Chapter 22

(Ronan’s POV)

I slammed the door behind me with a resounding thud! and stormed down the hall. I wasn’t sure exactly where I was going or what I would do when I got there, but I needed to be anywhere but with Julia.

I stalked down the stairs and went out the back door, only stopping once I had stepped into the back yard. I took a deep breath and pushed my hands into my pockets, trying to slow my breath — and my angry, thumping heartbeat.

I couldn’t believe Julia would actually leave PackHouse and the job she had fought so hard to get. Why would she have put in all that work — the extra hours, the late nights and early mornings, the mountains of paperwork — just to call it quits once things got hard?

Of course, I understood that things were different for her, now that she was pregnant. Obviously, she had never planned on getting pregnant; at least, not so soon after becoming Acting Beta. She had to do what was best for the pup.

I shook my head, pacing around the yard. Why is this affecting me so strongly? Why should it bother me that Julia wants to leave the company? To leave me? It was strange to feel so upset by her behavior.

You have to make her stay, my wolf said, an urgency running through his tone that wasn’t typically there. Do whatever it takes, Ronan, say whatever she needs to hear, but she must stay with you. You have to protect her and the pup.

I scoffed at Tyler’s words. He was being dramatic; the total opposite of me, as usual. However, as I turned his words over in my mind, I began to see what might be causing my unusual attachment to Julia and her unborn child.

My mother had passed away after suffering complications during a pregnancy, and it had haunted me for years. To be honest, it still did. Surely seeing another woman in the same position had awakened a protective instinct in me, giving me the urge to save her the way I wasn’t able to save my mom.

I rubbed my forehead, starting to get a handle on my emotions. I knew I could get Julia to stay here, stay with PackHouse, if I could just come up with the perfect plan. Like me, she was practical, and I was sure I could convince her not to quit.

What could I say, I wondered, that would get Julia to stay at her job — and stay in my house — a little while longer? What could I say that would give me time to think of a more permanent solution? And then, like all good ideas do, it came to me in an instant.

(Julia’s POV)

After Ronan had stormed off, I quietly continued preparing for bed. I knew he was angry, but there was nothing else to be done: I needed to leave, and soon, if I was to continue protecting the safety of both my pup, and myself.

I had just come out of the bathroom when I heard a quiet knock at the door. “Come in,” I replied, wondering if one of Ronan’s house staff needed to tell me something. To my surprise, Ronan opened the door.

“I’m sorry,” he said immediately, hands half-raised, as if to show me he came in peace. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that. It was unfair and, to be honest, the exact opposite of the stress-free environment you and your baby need right now.”

I smiled a little at that, and Ronan responded with a grin of his own. “I let my emotions get the best of me, and I shouldn’t have, but I have to ask,” he looked down nervously, then back at me. “Julia, please reconsider.”

“I understand that the health of your pup comes first, but PackHouse needs you right now,” Ronan continued. “The merger is finalized, but there’s still so much work to do to implement it, and we need you to oversee it.” He paused, took a shaky breath, then said, “I need you.”

I clasped my hands together, touched and more than a little surprised by the emotion Ronan had just shown. I had never heard his voice sound so plaintive and quiet, and I had never known the Alpha to need anyone or anything.

His offer was tempting, too. Ronan was right; the merger was finalized, but it was far from over. There was so much work to do to integrate the new pack into ours, and I was already itching to start.

With a project like this, I could become the star Beta I had always dreamed of being, taking charge of important projects like this and strengthening my pack through my hard work. I could even start to put an end to the horrible discrimination female werewolves face in the workplace.

But it wasn’t just about me anymore. My hopes and dreams came second to the baby’s needs, and I knew there was still the strong possibility it could be taken from me at any moment.

What if I use that to my advantage, though? I thought suddenly. Ronan has always been more than willing to go above and beyond for me, fixing everything and taking care of problems. Could I use him to take care of this problem, too?

I met Ronan’s worried eyes and let out a deep breath. “I’m just worried, Ronan. I’m worried about the stress affecting the baby, but I’m also nervous that — that someone will take it away from me. That Kevin will…”

I trailed off, hoping my vague words were enough to get my point across. Thankfully, they were. Ronan had frowned at the mere mention of my ex-mate and as he realized what I was implying, his expression turned downright stormy.

“Don’t give it another thought,” he said tersely. “I’ll ensure that you get full custody of the pup. I’ll put the full weight of PackHouse behind you, if need be. And Kevin,” Ronan snorted derisively at the thought of him. “Kevin is a loser; an irresponsible slacker who would never be a good father to your child. You’re better off without him.”

I smiled. It felt good to hear someone criticize Kevin for once, unlike my family, who still insisted on blaming me and my focus on work for the breakdown of our relationship. Ronan took a hesitant step towards me, and I caught my breath.

“Julia,” he said softly. “I meant every word I said. I will support you, no matter what happens. I will give you everything you need to ensure the safety and happiness of your pup. Please. Please stay.”