Julian POV

"Jules, Eva's coming for a visit." Scarlett tells me knowing I'd be excited about it.

"Really?" My face perks up. "Is everyone coming?" I ask with a slight frown forming on my lips.

"Not exactly."

"You're being cryptic, Red."

"Her and Callum aren't together anymore."

"Well, why's that?" I ask, but I know that a little hint of a smile starts to reform on my lips.

"It isn't my story to tell. You can ask her when she gets here."

She responds as she sits down at her desk, one of her hands rubbing her large belly. Her and Raphael are on baby number three, and I can honestly tell how tired she is, but I know she's too stubborn to actually just take a break from her Alpha duties. Like with her first and second child, she won't be taking time off until the day the kid is born. Hell, she went into labor with her eldest Ruby during a meeting with another pack.

"Just try not to overwhelm her Jules, she sounded a bit upset when I talked to her."

I nod. "I understand, Red."

I get up and exit her office, and turn to grin at her over my shoulder. "Maybe you should take today off, let me handle things today."

She gives me 'The Look' all mothers seem to have, and I chuckle.

"That's hilarious Jules, got any more jokes?" She replies sarcastically.

"Plenty of them."

She shakes her head. "Go tell them somewhere else, I've got work to do."

"Stubborn Alpha." I mutter as I exit.

"Irritating Beta." She calls out as the door closes.

I can't believe that my angel is coming back and now Danielle isn't in the way, and apparently neither is Callum. Wondering what that jerk did for him and Eva to not be together, I still can't help but smile - a little. Hell it doesn't matter does it? Maybe, but I hope not. Maybe my wish has come true after all.

Eva POV

The kids and I flew into New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport. Luckily the flight was only about 3 1/2 hours with one stopover in Atlanta, which was the biggest problem. Once we arrived in New Orleans, I grabbed a rental car. Nerves were getting the best of me, because I hadn't seen everyone in years. I missed Julian terribly, but his mate made it clear that she didn't like me or the relationship that I had with Julian. To help him with his mate, I distanced myself from him. Julian was my best friend, and she made sure to create a wedge in that friendship. Starting to fluster, I hope she doesn't decide to cause problems between me and my other friends that live with her. Not being in the mood to deal with her crap, I sighed. It could damage the friendship with Julian more if she starts crap with me. I might have lost my chance for being mates with Julian, but that didn't mean that I couldn't have my best friend back.

We are greeted by Brazil when we pulled up.

"BJ!" I yell and ran over to him. He is now 6'0" so he twirls me higher in the air than he used to.

"Eva, how've you been?"

"Better."

"You know were all..." I cut him off nodding at the kids in the car, and he gets my message.

"Kids you can come out and meet people." I coax them out of the car.

"Brazil, this is Devaney and Zoey. Guys this is Brazil."

"This is little Devaney?" Brazil gasps.

"Yeah. They grow up too fast BJ, remember that." I inform him.

"I already know, Violet and Rosemary are already four."

"Oh my, where have the years gone?"

"Too quickly. Let me got you guys in the pack house, everyone is excited to see you again."

"Everyone?" I question and Brazil just gives me this mischievous grin. What's up with him?

The pack house is exactly the way I remember it, and Brazil leads us up to two guest rooms.

"We have guest houses now, but Alpha Scarlett thought you would be more comfortable here."

"Things have changed." I murmur.

"More than you know." He states enigmatically.

"BJ, what are you hiding?"

"Blackrose has been rebuilding a local town called Raven. It is actually coming along quite nicely and even has a New Orleans vibe to it. I think you and the girls would enjoy visiting the few local shops that are starting to open up."

"That sounds interesting. Sorry I wasn't here to see this take shape."

"Oh, it's still a work in progress, but it is going to be a great addition to the pack lands. Maybe bring in some more jobs and economy to the growing pack." Now he sounds so mature from when I first met him.

"You still a warrior?"

"Yep. Phoebe helps with some of the witches in Raven when she isn't busy with the twins."

"That must be a nice break."

"She enjoys it, and I just love seeing her happy."

As we walk into the foyer the sound of laughing children greets my ears, and I look over to see the adorable sight of Raphael playing with his two pups...both of which have grown exponentially since the last time I saw them.

The oldest, Ruby, is about five now - her black hair is now turning red at the tips, and her reddish brown eyes look exactly like her Mom's.

And the other is Drago, a sweet little boy who's about three and a half - he's like a mini version of his dad with dark brown hair and green eyes.

Goddess where has the time gone?

"Raphael, it's been a while." I call out to him, and he smiles broadly as he comes towards me, his pups in tow.

"Miss Eva, it's good to see you again!" He beams, and I can see the two pups staring at me and the girls curiously.

"You guys remember who she is, don't you?" He says to them, and after a moment of scrunching up her face like Scarlett, Ruby's face brightens with a wide smile.

"Auntie Eva!" She giggles as she hugs my legs, and I smile down at her happily.

