"That sucks, but at least I can come and see you."
"Yes, and you can help me with schoolwork."
"Sounds like a plan, see you in a few."
Jillian got off the bed, feeling totally fine, grateful that her body recovered so quickly. She wondered how come she was the way she was. Her parents were ordinary, so why was she so special? She knew that Dr. Hess was looking into her family history, so maybe she would have to call and ask him. She decided it was as good time as any, while she was waiting on Kim.
She dialed the hospital and asked to speak with the doctor and told the nurse who she was.
"Of course Luna, let me get him."
Moments later he was on the phone. "Luna, are you okay?"
"I'm okay Dr. Hess. Do you have a moment?"
"I do, what's up?"
"I have a question about my family history. You were looking into it for Edric."
"Yes, well," he sighed. "I did, and I have some news for you. I was going to tell you earlier, but I didn’t have time, I hope you forgive me."
"Why?"
"Your family history."
"And?"
"I got searching into wolf history and found out why you can heal. It runs in your family.”
"Really," Jillian gasped, "but my parents are so ordinary."
"That's the thing, Jillian, you aren't going to like what I have to say."
"Uh oh."
"I would rather I come and tell you in person."
"Okay."
"I get off in an hour, then I will be by to see you."
"Okay, you are worrying me doc."
"I know, but well, you will understand when I get there. See you in a bit."
He then hung up.
Jillian frowned. "Crap, what is going on?"
She sighed and headed down to the front door, knowing that Kim would be there soon.
Edric was just coming out of the office with his men when he spotted Jillian. He saw her frown.
"Jillian, what's wrong?"
"Dr. Hess is coming to see me."
"Oh?"
"He has some news."
"I don't like the sound of that."
"Me either. He didn't want to tell me over the phone."
"That is not good."
"It's not about my health though, it's about my family history."
Edric sighed. "That's not so bad."
"So you say. He sounded worried."
"Oh. When will he be here?"
"Within the hour."
"Okay, let me know when he is here. I am headed outside to start setting up a security system for our wedding. I want to make sure whoever is after us doesn't make it past the backyard."
"Oh," Jillian nodded.
Edric kissed her. "What are you doing right now?"
"I'm going to eat, and Kim is coming over."
"Okay, I’ll be outside if you need me,” he said and headed away.
The doorbell sounded then, and Jillian smiled as she opened the door. But it turned to a frown. "Dr. Hess, you are here already?"
"Yes, I had the other doctor finish my shift. I really need to talk to you and Edric."
"I am right here," Edric replied, walking up to them.
"Good."
"In my office," Edric replied.
The three of them headed there and Edric closed the door.
The doctor sat down heavily. "I just found out most of this today, and I didn't have time to tell you earlier," he said. "Edric you wanted me to look into Jillian's family history."
"Yes."
"It took me awhile. I had some obstacles and some threats."
"Threats?" Edric growled.
"Yes, someone didn't want me to find out about Jillian's family."
"Why?" Edric asked.
"Because, Jillian, I don't know how to put this, so I'll rip off the Band-aid and tell you straight up. You were switched at birth. Your parents that you think are your parents? They are not your real parents. Your real parents are dead, and the child your real parents thought was theirs, was killed along with them.”
Jillian gasped in shock, and Edric went pale.
"So what are you saying Doc?" Edric frowned.
"I don't think that whoever has been harming Jillian is after you Edric. Whoever it is, only wants Jillian. They know who she is."
Chapter 38
Jillian felt like she was suffocating. Someone had killed her real parents? And the baby that they thought was her? Who was this person?
Edric sat down by her. "Jillian, take a deep breath love."
She nodded and did as told. "My other parents," she whispered, "I wonder if they know."
"I think we need to have a visit with them," Edric told her.
"But what if they are totally clueless? What if they think I really am theirs?"
"Then we have a lot of explaining to do, but we need to tell them, at least that you aren't their real daughter."
"Do we have too?" Jillian whispered. "It would break their hearts."
"What we need to find out is who switched Jillian, because whoever it was, saved her life," Dr. Hess said.
Edric nodded. "Yes, they did, but who would switch her, especially right after Jillian's mother had her? Did Jillian show tendencies to her gift already? Or did the person know that the gift ran in the family and knew they had to save her?"
Dr. Hess nodded. "I bet it's the latter. I doubt Jillian could heal at such a young age."
"But I could," Jillian whispered.
Edric looked at her in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
"I remember when I was only about three years old. I fell from a tree and broke my leg. I knew my parents would be extremely upset, especially when they had told me to stay out of the tree. But my leg healed almost instantly. I didn't think anything of it, I was young, and I thought it was normal."
“But it’s not,” Dr. Hess said. “So you never told anyone that you could heal quickly?"
"No, I never did. I just figured that it was normal, like I said, until one day when I was about ten, and my friend Addison fell off her bike and broke her arm. I thought it would heal, just like I did, but it didn't, and she had to go to the hospital and get a cast. I thought it was weird."
"Did you tell your parents?"
"No, I never did, especially when I saw others with broken bones. I figured I was an anomaly, and that if I said anything, I would be teased, and my parents would be angry."
