Thank you all for reading this story. In this chapter, we learn a few new things. I hope you enjoy. Now: Chapter 5.
I would like to thank Overstar and Navaura for reading and editing this chapter.
When you know what you want, and you want it badly enough, you'll find a way to get it . Jim Rohn
At noon, his phone rang. Julianne was ready to leave. BJ drove to the Alpha’s home to load her things and drive her to catch her flight out. Celia was there, as was Blaine and Benny. Julianne shared a tearful goodbye with her Godson, and he promised her he’d be a good boy. She charged Blaine with talking care of her best friend and threatened him with dismemberment if he hurt her again, then came the hardest part, leaving Celia.
Ever since they’d become friends years earlier, the two women were rarely apart. Celia accepted her as she was and no one other than her parents had done so. Leaving Celia felt like leaving a big chunk of her heart behind. The two women embraced, and then they laughed. Julianne would be back in two weeks and they’d call each other every night. It would be alright. Soon the moment became solemn and the two women knew they would soon part.
“Jules, look if it becomes too much. Call me. I’m coming back in a few weeks to clear the apartment and we can hang. I’ll leave Blaine and Benny here and we can do girly things, OK. ” Celia said as she hugged her friend.
“Celia, I’m tough, right. I’ll be fine. I’ll call anyway, because I have to check on my baby boy.” Celia whispered in her ear. A look of shock and then sheer pleasure spread across her face. “Now I know I have to check back. Congratulations, I’m happy for you.”
Julianne hesitated once more, and then moved to BJ’s jeep where he stood waiting. BJ held the door for her and helped her climb in. Soon they were off. She hated leaving Celia behind. Yes, she had to go home. Her parents needed her, but she didn’t have friends there. The other people at the office detested her. Even when she tried to befriend others, she often got a cold shoulder. Julianne sat in the jeep dreading her return home. She ad
Everyone watched as Julianne and Celia hugged each other tightly before it was time for her to go. Blaine knew this was hard. Even though Julianne had only been there for one day, he knew the two women were close. He stood with his mate, supporting her by just being there. He held her whispering words of comfort and encouragement. Celia leaned on to her mate, for she needed his strength. She knew how isolated Julianne really was and it scared her. But she did have her parents, and if her suspicions were right, she also had a mate. Celia noticed how her little brother watched Julianne as he loaded her bag. You’d have to be blind not to see the look on his face as he helped her climb into his vehicle.
“So Julianne, what did you think of Loess Falls? “ No answer. BJ kept driving. “Um Jules, everyone here really enjoyed having you visit.” She smiled, still no reply. BJ huffed, “So, Julianne, are you planning to come back soon?” BJ asked. It didn’t really matter. If she didn’t come back, he’d travel there to her.
Julianne was fighting her own self-control. Then she thought about whom she was; a man like him would not want her; he was just being polite. Julianne sat beside him, quiet. She looked out of the window over the lush, hilly plain as they drove down the long, lonely road.
She could not answer him. If she opened her mouth and spoke, he’d think she was a simpleton. So she simply stared out of the window as he drove. The two of them rode in silence until finally BJ had enough. “You know what, you don’t have to be rude. If you don’t want to talk to me, fine. I just thought… Never mind.”
She was used to people thinking she was cold, that she just like being rude. It wasn’t anything new, but the censor she received from him cut her deeply. She didn’t deserve that and he was being completely unfair to her.
She would not cry. She would not let one tear drop. She had trained her mind and body for years, and had complete control over her emotions. She took a few calming breathes, and BJ sensed something was wrong. Glancing over, he saw a pain so fresh and raw, that it nearly ripped him apart.
“I’m sorry, Julianne. You didn’t deserve that. If you don’t want to…” he vented, not realizing how harsh his tone sounded. Julianne gasped, and took a sharp breath. It was then he saw that she was crying. Quickly, he pulled his jeep off the blacktop, on to the gravel when he realized that he hurt her in some way and that was unacceptable for him. He turned to talk to her, from sheer frustration, but he never intended to wound the lovely woman that was with him.
