Let Them Kneel (kaelani and Julian) novel Chapter 26

“Fuck,” Julian growled under his breath, shoving back from the desk, pacing like a caged animal. Knotting alone wasn’t just humiliating—it was unheard of. It wasn’t supposed to happen outside of rut or a bonded mate.

And it sure as hell wasn’t supposed to happen because of a dream.

The knot won’t go down. Sweat beads his brow, his chest heaving as the minutes tick by. The pressure is relentless, sharp enough to make him grit his teeth. He knows it isn’t going to resolve on its own.

With a curse, he drags his hands through his hair and opens the mind link. “Jace”.

The Beta answers immediately, alert. “Alpha?”

Julian’s throat works, shame hot as acid. Bring Dr. Aldric to my office. Now. And keep it quiet.

There’s a pause on the other end. A long, telling pause. But then Jace’s voice comes steady, professional. “Understood”.

Julian shuts the link, jaw locking as he braces his palms on the desk, his breath ragged. He didn’t know which was worse—the fact that this was happening at all, or the truth behind why.

The door opened without ceremony, Jace stepping in first, Dr. Aldric close behind.

Julian stayed seated behind his desk, shoulders rigid, palms pressed flat against the wood. His gaze flicked up, sharp enough to cut, but the steel in it was undercut by the tension in his jaw.

“Alpha,” Dr. Aldric said carefully, closing the door behind him. “Is everything alright? I came immediately when Beta Jace explained you had requested my presence.”

Julian’s throat worked, his voice low, rough. “That’s… the problem. I…don’t even know how to explain this.”

For a long moment, the silence stretched taut. Then Julian shoved back his chair and rose to his feet. His hand gripped the edge of the desk like he might splinter the wood in two, his other tugging his shirt lower in a futile attempt at cover. Finally, with a growl of frustration, he lifted his shirt and let them see.

“Oh, shit,” Jace blurted, eyes going wide.

Dr. Aldric blinked once, twice, as if his brain refused to process what he was seeing. “That’s…not possible,” he murmured, voice dropping to a stunned whisper.

Because Julian stood there, cock hard, swollen, and locked tight in a full knot—without a female anywhere in sight.

Dr. Aldric cleared his throat, still staring as if sheer focus might explain it. “Alpha…how did this happen?”

Julian’s scowl deepened. “I was asleep. I woke up like this.”

“Hold still, Alpha,” Aldric said firmly, swabbing the swollen flesh with a brisk swipe before positioning the needle.

Julian’s teeth bared as the sting tore through him, a vicious curse ripping from his throat as the doctor pressed the injection directly into the engorged knot. His hands clamped down on the edge of the desk, wood groaning under his grip.

The burn of the medicine spread fast, searing through him—but then, slowly, agonizingly, relief began to take hold. Within minutes, the rigid swell started to ease, the pressure loosening bit by bit until it finally began to subside.

Julian’s head dropped forward, sweat dampening his brow, his breath harsh and uneven.

Dr. Aldric gathered his things quickly, clearly eager to be dismissed. “I’ll check in tomorrow to ensure there are no lingering effects.” With a respectful bow of his head, he slipped out, leaving only Jace behind.

Julian exhaled heavily, tugging his jeans back into place before lowering himself onto the small leather sofa in the corner of his office. He leaned back, head tipping against the cushion, eyes shutting as the tension bled from his body in slow waves of relief.

Jace lingered near the desk, watching him closely. Few people knew Julian well enough to see past the mask, but he did. “So…you’re really telling me you popped a knot in your sleep?”

Julian let out a rough scoff, dragging a hand down his face. “I had a…naughty dream.” His voice was low, reluctant. “And it felt so real.”