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Jackson POV We had discussed everything with Eric and Julia for a couple hours. I finally took an exhausted Cami back home to my house. Much to the anger of both Cami and Julia. Julia wanted Cami to stay with her, Cami wanted to stay with Julia or go home, to which we all agreed that was not happening. And now finally she was in my arms as I carried her into my home. She was fast asleep and all I wanted to do was get her into bed, give her some pain killers and let her sleep for a while. There would be time to talk later. As I made it to my bedroom, Cami stirred in her sleep. “Are you planning on taking advantage of me?” she asked me with a yawn. “Is that an option?” I asked, teasing her. She smiled up at me, “I have a feeling with you it will always be an option,” she replied leaning into my neck and kissing me. I felt the sparks bounce between us. They were more intense than I had ever expected they wou
Julia POV Carter kept coming at me, and after I got past the discomfort of hitting someone, I quite enjoyed my strength. Carter took it easy at first, but then he kept pushing. He took a swing at my face, which I deflected. Then he kicked his leg out trying to swing his leg so that he tripped me, but I jumped over them. Then I returned the favour, to a high kick that clipped his chin. “Okay enough! You will not stop until you hurt one another,” Elizabeth called out. Eric moved forward, “Are you okay?” he asked checking me over. I was panting and exhilarated. “I feel great. Do you want to train with me?” I asked with a smile. “I think you have done enough for today,” Eric chuckled. “How about going for a run? My wolf, Sasha, has been after me to ask you and Timothy,” I suggested, looking up at Eric. He hugged me to him, “I think we can manage that,” he replied. I jumped up in his arms wrapping my legs around his waist, n
Julia POV “Then your old family will suffer,” the male responded. “My old family is already dead,” I replied as the man looked at me. “Are they?” he asked with a smirk. I had no idea what that meant but before I could say anything else, he stated, “You have twenty-four hours to decide; we will be in touch.”. With that he and the remaining rogues took off into the forest. Eric, with Carter, started checking on the wounded. As they supported the medical team getting warriors prepared for transport, they came back over to me. I had been staring into the forest wondering what that man had meant. “It is time to go back home,” Eric said as he put his arm around me. I looked up at him, startled to feel him near me. I had been so lost in my own thoughts, that I had not realized he and carter were watching me. “Should we follow them?” I asked, confused by their lack of action. “They know we cannot follow them. Following them int
Julia POV My heart was breaking into a million pieces. Since we had left Elizabeth, neither Eric nor I had said anything. We were both lost in our own thoughts with the information that had been shared with us. Nothing would be final until a DNA test was taken to prove the baby was Eric’s, but that also hindered any plans we had for our future. As we walked into Eric’s home, he pulled me into his arms, “I do not care what the test says. I will not give you up,” Eric promised me. “I do not think you can make that promise,” I said as the tears that I had been trying to keep contained started to flow. “How can we be so close and yet so far?” I asked, confusion sweeping over me. “It is my fault,” Eric said as I stood there not disagreeing with him. “Why did you do it? Knowing I was your mate, how could you do that?” I demanded of him. My anger was starting to rise. Anger at the mess we were currently facing. “I was pissed of
Jackson POV I had watched Cami sleep most of the day away. I only woke her to give her medication. She was beautiful. I had thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever put my eyes on when I first saw her. But every moment with her she grows increasingly beautiful. I did not even think I would be able to find my mate after all this time. But here she is, and I recognize that the Moon Goddess has blessed me. I cringe when I think how I reacted when I first learned she was a witch. I had no right to question the Moon Goddess and fortunately I was able to get my mate back. I had left Cami alone for a while as I did some work in my office, but looking at my watch it was time to check on her once again. I tapped softly on the door. Hearing no response, I quietly opened the door and walked in. Cami was sitting up looking at her phone, effectively ignoring me. She looked up as I walked in, “I was wondering where you were,
Cami POV I had no idea what was happening. One minute we were in the throes of passion and the next, Jackson was writhing in pain. “What is happening?” I asked him as he rolled over to his back. “I do not know. I have a stabbing pain in my neck,” he responded gasping for breath. “Let me see, baby,” I murmured as I put my hand on his. It seemed to help as he slowly lifted his hand and let me see what was causing him so much pain. I gasped at the sight. It was like his skin had been branded. “What?” he asked me as I touched the mark on his flesh. “I have to do some research, but if I am correct, our bond has been blessed,” I stated in awe watching the mark form. It would take a few hours to settle but I was confident this was what it was. “Are you serious?” Jackson asked as he eased his way from the bed. He looked in the mirror and stepped back looking at me. “What does it mean to be blessed?” he asked br
Julia POV I looked at the canvas painting that Eric was holding and I am struck by the likeness in the picture to Fred and Mary – my neighbours from my apartment. “Why would you have painted them?” I asked him. Eric looked at me not remembering he had met them the first day at my apartment. I explained who they were, and he was confused. “Do you remember this man?” he asked pointing to the man who confronted us at the vehicle while we were waiting for Jackson to arrive with Cami. “Yes, I do. Why did you paint all these people?” I asked. “When I paint, I do not know what I will paint. It is all done abstract, like I go into a trance of sorts,” Eric explains. “That is incredible,” I replied as I stared at the picture. “It does not explain how Fred and Mary ended up here. I wonder if they are in danger because they know me?” I asked, concerned for their safety. They were such a lovely couple; I knew I needed to see them. “I
Eric POV “You are willing to take too many chances with your life, Julia!” I said angrily to her. I did not care that others were around. I had too many emotions running through me at the thoughts of Julia in danger. Regardless of how strong she is. She is my mate, and it is my duty to protect her. “They were good to me, Zack. They are innocent in all of this,” Julia responded. “We will find them, but not at the risk of your life,” I replied. Cami looked to me, “Maybe we do not have to use Julia. Maybe we can create a decoy of sorts,” she offered. It piqued my curiosity, “Explain,” I said. “What if we publish your engagement, and maybe host an intimate celebration with close family. The family are all strong, but he will not be able to stop himself from making an appearance. We will all be there to protect Julia,” Cami suggested. I sat with the thought for a few moments, “That could work,” I murmured as Julia stepped cl
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