Hope you enjoyed this update - be sure to comment and let me know your thoughts. As always, trust the process ;) ... Ellie xo
Eric POV โWill you stay with Lincoln, or will you come home with me?โ I asked Julia. I waited, nervously, for her to reply. What was likely seconds seemed like forever, โWherever you are is home for me,โ she replied moving into my arms. โI love you so much, sweetheart,โ I said to her. She looked up at me with her beautiful eyes, โI love you more,โ she replied with a smile. I held her in my arms, happy that we had found a way forward. A plan to start with. โLetโs go and discuss our plans with Lincoln,โ I suggested to Julia. She nodded, standing up and walking towards the washroom. She glanced back at me, โShower first?โ she teased as she raced to the washroom with me in hot pursuit. Later โฆ much later โฆ 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 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, โWhere are you going, so early?โ he asked. โI have a training session that I need to get to,โ I replied. Eric was instantly alert, โI am going with you. I do not trust that bastard, and I am not letting you deal with him alone,โ 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, โWhat?โ he asked as he moved closer, pulling me into his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck, bringing his lips to mine, โGood morning,โ
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. โI disagree,โ I stated angrily. Eric looked to me, realizing that he should have spoken with me first before agreeing to such a ridiculous condition. โToo late, the deal has been struck. Or do you not trust your mate to protect you?โ Lincoln taunted, softly. โArenโt I the strongest wolf? If I am, then the question should be, do you not trust me?โ I asked. Lincoln looked at me for a moment before he looked away. โI do not want to lose you so quickly after I just found you,โ he murmured. โTaking me from my mate is not the way to accomplish that,โ I replied. I did not add that I did not look to him as a father figure. Lincoln looked back to me, โWell, I hope your mate can prove his ability to protect us, or the three of us will be leaving together,โ he said as he t
Julia POV It was time. We were almost to the palace, and I could not wait to get back to Ericโs 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 friendโs waiting arms. โI cannot believe you are here; I have been so worried about you,โ Cami murmured as we stood there holding one another, tears of joy rolling down our cheeks. โI know; I was not sure when I would see you again,โ I blubbered on. Cami stepped back and looked at me. She placed her hand on my small baby bump and smiled, โTwo happy babies in there,โ she commented before remov
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, โEnough!โ. He raced over to me, as my dislocated jaw quickly mended. I was good
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. โRogues! Rogue attack happening at the main border!!!โ 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. โWhat is happening?โ she asked sleepily. โRogues; I want you to stay with your guards until we are certain you are safe,โ I said to her as I threw on a pair of basketball shorts. Julia moved out of the bed, โNo,โ she replied as she grabbed a t-shirt of mine and threw it over her naked body. โJulia,โ I started to say when she cut me off. โYou will be too distracted worrying about me, if you leave me behind. I am going with youโ she said with finality. โThis cou
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, โWhatever happens, you have my support,โ he stated. โI appreciate that; there is only one solution,โ I replied as we walked towards the house. โMake the right decision for you. You have much to learn, still,โ he reminded me. โThere must be other ways to learn,โ 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
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, โHave you eaten?โ. She looked up at me with her wet cheeks and bloodshot eyes and spit out, โIt is because of you he left!โ. โHe 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,โ I replied calmly. โJulia,โ Eric started to say but I held my hand up. โI 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,โ I told her. She looked at me and wiped her cheeks, โI need to leave. I need to find him,โ she murmured. โDo you know how to find him?โ I asked, as we still wanted to get him back. โI think I could find my way,โ she mumbled, as she stood and moved
Julia POV It had been six months since we had got rid of Henrietta for good. Martha had become a staple in our lives. She never tried to take over being anything more than an aunt to Beatrix. Cami had her baby boy. Jackson and she were in love of their little boy, and Beatrix was loving being an older sister. They named him Alex, a strong name for a strong boy. Layla was in love with Ethan and Lucas was his best friend. The four babies loved each other and were constantly searching for the others. โLife is blissful,โ I murmured as we watched our babies. Eric was at work, Jackson as well and the two of us were on baby duty. I had started some online courses to work towards my social worker degree. I loved the courses, and found the right balance between the babies, Eric and my studies. As always, Eric was incredibly supportive of what I did. We were living a life of peace and quiet these days. But we wer
Julia POV My sobs quickly diminish as I realize that Martha is standing in our home. โHow did you get here?โ I demanded quickly. I stood, tense, in front of her, as Cami moved to stand beside me. She had given Beatrix to Jackson. Both men were tense by our sides, as we waited for her to speak. โI managed to escape,โ she replied quickly. โHow could you escape so easily, after having been contained?โ Cami asked. โI do not know. One minute I was contained, and the next I was able to escape,โ she said, sounding somewhat confused, before adding, โAnd then I was here.โ. โThat sounds too coincidental,โ I stated. I moved forward, expecting her to disappear in front of me. โJulia,โ Eric cautioned, but it would not stop me from moving forward. โHow do we know you are not another version of Henrietta?โ I asked softly. โYou do not know. Call in the Witches Council. They will be able to verify who I am,โ Martha replied calmly.
