The Hybrid’s Second Chance
Chapter 81

Alexander's

POV

decided to mind link Elijah.

Julia was sound asleep, snoring softly beside me from the potion Cornelia had made for her. I didn't want to leave her again, but I had things I needed to talk to people about that I didn't think she could handle right now. Unable to pull myself away from her, I just "Elijah, are you and Hannah asleep?"

"No, there's no sleep happening for us. How's Julia?"

"She's sleeping right now. I gave her the potion Cornelia made and she passed right out. I think she said it would keep her from dreaming, just in case."

"That's kind of cool she's able to do something like that. I'm really happy she's a member of the pack now."

"Me too, I think she's fitting in nicely. She was very helpful with making balms and potions to help the injured," I told him.

"Very....." We both fell silent, knowing what we needed to talk about, but neither of us wanted to initiate the conversation. "So, I guess we need to talk about Sandra," he said hesitantly.

"Yeah, we do. Tomorrow's the full moon, so we need to have her funeral. Otherwise, we'll have to wait until next month."

"That gives us less than twenty-four hours. Are we going to have enough time?"

"We'll have to. And everyone that will be coming is already here. We won't have to invite anyone from outside the pack." "Okay, Hannah and I will try to get a few hours of sleep, and then get started on everything first thing in the morning." "Alright, thank you. I'll join you in the morning if I can."

"No, that's okay. You spend the day with Julia. Hannah and I have this covered."

"Are you sure?" I asked, not wanting them to have to burden themselves with all the preparations.

"Absolutely, we know what to do."

"Thank you, that means a lot."

"Don't mention it. You just worry about Julia and let us worry about everything else." I settled in next to Julia, and, like Hannah and Elijah, tried to get at least a few hours of sleep.

When I woke up in the morning, I expected to find Julia still in bed sleeping, but that wasn't the case. Opening my eyes, I saw that her side of the bed was empty.

"Julia!" I called, sitting up. There was no answer, so I decided to get up and look for her. She wasn't anywhere upstairs, and I could only smell her scent faintly, like she had been here, but not for a couple of hours. "Julia, are you alright? Where are you?"

"I'm fine," lan and I sighed in relief at hearing her sad voice. "I'm just in the hospital with Marvin and Beth. You were still sleeping when I woke up and I know you were up late, so I didn't want to wake you."

"Just give me ten minutes and I'll be right there."

"Take your time, we're faring okay over here."

"I love you," I told her.

"I love you too." Climbing out of bed, I jumped in the shower quickly before throwing on some random clothes and making my way to the hospital. I didn't stop to eat or drink anything as my thoughts were only on Julia and having her in my arms. When I got to Marvin's room, I saw him sitting up in bed. Beth was sitting in a chair on his right side, while Julia was curled up in a chair on his left. She turned around and smiled wearily at me when she saw me. I walked up behind her, placing a kiss on the top of her head, and a hand on her shoulder. She didn't say anything, but I felt her physically relax under my touch.

"Mate...." lan whined.

"I know, she's gonna be okay," I told him.

"How are you feeling today, Marvin?" I asked.

"Better physically, not so good emotionally. Dr. Williams said I can be discharged later today."

"I'm sorry for everything you're going through, but that's good news at least," I said.

"Thank you," he replied, looking at Julia.

"I know this probably isn't what anyone wants to talk about, but we're planning to hold Sandra's funeral tonight. It's the full moon, and if we don't do it tonight, we'll have to wait until next month."

"No, that's a good idea," Marvin said.

"Elijah and Hannah are taking care of all the preparations," I let them know. "I'm confident they'll get everything done very quickly."

"I'm just gonna go outside for some air," Julia said, getting to her feet.

"I'll come with you," I told her.

"No, that's okay. I just need a minute." lan whined again at the thought of her not wanting to be near us. We watched her walk away with an empty feeling.

"She just needs some time," Marvin said, probably noticing my change in mood. "This is gonna be a very trying time for your bond."