"Interesting," Edric muttered.
"So she has had this gift for many years then," Dr. Hess said, intrigued.
"Maybe since she turned 18 her abilities are showing up more," Edric said. "She can heal now, and she can see the future.”
“But I have been able to do that since I was younger also,” Jillian pointed out.
Edric nodded. "That's right, you did tell me that, plus your powers as a Luna are strengthening.”
"And someone knows that the Luna is powerful and wants to get rid of her.”
"But why?" Jillian asked. "You would think whoever it was would want to save me, not destroy me."
"That is a good question, my love," Edric frowned.
"She is going to need even more protection," Dr. Hess said.
"As are you," Jillian told Edric. “Whoever is after me will eventually come after you also.”
“I can protect myself,” he told Jillian.
“Dr. Hess what about you? If you were getting threats, your life will be in more danger now that you told us what you did,” Jillian said.
He nodded. "But I have work."
"I will hire you on here until this is over," Edric told him. "You can keep an eye on Jillian, make sure she is doing okay with her pregnancy.”
The doctor nodded. "Okay, I'll just need to call the hospital and let them know I am needed for an emergency out of town for a few days. But I will need to go and get some clothes."
"I will send one of my men to your place Doc," Edric said. "I don't want you leaving here. I a
m afraid that someone probably knows that you are here already, and is waiting for you to leave so they can get to you."
Dr. Hess nodded. "You are probably right. Okay, I will stay."
"Emerson is about your size, he can borrow you some clothes for tomorrow," Edric told him.
"Very well, say, I haven't eaten yet, is there some food I can grab?"
"We haven't eaten either," Edric said. "But I need to go check on the men in the backyard. You two go and eat, and I will meet you in the dining hall."
The three left the room and as they did, Jillian heard, "It's about time you came out of there."
"Hey Kim, sorry, but the doctor had some things to tell me,” Jillian smiled at her friend.
"Oh, is it about the baby?"
"Kind of," Jillian said. "Have you eaten?"
"I did, but it didn't stay down."
"Of course not. Want some crackers or something?"
"No, I'd rather have real food.”
"I can have Emerson pick you up some anti-nausea medicine when he goes to get my things," Dr. Hess said.
"So, you are pregnant also, Kim?" Edric asked, amused.
"Yes, and Ruben is having a conniption that I am here. As a matter of fact, he is outside. He told me I couldn't stay long, that I need my rest."
Jillian laughed. "Go tell him to come in, don't leave the poor man out there."
"I'll go get him," Edric replied. He headed out the front door, as the two girls and the doctor headed to the dining hall.
Jillian's parents were there eating, as was Carla.
"Hey, we couldn't wait for you," her mom said. "We were hungry."
"That's okay mom. I was visiting with the doctor and Edric."
"Oh, hello doctor," my mom said.
"Good evening Mrs. Everett. I was just here visiting with your daughter about how to take care of herself during her pregnancy."
"Oh, that is nice. Please, join us for dinner."
He nodded and sat down by Jillian's mom. Jillian sat down and then Kim sat by her.
"I love food, but I hate it right now," Kim sighed, looking at the food on the table.
Jillian helped herself to some and smiled. “Understandable.”
"Are you pregnant too?" Jillian's mom grinned at Kim.
"I am," she sighed dramatically.
"I am happy for you. It will be good for Jillian to have a friend who can suffer with her," her mom teased.
"Your mom knows?" Kim asked Jillian.
"Yeah, it's not like I could hide it from her, especially soon," she said, rubbing her stomach.
"Does she know about you being pregnant for only six months?" she whispered into Jillian's ear.
Jillian shook her head. "Not yet."
Jillian felt a kiss on her cheek then and smiled up at Edric. "Orson suggested we put an alarm in the backyard in case of intruders," Edric said, sitting down and helping himself to some food, Ruben sitting down by Kim. "Edric invited me in."
"Good," she smiled at him.
"It might be a good idea," Jillian's dad said, commenting on what Edric had said.
"I was thinking the same thing," Edric nodded. "That is why I finally got hold of and invited my good friend Hayden to help me set it up. He knows how to set up systems so they are undetectable."
"Oh, that is nice," Jillian's mom said. "You must trust him."
"I do. He was a friend of my father's also," he mused.
"So, he's old then?" Kim asked him.
Edric shook his head. "Not that old, but yes, older than I am."
"He must be ancient then," Jillian remarked, smirking.
Edric looked at her, ready to let her have it when he saw her smiling.
"You, young lady are in for it."
"You threatened me earlier too," Jillian said, "and you didn't follow through, so I'm not too worried."
Kim snorted into her juice she was drinking.
"You had better not be threatening my daughter," Jillian's father frowned.
"Oh, lighten up dad," Jillian said. "He was just teasing."
"Yes, something that you obviously don't do," Jillian's mom told him.
"Hey, I'm not that big of a fuddy-duddy."
Jillian busted out laughing. "Oh dad, you are so funny."
Even Edric was grinning.
"Hey, can we join the party?" Orson asked, walking into the room with Wes.
