He sensed her watching him and woke up. "Hey Luna, how are you feeling?" he asked her softly.
"Better," she replied, "but,"
"But what?"
"I know something that would make me feel even better," she grinned cheekily.
"Are you up to it?" he asked in concern.
"When it comes to you? I will always be up to it," she teased.
He grinned, pulling her on top of him, and kissing her. "I missed this," he said, as he pulled her shirt off.
"Me too," she whispered.
It was dawn by the time they fell asleep in each other's arm, content, and happy.
When Jillian woke up later, Edric was gone. She shouldn't have been surprised. It was almost noon. She got up, showered and dressed, then headed to the kitchen, she was starving. She rubbed her stomach, wondering if she would start craving weird things.
Carla was in the kitchen making herself some lunch. "Hi Luna, how are you feeling?"
"Good," she shrugged. "Just hungry."
"Here, you can eat my sandwich, I will make another."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. You are my Luna after all. I need to take care of you before myself."
"I thought that was Edric's job," Jillian grinned.
Carla laughed. "It is, but it is also ours. Your comfort comes before our own."
"Oh, but that will make me feel weird.”
"Don't let it, that is just the way things are run," she shrugged, pushing the sandwich to Jillian.
"Thanks," Jillian said, sitting at the table.
"What are you planning on doing the rest of the day?" Carla asked.
"I'll probably go paint, and then tomorrow head back to school.”
“If the Alpha lets you.”
“He told me I could.”
“Do you think you will be safe?”
“I think so, why, what aren’t you telling me, Carla?”
She flushed. “Ask the Alpha, he can tell you.”
"Carla," Jillian warned.
Carla could tell Jillian was getting angry, and she could feel great power emanating from her, she was forced to expose her neck to her Luna, and to answer.
"It's just that,"
"Yes?" Jillian asked, wondering why Carla was exposing her neck, she wasn't a wolf.
"The doctor called while you were sleeping yesterday, he found out you had healing powers. You can heal others, and yourself."
"Oh, I thought it would be something bad.”
"Oh no, it is wonderful," Carla sighed, feeling the power lessen. "Plus he said you had seer blood in you, that is why you can dream of the future. But you didn’t hear that from me. I’m not supposed to say a word, or your life could be in danger.”
“Then how do you know?”
“Emerson, but I swear to you, not a word will be said, the Alpha would have our hides if anyone else knew.”
"I wonder how I inherited my abilities.”
“The doctor thinks that your abilities awoke when Edric marked you.”
“No, I don’t think that is the reason,” Jillian muttered.
“Why do you say that?” Carla asked her.
“Because I have had those abilities my whole life,” she shrugged, finished her sandwich and then stood. “Is Edric in his office?”
“I think so,” Carla told her, in awe of the Luna. She had just forced her to tell her the truth, and she had been born with seer and healing powers? She was an incredible Luna.
“Anything else?” Jillian asked her, knowing she was hiding something.
"He told us you were pregnant," she whispered, feeling the power roll off of Jillian once again.
"Why would he do that?" Jillian asked, upset. "I asked him not to tell anyone, not until I was further along."
"Only myself, Emerson and Warren know," Carla said, "and only so we can protect you more. The Alpha doesn't want you to get hurt, or have something happen to you and lose the baby."
"Oh," Jillian sighed. "I suppose that is okay then.”
Carla could feel the pressure release from her again and she sighed. She was in shock. Even the Alpha wasn’t that powerful. He could put pressure on them, but he could never force them to tell the truth.
“Carla are you okay?”
“I am, Luna,” Carla nodded. “I didn’t realize how powerful you were. Remind me not to ever try and lie to you.”
She knew that she had forced Carla to tell her the truth. She had seen the waves of power coming from herself as she made Carla talk. It was interesting. She didn’t know she had that ability, but it was good she did. Then people would have to be honest with her. “I would hope you don’t,” Jillian said, then walked out of the kitchen. She headed to the office and walked in, not bothering to knock.
"Get back with me as soon as you can," Edric was saying, and then he hung up. He stood and walking around the desk, he pulled Jillian into his arms and kissed her.
"How are you feeling love?"
“Upset at you.”
“Why?”
“Because you told your men and Carla that I was pregnant.”
Edric frowned. “She told you that I told her?”
“I made her tell me.”
Edric exchanged glances with Warren who was standing by the window.
"What do you mean, you made her tell you?" Edric asked.
"Why did you tell them Edric?" Jillian asked, "when I asked you not too?" she asked, ignoring his question.
"It is for your safety love," he told her, "and I only told Carla, Warren, Emerson and my two guards. Your secret is safe with them,” he said.
“I’ll just wait outside,” Warren said, walking out. He knew they needed to discuss a few things.
“She also told me that you found out I was a seer and healer.”
“How did she know?”
“Emerson.”
He growled.
“I am sure she read his mind.”
“And how did she tell you this?”
“I made her."
"How?"
"I asked her, and she wouldn't answer, so I used some of my Luna power to make her answer."
"Luna," Edric said.
