Chapter 134: Complicated Truce

Julian was aware he should have knocked. But he wasn’t in the mood for formalities. He wasn’t in the mood to play by the rules. He was itching to do something.

A restless energy was crawling under his skin, making him feel like a stranger in his own body.

He had to do something about it. He had to act.

Would annoying Alex count as action? Probably not. Would it give him a thrill? Doubtful. But did he care enough to stop himself? Absolutely not.

Julian nudged the door open, the creaking sound revealing Alex seated behind a large desk.

Alex was motionless, one eyebrow raised as he scanned Julian from head to toe. Assessing the potential threat.

And he looked thoroughly annoyed by the interruption.

“You seem lost,” Alex said.

“Do I?”

His eyes narrowed, almost hiding his pupils. “Only reason I can think of for you barging in here.”

Julian laughed, shutting the door behind him. He was known for living on the edge, after all.

He couldn’t think of any other reason why he’d constantly evade a hunter. Well, there was one… fear. Because a lifetime of running was easier than seeking revenge.

Coward.

“According to Maya, the best ass-kicking liquor is in here.”

Alex didn’t respond. He didn’t even look at him. But the way his hand clenched, the way his breath hitched, Julian felt a connection.

Their relationship was complicated. Sometimes a truce, mostly animosity. But in that moment, there was understanding.

Alex had lost someone.

He’d lost someone, and something in Julian’s words resonated with him. Julian didn’t know how he knew, but he just did.

The large clock on the wall behind Alex filled the silence with its ticking. Then there was a clatter as Alex reached for something under his desk.

A glass bottle hit the desk with a thud.

The brown liquid inside swirled, and Julian barely suppressed a smirk. That was it.

Getting drunk? Not the wisest choice.

It wouldn’t help him piece things back together. It wouldn’t help him eliminate the lurking enemy.

But it would help him communicate with Alex, and since he’d decided to protect Maya… without her knowledge, which was bound to backfire, he needed Alex.

Two drunk Alphas. It could go terribly wrong or surprisingly well.

Julian estimated the odds at 80% wrong and 20% well. And he was being overly optimistic.

Alex leaned back in his chair, the leather groaning, and pulled out two glasses from underneath the desk, placing them next to the bottle.

He tilted his head, locking eyes with Julian before he began to pour.

Was this beneficial for his health and memory recovery? Probably not. Did his mental health need it? Hell yes. Was it a healthy coping mechanism? Not in the slightest.

Julian didn’t wait for an invitation before he took a seat across from Alex. He doubted the Alpha would extend one anyway.

Everything was a power play. Was it because of who they were, or just pure dislike? He wasn’t sure.

Once Alex finished pouring, he slid the glass towards Julian and picked up his own, bringing it to his lips.

Julian mirrored his actions, taking his first sip and feeling the liquid scorch his throat.

~Yes, this was exactly what he needed. ~Something to numb the pain.

“I have a theory,” Alex said.

“A theory?”

Alex nodded. “It’s one of two things. He’s either trying to torment you—leaving little reminders. ~Or~…” he trailed off.

“Or?”

“He wants you to remember.”

“Why the hell would he want me to remember? How the hell does he know I ~don’t~?”

“We did mention it,” Alex said, shrugging.

“Why does he want me to remember? He could just kill me and be done with it. I’m probably an easier target now.”

~He was, but it had nothing to do with his memory. ~No, that wasn’t the issue. His weakness was ~Maya~.

He might have resisted the urge to bite her, but it didn’t change anything. He was drawn to her. He ~needed ~her.

Now that he knew everything about her, he didn’t know how to let her go. ~Which was what led to the stupid plan in the first place~.

He was doing all this for ~her~. To keep ~her~ safe.

~Fool~.

“You’re not being a great Alpha,” Alex noted, his drink swirling in his glass.

“In what way?”

“He’s after you. He wants to end your life. ~He wants it to be significant~. If you don’t even comprehend why he’s after you, he gets no satisfaction. He wants to ~triumph~.”

