Another update - be sure to let me know your thoughts so far. And leave a gem if you are enjoying the story :). Ellie xo
Julia POV As we drove away, I felt a pain inside my chest. Like something was wrong. I could not put my finger on it, but I knew it had something to do with Prince Eric. He was a puzzle I could not figure out. Why did he show up so suddenly? How did he seem to be there at the exact right time? The thought caused me to sit up straighter. Had he had something to do with the break in? What would his motive have been? I did not know but I would have to be more guarded around him. Assuming I would see him again. “Julia!” I hear Cami say sharply. “Hmm, what?” I asked distracted by my thoughts. “How are you doing?” she asked looking at me with concern. “I am okay, now that I am away from there,” I replied honestly. “You can stay with me as long as you need to,” she said watching the road. “Thank you; I am afraid to go back,” I admitted to her. “It is understandable. Do you have any idea what they were after?” she asked. S
Julia POV We slammed the apartment door shut, flipping all the locks on the door. Cami rushed to the windows whipping the curtains shut and peeking out to see if the car who had been following us was out there. “Nothing yet,” she murmured as she shut the curtains. “I do not understand what happened between going to work the event to coming home. Why is someone suddenly after you?” Cami asked me. “I have no idea. The police thought it was one person who was in my apartment, but that car had two people in it,” I stated. “You are right, there were definitely two people in that vehicle that was chasing us,” Cami agreed as she stood up to start pacing the apartment. “And whoever it was did not take anything?” she asked me. “Not that I could tell but I was rushed and had the police and Prince Eric watching me the entire time,” I shared with Cami. “Where did the prince come from?” Cami asked. “What do you mean?” I replied curious
Eric POV I leaned my forehead against the door. I could hear her heartbeat racing. Racing in fear. Fear of what? Surely not me? “Julia, sweetheart, please let me in,” I pleaded with her trying to push my Alpha command on her. I knew it would not work. Mates cannot command one another, but I did not know how it would work with a human mate. “Go away,” Julia replied shocking me. “Why?” I asked needing to understand what had happened since I had last seen her. “I will call the police, if you do not leave,” she said with fear lacing her voice. Sighing I can tell she is getting more agitated. “Just tell me what happened, and then I will leave,” I replied to her hoping she would see sense. I hear her slide down the door that is separating us. I do the same feeling this was better than nothing. I wanted nothing more than to hold her in my arms and assure all would be fine. But I needed to go at her pace. She was not a part
Julia POV The warmth I felt being in Eric’s arms was comforting. Like he was right, and this was somehow meant to be. I did not believe in fairy tales, and I knew this would likely be fleeting, but for one moment I allowed myself to be present and comforted in a way I had not been comforted since losing my mom. I heard footsteps and looked up to see Cami walking up the hallway. “So, we have decided he is the good guy?” she asked with a smirk. I smiled at her before looking up at Eric. He was tall, and I could imagine how him kissing me would mean him bending down to reach me. My face went red at the thought. I was getting ahead of myself most certainly, but I could not help my thoughts. Being this close, it was natural to want more. I stepped out of Eric’s arms reluctantly. He looked to Cami with a smile, “It is good to see you again, Cami,” he said politely. “Back at you, big guy. So do we know who this
Julia POV It had been two days since I had seen Eric. We had texted and continued to get to know one another but my schedule and his schedule were not jiving. He told me about his art and promised he would show it to me one day soon. I had limited experience with art but could not wait for him to teach me about it. The fact was that I could not wait to see him again. I was quickly growing bitter that our schedules were not working. And then I had to give my head a shake. I was relieved I could pay my bills and that had to be my focus right now. The reason I was doing this made me sad for a moment, and then I realized I was at work and had meals to deliver. As we were approaching closing time, I heard the doorbell ring and felt my heart sink. We had a strict policy that we served all customers, no matter how late they arrived. As long as the customers were in the restaurant before closing time, they were served. Taking a
Eric POV I grabbed Julia before she touched Cami. “She is still alive,” one of my men yelled. Grabbing my phone, I immediately called 911 while holding Julia in my arms. She was fighting me, but I held tightly not wanting her to touch any evidence that may be on Cami. It broke my heart to hold Julia in my arms, feeling her fall apart. Suddenly there was a growl behind me. Jackson had entered the room, “Mate,” he stated as everyone turned to look at him. Julia was not paying attention to what Jackson had said but we all knew what it meant. One of my men was touching Cami, holding pressure to one of her wounds. Jackson was struggling with his wolf, to let the man continue to help her. It looked like someone, a wolf, had tried to claw her heart out. She had wounds all over her body indicating she had fought as best she could. We all knew she was lucky to have survived at all having fought a male wolf. And a human at that. J
