Chapter 28: The Decision*

***

Julie walked back to Misha's room, still in a daze, her mind replaying every word Lucas had said to her. The weight of the conversation, his unexpected confession, his insistence that she was his "mate"—it all felt like a surreal dream that she couldn't escape. Her heart raced with a mixture of confusion, fear, and something else she couldn't quite name. The sound of her footsteps on the hardwood floor seemed unusually loud in the silence of the house.

When she entered the room, she was greeted by the peaceful sight of her friends sleeping soundly in their beds. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. At least here, in this room, everything felt normal—simple and unchanging. Misha was curled up in her usual chaotic sleep position, while Rebecca lay on her back, her chest rising and falling evenly. Olivia, as always, slept like a serene statue, peaceful and untouched by the world.

Julie made her way quietly to an empty spot next to Olivia's bed. She almost collapsed onto the soft mattress, but then her eyes landed on the jacket still draped over her shoulders. Lucas's jacket. The reality of the night hit her hard. She had forgotten to return it.

"Great," Julie muttered under her breath, sitting up again and shrugging off the jacket. She folded it carefully, not wanting to draw attention. She didn't want to explain it to anyone—not even to herself. The thought of Lucas, of everything that had happened, made her head spin. So instead, she tucked the jacket into her bag and laid back down, her mind racing.

Julie stared blankly out the window, watching the night sky, the stars scattered across the dark canvas like pinpricks of light. Her thoughts swirled in chaotic patterns, always coming back to one person—Lucas.

"I'm not the kind of person who lets anyone push me around," she thought, her voice firm in her mind. *I've been independent for so long, I don't let anyone control me.* But then why was it so hard to resist him? Why couldn't she even protest when he told her what to do, when he pulled her into his world, a world she didn't understand?

Julie closed her eyes, the weight of it all too much to bear. She let the exhaustion wash over her, and before she knew it, sleep claimed her.

---

Julie's sleep was restless, filled with strange, vivid dreams. She stood in the middle of a dark forest, her bare feet cold against the damp earth. Her nightgown fluttered around her legs, and her hair swayed with the night breeze, but it did little to warm her from the chill. She was disoriented, unsure of how she had ended up here. She scanned her surroundings, but everything was shrouded in shadows.

A sudden feeling of someone's presence behind her made her spine stiffen. She turned around quickly, her breath catching in her throat as she saw Lucas standing in front of her. His gaze was intense, his eyes locked with hers. He didn't move, just stared.

"Mate," he said softly, the word sending a chill down her spine.

But it wasn't just his voice she heard. There was another voice, a deeper one, coming from the shadows behind him. "Mate," it echoed, just as quietly, but with an undeniable force.

Julie's heart pounded in her chest. She tried to speak, to understand what was happening, but before she could, she woke up with a start, her phone alarm blaring in her ear.

She quickly turned off the alarm, rubbing her eyes. The dream had been so vivid, so strange. Was it a sign? She tried to shake off the feeling of unease that clung to her, but it was hard to ignore. She turned around in bed to find all the girls still sleeping soundly, unaware of the chaos swirling in her mind.

Knowing that sleep wouldn't come again, Julie pushed herself up and started getting ready for the day. The dream had unsettled her, but there was no time to dwell on it now. She had to face the real world, a world that seemed more complicated than ever.

---

Later, the girls gathered around the dining table for breakfast. The conversation was light, the smell of bacon and fresh coffee filling the air. But as Mr. Smith entered the room, the atmosphere shifted slightly. He looked at Julie with a kind, measured gaze, as if waiting for something.

"Julie," Mr. Smith began, his tone gentle but direct. "Have you had time to think about my offer? The guardianship, I mean. It's an important decision."

The room fell silent, the girls' eyes on Julie, curious and expectant. Julie hesitated, her fork frozen mid-air. She hadn't expected the conversation to come up so soon, but here it was.

Taking a deep breath, Julie spoke, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "Well," she started, looking around at the people who had become like a second family to her. "I'm still under 18, and since I'm an orphan, I need a guardian to be able to continue my education. Mr. Smith has kindly offered to be that guardian, as he is on the university board, and it would also help me in securing my place at the university."

There was a stunned silence at first. Misha's eyes widened, then narrowed in thought. Mrs. Smith's gaze softened with sympathy, and Olivia blinked, clearly surprised but not displeased.

After a moment, Misha broke the silence, her voice filled with warmth. "That's a brilliant idea, Dad," she said, her smile lighting up the room. "Julie should definitely accept it. It will help her focus on her future without worrying about all the paperwork and legal stuff."

Mrs. Smith nodded in agreement, her voice gentle but firm. "Julie, you deserve all the support you can get. You've shown so much strength, and we want to help you make the most of your potential."

Olivia added with a soft smile, "It'll be like having a family. You won't be alone, Julie."

Julie's heart swelled at their words. She had never known this kind of unconditional love, never imagined that someone would care so deeply for her. It was overwhelming, and for a moment, she felt her resolve crack.

She had always expected to be alone. It was easier that way. But now, with these people in her life, she didn't feel so alone anymore. Their warmth, their kindness—it was more than she had ever hoped for. And in that moment, Julie realized how much she had longed for this kind of connection, this kind of family.

With a shaky breath, she nodded. "Okay," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "I'll accept the offer."

Mr. Smith smiled warmly, his eyes filled with approval. "I'll take care of everything. You don't have to worry about a thing."

As breakfast continued, the conversation turned lighter, and the girls began making plans for the upcoming party. But Julie's heart was still full, the weight of her decision settling in. She had made a choice that would change everything for her.

The family she had longed for, the acceptance she had never imagined—Julie was starting to feel like she belonged.

But deep inside, a nagging thought lingered. *What about Lucas?*

And with that thought, her mind returned to him once again, a mystery she wasn't sure she was ready to unravel.