The Hybrid’s Second Chance
Chapter 85

Julianna's

POV

Two months later

Sitting on the 'throne' that we would be using for my coronation later today, I looked out at all the omegas busy setting tables, moving chairs, placing centerpieces, and sweeping the floor and thought about how it was all possible? How had I been living a completely different life less than three months ago? Fearing to walk around corners in case Logan found me, unable to go to so much as one pack function. Now here I sit, about to be officially crowned the Crystal Sky Luna and Queen. If someone told me this was going to be my life six months ago, I would have called them crazy. Then I thought about how different my life was for the worse. My mom was not gonna be here today to watch this, something I had never imagined. When I pictured this day, I always pictured her beside me every step of the way.

"Luna Julianna," an omega named Hilary came up to me. "Princess Hannah sent me to find you, she said it's time to get ready."

"Thanks Hilary and thank you all for all your hard work for today. Everything looks amazing."

"You're very welcome, Luna." She smiled and went to join the others, continuing with their work. I got up and started heading towards the Beta floor. Hannah planned to help me get ready in her room. Usually, the former Luna helped the current Luna plan and prepare for their ceremony, but seeing as we banished Margaret, Hannah offered to help me along with Cornelia. Entering Hannah's room, she was sitting at her vanity in a silk robe, gold eye patches graced her face, and her hair was pinning up while her curls set. "There you are!" she huffed, getting to her feet and sweeping towards me. "You realize we only have four hours until your ceremony, right?"

"You really think we need that much time to get ready?"

"Are you kidding?! We might end up being late. Where even were you?" she whined, slamming me down in a chair.

"Ow! Gently!" Sofia yelled.

"I was in the ballroom. Where's Cornelia?" I asked as Hannah began spraying my hair with some product.

"She went to grab your dress; she should be back any second." As if on cue, Cornelia walked through the door holding a garment bag above her head.

"Oh good, you found her," Cornelia commented.

"It took a while," Hannah huffed.

"I wasn't that far away," I told her, annoyed.

"Never mind that now," Cornelia said, coming to stand beside Hannah. "You're here now and that's all that matters."

"How's Vincent?" I asked.

"He's good. He's getting ready with Alex, Elijah, and Marvin. Your father is very excited about being here today too."

"I'm really happy they were able to make it."

"Of course, he would never miss you being crowned Luna and queen."

"Cornelia, will you hand me the curling iron, please?" Hannah asked.

"Sure," she replied. Hannah began making perfect ringlets that she pinned up to cool and set just like she had. While the curls were setting, she set to work painting my nails a beautiful blue color to match my dress. Cornelia was now doing her own makeup before assisting Hannah with mine.

"I'm gonna run to the bathroom really quick," I said to Hannah.

"Just be careful, you're still tacky!" she yelled after me. Sofia and I both rolled our eyes at the same time. The bathroom in Hannah and Elijah's room was larger than their bedroom, and I could get lost in their closet. It matched her personality very well, and the fact that her clothes took up three quarters of the closet, while Elijah got maybe a quarter, made me laugh. I was trying very carefully to wash my hands, so I didn't smudge the polish, but when I looked up and into the mirror, what I saw stopped my heart. I was staring into the beautiful, precious face of my mom. She looked so much younger than the last time I saw her, the gray hair and wrinkles gone from her face. Her pale skin was pink again, as she smiled at me. The dress she was wearing was a light gold, long sleeve that fell gracefully to the floor. Sofia was gob smacked, staring in disbelief with her mouth fully open.

"Mom...."

"Hello sweetheart," she said.

"Tell me, when I turn around you'll still be there." I was scared if I took my eyes off her for a second, she might disappear. Flipping around quickly, she was laughing at me lightly, while shaking her head.

"I, I don't understand," I told her, tears falling from my eyes now.

"Well," she said, walking towards me. "The Moon Goddess thought you would never forgive her if I didn't get to see you on this special day. It's good Hannah hasn't done your make-up yet." She reached for my face, and gently wiped a tear from my cheek. Closing my eyes, I leaned my face into her touch. "She'd kill you for crying and ruining her masterpiece." Reaching out, we captured each other in a tight embrace.