"Hello little alpha, you get bigger every time I see you." I turn to see Drago wave at me, his eyes quickly focusing on Zoey with fascination, "and you are getting big too, what has your parents been feeding you two?" I chuckle.

"There isn't much they don't eat, honestly...they're like little bottomless pits." Raphael joins my laughter, and I understand completely.

"How's Scarlett doing?" I ask, and he smiles excitedly.

"She's good, and waiting for you in the office. Workaholic as usual." He chuckles again, and I nod and make my way up to her office, a bit excited to see her again...it's been a while.

I make my way up to Scarlett's office, and just as I raise my hand to knock I hear a laugh on the other side of the door.

"Come on in Eva." Scarlett chuckles, and I open the door to see her sitting at her desk, a smile on her face as she sees me and the girls.

"Hey Scarlett, it's been too long." I start, and she nods.

"It sure has, stranger...I was wondering if you had forgotten about us." She teases, and I shake my head.

"You know I could never forget you guys, you're family. Right girls?" I smile, and they run around her desk to greet her.

"Hi Auntie Red!" They both say in unison, and she chuckles as she slowly stands up...and my eyes widen as I realize why Raphael looked so happy.

Scarlett's pregnant belly is in full view, and from the looks of it she's close to her due date.

"Wow, I didn't know you were pregnant Scarlett, congratulations." I say, a sting of pain pricking my heart.

"I figured it was more polite not to bring it up on the phone, but I knew you would find out eventually." She murmurs, managing to pull me into a hug despite her belly.

"It's okay, I'm happy for you. Do you know what it is?" I ask, and she shakes her head.

"We're letting it be a surprise, though it won't be long of a wait...I'm due any day now." She murmurs, and her expression softens a bit before she speaks again.

"It's good to have you here Eva, despite the circumstances..., the pack has missed you greatly."

"It's good to be back too Scarlett, this place has always felt like home." I admit, and her smile says everything.

"That's good to hear. Speaking of which, why don't you guys go get settled in your room? Then maybe raid the kitchen for a snack? Julian made cookies today, I think he hid some in the oven for you." She says as she glances down at Devaney and Zoey, and I already know they are interested...as am I, I haven't had Julian's cooking in ages.

"That sounds like a plan, thanks Scarlett!" I reply as we head downstairs, already drooling over the sweet treats.

It feels good to be here again.

The girls are watching TV in the front room, and I see Julian walk through and doesn't seem to immediately notice me. Taking this as an advantage, I block his path. It's been 5 years since I pulled this first 'prank' on him, and I want to start of with something memorable.

"Rumor has it that I make you nervous." I whispered in his ear while running my finger down his chest to his stomach - like years ago.

He quickly backs me against the wall, putting a hand on either side of my head.

"Not anymore." He whispered seductively in my ear.

He pulls back and looks at me with a mischievous smirk and walks away. Before he climbs the stairs, he looks back at me and winks.

What the fuck just happened?

"I guess you didn't know."

I turn to see Scarlett leaning against the wall behind me, a bittersweet smile on her face.

"Didn't know what?" I ask, even more confused.

"You aren't the only one who's lost a mate." she murmurs.

My eyes widen in shock, my mouth slightly agape. "You mean....?"

Her mouth twitches into a slight frown. "Julian and his human mate split up about three years ago...she cheated on him and left."

I turn to where Julian disappeared. My sadness for his loss warring with the guilt of not being there for him - along with confusion again.

"But he didn't..."

"Seem that fazed? Truthfully Eva, this is the first time since Danielle left him that he's really smiled...flirted too...in fact, I know for a fact that he hasn't pulled a prank either."

I turn back to Scarlett to see her smiling, that bittersweet look still in her eyes.

"Perhaps being here will be good for both of you...I'll put up with your pranks if it makes him smile again."

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Scarlett POV

I smiled walking into my office, rubbing my belly lovingly - remembering the talk I had with Phoebe five years ago.

<flashback>

"Scarlett, there is something we have to talk about." Phoebe exclaims almost out of breath - for some reason.

"Ok Phoebe, what has you so excited."

"I'm not excited - I'm worried. It's about Eva and Julian."

"What about my Beta? Everything better be fine - or I swear." I threaten.

"Well...umm...well it might be fine...one day." She breathes out.

"Care to explain why you are being so cryptic?"

"You know my visions...their not always so concrete. But I saw Eva and Julian together."

"Eva has another mate, she would never cheat on him. Julian will have a mate - some day." I explain.

"I know, this is why the vision bothers me a little. Eva was pregnant...with triplets...and they...ummm...they were Julian's." She rushes out.

"Really? And you think this was a vision of the future?" I question.

"You know my visions aren't always concrete. That's why I was hesitant in telling you, but it is so important. I don't know...I felt like I needed to tell you. Hell, I don't know why though, it isn't like we can do anything about the vision if Eva has another mate." She confesses.

<end flashback>

Looking back I feel a smile creep across my face. At least Phoebe's vision gave me comfort that my Beta would make it through the heartache of Danielle. I sure hope those were visions of the future. Both Eva and Julian deserved a happy ending.