Hope you enjoyed the latest chapter ... thank you so much for all the support for the story! Be sure to leave a comment letting me know what you think so far! Ellie xo
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
Eric POV It did not take long to get a response from Elizabeth. She had reluctantly agreed to have Cami attend today’s second DNA test. We had heard nothing new on Fred and Mary, so we continued with the plan to do the second test today. Cami and Jackson would meet us at Elizabeth’s office. The idea is that Cami will be able to scent any wiccan activity, if there is any. Julia came down the stairs looking beautiful, as always. I met her at the bottom step, capturing her lips in a kiss. “You look stunning,” I said to her as she smiled at me. “You just told me that ten minutes ago,” she giggled. “I do not want you to forget,” I teased her. I hoped after today, we would be able to move forward one way or another. Best case scenario we move on with our lives. Worst case scenario we have a complication. Either way we will be together and for that I was grateful. As we made our way towards the palace, I saw Louise exiting the
Eric POV “Julia!” I yelled, as I raced to her side, catching her before she hit the ground. Her body was lifeless, but she had a heartbeat. I lifted her quickly and started to run with her, “Hold on baby, just hold on,” I kept saying to her, repeatedly. I needed her to fight to stay alive. I arrived at the hospital with the medical team waiting. I knew Jackson had called ahead; I was focused on getting to the hospital. I felt Cami and Jackson around me, but I could not focus on anything but my mate. I placed Julia’s body on the bed gently and followed the team racing towards the emergency room. “Prince Eric, it is best if you wait out here,” the head doctor said. “No fucking way,” I said as I moved around the doctor and entered the room. There was complete chaos. Orders were being yelled out; actions were being taken. I realized what looked like chaos to me was actually organized chaos. These professionals knew what they
Julia POV “Julia, I am sorry,” Laura started to say. I held up my hand, “What are you sorry for? Just say it,” I said, as Eric stood beside me. “Yes, do not delay on our account,” the middle woman stated. Laura growled at her, and I stood in shock. She growled. How was that possible? “What are you?” I asked her, as she looked back at me. “It is difficult to explain,” she said when I cut her off, “Well try,” I said angrily. “I am a hybrid wolf, but my wolf is dormant,” Laura stated. “You just growled, how is it dormant?” I demanded, feeling a sense of betrayal, I did not know was possible. “I was born with the gene of a wolf, but my wolf is too weak to shift, so we never have,” she shared. I simply stared at her trying to process her words. “So, you knew you were a wolf, and that Lincoln was a wolf, but you never thought to mention it to me?” I yelled. “Oh, this is getting good,” the tall witch said. “S
Julia POV “What?” I questioned as I slowly turned my face to look at the woman claiming to be Martha. “She is crazy,” the woman stated but Laura continued to hold onto my arm tightly. “She was the one who just told me to get Lincoln released,” Laura claimed. I removed Laura’s hand from my arm, moving to stand in front of her. Jackson had already moved in front of Cami and Beatrix, while Eric tried to move in front of me. I saw Cami put Beatrix in her bassinet, and then turn to move beside Jackson. He tensed in anger, but did not take his eyes off the woman standing in front of him. “I am Henrietta’s twin. Of course, I look like her,” Martha stated, sounding more bored than anything. “You never said you were twins,” I murmured as I noticed Cami’s fingers moving from the corner of my eye. I said nothing but continued to watch Martha. “It did not matter. I want her captured as much as you do,” she replied, looking at her nai
Julia POV We left Cami and Jackson shortly after Martha went to her room. There was much to be done, and I wanted to check on Laura. We entered our place, when I heard a scream come from Laura’s room. We raced in, just in time to see something disappear in front of Laura. “What was it?” I demanded as I went to her, trying to get her to focus on me. I could see the fear in her eyes. “It was her,” she whispered. “Who?” I asked, getting her attention on me. “That witch. She was here and she threatened me. She promised she would kill me, if I did not help her get Lincoln free,” Laura said in a whisper. I looked to Eric, who nodded and turned away from us. He quickly turned back, “He is secure,” he stated, confirming that Lincoln was still in the dungeons. I nodded, looking back to Laura, “He is not free,” I assured her. “She is going to keep coming to me, until I give her what she wants,” Laura said, fidgeting with her hand
