Chapter 30

(Julia’s POV)

I had promised myself I would come up with a plan in the morning, but I couldn’t stop my brain from going over Ronan’s words again and again. I couldn’t understand it — he seemed so sincere in his desire to take care of me and my baby.

It was hard to believe that he had done it all to strengthen his claim on the Alpha title, but at the same time, I understood. This was the Ronan I knew well: the cutthroat businessman who would do anything to get what he wanted.

In a way, it all made sense. Of course, Ronan would do and say anything to secure his position as Alpha. If that meant sweeping me along with him and using me and the pup as leverage, well, so be it.

I also couldn’t believe how close I had come to telling Ronan the truth. He already saw me and the baby as pawns in his game. What would he have done if he knew the child I was carrying was actually his?

My worries about someone taking my child away from me increased. Ronan could try and take custody of the baby, just by nature of being a strong and powerful Alpha. And if he knew he was really the father…

I shuddered to think about it. Ronan was known for taking what was his, no matter the consequences it caused others. If he knew the child I was carrying was his, he would stop at nothing to take it from me.

I buried my face in my pillow, trying to calm my racing heart. Just the idea of someone taking my pup from me was enough to make my stress levels skyrocket — the very thing the doctor had warned me to avoid at all costs.

It was decided, then. I wouldn’t tell Ronan the truth. Things were fine as they were now, and he didn’t need to know anything more. Once the baby was born, I could take him or her and run away, far from Ronan’s influence. No one would take my child from me.

That’s not a good idea. I jumped a little at the sound of my wolf’s voice. I stayed silent, waiting for her to go on. You shouldn’t run away, she continued. Your baby has powerful Alpha genes. It needs the support that Ronan can give you both, and besides, you can trust him.

Before I could argue, my wolf pressed on. He’s been on your side this whole time. You know that. Ronan won’t just abandon you, and he won’t try to take your baby. I’m sure of it. I squeezed my eyes shut, unsure of whether or not I should take her words to heart.

My wolf was right, in a way. Besides the phone call I had overheard, Ronan hadn’t said or done anything to make me think I couldn’t trust him. But now that I knew he had had ulterior motives for befriending me in the first place, that trust was shaken. I decided to keep the truth to myself — for now.

The next day, I rose early and ate a quick breakfast, hoping to avoid seeing Ronan. I left the house and got to the office without running into him, and stayed in my office all day. I knew that if I saw him, I would want to confront him about what I heard.

My plan worked most of the time. I avoided Ronan at home, eating meals at different times than him and going to bed earlier or later. I also managed to stay away from him as much as possible at the office, only seeing him in meetings full of plenty of other people.

It didn’t take long for Ronan to notice my attitude towards him, but he didn’t address it. Instead, he just seemed bewildered and hurt. I sometimes caught him staring at me across a conference room table or in the hallway at our house, a strange sadness in his eyes.

It hurt me to stay away from him like this, and it hurt even more to think I was the cause of any pain he might be feeling, too. However, this was what was best for all involved. Even though I was angry at Ronan, I knew he needed to focus on the Alpha ceremony. He didn’t need to be wrapped up in the drama surrounding my baby and me.

After another long day at the office, and an even longer evening spent looking over spreadsheets instead of heading home, I began gathering my things. These late nights were hard on me, but preferable to going home, where Ronan would be waiting for me.

I walked out of the building and through the parking lot, heading towards the sleek black town car that was waiting for me; something Ronan insisted on when I worked late. I had my head down, looking in my bag to make sure I had everything, when a voice startled me. “Julia!”

I jumped, almost dropping my bag and the stack of papers I had been carrying. I looked up warily to see…Kevin? My ex-mate was walking towards me, holding a bouquet of flowers that looked a lot like—

“Sunflowers,” he said sheepishly, holding them out to me. “Your favorite, if I remember correctly.” I didn’t take the bouquet, still a little spooked by his sudden appearance, especially in a dark parking lot at night.

Kevin took my silence as a cue to go on. “Look, Julia, I know we left things on a pretty bad note, but I wanted to talk to you. I miss you, and I guess I just…I wanted to know if there’s even a small part of you that thinks we might be able to try again.”

I let out a sigh, trying to decide whether I wanted to let him down easy, or humiliate him the way he had humiliated me so many times over the past few months. I didn’t have it in me, though, so instead, I smiled.

“Kevin,” I started. “I understand, and I’m glad you wanted to make things right after everything that’s happened between us. But I don’t see a world where you and I are together ever again. You really hurt me, over and over, and I can’t fully forgive you for that.”

He smiled sadly. “I guess I understand that.” Kevin held the flowers out to me. “Will you take these, though? For old time’s sake?” I accepted the bouquet gladly. “Take care of yourself, Kevin.”

“Same to you, Julia.” Kevin hesitated, then said, “I am happy for you, you know.” He gave me a bittersweet smile. “You finally did it. You’ve got everything you ever wanted.” I smiled, too. “I do. And I hope you get everything you want someday.”

Kevin touched my arm briefly, then turned and left. I took a deep breath and headed towards the car. The driver, who had been standing by the car the whole time, opened the door for me. I got inside and got another shock when I laid eyes on Ronan.

“Oh!” I said, trying to hide my shock. “I — um, I didn’t know you would be pickling me up. You scared me.” I laughed a little, trying to ease the tension, but Ronan didn’t smile. Instead, he glared at the flowers I was still holding, then looked towards the front of the car. “Home,” he told the driver shortly. “Now.”

We rode there in silence. I could tell he was irritated, as always, by Kevin’s presence, and I knew he was probably dying to know what we had talked about. I considered telling him the details of my innocent conversation with Kevin.

But then I remembered the secret he had kept from me, and decided to let Ronan keep stewing. He deserves it, after what I overheard. And besides, my relationship with Kevin isn’t any of his business, anyway.