Chapter 110: Watchful Eyes

He had the option to go.

Yet, he was aware he’d come back.

Julian was lying there, his arms folded behind his head, watching Maya in her slumber. She was out cold, sprawled on her belly, one arm dangling off the bed, totally unaware of his wakefulness.

Sleep eluded him.

He’d try, but he could never achieve more than a single sleep cycle. Frequently, he’d jolt awake, drenched in sweat. His rational conclusion was that nightmares were the culprit, but the issue was, he couldn’t remember them. As soon as his eyes would flutter open, all recollection would vanish.

So, he’d be left lying there, soaked in sweat, praying for sleep to return. Olivia had advised him to get some rest: it would aid his recovery. It might not restore his memories, but it certainly wouldn’t harm.

His memories.

The answer to everything; the path to his joy or his downfall.

If he was to blame for any of this, they’d never let him go. If he wasn’t… he could have her. He could sense her holding back - just in case they couldn’t be together. The attraction was potent, more powerful than anything he’d ever experienced but…

Could it overlook the fact that he might be a killer?

She probably wouldn’t kill him herself, but she’d let her Alpha do it. Judging by his demeanor, he was ~itching~ to do it. Whenever he was around, Julian could feel waves of anger and dominance emanating from him—as if he was flaunting his power deliberately.

He could do it too. He’d been tempted a few times, but he’d always managed to suppress the urge. It wouldn’t benefit him and it wouldn’t benefit her. Even without knowing her, he could tell that none of this brought her joy.

She was trapped and she wasn’t designed to be caged.

He was the cause of her imprisonment. Eventually, bitterness would creep in.

Julian didn’t have a solution. He didn’t know how to liberate her or himself from this. He shifted his gaze, no longer watching her. She was sleeping—he should let her rest. He needed to breathe; the room was stifling.

The entire packhouse was.

He moved as quietly as he could, minimizing the creaking noises from the cot. Once he was upright, he tiptoed out of the room. Julian left the door slightly open, stepping into the hallway’s light, his shoulders easing.

Julian took a few strides, trying to recall the layout of the house when he felt his body stiffen. ~Seriously~? He knew he was under constant surveillance, but he didn’t think he needed permission to ~breathe~.

“Heading somewhere?”

“If I say restroom, are you gonna accompany me?”

Alex laughed, shaking his head. “We both know you don’t need to pee.”

“Fair enough.”

“Where’s Maya?”

“Sleeping. But you’re aware of that.”

“Perhaps.”

Alex had a clear dislike for him and made no effort to conceal it. Then again, Julian wasn’t exactly putting on a stellar performance pretending he liked him either. It was a fair game. Alex was doing what he was ~wired~ to do: safeguard what belonged to him.

Still, it kept rubbing Julian the wrong way.

“So, you’re watching me?”

“Depends, what are you up to?”

Even though it had been pushed aside due to the recent events, discovering his identity, his memories—it had always been his objective. He couldn’t progress without them. Especially not when dead bodies kept appearing. That wouldn’t change.

“I needed some fresh air.”

Alex advanced a single step. It was sufficient. He was testing him, seeing if he’d rise to the challenge. ~He was so fucking tempted~. His heartbeat accelerated whenever Alex was near him, his chest constricting. He could feel his wolf straining against the chains that kept him in human form.

~He was itching for a fight~.

He wanted to prove his worth.

“We have a quaint little yard.”

“Not spacious enough.”

The words were irrelevant—the conversation was pointless. They were both posturing for the same person: Maya. Julian understood his reasons, but he didn’t appreciate Alex’s deep concern for her.

Logically, he should.

It ensured her safety.

But he didn’t. Logic wasn’t his ally right now.

“What did you have in mind?”

Julian didn’t want to be led. He didn’t want to be someone's marionette or follow commands. His true wish was to live as he pleased, on his own terms. That dream was crushed the moment Alex appeared.

He was left with two choices: retreat to the room or reveal his intentions to Alex.

The first choice wouldn’t get him anywhere, and it would prevent him from doing what he wanted with ~Maya~. Alex might limit him, but it could also provide him with some much-needed information.

“Can we go back?”

“Back where?”

Why did he have to spell it out? Alex knew exactly what he was referring to.

“Out there.”

“You’re the one who discovered it. Why do you need to go back? I know Maya already took you downstairs.”

He hadn’t overlooked Maya’s chaperone. She hadn’t voiced her annoyance, but it was evident. He felt a twinge of guilt; it was his doing. They were keeping an eye on her because she was keeping an eye on him.

As long as he was confined, she would be too. His punishment was also hers.

“I didn’t find them. ~We~ did.”

“So you want to go back without Maya?”

“Yeah.”

“Is she distracting you?”

“Something like that.”

“Alright, we’ll go. Just the two of us.”

Julian reclined, crossing his arms over his chest. “Will I survive this trip?”

“That depends on how much you irritate me.”

At least he was straightforward…