Julian’s fragmented memories didn’t provide an explanation for the continued existence of hunters.

Perhaps in the past, accidents, fear, and other circumstances might have justified their presence…but now?

~Why~?

This pack didn’t seem to be causing harm to anyone. They were cautious. They kept to themselves. ~Who would risk exposure~?

What benefit would they gain from endangering their lives to harm a human?

So why was this ~beast~ so determined to annihilate his family, to erase them from the face of the Earth? ~He couldn’t comprehend~.

“Perhaps,” was his response before he took a sip.

~It wasn’t sufficient~.

“So, what’s your ill-conceived plan?” Alex inquired.

“My ill-conceived plan?”

Alex nodded.

“You’re here because you’re too cowardly to tell Maya your intentions. So you’re going to tell me.”

“What makes you believe that?” Alex saw right through him, but Julian didn’t have to feed his ego by admitting it.

Alex tilted his head, a crooked smile on his face.

“Because I’ve known Maya for a damn long time, and she’s the only one who can speak to me that way and walk away unscathed.”

Julian had observed their interaction. It made sense, logically. Alex was her Alpha. But he didn’t appreciate the favoritism.

It was fine, because Maya had a sharp tongue. ~He did adore that~. But…there was a ~twinge~ in his heart. Occasionally.

~Why did Alex tolerate it~?

“Don’t force me to beat you,” Alex warned with a growl. “It’s not like that.” He placed his glass on the table and started tracing its rim with his finger.

“Maya is the reason I have Olivia. Without her, I would have been ~screwed~. So I owe her.”

“Are we certain she’s not an Alpha?”

“I doubt I’ll ever be certain.”

If Julian closed his eyes, he could envision a life with her. A life far from here, far from death. A life where they could wander together.

No predetermined destiny, no set roles. They could go ~anywhere~.

But he couldn’t afford to dream. He couldn’t allow himself a taste of something he might never possess.

Losing it would be more painful than never having it at all. ~Be rational~.

“So, what do you want to do?” Alex asked.

“I don’t want him to get Maya.”

“I don’t want my pack to suffer.”

“So we want the same thing.”

“Yes.”

“And you don’t care if I die,” Julian stated.

“I don’t.” ~But Maya does~… lingered in the air, but Alex didn’t voice it.

So Julian responded to the unspoken words. “She’ll care less now than later. And she’ll be alive to be angry.”

“She’s going to confront me.”

~That sounded like something Maya would do~. But he was prepared to take the risk and let Alex face the wrath of a petite redhead. Though Julian wouldn’t be there to witness it.

“She might. Guess you’ll have to figure it out… Me as bait or ~your pack~,” Julian countered.

“No offense…”

“No offense? Seriously? I think we’re way beyond that point.”

“My pack is my priority.”

“Good, then there’s no need to debate this. We think alike, we want the same thing. The outcome doesn’t matter. So.”

“So are you going to tell me what this damn foolish plan is?” Alex asked.

“Everyone was caught in the crossfire, but we both know I’m the primary target. Let’s give him what he wants.”

“So, your grand scheme is to sacrifice yourself? You’re right about one thing, it’s asinine.” Alex’s head shook in disbelief.

“That’s just going to get you killed, and then what happens to us?”

“I’ll try to lure him away. We can set a trap. If you have a better idea, I’m all ears. But it feels like we’re running out of options.”

Julian was aware it wasn’t a solid plan. It was hastily put together, but they needed to act before it was too late. Better him in danger than anyone else.

“We need to act before the next full moon. If we don’t, he’ll use it to his advantage. I’ll try to come up with a better plan than this.”

Julian swallowed the words that were threatening to spill out.

Now wasn’t the time for pride. He needed to do the opposite: let go of his pride and push forward. He despised making plans. He hated that it had come to this.

~But he had someone to protect~.

He wouldn’t fail again.