Julie continued to thrash in Nate’s arms as he carried her back to her parents. Julie was screaming all sorts of things as Nate took her away from Eric. Mostly curse words, but every now and then she started pleading with Eric not to do this.
“Can you give me a second?” Eric asked Austin. The Alpha nodded, this being THE weirdest initiation ceremony ever. Eric followed his brother, waiting until Nate had placed Julie inside the Stovall’s car.
“Julie Marie Stovall I cannot BELIEVE what you were just about to do!" Martin roared, "After everything that's happened, to Eric Anderson of all people! Tell me you weren't going to do it. Look me in the eyes and tell me you weren't going to break our most sacred law!"
Julie looked her father in the eye, and that was enough for Martin. He walked away so he wouldn't hit Julie, or worse. He couldn't believe his daughter. Martin was just glad Nate got to her before Julie did anything. Melissa stood next to Nate (who was there to make sure Julie couldn't get to his brother), and very, VERY softly asked Julie what she was thinking. Francis was close behind Melissa, while Samantha and Martha took a step back.
Well to be accurate, Samantha took a step back, with Martha in her arms. She hadn't shifted, but Martha felt like tearing into Julie's flesh for what she was planning on doing.
"I was thinking I'd bring Eric to his senses." Julie muttered. Melissa opened her mouth to berate her daughter, but couldn't find the words to express her disappointment in Julie. So she walked off too. Which left Julie, quite angry and put out, in the company of Nate in his werewolf form, and Francis.
"Julie..." Eric said from behind his brother. Julie looked up, and met Eric's eyes. In hers, there was nothing but hatred, and hurt. But in his, there was determination and pride. He was sorry she couldn't understand his choices, but that wasn't going to stop him.
"You said you'd love me no matter what I chose. You said you didn't care if I became a wereskunk, or a wererat, you'd still love me. So why, why did you come here tonight to stop me? I've thought this through, and made my decision. If you really loved me you'd understand why I'm doing this. It's not just for me." Eric said.
"You don't understand! You're not thinking right! You're only doing this..." Julie couldn't finish her sentence, and dropped her gaze again.
"Julie, of all the people here, YOU'RE the one who isn't thinking right. I still want to be with you, that hasn't changed. Why can't you accept me the way I am, or the way I'm going to be? Of you were the normal one, and I was the were, I wouldn't stop you from pursuing the species of your choosing." Eric said quietly.
"I... you don't understand." Julie sobbed again. Eric sighed and looked at Francis. Of everyone present, she understood why he was doing this the best. And he knew she could better convey his reasons better than himself. She was the one with the skill set and training for that sort of thing.
"I think I do. Werewolves and mermaids aren't the conventional mixture are they? I've spent the past month thinking things over. Deciding if this is right for me. And it is. Sure there are plenty of other weres I could become, ones that may be more compatible with you. But THIS is what I'm choosing. And you're the one I'm choosing for, whether you believe it or not."
Julie stopped her crying and looked up again.
"I couldn't bear the thought of you getting hurt. Or anyone else. I'm not going to spend my life sitting on the sidelines wondering what could have been." Eric said, his head held high. And with that, he turned around and started walking back towards the pack.
Martha shed a tear for a new reason. Her little boy was all grown up. And she couldn't be prouder of the man he'd become. And she was sad William couldn't be here to see Eric like this. Not the scared kid who got beaten up, and couldn't form a complete sentence in front of a crowd.
"He'll make a great police officer one day. Officer Anderson," Martha thought pleasantly.
But Julie was not having pleasant thoughts. Every dream she'd had of her and Eric was suddenly shattered with every step Eric took.
Thud, her dream of their remaining high school years, and then going to college together, gone. Thud, the dream of their wedding, gone. Thud, her dream of Eric's first transformation on their honeymoon gone. Thud, her dream of their raising children together, gone. Thud, the vision of Eric's merman tail wrapped around hers, gone.
Julie fainted for a second time. The last words she heard where Eric taking the pack oath.