I've had writer's block for a while now. I'm so sorry y'all. But thank y'all.

Chapter three

Juliet returned to the room to find Alex fast asleep once more. Smiling slightly at the sleeping girl, Juliet exited the room and went to the living room to sit down. The rest of the family had either returned to their homes or gone to bed so Juliet was the only one left awake. The vampire laid down on the couch and began musing on her choice of a mate.

I shouldn't have her as a mate because she's dating Mason. But how can I keep away from her? Once my choice is set, that person is my mate forever. Should I try to persuade her to join me? No because Mason will think I stole her. Should I guilt her into it? No, because Alex isn't one for guilt. Not really. Should I force her into it? Even if I wanted to, I couldn't; I can't hurt her. This is too complicated!

Slowly, Juliet sat up and made her way to Alex's room. The female wizard lay on the bed with her hair splayed out around her and the moonlight glowing softly on her face. Juliet gently sat on the bed and smiled at the picture before her: Alex's eyelids fluttering slightly, her lips parted just a bit to give them a pouting look as her chest gently rose and fell. The vampire couldn't help but admire how beautiful the Latina looked like that. Beginning to stroke Alex's hair, Juliet continued her earlier musings. She knew there was absolutely NO WAY she could guilt Alex into being her mate unless the Latina got something out of it and she would DIE before she forced Alex to be hers.

The vampire sighed. Guess that means that I'm going to have to seduce her after all. Juliet perked up a bit at this. I'm a vampire; we're considered the most seductive things out there. It shouldn't be too hard.

With this thought in mind, Juliet slowly laid down next to Alex, cuddled against the wizard and drifted to sleep. In the morning, she awoke to a soft groan and looked over to see Alex stirring beside her. Reaching out, Juliet slowly stroked the other girl's hair until the brunette awoke.

"Hello Juliet," Alex said in a raspy voice. Clearing her throat, Alex went on in a slightly more normal voice. "Thank you for protecting me."

Juliet ducked her head and nodded. "It was no problem. I'll do anything for my mate."

Alex's eyes widened in shock and she sat up. "But, I thought Justin was your mate." The wizard whispered.

Juliet sat up as well, shaking her head. "I needed Justin as a cover so I could get closer to you. I had to try and determine how you would react to having another girl ask you out on a date. But when I finally got all of my nerve together to dump Justin, the mummy took me. And then, when you found me, I found out that you and Mason were dating and it didn't help that I got turned into a very old woman. But now I'm back, and I want to date you so badly."

"But I'm with Mason." Alex pointed out slowly. Juliet nodded sadly.

"I waited too long. Now you're taken and I'm alone."

Alex sighed and moved closer to the vampire. "Juliet, I would date you, honestly I would, but I love Mason and I can't break his heart." Juliet nodded, tasting the raw love coming from Alex.

"Maybe I could explain things to Mason and we could all work something out?" Alex theorized helpfully.

Juliet shrugged. "If he says no then I have to leave."

Alex stared at her incredulously for a moment before asking, "Why?"

Juliet turned sad eyes onto her friend. "Because it hurts being with you and not actually being with you. Seeing you show love to someone else is agony for me because I want that love and I can't have it."

Alex's eyes softened somewhat and Juliet took her chance. Lifting her head swiftly, she moved with vampire speed and pressed her lips against Alex's. The wizard froze and made no move to reciprocate the kiss. Juliet could taste the turmoil going on inside her and found that Alex wanted to reciprocate the kiss, but knew it was wrong. After a few seconds, Juliet pulled back and caressed Alex's cheek.

"Thank you." She murmured before heading downstairs to the living room.

Moving toward the kitchen, Juliet decided to help Teresa with breakfast. Justin, Max and Mason were already downstairs watching some cartoon on television. Slowly, Alex walked downstairs looking extremely confused and sat next to Mason. He bent to kiss her lips and she replied to his kiss eagerly. Juliet felt her heart sink at the sight and she hurriedly turned away, stirring the eggs a bit faster than needed. Teresa quickly took the bowl from her hands and poured it into the pan while Juliet continued the mixing motion for a few more seconds. When the vampire realized that there was no bowl in her hands, she glanced around and saw the eggs in the pan. Looking to Teresa, Juliet shook her head and began flipping the bacon.

At last, the food was done and the family hurried to the table as the two women set the platters on the table. Alex sat between Mason and Max and began shoving food into her mouth. Juliet watched her every move as she drank her glass of blood and so it took her by surprise when Mason reached down and kissed a spot of syrup off of Alex's nose. He pecked her lips and Alex smiled shyly as she went back to her breakfast. Juliet's eyes narrowed and she stood quickly, dumping her blood down the sink before heading out the door. All eyes followed her and Alex looked down at the table guiltily.

Juliet strode down Waverly Place, unsure of where she was going and too angry to care. "She was supposed to be mine!" Juliet snarled under her breath. "She was supposed to be my mate, not Mason's. I was supposed to have her, not that dog!"

Juliet screamed wordlessly to let out her frustration and got many startled looks from the New Yorkers around her. Juliet continued walking, blowing off her steam at the fact that Mason was so loving to Alex even though Alex was hers. Juliet spent another few moments wandering around the streets before resigning back to the Waverly Sub Station.

As she entered the apartment, Juliet lifted her head from where it was hanging sadly… and froze in shock and outrage. Mason and Alex were making out on the couch with Alex on the bottom and Mason's hands on her waist. "Mason!" Alex gasped, her hand on the back if his head.

Juliet tried to mask the sorrow in her features as she hurried up the stairs. She cried for a few moments in the bathroom before she exited and went to Justin's room. Knocking on the door, she was rewarded with seeing a comfortable-looking Justin.

"Good-bye, Justin." Juliet murmured.

"What do you mean, 'good-bye'? Justin asked, grabbing Juliet's hand and rubbing circles in the back of it with his thumb. "What's wrong?"

"She loves him too deeply to let me in." Juliet sniffed, warring with herself not to cry. "I can't bear watching her love him. I need to get away from here."

"You're leaving?" Juliet turned to see Alex standing a few feet away, looking downcast. Juliet nodded to the darker brunette.

"I have to leave Alex." She murmured. "I can't see you with him. It's not how my instinct works. Once I choose someone to be my mate, they're my mate forever. Why do you think it took me so long to choose one?"

Alex looked at the saddened vampire for a moment before she set her jaw. "You can't leave." the wizard said firmly.

"But-."

Alex walked forward until she was standing barely a foot from Juliet. "No buts." The wizard ordered. "I love Mason." Juliet's eyes filled with tears before Alex's lips met her own and the other girl gave her a soft kiss. "But I also love you. Please stay?"

How could Juliet say no? She grinned at Alex and nodded. "I'll stay."

Ok, next chapter is the last one. I know, I know; not my normal style, but the climax has to be next chapter because I have so much to do with REBELLIOUS FELINES, MILITARY SCHOOL TERRORS, and KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR. So, climax is the next chapter and next chapter is the last. But I do appreciate the reviews and the alerts and favorites. Thanks for the support you guys.