A new chapter update - hope you enjoyed it! Just getting my writing schedule organized. Starting next week, you can expect updates on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If I get the chance to write in between, I definitely will. Thanks so much for your support - be sure to leave a comment or a gem letting me know you are enjoying the story so far. Ellie xo
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 I heard a scream of happiness and realized it had come from Louise. I heard Elizabeth scolding her and demanding her to be quiet. I sat there looking forward unable to do anything but try to breathe. “This has implications,” she started to continue when Eric swore, standing up. “Eric, you will remember yourself,” Carter cautioned as he stood taller beside his mate. “I will not sit here and have this conversation while this bitch gloats,” Eric said pointing to Louise. Louise simply smirked at him, while her father stood, “You will remember who is carrying your pup. You have responsibilities, whether you like them or not and the first order of business is getting rid of this bitch,” he said pointing to me. I was numb. I could not function. My body simply sat there in stunned silence. I slowly stood, while I looked at nobody in the room, “I will go. You have things to discuss,” I said as I tried to move around Er
Eric POV I could not believe Elizabeth and her coldness. She had no business betraying me in this way. I needed to find Julia and figure out how we were going to deal with this situation. I walked out of the office, slamming the door behind me. I almost walked into my mother, who was waiting on the other side of the door. “Where is she?” I demanded knowing my mother just have been summoned by Elizabeth. “Eric, wait. Just think for a minute. You know how this will go,” she cautioned me, before I whipped around to look at her. “Are you kidding me right now? What would you do in my shoes?” I demanded of her. She had the grace to look down to the floor, “I hope I would do the right thing,” she replied when I laughed at her. “You would have given up your fated mate for a debacle of an existence?” I demanded of her. “I would not have had a choice in the matter. Your father would have made the choice for the both of us,” she s
Eric POV I had been searching the books for a couple of hours and had found nothing useful. Being away from Julia and feeling her pain through our bond was destroying me. I needed to speak with my father. I wanted to speak with him, but I knew he was entrenched in duty and responsibilities. I did not think I could tolerate that at this moment. I heard the doorbell ring and immediately thought of Julia. I raced to the front door opening it wide, prepared to see my mate standing there. Instead, I saw my father. Speak of the devil. “Sorry to disappoint you, son,” my father said as he recognized the disappointment on my face. “Come in,” I replied, gesturing for him to enter my home. I led him to the sitting area, where I invited him to take a seat. He sighed as he sat down. “I am sure it is no secret as to why I am here,” my father said. I nodded, “Yes, I expected mother to send you to speak some common sense into me,” I re
Eric POV I took the time to explain to Julia what my father had shared with me. “He truly believes I could lose my wolf, if you were to reject me?” she asked. I nodded, as she continued, “I know I have not had a wolf for very long, but I want to see what she can do. What we can do together,” she shared with me. I pulled her into my arms, “We will see all that you and your wolf can do, sweetheart,” I replied to her. Having her in my arms brought a calm to me that I had never experienced before. “What about the DNA test?” Julia asked me. “I think we should request a second test,” I agreed with her. I mind-linked Elizabeth requesting a meeting immediately. I wanted to get this ball rolling sooner than later. “Come now,” Elizabeth replied. Things were still tense between us and would be for a while. I knew she was just doing her job, and in her shoes, I would have likely done the same thing. I knew Julia ha
Julia POV Eric and I walked back to his place, but I had a question. “What did you mean about scenting the baby?” I asked. Eric looked to me, before looking ahead, “When a female wolf is carrying a pup the pup has a distinct scent. It is a combination of the male’s scent and the female’s scent,” he said. “We should be able to scent the pup already,” he added as I considered this information. “So, what does it mean that you cannot scent the pup?” I asked. “Well, it could mean a few things. One that she is not pregnant,” Eric shared. “Another could be that she is trying to cover its scent,” he added. “Why would she hide the scent?” I asked. “She would if it was not my pup,” he said angrily. I considered this information, “Do you really think she would go to this extreme to try and trap you?” I questioned. “I think Louise would do just about anything to be named a princess,” Eric admitted. This was sad. W
Julia POV I looked at Laura, concerned with her reaction. Aside from the reality that it was rude, it was also odd that she would be so bothered. She had not given any indication she was this bothered before. In fact, she seemed to understand why Lincoln was being held in the dungeons. “I am sorry Laura, but he poses too big a risk for us to release him,” Elizabeth replied. “Julia and Eric will assume responsibility for him. They will ensure he does not harm anybody,” Laura said. My body tensed at what she was suggesting. Before I could even respond, Eric said, “Absolutely not. There are children to consider, Laura, and I am not prepared to put them at risk given what his intentions have been.”. Laura let out a soft growl, reminding us all that she had a dormant wolf inside of her. “Julia?” she asked, looking to me for some support. I shook my head, “I am sorry Laura, but I agree with Eric,” I stated. She looked at me an
Julia POV I watched my mother frown as she nodded her understanding of needing to wait for Elizabeth to make the decision. I was surprised she had started on this again, even with Henrietta gone. “Can I take the babies for a walk?” Laura asked. I looked at Eric and then to her, “I think it is too soon to be taking them out on walks,” I said to her. I saw the look of anger cross her face, before disappointment took its place. “What is going on, Laura?” I asked, confused with her behaviour. “I want to feel useful. I am doing nothing to help,” she replied. “There will be plenty of time to help with the babies. Right now, they are far to young to be away from me and Eric,” I shared with her. I knew what I was saying was silly. Of course they could be away from me, but Eric and I had discussed how we wanted this time to bond with our babies. “You do not trust me, do you?” Laura asked angrily. I looked at her in surprise, “Tr
