A/N: All cannon characters and settings belong to the brilliant mind of Patricia Briggs. The rest comes solely from my imagination. This is written merely for my own pleasure and the pleasure of others. Also, I tend to get long-winded, so some of my chapters may be long, no, not may be, will be. You have been warned.

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Summer seemed to fly by as Juliana prepared for the testing that would allow her to graduate early. Both Kara and Cole agreed completely with Bran's decree that she not go riding alone again and while it frustrated her it also made her happy to know they all cared so much. A week before school started she took the fast-track testing and found herself enrolled as a senior.

Going through senior year with her best friends was amazing. She finally came to terms with the fact Cole was dating Kelly and it no longer hurt so much to see them together. Her wolf still whined when they caught Kelly's scent on him but Jules accepted it. What choice did she have?

The biggest question was, what to do for senior prom? Kara and Kyle were going together, Cole and Kelly were going tpgether, and Juliana was still single. As it turned out, she didn't have to go alone. She and Ryan had become good friends over the last year and he'd confided in her that he liked both boys and girls. Unfortunately, his current crush was already taken so the two of them opted to go together to keep each other company. There was a lot of playful teasing about their friends and their dates 'mooning' over each other. All in all, though, her last year of high school ended on a high note.

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Juliana stared at herself in the mirror. In just a few hours she would be a high school graduate. In just a few weeks she would endure the pain of the banishment ceremony that would sever her ties to the Marrok in order for her to join the Manhattan Pack and start college. She was both excited and scared. New York was a long way away from home. Here, if she had a problem, she had several people she could turn to for help. Out in New York she didn't know a single person.

Anna smelled her daughter's fear and went to her. "What's wrong, sweetie?" she asked and hugged her.

"I'm scared mama. This is what I want, going to New York for school, but.. I don't know anyone out there. What if I need help? What if something is wrong, I need someone, and there's no one to call?"

Anna's arm's tightened around her. "Your papa and I are just a phone call away and your new Alpha will always be there too. Your papa and grandpa wouldn't send you to a pack, to an Alpha, they didn't trust to keep you safe."

Juliana leaned into her mother. "I know mama, I just..."

"Going off to college can be scary for anyone, honey," Anna said gently. "It's going to be okay, you'll see." She kissed her forehead then smiled. "Besides, you do know some people in New York; Thea's sisters Petrina and Kalika." They'd visited Thea and Cyrus several times over the last three years and although they were older than Juliana by several years, both girls had decided to pseudo-adopt her while she was so far from home.

Juliana smiled a little. "Oh. Yeah. I didn't think about them. Maybe it won't be so bad after all."

"That's the spirit. Come on, let's go get your papa before he walks a hole in the living room floor," Anna said just to make her daughter laugh.

It worked too. Juliana laughed, gave her mother one last hug, then followed her out of the bedroom.

"There you are, little one. You've gone and grown up on me," Charles said when she came out wearing her graduation gown over her clothes.

"I'm sorry I grew up on you, papa, but I'll always be your little one," Jules replied.

Charles hugged his daughter and didn't want to let go. He wasn't sure who was going to have the harder time dealing with her banishment ceremony, him or his daughter. "Yes you will," he growled and finally let go.

Juliana wiped tears from her eyes as she climbed into her father's truck. Whatever life threw at her she knew she would always have the support of her family. She was puzzled when Charles drove them over to Bran's instead of going to the school. "What's going on papa?"

"We have something for you... a graduation gift," Charles replied. He drove past the house to the small, private family cemetery not far from his father's home.

Juliana was confused as she got out of the truck and followed her parents to where her grandfather and uncle waited.

"It took a lot of digging, but last week we found where your parents were buried and had their bodies moved. To here," Charles told her.

Juliana stared at the newly erected headstones. She'd wondered about them, wondered what had happened to them, and now they were here. A sob escaped her and when her papa's arms wrapped around her she started to cry. "Thank you, papa," she whispered.

Anna moved to them and wrapped her arms around her daughter from behind and she and Charles held her as she cried. Soon Bran and Samuel were there as well, their energy helping to soothe her.

