“She joined the Alliance.”
He’d considered doing the same thing himself.Destroying Savages would be a great thing to focus his killerinstinct on, but in the end, he decided against it. Without hismate, he would still spiral away into madness or death, and killingregularly might accelerate that in him.
He wasn’t like the other purebreds who foughtagainst losing control of themselves; he already found his mate andgave her up. There was no staving off Savagery by focusing onsomething else; for him, it was only a matter of time before hislife ended either in death or as a Savage.
“I thought Mom was going to lose it, but shetook it better than I expected,” Cassidy said. “She did try to packprotective pads into Willow’s suitcase.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I am.” Cassidy’s blue eyes twinkled withamusement as she leaned forward. “But I stuffed a handful of wormsinto one of her bras. She called me, screaming.”
“Willow always hated worms.”
“She still does.”
“Why did you do it?”
“So she doesn’t forget me.”
Julian laughed. “Who could ever forgetyou?”
“No one, and I make sure of it.”
“I missed you.”
He hadn’t let himself think about how much hemissed everyone while traveling, but he couldn’t bury it now.Growing up with his nine siblings was annoying, frustrating, andinfuriating. But it was also an adventure, fun, and a lot of lovebetween them.
His siblings were his closest friends andknew him better than anyone, even if they didn’t know his biggestsecret. They’d made him laugh, and they’d made him cry, but theywere always there for him. And now, he was back. They would all beexcited to see him, and though they were going to bombard him withquestions, he couldn’t wait to see them too.
They could never know he’d returned to saygoodbye; he would never put that burden on them.
“We missed you too,” Cassidy said. “Alot. How long are you staying in Boston?”
“I’ll be around for a little bit.”
“Is that hours or days?”
“At least a couple of days.”
When her beautiful face split into a grin, herealized he would’ve promised her a month for that smile. She wastrying to stay mad at him and failing. Although, he would have tocheck his shoes and clothes regularly as he suspected Cassidy wouldfind a way to get back at him for leaving.
She rose and walked over to embrace himagain. He hugged her as she rested her head on his chest.
“Cassidy!” a man shouted down the hall. “Twominutes!”
“I’ll be right there!” she yelled back.
She stepped from his arms and smoothed outher shirt. “I’m singing until eleven; will you stay and watch someif it?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Good. Kyle and Aida will be so happy to seeyou.”
The blood rushed into Julian’s ears asexcitement and dread filled him. “Aida will be here?”
Cassidy’s brow furrowed. “Didn’t you know shewas our roommate?”
“Yeah, I knew.”
