

I’m watching Grace on the playground with her friend. The other little girl’s mother had called asking if her daughter could come play with Grace. Grace had been so excited, and I had been relieved to have a distraction here for her, I had agreed instantly.

My mind was still spinning, and I found myself jumping at every odd sound. I wondered if I would ever feel safe again. I didn’t want Grace to see that, but it was tough to hide it.

“There you are.” Julian says as he sits next to me on the steps of the patio.

I stiffen and grip my coffee cup a little tighter. I do not want to speak to him right now.

“How are you feeling?” He asks, as if I was getting over a cold.

I don’t answer him. Maybe if I ignore him, he’ll go away.

“What’s wrong, baby? Are you hurt?” he asks, finally sounding a little concerned.

“Yes.” I answer angrily. “You hurt me, Julian.”

He flinches and has the audacity to look a little confused. “I’m sorry if I got a little carried away last night. I was just trying to stand up for you.”

“You humiliated me!” I exclaim. “The affection was just a show, and I don’t even know what that announcement was all about. You know I hate attention like that. You should have warned me you were going to do something like that.”

“I’m sorry, Lily. I should have talked to you about it.” He says, though he doesn’t sound very sorry. “It wasn’t that big of a deal. Who cares what those people think?”

I groan and drop my head into one of my hands. “That’s not the point. I didn’t even want to go but you forced my hand. You never listen to me and it’s frustrating.” I take a deep breath and look at my boyfriend. I’m so angry and hurt, I want to cry again. There’s a hopelessness that settles over me and I realize I can’t live like this anymore. I can’t keep pouring my heart into a relationship with someone who keeps hurting me.

I sigh and fight back the break in my voice as I admit the thought out loud. “I will never be accepted in your world. This isn’t working.”

“What are you saying?” He asks cautiously.

“I don’t know. I just want to be left in peace, please.” I answer turning my attention back to the girls on the playground. I’m exhausted, and I don’t want to talk anymore.

Julian just gets up and walks back into the house.

I fight back against another wave of tears threatening to fall.

Adrian POV

Julian is back in my study, his head in his hands.

“I’m losing her.” He says simply.

“Why do you think that?” I ask concerned, though my wolf is a little smug. As though telling me it saw this coming.

“She’s been angry with me before, but never like this. I don’t know how to fix it.” He confesses. “I was just trying to defend her and make the pack accept her. I guess I just didn’t think things through.”

“Your intentions might have been good, but you went about it the wrong way.” I tell him.

“How do I fix it?” He asks.

The wolf snarls incredulously. Let him fail. He doesn’t deserve her. She is my mate, and if he loses her, she is free of him.

The look of utter devastation on my son’s face has me shushing the wolf and coaxing it back down. I can’t refuse him. I love my son, and I want him to be happy, even if that will mean I can’t be.

“You need to be patient.” I finally tell him. “You’ve violated her trust, so now you have to earn it back. Don’t downplay what she’s feeling. If she’s hurt, take it seriously. Don’t make excuses.”

By the time Julian leaves, I think I might have gotten through to him. Though, I know my son and I have my doubts. I promise him I will talk to Lily on his behalf. My wolf growls its protest as my traitor mouth makes the agreement.

I find her later that night in the foyer in front of a fire with a book. She looks so at peace I’m tempted to leave her be. But I gave my word, so as much as it pains me, I sit down in the chair next to her.

“I’m sorry for Julian’s behavior.” I say, opening the conversation.

She sighs and closes her book, but looks at me, waiting for me to explain.

“He had good intentions. There’s a reason he left the community behind. One of those reasons is that there are a lot of backstabbing snobs. I think he wanted to walk in there with you and defy all their expectations. He should have talked to you. I thought he would prepare you better, but maybe I should have made sure he had myself.”

“I have never felt so humiliated and scared in my entire life.” She confesses and guilt shames me. I never wanted her to feel that way. “Maybe I can understand why he did it, but this is just one instance in so many where he didn’t look out for me.”

“I understand. My intention isn’t to excuse his behavior. He should have done better.” I say and her eyes soften a little. “He isn’t a bad person. He made a mistake though, and he’s sorry. He wants to do better. Can you forgive him?”

She sighs with the weight of burdens she should never have to carry. “I’ll try.” She finally says.

My wolf snarls at me, disgusted.

I’m almost disappointed that she relented. Granted, if she had decided she couldn’t forgive him, what would I have done then?