"How do I help her?" I asked.

"Just be there for her when she needs you," Beth said softly. "And give her space when she asks. It might be hard, but it'll make your bond stronger in the end." lan didn't particularly like Beth's answer, but she knew better than we did. "I'm gonna go talk to Dr. Williams," I told them. Walking to his office, I found him busy on his computer.

"Alpha," he said, hearing me approach. "What can I do for you? How's Luna Julianna?"

"She's okay," I said. "I wanted to talk to you about the funeral for Sandra."

"Ah, yes. Beta Elijah mind linked me, letting me know that it was to be held tonight. I'll have everything prepared by then. Cornelia has already dropped off some clothing for Sandra, and I've been working all morning on things." "Thank you, we both appreciate that."

"Alpha, it's my pleasure. If I can help ease the stress of all this for both of you, I'm more than happy to help in whatever way I can."

"Thank you," I told him again. "I'll let you know about a time after I talk to Elijah."

"Sounds good, I'll be ready when you are." I shook his hand before exiting his office. I know Beth and Marvin had told me to give Julia space if she required it, but lan wouldn't stop whining for his mate, and it was giving me a headache. Deciding it was best to go see if she needed anything, I walked outside of the hospital but didn't see her anywhere. Her scent was still lingering in the air, so I followed it in the direction of the woods. Her scent led me to the lake where the fighting had started. The grass in the area was still blood stained in spots. The first thing I noticed was a pile of clothes on the bank of the lake. Getting closer, I saw Julia standing towards the middle of the lake looking out into the woods. The water was up past her chest, but I could tell she was still standing. "Julia, sweetheart!" I called, but she didn't turn around or acknowledge me. Stripping down to just my boxers, I began wading towards her. When I came up next to her, I noticed the blank stare on her face. "Are you alright?" I asked, as lan paced with concern. "I don't know," she replied in a monotone voice. "I'm here for you for whatever you need."

"I don't know what I need," she said, finally turning to look at me. "I don't know how I feel, I don't know what to do, I don't know." Tears began to fall from her eyes as she struggled to get the last of the words out. My heart broke for her, and not just because I could feel her sadness and anger through our bond, but because I knew what she was going through and how hard it was. I captured her in my arms and held her close, wanting nothing more than to be able to absorb her pain and bear it for her. Julia wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling her head out of the crock of my neck and crushed her lips into mine eagerly. Not really knowing what direction she was taking this in, I followed her lead. I told her I would be there for her whatever she needed, so if this was what she needed, I wasn't going to stop her.

She had stripped down to just her bra and underwear, and she reached around behind her to unhook her bra. The water aided in my ability to let go of her with both hands and take the straps down her shoulders. I threw her bra behind me, hoping it landed somewhere on the bank with the rest of her clothes. She moaned as I ran my hand down her chest and cupped one of her breasts in my hand. I wanted to go slowly and savor this moment, hoping to help her forget what was happening just for a second, but Julia had other ideas.

She grabbed a fist full of my hair and with strength you wouldn't realize was possible from her small frame, she yanked my head back. Before I had time to react, she bit down hard on my mark spot, making me grunt out in pleasure. Releasing her bite, Julia began tugging off my boxers, releasing my already hard di*k for her to play with. I ripped her underwear from her body, making her gasp into our kiss. I'm not sure how long we spent in the lake, but I would give her as much time as she needed. Because the full moon was today, at one point, lan force shifted and demanded Julia let Sofia out. Knowing she was grieving just as much as Julia, she agreed, and they were able to spend some time together.

We were now back in our apartment, with Julia sleeping on the couch while I made us some lunch. Elijah had let me know almost everything was done for the funeral tonight. They were setting up outside where we would hold it, and the dining hall for the reception after. I wanted everything to be perfect, and I knew Hannah would spare no expense. Marvin would be leaving the hospital soon and moving into the pack house with Beth. He still had to go renounce his title, but we would deal with that on a different day.