It's officially been a month since I first arrived at Blackrose, and my last training session while I'm visiting was today, and it was rather bittersweet. Since it is the weekend, it is late in the afternoon when I get back to the pack house. Coming through the door, someone grabs my shoulder, and they are immediately pinned to the wall.

"Really JD? Haven't you learned your lesson by now?"

"Maybe I enjoy pain." He chuckles, and I raise an eyebrow to this. "But seriously, come to the front room."

"Why?" but he doesn't answer just gives me that genuine smile that melts my resolve every time. "Fine." I huff out.

Opening the door, I am greeted by what seems like endless yells of "Surprise". Even if I hate surprises, this one makes me cry. These people care enough about me and Sienna to want to throw a party for us. Saying my goodbyes couldn't be made easier and sadder. It looked like it was going to be another movie night, but the snacks look amazing. There is even a whole dessert section with my favorites like NY-style cheesecake, snickerdoodles and lemon cupcakes - surely all courtesy of Julian.

"Julian went out of his way." I whisper to Scarlett.

"He bakes when he gets too emotional sometimes. Plus he knows what you like."

"I guess he does - doesn't he." I smile.

"We're having lasagna tonight for dinner." She chimes.

"If Julian left, you'd not only lose your Beta but a damn good chef." I praise.

"Don't I know it, I probably wouldn't eat half as good, or as much, if he didn't cook meals." She chuckles while shaking her head, then walks over to where Phoebe and Brazil are standing to strike up a conversation. But her space is quickly filled with both Mariah and Juniper, the red heads arm curled around her mates waist.

"I just wanted to officially thank you for helping Juniper connect with her wolf, and feel the mate bond." Mariah says appreciatively, her eyes going to Junipers face...which reddens under the attention.

"You're welcome...though I wish I could've helped you with shifting too..." I trail off, and Juniper shakes her head.

"It's okay...me and Mariah are going to work on it some more...as well as talk to my mom about dad..." She smiles, still slightly hesitant about the last part, but I can see the determination now too...which makes me proud.

Not long after the talk with Mariah and Juniper, dinner is called and we all hurry in - tonight just the 10 - wait 11 - of us eat together - for the last time this trip. Lasagna, garlic bread, and salad are set up family style, and each dish is passed around the table. Waiting eagerly for everyone else to finish dishing out their food, I look across and smile at Julian. He really does care so much for me - for everyone in this pack. "Thank you." I mouth to him, which earns me that beautiful smile. Everyone toasts to Sienna and I, and I toast to the delicious meal and the nurturing Beta who cooked it and the desserts. He will make me fat one day if I stay.

"How about we watch The Conjuring everyone." I announce.

"Or Pet Cemetery." Scarlett continues, but we both chuckle. From the corner of my eye I can see Julian scowling at us, no doubt he doesn't like the options.

"I'm not really feeling scary tonight, how about comedy?. We are thinking about Night At The Museum with Ben Stiller, Rush Hour with Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan or Diary of a Mad Black Woman."

We hear all three being shouted, but Night At The Museum seems to get the most votes.

Before we can start the movie, I approach Romain.

"Look...Romain, I-" I start, but he cuts me off.

"It's okay Eva...I know you never planned on being pulled in so many directions emotionally...or hurting me. I can't be angry with you for having complicated feelings." He murmurs, a completely different tune than the last time we talked.

"Still...I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too, you were dealing with rejection and sorting out your feelings, trying to figure out what's next...and I was being a jerk about you not knowing exactly what you wanted...it wasn't fair of me."

"Thank you Romain...for understanding." I hug him, but notice a ticked off looking Julian standing off to the side. He shouldn't be angry with me for having friends. Surely he has noticed that I stopped dating Romain. Right?

"Just know that you have a lot of people here that care about you, and that you'll always be a member of Blackrose Swamp."

Sienna POV

The combined warmth and sadness in everyone's eyes tonight, gives me mixed emotions as its evident that they feel also.

This has been an eventful month. Mariah and Juniper got together, and Brazil and Phoebe discovered they are mates. Romain grew as a Gamma, Tyson and Grant grew as warriors and this is partially due to Eva. Eva met Devaney. We delivered the message about the Sanguis Silence and Crimson Edge Packs, and we are taking that same message to the Tidewater and New Dawn Packs.

