I never told anyone that I couldn’t shift, but it was apparent to some.
I could fob people off most of the time. But on a full moon?
When the urge and need to shift take every wolf?
People noticed more than I realised.
Many called me out on it, but I always lied. I would say that maybe they hadn’t seen me, but I was there with everyone else.
Most would shrug it off, but I could never fool Katy or Emily. They were my best friends, and they knew me better than anyone. They kept my secret along with Kale when they didn’t have to because they loved me.
Lorcan had been here a week before my mother went to him. She hadn’t spoken to me in months, but she sought a meeting with the Alpha Prince and outed me as a none shifter. I didn’t understand why
On my twenty-first birthday almost a month ago, I transformed all by myself in the forest. It hurt like hell, and I thought I’d die right there and then. However, I didn’t die, and Zara, my wolf, ran free for the first time. There are no words that can accurately describe how it feels to be so free.Zara trotted to the lake, and as she looked at her reflection in the water, she allowed me to look upon her through her wolf eyes.Zara is the most beautiful light sable wolf I have ever seen. Of course, I’m biased, but it’s the truth. The midnight blue on her underbelly served to tell me that my mate would be the same colour.There was only one wolf in the pack, the colour midnight blue – Josh. My heart was racing in my chest. But then I told myself that I was mistaken, and my mate was someone outside of the pack.
‘Gia?’ I call through the pack mind-link, careful not to let anyone else hear me.‘Harper? Is everything okay?’‘No,’ I groan. ‘I lied about the online course and why I needed to be alone. I’m in heat, and I’m scared. This is my first one, and I don’t know what to do. It’s getting stronger, and I’m terrified, Gia.’‘
“I want you to let me love you, Harper, to put you first, and for you to be everything to me. I hope that I can one day be those things to you.“Come back to me, beautiful,” Josh kisses my hand, and the sparks ignite throughout my body, bringing me to life. “I need you, baby.”My heart hammers in my chest. Something compels me to believe what Josh is saying. He doesn’t just want my body; he wants my heart and trust.Zara pulls back completely, allowing me to look upon Josh as my mate for the first time. A tear falls from my eye when he cups my cheek.“Josh,” I whisper his name while reaching for him. He takes m
“How’s it going with your little mate?” I ask as Josh, and I walk along the main strip in town.I built this place into something fantastic once I took over Silver Paw.Sure, the town centre was thriving, but it was missing something. I had more shops built, a larger supermarket, and made sure the town hall was up to par. The damn place had been neglected for far too long.The town hall was once used for dances, bake sales, and all that bullshit. Once the renovations were complete, I ensured the pack knew the place would be available as it once was. Most now book the hall for wedding receptions. The pack schools also hire out the hall for anything from school dances to stage plays.Of course, mating ceremonies are held on pack grounds, officiated by me. Mine and Gianna’s ceremony and reception will be held th
As soon as we pull up at home, I jump out of the car and rush inside.“Where is she?” I bellow to no one in particular.“Lorcan, wait,” Mum grabs my arm.I don’t know where she came from; I didn’t see her when I walked in. Then again, I didn’t see anyone through my angry eyes.“Where is she?” I spit through gritted teeth.“Who told you?”“That is irrelevant! Where’s Gianna, Mother?”“Don’t snap at her like that, Lorcan.”I growl at Luther, who, in turn, rolls his eyes.“Gianna is in the infirmary.”I don’t wait for any more; I
I watch Josh crouch down in front of a now crying Harper.“Baby, why didn’t you tell me?”“I’m so sorry, Josh, I didn’t know. I felt sick this morning, and while you were out, I mentioned it to Gianna. She made me take a test, and it was positive. I was shocked, and that’s why we went for a walk; I needed to talk about it with someone. You weren’t here, or it would have been you. Please don’t hate me.” She sobs.Josh pulls Harper from her seat and cups her face. “I don’t hate you, Harper; I never could. I love you, don’t you know that?”She nods her head, and tears fall from her eyes.“I love you, too. I know this is quick because we only just mated. But I want this baby, Josh; I really do.”
“So, how are things, really?”I smile at my sister.We’re sitting in my favourite part of the rear garden at the picnic bench Lorcan bought me.“Things are not too bad, Bella.” Things could have been much worse if Lorcan had gone postal.When I found the little boy by the lake, I didn’t hesitate to bring him home with me. I couldn’t leave him out there; anything could have happened.When Lorcan and Josh left on their secret mission, I went about my day as usual. I worked a couple of hours in the infirmary, helping Kale learn how to create a remedy for morning sickness.We were halfway through when Harper came barging in, looking upset. Of course, I took her to one side, and she expla
Bella sighs.“Yeah, Dad told Mum and me how we needed to accept that you’d chosen Lorcan. He also told us what happened when he came here with Orrin.”I’d roll my eyes, but I didn’t expect my father to keep from Mum what happened the day he arrived to take me home.“Mum wasn’t happy that Dad left you here, and that’s why she was harsh when we arrived. I can’t believe she’s now okay with you being mated to that pig.”I raise my eyebrow in annoyance.“I doubt she’s okay with it, Bella. But she understands the mate bond and what it does to a person. You haven’t found your mate yet, Bella, so you don’t know where I’m coming from. When you do find your mate, you best hope it’s not someone I hate.”