HARPER
After the whole ordeal, I slept for days on end. The healers did their best, but the accident, the stabbing, and the drugging had taken a toll on me. I hadnât felt this drained since my younger days, when Axel and I fought tooth and nail to survive and build what we had.
It looked like we were gearing up for another round. Axel was already preparing for battle, and Layla was right there with him. She was worried about me and Grace, checking in on us every day.
I appreciated her concernâshe was a fantastic luna. I liked to remind Axel that he didnât deserve her, just to get under his skin.
Sierra never left my side during my hospital stay. Grace healed faster than I did, but we stuck around to chat with Jasper and Kane.
Axel had already left with Kane to start securing the southern section that the Red Coven could currently access. They planned to blow up a portion of the cliffs in that area and bury the roadway, making it harder for anyone to get through.
The fae were also strengthening their borders, preparing for the vampires to try and push into their territory. That is, if Kaven was foolish enough to make a move so soon. The fae were as fierce as the lycans, and they had magic on their side.
I trusted them, though. They were our allies, and they had their own issues that we had promised to help with. Grace had already scheduled a time to assist with their research on fertility and genetic profiling.
The fae were dealing with a unique problem, but thatâs a story for another time. While we were at the hospital, I noticed that Jasper seemed to be around a lot. I kept an eye on him, suspecting that he might have feelings for Grace.
I hadnât mentioned it to Grace yet, because she didnât seem to be encouraging him, and I didnât think he was foolish enough to make a move. He might be their prince, but heâd better keep his hands to himself.
âHey, how are you feeling?â Sierra asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
We were sitting in our backyard, and I was admiring the plants she had put in. I shrugged, my mind no longer on our hospital stay and problems.
I was here, in the present, with my mate.
âI mean, Iâm physically fine. Sometimes I question it mentally,â I said, grinning at her.
She returned my smile, looking relaxed and comfortable in her T-shirt and soft pants. It was a far cry from the tense woman I had first met. Our shared mind-link certainly helped.
I beckoned her over to me. She came without hesitation. I just wanted to touch her, to feel her close. She was my true mate, my soul mate, and she filled the void in my life.
When she sat next to me, I pulled her into my lap.
âHarper,â she said, amusement in her voice.
I wrapped my arms around her, inhaling the scent of her hair. Maybe it was silly, wanting to hold her, to have her sit in my lap and just enjoy each otherâs company. But I liked it.
We deserved these quiet, tender moments. âI love this, you,â I said, sighing contentedly. I was going to say it whenever I felt like it. Only the weak held back.
âYouâll never love me as much as I love you,â Sierra said softly, turning to kiss me deeply.
I held her close for a moment longer. âWeâll agree to disagree,â I told her.
She laughed, and we sat there, just listening to the sounds of nature. This was the perfect life for me. We had our ups and downs, but we worked through them, and I couldnât ask for a better mate and partner.
I was glad sheâd taken that leap of faith, because now we had a chance together.
SIERRA
This was more than I ever thought I could have. Harper was the kind of man all men should aspire to be. Maybe I was biased, but the way he worked through our disagreements and supported me where I fell short meant the world to me.
I felt more comfortable sharing my thoughts and opinions, and I didnât shut down anymore. I was training hard with Miguel and a few others, learning the ways of the vampires and other fighting styles.
Harper was supportive, even helping me with my training. He didnât want me to ever feel helpless. He had trained Grace, so it wasnât strange to him.
But he made it clear that he didnât want me fighting. Weâd cross that bridge when we came to it. Right now, though, that wasnât what was on my mind.
I was thinking about how I finally had the chance to live like a real person. I could make my own choices, do things my way. I could say no and be respected for it.
The man holding me in his arms gave me that. He gave me strength when I needed it, and I wanted to do the same for him. I wanted to be someone he could lean on when the world got too much.
âI think this is enough outdoor time,â Harper said, whispering in my ear.
He surprised me by standing up, still holding me in his arms. His strength still amazed me, even though a couple of weeks had passed since his injuries.
He was a mythical creature, but I still worried about him.
âWhere are we going?â I asked as he headed toward the sliding door of our room.
âI was thinking of some indoor activities we could do together. I mean, I could show you out here, but I got yelled at last time,â he said, making me laugh and blush.
He was so bold.
âWe were expecting company then!â I protested, remembering the last time he had tried to seduce me outside.
We had invited a few people over for a small party. He could be such a man sometimes.
He chuckled. âMore fun if you donât know how long you have. Gives you a rush,â he teased.
He dropped me onto the bed once we were inside. I propped myself up, looking at him as I sat on the edge of the bed. I smiled up at him, taking him in.
âDonât be a typical man and rush things. Whereâs the fun in that for me?â I asked, and he smiled back at me.
âI can do slow,â he said, crawling over me by walking his hands across the bed.
I laughed, reaching up to touch him and pull him closer. âColor me curious, letâs see it.â
He bent down, capturing my lips in a kiss that was both deep and thorough. This was my idea of a perfect ending. I couldnât imagine being anywhere else.
No matter what the future had in store, I was confident I could face it. I had my friends by my side and a man who held my heart in his handsâa man I was deeply in love with.
âAre you ready for this?â he asked, his eyes searching mine for any sign of doubt.
I nodded, feeling a surge of determination. âAbsolutely. With you by my side, I can handle anything.â
He smiled, pulling me into a tight embrace. âIâll always be here for you,â he whispered into my ear.
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them away. âI know,â I said softly. âAnd Iâll always be here for you too.â
We stood there for a moment, wrapped in each otherâs arms, ready to face whatever came our way.
End of Book 2