But not everything was a blessing - if you want to look at it that way. Eva found love, but is giving it up for the sake of fate. I'm not really sure it's worth it, especially looking at the expressions on not only Eva but Julian's faces. You can tell that he reciprocates the love that Eva feels for him.

So it's difficult to watch those two skirt around the obvious as she and I say our goodbyes to all the new friends we made, both of them clearly holding on to what little denial they can manage to pretend that we aren't leaving in the morning...but I don't say anything.

I personally would have said screw the fates and stayed with him if I were in her shoes...but I'm not. This is her life, and her heart...so it's her choice. Even if think it's a painful one. The only amount of piece of mind come from the fact that Phoebe let it slip that she had a vision about Eva and Julian - one day they would be together. Oh how I hope that comes true.

So as the night wears down and everyone begins to trickle out, me and Eva trudge upstairs to our rooms, her silence no doubt meaning she has a lot on her mind.

"Night Sienna..." She murmurs as she enters her room, not even waiting for my response.

"Night Eva. Sleep well." I whisper back before shutting my door.

Goodbyes are always a bitch.

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

~Eva POV~

Overnight I realized that I've made the right decision, and get up to go talk with Devaney and explain the situation as best as possible when talking with a three-year-old. I have discussions with Rin and Gryphon about helping Devaney while I am away.

I went back to the pack house, Sienna and I load up my car. We say our goodbyes as we leave the pack house for the last time this trip, but not before I leave Julian a little surprise. He is one that always enjoys his sleep so much, and he jumps in bed and snuggles in with his pillow. Tonight will be a different experience when his pillow pops and cracks after squeezing it to death. Score one for the joys of bubble wrap. I just wish I could be there to see it, but I'm not about to let Julian Le Tourneau oust me in our prank war.

"You honestly didn't think you could leave without everyone saying goodbye, right?" I hear, but pretend not to.

"Eva." Julian calls out, and I try to avert his gaze.

But damn his speed. "Evangeline, don't you dare sidestep me."

"What do you want?"

"Why are you leaving? Why are you leaving me?"

"I'm sure you know why. This..." pointing between us. "This - can't happen."

"And why not?"

"Your mate will come one day, Julian, and I won't stand in the way of that." I pause looking up into those beautiful silver blue eyes. "No matter how I feel."

He wraps me into a tight hug. "Why? Why is this happening? Why is this so hard? Don't you feel the pull also?"

"Yeah, I feel a pull, but it isn't strong - not like a mate pull should be. I'll miss you - miss you with every fiber of my being, but this is for the best."

"For who? You don't have to answer - I know what you're going to say. It isn't fair." His voice cracks, and I know I have to get out of this house.

"I need to get out of here. For both of us."

He reluctantly lets go but not before placing a kiss on my forehead. I race out of the house like it's on fire - my heart ripping in two.

Game on - for Romain and Julian.

*************** a few days later***************

~Julian POV~

So a few days after Eva leaves Blackrose the first time, Scarlett asked me to come to her office.

"Why are you sulking Jules?"

"No reason." I mutter out, which is very uncharacteristic for me.

"You love her, don't you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about Red." I say defiantly, certainly trying to hide my feelings.

"Your almost a fool Jules." She scolds.

"Why's that Red?"

"She loves you - you know." She responds.

"But she dated Romain." I reply flatly with a hint of jealousy.

"She dated Romain after you made it clear you were waiting for your mate. She cares for you enough to respect your wishes. But make no doubt about it, she fell in love with you." She continues.

"I made a promise to my mom to wait for my mate."

"I realize that, and I'm glad you are keeping that promise. It is one of the things that helps me think so highly of you. But make no mistakes about it, it will be hard when she returns to adopt Devaney." She says this solemnly, so I knew there is something she isn't telling me. I chose not to push it further.

"But I don't understand Red. Why would I feel a pull towards Eva if she isn't my mate?"

"Jules, I don't have an answer for that. Truly I don't. I wish I did so I could put your mind at ease. Eva is one special girl - maybe one day." Red whispers the last part, but I'm not so sure I heard her correct.

"What is that Red?"

"Nothing Jules. We have to get ready for this meeting. Here's the plan." And it is Alpha Blackrose who's back in control. No more answers from Red anytime soon. But I still wonder what she meant.