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That was all it took. Julian's mouth found mine with a reverence that stole my breath, his lips soft but insistent against mine. This kiss was different from our first—deeper, more intentional. It spoke of promises and possibilities, of a future we were choosing to build together.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing unsteadily, Julian rested his forehead against mine, his eyes closed as if savoring the moment.

"You're going to be the death of me," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "Do you know that?"

I laughed softly, my fingers tracing along his jawline. "I hope not. I rather like having you around."

He opened his eyes then, the intensity in them making my stomach flutter.

"Lilianna, I need you to understand something.

" His voice was serious now, the playful moment shifting into something deeper.

"What we're building together—what you're choosing—it's not just romance.

It's a complete life. A future that will have challenges, expectations, public scrutiny. "

I nodded, my hand still resting against his face. "I know. And it scares me sometimes, but not enough to make me run."

"Good," he said, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Because I have something I need to tell you when we get home. Something important."

A flicker of concern crossed my features. "Is everything alright?"

Julian's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly before he smoothed his expression. "Everything will be fine. But there are some things you need to know—things that affect you directly. The others and I decided you deserve complete honesty."

My stomach clenched with sudden anxiety. "Julian, you're scaring me."

"Hey," he said softly, both hands coming up to frame my face. "Look at me. Whatever it is, we'll handle it together. All of us. I just didn't want to overshadow tonight with complications."

I searched his eyes, seeing the protective concern there alongside something that looked like barely contained anger. "Does this have to do with my parents?”

Julian's expression tightened, his hands stilling against my face. "Yes," he said quietly, his voice carrying a weight that made my stomach drop. "They approached Miles yesterday after his practice."

The blood drained from my face as the implications hit me. "They what?"

"They confronted him in the parking lot," Julian continued, his thumb stroking gently across my cheek even as his jaw clenched with suppressed fury. "Made demands about your behavior, your social media presence. Threatened to dissolve the courting agreement."

I felt the world tilt slightly, my breath coming shorter. "Can they do that?"

"No," Julian said firmly, his voice cutting through my rising panic. "The agreement is ironclad. They signed away any right to interfere when they accepted the terms. But that doesn't mean they won't try other methods."

My hands began to tremble, and I clenched them together in my lap. "They saw my post," I whispered, the realization dawning with sickening clarity. "They're watching me."

Julian nodded, his expression grave. "They're monitoring your social media. Miles made that clear when they confronted him."

I stood abruptly, needing to move, to process this violation.

The night-blooming orchid continued its silent unfurling, oblivious to my distress.

"I should have known," I said, wrapping my arms around myself.

"Of course they wouldn't just let me go.

" I thought about the life I was beginning to lead.

"But they'll try to take it anyway," I said, my voice steadier than I expected.

"They always do. Anything I have that's mine, they find a way to twist or take or taint. "

Julian stood, coming to stand behind me. His hands settled gently on my shoulders, warm and steady. "Not this time," he said, his voice low and fierce against my ear. "This time, you have us. And we protect what's ours."

The possessiveness in his voice should have frightened me, but instead it wrapped around me like armor. I leaned back against him, feeling his solid warmth.

"What do they want?" I asked, knowing the answer before he spoke.

"Control," Julian said simply. "They want you back under their influence. Back on suppressants. Back to being the quiet, compliant omega they can parade around for social capital…which we won’t let that happen."

I closed my eyes, letting the bitter truth wash over me. "I know," I whispered, my voice barely audible above the gentle sounds of the conservatory. "But hearing it out loud makes it real in a way I wasn't prepared for."

Julian's arms tightened around me, his chin resting against the top of my head. "I'm sorry. I wanted to give you this perfect evening before the world intruded again."

I turned in his arms, looking up at his face in the dim light. "It was perfect. This moment, right here—it's still perfect. They can't take that away from me."

Something shifted in his expression, a fierce pride mixing with the protective anger. "You're stronger than they ever gave you credit for."

"I'm learning to be," I said, my hands coming up to rest against his chest.

Julian nodded, his hands sliding down to rest at my waist. "And we'll make sure you have every opportunity to keep learning.

To keep growing." He paused, his hazel eyes searching mine in the dim light.

"But there's more we need to discuss when we get home.

The others have been monitoring the situation, and we've developed a plan to protect you. "

"A plan?" I asked, though part of me was relieved to know they were taking this seriously.

"Security measures. Media strategies. Legal preparations." His voice was calm, professional, but I could see the storm brewing beneath the surface. "We won't let them intimidate you back into silence."

I nodded slowly, processing the gravity of what lay ahead. "When we get home, I want to hear everything. No more protecting me from the truth."

"Everything," Julian agreed, pressing a soft kiss to my temple. "But for now let's finish our walk. Let me show you the rest of this place while it's just ours."

I nodded, trying to push aside the weight of this new information. Julian offered his hand again, and I took it, drawing strength from his steady presence as we continued along the winding path.