Julian

We are all having a relaxing day watching a movie until I suddenly get a disturbing mindlink from Henry, one of our trackers.

"Beta Le Tourneau - Gamma Cavalier - there is a lone wolf on our borders, although he doesn't smell like a rogue." Henry informs us.

Romain, Brazil, Tyson and I scramble out of the front room to the border, all of us a bit tense as we catch sight of our trespasser.

"Who are you?" I demand, narrowing my eyes at the power I feel coming off of him.

"Isaiah Newport, future Alpha of the Crimson Edge Pack." He informs us.

Red, heads up. Isaiah Newport is on our territory. I inform Scarlett.

Why is he here?She responds, sounding less than pleased.

"Why are you here?" I half growl, knowing good and well exactly why he's here. But he doesn't need to know that.

"I'm here to see Eva!" He exclaims tersely, and I have to bite my tongue to keep from escalating this further.

Red, he wants to see Eva. Since I know damn well she didn't invite him here, see what she wants to do.

Keep your emotions under control Jules, we don't need a reason to push up the attack.

I know. I grumble back.

"Did she invite you here? Because I know we sure didn't" I reply stiffly, trying to keep a lid on me and my wolfs temper.

"She is my mate, I have a right to see her." He barks out, and this causes Tyson, Brazil and the other warriors to move forward - Tyson flanking the other side of me while Brazil flanks Romain.

"You rejected her. She is no longer your mate - you have no rights here." I inform him as politely as I can, he is really testing my patience, and I'm generally not easy to anger.

"I want to talk with your Alpha!" He demands, sounding like a child throwing a tantrum. My jaw flexes as I grit my teeth, they could bite through steel at this point.

"I will see if Alpha Scarlett wants to talk with you, but since you are talking with the Beta and the Gamma - I doubt she will tell you any different." I answer.

Red, he wants to talk with you.

I have no interest in talking to him, or inviting him further into my territory, and Eva doesn't want anything to do with Isaiah. So tell him he's trespassing and to leave the territory, but make him think that Eva isn't here - I do not want to deal with him coming back again. She replies swiftly.

Understood.

"The Alpha has made it clear you're trespassing, and to leave immediately. Furthermore, it is up to Evangeline to notify people of her whereabouts, and since she didn't come to meet you herself, I have to assume that she either doesn't know you are here, or that you were coming here. If you have no other business with the Blackrose Swamp Pack, I suggest you leave the territory right now." I convey Scarlett's message using as much authority as my Beta voice would allow, but he doesn't seem too fazed by it.

"I want to see Eva!" He demands.

"Like I said, she obviously isn't right here, so you can't see her - if she's even on the territory at all."

"You'll regret not letting me see her." He growls, and I clench my hands into fists to keep them from shaking.

"I doubt that." Romain and I mutter in unison, it's one thing we both agree on at the moment...or at all. It seems that both Romain and I fell in love with Eva, and we are both willing to protect her. For that I am thankful...even if it makes me slightly jealous.

Isaiah turns on his heel and stalks off, and I sigh. I'm glad that Eva isn't anywhere around because I really don't feel like fighting today, though I would protect that woman with my life. I love her - this punk didn't love her enough. Hell, I bet Romain loves her more than this guy does - or he's just a coward hiding behind the Alpha title- much like his father.

Bastard. He doesn't deserve Eva, that's for damn sure.

I turn to see everyone with victorious grins on their faces.

"That's Eva's first mate?" Brazil questions.

"Apparently so. Although he seems like a coward for not fighting." Tyson retorts.

"He might be a coward for giving up on having Eva as a mate, but he's not a coward for backing down at the moment. He is a lone wolf with no back up, and he knows that without an invitation he wouldn't get very far." I look back to where he disappeared before continuing, "And as far as he knows, Eva isn't here, and we need to keep it that way."

Everyone nods in agreement, and sigh again as my my tense muscles relax.

"He's gone now, so let's get back to the pack house and finish that movie." I say with a forced smile, still a little ticked off.

Why is that guy trying so hard? Him knowing he made a mistake doesn't change the fact that he hurt her badly, and it certainly doesn't mean she'll take him back...at least, I hope she doesn't...

