The Hybrid’s Second Chance
Chapter 69

Julianna's

POV

Two days had passed since I had first worked with Cornelia on my powers. Every day since, her and I have been working intensely to bring out as much as we could. I could now levitate objects easily for a few minutes, and I was working on moving things from one place to the other. It took a lot of focus and concentration, sometimes I was interrupted by Sofia or someone mind linking me, which was frustrating. Cornelia made it look so easy, she just waved her hand and made things happen.

Cornelia and I went outside behind the pack house where she had set up a couple of tables spaced out, with a book on each table. I was attempting to move all the books onto one table in a neat stack. Two of the books were on the table, not very neatly, but they were there. I had the third one suspended in the air and was trying to compel it forward. The book wobbled and fell to the ground opening to a random page.

"This is impossible," I huffed, angry that I wasn't able to do what seemed like such a simple task.

"It's not. You're doing a great job, Julia."

"I was able to move the other two, why can't I get the last one over there!" I threw my hands up in frustration.

"Why don't we take a break?" Cornelia asked. I plopped down on the soft grass, pulling my knees to my chest. Cornelia came and sat beside me. "You know you're doing a fantastic job. Don't give up yet."

"I just hoped it would come more natural to me," I admitted. Cornelia placed her hand on my shoulder.

"It is coming naturally to you. There were many people in the coven that couldn't manifest active powers and could only do spells and potions."

"That should make you feel better," Sofia said. She might have been trying to make me feel better, but I still had this nagging feeling like I should be able to do more by now.

"I know this can be frustrating. I used to teach the young witches of my coven and some of them would have a really hard time with what they were asked to do. It comes to everyone in their own time." I rested my head on my knees and looked sideways at her, not saying anything. "I have an idea," Cornelia said with enthusiasm. "Why don't I take you to meet your sister's and Joshua's mate? I said I'd bring you back in a few days and it's been a few days." Sofia raised her eyebrows.

"I don't think that's a bad idea. It's about time we met them!"

"Yeah, I could use a distraction to help clear my head. Plus, I'd love to meet them." Cornelia smiled at me as she got to her feet. She reached both hands out to me in a welcoming way. I took her hands and let her pull me to my feet. "Okay, ready?" she asked.

"Let me just tell Alex what's happening."

"Alex, are you busy?"

"Not too busy for you love, what's up?"

"Cornelia and I are gonna take a break from training and go meet my sister's and Joshua's mate."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, that's okay, thank you. We should be back in a couple of hours."

"Okay, feel free to come find me when you get back. I love you!"

"I love you too!"

"Okay, now I'm ready," I said, nodded my head, and waited as she popped us away from the woods and into an area I had never seen before. Cornelia and I were standing outside a large cottage that looked to be positioned deep in the forest. "Where are we?" I asked, looking around.

"This is where Joshua, Vanessa, Aubrey, and Leah stay when they want some time away from the pack. Think of it like a vacation house."

"We wouldn't know about that. The only vacation we've had was being drugged up in the hospital," Sofia laughed. "Do they know we're coming?"

"I went to Joshua this morning and told him there was a possibility we would be coming today. He said they'd be ready for whenever we were able to show up, that's why they came here." Cornelia knocked on the door twice. After a second, Joshua opened it with a large smile on his face.

"Julia, Cornelia, you made it!"

"We needed a break from practicing magic," Cornelia told him.

"It's nice to see you again," I told him.

"It's nice to see you too. Please, come in," he said, stepping aside and letting us over the threshold. The cottage was spacious but also cozy at the same time. It had a rustic cabin in the woods type of vibe, with exposed beams in the vaulted ceiling, and a stone fireplace situated in front of a large leather couch. The kitchen had mid-color wooden cabinets that matched the granite countertops. A large island stood in the middle, with ornately carved wooden stools, enough for eight people. "This is beautiful," I told him. "Thanks, it's been in the pack since my great grandfather took over. He built it as a little get away spot when work became too much."

"Where are Vanessa and the girls?" Cornelia asked.

"They're on a walk, they wanted to give us a little space to start. I'll call them back if you're ready?" He asked. I looked at Cornelia, who was just looking at me. "That's up to you," she told me.

"Yeah, you can call them back. I think I'm ready to meet them," I told Joshua. He got a faraway look as he mind linked with his mate. Blinking, he brought himself back to us. "They should be here in a couple of minutes. Do you guys want something to eat or drink?" "I'd love some water," I said.

