ALIONA’S POV
Julian turned to me. “You okay?”
I nodded, though my throat felt tight. “I’m fine.”
He studied me for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly. “You look exhausted.”
“I just need to rest a little—”
He cut me off gently. “No. You’re coming home. There are other doctors here. You’ve done enough.”
“I can stay,” I insisted weakly. “Some of the pups still—”
“Aliona,” he said, his voice low but firm, “you’ve done more than enough.”
There was no arguing with that tone. My legs gave up before my pride could protest. He guided me out of the infirmary, his hand steady on my back. The drive to his mansion was quiet, the hum of the engine oddly soothing. By the time we arrived, the exhaustion hit me full force.
He called out to one of his maids. “Run her a bath. The lavender one.”
I t