Just before I reach the pack house, someone grabs me by the arm, and I look up to see Tyson giving me a concerned look.

"What are you thinking about so hard?" He questions.

"A lone wolf on our pack lands isn't so dangerous, but the fact that he is part of Crimson Edge is dangerous." I answer, and he narrows his eyes.

"That isn't what's bothering you." He counters, and I scowl.

"Since you already know what is, why'd you bother asking?" I challenge.

"To see if you'd be honest. I know you love Eva, but I'm guessing by how you guys have been dancing around each other that you are not true mates."

"No." I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "It's that obvious, huh?"

"Not completely, but to anyone that knows you personally- it is. I like Eva, but just be careful."

"I can't stop how I feel, Ty. I've tried so hard to ignore it, ignore her, ignore anything but work - it just isn't helping." I groan, Taka whining inside my head with equal frustration.

"I can't imagine what you're going through, so I won't pretend that I can. Just know that I'm here for you." He murmurs, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks." I reply with a small smile, but it disappears as soon as his back is turned.

What the hell am I gonna do?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eva

When Scarlett let me know Isaiah was on the territory, I was furious. In some ways, I still love Isaiah and probably always will, but outside of that, and despite what he did, I am getting over him rather quickly...I guess Julian is the main reason for that.

We have so much in common, yet have enough differences to make things interesting. I realized not long ago that yes, I am in love with Julian. Damn fate and mates. Why couldn't he be my second chance mate? Why can't we be together? Why is there a pull between us at all if we're not even mates?

I think Julian feels the same way about me...at least, I think he does.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that afternoon, I figure everyone needs some comic relief after Isaiah showed up unannounced. We had been watching a movie and Julian fell asleep. He actually looked really peacefully but I just couldn't let the opportunity pass me by.

"Tyson do we still have ReddiWhip in the fridge?" I question.

"No Eva - don't do it." Tyson almost begs.

"I can't not Tyson - it is too easy."

"This is your last warning Evangeline Gray."

Of course, I didn't heed his warning.

After carefully filling both hands with whipped cream, I use a nearby leaf to tickle his nose. It doesn't take much for him to try and wipe his nose in his sleep.

"What the....Merde! Fils de pute!" He says with fury, looking around until his eyes caught mine.

Recognition hit him and before I could move he used his vampire speed to get off the couch in a flash - chasing after me.

He catches up to me and corners me smearing the remaining whipped cream all over me. I went to push off of him, but I start to fall forward. Goofy me grabs onto Julian's arm and drags him down with me - unfortunately me underneath him.

As embarrassed as I would have preferred to be - I'm not. It doesn't look like he is either. It seems like eternity both of us lying there staring at each other like we want something but can't move forward. I can't help but blush when I feel something stiffening and looked up to see his fangs have come out, because it made me feel good that I have this effect on him. Did I just think that? I so want to kiss him in that moment. I raise my head up slightly staring at him lips and back into his eyes - imagining and anticipating the moment.

Unluckily or luckily, the moment is broken - once again - by someone clearing their throat.

"Interrupting something?!" Romain interrupts with anger in his voice.

"Yes." Julian grumbles annoyed. "No." I stutter heat rising to my face looking at Julian in shock because of his answer.

Romain stomps out, and I realize that I need to explain. I blush again as Julian gets up not caring the state he is still in. "Bien sûr, nous avons été interrompus quand j'ai décidé de tenter ma chance!"

"What? I ask, but Julian just grunts and walks away. Damn French! I curse.

I suddenly remember Romain again and run after him.

"Wait! Romain!" I call out, and he turns around with anger and hurt in his eyes.

"Is this about me and my mate or Julian and his?" Romain challenges. I stay silent, what could I say.

"I see." He mutters and starts to walk away.

"Romain, wait. This isn't what I wanted, but I also didn't want to start a relationship with either of you."

"You're in a relationship with Julian?" He spits.

