Judy’s Pov Everything was quiet as the Blackwells entered the room. Taylor was right behind them, looking annoyed as he folded his arms across his chest. “I tried to stop them,” he muttered, shaking his head with dismay written all over his face. “But they were insistent that she speak to Judy right away.” My eyes never left Selene, who was staring at me with tears filling her own eyes. My heart clenched in my chest at the sight of her; if everything I had found out these last couple of days was true… that meant Selene was my birth mother and Zachary was my birth father. It didn’t feel real to me… but now I understood why I felt so drawn to her and them…. why I felt drawn to their home and photos. Blood calls to blood. They were my blood… they were my family, and they were calling for me. Esme was calling for me. “It’s true then…” Selene said through her watery gaze. “You truly are my daughter. I knew I felt a pull towards you… I just wasn’t sure. I didn’t think it was possible… but it was… You are her… my daughter. My little girl.” Selene went to hug me, but Gavin was quick to step in front of me, shielding me from their view. He was growly, and I could tell his wolf was on the edge. Seeing me in potential danger didn’t sit right with either of them, and my heart tugged at my chest at his protectiveness. I put my hand on his back, trying to calm him a bit. “Gavin, it’s okay… they aren’t going to hurt me,” I assured him, my voice as low as a whisper. “We don’t know that. I’m not taking a chance,” he said, his eyes never leaving the Blackwells. “I know they won’t hurt me,” I told him, my voice sounding stronger than I felt. “They are my family… my true family.” Even as I spoke those words out loud and meant them, I couldn't help but feel the ping of guilt that gnawed at my chest. The Montgomery’s were my family… they were the only family I’ve ever known, and I loved them with my entire heart. I would never trade them for anything. But Selene and Zachary were my blood, and a part of me felt like I was finally coming home. Perhaps my wolf and spirit already knew that my place was with the Blackwells. “We don’t wish to have conflict,” Zachary told Gavin, his eyes narrowed. “We only wish to speak to our daughter.” “You didn’t know she was your daughter until 5 minutes ago,” Gavin said. “How do we know we can trust you?” “Because you signed a business contract stating me as your partner,” Zachary said, raising his brows. “If you didn’t trust me at least a little bit, you would have never signed me as your partner.” Gavin stared at him for a long while; I kept my hand on his back, rubbing soothing circles and trying to appeal to his wolf. I could feel his emotions going awry, and I didn’t want him to lose control. “It’s okay…” I said softly. “Let them talk.” Gavin finally relented and stepped aside, allowing Selene to approach me with her tear-filled eyes and outstretched arms. “I’m so sorry we didn’t know sooner,” Selene breathed as she wrapped me in her arms. “Our daughter…” “I always knew something was off. It all happened at once, my mother stopped talking, my sister left… you seemed… different. I couldn’t explain it… But I felt the shift even back then,” Zachary said, running his fingers through his dark hair. “I should have looked into it further, and for that… I am so sorry.” I shook my head, giving him a small smile. “I had an incredible life,” I assured them. “I love my family, and I love the outcome. I’m not sure I’d be here with Gavin if things hadn’t turned out the way that they did. I’m grateful for the entire roadmap that led me here…” I touched my belly, feeling the warmth spread throughout my entire body. “I wouldn’t change anything,” I added, a faint smile decorating my lips. “Where is Lila?” Zachary asked, turning to look at Taylor. “Has she been held in custody?” “Yes,” Taylor replied. “I don’t trust her to not try anything against Judy so we will keep her in custody until it’s safe.” Zachary nodded and then turned to Selene. “I think we should speak to her as well,” Zachary told his wife. “She was the girl we raised for 23 years after all.” She nodded and nibbled on her lower lip. “Is it wrong that I feel as though I barely know her?” “Probably because you don’t,” Gavin said, shaking his head. “Did you know she used to go by the Alias Rachel?” They both blinked and looked at one another, frowns marring their lips. “What?” Selene asked, her brows pinching together. “She worked closely with Levi for a long time… acted as his mistress and stayed by his side while he tried to get his hands on Judy. I’m not entirely sure what she was gaining from that… but a part of me thinks she might have known all along that Judy was the rightful heir and her ties lie with Levi’s family.” “Wait, weren’t they lovers?” I asked, confused. “If Lila was truly part of Levi’s family… wouldn’t that make them family as well?” Gavin nodded. “Yeah, but not by blood. Relationship by marriage. They have no blood ties,” Gavin explained. It still didn’t make me feel any better about their relationship; Levi was so much older than Lila…he was even older than Gavin.“I can speak with Levi again and see if he can give me any further information. He’s upset with Lila for leaving him as she did,” Gavin said, sitting on the edge of my bed. “I’ll visit him in the morning.” Zachary nodded. “I’ll go with you… I’d like to find out everything that I can and I prefer not to be left in the dark. Now that this has to do heavily with my family, I won’t rest until I know my daughter is safe.” I flushed at his words, and I couldn’t seem to lift my head to look at them. But I knew all eyes were now on me. “I just can’t believe our daughter is really Judy<” Selene said, her voice cracking slightly. “I should have known Lila was never mine… I felt it… I truly did. But I ignored it.” “And now the magic is restored in Judy?” Zachary asked, glancing at his mother. “Is that correct?” “Yes,” both she and Cora said at the same time. Esme glanced at Cora and gave her a faint smile along with a singular head nod. “She will have to practice using it or she won’t be able to control it,” Cora explained. “As the only true witch in the family, I’m more than happy to help her however I can.” “You’d do that?” I asked, my heart swelling. “You’re my niece,” she reminded me. “I’d do anything for family. Plus… I kind of owe you after switching you in the first place.”I let out a low laugh; I couldn’t believe that I was laughing about this now. “Honestly, it worked out for the best. I have an incredible family and met my mate. I’m not sure things would have been the same if things didn’t turn out the way they did.” Cora’s expression softened. “I like your way of thinking.” “So, what does this mean for me now?” I asked, looking around the room with a frown. “I suddenly have magical powers? Is that why I feel so powerful?” They all pretty much nodded. “You are magic’s host,” Cora explained. “All magic runs through your veins and is powered by you.” My heart started to beat rapidly in my chest; that was a lot of pressure. “That’s why I was told that I could break mate bonds and curses?” I asked, my eyes wide with realization. Cora nodded. “Yes… You can break any curse and any bond,” Cora explained. “It’s a wonderful gift that you must not take lightly. But it can also be dangerous if it is not used correctly. Allow me to train with you, and we can make sure that you are always safe.” “And you think you can help me?” I asked, uncertainty clear in my tone, but Cora didn’t falter. She gave me a firm nod, and a small smile tipped the corner of her lips.“I believe I was always meant to,” she admitted. I looked at Gavin, and I saw that he was watching me, waiting for me to answer. I finally looked back at Cora and gave her a small returning smile. “Okay,” I said softly. “I’ll train with you.” “Excellent,” she said with a bright smile. “And soon enough you’ll be the most powerful witch to ever exist.” The most powerful witch to ever exist? The pressure was on.