Chapter 5
Julian's POV
Victoria froze. Her bodyguards went rigid. And she looked up, her eyes wide with shock.
I stepped onto the shoulder of the road, letting them see me fully.
I held Victoria's gaze, let her see the fury in my eyes, and growled low and continuous. It was a sound that said: Try it. Give me a reason.
She took a step back from the girl, her transformation stuttering, her claws retracting slightly. I could smell her fear now, sharp and acrid.
Good.
I began to shift back, feeling my bones reshape, my form condensing. The Change was painful as always, but I was used to it. In moments, I stood on the shoulder of the road in human form, bare-chested, my eyes still burning with wolf-silver.
"Mr. Sterling, aren't you still at..." Victoria's voice shook slightly. "I didn't—this isn't—"
"Isn't what?" My voice came out rough, still half-growl. "Isn't assault? Isn't an Alpha using the Change to threaten a human? Because that's exactly what I just witnessed, Mrs. Vaughn."
She opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again. "You misunderstand—"
"The Species Integration Act, Section 47," I said, my voice deadly calm now. "Any Lycan who uses the Change or threatens physical violence against a human faces federal prosecution. This highway is federal property. I have jurisdiction here."
The color drained from her face.
"Mrs. Vaughn. I suggest you and your men get back in your vehicle and leave. Immediately."
"Mr. Sterling, I can explain—"
"There's nothing to explain. I saw what I saw." I took a step toward her, and she actually flinched. "Vaughn Mining is currently under federal environmental review. I suggest you think very carefully about your next actions."
That did it. Victoria's face went from pale to white. Without another word, she turned and stalked back to the SUV, her bodyguards following quickly.
The vehicle peeled out, spraying gravel, and disappeared into the night.
---
Nora's POV
Suddenly, everything was quiet.
Only my rapid breathing remained.
The man turned around and looked at me.
He walked over and crouched down, bringing his gaze level with mine. "Are you hurt?"
His voice was much gentler now, nothing like the cold judgment from moments ago.
I shook my head, but my voice trembled. "I'm fine... just a little..."
I tried to stand up, to prove I really was okay, but my legs completely refused to cooperate. Fear, adrenaline, and everything from tonight—it all pressed down on me, making it impossible to even stand.
After my second attempt failed, he didn't wait anymore.
He simply picked me up.
"Wait, you—" I let out a surprised sound, instinctively struggling.
"Don't move." His voice carried authority, and my body immediately obeyed, even as my mind still protested.
"My car is over there," he said briefly. "I'll take you back."
I wanted to say I could call my own ride, but the words died on my lips. That taxi driver had long been scared off by Victoria. And honestly, I really didn't want to be alone right now.
"Okay," I said softly.
I could feel the warmth of his chest, could hear his steady heartbeat. My own heart was racing wildly, whether from fear or something else, I didn't know.
After walking some distance through the woods, we finally reached the spot where he had originally parked.
He placed me in the back seat of a black Lincoln. The interior was clean and tidy, with a faint scent of cedar and leather.
He retrieved a black shirt from somewhere and put it on, then got into the driver's seat.
"Where do you live?" He started the engine.
"Blackwood Old District." I gave him the address, my voice still unsteady.
He nodded and drove onto the highway.
The car fell quiet. Only the low rumble of the engine and the sound of the heater.
I leaned against the window, watching the tree shadows flash past outside.
Everything from tonight came flooding back like a tide. Kyle's betrayal. Victoria's humiliation. Being dragged from the car. Those sharp claws...
I closed my eyes, tears falling silently.
I thought I'd cried enough. Thought that in the taxi, I'd shed all my tears. But apparently there were more.
Something was gently placed on the armrest beside my hand.
I opened my eyes and saw a pack of tissues.
"Thank you." I said quietly, taking the tissues and wiping my tears.
I took a deep breath, trying to control my emotions. I'd already embarrassed myself enough in front of a stranger.
It's over, I told myself. Don't think about it anymore.
The car continued driving. Through the rearview mirror, I stole a glance at the man.
He was focused on the road ahead, his profile sharp in the faint light from the dashboard.
Who was he?
He clearly wasn't an ordinary Lycan. That kind of dominance, that power that made Victoria submit instantly...
The black sedan entered Blackwood's old district and stopped in front of my apartment building.
He got out, walked to the back door, and opened it.
My legs had recovered some strength, and I could stand on my own now.
I looked up at him. Even in the dim streetlight, those silver-grey eyes were still bright.
"Thank you." I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. "Tonight, if it weren't for you..."
My voice still trembled slightly. I didn't want to think about what would have happened if he hadn't appeared.
He shook his head. "You're welcome." His tone was calm.
I hesitated, then said, "I... I still don't know your name."
"Julian Sterling."
I repeated the name in my mind, trying to remember it.
"I'm Nora Grey."
He nodded without saying anything.
"Go inside," he said. "It's cold."
I nodded and turned toward the apartment building.
After a few steps, I couldn't help but look back.
He was still standing by the car, watching me.
I quickly walked into the lobby and climbed the stairs. Only when I was safely inside my apartment, with the door closed, leaning against it, did I finally allow myself to completely relax.
My phone buzzed. Benjamin.
"Nora! Where the hell did you go?" His voice was tight with worry. "We waited for almost an hour."
"I'm fine." I cut him off before he could spiral further. "Just tired. Took a cab home."
"You sure? Because I thought maybe that asshole—"
"I'm sure, Ben." I forced steadiness into my voice even as exhaustion dragged at every word. "I just needed to be alone. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Silence stretched between us, long enough that I could hear him thinking, weighing whether to push. Finally: "...Alright. But if you need anything—"
"I know. Goodnight, Ben."
I ended the call.
I didn't have the energy to shower. Didn't even change out of my clothes. I just collapsed onto the bed and closed my eyes, trying to shut out everything that happened tonight.
But my mind kept circling back to those silver-grey eyes. Deep, calm, carrying a kind of authority I couldn't resist. Yet when they'd looked at me, there'd been something else underneath. Something almost... gentle.
Why did he help me?
Exhaustion finally won. I fell into dreamless sleep.