Chapter 31

***Julia POV***

I knew I should be ok with seeing the people from my old pack. I had been working on some of them, throughout the day. I had no issue with seeing the people I used to call, my pack mates. Some would recognise me, and we would chat. Others allowed me to bandage them up, but had no interest in making small talk.

But!

My stomach lurched in fear, when I heard Reece say my old Alpha and his family had been called to attend a meeting, right here. In this hospital. I didn’t want to see any of them, even though I knew Jackson had been around today. I had been successful in avoiding him. I still felt the bitter sting of his betrayal. Also, I still couldn’t believe how easy it had been for my former Alpha and Luna, to accept my breaking of the pack bonds. To have to sit in an office, to smile and pretend to be happy to see them?

I honestly wasn’t sure if I could do it. As if he sensed my hesitation and discomfort, Reece came up behind me, placing his large hands upon my stiff shoulders. I turned my head so I could give him a quick smile. I gazed into is fathomless eyes. I watched as they flickered between his wolf and him.

‘Julia. I know this is asking a lot. And I wish I didn’t have to put you through this. And, as a rule, I would never put you in any situation where you feel uncomfortable or vulnerable. But. My gammer is adamant that he has found something in yours and Jacksons blood work. It would be remiss of me to not allow him the time to explain why the news is so important.”

***Reece POV***

I stared down into Julia’s beautiful eyes. My heart started to race, having her so near to me. At my words, I felt her relax against me.

“I hope you know that I would never intentionally hurt you. In any way. I lo……care about you very much. You are incredibly important to me and this pack.”

I watched as she closed her eyes and let out a sigh. I felt my heart constrict when I thought about my slip-up. A moment ago. It wasn’t until this moment that I understood. I had never wanted anyone else. I knew loads of other she wolves, but I knew in my heart that they were not what I wanted.

What I wanted was standing within the circle of my arms, her head resting lightly on my chest. I am sure there is more to Julia’s story, even though the things I already knew about her were bad enough. I hoped the news that Jeremy wanted to share, was good news. Nonetheless, I still couldn’t stop my stomach from rolling at the thought of Julia being hurt in any way.

***Julia POV***

“You are very sweet, Reece. Thank you. I know you would never hurt me. I’m not too sure how I know this. I just do. I.” I hesitated for a moment, choosing my next words carefully.

“I care about you too, Reece.” I felt my cheeks burn, so I spun out of his arms and skipped a few steps away from him. He looked at me, amusement shining in his eyes.

This made my cheeks burn even more.

“Come and find me when it’s time for the meeting. I still have loads of work to do, so I will see you later.” I rushed away from Reece. My heart hammering. By the time I reached the nurses station I was quite breathless. One of the nurses I had been working with, her name was nurse Walters, looked at me in concern.

“My lady, I think you have done enough for today. You must be shattered. Go home, you deserve a nice long bath.” She said, amicably.

“Thank you for the concern, Nurse Walters, but I am fine.” I smiled back at the friendly nurse. She was a hard worker. And from what I have seen today, a damned fine nurse.

“Please, my lady. Call me Pauline. If you insist you’re okay, I could use a hand in a few of the consult rooms. They need stripping down and to be prepped ready for the next patient.”

I could see that the question she had asked me, made her feel embarrassed. I wanted to make a good impression, yes. But more than that, I needed friends. The thought brought a sudden gasp to my lips.

Billy!

Stacey!

My heart twisted painfully. I tried not to think about them, at all. It hurt too much to remember them. I was still so ashamed at my behaviour towards them both. I would still get nightmares, where I was looking for Stacey. I would be wandering around an abandoned hospital. The paint on the walls was peeling. The floor had huge gaps in it. Making it impossible to run around. I could hear voices, through the closed cubicle doors.

Every time I reached for the handle, it disappeared. The voices would start laughing at my attempt. Gleefully mocking my failure to open it. A window would appear, and I could then see Stacey, and Billy, standing on the other side. Stacey would be crying, but Billy’s face would be contorted in his fury. He would hurl insults at me, shouting things he knew would wound me.

As he got closer to the window, he would get quieter. Until I was straining to hear what he was saying. I would be inconsolable at this point in the dream. It was at that point, when Billy would reach for the door handle his side, and pull the door wide open as he made a lunge towards me, that I would wake up. Usually sweat would have soaked into my nightdress. My hair would be plastered to my head, as I would sit bolt up right, gasping for breath as I tried to lower my heart rate.

Thankfully, as the days and weeks passed by, the nightmare became less frequent. I knew who was helping me through the worse of them. Reece. He would always knock on my door, to make sure I was alright. Sometimes, I would wake up in his arms, as his attempts to wake me, would fail. On these occasions, Reece would simply hold me close. And wait for the nightmare to end. Although I would be desperately embarrassed, I would still cuddle a little closer. Knowing I was once again safe.

“My lady. Are you okay? I think you really should go home. You don’t look very well.”

I smiled reassuringly at Pauline, then said, “come on, those beds won’t make themselves.”

We headed to the first of the cubicles that needed cleaning. We both kept the conversation between us, light. I like this woman, I would hate to chase her away due to all the weirdness that currently surrounds me.

By the time we were on our forth room, we were firm friends. She should be a comic, on a stage somewhere. The way she made me laugh. Her laughter and lightness of spirit was infectious. Anyone who popped their heads around the door frame, would leave with a big smile on their faces. I really needed a friend like her at the moment.

I was in the middle of asking Pauline if she would like to grab a coffee sometime, when a young nurse entered and told me I was needed in the doctors office.

My smile vanished so quickly, it was like I had been doused in water. I swallowed hard, then thanked the young nurse.

I looked apologetically towards Pauline, I hated leaving a job half done. It irritated me. I assured my new friend, that I would be back shortly, to help her finish what we had started. Pauline tried to protest, telling me she didn’t need the help. And that I should head home as soon as the meeting was finished. Shaking my head, I walked towards the open door.

“Please, I want to help you finish off. If I didn’t come back, you would have to work well past the end of your shift. I’m right, aren’t I. If I come back, we can work faster and maybe, you could leave earlier, yourself.” I gave her my most sincere smile. I was so happy when Pauline agreed to let me come back and help her.

As I walked out of the room, a soft smile still playing on my lips, I caught sight of a tall, dark haired man, and an elegant looking she-wolf being ushered into Dr Wallace’s office.

My old Alpha and Luna had arrived.

Well, I guessed it was time. I walked toward the office, my head held high. Unfortunately, a queasiness had descended upon me. And my hands trembled. I was about to turn tail and run, when I felt tingles on my back. As a large hand splayed across it.

Reece, I thought. Thank the goddess.  He had come to escort me to the meeting. I turned my head to acknowledge his presence. Instead,  I stared in horrified silence, as I realised the hand that had given me tingles, did not belong to Reece.

No. It belonged to my Ex mate. Jackson Forester!