"Don't Luna me," Jillian growled. “I don’t like that everyone knows of my abilities. You know that I won’t be safe if everyone knows.”
He pulled her into his arms. “I swear to you my Luna, that only Emerson and now Carla knows, not one other person does.” He pulled her to sit by him on the couch.
“Tell me how you forced Carla to answer you. I can’t do that.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, but I could tell she was hiding things from me.”
“But how?”
“I just did. I could almost see the power rolling off of me when I made her answer. She exposed her neck to me. She couldn’t lie to me.”
“You can see the power rolling off of yourself?”
“Yes, just like how I can see the power rolling off of you.”
“You can see my power?”
“I can. It’s blue, and comes off you in waves when you are upset or need your men to listen.”
Edric kissed her. “You just keep amazing me my Luna, but next time you want a straight answer don’t hurt my Omega’s wife, okay?”
“I didn’t hurt her, I just made her obey.”
“Yes, even I can’t do that to my men,” he said, shaking his head. “I am glad you are in here. I wanted to ask you something.”
The door opened then and Emerson walked in. He was smirking. “Luna, Carla told me what you did to her, I am impressed.” He shut the door behind him.
“Emerson and I wanted to ask you about the students you saved on the plane,” Edric told her.
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb Jillian. None of them should have lived, but six did and healed faster than normal. Not one had to spend more than a night in the hospital. I want to know how you did that.”
She sighed. “It was kind of an impulse thing I gue
ss. I was mostly trying to save Kim.”
“So, what happened?”
She glanced at Emerson. “My lips and mind are sealed,” he said.
“Oh yeah, because that worked out so well earlier,” Jillian frowned at him.
“Sorry about that, I was thinking of you when I went to bed last night, and she saw. She won’t say a word though.”
“I know she won’t. I made her promise.”
“Yes, she also said you forced her to tell you,” he chuckled. “You are something else.”
“Jillian, tell us what happened on the plane,” Edric told her, turning her attention back to him.
“Just before the plane crashed, I knew I didn’t want Kim to die, so I put out my hand to save her. Blue sparks came from my hand and hit her and some of the other students.”
Edric’s mouth dropped open, as did Emerson’s.
“Incredible,” Emerson whispered.
“Because of that, those six lived,” Edric told her. “They were injured, but they healed like you did. Their parents are in shock that they healed so fast.”
“You won’t tell them?”
“Of course not. I don’t want everyone on our doorstep thinking you can heal them of every ailment,” he chuckled.
“Why do you think I am this way?” Jillian asked him.
“I don’t know. But I have a friend I am going to call. He can help figure this out I think,” he told her.
“That would be nice,” she sighed. “I wonder if our little one will inherit my abilities? Or if he is just going to be a handsome troublemaker like his dad.”
“Troublemaker?” he asked, raising an eyebrow, “excuse me?”
“I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone,” Emerson chuckled and walked out.
“Now tell me again how you think I am a troublemaker?” Edric teased Jillian, grabbing her and tickling her, making her burst out with laughter.
“That’s what you are,” she gasped out.
“I’ll show you, troublemaker,” he said, then attacked her mouth with his.
Chapter 18
Jillian decided to go out to the studio and paint because the Alpha had work to do. She spent the rest of the day there, only coming in for dinner. The Alpha wasn't there, and she frowned, wondering where he was.
Carla walked in as Jillian sat at the table, picking at her food. She wasn’t hungry and wasn’t happy that Edric wasn’t there. He hadn’t told her he was going anywhere.
"Luna?" Carla asked.
Jillian looked at her. "Yes?"
"The Alpha wanted me to let you know he had to leave town for a few days. One of the packs is having problems with some rogues. He'll be back this weekend."
"Why didn't he take me with him?" Jillian asked, “and why didn’t he tell me?”
"Something about you being pregnant," she whispered, “and he didn’t want you upset with him because he left you behind.”
Jillian frowned. "I am not a china doll Carla."
"I know Luna, but he wants you treated as one."
Jillian shook her head, rolling her eyes. "Okay, whatever."
She stood up then.
"Aren't you going to eat Luna?"
"I'm not hungry," Jillian sighed and headed to her room. She showered and then headed to bed. She was tired, and she was tired of being tired. She knew that the baby would be sapping more of her energy as it grew, and she was sure that was one reason why she was tired.
Just as she settled into sleep, the phone rang by the bedside. She picked it up.
“Hello?” she mumbled.
“My love, did I wake you?” Edric asked.
“I’m mad at you,” was her response.
“I am sorry love. I didn’t want to tell you I was leaving because you would have insisted on coming with me, and I have to help deal with some rogues in another pack, and I don’t want you hurt.”
“You could have at least told me all of that before you left,” she said.
“I know, I am sorry love. It’s a last minute thing.”
“Promise me you will be careful?” I don’t want you hurt, either.”
“Of course my love. You be careful also. Wes and Orson are there for you if you go to school tomorrow.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“I love you my Luna, sleep well, and I will call tomorrow. I am hoping that we can deal with this problem quickly so I can return home.”
