Chapter 3: Why Can't I Understand What They're Saying?

Harper's POV

Three days later, I'm standing in Kai's penthouse with two suitcases and a potted plant.

I didn't want to move. But Maggie wouldn't shut up about it. "A place like this? And you're hesitating?"

The penthouse is on the top floor downtown. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the entire city. At night, the lights look like they go on forever.

Kai carries my bags down the hallway. "Guest room's this way. You've got your own bathroom. Closet should be big enough. Let me know if you need anything."

The room is huge. Bigger than my entire apartment.

"Thanks." I feel awkward just standing here.

"I usually work late." He stops at the door, keeping his distance. "Won't bother you."

He means it.

The next few days, we barely see each other.

When I wake up in the morning, he's already gone. There's always a cup of coffee on the counter with a note: "Morning. -K"

When I go to bed at night, he's still not back.

Sometimes I wake up around three and hear quiet sounds from the living room. Him working.

On the fifth day, I wake up early and decide to make breakfast.

Kai walks out of his bedroom and freezes when he sees eggs and toast on the table.

"I made them." My hands are sweating. "Don't know if you like..."

He sits down. Picks up his fork. Takes a bite.

Silence.

My heart's in my throat. "Is it bad?"

"...It's fine."

Just fine?

But the next day, the fridge is stocked with ingredients. All stuff I like.

The day after that, Kai asks stiffly, "Are we having eggs again?"

I can't help smiling. "You actually like them, don't you?"

"They're acceptable." He looks away. His ears are turning red.

This man.

Tuesday morning, I'm making coffee in the kitchen.

Kai comes out of his bedroom looking... flustered?

That's unusual. He's always so composed.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

The doorbell rings.

Kai's face changes. "Shit."

"Who is it?"

"My grandmother." He says it fast. "And other family. I forgot today was... never mind. Too late."

He opens the door.

People flood in.

The woman leading the charge looks about sixty, but her presence fills the entire room. Silver hair pulled into a bun, elegant suit, walking like she owns the world. Her eyes are sharp as knives.

"Kai." She calls out.

"Grandmother." Kai moves toward her, and there's tension in his voice.

"So this is her?" The old woman scans the apartment, then fixes her gaze on me.

"Yes." Kai comes to stand beside me. "Harper, this is my grandmother, Elena Thornton."

"Hello, Mrs. Thornton." I extend my hand politely.

Elena doesn't take it.

She walks closer. Studies me carefully.

Then she leans in and... inhales deeply.

I stare at her, shocked.

Is she smelling me?

"Human, but her scent's good." Elena announces this like she's appraising livestock.

What the hell?

"Mom, don't do that." A middle-aged man walks in, looks kind of like Kai. "You're gonna scare her."

"I'm just confirming." Elena sounds completely unapologetic.

"Confirming what?" I whisper to Kai.

He opens his mouth, but before he can answer, a young woman throws her arms around me.

"Harper! Hi! I'm Lily, Kai's cousin!"

"Uh... hi..."

"Do you know how long my brother's been single?" Lily's practically vibrating with excitement. "Ten years! A whole decade! Everyone in the pack thought he'd be a lone wolf forever!"

"Lily." Kai's voice carries a warning.

"What's a lone wolf?" I'm completely lost.

She glances at Kai, then winks at me. "Oh, you know. Like... eternally single."

Elena settles onto the couch like a queen surveying her domain. "The Luna position's been empty for so many years. Finally, someone to fill it."

Luna?

What the hell is going on?

Why does this family keep saying weird things?

"What's a Luna?" I can't help asking.

Everyone stares at me. They look surprised.

"She doesn't know?" The middle-aged man asks Kai.

"We're still... adjusting." Kai looks uncomfortable.

"Adjusting to what?" Elena frowns. "Fated mates need to adjust?"

"Grandmother." Kai cuts her off.

"Fated mate?" I'm more confused than ever. "No, seriously, what are you people talking about?"

Awkward silence.

"Whatever." Elena waves her hand. "She'll find out soon enough anyway."

I don't ask again, but my mind is racing.

Elena stands up, her voice booming. "Since my grandson finally found his mate, we need to celebrate properly!"

Kai pinches the bridge of his nose, looking resigned.

"Next Saturday," Elena declares, "we're having a pack gathering! Everyone needs to know our Alpha finally found his Luna!"

"Pack? Alpha? Luna?" My brain is about to explode.

"It's just a family reunion." Lily pats my shoulder. "Except there might be a few more people than usual. Don't stress."

But her expression tells me it's not that simple.

"This is wonderful news!" Elena continues. "Ten years, Kai! Ten years of being a lone wolf!"

People start cheering.

Only Kai's face keeps getting more rigid.

I watch his fist clench and release. His throat moves as he swallows.

"Grandmother," Kai tries to stop her, "there's no need to rush..."

"Rush? You've been dragging your feet for a decade!" Elena glares at him. "If you hadn't finally come to your senses, I would've thought something was wrong with you! Do you know how many people in the pack are waiting to see you fail?"

"I know, but..."

"No buts!" Elena makes it final. "Next Saturday. Thornwood Estate. The whole pack will be there. Harper, prepare yourself. A lot of people want to meet you."

"I..." I can't process this.

Everyone leaves in a whirlwind of noise.

Lily winks at me on her way out. "Harper, I'm so excited! You should wear that blue dress, my brother will definitely..."

"Lily!" Kai stops her.

"Okay, okay." She laughs and runs off.

The door closes. The apartment goes quiet.

Just me and Kai.

I turn to face him.

He's standing there looking... helpless?

This normally composed man is showing this expression for the first time.

"Kai." I say.

"Yeah."

"So..." I take a deep breath. "Who are you really? What's a Luna? What's a pack? What's a fated mate?"

My voice is shaking. "Why can't I understand what they're saying? Are you guys some kind of secret society?"

Kai is silent for a long time.

Sunlight streams through the windows, casting shadows across his face.

"Harper," he finally speaks, voice quiet. "Sit down. There are some things... I need to tell you."

I sink onto the couch. My hands twist together in my lap.

Kai sits across from me.

His fist clenches and releases. Over and over.

"Do you believe there are... unusual things in this world?" he asks.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean..." He looks at me. "If I told you this world has more than just humans, would you believe me?"

My heart starts racing.

"Kai, what are you talking about..."

"Harper." He interrupts, looking straight into my eyes. "I'm a werewolf."

The air goes still.

I freeze.

Then I laugh. "You're joking, right?"

"I'm not joking."

His expression is too serious.

My smile slowly fades.

"You... what did you say?"

"I'm a werewolf." Kai repeats. "My whole family is. All the strange things you noticed—the eye colors, the strength, the way we talk—it's because we're werewolves."

My brain goes blank.

Werewolves?

Actual werewolves?

"That's impossible." I hear myself saying. "Werewolves only exist in movies..."

"No." Kai pulls out his phone. "Werewolves and humans have coexisted for decades. I thought you knew."

He shows me news articles.

Government documents.

Scientific research papers.

Headlines reading: "Fifty Years of Peaceful Coexistence Between Werewolves and Humans."

I take his phone. My hands are shaking.

This is... all real?