The Hybrid’s Second Chance
Chapter 62

Julianna's

POV

"We need to discuss Alpha Alexander being mated to a werewolf and whether or not we can allow this match to continue."

"Excuse me?" Alex said loudly. Was he really trying to have a trial about mine and Alex's bond right now?

"But we're already marked, they can't do anything about it now," Sofia said.

"I don't think there's anything to discuss in this matter. We've already marked each other, our bond is complete," Alex retorted.

"See, he knows what's up!" Sofia declared proudly.

"That doesn't mean there aren't things to discuss."

"Elder Marcus, what are you trying to say?" Alex asked.

"He's trying to say, we have the authority to separate the two of you and force you to choose different mates," Elder Charles said, looking sharply at me.

"He can't be serious right now?" I said to Alex. "This is insanity!"

"I'm so sorry, I never saw this coming," he replied.

"Saw what coming? They can't seriously make us leave each other.... Can they?"

"Alpha Alexander, Luna Julianna, will you please go down and sit at one of the desks in front of us?" Elder Stanley asked.

"We're going to entertain this?" I asked Alex.

"I'm not sure we have a choice."

"You're the King! Don't you have more power than them? Can't you force them to leave?"

"No, even the King has people higher up than him, unfortunately." Alex got out of his chair, and I followed him, completely dumbfounded at what was happening. Down a couple of steps and over to the oak table, taking a seat, I looked up at the six men sitting before us. I only just now noticed how some of them were looking at me with disgust, but others weren't. Others seemed to be giving me a questioning look, with possibly sympathy behind it. Maybe all hope wasn't lost yet. Maybe we could change their minds. I could feel that anger and anxiety emanating from Alex, not just through our bond, but it was also permeating the air. I think the elders began to feel it too, as some of them shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

"Alpha Alexander, as you know, none of the elders knew of your mating to a werewolf until the other morning when you called. I don't know how this information escaped our ears. Naturally, some became very concerned about this match. The Lycan King being mated to a wolf has never happened in the history of our species." Elder Stanley said.

"It's something that should never have happened," Elder Marcus said very heatedly.

"The Moon Goddess has clearly made a mistake, she's not even a pure wolf. She reeks of witch," Elder Charles added.

"Elder Charles, please control yourself," Elder Stanley warned. "We are not here to throw insults out."

"I simply do not see why who I'm mated to is any concern for the elders," Alex said defiantly.

"It does when it could mean the ruin of this pack," Elder Marcus barked.

"Please explain to me how Julianna will ruin this pack?" Alex asked.

"She does not have the strength that a Lycan has to protect and defend the pack from attacks. Being part witch and part wolf makes her weak. The Luna of this pack must be strong, a skilled fighter, someone who can lead," Elder Marcus said. "These are not things werewolves possess." "How can you assume that?" asked Alex.

"We have seen it over many years of our lives. You have seen it in your time as Alpha. You should have rejected her when you realized she was a wolf. Not doing so was a betrayal," Elder Marcus said loathingly. "What the he** do they have against wolves?" Sofia growled.

"I don't know, this is ridiculous. They didn't see what we did against Logan and his pack. They have no idea what we're capable of."

"Then tell them that!"

"Am I allowed to do that?"

"How should I know?" Some of the Elders were continuing to spit out hatred toward wolves as I talked to Sofia.

"Gentleman, this is absolutely ridiculous. These things that you're saying have no merit in my relationship with Julia," Alex told them. "You haven't seen her do what I have."

"I would like to hear what Luna Julianna has to say," an elder with dark blonde hair and piercing green eyes said.

"Thank you, Elder Dalton," Alex remarked, glancing over at me. I got to my feet, squaring my shoulders, ready to address the men who wanted to take my mate from me. Sofia was right, all I had to do was speak the truth.

"With all due respect to all of you, you don't know me. You have not seen the things that I have had to endure, the struggles I have overcome to be standing here in front of you today. You're here to pass judgment on me, without even asking about me. I'm not just a hybrid witch and wolf. I'm the daughter of Cornelia Sullivan, the High Priestess of her coven. I'm also the daughter of Alpha Joshua of the Evergreen Pack. I knew none of this myself until a few days ago.

I was forced away from my family, taken into a pack that hated me because my mother's coven feared wolves. They tortured me every chance they got for fifteen years, but that didn't break me. The Moon Goddess mated me with the son of the Alpha, the person who hated me the most. But I found a way out, a way to reject him. That's when I found Alexander, he took me in and cared for me because I had been attacked by one of October Moon's warriors and was on the brink of death from a stab wound. Then I was attacked again, by his own mother. Dragged back to a man who only wanted me for my power. Still, I found a way out. Alex and I fought side by side only to throw down their Alpha and banish him from the pack after taking his title from him.

