"How do you know?" she countered back.
He walked back to her and bent over her. "Oh really, and pray tell, who have you been admiring?" he asked her, grinning wickedly.
"No one," she squeaked, as he climbed back onto the bed and started to tickle her.
"Tell me," he said, as she laughed.
"Never," she gasped out.
"If you don't tell me, I will just have to get it out of you another way," he said, attacking her lips.
A knock sounded on the door then. "Alpha."
It was Hayden.
"We'll be right there," Alpha laughed and hopping off the bed, headed to the bathroom. Jillian got up, grinning as she got dressed and then she opened the door. Hayden nodded at her. "Good morning Luna."
"Good morning Hayden. Did you need to speak with us?"
"I do," he nodded.
"Do I need my parents also?"
"Not yet, we will speak with them later," he said.
Jillian nodded and she headed down the hall with him, Edric following close behind.
The three headed into Edric's office and Edric closed the door.
Jillian sat down on the couch, but Edric and Hayden stayed standing.
"Out with it, friend, what is going on?" Edric asked him.
He sighed. "You might not be happy with me."
"Oh?"
"I did something long ago," he looked at Jillian, and smiled sadly, "but it was to save her life."
"You are the one who switched Jillian at birth,” Edric realized.
"Yes, I did, forgive me Edric, but I knew she was special, and I knew that her life was in danger, so I snuck into the hospital and switched her with the daughter of Henry and Nadine," he sighed, looking at Jillian, "It was their real daughter that was killed, and your real parents, Jillian."
"But why?" Jillian asked softly.
"There is a great evil out there, they do not like people who are like you, and me," he said sadly. “I am quite impressed at your skills, for as young as you are, you are very powerful, and that," he then frowned, "is why I am here. Your life is in incredible danger."
"We know," Edric frowned. "Dr. Hess told us."
"Yes, good Dr. Hess," he said, shaking his head.
"Hayden, what is going on?" Edric asked him.
"Dr. Hess left last night to run and get some things from home, he didn't make it back."
Jillian gasped. "He was murdered?"
Hayden nodded. "I am sorry. Whoever was threatening him, carried out that threat."
"Why was I not informed?" Edric said angrily.
"You were sleeping, because you needed it," Hayden pointed out.
Jillian felt sick to her stomach, and not because of her pregnancy.
Edric's wolf growled angrily. "We need to stop them Edric before Jillian is killed."
Edric looked at his friend Hayden. "We are getting married this weekend."
"I know, that is why you called me. I will help you as much as I can, I just hope it is enough."
A knock sounded on the door then.
"Come in," Edric said.
Kim peeked her head in. "Sorry to interrupt, I was wondering if Jillian was ready for breakfast? We pregnant girls need to eat."
Edric frowned. "Sorry love," he said, pulling Jillian to her feet. "Are you hungry?"
"Starving," she said.
"Go eat, we can discuss this later," he told her.
She nodded and headed out the door with Kim.
"So, how are you feeling this morning?" Jillian asked her friend as they headed to the dining room.
"Better, you?"
"Great, I think."
"What's wrong?"
"Just too much going on," Jillian sighed.
"I hope that things can settle down soon," Kim said.
"If only," Jillian replied, walking into the room.
Her parents were eating already, as were Warren, Orson, and Wes.
"Luna," they said.
She nodded at them and sat down.
"Luna," her father said, shaking his head.
"Oh come on father, quit playing dumb," Jillian spit out. "You know exactly what that is."
He frowned. "No, please enlighten me, daughter."
She stood up. "No, why don't you, father, or should I call you Henry. Why didn’t you even say anything to me? Why didn’t you tell me who you were?” she began to cry.
"I think we need to talk," Jillian's mom said, nodding at her husband.
"Yes, let's," he said.
Kim sat at the table in shock. What was going on? Orson and Wes exchanged a glance, and Warren looked amused.
Jillian walked out of the room, her parents following her and into the office where Edric and Hayden still were visiting.
