Chapter 23

(Julia’s POV)

“Please. Please stay.” Ronan’s words rang in my ears. Once again, my Alpha was asking — no, begging — me to stay with both the pack…and with him. What else could I do, but say yes?

“I’ll stay,” I said quietly. The smile that spread over Ronan’s face warmed my heart, but I put those feelings aside. They were too dangerous, especially as I faced more time spent with him.

“But I do need to take some time off from work,” I followed up quickly. “The doctor was right about the stress affecting my health, and there’s nothing more stressful than seeing a merger through to its completion.” Ronan nodded. “Of course. Whatever you think is best. I’ll make sure it’s all arranged.”

As we both quietly slipped into bed, I reflected on the kindness Ronan had shown me tonight, as well as how much I valued the support and protection he had promised me. He was on my side, no matter what, and that was a new feeling for me. I quite liked it.

I couldn’t shake my feelings of guilt, though. Reversing my decision meant committing to more lies. But I didn’t want to think about that right now. I could think about that tomorrow. Instead, I turned to face Ronan and said, “Thank you.”

He smiled again (his second of the night — a new record for the serious Alpha, surely!), making my heartbeat go wild, and said, “I must admit, I am glad you’ve decided to stay, Julia.”

“But…” Ronan trailed off, and I felt a pit in my stomach. What’s wrong? Has he decided not to protect me after all? I held my breath as I listened to his next words. “Well, there are some things I will ask of you. Demand of you, I should say.”

“Oh?” I tried to keep my voice light, hoping to mask the flash of irritation that swept through me. “And what might those things be?” Ronan cleared his throat, then said, “I understand that you’re used to handling your affairs by yourself. You are certain that you know what’s best for you.”

“And while I respect that,” Ronan continued. “As long as you’re with the pack, and with me, you’re under my protection. The methods I use, the things I ask of you; they might not be what you would do, but we will be doing things my way. Make no mistake about it.”

I bridled at his words, but got a handle on my temper before I said anything I would regret later. Ronan was right: as long as I lived under his roof and enjoyed the benefits of his protection, I would need to follow his lead — no matter how frustrating I might find it.

“Of course,” I smiled tightly. “I understand completely.” He nodded. “I’m glad we understand each other. Good night, Julia.” And with that, our negotiation was over.

The next morning, I awoke to an empty bed, which was not unusual. What was unusual, however, was Ronan’s presence in the dining room when I went to have breakfast. “Good morning,” he said, meeting my eyes over the newspaper he was studying.

“Good morning,” I replied, sitting down slowly. What was going on? I figured Ronan was simply getting a slow start to his day, but to my surprise, he continued to shadow me throughout the morning and into the afternoon.

He accompanied me on a walk around his property and sat in the chair opposite me as I reclined on the couch, reading a novel. We ate lunch, and Ronan even attempted some polite conversation, asking me about my interests outside of work.

I kept waiting for him to retreat to his study, as he had been doing since I moved in, or to lapse back into the silence that typically hung over our meals. But Ronan stayed by my side, and I grew used to his presence after a few days.

“So,” he said one night over dinner. “I have been meaning to ask, but thought it might be…” he paused to choose his next word carefully. “Indelicate.” I raised an eyebrow as I sipped from my water glass. “Oh, really? Ask away.”

“Your family,” Ronan said. I understood why he had been hesitant about broaching the topic with me but, to my own surprise, I didn’t want to deflect or talk vaguely about the subject. I wanted Ronan to know about my family because I wanted him to know everything about me.

“What about them?” I said. “I’ve noticed that you and your sister aren’t exactly close,” he replied. “In fact, one might even say that she sees you as an enemy.” I nodded, waiting for him to get to his point.

“I guess what I want to know is, how does the rest of your family handle that?” he finally asked. “I’m sure your parents are worried about how Sandy views you, as well as how she treats you.”

I scoffed at that, causing Ronan to raise his eyebrows in surprise. “Trust me, they aren’t worried about a thing when it comes to Sandy.” Ronan responded, “What do you mean by that?”

“My parents have always prioritized Sandy, no matter what,” I explained. “I know my parents love me, but it’s like they don’t know how to show me the same sort of love they show her. They take her side, no matter what the fight is, and criticize me, no matter what I have or haven’t done.”

“Like with Kevin,” I continued. “I mean, my own sister seduces my mate and carries on a relationship with him and then, once I finally find out, our parents act like I’m the one in the wrong. They blamed me for working too hard and not giving him enough attention.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Ronan frowned. “And unfair. I’m sorry that your parents don’t appreciate you the way that they should — and that they don’t seem to value your professional accomplishments.”

I smiled. “Thank you, but it’s really not a big deal. Not anymore, at least. I’m used to it by now.” He nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, I know how that is.” I tilted my head curiously. “What do you mean by that? If you don’t mind me asking, I mean,” I added quickly.

“I also have a tumultuous relationship with my family,” Ronan said slowly. “As you know, I lost my mother when I was young. She always treated me with a kindness and compassion that my father never seemed to be able to, and once she was gone…” he trailed off, lost in thought.

My heart ached for Ronan. I could fill in the blanks of his story well enough; after his mother’s passing, any love he had been shown was gone, replaced with a coldness that would hurt a child’s heart.

“Well, all of this to say, my father and I also have difficulties.” Ronan cleared his throat and turned back to his plate. “So I do understand your struggle to earn your parents’ respect and admiration.”

After that, we returned to safe topics of conversation, such as university memories, or places we had traveled, but Ronan’s words still haunted me. My Alpha had revealed a side of himself few, if any, ever saw. He felt safe enough with me to let me in.

As much as I thrilled at any new closeness we shared, it also added to my immense guilt. The closer Ronan and I got, the more likely it became that my secret would come out. I won’t let it, I vowed silently. No matter what happens, I will do whatever it takes to keep my pup safe.