Let Them Kneel (kaelani and Julian) novel Chapter 228

Chapter 228

+25 BONUS

When they returned to the Blackthorn packhouse, Julian expected to find his mother in one of her usual places the simroon overlooking the gardens, or the small sitting alcove near the east corridor where she liked to read.

She wasn’t there.

He checked the parlor.

The dining hall.

Nothing.

A faint unease stirred in his chest.

Still

‘s hand, he made his way down the

d his desk, a bottle of scotch res

or toward his father’s study and pushed the door open.

s elbow and a glass hanging loose in his hand.

even noon and his father was drink

epped fully into the study, keeping K

here’s Mother?”

at was a simple question. The only on

He did not ask why his father look

His father lifted his gaze to h

For a moment, he said n

Then, without a word

Julian.

Julian frowned fa

pressing in aro

Julian picke

s side, his hand still wrapped around hers.

a bottle of scotch sat open on the desk.

of his desk, picked up a folded letter, and slid it across the polished wood toward

ng his brow. He released Kaelani’s hand and stepped forward, the quiet of the room

d it carefully.

nd something shifted in his expression almost immediately. It felt as though a dozen the span of seconds.

her hand gently on his shoulder.

ot loud. Not chaotic. Just stark.

ooking toward his father.

his chair, the glass still in

grounds as though

ood there for a

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Chapter 228

+25 BONUS

“She’s been in contact with some man for weeks,” he said at last, his voice tight but controlled. “She told me she loved me, but that she couldn’t live a lie any longer.”

He took a slow drink, as if steadying something that threatened to surface.

“She severed our bond and ran off with him.”

The glass tightened slightly in his grip.

“Some beta,” he added, the title laced with contempt as he scoffed.

Julian lowered his gaze to the letter still in his hand.

He read the final lines again.

Then, to Kaelani’s surprise, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

A quiet huff of laughter escaped him.

“Her fated mate.”

James turned sharply from the window, his expression hardening as his gaze moved between Julian and Kaelani.

“This is all your fault,” he said, the accusation landing squarely on them both. “You filled her head with these ideas. All this talk of fate and choice and bonds.”

Julian let out a short laugh, though there was nothing amused about it.

“How dare you insult my mother like that,” he retorted. “As if she isn’t intelligent enough to think for herself. As if she isn’t capable of making her own decisions.”

He straightened slightly, the shift almost imperceptible, but the room felt it.

“No. This isn’t on us. It’s on you.”

James’s eyes darkened.

Julian held his gaze without flinching.

“And isn’t it ironic?” he continued, his tone calm but cutting. “You’ve spent your life rejecting fate whenever it didn’t serve you.”

A faint, humorless smile touched his mouth.

“And now fate has rejected you.”

Silence settled over the study, thick enough to press against the lungs, until the only sound left was the quiet crease of paper as Julian folded the letter and set it back on the desk.

“I will be leaving pack grounds shortly,” Julian said, his voice level and composed. “Mr. Romano will assume command in my absence.”

James’s head snapped up.

“The former Beta?” he demanded. “I am the former Alpha. In your absence–and Jace’s–I should be the one in charge.”

Julian’s expression did not change.

“I don’t believe you are mentally capable of running this pack right now.”

The words were not cruel. They were measured.

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Chapter 728

+25 BONUS

Julian continued, his tone firm and authoritative.

“Bond severance is not a minor event. It destabilizes the wolf. It affects judgment, impulse control, physiological regulation. 1 will have Dr. Aldric and his team conduct a full assessment to ensure you are not suffering from residual bond trauma.”

The implication was clear.

This was not punishment.

It was procedure.

James’s jaw tightened, but he did not speak.

Julian reached for Kaelani’s hand, lacing his fingers through hers without looking away from his father.

“See to it that you cooperate.”

Then he walked out of the study with Kaelani at his side.

And this time, he did not look back.