"Hayden," Henry said, walking into the room.
"Henry," Hayden responded.
"So, you know each other," Jillian accused.
"Jillian, perhaps you should sit down," her supposed mother said.
"No, I will not sit, I want you to tell me why you lied to me my whole life? Why didn't you say anything?" she cried.
"I am so sorry honey, but we had to protect you," Nadine said. "We had to save your life."
"At the sacrifice of our own daughter," Henry spit out, angrily, glaring at Hayden.
"Your daughter was doomed from the start Henry. She would not have lived long, and you know it."
Nadine began to cry. "But she was ours."
"Yes, and I am sorry Nadine, but Jillian's life was so important. I am sorry, I really am for making you choose, but Jillian was worth saving."
"So you said," Henry said, "and we don't regret raising her, but we need to know exactly why she is so important. You promised to tell us when the time came."
"Yes," Hayden sighed, "I did."
He looked at Jillian who looked like she was in shock.
Edric walked to her and pulled her up to him, holding her.
"Well?" Henry asked him.
"Jillian is more important than I am, that is why I sent you here," Hayden said, "so she could meet Edric. He is the only one who can protect her."
"So, it wasn't just my parents moving here because my dad had work?" Jillian asked.
"No, I sent all of you here," Hayden said.
"Yes, and then Henry dug up my ancestors' graves," Edric frowned.
"Yes, sorry about that. But it is here that we can finally catch whoever is after Jillian."
"But no one has harmed me before," Jillian said.
"That is because I have stopped them," Hayden informed her.
"You saved her from harm her whole life?" Edric asked.
"Yes, that is why I was not around much Alpha, I was keeping her safe."
"I see," Edric nodded.
"So, why is she so important?" Henry asked.
"Because she is going to unite all the werewolves around the world."
"You knew all along that Edric was a werewolf?” Jillian asked Henry.
Henry shrugged. "I did, but I couldn't let on now, could I."
Jillian sighed. "I am surrounded by liars."
"Sorry honey," Nadine said. "We were only trying to protect you."
"I know, and I thank you for that, and for trying to give me a normal life. I really did love having you as parents," Jillian admitted, hugging Nadine.
"We would still like to be your parents if that is okay," she said.
"I would like that," Jillian nodded.
Hayden frowned. "Well, now that that is taken care of, we need to get rid of the person after Jillian."
"Do you know who it is?" Edric asked.
"No, but it is someone you know, that much I do know," Hayden frowned.
Edric frowned. "That is not good. So we can't trust anyone."
"No, not a soul. What I have told you must not leave this room," Hayden nodded, "or all of you could die."
Chapter 40
Jillian didn't know what to do. Who did they know that would want her dead? And why would she b
e the one to save all the werewolves? She wasn't that wonderful. It sounded way too complicated, and she wanted to run and hide, but she was a Luna, she wasn't supposed to do that, right?
A knock sounded on the door then, and Nadine answered it.
"Hi, wondering if Jillian is okay?" Kim asked, looking worried.
"You can come in Kim," Jillian said, still in Edric's arms. She stepped back to talk to Kim.
"So, what just happened back there?" Kim asked.
"A big misunderstanding," Jillian sighed.
"So, your parents really are your parents?" Kim asked.
"Yes," Jillian nodded. "I was just being an angry teenager," she lied.
"Oh, and the whole pregnancy hormone thing," Kim said.
"Yes, that too. I had to do some apologizing," Jillian smiled at her so-called parents.
"You are forgiven," her mom said. "So, our meal was interrupted, and I know you haven't eaten Jillian, shall we go back and eat?"
Jillian nodded. "Yes, let's."
Her mom tucked an arm about her waist and headed back the dining hall.
Orson, Wes, and Warren were just finishing up when they walked back in.
"Everything okay?" Orson asked Jillian.
"Yes, sorry, pregnancy hormones. I was just angry at my mom."
