Chapter 43

(Julia’s POV)

“Ronan, there’s something I need to tell you,” I said slowly. I hated to tell him this now, when we had just reunited, but he needed to know. Seeing him with our daughter in his arms only strengthened my resolve.

I continued, “I was too scared to say it before, and I know that was wrong, but I think you deserve to know.” I took a deep breath, then said, “Ronan, this is your child. This is our daughter.”

Ronan looked up at me, then back at the baby, a smile on his face. His next words floored me. “I know.” I stared at him in shock. He knew? He knew the baby was his? Had he known the whole time? Did he figure it out? Did Cordelia tell him?

“What?” I finally said. “I mean…what?” Ronan laughed a little, still holding the baby close. “Well, I didn’t know the entire time. I only just recently figured the whole thing out. But…well, I think part of me knew from the very beginning.”

“I was so drawn to you after that night with who I thought was some sort of mystery woman.” He smirked at me, and I blushed at the memory of what we had done that night. “It wasn’t until I reviewed the security footage again, that I realized it was you.”

“Then, I understood why I could hardly stand to be away from you while you were pregnant.” He ran a finger over our child’s soft cheek and smiled. “I was feeling her. Our blood connection, I mean. And then everything just sort of made sense from there.”

I rushed to his side, hugging him carefully so as not to disturb our child. “Oh, Ronan. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you before, but I was scared of how you would react. You were so intent on finding the woman from that night, and I…well, I guess I thought you’d be disappointed if you found out it was me.”

“Disappointed?” Ronan frowned. “How could I be disappointed? You’re the smartest, strongest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. You’ve become my best friend, and my closest confidante.”

“And I meant what I said,” he continued. “I will protect you and our daughter, no matter what it takes. Please, please return with me and let me keep our family safe.” I shook my head. “But Cordelia’s premonition—”

Ronan scoffed. “You actually believe that crap?” I frowned and said, “Yes, I do, actually. Why would Cordelia lie to me?” Ronan replied, “It’s not that I think she’s lying. I just think her premonition might not actually come true.”

I shook my head. “I can’t take that chance. Not now that we have this child. Don’t you see? I have to do what’s best for her, even if that means breaking my own heart in the process.” My eyes filled with tears. “Please, Ronan, I need you to understand.”

He nodded slowly, looking sad. “I do understand, Julia. I don’t like it, but I understand.” He put the baby down in the crib carefully, then turned to face me. “I’ll go. I’ll leave you both alone, even though it will kill me to do it.”

“But there’s something I need to tell you before I do so.” Ronan took a deep breath, then said, “I love you. I know that doesn’t matter much now, but I wanted you to know. I love you, and I have for a long time.”

I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My heart was beating so loud, I was surprised Ronan couldn’t hear it, too. Ronan loved me? Ronan, the strong, ferocious Alpha of our pack? Ronan, who never showed affection for anything or anyone?

Ronan watched me process his words, then took a few steps towards me. He gently placed his hands on the sides of my face. “I love you, Julia,” he said again. “I will never stop loving you, no matter where you go.”

Then, Ronan kissed me, and all thoughts flew out of my head. His mouth fit against mine as perfectly as I remembered, and I melted into his warm touch. Even though we were saying goodbye, I forgot all of that and just concentrated on Ronan.

Ronan’s warmth seemed to intensify and once we broke apart, I opened my eyes. I was so in love, I could swear, Ronan looked like he was glowing. I frowned. Wait a minute… I looked around to see what a glowing light was surrounding us both.

I heard a gasp and turned to see Cordelia standing in the doorway. Her hands were over her mouth in shock. “Oh, my God,” she said slowly. “I didn’t…I never thought about the possibilities…I never…”

“What?” I pulled away from Ronan and went to my aunt. “What is it, Cordelia?” She stared at me, tears shining in her eyes. “Oh, Julia, I was wrong. I was so wrong. I thought…my premonition was always just that — the pair of you, surrounded by light.”

My eyes widened in horror. “You mean your vision came true? The danger is coming?” I looked at Ronan. “What have we done?” Cordelia put her hands on my arms, turning me back towards her.

“No, no,” she said quickly. “I was wrong. I was wrong, Julia. My vision was always the same, and I just assumed that the light I saw around the pair of you was dark magic. When wolves and witches mate, there’s always that risk.”

She continued, “So much misfortune had befallen your parents because of their union, and I had been concentrating on seeing any unluckiness in your future. When the premonition came, I just thought it was dark, black magic.”

“But now,” Cordelia smiled at me. “Now, I see it all clearly. I understand my premonition and I know I was wrong. It wasn’t dark magic surrounding you, but light magic.” I stared at her, trying to understand.

Cordelia held both my hands in hers. “You and Ronan are stronger together. His Alpha power is awakening the magic in you, the magic you were born with, the magic your mother passed on to you.”

I looked at my hands, as if I could see the magic crackling around my fingertips. I didn’t look any different, but I could feel something changing inside of me. It was like an electric shock, with warmth spreading over my body.

I felt Ronan’s hands on my shoulders and looked back to meet his eyes. He smiled at me. “I always knew there was something special about you, Julia.” I smiled back and rolled my eyes, leaning into his touch.

“You two have power that will only grow as you spend more time together,” Cordelia explained, smiling at us both. “But I must warn you, the danger has not passed. There’s still a rough road ahead for you two.”

I nodded. “Just like my parents.” Cordelia said, “Yes, just like your parents. There are still many who don’t accept unions between witches and werewolves. There are still threats you’ll face together.”

Ronan pulled me closer to him, a determined look on his face. “Well, then that’s what we’ll do. We’ll face them together.” He turned to look into my eyes. “I promised you I would keep you safe, Julia, and that’s what I’ll do. Forever.” I nodded, a smile on my face. “Forever,” I repeated.