"Are you gonna stay?" I asked, not letting go of her.

"I wish I could. I'm only here to say hello and tell you that I love you."

"I love you too, so much. I'm so sorry I couldn't save you." We broke apart and she gave me the stern look I had grown so accustomed to.

"Listen to me, this wasn't your fault. You have to stop blaming yourself, you and Sofia both. It was just my time. I'm with your dad now and we'll be watching and cheering you on every step of the way. I don't want you to be sad anymore, you were given a second chance at life and you helped save Marvin. We're so proud of you and you should be too."

"I just miss you so much," I admitted.

"Oh honey, I know, but I'll never be that far away. Always remember that; it helped me get through the loss of your father. That and raising you. You have a family here that needs you, and a pack that adores you. Hold on to those things when you feel like all the light has been sucked from this earth."

"Julia, what the he** are you doing in there?" Hannah's impatient voice came ringing from the other side of the door.

"They're waiting for you," my mom told me with a smile before she hugged me again.

"I love you, mom."

"I love you, Julia. I always have, and I always will." My mom pulled away from me and took a couple steps back. Slowly, she began to fade away, becoming more and more transparent. "Take good care of my grandpups," she said with a wink. "I'm not pregnant," I told her.

"Not yet," she laughed before vanishing completely.

"Umm, does she know something we don't?"

"Maybe," I laughed.

"Julianna Parker! Get your a** out here now! Do you wanna be late for your own ceremony!!" Hannah yelled.

"I'm coming!" Checking the mirror, I wiped the remaining tears from my eyes and smiled, looking up at the ceiling. "Thanks mom." When I opened the bathroom door, I found a very annoyed and flustered looking Hannah and a slightly terrified Cornelia. "What the he** were you doing in there?" she asked.

"Talking to my mom," I told her as I walked past and took a seat at the vanity. Both her and Cornelia now had confused expressions on their faces. Hannah kept opening her mouth, like she wanted to say something, and then closing it again. "Wait, you mean just talking to her like we talk to the Moon Goddess?' Cornelia questioned.

"No, I mean she was there in front of me. The Moon Goddess sent her down to me so I could see her before my ceremony."

"Holy sh*t," Hannah said. "Are you serious?"

"Very. I couldn't believe it either. If I hadn't been able to touch her, I might just have thought she was a hallucination."

"That's an amazing gift from her," Cornelia told me.

"Okay, this is fantastic and all, but can we talk about it after we have you all ready? We only have two hours and I still have to finish your hair and do your makeup," Hannah declared.

"Alright," I told her with an eye roll. The next two hours went by very quickly as we talked more about my mom and Hannah got me ready. She must have been on a mission to use as many products as possible. Standing in front of her full length, I didn't even recognize myself. She had pinned my hair into an elegant half updo, with beach waves hanging down and a silver hair piece that had been given to her by her grandmother. The dress I had designed had been made beautifully. It was a light blue with silver detail, sleeveless since it was so hot here, even at night. It flowed to the ground and had a small train, which was Hannah's addition. The fabric was silky and soft, it felt like I wasn't wearing anything at all.

"Alex isn't going to be able to take his eyes off you," Hannah said from behind me. There was a knock on the door, and Elijah stuck his head in.

"Hello ladies, everyone ready in here?"

"Yes, we are," Hannah sang. She was wearing a silver dress made from silk that clung to her body perfectly. Elijah was wearing a charcoal gray suit and silver tie to match.

"You look wonderful Julia," he told me, coming to stand by Hannah.

"You know, I'm here too!" she joked.

"And you look good enough to eat," he said, kissing her on the cheek. "Everyone's ready for you."

"Let's go," Hannah declared, beaming at me. I followed them out the door of their apartment and into the quiet of the pack house.

"Holy sh*t, we're about to be crowned queen and Luna of this pack!" Sofia squealed with delight.