"So, she really is your mom then?" he teased.
"Yes," Jillian shrugged. "I was just angry over some stupid things."
Orson nodded. "Alpha, since Hayden is here, let's work on the backyard perimeter."
Edric nodded. "Good idea. Let me eat first, you three head out with Hayden and get started."
The men nodded and left the room as Edric sat down. Carla walked back in a moment later with warm food.
"Here you are," she said, placing it in on the table. "I figured you would be coming back."
"Thanks, Carla," Jillian smiled at her.
"Why don't us girls go the sunroom and start planning your wedding?" Carla suggested after they had eaten, and Edric had headed outside.
"I think that's a great idea," Jillian agreed. She then looked at Kim. "Where is Ruben? I noticed he’s not attached to your side today.”
"School," she chuckled. "He can't miss any more or he won't graduate, so I sent him this morning."
"He was okay with leaving you here?”
“He was, knowing that I would be well taken care of if I got sick. Where is the doctor this morning anyway?”
Jillian frowned. “He had to leave last night.”
She didn’t want to tell her that he had been killed.
“So Ruben will be by after school then?” Jillian asked her friend.
“Yes, then we’ll head home.”
"You can stay another night if you want," Jillian told her.
"No, that's okay, I miss my own bed, and my own clothes," she said, looking down at the clothes she had on from the day before. "Your clothes are too small for me," she pointed out to Jillian.
"Oh, sorry about that."
"No problem, but if that's okay, I'll go home when Ruben gets here."
"Of course friend," Jillian smiled at her and they headed to the sunroom.
Carla went to get a notebook so they could start planning a wedding.
"Let's make this simple," Jillian told the ladies. "I don't need something extravagant, although that would be nice,” she sighed, “but where we only have a few days, we had better make it simple.”
"So, where are we getting your dress?" Kim asked her.
"Edric is sending in a tailor," Carla spoke up. "He doesn't want Jillian out shopping in case she is harmed again, and it might get ruined if we end up having a war because of whoever is after Jillian might be there.”
“Do you think that they are going to start something with all the wolves that will be there?” Kim asked.
She then looked at Nadine. “Oops, sorry Mrs. Everett, you probably don’t know about werewolves, do you?” Kimberly asked.
Nadine grinned. “I have known about all of you my whole life.”
Kim’s jaw dropped. “Jillian, did you know that she knew?”
“No, just found out today actually. It was kind of a shock.”
“I bet,” Kim laughed. “So where were we, oh yes, a dress.”
"I was kind of hoping to pick out my own dress."
"You can, Luna," Carla promised. "But it needs to be simple so that it can be done within a few days."
"What, no diamonds sewn into the gown?" Jillian grinned.
"I can't even see you with that," Nadine said. "It's just not you."
"I know," Jillian agreed. "I like simple, but not too simple."
"Show some skin girl," Kim grinned at Jillian.
"Now girls," Nadine shook her head, "we don't need the other wolves drooling over the Alpha's bride, do we?"
"Sure spoil my fun," Jillian grinned at Nadine. "Fine, but I still want a say in my dress and what it looks like."
"The tailor will be here around 3:00 to measure you and show you some patterns," Carla informed Jillian.
"Now, how about a cake?" she then said. "I can make it if it's not too difficult."
"I have always wanted this certain cake," Jillian admitted. "Can I have your phone to show you?"
Carla handed it over so Jillian could pull up a picture of the cake, she then passed it back to Carla.
"Oh, that is nice, and yes, I can do that."
It was four tiers, with lacework frosting and fresh rose petals on it.
"That is lovely," her mom said.
"I think so, and it's not too hard to do, at least I hope not," Jillian said.
"How about food?" Carla then said. "Edric wanted it catered so I wouldn't have to do it all."
"That's fine, but we need to make sure the caterers go through a thorough background check and are checked at the door for weapons," Jillian pointed out.
"I don't think the Alpha thought of that one," Carla smirked and then nodded. "He didn't, and he will make sure of it."
