Oh boy. Little more background info on Julia's wolf family and some upcoming badassery. Yasss.

Shout out to Fanfic Addict who gave a guest review it really made my day! So thank you! :D I've got plenty more updates coming I've been picking up more hobbie sduring this quarebtine (what a world we live in) but writing is still my favorite.

Stay safe. Happy reading!

Happy reading!

There is no doubt in my mind that Celeste somehow hijacked the Harvest power. All that is left to do is wait for her to tip her hand. When she does, we will be ready. In the meantime, I keep my head down and stay out of the business in the quarter. I don't want anything to do with it at the moment.

That resolve doesn't last long after a text from Rebekah: Hayley wants to throw a party tonight during the full moon so she can meet her furry family. If you could spread the word.

So I do, and that evening I find myself at the plantation house. My grandson walks with me as we head up the back steps.

"I barely remember her you know."

I smile at him. "And she doesn't remember you at all. I am sure it'll be fine."

We head into the kitchen and I smile as I see Hayley moving through the living room tidying up empty cups and beer bottles from around the room.

"I'll have to have a word with the youngsters. They should know how to clean up after themselves. Just because they're animals most of the time doesn't mean they get to act like animals tonight of all nights," I say, somewhat irritated at my pack's manners.

Hayley turns to me and smiles. "Julia!" She pulls me into a hug. "Thank you. I am so happy everyone could make it."

I pull back and motion towards the man slightly behind me. "Hayley, I'd like you to meet my grandson. Jackson."

"Hello Hayley. It's nice to see you again," Jackson smiles at her.

"You're the wolf who's been watching me," she says in realization.

"I gotta keep my eye on you. Precious cargo and all."

"Right. Gotta protect the miracle baby."

Jackson laughs. "That's only part of it, yes. But gotta protect you too. You're a Labonair. Part of the family." He shifts somewhat uncomfortably and looks at me for guidance. But I roll my eyes. He's an adult now. He can handle it.

"So you know me."

"Our parents knew each other," he says carefully. "They were of the same people, but not the same bloodline. Now, you know how pack hierarchy works, right? Everybody has their part to play, and... we had our part, too."

"What part was that?" she asks, looking at me and then him again.

Jackson shifts uncomfortably, "You...You were supposed to be my wife."

I clear my throat at the look of shock on Haley's face. "It wouldn't have been enforced. I would've made sure of that. It would've been a choice that both of you would have to make."

"You may not have had a choice, Gran. You have power yes but you know how insistent some people can be."

"I know it's a lot to take in, Haley," I say.

"You think? I just wanted to meet my family. I never imagined I'd meet my husband from some weird-ass arranged marriage."

"I guess you don't know about any of this works because there was never anyone around to teach you. The Crescents aren't just any pack of wolves. The bloodline goes back to the very beginning. Two families...yours and mine. I guess that makes us kind of a royalty."

"This is a joke, right? I mean, if you're royalty, where's the throne?"

"New Orleans used to be our town, and we lost it all because of some in-fighting. The vampires came after us, and if our families were united, we could've taken them. So, our parents decided to bring the two lines back together, and... you and I were betrothed."

"Again, if it's not something you wanted, I would've fought against it," I reiterate.

Jackson just raises his brow at me. "And what about my parents hmm?"

I sigh. "We should all have a seat."

We all move to sit on the couches to discuss further. "I'm sorry. This is ridiculous," Hayley says.

"Look, obviously things didn't work out the way anyone thought they would," Jackson states. "Our pack made a huge misstep with the vampires when we refused to back down, and Marcel had us cursed by a witch. You are the last one of your bloodline, Andréa. Or Hayley, whatever you call yourself. These people will follow you. You can help them...you and what you represent."

"And what is that exactly?" she asks.

"A time when things were different. A time when we all worked together."

"But we must remember that times have changed," I say sternly. "I understand the advantage of a political marriage. I agreed to one myself. But it was my choice."

I take a breath. "And your mother," I say to Jackson, "she had a choice too. She understood that having an heir was the important thing. She was unconventional."

He smiles sadly. "That she was."

My daughter was fiercely brave. A trait that she passed to her son. I can't think of that bravery without thinking of the night she died.

Lana raises a shaking hand up toward his hand and rubs it in comfort. "I am...lucky...you were my...son. I will...always...love you."

Jackson squeezes his eyes shut and positions his hands. I shut my eyes and my daughter holds my hands tighter.

Snap!

Her hands go limp in mine.

Jackson releases his mother and moves away, leaning against a tree as he sobs in grief. I lay my daughter down, her face looks peaceful. I rise and take Jackson into my arms as we both cry. "Let it out," I say. "Just let it out."

As the sun crests over the horizon, Jackson starts to fold into himself in pain. "Ahhhh." He falls to the ground an the bones in his legs begin to snap. His back crunches and bends oddly, shaping his body into a wolf for the first time. I take his face in my hands. "Breathe. Just breathe through it. Don't fight it. Let it happen. That's it."

He whimpers as it becomes more intense. Not fighting it allows him to move faster. To give into the wolf with less pain and torture than otherwise. When his eyes glow gold with that animal intelligence, I can't help but feel proud of him for how strong he is being. The pack howls and I know that he will be recognized. That he will be a strong leader able to keep them in line just as his mother did, and his grandfather did before that.

Hayley looks a little lost. "So wait...your mother never married?"

He shakes his head. "She had no interest in my father. They agreed to have me, but that's about all they ever agreed on. He was reckless in a way that my mother never wanted me to be exposed too. She was right. He got himself killed when I was very young. So you see? It doesn't matter. We don't have to follow through on anything. There are other ways to form alliances. Other ways to build trust. And after everything you went through to find us... You're the one who's gonna break our curse."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your witch friend. She told Eve she was coming here tonight to set us free."

My eyes widen as Hayley asks, "Wait, what witch friend?"

"Jackson...please tell me you didn't listen to a witch without consulting me."

Hayley's phone rings and she answers it quickly. "Elijah, something's going on with the witches."

She looks at us and blanches. "It's a trap. I didn't make a deal with any witch."

Jackson rubs a hand over his face. "I'm an idiot."

"I have to find Rebekah," Hayley says urgently.

We rush to the door but find that we are blocked at the threshold by a boundary spell. Hayley lifts the phone back to her ear. "Elijah, it's a spell. They're trapping us inside."

Flames begin to grow inside of the house. Jackson starts to panic slightly, throwing a piano stool at the window in an attempt to get out. More of the carpet and curtains catch fire and Jackson grabs a table cloth, pouring water from a vase onto it before offering it to Hayley's face. "Here. Breathe through this."

Elijah doesn't waste time as he rushes into the building, escaping with Hayley quickly as she begins coughing more. Jackson and I support each other as Elijah rushes back in to get us both out as well.

"I have to find Rebekah," Elijah says.

"You suspect someone has taken her?" I ask.

"I know it. Celeste gave me a choice. Rebekah, Klaus, or Hayley. We all know that wasn't really a choice."

I hands clench into fists and my teeth grind together. "Of course." I take a deep breath and calm the anger rising in me. "Go find Rebekah then. Jackson. Make sure Hayley's okay before you take your leave."

I begin to head back toward the Bayou. "What are you going to do?" Elijah asks.

I don't stop walking as I answer. "I'm going to pick a fight with a witch."