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
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