He came back looking for revenge only a couple of days ago, where, again, side by side, Alex and I fought and won. Finally killing the man who made my life a living he** for fifteen years. I have been tortured, stabbed, slapped, poisoned, and hated for most of my life. Just when I finally think it's time to be happy, you want to take that away from me. And for what reason other than you being scared. Fear is what started this entire thing.

Fear of wolves from my mother's coven forced a family apart. It destroyed a scared mate bond between my parents as they were forced to reject each other. My father took a chosen mate for his pack, but my mother never fully recovered. You're scared of what you don't know and don't understand. I have done nothing but fight for my life and my pack since finding Alex. Together we have already beaten the odds and came out the other side. I will continue to do that with him every day, and if you're unable to see my worth because I stand on four legs instead of two, then that's your problem. Nothing you say today will keep me from my mate." Alex stood up confidently next to me, gripping my hand in his.

"Elders, I appreciate you coming here today to assist with the punishment of my mother, but if you try and take my mate from me, I will resign as the Alpha King of this pack, and with no heir to the throne, it will pass to my sister Hannah." The elders looked between the six of them, worry on some of their faces. "You have not seen the greatness, kindness, compassion, and sacrifice Julia has given. I would rather love her as a rogue, than as the King." There was nothing but silence that followed. All the elder's eyes were on myself and Alex.

"Luna Julianna, these things you speak of sound like great mountains to overcome," Elder Dalton said.

"They were, but we climbed them together."

"Julia makes me stronger, not weaker. She is a strong person and leader. She will continue to do amazing things as she grows in her role as Crystal Sky's Luna." No one said anything, and finally, after several minutes, Elder Dalton stood to his feet.

"All of those in favor of allowing Alpha Alexander and Luna Julianna to remain a mated pair, please raise your hand." Elder Dalton raised his hand, followed by Elder Edward and Elder Victor. Elder Stanley was gazing at us, a look of contemplation on his face. He, too, raised his hand, while Elder Marcus and Charles glared at us loathingly.

"That settles it, you may continue to lead your pack as you have done," Elder Stanley declared. Sofia was doing back flips in my head, as Alex squeezed my hand.

"Thank you for seeing reason," Alex told them.

"This Elder's council meeting has come to an end," Elder Stanley declared. "Alpha Alexander, Luna Julianna thank you for being here today."

"Thank you for listening to us," Alex told him. All the elders got to their feet and began exiting the room. As Elder Marcus walked by, I heard him whisper,

"This isn't over. I'll find a way to stop this abomination of a match."

"Careful Elder Marcus, threats with no backing behind them don't usually end well,' Alex spat back. He glared at us again before filing out of the room with the others. I turned to Alex and stared at him wide-eyed.

"Holy sh*t, did that really just happen?"

"You were fu*king amazing!" he said, picking me up and hugging me hard.

"I've never been so scared in my entire life," I told him, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

"I'm so sorry, I was not expecting them to turn that around on us like that," he apologized. "But the speech you gave was incredible, you're incredible." We stayed in each other's arms not saying anything, until the door opened and in walked Elijah and Hannah. "You guys didn't come out and we got worried. What happened?" Hannah asked.

"The elders tried to break us up."

"They what?!" they both said together.

"It seemed Marcus and Charles were not particularly happy with our mating, and they made that known."

"Well, what the he** were they planning to do?"

"They wanted to order us to mate and mark other people," I told them.

"What made them change their minds?" Elijah asked.

"Julia did, she gave an amazing speech and four of them voted in our favor. I don't think all the elders cared about us mating, but a few did, and I was really worried for a second."

"I just told the truth," I said.

"It must have been one he** of a truth to convince the elders. They usually make up their minds about what they plan to do before they even hear the evidence," Elijah added. "Really?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's very rare for them to change their minds right in the middle of a meeting," Hannah told me.

"I think you're more powerful than you know," Sofia said.

"Does this mean it's all over? Everything with Logan and mom? Are we finally done worrying?" Hannah asked.

"For now, I think we are. It seems like Marcus is still looking for a way to stop our relationship, but I'm not that worried about the anger of one elder," Alex said.

"I can't believe it's over," I told them. "After all these years, I'm finally free and able to live a normal happy life." Everyone smiled at me, and Alex put his arm around my shoulder. "We should go out and celebrate tonight!" Hannah said excitedly.

"Julia's only 18, she can't drink yet," Alex reminded her.

"There's plenty of places in the city where you can get in at 18. Come on, it'll be fun." She looked at me enthusiastically.

"Sure, why not?"

"Yes! Is she not the best sister ever?" Hannah asked, looking at Elijah.

"What should we do until then?" I asked.

"I can think of a couple things," Alex purred in my head.

"I think we'll have some time for that, Alpha," I replied. We all walked from the conference room laughing and talking, finally able to breathe freely for the first time in a long time.