Harper pov
Ethan’s hands encircled my waist as he kissed me deeply, his fingers exploring my skin. For the first time in months, I felt my wolf instincts awaken. She was present, and it was overwhelming! I stepped back slightly, sensing my aura flaring like a sorcerer casting a spell.
“Are you okay, Harper?” he asked, tilting his head to gauge my reaction. I was surprised he noticed the shift in my demeanor.
“I’m fine,” I replied with a smile, bending slightly to alleviate the discomfort I was experiencing. Piper, my inner wolf, was churning in my stomach, causing me unease. The turmoil within me was truly distressing.
“Can you handle the pain already?” I thought to myself, realizing how unfocused I was becoming.
“Are you okay? You can talk to me. You’re acting strange,” he pressed, his gaze fixed on me as he held my arms tightly while I backed up until I reached my mattress.
“I think my wolf is back, Ethan. She won’t stop stirring in my stomach. I hate this moment; she seems so thrilled,” I said, my voice shaky as my strength began to wane.
“I need water or maybe food; she’s ruining my day.”
Ethan’s grip on my arms tightened, concern etched on his face. “Harper, what’s going on? You’re frightening me.” His tone was a mix of fear and urgency.
I attempted to comfort him with a faint smile, but my body was betraying me. My hands shook, and my vision started to fade. Piper, my inner wolf, was awakening, her energy surging through me like wildfire.
“Food,” I managed to whisper, my voice barely above a murmur. “I need food.”
Ethan quickly released me and dashed to the kitchen. I thought he should have called one of the female pack members or his sister Alessia instead of rushing out like a frantic alpha. Moments later, he returned with a glass of water and a sandwich. “Eat, Harper. Maybe this will help calm her down.”
I finished the sandwich in no time, its flavor dull on my palate, but it was the sustenance that Piper needed. She calmed a bit, her growls fading into soft whimpers.
As I sipped the water, Ethan held my face gently. “Feeling better?” he asked, his thumbs softly moving across my cheeks.
I nodded, sensing Piper’s restlessness diminish. My energy returned, and my sight sharpened.
Then, Piper’s emotions overwhelmed me. Excitement. Yearning. Desire. All aimed at Ethan.
“No, no, no,” I whispered, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Ethan’s expression turned concerned. “What’s the matter?”
I stepped back, breaking free from his grasp. “Piper… she’s interested in you.”
His gaze met mine, filled with understanding. “Harper, I want you too. Both of you.”
My heart raced. Ethan’s words fueled Piper’s intensity. She howled, her energy surging.
I faltered, my legs giving way. Ethan caught me, lifting me effortlessly.
“Harper, stay with me,” he murmured, his lips just a breath away.
But Piper was taking charge.
Everything faded to black.
When I regained consciousness, I found myself on my bed, Ethan beside me, holding my hand.
“Welcome back,” he said softly.
I sat up, rubbing my temples. “What happened?”
Piper’s presence was still there, but she was now at peace.
“You nearly shifted but became too weak to complete the transformation,” Ethan explained quietly. “Piper took over.”
My heart sank. “What did I do?”
Ethan’s look was comforting. “You didn’t hurt anyone. You just… wanted to run.”
“Run?” I exclaimed, trying to get up but realizing my heart was racing too fast. What’s going on, Piper? You shouldn’t stress me out like this as a welcome. I muttered under my breath, my face flushed with anger. I felt embarrassed, imagining how I might have reacted-almost screaming like a banshee.
I lifted my hips to settle against the edge of my bed cabinet. A throbbing pain pulsed in my head, making it hard to think clearly. I pressed my hand to my forehead and realized I was running a fever.
Then, I heard the door creak open. I must have really disturbed the whole neighborhood.
“Well, well, well, look who’s finally awake. I thought you’d be out cold a bit longer, learning to manage your wolf rage,” Sarah taunted as she approached my bedside, her furious gaze piercing through me.
“Is that pain I hear?” I shot back, matching her hostility as she drew closer.
Sarah’s eyes blazed with fury, her fists tightly clenched. “You’re fortunate no one called the guards to restrain you like an animal. What if someone had overheard you?”
I retorted, my tone sharp. “Stay out of my affairs, Sarah.”
Her face contorted in disgust. “Your inability to control yourself is putting everyone at risk.”
Ethan stepped in, his presence demanding attention. “No, no! Please, Sarah.”
She turned on him. “You’re just enabling her, Ethan. She has to learn to control herself.”
Alessia joined Ethan, her expression icy. “Back off, Sarah. I’m always here to ensure you don’t intimidate my sweet Harper. She’s kind and gentle, unlike you. I still question what brought you into our pack.”
Sarah’s gaze bore into mine, her words laced with venom. “You’re a monster, Harper.”
My anger surged, and Piper stirred, sensing my turmoil.
“No!” Ethan yelled, grabbing me as I lunged toward Sarah.
Alessia held Sarah back, urging, “Stop this.”
Alright, Alessia, back off. You need to stop seeing me as the villain.
I rested my head on Ethan’s shoulder, tears flowing down my face. A chilling realization hit me. She was right; I didn’t deserve to be her. I couldn’t even manage my inner wolf.
“Shh… don’t talk to yourself like that. You’re special, Scarlett. Don’t let Sarah’s words get to you,” he murmured, gently stroking my hair.
“There’s no need to feel guilty. Sarah is just bad luck for us. Let’s move on without her,” Alessia spat, causing Ethan to glare at her in anger.
