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Chapter 3

Julia POV

Where was it coming from? my head instinctively turned toward the kitchen door. I walked forward, following the scent like a bloodhound on the hunt. It led me out and back to where my mom was standing. I was aware that she was looking at me like I had grown an extra head. Mom was about to say something when the front door was flung open to reveal a tall willowy woman, with long blonde hair and light blue eyes that were set into a delicate looking face.

‘MOM.’ Evangeline squealed and flung herself at our mom. They hugged each other, laughing and crying at the same time. I spared them only the briefest of glances before my attention was back on the amazing scent that was now coming from the porch. I heard a polite cough, the sound reverberating around my head.

Three things happened at precisely the same moment.

  1. Evangeline peeled herself off my mother and called to the person who had coughed.

‘Jackson, baby, do not stand out there. Come in and meet my family.’

  1. A tall, muscular, and extremely handsome man entered the house. He smiled politely at my mother before locking eyes with me.

  2. A voice, as clear as day spoke within my mind. It said one word. MATE!

Mate? Wait! What? I could not focus on anything other than that word. Mate!

I swallowed, hard as I continued to stare into the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. I felt myself being pulled into an embrace. That broke whatever had made my eyes lock with the man standing at the door. I forced my attention off him; and pulled my baby sister close. ‘Eva, its so good to see you, sweetheart.’ I gasped out as my sister hugged me back and all the air was pressed out of my lungs. My sister laughed happily, ‘Jules, I have not been called Eva since I left for college. I have missed you.’ And she hugged me again.

I smiled at her as I pulled away although I still held her hands. My mom spoke next. Demanding to know who this tall dark stranger was. Eva squealed again and bounced back to the man, hanging off his arm. ‘Mom, you are so silly. He is not a stranger, look again.’ Both my mom and me looked at the man again. I felt my stomach twist then plummet to the floor.

I managed to gasp out; ‘Excuse me, dinner, cooking.’ Then I fled back to the kitchen. Not stopping to check on the food I rushed to the back door. Flinging myself out into the late afternoon air I forced my feet to move me away from the side of the house.

I was starting to hyperventilate. I couldn’t stop it from happening when a strange sensation came over me. It felt like I had been doused with a bucket of camomile tea. I felt myself calming down. Could feel my heart rate coming back to normal.

‘Breathe, little one. Just breathe.’

It was that voice again. The voice that had said the word, Mate!

I kept repeating under my breath, ‘oh goddess, oh goddess.’ Tear’s sprung in my eyes as I finally realised what I was hearing. My breath hitched in my throat as I closed my eyes and asked the question.

‘Are you, my wolf?’ I hardly dare believe it, as I waited for a response.

‘Yes. My name is Onyx. I have had to show myself to you now in order to help you through what is about to happen. I know you have many questions, and I will answer each and every one in time. But first we must deal with this situation.’

I barely had time to register what Onyx had said before the delicious scent hit me again. I saw my sister’s friend exit the house and look around the garden until he saw me. He marched straight toward me; a menacing look on his face. In that moment I knew who he was; ‘Jackson Forester.’ I mumbled out as he stopped about a foot from me. The smell coming from him was making it ridiculously hard to think straight.

‘You are Evangeline’s sister?’ Was all he said. Shaking his head in disgust. ‘No, no. Not now. Not when I have already made my choice.’

I heard him muttering to himself. I did not know what I should do, but as soon as my fingers touched his forearm, I knew I should not have done that.

The electric sparks that shot up my arm were almost painful in their intensity. I could tell he had felt it too when I heard the gasp leave his lips. My eyes flew to his mouth. I watched the full luscious lips open, saying something to me that I neither heard nor cared about. The only thing on my mind was kissing those lips. My eyes travelled to his and I felt my heart race as I saw the flare of desire ignite within the depths of the clear blue eyes that stared back at me.

‘Julia? Jackson? Are you both out here?’ The sound of my sister's voice was like a bucket of icy water. Jackson swore under his breath, twirled around, and rushed back to the house. I could hear him explain why he was outside. I frowned at his words. What? No, that is not right. I did not do anything wrong. Why was he blaming me for something?

Shock snapped me out of my befuddledness. Anger propelled me forward.

I entered the kitchen and saw my sister and Jackson leave through the other door. I heard my mom shout out to me. Then stood back quickly as the door nearly smacked me in the face.

‘Julia, darling. Did you let something burn? Thank goddess Jackson was here to assist you. You may have ruined dinner for us all with your stupidity.’ My mother may have slurred the words lightheartedly, but I could feel the anger roll off her. I was showing her up. And she would not stand for that.

I plastered a smile on my face and agreed that Jackson was indeed a hero. Then holding my mom’s shoulders, I guided her back to the dining room. Making sure not to make eye contact with Jackson.

‘Here, Mom.’ I said, soothingly. ‘You sit down here, Eva, could you get Mom another glass of wine. Then if you will, please sit as I serve up the delicious food Mom has prepared for us.’

My sister gave me a quizzical look as my mom patted my hand that still rested on her shoulder. Once she had another glass of wine in front of her I disappeared back into the kitchen and started to serve the meal I had cooked. It was nothing too extravagant. I did not have the time to make multiple courses. I settled on chicken chasseur served with greens and sauté potatoes, followed by an ice cream sundae. Which I knew was my sister’s favourite.

As the meal progressed, my mom became increasingly effected by the wine. I could see my sister shift uncomfortably and sneak glances at Jackson throughout the meal.

But when Eva and Jackson made their announcement, my mom went into overdrive. She was thrilled. Mom started crying as she stood to embrace first Eva then Jackson. All the while, I sat there with a frozen expression on my face. The only thing I could hear was the voice of Onyx telling me to keep it together. To breathe. The action of taking air into my body and pushing it out again had never been so painful.

‘Julia. Don’t you think its wonderful that your sister. Our beautiful Eva is to become our next luna.’

Eva laughed lightly, Jackson murmured something, and my mom swayed where she stood. Luna? The next Luna?

I knew I had to say something, so I agreed with my mom about it being wonderful news. Then set about clearing away the finished meal. I clacked the plates down onto the side and tried to slow my racing heart. I just couldn’t. And it did not help matters when Jackson appeared carrying more empty dishes.

‘We need to talk.’ He barked out at me and walked out into the garden. He was right. We did need to talk.

I caught up to him as he walked toward the forest at the bottom of the garden.

Before I could say a word, I was hauled into a pair of strong arms. Feeling Jackson bury his face in my neck was the most erotic thing I had ever felt. I gloried in it. When his lips captured mine in a searing kiss I simply held on to his huge frame. Letting his lip's part mine and claim my mouth. I had started to wind my arms around his neck when he wrenched himself from me. Both of us were breathing hard and fast. I gulped in fresh air; my only thought was having his lips back on mine. Onyx was preening in my mind. I had never felt like this before.

I started to say his name. But stopped abruptly by the scowl of fury on his face.

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