Eric POV I wanted to hold Julia in my arms, but her body was tense. I could tell she was uncertain what to believe or who to trust. My heart hurt, but I could appreciate why she felt the way she did. It was an uncanny coincidence that I seemed to be near when things happened. I know it makes me selfish, but I was immensely grateful to the Moon Goddess that Julia had been with me. Seeing Cami, I was still in shock that she had managed to survive to this point. It was unheard of and caused me to pause and wonder about Cami. I knew I had never scented anything on her. But to be able to withstand the abuse she took was simply incredible. I give myself a shake, as I turn to look to Julia. I take her cold hand into mine. She does not hold my hand, nor does she reject my touch. I begin to wonder if she even recognizes my closeness. She seems lost in her own thoughts. I knew she felt guilty for Cami being hurt in her place. I
Eric POV I understood Cami’s parents were distraught about the news that their daughter had been attacked. I could not understand how they were treating Julia. It was not her fault that a rogue wolf had taken an interest in her. And it was not her fault that Cami had been hurt, obviously by mistake. I took Julia to another private area in the hospital. Jackson knew where we were, and he agreed to have us notified immediately on Cami’s condition as soon as she was out of surgery. Julia was incredibly quiet. I knew she was barely holding herself together. I hoped she would lean on me, but I also knew she was angry and confused. As we entered the private room, Julia moved to take a seat away from me. I took her hand and pulled her into my arms, simply holding her stiff body. I started to feel her relax, and I breathed a sigh of relief. The tension was leaving her body, allowing her to start to feel her emotions.
Julia POV We came downstairs the next morning to find Laura sobbing in the sitting room. I looked around to see if anyone had brought her anything for breakfast. Walking towards her, I asked, “Have you eaten?”. She looked up at me with her wet cheeks and bloodshot eyes and spit out, “It is because of you he left!”. “He tried to have Eric killed last night. If he had not left on his own, I was going to kick him out. The only unfortunate part is he did not take you with him,” I replied calmly. “Julia,” Eric started to say but I held my hand up. “I do not know who you are, but my mother never pined away for a man in her life. It is like by saving you, you lost a piece of yourself,” I told her. She looked at me and wiped her cheeks, “I need to leave. I need to find him,” she murmured. “Do you know how to find him?” I asked, as we still wanted to get him back. “I think I could find my way,” she mumbled, as she stood and moved
Julia POV As we shifted and raced back home, I considered how I was going to handle Lincoln. He needed to go; I simply did not know if he would go peacefully. Did it matter, I thought to myself. Eric stuck close to me, offering me his warmth to help deal with the anger I felt. I was furious that so many lives had been risked tonight and for what? As we arrived at the clearing, we both shifted and put our clothes on. Eric turned to me, “Whatever happens, you have my support,” he stated. “I appreciate that; there is only one solution,” I replied as we walked towards the house. “Make the right decision for you. You have much to learn, still,” he reminded me. “There must be other ways to learn,” I replied as we walked into the open door of the house. As we walked in, it was eerily silent. Eric nudged me behind him. I rolled my eyes but allowed my man to take the lead as I listened intently for any movement. There was nothi
Eric POV Lincoln was up to something. What I did not know, but it was something. As I lay there considering everything, with Julia snuggled in my arms, I hear an alarm through the palace mind-link. “Rogues! Rogue attack happening at the main border!!!” came through in a panic. We never had rogue attacks. In fact, we often raided rogue hideouts to ensure we did not have any situations to take care of. I jumped up, with Julia looking at me startled. “What is happening?” she asked sleepily. “Rogues; I want you to stay with your guards until we are certain you are safe,” I said to her as I threw on a pair of basketball shorts. Julia moved out of the bed, “No,” she replied as she grabbed a t-shirt of mine and threw it over her naked body. “Julia,” I started to say when she cut me off. “You will be too distracted worrying about me, if you leave me behind. I am going with you” she said with finality. “This cou