Ethan’s eyes flashed with fury at Alessia’s words. “That’s enough, Alessia,” he growled.
But Alessia stood her ground, her expression fierce. “She’s toxic, Ethan. Always stirring up trouble.”
Sarah’s smirk returned, adding fuel to the fire. “You think you’re superior? You’re just as flawed.”
My tears dried up, replaced by a newfound resolve. “That’s enough,” I declared, my voice steady.
Ethan tightened his hold on me. “Harper, don’t.”
But I pressed on, confronting Sarah. “I might not have full control over Piper, but at least I’m not cruel.”
Sarah’s smile wavered.
Alessia stepped forward, her eyes fierce. “You think you’re better? You’re just as bad.”
Ethan’s voice rose again. “Alessia, stop.”
The tension in the air lessened slightly.
Sarah’s eyes held mine for a moment before she turned and departed.
Alessia followed suit, casting a spiteful glance back at us.
Ethan wrapped his arms around me. “You are not flawed, Harper. You possess strength.”
I leaned into him, tears beginning to form once more.
However, Piper stirred, sensing my discomfort.
“Ethan,” I murmured.
He turned to me, concern evident on his face.
“I believe Sarah is concealing something,” I stated.
Ethan’s demeanor shifted, becoming more resolute. “She is not hiding anything from us.”
I shook my head, gently withdrawing from his embrace, my foot softly touching the floor, my eyes already brimming with unshed tears.
I slowly let go of my nightwear, allowing it to fall away and reveal my body without hesitation. I was unable to comprehend the emotions coursing through me. Since my arrival at the pack as Ethan’s mate, he had not touched me intimately. I craved that connection now.
I turned to him, my gaze filled with seduction.
Ethan’s eyes widened, his gaze tracing the contours of my exposed form. His breath caught, and a flush of desire spread across his face.
“Harper, what are you doing?” he asked, his voice quivering.
I stepped closer, locking my eyes onto his. “I need you, Ethan. I need to feel your presence.”
His resolve began to falter. He lifted me into his arms, his lips crashing against mine.
Our kiss sparked an inferno of passion. Hands roamed freely, reigniting long-suppressed desire.
Ethan’s touch sent electric shivers through me. Piper stirred, sensing the intensity of our bond.
As we explored each other, the outside world faded into oblivion.
A sudden discreet cough interrupted the moment. “Apologies for the interruption, I didn’t mean to intrude,” Sarah said, standing by the door.
“Could you please leave? We are sharing a moment together.”
“Yes, please go,” Ethan added.
Sarah’s eyes narrowed, her gaze lingering on our entwined forms. “Very well.”
With a flourish of her cloak, she disappeared into the night.
Ethan’s lips found mine again, reigniting the passion.
Yet, the interruption left an unsettling feeling in the air.
Piper felt restless, I murmured.
Ethan’s gaze was fixed on me. “We’ll confront whatever lies ahead together.”
We resumed our lovemaking, filled with intensity and fervor.
Afterward, we lay intertwined, gazing at the moonlit sky.
Ethan’s fingers caressed my cheek. “I love you, Harper.”
“I love you too,” I responded.
Piper’s sense of peace resonated within me.
Suddenly, Ethan’s phone vibrated.
He paused before picking it up.
“What’s the issue?”
A moment of silence.
“What do you mean there’s a meeting and I wasn’t informed?”
Ethan’s face darkened.
Tell them the meeting is off; I have matters to discuss with Harper, and everything will be sorted by tomorrow. Ethan’s gaze bore into mine, its intensity rivaling the stars outside. “Stay here, Harper. I’ll take care of this.” His tone was low and authoritative, but I could sense an undercurrent of tension.
I stood my ground, my heart racing in sync with Piper’s rising anxiety. “I’m going with you,” I declared, my voice steady, my words resonating in the stillness.
Ethan’s expression changed, his jaw tightening in irritation. Yet, he knew better than to protest. “Alright,” he muttered, pulling on his jacket.
Together, we stepped into the morning light, the cool air filled with the scent of wet earth and hidden truths. The old pack hall loomed ahead, its imposing structure cloaked in shadows.
Alessia and Sarah stood at the entrance, their faces barely visible in the dim moonlight. “What are you doing here?” Ethan inquired, his voice tense.
Alessia shook his head. “It’s nothing. But something feels off inside.”
We exchanged cautious looks before stepping into the hall.
Before I could move further, Ethan had already returned to them. The patriarchs were gathered, so I turned back toward the entrance, my footsteps echoing with urgency as I lifted my gown to avoid tripping.
“Ethan, we have meetings to attend. Let’s not leave Alessia and Sarah alone,” I whispered, pressing my lips tightly together.
“No, I just want them to find something to do inside instead of stirring trouble in the hall.”
As we entered the meeting hall, silence enveloped the room. The patriarchs’ eyes were fixed on us, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension.
Ethan took my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine, providing a comforting presence that calmed my nerves.
The hall was dim, with only the soft crackling of the fireplace breaking the stillness. The flickering flames illuminated the patriarchs’ faces, casting strange shadows on the walls.
Alessia finally spoke up. “Ethan, Harper, we’re here to address the recent… conflicts.”
Her gaze shifted to me, her eyes lingering.
“Conflicts?” Ethan echoed, his voice steady.
Sarah leaned in, her tone laced with venom. “Yes, Harper’s outbursts. Her wolf is becoming stronger and more erratic.”
Heat rose to my cheeks in anger, but I maintained my composure.
“Don’t you dare!”
I trailed off as sounds from the walls began to fill my ears.