Page 96 of Wisteria and Cloves

Julian’s eyes dropped to the floor, then flicked toward the hallway—the one that led to her room. Where she was probably curled beneath the blanket she’d picked out herself, maybe still awake. Maybe listening.

“I’ll talk to her tomorrow,” he said finally, voice quieter now. “Not as Head Alpha. As Julian.”

That silenced the room again, but this time it was different—not heavy, not tense. It was like a slow release. The calm that comes after the storm doesn’t break you, but settles something inside instead.

I stayed quiet, only watching Julian as he finally uncrossed his arms. He looked older in that moment. Not tired—but tempered. Worn in a way only love can do to you.

“I’ll start drafting a second statement,” he murmured, mostly to himself. “In case today stirs more attention than we expected. She shouldn’t have to deal with fallout alone.”

“Not alone,” I said firmly. “She’s not alone.”

We all moved after that, the tension having bled into something steadier. The bond between us didn’t need words. We were aligned, even when we disagreed.

But as I turned off the lights in the sitting room and walked upstairs past the hallway leading to her bedroom, I paused.

The door was closed, soft lamplight glowing beneath the crack. A shadow moved behind it. Maybe she was reading. Maybe she was still awake, wondering what came next.

She trusted us.With her scent. Her safety. Her choices. And tomorrow, we’d prove she wasn’t wrong to.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Lilianna

I’d finished breakfast and was sitting in the livingroom with one of my new books while I waited for the meeting with Mara, I was grateful it was to be a Video call.

Julian appeared in the doorway, his tablet in hand and an expression that was more relaxed than I'd seen from him since yesterday's paparazzi encounter. "Mara will be calling in about five minutes," he said, settling into the chair across from me. "Are you ready for this?"

I closed my book, keeping my finger between the pages to mark my place. "As ready as I can be, I think. What exactly will we be discussing?"

"Strategy, mostly," Julian replied, his hazel eyes warm as they met mine. "How to control the narrative around our courtingannouncement. She'll want to know your comfort level with different types of posts and photos."

Miles entered carrying a steaming mug, which he set on the coffee table beside me. "Chamomile with honey," he said softly, his fingers brushing mine as I reached for it. The brief contact sent the now-familiar flutter of warmth up my arm, and from the way his green eyes darkened slightly, he'd felt it too.

"Thank you," I murmured, wrapping my hands around the warm ceramic. The simple gesture of care steadied my nerves about the upcoming call.

Christopher bounded into the room with his usual energy, settling onto the couch beside me as Nicolaus came in right behind him. "Mara's going to love you," he said with a grin. "She's been handling our public image for three years, and she's never had anything this interesting to work with."

"Interesting?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"A mystery omega who's actually worth the mystery," he explained, his gray eyes dancing with mischief. "Usually when celebrities try to keep relationships private, it's because they're hiding something scandalous. But you? You're just genuinely private. It's refreshing."

Everyone was settling into their usual spots as Julian's tablet chimed with an incoming video call. He positioned it on the coffee table so we could all see the screen, then accepted the call.

A woman with sleek auburn hair and intelligent brown eyes appeared on screen, her professional smile warm but assessing. "Good morning, everyone," she said, her voice crisp with efficiency. "Julian, gentlemen—and you must be Lilianna."

"Hello," I replied, surprised by how steady my voice sounded."I've been looking forward to meeting you, even if it's just virtually for now. Julian has told me wonderful things." She said with a genuine smile.

I felt heat creep up my neck at her words. "Thank you. I'm... still getting used to all of this."

“That is understandable….but first, let me say congratulations on your courting announcement. The response has been overwhelmingly positive." Mara spoke, glancing at some papers in her hands.

"Positive?" I asked, surprised. "I thought there might be more... speculation."

"Oh, there's plenty of speculation," Mara replied with a knowing smile. "But it's the good kind. Romantic curiosity rather than invasive digging. The statement Julian's team released was perfectly crafted—just enough information to satisfy the public's interest while maintaining your privacy."

Julian leaned forward slightly. "What's the current sentiment?"

"Fascination," Mara said simply. "The public loves a good romance, especially when it involves four successful alphas who've been resolutely single for years and a part of the same pack at that.”

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