"Hey you two, what's the verdict?" Edric asked them.
"I think we definitely need the help of Hayden," Orson commented.
"Did you say, Hayden?" Warren asked, walking into the room.
Edric nodded.
"I never did like that man," he muttered.
"That's because he can whoop your a..," Orson said, looking at Jillian, then changing his word, "butt."
"Ha, ha," Warren replied, sitting down to eat.
Jillian finished eating and stood up, yawning. "Want to spend the night you two?" she asked Kim and Ruben.
"Can we?" Kim grinned. "I've always wanted to stay here."
"You have?" Ruben asked, "that's news to me."
Edric chuckled.
"Hopefully not as a hussy either," Ruben added.
Jillian frowned, as did Edric.
"What is he talking about, Jillian?" her dad asked.
"It's nothing dad, something in the past, don't worry about it."
"Let's head up to bed also, shall we?" Jillian's mom asked him.
He nodded his head.
Edric looked at Jillian who was headed to the door.
"Jillian, did you want to speak with your parents before bed?"
She turned around. "I would rather not, I need to gather my thoughts first," Jillian replied.
"What's going on Jillian?" her dad asked.
"I'm tired dad, can we talk tomorrow?" she asked him
"Very well, but first thing in the morning, I want to talk."
"Of course," she said, and after waiting for Kim and Ruben she led them up the stairs and to a spare room.
"You can borrow my clothes for the night," Jillian told Kim.
"No way. You are so much tinier than I am," Kim protested.
"Whatever friend," Jillian grinned.
"Can I borrow your clothes too?" Ruben teased.
Kim smacked his arm. "You are so weird."
"That's why you love me," he grinned, as they headed into their room.
"Goodnight Jillian," Kim grinned and shut the door.
Jillian headed to her room, but then thought better of it. She was tired, but she was restless, so she went back down the stairs and headed out to the backyard.
The back lawn was lit up with the moonlight, and Jillian sighed as she sat down in a porch swing. What was she going to tell her parents about who she was, or that she wasn't really theirs? How do you tell someone that?
"Luna," Jillian heard then. She looked up to see a large man standing in front of her. His eyes glowed blue as he watched her.
"Do I know you?" Jillian asked him, feeling this odd sensation that she did from somewhere.
"You might. My name is Hayden, might I sit by you?"
She nodded and he sat down. She could feel heat and a raw power emanating from him.
"Do you feel that?" he asked her.
"Feel what?" she asked.
He chuckled. "Your spirit speaks with mine."
"Why?"
"Because you and I dear, are alike."
"What do you mean?" she asked him, curious.
"What do you remember of your childhood?" he asked her.
"Just the usual. I had good parents, but we moved a lot."
"Did you ever wonder why you moved so much?"
"It was because of my dad's work."
"Are you sure it wasn't to protect you?" he asked her.
She looked at him, and it seemed to her that his eyes were searching her soul.
"Why would they do that?"
"Because of who you are."
"But my parents don't know who I am."
"But," she said.
He just smiled. "Weren't you ever curious as to why when you made new friends that your parents moved you?"
"But why?"
"Because they were afraid of you being found."
"But that is impossible."
"Is it now," he chuckled.
Jillian frowned. Did her parents really know who she was? And if so, why didn't they say anything?
"To protect you," Hayden told her.
"You can hear my thoughts?" Jillian asked, frowning.
"I can, they are yelling at me," he smiled.
"Who are you?" she whispered.
"That my dear is a good question, one that might have to wait until tomorrow to answer," he said, just as Edric walked out the door.
"Ah, my friend, I wondered where you had gone too," Edric smiled at Hayden.
"Yes, I was visiting with your lovely Luna," Hayden told Edric. "She is quite special."
"Yes, that I know," Edric replied, pulling Jillian to her feet and cuddling her against him.
"More special than even you realize Edric."
"Are you getting sentimental on me old man?" Edric teased him.
Hayden chuckled. "Perhaps. Well, why don't we retire for the night? I know you have had an eventful day Luna," he said and headed inside.
Jillian looked up at Edric as they headed back into the house.
"Who is he?"
"Even I am not sure," Edric replied as they headed to their room. "But I know that he is one of a kind, kind of like you, my love," he said.
"His eyes glow."
"Do they now," Edric chuckled, helping to undress Jillian for bed.
He then tucked her in and climbed in by her.
"Will you tell me more about him?" she asked.
"Tomorrow my love," he said, and then kissed her into oblivion.
Chapter 39
When Jillian woke up, a warm arm was wrapped around her belly.
"Good morning my love," Edric whispered in her ear. "How are you feeling today?"
"I'm okay," she said, rolling over so she could see him.
“Good,” he said, scooting down the bed so he could kiss her stomach.
She blushed and pushed him away. "I need to talk with Hayden, and my parents."
"Yes, that we do," Edric sighed, getting out of bed. Jillian admired his physique as he got up.
"I know you like what you see, and don't tell me you've seen bigger," he teased her as he headed to get dressed.
The Alpha King and his Human Mate Page 30
