85 Chapter 85 Truth Sets Free
The words suspended heavily in the air. I watched Julian’s face, anticipating judgment, anger, any reaction. Instead, his expression softened, shock washing over him, followed by pain, then fierce protective determination.
Julian’s jaw clenched visibly.
His expression remained unreadable, listening intently while maintaining steady eye
contact.
The distinctive sound of the front door’s mechanism reached my ears from below. My breathing became shallow. Before his footsteps registered on the wooden floors, his presence filled the space. That unmistakable scent, pine mingled with earth and something essentially Julian, drifted upward. Relief flooded through me instantly. He had returned safely.
“Seraphina,” he said with surprising gentleness, “why didn’t you seek help? Why didn’t
you contact me?”
He ignored my observation entirely. His gaze shifted toward the living area. “Take a seat, Seraphina,” he commanded, voice roughened by fatigue. “We have matters to discuss.”
He rose then, approaching and kneeling before me, capturing my hands in his firm, reassuring grip. Looking directly into my eyes, I witnessed a promise that stopped my breath entirely.
Pressing my lips to his forehead, I had adjusted his blanket carefully around his small frame. “Mommy needs to share something very important with you,” I had continued gently. “But tonight has been exhausting for both of us. Tomorrow, we will have that serious conversation, alright?” Another trusting nod, and sleep had claimed him quickly. Five years old. Far too young to bear witness to such darkness.
Dread settled in my stomach like lead. I approached the sofa on unsteady legs, settling onto the cushions. Once seated, I understood the moment for complete honesty had arrived. No more hiding behind carefully constructed lies.
The evening light filtered through the curtains as I remained positioned by the window, watching shadows lengthen across the unfamiliar landscape, Upstairs, Theo had finally surrendered to sleep, his small body at rest after enduring a day heavy with
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85 Chapter 85 Truth Sets Free
emotions too complex for his young mind to process.
Rising from my chair, I made my way downstairs, pulse hammering against my ribs. He stood removing his jacket in the entryway, those broad shoulders carrying visible tension. When our eyes connected, the exhaustion etched across his features communicated everything. The conversation ahead would test us both. Too many unspoken truths lay between us, too many secrets I had guarded.
“The situation became unbearable, Julian. Overwhelming terror consumed me daily. I couldn’t understand the connection, but clearly it centered around my presence. Paranoia dominated my thoughts. I stopped serving customers directly, retreating to baking duties away from public view. The killings continued regardless. Eventually, I recognized a disturbing pattern. People I had befriended, individuals I trusted, claimed someone was following them. The realization made me physically ill. I isolated myself completely.”
“Did he ever…” I immediately shook my head negatively. Surviving such violation would have been impossible, and gratitude filled me that it never occurred.
The question struck deep, causing my chest to tighten painfully. Home. The concept felt foreign now, complicated by circumstances beyond his understanding. Was home the house we had abandoned, where Dorian’s presence had created both terror and unexpected moments of joy? Or was it this unfamiliar space, haunted by memories I had tried desperately to escape, yet the only place where love with Julian remained possible?
Pausing, I recalled those initial weeks of isolation and emotional devastation. “Weeks later, I discovered my pregnancy.” Meeting his gaze, I silently pleaded for understanding. “Pure happiness consumed me. Finally, someone existed who belonged entirely to me, someone I could love unconditionally.” The apology felt heavy on my tongue. “I apologize deeply, Julian, but revealing the truth about our son was never my intention. He represented my entire world, my only family.”
In that moment, for the first time in years, I believed completely.
I had attempted to maintain normalcy through routine tasks, Dinner consisted of simple comfort food, mac and cheese that Theo consumed without complaint. We had both cleaned ourselves up after arriving at this place. Later, I settled into reading him a familiar story about courage and adventure, though the repetition of the same tale had grown tiresome for me. His innocent voice had pierced through the quiet evening air.
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Hours had passed since Julian departed. Following the somber funeral ceremony, while others sought comfort in familiar rituals or private grief, he had vanished without ceremony. His explanation had been brief but necessary, ensuring the pack territory remained secure from further threats. The recent attacks had left everyone on edge, our nerves frayed by the knowledge that danger lurked closer than anyone wanted to acknowledge. Yesterday’s discovery of bodies, though not belonging to our pack members, served as a chilling reminder that we remained targets.
Julian’s breathing became labored, eyes burning with fury.
“He claimed protection had been his motivation. He declared his love for me.” I shook my head as tears spilled down my cheeks. “I refused him, Julian, telling him my heart belonged entirely to you. No other man would ever receive consideration.”
Dropping my voice to barely audible levels, I whispered, “Initially, he attempted charm, visiting repeatedly, pleading for opportunity and attention. When I maintained my refusal, aggression replaced his facade. He threatened Theo’s life directly, Julian. He swore that without my compliance, without allowing him into our existence, he would harm our son.” The memory felt like a reopened wound, bleeding fresh fear into the room. “He forced multiple dates, though his presence nauseated me completely.”
His posture stiffened, eyes widening slightly.
“When Theo reached one year old, I began noticing surveillance,” I continued, skin crawling at the memories. “Someone tracked my movements constantly. It was horrifying. I worked customer service at a small bakery, interacting with numerous people daily. Some showed kindness, others displayed cruelty.” A shudder ran through me. “Whenever someone treated me harshly, spoke cruelly to me, they ended up
murdered.”
I had struggled to find appropriate words. “Sweet boy,” I had managed, drawing him against my side, “this place is our home now. Here we will find safety.” His small nod indicated acceptance, though his developing mind could not fully comprehend the weight behind my declaration.
“Mommy,” he had whispered, those wide eyes reflecting pure trust, “will we ever
return to our real home?”
“Two years ago, he simply vanished. Unexpectedly. One day present, the next completely gone. I believed freedom had finally arrived, that safety was ours.” My voice dropped to almost nothing. “Until yesterday’s phone call. He contacted me, claiming
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responsibility for everything… the murders, the deaths, all consequences of my
existence.”
“You appear exhausted,” I whispered, hoping to penetrate the oppressive silence surrounding us.
Seraphina’s POV
“Seraphina,” he said, voice raw with emotion and absolute determination, “I will protect you from anything and anyone. You are no longer alone. We face this together.” Swallowing against the sudden thickness in my throat, I began unraveling the painful truth. “When I fled the pack back then, I accepted his assistance. He offered an escape route, though I remained ignorant of his true motivations. I simply knew departure was essential. I accepted his help only until reaching pack boundaries, then disappeared completely. I boarded a plane to New York, traveling as far as possible from everything familiar.”
Tears continued flowing freely. “Independence was my goal, Julian. I believed… I believed protecting both of us meant staying away, avoiding burdening you, keeping Theo safe through my own efforts. I thought I possessed sufficient strength.” Looking at him with complete vulnerability, I acknowledged my failures. “I was completely
wrong.”
My voice cracked under the emotional weight. “Then he finally revealed himself.” Tears blurred my vision now, distorting his features. “Dorian appeared suddenly, walking directly into our lives.”
His expression hardened, intense focus fixed upon me. “Explain,” he demanded quietly.
“There was never any affair with Alpha Dorian,” I began, ensuring my voice remained steady despite trembling hands. “Not recently, not years ago.” Drawing a steadying breath, I continued. “He has pursued me relentlessly, Julian. For years.”
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