When her tears finally stopped Juliana gave them a watery smile. "I was so afraid they'd been cremated and their ashes thrown away," she said and moved out of their embrace. She went to the headstones, kissed the tips of her fingers, and then pressed her fingers to the granite. "May your spirits soar on the wings of eagles and may your path be guided by light," she said softly then followed her parents back to the truck. She was quiet on the drive to the school and while her family went to find seats in the auditorium she headed to the backstage area where the rest of the senior class was already gathered.

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"There you are! I was beginning to think you were going to skip graduation," Kara said when Juliana finally arrived. When she realized her friend had been crying she frowned. "Jules? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Papa found them, my parents. He found their bodies and had them moved here. They're in the family cemetery on grandpa's property. I just... seeing their graves, it made all that worry go away and I cried. I finally got to say goodbye to them."

Kara went to her and hugged her. "I'm glad he was able to find them for you. So it was happy tears you cried. I was worried there for a minute." She saw Cole approaching and waved at him.

"You okay, Jules?" he asked and when she told him why she'd been crying he hugged her too. "That's great. I know it was hard on you, not knowing what happened to them."

"It was." Juliana smiled a little and changed the subject. "I can't believe we'll be walking across the stage to get our diplomas soon."

"I know, it's crazy," Cole said. "But I'm glad we're all getting to do it together," he added. "Just wish you weren't going so far away for school."

Kara groaned. "Don't remind me. You'd think it would be one of us being the adventurous one, but nope, it's Jules who is," she said with a cheeky grin.

Juliana laughed. "I don't know if I'd call it adventurous. Scary is more like it, but I can do this. I need to prove that to myself."

"Yeah, you can do it. You're stronger than you think you are, Jules," Cole told her.

Juliana smiled a little. "Thank you."

Soon they were seated on one side of the stage. As each name was called the students walked across the stage, posed for as photo, then took their diploma and went to stand on the other side. Kara was a few seats ahead of Juliana so when it was Juliana's turn she flashed her best friend a thumb's up.

Anna gripped her husband's hand as their daughter made her way across the stage. "She's so grown up," she whispered and there was pride in her voice. For her and Charles, it didn't matter that Juliana wasn't theirs by birth, or that she'd only been part of their lives for a few years, Juliana was theirs and they couldn't be more proud of the young woman she was becoming.

When it was all over the family went back to Bran's to celebrate. There was music, lots of food, and several graduation gifts including a car from Bran. "It'll be shipped to New York for you. It has 4-wheel drive and all the security measures money can buy," he told her.

"Thank you, grandpa, I love it," Juliana said and gave him a tight hug.

"You might be leaving the pack for the duration of your time in New York, but you aren't leaving the family, pup. I'm so proud of you," he told her.

Again Juliana had tears in her eyes. His words touched her deeply. "Thank you, grandpa," she said after a moment.

"Well, little wolf, you just had to go and grow up on us, didn't you?" Samuel teased. "You are going to do great things with your life, Jules. Don't you ever let anyone make you doubt yourself, you hear?"

"I won't Uncle Samuel. I might be growing up, but I'll still be little wolf, won't I?" she asked.

"Always," he assured her.

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Three weeks after graduation Juliana was packing the last box she would be taking with her to New York. She'd been startled when Thea's sister, Kalika, offered her the use of her spare bedroom so that Jules was staying with someone she knew. She'd accepted the offer, at least until she was comfortable with her new pack. If there was a pack member she'd feel safe staying with then she would move.

"That's the last box, now let's go," Kara said and grabbed Juliana's arm. "This is your last day here for months, we are going to have fun," she told her. She and Cole were taking Jules into Troy to spend the rest of the day together. "Cole and I are not going to let you mope around the house. Yeah, we don't want yo to go to New York, but since this is about what you want, we're dealing with it. That doesn't mean we can't have fun today."

Jules smiled a little. "You're right, I would have moped. I'm scared about going but... I can do this."

"Of course you can, Jules. Besides, it's not like you'll be gone forever and I will be coming to visit you. We have to go see something on Broadway."

That made Juliana laugh. "That would be great."

Cole was waiting for them and he opened the passenger side doors for them when they reached his car. "Ladies, your chariot awaits," he said with a cheeky grin.

Kara rolled her eyes at him and slid into the backseat to give Jules the front. Maybe once Juliana was off to New York she'd sit Cole down and have a long talk with him. She'd said nothing about Juliana's feelings for him all this time because she didn't want to upset her best friend, but with Juliana gone, she could talk to him and not have to worry about Jules feeling awkward around him.

