Let Them Kneel (kaelani and Julian) novel Chapter 15

The rest of the meal dragged, filled with Elara’s endless chatter about florists and ceremonial colors, her voice rising above the hum of conversation. Julian offered little more than nods or clipped replies, his gaze wandering as if he had no interest in the current setting.

When at last the final course was cleared and the table began to disperse, Julian rose. His chair scraped softly against the polished floor.

“You go on up to your room,” he told Elara, his tone low. “I have business calls to make.”

Her smile faltered for half a breath before she forced it back into place, eyes searching his face for something—anything. But Julian gave her nothing.

She leaned close enough for her perfume to sting his nose. “Don’t be long,” she whispered, trying for sultry.

Julian didn’t answer. He only turned, striding from the hall without looking back.

Outside, the night air hit cool against his skin. The gardens stretched quiet and endless, moonlight cutting silver lines across the paths. His wolf paced, agitated, disgruntled, rejecting what had once been easy.

Julian exhaled hard, running a hand down his jaw. “Get your shit together,” he told the beast within. But the wolf only snarled in reply, prowling, refusing to be soothed.

The garden paths were quiet as Julian made his way back through the packhouse, moonlight slipping in through tall windows and casting pale bands across the floor.

By the time he reached his chambers, the corridors were empty, the weight of silence pressing heavier than before. He pushed the door open, shutting it behind him with deliberate care. At last—solitude.

He stripped off his jacket, laying it neatly across the chair by the wall, then unfastened his cuffs one by one. The ritual steadied him—order, precision, control.

But when he turned, he froze.

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