Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
The kettle finished boiling, and he didn’t like how little time that had taken. She made their drinks, and he took his from her.
They stood opposite each other, and he was quite happy to leave it like that. To drink their coffee and not say a word.
“Why?” Harper asked.
He didn’t even bother to pretend he didn’t understand.
Nothing he said was going to justify what he did.
Harper only wanted the truth.
Chapter Nine
The Night Before the Full Moon
Harper sat on the dirt and stared up through the trees at the moon that was so close to being full. She loved these nights, when it wasn’t too warm or too cold, and she could stay out and look up into the night sky. It was a vision, a beautiful sight.
Her wolf felt calm. In that moment, Harper remembered the first time she transitioned, and how excruciating the pain was. Her wolf wanting to come forth, and the fear that she’d mess it up. Her parents had been close, offering her guidance, encouraging her. She’d never hated her parents, but she had right then. Nothing they said would have made that first transition any better. Being told it would all be over soon didn’t fill her with confidence.
“You were young, and in all honesty, I … I was afraid. You’d not gotten to know the world. You were a virgin. You were everything I feared to have in a mate, and as my female by my side, I needed someone strong, and I didn’t think you were that person. I didn’t think, Harper, I reacted, and I did so badly.”
Harper knew it was no excuse, but it did make sense. She and Mateo were different ages. Their wolf genetics aged them differently, so he didn’t look a day over forty years old, and yet, she knew he was. While she was still just twenty-five years old.
“So what you’re saying is you want me to go out and have random sex with guys so I’m no longer a virgin, and maybe have a bit more experience under my belt?” That had been her response, and she had loved his reaction.
The growl of protest he released had sent her body racing. She loved how protective he had gotten and he’d taken a step toward her. His voice turned an octave darker, as he told her she belonged to him, and no one was taking what was his.
It had been the first time she felt truly aroused by him.
The last few days had been quite tough, because every time she looked at him, she thought about what he’d said and done. She liked it, and she didn’t want him to stop.
Franny had asked her, and she’d talked it over with her friend.
“Maybe it is time for you to forgive. Not forget, I wouldn’t ever recommend that, but I don’t know, it could work between the two of you, if you gave it a shot. He’s still here, even after you rejected him.”
And now, on the day before the full moon, she was in the forest, in her favorite skirt and sleeveless shirt, staring up at the stars. Her wolf wanted him and deep down, Harper knew she wanted him as well.
“I was looking for you,” Mateo said.
At first, Harper thought she had imagined his voice out of thin air, but as she turned toward the sound, she saw Mateo was very much in the flesh.
“Mateo,” she said.
She went to get up, but he shook his head and sat down beside her.
“How did you find me?” she asked.
“I told Franny I wanted to come and see you, and she said more often than not, I would find you out in the forest on the day before the full moon. So, here I am. You come out here?”
“Yeah, just to look at the full moon and enjoy its beauty. I won’t really get a chance to do that tomorrow.” She was more focused on letting her wolf out, and allowing her to have the run she craved.
Tomorrow night, her wolf was in control. Tonight, she was.
Mateo smelled so good.
“True,” Mateo said. “I think there comes a point where you stop seeing the beauty of the full moon, and just … get used to it. Like that favorite piece of furniture you get. It is great to have, and you love it, but it somehow blends with everything.”
Harper chuckled and glanced toward him.
His eyes looked so striking tonight. She licked her lips and then took a deep breath. “Franny believes that when tomorrow night happens, there is not going to be any control. Even if we don’t want to, we’ll, uh, come together,” she said. “Is that right?”
“I’ve spoken to my father and he agrees with Franny. The full moon, the power of the wolves, there is no stopping it. They’ll be in charge tomorrow.” He looked up at the moon while she kept staring at him.