Page 66 of Rejected and Pregnant by the Alpha (Forbidden Alpha Kings #52)
Hannah
My heart clenches as I look at Julian hugging Saben tightly.
I returned home to my cottage this morning after getting a clean bill of health from Dr. Grace.
My wound has healed to the point where it will leave a small scar, and I know I have Julian to thank for that.
He stayed by my side for three nights, taking care of me before I woke up, then held me all yesterday to keep me comfortable and allow his touch to heal me further.
I still wince from time to time if I move too quickly, but I am allowed to resume my duties as the alpha of Haven Trail as long as Jiya is by my side since Claira is busy dealing with Trail Corporation and launching new products.
She has taken charge of the press release while I was in a small coma in the pack infirmary, healing from the bullet wound.
I was shocked when Julian didn’t volunteer to be at my side, but he reminded me that he had a tour to finish and other packs to check on now that he had found me.
He immediately gave me his phone number, telling me he would give me space to decide whether or not I wanted to complete the mate bond and mark him as well.
I sensed there was something more when he said he had to continue the tour. I knew he was hiding something from me because of the wait; the mate bond shivers in my mind. But he told me he would explain what was happening after Saben had gone to bed.
Pushing myself away from the door frame, I hobble my way to the living room, sinking into the soft sofa and wrapping the quilted blanket around me. I sigh, closing my eyes and heightening my senses to listen in on Julian and Saben.
“So Mama was your hidden guard?” I hear Saben ask, his little voice sounding slow and sleepy.
“She was,” Julian confirms, making me grin.
“Your mama thinks that I do not know that every morning before the pack was up and starting their day, she was in the training grounds at the palace, practicing hand-to-hand combat and working on her agility. I remember thinking how diligent she was when I first caught her training one morning,” Julian continues, telling Saben about the times I would train in secret to keep my identity and power hidden from the others in the royal pack.
I always thought that Julian ignored me after I turned sixteen, but it turns out he kept close tabs on me.
I know it was because of the rumors that surrounded me at the time, but the wistful tone in his voice shows that he was keeping an eye on me for my own good because my parents lost their lives protecting him.
I know Saben is hanging on to his every word, even as his breathing evens while he falls asleep.
It seems telling my son that Julian is his father was the right move, as he adores his father.
“I am going to miss him when I am off on business,” Julian’s voice calls out.
Opening my eyes, I turn to find him coming toward me, carefully taking a seat on the sofa beside me and lifting me onto his lap.
“I am also going to miss you,” he adds, combing my hair away from my face with his fingers.
I smile, my heart skipping a beat because part of me is happy to hear Julian is going to miss me. “Will you tell me what is going on since you are leaving in an hour?” I ask, my voice a quiet whisper.
Julian sighs, tucking my head under his chin. I can feel his hesitation through the mate bond and wonder if he is going to lie to me.
“We found the Hunters Association in Timmins, where Sabrina originally came from,” he begins to explain, shocking me.
“The plan is to head there first, take them out, then continue the royal tour. Aileen has agreed to lend Miella to us since the vampire coven up there has agreed to help us exterminate that branch of hunters.”
I grin at this, settling into Julian’s embrace. He told me the truth, all of it. He is going there to help those captured by hunters and is going to help take out our enemies in one sweep.
“How long will you be gone?” I ask as nonchalantly as possible.
“Six months minimum. I will be taking breaks to return to the royal pack and ensure things are running smoothly there,” Julian answers, holding me tighter. “After the royal tour, all alphas will be welcomed to the palace for a ball to hopefully strengthen alliances.”
Unease settles inside me at the mention of the ball. I know that I will have to go with Claira and Aidan by my side, but the thought of entering the royal pack after the harsh treatment I received for two years still makes me feel worried.
“I can sense your unease, Hannah,” Julian sighs, moving his head to kiss the mark on my neck.
I shiver, moaning slightly from the pleasure this gesture brings, and I can feel the reaction my moan causes in Julian beneath me.
“But I will make sure the pack knows that you are the rightful luna queen and my mate. That the rumors about you were just that—baseless rumors. I will have them all apologize to you as long as you continue to let me prove myself to you,” Julian whispers against my neck, his hot breath fanning my skin.
“I know,” I whisper. “So you better have your pack in line by the time the ball comes around, or else I will have to rethink merging Haven Trail and the royal pack together.”
Julian stiffens at my words, his shock zapping through the mate bond. My unease turns into amusement, and I pull back to look at him.
“You want to merge the packs?” he asks in disbelief, and I shrug.
“Well, the plan is to make Haven Trail a branch pack. Our wolves will be able to go between here and the royal pack as they please. I will still be the alpha, and Claira and Aidan will be the beta and theta here, but we will be one pack and work either from the palace or from here,” I explain, watching Julian’s eyes widen with happiness.
“So, I’m taking this as a sign that you accept me as your mate?” His words are filled with hope, and for a moment, I hesitate before nodding. In these two short weeks, he has proven to me that he regrets rejecting me.
“As long as you keep proving that you will not hurt me again, then yes, I accept you as my mate,” I say, reaching out to gently cup his cheek. Julian leans into my touch, his eyes closing as a single tear falls.
His relief and happiness at my acceptance fill the bond, along with his love for me.
My heart skips a beat for a moment before I lean forward, pressing my lips against his.
Without hesitation, he kisses me back, his hand cupping the back of my head and gently tugging on my hair, tilting my head back to deepen the kiss.
A moan escapes my throat, and Julian growls in approval, his tongue slipping past my lips and claiming my mouth.
The urge to submit to him, my mate, is strong, but the alpha blood in me hums at the challenge.
Our tongues tangle in a battle of dominance until I find myself needing to breathe, so I submit, pulling away to take a deep breath and inhaling his mango scent.
Julian presses our foreheads together, a grin on his lips as he stares into my eyes. I can feel his love, feel his approval of my submission, and I sigh.
“You need to leave soon,” I mutter, reluctant to see Julian go when just two weeks ago I would have given anything to get rid of him.
“I know. Let me put you to bed first, and I will stay with you until you fall asleep.” He sighs.
I nod, feeling his arms move under me, scooping me against his sturdy chest as he rises from the sofa and carries me to my room.
The bed dips as he places me on the left side before climbing in beside me.
I shuffle closer to him, feeling his arms wrap around me and his warmth envelop my body.
We lie in silence as he gently plays with my hair.
Closing my eyes, I rest my head against his chest and listen to his steady heartbeat.
“Will you call to check on Saben and me while you’re gone?” I find myself asking, my voice slurred with sleep.
“I will once you give me your number,” Julian answers, and I chuckle.
“Tomorrow,” I say slowly, yawning afterward. “I will text you tomorrow morning so that you have my number.”
His heart skips a beat at my words, and I grin, happy to know I affect my mate the same way he affects me.
“Sounds good, my luna queen,” he whispers, the words soft and loving, as gentle as a caress.
The room settles into a comfortable silence, one that I know will be gone by morning.