Their first stop was the movies, since it was mid afternoon. They decided on a comedy because they needed something fun to distract themselves and by the time the movie was over their sides ached from laughing so much. Then it was dinner at Olive Garden, paid for by Cole who insisted on it. Their last stop was a dance club that was for teens and young adults between the ages of 16 and 21. A 'teen club' meant there was no alcohol so it was a night of fun without that added risk. The music was so loud that it hurt Kara's and Juliana's ears, at first, but soon they adjusted. Kara had a few tense moments with the crowd of people but Juliana's presence calmed her wolf enough for the trio to enjoy themselves.

It was a little after midnight when Juliana slipped into the house. She wasn't surprised to find her papa waiting up for her.

"Did you have fun?" Charles asked. He didn't sense any distress from her so he was sure all was well but he still felt the need to ask. Just to be safe.

"I did. It was nice spending time with just them," Juliana replied. She sat on the sofa next to him. "How bad is it going to hurt when grandpa does the banishment ceremony tomorrow.. or really, later today?" she asked softly.

Charles tucked his daughter close to him and held her. "I don't know little one. I've never been through it but your mama has. I know it was rough on her but she was already in a bad place so that might have affected it."

Juliana sighed softly. "I guess I won't really know until it happens."

"Not really, no," he replied. "You need to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day for you."

"I know. Goodnight papa," she replied and after a quick shower she crawled into bed.

Charles stayed up for several hours trying to come to terms with the fact his pup was leaving to live 2,500 miles away in order to go to school.

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Later that morning Juliana stood surrounded by many of the pack and she closed her eyes to savor the feel of connection before it was severed. Quite a few approached and hugged her, wished her luck, and even kissed her forehead as if she were still a young child. To many of them she was. She had to keep blinking to clear her vision from the tears that threatened.

Finally it was time and Bran stepped forward, kissed his granddaughter's forehead, then said the words that would remove her from the pack. "That which was bound by Alpha's flesh and Alpha's blood is bound no more. Alpha's flesh, Alpha's blood, returned from whence it came. No more to run, no more to hunt, no more to fight. No more to answer the call of the pack. Banished. Pack no more." The hardest part for Bran was cutting a small piece of skin from his granddaughter's arm to symbolize the Alpha's flesh and blood returning to him.

She'd known it was going to be rough, but Juliana wasn't fully prepared for the pain and the emptiness she felt. She gasped when it was done and if Bran hadn't caught her she would have collapsed.

"Shh, it'll be alright. I know it hurts right now, but it'll fade and in a few hours you'll be in your new pack," Bran said gently. He was now wondering if he should have waited and gone to New York with them and done the ceremony there.

"I feel so alone," Juliana whispered and clung to her grandfather for a moment. When she was able to stand on her own she let go and stepped back.

Charles and Anna moved to her and Anna's soothing energy calmed her wolf. "I know sweetheart. It'll be okay, I promise," Anna said gently. "In a few hours we'll be in New York and you'll be with your new pack and your papa and I will be right beside you the whole way."

Juliana leaned against her mother and closed her eyes. "I know mama," she whispered. "I just didn't know it would feel like this, that I would feel so... alone," she added then sighed. "I guess it's time, huh?"

Charles hugged his daughter to him. "It is. Unless you've changed your mind?" There was an almost hopeful tone to his voice.

"No, I haven't changed my mind papa. I can do this," she replied.

He just nodded and escorted her to the truck. Kara and Cole waited for her on the passenger's side of the truck and they took turns hugging her tight. "I'll come visit as soon as I can," Kara promised.

"And I'll be with her," Cole put in.

Juliana smiled at them. "I'm gonna miss you, too," she said and had to wipe her eyes yet again.

All too soon they were airborne and Juliana watched as Aspen Creek got smaller and smaller then disappeared completely. She was quiet during the flight. Most of the way there she lay on the seats with her head in her mother's lap. She felt soothed by her mother's gentle touch when Anna ran her fingers through her hair. She was so soothed she fell asleep and dozed until they were descending. Then she sat up and prepared herself to meet her new Alpha.