Oh God, I’m crying, How stupid of me. Let me stop this right now.
she admonished herself as BJ pulled his jeep off the road. He hated her tears and to now he caused them made him feel ten times worse.
“Jules. I’m sorry. Please stop crying.” That made her cry harder. She hated being this weak, vulnerable. But for some reason, she couldn’t stop crying. Climbing out of his jeep, he went to her side and pulled her into his arms and held her. His wolf went wild. His mate was hurting and he had to protect her.
When BJ pulled her into his arms, she felt safe, loved, protected, and for a moment, she closed her eyes and held him back. Placing her head on his chest, she listened to the rapid beat of his heart. She felt as he kissed the top of her head, and he murmured something. It wasn’t clear, but in that moment, she felt as if she was where she belonged.
Soon she remembered she had a flight to catch. Gently she pulled away, and looked into his deep darks eyes. “I’m fine now. And I have to go home. Thank you.” BJ nodded and helped secure her seatbelt.
You can’t let her go. She needs us. I won’t allow this. She’s our mate.
His wolf demanded.
Look, she has to go home. She’ll be back, or we’re going to her, but right now she has to go home.
BJ told his second half.
“Julianne are you coming back for Celia’s wedding. I mean, I know two weeks isn’t much time, but…” BJ asked, praying she was returning.
Julianne smiled, her best friend was marrying the man of her dreams. She wouldn’t miss that. “Of course, I wouldn’t miss that.” She answered shyly.
“You really don’t have to go. I mean it’s just two weeks. Don’t you have some vacation time you could use?” He asked, his wolf was taking control, hating the thought of his mate being separated from him.
We need you here Jules. I want you here with me.
” He growled.
Julianne tensed.
Did this man just growl?
She wondered as she looked into is eyes. “BJ, I must go home. My father needs me. He’s ill and I need to check on him. I have to care for my parents.” She insisted.
“OK, I’ll let you go this time, but can you call me and talk to me every night while you’re gone.” He requested.
Julianne nodded. She could call him. It was something about this big hunky male that called to her. Besides, her best friend was there, and she’d call anyway. Soon they were at the airport and he needed to kiss her. “Julianne, can I kiss you? I know it might seem weird, but I just need to…” Shyly, she gave her assent, and he pulled her close and kissed her loving the taste of his mate.
Hesitantly she pulled away and loaded her plane home. He missed her and his wolf howled, bereaved..
How could you let her leave. She’s ours. What if another man wants her? How can we protect her so far away?
He stood at the edge of the tarmac and watched her board the private jet. She glanced back at him, and for a second he wanted to stop her from getting on that plane, but she trudged on.
Julianne set on the plane and watched him from the window as the jet taxied down the runway. BJ stood still as he grew smaller and smaller, and then slowly vanished from her sight. She touched her cheek and was surprised to find they were wet from her tears. She had just met him. They did not even have a full conversation. How could leaving him affect her so profoundly?
BJ watched as her jet left him and his wolf howled in agony. He needed to be with her. He’d talk to Alpha Javon and see if he could go to Shreveport. He couldn’t refuse him because he understood how important it was to protect ones mate.
Jules dried her tears with her handkerchief, and eventually napped as the jet flew. She did not wake until she was told of their pending landing. The jet landed and she exited the plane minus her best friend and Godson. She felt so alone and then she looked up, and smiled; her parents were waiting for her. She rushed over to embrace them, reminding herself that they needed her here.
Julianne was not an affectionate child, and for her to embrace them so tightly was unusual. Oscar looked at Margaret, as she too noticed their daughter’s strange behavior. It was then that he noticed something different about her. She’d always been a loner, but today she seemed needy. There was a quiet strength, but today she seemed wounded. He hugged his baby a bit tighter to reassure her that she was safe. Her mom knew something was different as well.
Her baby had met someone. She prayed this young man was truly worthy of her. They drove home as Julianne shared a bit about her short visit. Margaret notice that her voice softened when she mentioned Celia’s brother. She smiled. If her brother was as kind and compassionate as Celia, he was just what Julianne needed.
When Oscar excused himself to go watch a news report, she stopped her. “Now tell me about the man.”
“What man?” Julianne asked, trying to pretend she had no idea what she was asking.