"Same for me," Cornelia added. Joshua headed into the kitchen and filled two glasses from the pitcher inside the fridge.

"You're welcome to sit down," Joshua gestured towards the island. I took a seat on one of the stools, while Cornelia stood behind me, and Joshua stood awkwardly on the other side of the island. We all stood and sat in stressful silence for a minute or two. "So, Julia, Cornelia said you were working on your magic?"

"Yeah, I am. I was never able to use my magic in October Moon because the Alpha forbade it, so they went dormant. We've been working to bring them back to the surface." "How's that going?"

"Not bad, it's more difficult than I thought, but I've been able to move things around some."

"That's great to hear. Did Cornelia tell you about your powers when you were little?"

"She did."

"I always found it funny when you would conjure things if we didn't give them to you fast enough." He and Cornelia exchanged a sorrowful sort of knowing look.

"So, he was with us when we were little?"

"It sounds like he was, at least for a little while."

"Why don't you ask him about it?"

"I don't know, I don't wanna make him feel bad or uncomfortable..."

"Who cares? He's here and he owes us some answers." Sighing internally, I knew Sofia was right. The only way I was going to learn about my early childhood was by asking them about it.

"So, you were with me when I was younger?"

"As much as I could be. Cornelia would sneak me in, but I wasn't able to stay for very long. Or she would bring you to me." He wasn't able to say anything else, because the front door opened and three people walked in. The first were two young girls, one with light brown hair and brown eyes, the other with dirty blonde hair and the same amber eyes that Joshua and I had. Both sets of eyes fell on me. The one girl smiled while the other one looked slightly unsure of what to make of the situation. An older woman came in behind them. She had short brown hair that was slightly curly. Her eyes were a deep chocolate brown, with a kind nature to them. Joshua walked around the island to meet them in the living room.

"Vanessa, Aubrey, Leah, this is your half-sister Julianna and her birth mother Cornelia."

"It's nice to meet you," Vanessa said as she approached me. I got off my stool, expecting to simply shake her hand, but she pulled me into a tight embrace. When she pulled back, she turned to her daughters. "This is Aubrey," she said, indicating the smaller of the two girls with amber eyes. "And this is Leah." Leah smiled at me, and her eyes crinkled slightly at the edges.

"Dad says that you're our sister," Leah said, half questioning and half matter-of-factly.

"I am, and it's so nice to meet you all," I told her.

"How old are you?" Aubrey asked timidly.

"I'm eighteen. How old are you?"

"She's eleven and I'm thirteen," Leah answered for her. Leah's eyes fell on the mate mark I had on my neck. "You have a mate?" she asked excitedly. I placed my hand on my mark and smiled at her.

"I do. His name's Alexander. He's the Alpha of the Crystal Sky pack."

"You're mated to an Alpha?" Leah asked, flabbergasted.

"I am."

"He's not just an Alpha," Joshua told her. "He's also the Lycan King."

"Oh, my Goddess, you're so lucky!" Leah got a dreamy look on her face, like she was imagining herself mated to a king.

"How come we only just found out about you?" Aubrey asked.

"Aubrey Mitchell," Vanessa scolded. "I told you not to ask any impolite questions." Aubrey looked at her mom, and then at Joshua's stern-looking face.

"Sorry..." she mumbled.

"Why don't I make us all some lunch and we can sit down and talk about things?" Joshua suggested. For the next couple of hours, we all sat around the dining room table eating and talking about the last fifteen years. Joshua thought it was important we told Aubrey and Leah the truth about everything in an age-appropriate way. They had a lot of questions about Cornelia being his former mate, and I hoped by the end they understood. Once we were finished with everything, we all exchanged hugs and goodbyes. "Will you come back soon?" Leah asked.

"I'll try my best," I told her.

"I think she likes the idea of having an older sister," Sofia said.

"You're welcome here anytime," Vanessa said as she hugged me.

"Thank you and thank you for being so welcoming." I stepped back and took Cornelia's hand. We were gone in the blink of an eye and back behind the pack house. I was happy everyone was so welcoming to me and Cornelia. It seemed like maybe we could start to build the relationship of a real family. My thoughts were interrupted by my mother's panicked voice in my head.

"Julia, you have to come now! Someone's poisoned Marvin!"