Julia POV I spent the afternoon training once again with Lincoln. We were introduced to our security details. Lincoln was as ungracious as ever, already starting to alienate himself from those around him. I ignored his attitude and simply focused on learning. Eric was there once again, watching over me and assuring himself Lincoln was only focused on training. It was an intense fight, and I was loving it. A few times Lincoln almost got the better of me, but I managed to deflect his hits and prevent him from kicking my stomach. I felt angry when he tried and went at him like a mama bear protecting her pups. Good lord, now I was thinking like the rest of them, I thought with a chuckle. I would die for these babies. They were the best of Eric and me. I loved them already so intensely it hurt. Distracted I got a kick in the face, when Eric yelled, “Enough!”. He raced over to me, as my dislocated jaw quickly mended. I was good
Julia POV It was time. We were almost to the palace, and I could not wait to get back to Eric’s place. He kept reminding me it was our place, but it was still surreal to think I lived in a palace. I was home. With Eric, he was home for me and that was all that mattered. I could see the front of his house, and my breath caught. Cami was waiting for us, with Jackson by her side. She was beaming, and I was bouncing in my seat to get out of the vehicle. As soon as it stopped, I flew the door open and ran into my best friend’s waiting arms. “I cannot believe you are here; I have been so worried about you,” Cami murmured as we stood there holding one another, tears of joy rolling down our cheeks. “I know; I was not sure when I would see you again,” I blubbered on. Cami stepped back and looked at me. She placed her hand on my small baby bump and smiled, “Two happy babies in there,” she commented before remov
Julia POV I felt nauseous at the conditions Eric had just accepted. He was putting our entire relationship on the line for something we may not be able to control. “I disagree,” I stated angrily. Eric looked to me, realizing that he should have spoken with me first before agreeing to such a ridiculous condition. “Too late, the deal has been struck. Or do you not trust your mate to protect you?” Lincoln taunted, softly. “Aren’t I the strongest wolf? If I am, then the question should be, do you not trust me?” I asked. Lincoln looked at me for a moment before he looked away. “I do not want to lose you so quickly after I just found you,” he murmured. “Taking me from my mate is not the way to accomplish that,” I replied. I did not add that I did not look to him as a father figure. Lincoln looked back to me, “Well, I hope your mate can prove his ability to protect us, or the three of us will be leaving together,” he said as he t
Julia POV The food was delicious, and our night together, reconnecting, was amazing. I had gotten up early, out of habit, as I needed to be ready for my training session with Lincoln. Eric sat up groggily in the bed, “Where are you going, so early?” he asked. “I have a training session that I need to get to,” I replied. Eric was instantly alert, “I am going with you. I do not trust that bastard, and I am not letting you deal with him alone,” he stated. I was going to tell him it was alright; I could handle this on my own, but I knew it would not stop him. He had a strong desire to be with me and protect me. And I had an equally strong desire to let him, I thought with a smile. Eric quickly threw on some gym pants, and a t-shirt and he was ready to roll. I smiled at him, and he paused, “What?” he asked as he moved closer, pulling me into his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck, bringing his lips to mine, “Good morning,”
Eric POV “Will you stay with Lincoln, or will you come home with me?” I asked Julia. I waited, nervously, for her to reply. What was likely seconds seemed like forever, “Wherever you are is home for me,” she replied moving into my arms. “I love you so much, sweetheart,” I said to her. She looked up at me with her beautiful eyes, “I love you more,” she replied with a smile. I held her in my arms, happy that we had found a way forward. A plan to start with. “Let’s go and discuss our plans with Lincoln,” I suggested to Julia. She nodded, standing up and walking towards the washroom. She glanced back at me, “Shower first?” she teased as she raced to the washroom with me in hot pursuit. Later … much later … we were walking towards the dining area where Julia usually joined Lincoln and Laura. As we rounded the corner, we saw Lincoln and Laura in what seemed to be a tense conversation. As Laura saw us, she had a tentative smile.
Julia POV I laid in bed, feeling warm and cozy. I had the best rest and could only breathe in the scent of my mate. I must have been having a good dream to have his scent so strong surrounding me. I stretched out and then paused feeling an arm holding me close to their body. I screamed, and bounced off the bed, startling whoever had been holding me. I cleared my eyes and looked in shock as Eric looked back at me, confused with my reaction. “Eric?” I whispered, before I recognized he was in front of me, “Eric!” I squealed as I jumped back into bed and into his waiting arms. I kissed him all over his face, before landing on his smiling mouth. He had been laughing, but immediately captured my attention as his tongue slid into my mouth. I moved closer so I was straddling his body, his hardness awakening and pushing against my core. “When did you get here?” I asked, moving my head back slightly. “A while ago, I