Eric POV We shared everything Lincoln had shared with us, before we put the baby down to sleep in the bassinet and continued to strategize how we were going to counter the attack from Henrietta. “I need to call in some backup,” Cami murmured as she continued to watch the baby. “Do you think they can help counter Henrietta?” Julia asked. Cami looked to her, “This is the most powerful witch, next to Henrietta. If anyone can fight her, and win, it will be this witch,” Cami replied. Nodding to her, “Then call her,” I suggested. Cami stood and made the call. Within minutes of her standing, there was this loud sound that seemed like a freight train was landing in the living room. Jackson immediately swiped the baby up in his arms, as Cami stood back, as if she knew what was happening. I pulled Julia closer to me as we all simply waited. Suddenly there was this flash of smoke, and as the smoke cleared a tall woman,
Julia POV After leaving Lincoln and his haunting words, we went back to see Laura. I was surprised to see her sitting up in her bed, sipping on a glass of water. She had looked afraid, until she saw me and relief lit up her face. I moved closer, holding out a hand towards Laura. She put her hand in mine, and I felt a moment of peace. Like this was the mother I had remembered. She had tears in her eyes, “I know who I am,” she said, as if she had come out of a trance. I smiled, as tears shone in my eyes as well, “I am glad; I am really glad,” I responded before moving towards Laura and hugging her for the first time since she came back. Laura held on tightly, and we just held each other as tears streamed down our faces. “I am sorry I was not stronger,” she offered, but I stood up wiping her tears away, “You have nothing to be sorry for. Lincoln is evil, and he took advantage of you,” I assured her. “I should have known better
Eric POV I watched as Julia showed the warriors various techniques to counter her attacks. They were very cautious with her, which I appreciated. It did not stop me from worrying. I saw her rub her back a few times and asked if she needed a break, but she scowled over at me, rendering me silent.Carter was taking notes and developing plans for the warriors to fight one another in their training. I knew it was helping, I just hated that this was Julia’s destiny. I was incredibly proud, but I wanted her to be safe. Inside the palace with our pups. But I knew she would be on the front line, and I would be beside her when the fight did come. And it would come; it was just a matter of when. Julia provided her last words of training for the day and moved towards me. She was tired, I could easily see it in her face, but she would not give an inch. I wanted to carry her home, and put her in the shower, but she would pretty much destroy me if I even
Julia POV I watched Cami come forward, with the baby wrapped up in a soft blanket. Cami had her cuddled close to her chest. I wanted to move forward to hug her, but Jackson was there first. He wrapped his arms around Cami and the baby girl. He kissed her forehead, before looking at the baby. “She is beautiful,” he commented, as Cami nodded in agreement. “She is special. I can already feel her power,” Cami murmured. We all knew what that meant. Another child that would require our devoted attention to protect her. “Have you thought about a name?” Elizabeth asked. Cami looked to Jackson, “I had thought about Beatrix; it means she is blessed and brings happiness,” she replied, waiting for Jackson’s opinion. He paused for a moment before looking to the baby. “I think Beatrix is a perfect name for this little angel,” he replied as Cami moved closer into his arms. I felt tears fill my eyes at the beautiful nam
Cami POV “One more push, Louise. One more, and your baby will be born,” the doctor said, gently encouraging Louise through another contraction. Louise slumped back, “I can’t,” she said, as tears rolled down her face. I held tightly to her hand, “You can do this, Louise. You are strong,” I said, encouraging her. I could see the pain of the contraction starting once again, Louise sat up and pushed one final time. Within seconds, the doctor cheered, “Good job, mom. Your baby girl is born,” the doctor said, as I wiped the tears streaming down my face. I knew she was talking to Louise, but I could not help the instant love I felt for this baby girl. The doctor lifted the baby for us both to see. Louise held her hands out, wanting the baby in her arms. The doctor started to move forward when Louise slumped backwards. The doctor passed the baby girl to me, as she tried to revive Louise. “What is happening?” the doctor shouted, a