Chapter 109: Chapter 109 Family Lines Drawn
Julian’s POV
My thoughts churned like a storm as we pulled into the driveway. Tonight would demand every ounce of focus I possessed, and Seraphina was becoming increasingly dangerous. Snakes always struck when you dropped your guard, and I couldn’t afford that luxury anymore.
Theo bounced in his seat like a caged animal throughout the entire drive. His excitement was infectious as he babbled about showing his new sister every corner of the house, from his bedroom fortress to his collection of action figures.
The front door clicked open to reveal Seraphina curled on the living room sofa, lost in sleep. Despite the brutal night we’d endured, peace had settled across her features. Her hair spilled over her shoulders in wild waves, catching the afternoon light streaming through the windows.
"Elena, come on! You have to see my fortress!" Theo’s voice exploded with joy. He showed remarkable restraint by not waking his sleeping mother, something I silently appreciated.
Theo seized Elena’s wrist, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. She looked uncertain, but his energy was impossible to resist. They vanished up the stairs in a thunder of small feet, leaving blessed silence in their wake.
I approached Seraphina’s sleeping form and retrieved a cashmere throw from the hall closet. Carefully, I draped it across her shoulders, tucking it around her neck with gentle precision to avoid disturbing her rest.
"I cannot fathom why you brought that woman back here."
My mother’s sharp voice shattered the tranquility like glass. I turned, taken aback by the venom directed toward Seraphina.
"Excuse me?" I met her icy stare with confusion.
"Seraphina. Why did you drag her into this house again?"
Heat flared in my chest. I loved my mother, but she had a talent for pushing boundaries too far.
"Mother, with complete respect, that’s none of your concern." I kept my voice barely above a whisper, protecting Seraphina’s sleep. "But I designed this house specifically for Seraphina. You’re well aware of that fact."
"She deserted you, Julian!" Her hiss carried years of accumulated fury as she stepped closer. My father remained a silent observer, watching our confrontation unfold. "Why would you welcome her back after the despicable stunt she pulled, concealing your son from us?"
"Respectfully, that’s absolutely none of your concern," I replied, my tone shifting to the commanding Alpha voice reserved for Fang discipline.
"It is my concern," she fired back, eyes blazing. "You’re my son. I’ve only ever wanted your happiness. That’s always been my priority."
A bitter laugh escaped my throat. "You wanted my happiness? You should have considered that when both of you abandoned me, barely twenty-one, to manage this enormous Fang without guidance. Without Seraphina back then, the girl you now despise, I would have crumbled under the pressure."
The words poured out despite my better judgment. Years of buried resentment felt sickeningly satisfying to finally voice.
"You decided to embark on your much-needed world tour without considering how that devastated me. You arranged my marriage to Seraphina, and yes, it became the greatest blessing of my heart, but you made that decision without consulting me. I was always expected to follow your commands, walk your chosen path, while you two gallivanted across the globe, savoring your golden years."
I drew a steadying breath. "But I never questioned it. You were my parents, and if that’s how you chose to lead, I accepted it without protest."
My father finally straightened, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Julian, you are an Alpha. Complaining about such trivial matters is beneath you. You had to develop strength. You didn’t require someone coddling you like a child, and that forged you into the Alpha and man you’ve become."
"I didn’t want coddling, Father," I shot back, holding his gaze steadily. "But I desperately wanted my father present."
I shook my head, fighting the exhaustion of this ancient argument resurfacing within minutes of their arrival.
"Look, I refuse to battle over this. I’m genuinely thrilled to see you both. Your timing couldn’t be better when I truly need family support."
Of course, Mother wouldn’t surrender the fight. She never did.
"It’s painfully obvious you needed us, Julian," she said, dismissively gesturing toward Seraphina. "Roxanne informed us about everything. You’ve been neglecting your daughter because you suddenly discovered a son."
I didn’t need clarification about Roxanne’s poison, twisting truth to paint Seraphina as the villain. I had to shield Seraphina and Theo, but more critically, I had to protect Elena. My parents harbored some bizarre, unwavering loyalty to Roxanne, perhaps believing her lies as I once had. That loyalty was dangerous. I couldn’t reveal that Elena was our biological daughter, the child Roxanne had stolen. Not yet.
"I will not tolerate anyone questioning my parenting abilities," I stated, my voice dropping to a dangerous register. "I am an exceptional father, and I treat both my children with complete equality."
"But Roxanne claimed you haven’t been spending time with Elena. She said you permanently relocated here with them," she spat, nodding toward Seraphina.
"I have moved in with my mate and my son, correct," I confirmed, positioning myself between my parents and sleeping Seraphina. "That doesn’t diminish my fatherhood. Let me be crystal clear, Mother. If you cannot show respect for my mate and son, you should return immediately to wherever you came from."
As those final words left my lips, Seraphina stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, dark and drowsy, blinking against the room’s brightness. She became instantly alert, sensing the hostile energy crackling around us.
I forced a small, reassuring smile and silently mouthed, "Are you okay?"
Her gaze swept past me, locking onto my parents. Recognition flashed across her features, quickly replaced by cold fury. My mother’s face mirrored that same icy disdain.
They had definitely met before. I didn’t know when or where, but the air thrummed with uncomfortable tension I wasn’t privy to, and I knew instantly it hadn’t been pleasant circumstances. I couldn’t allow this confrontation to escalate with Seraphina now involved.
My patience evaporated completely.
"Father," I said, turning to him with firm authority. "You’re both exhausted from traveling. It would be wise to rest at the Fang House. I’ll visit you later tonight."
"Absolutely not," my mother interrupted immediately. "There are plenty of rooms here for us. We’re not common Fang members to be banished to the main house."
Seraphina opened her mouth, probably preparing something agreeable and diplomatic, but I cut her off instantly. This was my battle, and politeness was finished.
"This is Seraphina’s house," I stated plainly, looking directly at my mother. "Only she has the authority to decide who stays and who leaves."
I raised my hand before Seraphina could protest that she didn’t mind. "But in this instance, it won’t even be Seraphina’s decision. I’m completely fed up with how you’ve been speaking since walking through that door. I don’t want you staying here."
My mother’s face drained of color with shock. My father merely sighed, recognizing my word as final.
"Julian, you cannot be serious—" she began.
"I am completely serious," I interrupted. "Go to the Fang House. I’ll send omegas later to ensure your comfort. We can discuss Fang matters tomorrow."
Without another word, I turned my back partially, dismissing them. My father nodded curtly, then placed a firm hand on my mother’s shoulder and guided her toward the door.
But as my father reached the threshold, a small voice stopped us all.
"Grandma. Grandpa."
My mother turned, instantly softening as she looked at her granddaughter.
"Take me with you," Elena whispered, her eyes wide and desperate. "Please. Take me home with you."
