Chapter 90: Chapter 90 Finally Dad
Julian’s POV
Alpha Dorian.
That name burned itself into my thoughts like a brand. I had spent hours digging through every contact, every scrap of information I could find about the man who threatened everything I held dear.
What I discovered made my blood run cold.
The stories about him traveling territory to territory, seeking a mate and building alliances, were complete lies. Dorian had done none of those things. Instead, he had become fixated on Seraphina with a dangerous intensity that made my wolf pace restlessly beneath my skin.
This was not simple attraction. According to what Seraphina had told me, Dorian’s interest bordered on obsession. The kind of possessive hunger that destroyed everything in its path. The thought of him even looking at my mate sent rage coursing through my veins.
But the deeper I dug, the stranger things became. Dorian’s pack existed like shadows in our world. No one knew much about them. They kept to themselves, avoided other shifter communities entirely. He had never actually visited other territories to seek alliances or a mate. His focus had been singular and terrifying - my pack, my territory, my woman.
The most disturbing discovery was about Dorian himself. The previous Alpha of his pack had no blood connection to him whatsoever. Not his father, not his uncle, no family tie at all. Somehow, Dorian had claimed leadership through means that violated every ancient law of succession our kind held sacred. The how remained a mystery that made my skin crawl.
I slammed my fist against the desk, sending papers scattering. All this information, all these red flags, and I still had nothing concrete to use against him. My wolf snarled in frustration, sensing the threat that circled closer with each passing hour. We needed a strategy, a weapon, anything that could protect our family.
A gentle knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts. Before I could respond, the door opened slowly, and a small face peered around the edge.
"Daddy?"
Every dark cloud in my mind evaporated instantly. Elena stood there, her bright eyes sparkling with the innocence that never failed to heal my soul. My daughter had this incredible power to transform my entire world with just her presence.
"Elena," I breathed, pushing away from the desk and crossing to her in quick strides. She launched herself into my arms, tiny hands wrapping around my neck as I lifted her up.
"I missed you so much," she whispered against my shoulder. "You didn’t come tuck me in last night."
Guilt twisted in my chest like a knife. How could I explain what was coming? How could I tell her that everything was about to change, that her simple world of bedtime stories and goodnight kisses would become complicated by the existence of another family, another home?
I held her closer, breathing in her sweet scent. "I know, sweetheart. Daddy is sorry," I murmured, fighting to keep my voice steady. "Things are going to be different for a while. I will try my best to be there every night, but I cannot make promises right now."
Each word felt like betrayal, even though I knew honesty was better than false hope.
Elena pulled back to study my face with those wise eyes that seemed too old for her five years. Then she surprised me completely by nodding with understanding that took my breath away.
"Okay, Daddy," she said with quiet strength. "I know you have important Alpha work to do."
I stared at her in amazement. How could this little girl possess such maturity, such grace? She was nothing like her mother Roxanne, who thrived on drama and demands. Elena had inherited something deeper, something that spoke to the steady love and security I had tried to provide her.
Another knock echoed through the office, this one more confident. Elena giggled softly in my arms as our eyes met.
"Come in," I called out, still holding my daughter close.
The door opened to reveal Theo. He stood taller than usual, shoulders straight, with a shy smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Those eyes, so much like Seraphina’s, looked at me with an expression I had never seen before.
My son. The boy I longed to claim but had waited for Seraphina to decide when the time was right.
"Hello, Theo," I said softly, unable to hide my smile.
He stepped inside, took a deep breath, and straightened his small frame with determination that made my heart race. Then, in a clear voice that shattered my world completely, he spoke.
"Hi, Dad."
Time stopped. Air rushed from my lungs. That single word echoed through my mind like thunder. Dad. Not Julian, not sir. Dad.
Shock hit me first, followed immediately by joy so overwhelming I nearly collapsed. I carefully set Elena down, my hands trembling as I focused entirely on Theo.
"You know?" I whispered, hardly daring to believe it.
Theo nodded, his smile growing wider. "Mommy told me," he said simply. "She said you are my dad."
Something inside me broke open. For the first time, I could openly embrace my son without hesitation or hidden feelings. I dropped to my knees and pulled Theo against me, holding him with all the love I had kept locked away. My wolf howled with recognition and completion, finally able to acknowledge what we had always known.
"My son," I whispered into his hair, tears burning my eyes. "My boy."
Elena tugged at my shirt, confusion clear on her face. "Daddy? Is Theo your son too?"
I pulled back from Theo but kept one arm around him, then drew Elena into our embrace. "Yes, sweetheart," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "Theo is my son. He is your brother."
Elena gasped, wonder replacing confusion. "A brother?" she breathed, looking at Theo with shining eyes.
I held both my children close, my heart fuller than it had ever been. In this moment, surrounded by their innocent love, I made a silent prayer. Whatever storms were coming, whatever complications lay ahead, I hoped these two would always stand together as siblings, united against anything that tried to divide them.
The office door opened again, and Seraphina stepped inside. Her expression was serious, almost grim, as she took in the scene of me holding both children.
"Julian," she said quietly, "we need to talk."