Eric POV We had an amazing few days with just us and the babies. They were adjusting to a normal routine so quickly; we could not have been more blessed. “I think Layla is already showing signs of being a Guardian,” Julia said to me. “What?” I asked, surprised and a little concerned. “There is this look in her eye, like she is far more advanced than having just been born a few days ago,” Julia shared. “We will have to do our best to encourage them both to stay young. I do not want them growing up too fast. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with being a Guardian,” I shared. “I agree. I only found out once I was grown, I cannot imagine the pressure she will be under at such a young age,” Julia agreed. As we continued to talk, I heard footsteps coming from the hallway. Laura came around the corner, “Am I intruding?” she asked, prepared to leave the room. “Not at all. We were just admiring the babie
Julia POV “Are you mad?” she whispered. “Mad? Are you crazy? I could not be prouder to know my mate is expecting our pup,” Jackson replied before capturing Cami’s lips in a passionate kiss. The room exploded with excitement, as everyone gathered around to congratulate the couple. I hugged Cami, with Beatrix between us. “I am so happy for you,” I said, as I wiped tears from my cheeks. “I am excited and terrified. We will have two babies under a year old. I cannot imagine,” she said, sounding a bit overwhelmed. I stared at her for a moment and then we both burst out laughing. With the twins, I also had two under the age of one. “We will figure it all out together,” I promised her as she hugged me again, before everyone else crowded in to get hugs. I could not believe how blessed we all were. With the four babies being gifted to us, and knowing their futures would be bright, and dangerous, I sat there for a moment as the re
Julia POV “What does everyone mean?” I questioned, as Eric moved towards me, nudging me to sit down. I took my seat while Jackson stood by the chair where Cami and Beatrix were sitting. “It is not an easy answer,” Elizabeth starts to say as Cami gasps, her grip on Beatrix tightening. Elizabeth stepped forward and took a seat on the table directly in front of Cami. She reached out and touched the baby in Cami’s arms before looking to both Cami and Jackson. “I have worked out an arrangement,” she started to say when Jackson cut her off, “What kind of arrangement?”. “One where you get to keep Beatrix, for the time being,” Elizabeth said. I gasped, realizing that Cami may not get to keep Beatrix. I had assumed because she was here, she was theirs. I had forgotten about the witches who wanted Beatrix. “That does not sound good,” Cami stated as she rubbed the baby’s back. Jackson had his hand on Cami’s shoulde
Eric POV I held Julia in my arms for hours. I never stirred and as if sensing the need for this time, the pups did not stir either. I heard the doctor enter the room, “Prince Eric, we wanted to check on your mate, before we sign the release documents,” she said softly. I looked at her in surprise, “So soon?” I asked. “It is incredible. I ran the labs a short time ago, and she was already healing much further along that we would have expected. I suspect she has a strong wolf, who was able to take over once we had done all we could,” the doctor stated. I looked to her for a moment, before turning my head back to Julia. “You did it sweetheart,” I whispered as the doctor left me to wake my mate up. I leaned forward, kissing Julia’s lips softly. Moaning in her sleep, her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer. Our tongues slid over one another, tasting each other, reconnecting and celebrating us. As our kiss deepened
Julia POV I laid there silently watching my family. Eric was asleep in the chair beside me. He was slumped over the bed, with his arm around my waist. I could hear the little satisfied sounds babies make when they first wake up. I loved that they were patient enough to wait for their daddy to wake. I lifted my arm, it was heavy and shaky, but I moved it to place it on Eric’s head. Playing with his hair, as I waited for him to wake up. I knew all that he had gone through was horrible. Watching me being rushed to the operating room, our babies being delivered without him being there. Waiting for me to wake up. It had been a long couple of days, but I finally opened my eyes. I did not think I would ever close them again, for fear of missing something. As my fingers moved through Eric’s hair, I felt him stir. I recognized the moment he realized something was different. He slowly turned lifted his head, look
Eric POV I watched as the twins were wheeled into Julia’s room. I went to her and told her that her babies were waiting for her. I kissed her warm lips softly, before stepping away to help set the twins up. It was late, and I wanted to get the twins settled before I stepped over to watch over Julia. Both twins fussed for a couple minutes but quickly settled after they had a bottle. I kissed each child, “Your mommy is going to be with you soon; I promise,” I murmured to them both. The nurse looked to me, “Would you like me to stay?” she asked quietly. I looked to her, “No, thank you for everything you have done,” I responded as she nodded and walked from the room. Everyone had left, as I had requested, so it was just the four of us. I could hardly grasp everything that had happened today. From finding out Henrietta had been under our noses all along. To having the twins arrive, to almost losing my mate. I did not care what
Eric POV I watched Julia fight to survive; I held my breath waiting. The intense sound of the alarm signalling death was unnerving. I started to turn away, my heart in my throat, ready to crumble to the ground. Suddenly there was a faint blip in the sound. It did not fully register with me until I heard a second … and then a third. I heard a gasp from one of the medical team, “She is alive,” they stated. “Barely. We need to get her to the ICU. Finish stitching her up, and then we will move her quickly,” the doctor said. I watched in disbelief as they prepared Julia for the ICU. “Is she in any pain?” I asked, alarmed at everything that was happening around me. “We do not know; we will give her something to help just in case,” the doctor assured me. I watched as they finished and rushed Julia to another area. Realizing I had forgotten about our pups, I turned to see them being wheeled away, “Where are you taking them?” I as