She sighed.
“I love you, Jillian.”
“I love you.”
“I am doing this to keep us safe, okay?”
“I know.”
“Goodnight my love, have good dreams, okay?”
“I will try.”
“I love you,” he said again, and then hung up.
Jillian sighed and rolled over to Edric’s side of the bed, pulling his pillow to her, breathing in his scent. Good thing he cared for her so much and his people. He was a good Alpha.
The next morning she got up early, and dressed, then headed down the stairs, her backpack on. Orson was by the front door.
“School?” he asked her.
“Yes, I have work to catch up on.”
He nodded. “We’ll need to be there with you.”
“Yes, I know, Edric told me.”
"Where are Warren and Emerson?" Jillian asked.
"Alpha took them with him," Orson told her.
"But doesn't the Alpha need guards?"
"He has Warren and Emerson, and Travis and Zack."
"Oh, I don't know Travis and Zack."
"They are guards, they just usually guard the palace, not the Alpha."
"Oh. So I took you from the Alpha."
"Yes, but he is more worried about your safety than his."
"That is nice of him, but he needs just as much protection.”
“Glad you think we are the only ones who can guard him,” Orson chuckled, “but the other men are just as capable, besides, he could kick anyone’s ass any day.”
Jillian laughed. “Yes, I am sure he could.”
Orson helped her into the limo, and Wes drove her to the school, Orson sitting by her. Wes parked the limo in front of the school, then opened the door so Jillian could get out. The students stopped and bared their necks to her as she headed inside, her two guards right behind her.
Kimberly and Ruben were just headed inside with some other students when she saw Jillian. She shrieked and running back down the stairs, she hugged her friend.
"Hey," she said, eyeing Jillian's guards. "Guards at school now, huh?"
"Yes," Jillian grumbled. "It's the only way I am allowed to come to school."
"Cool," she grinned. "Come on, you have missed a lot since you have been gone."
"What?"
"Oh, well, let's see. Forty girls have found their mates here at school."
"I’ve only been gone a week.”
“I know,” she smiled, and Spring Ball is this next week."
"Spring Ball?"
"Yes, it's like Prom, you dress up all fancy, and it's a dance, decorated like Spring, it is so beautiful," she sighed.
Jillian laughed. "Okay, sounds fun."
"Yep, and you can bring the Alpha as your date."
"Oh," Jillian said, stopping at her locker. "I don't know if he would want to come to some silly high school Ball."
"I bet you he would, for you," Kimberly said. "Ask him."
"I don't know," Jillian said.
"Ask him," Ruben smiled. "You know he will. I know for a fact he would do anything for you.”
"Okay," Jillian sighed. "I'll ask him."
Kimberly squealed in delight. "Want to go dress shopping this afternoon?"
Jillian looked at her guards, who were shaking their heads.
"I don't know Kim, remember last time we went shopping?" Jillian said.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot," she sighed, "but how are you going to get a dress?"
"The Alpha has a clothes designer," Orson spoke up, "he can come in and make dresses for you
girls."
"A guy?" Kimberly snorted, "yeah, right." She looked at Jillian. "We'll figure something out, even if it means sneaking out to get you a dress."
"We are standing right here, you know," Wes said, but he was grinning.
"Oh, be quiet you," Kimberly teased. She grabbed Jillian's hand, "come on, or we'll be late for class."
Jillian nodded and let Kimberly lead her down the hall, Jillian's guards on her heels.
They stood sentry outside the door, as Jillian headed in.
When she walked in, the whole class stood along with the teacher and bared their necks to her.
Embarrassed, she sat down, them sitting after she did. Great, why were they all doing that now?
"Luna, welcome back," Mr. Flynn. “I am glad you are okay.”
She nodded, looking around the room, at the empty seats, guilt hitting her a hundredfold.
The teacher saw her face and smiled sadly. “There will be a memorial in the gym right before lunch for those students who lost their lives.”
“That’s good.”
“I know that the parents would want you to say a few words.”
“That is not good,” she said, making the students and the teacher chuckle.
“Class as you know, what with everything going on, I have pushed back your essay being due for another week.”
All the students sighed in relief, including Jillian.
The other classes were just like the first, everyone bared their neck to Jillian out of respect, and then the teachers got to teaching, like Jillian hadn't been gone.
As soon as her third class let out, all the students headed to the gym. Jillian found herself at the front of the students, her guards right behind her.
When she walked in, all the students filed in behind her, and then stayed standing. Parents then filed in to stand by their students and the parents who lost their children. Several pictures on easels lined the front of the gym of the students who had died. Tears came to Jillian’s eyes as she looked at them.
“Luna, we have a seat for you right here,” the Principal told her, leading her to the front, where a half a dozen chairs were set. Sure, put her on display, she sighed and followed the principal, Wes, and Orson right behind her.
She sat down and then everyone else sat. They were waiting for her to sit? How embarrassing. Wes and Orson then took sentry positions behind her chair.
The Alpha King and his Human Mate Page 15