"No - but yes I have feelings for him - I won't insult you by saying otherwise. It certainly isn't my intention to have feelings for anyone when I came here. I care about you Romain, I really do, but I am also not going to lead you on that this can be anything more. I haven't even said anything to Julian, and I'd prefer if you didn't either. He is waiting for his mate, and I'm not going to complicate the friendship I have with him by telling him I have feelings for him."

"Are you oblivious?"

"Excuse me?"

"Julian has feelings for you as well."

"That's beside the point Romain. He has his beliefs, and I'm not going to complicate this situation any more than it is. Final."

"But it didn't look like that to me in there!" He spits, emphatically pointing towards the pack house.

"It shouldn't have happened." I mumble.

"But it did, and neither of us should pretend that it didn't, Eva. You need to sort your feelings out. I'm not mad. Upset - yes. I really care about you Eva, but I'm not going to try and compete with that." He says pointing back towards the pack house.

"I'm sorry." I whisper and walk back to the pack house - in tears. What have I gotten myself into?

~~~~~~~~~~

Today Julian's new hair dryer he ordered arrived, and I am going to use it once before he did, well at least the box. I have Tyson take the box to the bottom of the stairs, and I wait for my cue. Soon enough, he winks at me and steps back out of the way.

"Yo Julian! There's a package down here from Hair plus with your name on it!" Tyson hollers up the stairs, and the sound of rapid feet echo as he comes down the stairs. As soon as he's halfway down, I put up my forcefield.

"It's about damn ti-"

Julian's words are cut off as he collides with the invisible wall, and he's knocked back on his ass from the speed he hit it with. His hand automatically flies to his face as Tyson and I crack up.

"Sub ub a mitch! I thig oo brog my noze!" He yells, his voice muffled by his hand.

"Aww, poor baby. You should've expected the unexpected."

He glares up at me as I lean around the corner, his eyes a bit watery. "I habe oo."

"Don't lie, you know you love me." I chuckle.

As I notice his continued distress, I walk over to him. "Let me help you." I coo, which only gets me a glare from him.

Julian pulls away slightly when I try to help him up. "I'm sorry." I say.

"Noh, ur nat."

"I actually didn't mean for you to get your nose broke. I'll go with you to the clinic because the supplies are there. It is the least I can do to fix your nose." He gives me another "look". "Well, if you'll let me help."

Looking back at him, I notice that his eyes are nearly bugging out of their sockets. "Yes JD, you forget that not only am I a warrior but also a healer. And I grew up with six brothers - one a healer himself. I know a thing or two about broken bones - well, in your case, probably the cartilage."

He reluctantly follows with me to the clinic. However, I ponder why he is behind me. Wait!!

"Julian! Quit looking at my ass." I growl out and hear a muffled chuckle.

Once we arrive at the clinic, I start searching for supplies in preparation for fixing his nose. I turn around abruptly to find him once again staring at my ass. Actually I don't mind him doing that at all, but I'm not going to admit that at the moment.

"Now lay down and let me take care of this. I'm not going to take care of that- just that." Purposely pointing at his nose. I am so glad Juniper will be back soon. Another glare is shot my way.

"I could leave you to suffer." I tell him harshly, and just then Juniper walks into the room. Julian looks over to Juniper.

"Nah - June won't help you." I grin.

Juniper comes over to look at Julian and his injuries, but also starts to assess him in general. Eventually she backs away slightly.

"I think you have this under control, Eva. I'm just going to check to see if anyone is scheduled for a checkup here at the clinic." She says and scrambles out. It doesn't take me long to realize why she was in such a hurry to leave.

"You scared June away JD." I tease. "Now hold still while I realign your nose. It might hurt, but it will be over quickly."

Regardless of how quick I made it, I'm know from experience it hurt pretty bad - Julian didn't say a word. In the future I need to think about other potential consequences of my pranks, but that won't stop me from pulling them.

Game on

*********************************

A/N: Eva does not say "Damn French" as an insult to the country or language, she is expressing this as a frustration at Julian for using French when he wants to hide something he's saying from her; since at this point she doesn't speak French.

Merde! Fils de pute! - Shit! Son of a bitch!

Bien sûr, nous avons été interrompus quand j'ai décidé de tenter ma chance! - Of course we were interrupted when I decided to take a chance!