The Hybrid’s Second Chance
Chapter 24

Julianna's

POV

Sitting there in my bed looking into Alex's face, I felt so at peace. This is how a mate bond is supposed to feel, not wrong or forced like it did with Logan. Sofia was practically screaming at me to mark him right here. Although I was on the mend, I didn't think I had the energy for that. Sofia was also barking at me to tell Alex my entire life's story. I wanted to as well, but the pain in his eyes when I mentioned having a mate before him made me stop. He did say he would listen when I was ready to talk. The sincerity in his voice when he told me he wanted me here with him, was something I had never heard before.

"I don't want to push you if you're not comfortable, but I do have some questions about how you managed to get inside the borders of my pack," Alex said.

"I'll do my best to answer them, I'm not 100% sure myself." He flashed me a smile, that nearly melted all my resolve to not invite him into bed with me. "How long did you travel for before you collapsed?"

"I don't know. I got hit with the knife, and I ran for a while before I used my shirt to try and stop the bleeding. I ended up under a tree, but then had this overwhelming urge to keep going, so I think I crawled for a while. It's all a little fuzzy." "With all that blood loss, I'm surprised you remember that much. Dr. Williams said you mentioned something about October Moon. I know they're a nearby pack. Is that where you're from?"

"Yes." I wanted to elaborate but something was stopping me. If he knew everything about me, would he still want me?

"Where's your family?"

"Back in my pack, I think. I'm not sure what happened to them after I left." I looked down at my blankets because I could feel the stinging of tears building up in my eyes. My family, what happened to them? Marvin, my mother, Naomi. I hadn't really spoken to her since Logan took me to his room. I had a strange feeling Logan had banned her from talking to me, because it was strange, she didn't at least try, and mind link me. I know she stood up to him, which wasn't allowed for an omega. I hoped she was okay. Logan wouldn't have killed her just for that. I'm sure he would have bragged about that to me if he had.

"Julia, what's wrong?" Alex asked.

"It's just," I sniffed and tried to hide myself wiping my eyes. "I just...." I looked everywhere but at his face, knowing if I did, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from crying. I felt his hand under my chin, as he tilted my face back to look at him. The tears were now spilling over and down my cheeks. This was the first time I had a few minutes to think about what happened or what I had left behind. Alex wiped one cheek dry, while looking at me with sadness and concern. He adjusted himself, moving my tray so he was now sitting on the side of my bed just inches away.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

"No, no you didn't. Like I said, it's just overwhelming and this is the first moment I've had to stop and think about my family," I sniffled out.

"I would love to know more about them. You don't have to tell me what happened, but I'd love to know their names at least." His kindness towards me made me smile. He still had his hand cupped on my cheek, stroking it gently. It was hard to focus on anything else except his touch.

"My mother's name is Sandra Parker and my father's name was Richard Parker. He died when I was little. They were my adoptive parents."

"I'm sorry about your father. Did your birth parents pass away as well?"

"No, they had to give me up when I was three." I think he could sense my unwillingness to elaborate because he then asked.

"Did you have any siblings?"

"No, just my best friend Naomi. She was an omega who worked in the pack house. Marvin Lee was the Beta and also like a second dad to me. I know my leaving probably messed a few things up for all of them." "Why would you say that?"

"For the love of the Moon Goddess, just tell him everything already!" Sofia yelled at me. I decided to change the subject instead.

"You know, I don't know anything about you yet. How long have you been the Alpha of this pack?"

"It's been about five years. I took over after my father died."

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"Thank you. I should probably let you know now that I'm more than just the Alpha of this pack." I furrowed my brow at him, not sure what he was going to say next. "I'm also the Lycan King. At least the Lycan King of this area. There are a few different kings of the different territories. I reside over the Western territory.

"Did we hear him right? Did he just say he's the Lycan King?"

"Shh," I hushed, not wanting to miss it if Alex said something else. He just looked at me questioningly, so I took that to mean he was waiting for me to respond.

"You're the Lycan....King?"

"Yes."

"And you're my mate? My mate is the Lycan King?"

"Yes," he confirmed again.

"Wow, I... I don't really know what to say."

"That's okay, I know you said you were overwhelmed. I don't want to add to your stress, I just thought you should know the truth upfront."

"And you're sure I'm your mate?" He laughed and kissed the backs of my hands that were still resting on his, sending a jolt of electricity up my arms which made me gasp. "Yeah, I'm sure."

"Do we have to stay here until tomorrow? I feel fine, and I want to get to know Alex more." Sofia asked.

"My wolf wants to know if we have to stay here another night. She's ready to be done with the hospital." Alex laughed.