Julia POV I stood there holding the doors closed, as Cami came to stand beside me. โCareful ladies, you do not want to hurt the little one,โ Henrietta cautioned. โYou would hurt your own child?โ Cami asked, disgusted. โOf course not, but you might do so in your haste,โ she replied. My eyes scanned the room. I saw Eric and Jackson were moving to either side of Henrietta. โStop right there, or I will kill her,โ Henrietta spat out. Everyone stopped moving, as I glanced back to ensure my babies were safe. They continued to sleep, which I prayed they would do until this was over. โYou are all going to step back and let me leave with my daughter,โ Henrietta said. Cami gasped, as Jackson stepped forward, โNot a chance, bitch.โ. โIs that any kind of language to use around an impressionable mind?โ she taunted. โComing from someone like you, that is rich,โ I said, as I continued to watch her movements. She was gett
Julia POV โWhat the hell does that mean?โ Jackson asked. We all sat there considering the words. โIt could be the sister asking for help,โ I suggested. โIt could also be a ploy to trap us,โ Eric said. Both were valid reasons given who we were working with. โWhat do we know about the sister?โ I asked. โWe do not know a lot. Just that she is Henriettaโs twin, she is powerful, like Henrietta,โ Cami shared. โWas she ever considered the good witch?โ Jackson asked. โI do not know if either would be considered a good witch,โ she admitted, frowning. โI will contact the Witches Council,โ Cami said as she stood and pulled out her phone. โWait. What if this person does need help, will the Witches Council want to help? Or will they want to trap her and harm her?โ Jackson asked. โCould it be the Witches Council who has her?โ Eric added. Cami was looking between both men, when she threw up her hands, โI have no idea!โ.
Julia POV Morning and all its delicious busyness came quickly. The twins were up early, waiting to be fed. We were fortunate they were quickly adapting to a reasonable schedule. One I knew was not the norm for newborn babies. I enjoyed my time feeding my babies, while Eric got them cleaned up. โWe make a great team,โ Eric smiled, as we put the twins in their car seats. They were perfect when we wanted to transport them, and when we got downstairs so they could stay in them until we had their mat out so they could crawl around and make all the fun noises babies made. Cami and Jackson were coming over this morning. Cami had found something out in her research, that she wanted to share as soon as possible. She wanted to come last night, but Jackson put his foot down, indicating they had other things to do first. I suspect it was a celebration, and chuckled at how annoyed Cami would be to be stopped when on a mission.
Cami POV โHow do you know who I am?โ I asked, uncertain of what to say. โIt is my job to know who is inquiring about me,โ the individual responded. โWhere are you?โ I asked, wanting to get to my questions. โDo you think it would benefit me to share that information?โ the individual responded. I paused. They were right. If I had the right person, who was in hiding, why would they try to help me? โWhy are you hiding?โ I asked. โSeriously? That is the question you want to ask me?โ they taunted. I felt like I was on a time clock, and I did not know the skill testing question. โWhy is your sister so mean?โ I asked bluntly. I did not know if I was, in fact, talking to Martha, but it was worth a shot. I saw a smiley face with tears come across my screen. Are you kidding me?!? โShe was born that way,โ the individual responded. โSo, you are her sister?โ I tried to confirm. โI am someone very close to her,โ the
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. โI am sorry Laura, but he poses too big a risk for us to release him,โ Elizabeth replied. โJulia and Eric will assume responsibility for him. They will ensure he does not harm anybody,โ Laura said. My body tensed at what she was suggesting. Before I could even respond, Eric said, โAbsolutely not. There are children to consider, Laura, and I am not prepared to put them at risk given what his intentions have been.โ. Laura let out a soft growl, reminding us all that she had a dormant wolf inside of her. โJulia?โ she asked, looking to me for some support. I shook my head, โI am sorry Laura, but I agree with Eric,โ 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. โCan I take the babies for a walk?โ Laura asked. I looked at Eric and then to her, โI think it is too soon to be taking them out on walks,โ I said to her. I saw the look of anger cross her face, before disappointment took its place. โWhat is going on, Laura?โ I asked, confused with her behaviour. โI want to feel useful. I am doing nothing to help,โ she replied. โThere will be plenty of time to help with the babies. Right now, they are far to young to be away from me and Eric,โ 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. โYou do not trust me, do you?โ Laura asked angrily. I looked at her in surprise, โTr
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. โI think Layla is already showing signs of being a Guardian,โ Julia said to me. โWhat?โ I asked, surprised and a little concerned. โThere is this look in her eye, like she is far more advanced than having just been born a few days ago,โ Julia shared. โWe 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,โ I shared. โI agree. I only found out once I was grown, I cannot imagine the pressure she will be under at such a young age,โ Julia agreed. As we continued to talk, I heard footsteps coming from the hallway. Laura came around the corner, โAm I intruding?โ she asked, prepared to leave the room. โNot at all. We were just admiring the babie