‘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.”
I nod my head.“Her name is Katy, she’s nice. Katy is Kale’s little sister, and she’s a really good friend of mine. I would have thought you’d have met her since Mason took her home with him.”“I haven’t heard from Mason, Gianna; I just told you that.” She snaps, annoyed. “I’ve also been kind of busy, Gia.”I roll my eyes.“Please, Bella. I know you’re not Lorcan’s biggest fan, but please try and understand how I feel. I love him, and he loves me. When you find your mate, whoever that may be, even if I hate them, I’d respect them because you’re my sister.”Bella, I can see, is clenching her jaw.“You just told me
Where is she?Where the hell is my mate?I’ve searched the damn packhouse for the beauty from the garden. She felt what I did; I saw it in her eyes when they locked on me.I had to fight the urge to scream ‘Mate’ I didn’t want Gianna to know what was going on, not until I knew myself.I didn’t mean to cut my sister off. There was so much I needed to say to Gianna about her so-called mate. But all of that went out of my head when I scented that girl.I don’t even know her name, but her face is imprinted onto my brain. Those deep green eyes, that flawless skin, those plush lips, her long blonde hair, and even that tight body have my heart racing.I’ve never been with a girl in my life, and I never dre