Let Them Kneel (kaelani and Julian) novel Chapter 28

28 /90

Julian sat alone in his office, the early morning sun spilling across Kaelani’s file. His gaze lingered on the line he couldn’t let go of:

Origin: Lycan. Secondary Origin: Unknown.

His thumb brushed the edge of her photo, that grainy image of a too-young girl with storm-gray eyes. “What are you?” He whispered.

His chest tightened. Unknown wasn’t an answer—it was a crack in the world that demanded filling. He’d already instructed Jace to dig deeper—pull strings, exhaust resources, even sift through DNA records of species thought long extinct. Anything to explain the mystery behind the woman who flipped his entire world upside down.

The door swung open without warning.

Julian snapped the file shut and shoved it into his desk drawer as Elara breezed in like she had long staked claim on the space.

“You really need to learn how to knock,” he said, voice flat.

She gave a lilting laugh, unbothered, and crossed the room. Her hands slid over his shoulders, kneading lightly. “You didn’t come to bed again last night.”

He said nothing, his jaw locked tight.

She leaned closer, her scent sharp against his senses. “But it’s alright. I understand. You’re under so much pressure, stretched so thin. You carry so much for all of us.”

Her fingers pressed firmer, kneading as though she could work obedience out of his muscles. “Once the mating ceremony is behind us, you’ll feel lighter. Things between us will be…better. Stronger. Once we mark and mate each other, nothing will come between our bond.”

Julian’s shoulders went rigid beneath her touch. “Bond,” he echoed, low.

“Mmh.” She kissed the crown of his head before circling to face him. “And since you’ve been far too busy to set a date, I went ahead and chose one. One week from today.”

His head lifted slowly, eyes narrowing. “You set a date?”

“I thought it would ease your mind. Your father thought it was a great idea and even commended me for taking charge—like a true Luna should.” Her smile curved like a blade as she leaned closer. “That isn’t a problem, is it? You do still want me as your Luna?”