"I'll talk to Dr. Williams and see what he has to say, but I see no reason if you're feeling well enough. I'll be right back." He got up and walked out of my room. Sofia was lusting after him, only staring at his a** as he left. After a couple of minutes alone, Dr. Williams came in, followed closely by Alex.

"Julianna, I hear your wolf is very eager to leave?"

"Yeah, I think she's over staying in one place for too long."

"How are you feeling? Any pain around the wound?"

"Not too much, I think it's starting to heal."

"Most likely. It will heal, just much slower than usual. If you wouldn't mind lying on your side so I can examine your stitches." I looked at Alex. Although he was my mate, I wasn't sure I was comfortable exposing my entire backside to him in my hospital gown. He smiled at me, and moved so he was on the other side of my bed. I laid down and turned to face him, the zipper of his jeans at eye level. Sofia was drooling, wondering what he looked like under his clothes. Her thoughts made me blush out of embarrassment, but also started a tingling sensation between my legs. I sucked in a breath, as I looked up into his eyes. I could have sworn I saw them flash black for a split second.

I hoped Dr. Williams wouldn't be able to sense our desire. He was either pretending not to notice or was too involved with his work. I felt his gloved hand pushing the area around where I was attacked.

"Any pain when I press here?"

"Just slightly."

"You can turn back over now. Your wound looks to be healing nicely. I think the stitches could come out in a few days. Are you of Alpha blood?" His question caught me off guard.

"Umm, no. Wait, I mean yes."

"Are you not sure?" Dr. Williams asked.

"Well, up until the other day I thought I wasn't, but apparently I am. It's a long story," I added, eyeing Alex's puzzled expression.

"That would explain why, even being hit with a sliver knife, it's healing faster than I anticipated. Anyway, I don't see any reason you shouldn't be able to leave today. I won't be far away if you need to come back. If you start experiencing any bleeding or severe pain, please come back at once."

"I will, thank you Dr. Williams."

"My dear, it was an honor to help save King Alexander's mate." He took my hand and shook it. "Alpha, please see to it that this lovely young woman gets the best care outside of this hospital."

"I wouldn't have it any other way. Dr. Williams thank you again." Alex shook his hand.

"I'll leave you two. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do." He walked from the room, and Alex turned to me beaming. I smiled back, but then realized I had no clothes and no place to stay. "Alex, where are the clothes I was wearing when you found me?"

"I believe the nurses disposed of them with the medical waste. They were covered in blood."

"Oh right. Sooo, what am I supposed to wear?"

"Let me ask my sister to bring some clothes here for you. They might be a little big, but they'll do until we can get you some new things." He got a faraway look in his eyes for a second. "You have a sister?" I asked.

"I do, she's my twin sister. She's been asking to meet you since I brought you here."

"Too bad it's not a twin brother. Maybe then we'd have two hot mates to take us and..."

"Sofia! Have a little tact!" She just shrugged at me.

"I can go meet Hannah outside in the lobby if you're not comfortable with her coming in. She can be a lot to handle."

"Umm..." I didn't want to be rude and refuse to meet his sister, but it also seemed like a better time would be when I wasn't in a blue gown that was completely open in the back. Alex smiled at me. "It's okay, I'll tell her to meet me in the lobby."

"Thank you," I said.

"No thanks needed, I want to make sure you're comfortable here." This man had known me for a couple of hours and was already showing more kindness than Logan did in fifteen years. This thought only made me want to tell him everything about me more. I wanted him to understand why he found me the way that he did, and why I'm a little reserved.

"Hannah must have run here," Alex said. "Let me go get your clothes." As he went to leave, he leaned in and kissed the top of my head. I sighed in contentment, knowing already what a good man Alex was. After a minute or two, I could hear some raised voices coming from the direction Alex went. I tried to listen, but with the door closed it was hard to hear. Alex came back into the room carrying a bag with a slightly annoyed look on his face.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, as he set the bag at the end of my bed.

"Yes, it was just my mother. She's, um, having difficulty with the current situation."

"With me?" Alex came to sit on the side of my bed.

"My mother is very traditional. I don't know what you've been taught about Lycan packs, but we typically don't mate with wolves or hybrids. It's not the way I feel at all. I'm so happy to have found you, no matter what you are. You could be a seven-foot-tall toad, and I'd still think you were the most beautiful creature in the world. Don't let anything my mother says get to you. I've made it clear to her she is to treat you with dignity and respect."

I was nervous now, I hadn't even met his mother yet, and she already didn't like me. It seemed like Alex was telling me I came before his mother's opinion, which I appreciated, but it still made me feel anxious about leaving the safety of the hospital.