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Chris Matthews watched at the small Cessna taxied it's way towards the hangar. They were at an airstrip outside of Manhattan because smaller airstrips made things easier on everyone involved. Big airports just made werewolves uncomfortable. He had a rental waiting for the Cornicks to use because he knew there was no way they would want to ride all in the same vehicle with him. He'd been surprised when the Marrok called him about his granddaughter coming to Manhattan. He'd had no idea she existed. The more surprising thing, however, was learning that she was the adopted daughter of Charles and Anna Cornick. Charles. The Marrok's Enforcer. It was hard to see him in the role of father.

The Manhattan Alpha watched as Charles Cornick descended the plane followed by two females. One, he knew, was his wife and mate, the other was obviously his daughter. If Chris has to take a guess he'd say the smaller, darker female was the child. "Welcome to New York," he said as they reached him. "It's good to see you again, Charles," he added then turned to the two females to introduce himself. "I'm Chris Matthews, Alpha of the Manhattan Pack."

Charles, who'd had a hand in the other wolf's position, nodded at him. "It's good to see you too. This is my wife and mate, Anna," he said, introducing her. "And our daughter, Juliana."

Jules was tucked against her mother. Now that they were here she was scared. Would she fit in with the pack here? Would she have trouble with anyone?

Anna felt her daughter's fear, as well as the reaction it caused the dominant wolves close enough to smell it, and focused on Juliana to calm her. They really didn't need the dominant wolves all getting agitated. Within moments everyone relaxed.

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Cornick. I've never met an Omega before. That... comes in handy in your pack, I'm sure," Chris said then turned his attention to Juliana. "It's completely normal to be scared about going off to college. It's been a long time since I went off for school, but I still remember how scared I was," he said gently. "On top of that, joining a strange pack, I can imagine it's pretty unnerving for you. You'll be safe though, Juliana. If you have any problems at all I want you to come to me, immediately, I don't care if it's the middle of the night, and I will take care of it. Don't worry," he said to both her and her parents, "I'll be repeating this after the joining ceremony to be sure there are no hesitations."

Juliana blushed a little and ducked her head a moment. "Okay," she finally said.

Anna decided she needed to explain to Chris why her daughter was so nervous. "Jules, honey, why don't you help your papa with your stuff," Anna said and watched her daughter go to where her bags and boxes were being loaded onto a cart. Then she turned to Chris. "There are a few things you need to know about Juliana. She was twelve when she came into our lives. She'd been an orphan for three years, by that time, and she was abused by her foster parents. They shattered her self esteem and then she was attacked by a rogue who had a history of sexual violence against young girls. I don't even want to think about what he might have done to her while she was defenseless. She was damn near broken when Charles brought her home to live with us and it's taken a lot of love, patience, and encouragement to repair the damage done to her. She still struggles with feeling like she has worth, from time to time, and even though she doesn't talk about it, I think she was molested by her foster father. Around strange males she sometimes gets scared, for no reason at all. If you think there is a problem, I don't care what time it is, please call us. Jules graduated early, she's only just turned sixteen, so letting her come here, it's been really hard on all of us. We're trusting she'll be safe here." She gave him direct eye contact. "And if anyone in your pack hurts her, in any way, I will kill them myself," she growled.

Chris listened and he felt his own anger rise at what Juliana had endured before she was taken in by the Cornicks. But it was Anna's threat that really startled him. "If anyone in my pack even thinks about it, I'll hand them over to you personally. I'll keep your daughter safe, Mrs. Cornick."

"You better," was all Anna said before they all climbed into cars to go to the Alpha's house for the joining ceremony.

********************A&O********************

Anna and Charles stayed at Juliana's side through it all, including the brief meet and greet she had with her new pack. It was smaller than she was used to and there wasn't a feeling of dysfunction from any of the pack bonds, which felt odd to her. It was something she would adjust to in time.

Then they were off to meet up with Thea's sister, Kalika, to get Juliana's belongings put away in the guest room she'd be using. Once that was done they took a tour of the campus Juliana would be devoting the next four years of her education to. When it was finally time to go back to Aspen Creek neither Anna nor Charles wanted to get on that plane but after dropping Juliana off at Kalika's they went to the airstrip and headed home. The only thing either of them could do was hope all went well.