d on the other side of the large solid wood desk, his arms crossed, his piercing gaze fixed on her. His face, usually so impassive, wore an almost hard exp

nly, his voice low but sharp. "To prote

on overwhelmed her. There was no gentleness in his request, nothing of a proposal

red, her hands clutching his arms as if to give

jostling, between anger and confusion. The idea that he could demand something so serious after what had happened between

ted, every word he spoke heavily laden with meaning. He stopped right in front of her, close enough

ss voice. "He needs to be protected. He is a part of my heritage, and without you

p, their future together. No, he was talking about something darker, more strategic. He spoke of a heritage that she did

t ask for all that, Julien. I don't know if I'm ready. I don't trust

utside. Julien didn't respond immediately, but the tension in the room was palpable, almost elec

n, without a future. » He took another step closer, this time more urgent. "I am Alpha, Elodie. My h

ind, but she felt the truth behind each of them, this idea that she could no longer run away from. She, w

most desperate voice, her breathing rapid

she saw a hint of frustration, or anger, somewhere in his eyes. But it only lasted a moment

air. "It's an obligation. For you, for our child, and for me. If you don't accept, I will hav

ster. A feeling of suffocation took hold of her. She had not seen the violence of this request coming, nor the coldnes

a burst of revolt in her voice. "You want everything to be the way you

nking, already knew what she felt, and he had anticipated her reaction. But his reaction to her, to her resistance, was quite di

f get overwhelmed by emotions or hesitations. There is no place for that in this wor

something much bigger, much more dangerous, was taking hold. She fel

t in thought. "I need time. I need to think.

id slowly, each word carrying a particular weight. "After that, it will be too late to change anything. You ha

she cope with this? She had entered a world about which she knew nothing, a world where her own desires an

her, her mind besieged by a thousand conflicting thoughts. Then, finally, she looked away and slowly

herself alone, immersed in her tormente