Chapter 19

Once the steam started to rise and fill up space in the bathroom, I knew the water was warm enough to get in. Feeling the hot water massage my muscles after my run this morning felt amazing. Showers were always just as therapeutic as running, at least for me. A three-mile run followed by about an hour in the shower, one of the cheapest therapy sessions you'll ever have. This was the first time in a long time I didn't get into the shower and automatically disassociate and/or cry.

I only spent about thirty minutes in the shower before I got out and got dressed. I made my way downstairs, and I already smelled it, heaven, food. At that moment, my stomach growled loudly. Damn, I didn't realize I was this hungry.

"Hey, I see you two are almost done with lunch. What is it? It smells delicious." I took a deep breath in, inhaling a savory aroma. My mouth is watering. Emma looks back at me and has a huge smile on her face.

"Your mom here is teaching me how to make Fricasé de Pollo." I smiled.

"Delicious. Do you both need any help?" Emma and I didn't stop staring at each other until my mom cleared her voice and gave us both pointed looks.

"Lala set the table. Emma and I are almost done with the food." I nodded my head.

"Yes, I will." I immediately turned to start setting the table when the doorbell rang.

"I got it." I hollered out while I went to the door. As soon as I opened the door, I was engulfed in arms. I would have freaked out, but there was no use; I knew exactly whose arms I was being held by.

"Hey, Mila! It's so good to see you again. I've missed you so much." I smiled at this and hugged them back.

"I missed you too, Juju." I could only muffle out my words since he had me squished against him. I think he got the hint to loosen up his grip after that. He pulled back, and we just smiled at each other.

"How are you here already? Come on in; my mom and my girlfriend are making your favorite." He looked at me with wide-eyes.

"Girlfriend?" I chuckled at this.

"Yeah, I'll catch you up over lunch." He nodded. I just had him leave his stuff by the stairwell and led him to the kitchen.

"Hey Mami, look who decided to join us?" My mom and Emma spun around at the same time. My mom was super excited and rushing towards Julian, but her excitement didn't keep me from noticing the weird exchange of looks between Julian and Emma. That was weird. Julian immediately snapped out of it, though, once my mom had him in a bear hug. Emma looked at me with an unreadable expression.

"Emma, is everything okay?" She looked at me blankly then started staring towards Julian again. I snapped my fingers in front of her face, getting her attention.

"Emma." She looked back at me, seeming to be more present this time.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, everything is fine. We'll talk about everything later." Soon we were all at the dining room table eating.

"Julian, it's a great surprise to see you out here, but what about school?" My mom asked in between her bites.

"I'm actually starting school with everyone, not this coming Monday, but next. I've gotta help, my uncle, out at his place first." My mom had the biggest smile.

"Well, I'm glad you're out here, now Mila has a friend." I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

"Mami! I have other friends. I have Chloe, and I just made a new friend today. Her name is Lina." Emma looked at me weird but then went back to making weird eye contact with Julian. Once done, Emma looked at both Julian and me, keeping her intense stare on Julian. What is going on?

"We all need to go upstairs and talk now." She didn't even look at me. She didn't even break eye contact with Julian till he nodded his head. At that point, Julian looked at me briefly, but his eyes showed… He looked,scared? Once up in the room, Julian spoke first.

"You're a vampire. Why are you around, Mila? You better not hurt her." He squared up towards Emma and straightened his back up to tower over her. I immediately went in and got between. How the hell did he know?

"Both of you stop it. How did you know she's a vampire?" Emma scoffs at this.

"Because your best friend here is a werewolf." My jaw dropped. I immediately looked at him.

"Is this true?" I questioned him. I sounded hurt because I am. I'm his best friend, why wouldn't he tell me?

"Yeah, I am. Are you upset that I am?" I feel like shit. Was I not a good enough best friend to where he thought he couldn't tell me?

"I'm not upset or feel any type of way about you being a werewolf. I'm upset that you didn't tell me. Did I not provide a safe enough space, as your best friend, for you to trust me?" He immediately shook his head, frantically.

"No, no. That's not it at all. I knew I could always trust you; I just wasn't allowed to tell humans. It's a law that you can't tell humans unless they're your mate for my pack. I tried to get around it with my parents since we have a familiar/guardian bond, but they didn't have it." Huh? Before I could ask what the hell that meant, Emma, cut in.

"You're her guardian? That type of bond is very rare." He nodded his head.

"I know. I think it got triggered because she was being abused." Before their conversation went any further, I needed answers.

"So, can someone explain this bond to me?" They both looked at me, then each other.

"It basically means that I'm meant to protect you with my life. It's almost as powerful as a mating bond. They're very rare, though; like we were saying though, usually you just see them being mates bonds. That's why I think your abuse triggered it. I believe the moon goddess saw that I was the best fit, which I'm honored. There's no one else I'd rather be a guardian to." I hummed at this.

"So, there are two different bonds that exist, not just one?" They both nodded. I'm going to start having to make note cards to keep up with all this supernatural shit.

"Got it. Have you met your mate yet?" He shook his head no.

"Not yet, like most supernatural creatures, it can take a very long time to meet your mate, and for some, you may never meet them." I frowned at this. I couldn't imagine never meeting Emma.

"That would suck. I can't imagine being without Emma." She smiled at me, and Julian looked between us.

"Had a feeling you both were mates, but now it's confirmed." Emma looked at Julian.

"I hope you get to experience having a mate; it's a beautiful thing. I take it your uncle is the alpha of the La Jolla pack out here, and this week you'll have to go through initiation and trials to see where you place within the pack." He hummed.

"You are correct. I'm hoping to obtain a beta position, but we'll see how the trials go. My uncle doesn't believe in nepotism, which I'm grateful for; I'd rather prove myself to the pack." So many questions, but I'm sure I'll understand and know everything over time.

"Well, I have to go to my uncles now. What are you all doing this weekend? I'd like you to come to my initiation into the pack; I receive my rank during it too." He smiled excitedly at this.

"Sure, but what day because we have a dinner at the Dlevaux's to go to." I looked at her weird. I didn't know we had something scheduled at Chloe's this weekend. She looked at me, apologetically. I just waved her off; she must have forgotten.

"It's Saturday night. That's when the next full moon is." Emma nodded her head.

"Yes, we can make it. Do you mind if our friend Chloe comes? She's been wanting to see an initiation her whole life." Emma chuckled, and so did Julian.

"Of course she can. Okay, I've got to go. I'll see you all Saturday. Love you, Mila, and good meeting you, Emma." He hugged me and shook Emma's hand. Once Julian said goodbye to my mom, he made his way out the door. Emma spun around to look at me.

"Well, I did not see that coming. I'm happy to know I'm not the only one who will personally see to your safety. I like him." I smiled at this and jumped into her arms. I'm so happy she likes him.