Jillian sighed.
"You want to have a mind link, I know," Carla smiled at her, "but sometimes it would be nice not to have one."
"Yes, like the time right after Ruben and I had just met and I snuck out one night to go to a party and I didn't tell him," Kimberly laughed.
"I take it he found out anyway?" Jillian asked her.
"Yep, especially when the cops busted the party and he had to come and get me."
Jillian laughed. "I could see you doing that."
"It was fun, while it lasted," Kim shrugged, a smile on her face.
"So, a menu, what to serve?" Jillian turned to Carla.
"Do you want elegant, or simple?" Carla asked her.
"More on the elegant side if we are to have other Alpha's here."
"Very well, I will have a menu sent over from the local caterers by tonight."
Jillian nodded and then they decided on what flowers and what florist, and who would make her bouquet.
By the time they were winding down, Ruben was walking in the door to get Kim. She stood up and kissed him. He patted her stomach. "How have you been doing today?"
"I've been okay actually," she smiled. "I've had a nice day."
"Good," he smiled. "Can I steal you away?"
He frowned then. "I guess not, the Alpha wants me in the backyard."
He kissed Kim and headed out the door.
"Might I interrupt your party?" came a voice then. The girls looked up to see Adam and his band walk in.
"Adam, what are you doing here?" Jillian asked him.
"The Alpha invited us to stay, and since we are playing at your wedding," he shrugged.
"Oh, that's great."
"He did tell me not to flirt with you though," he chuckled. "As if that would stop me."
Jillian laughed. "You do know that he is my mate, yes?"
Adam nodded. "Yes, I know Luna, I was just kidding. So what do you have to eat around here, I am starving."
"I'll take them to the kitchen," Kim volun
teered, looking starry-eyed at Adam.
"Matt, how are you feeling?" Jillian asked him, joining them as they headed to the kitchen, Carla on their heels to make sure they had plenty to eat.
"Good, thanks to you," he grinned at her. "I owe you everything Luna," he said and kissed her hand. "What can I do to repay you? You name it, I will do it."
"How about you not touch her?" Edric said, walking into the kitchen, and frowning at him.
How did he do that? Jillian wondered. He always knew when another man touched her. She wished she could do the same when another woman touched her man.
Matt backed away. "Sorry Alpha, I am just indebted to the Luna. She saved my life."
"Yes, I know at the expense of her health," he growled.
"I am fine, you big bully," Jillian said to him, making the men chuckle.
"You are pregnant, Luna," Edric said, "and saving people is not good on you or our baby."
"You are pregnant? Dang," Matt muttered. "I am sorry Luna, for compromising your health."
"Don't think anything of it," Jillian told him, glaring at Edric. "I am fine, and so is the baby. Now, why don't you men eat while I go have a chat with my soon to be husband."
The guys grinned at her as she pushed Edric out the door and down the hall to his office. She closed the door behind her, and he pulled her into his arms, kissing her soundly. "I don't like it when others flirt with you."
"I am yours, Edric, how many times do I have to tell you that?"
"I would like to hurt them when they look at you the way they do."
"Stop it," she frowned up at him. "You are being way too jealous. I know I am your mate, but give them a break. They are men, men lust after women, it is the nature of things."
He growled. "I don't like it."
"You can't stop it," Jillian told him, "besides, it's not like the men are the only ones drooling. Kim is in there lusting after Adam."
"She had better not be, Ruben will be furious."
"Just like the men lust after us, women do the same thing to men."
"You had better not be eyeing him," Edric frowned deeply.
"I can look Edric, you did plenty of looking and touching before I met you, so don't go there," she pointed out to him.
He sighed. "Yes, it is true, until I met you."
"No, not true. You still kept them here, even after you kidnapped me, remember?"
He sighed. "Jillian that is in the past, I made some stupid mistakes, okay? Please, don't bring that up again."
The Alpha King and his Human Mate Page 31
