Chapter 17

“What do you need to leave the house for?” Mason asked, clearly upset – and suspicious.

I brandished the gaudy pink ring like it was the most amazing thing in the world. “Because you gave me this. It’s beautiful and I love it, but none of my wedding jewelry matches.”

He crossed his arms stubbornly. “Then it’ll just stand out more.”

“It’ll claasshh,” I whined playfully, and he grinned. “I just want to make sure I’m perfect for you on our big day.”

Mason smiled hugely and pulled me in for a kiss. I forced myself to melt in his arms like I used to, to kiss him back.

“Fine, go ahead. But don’t be gone too long, okay?” Even now, there was an edge of threat to his voice.

I pretended not to hear it. “Of course, I’ll be home early. Maybe we can watch a movie or something.”

The fact that he could nod so eagerly, grinning like a happy little idiot made my blood boil. He’d just chased me around the house with a knife and he really thought we could go back to how things were.

But it worked in my favor that he didn’t know how wrong he was.

I drove into town and went right to the jewelry store before meeting Noah. Almost immediately, the shop phone rang.

“Ah, yes, Alpha, she just walked in. Yes sir, we’ll take the very best care.” The clerk waved me over and I made myself laugh.

“So over protective, but it’s why I love him,” I said breezily. The next thirty minutes was a blur of silver, gold, diamonds, and pretending to care. I didn’t trust that Mason wouldn’t ask for security footage or something, so I had to make a show of it.

When it was time to go, I reached into my purse, pulled out my phone and gasped, “Oh god, I have to call the caterer! There’s paperwork in my car. Hang on, I’ll be back.”

“Take your time Miss!” the clerk called, but I was already out the door.

I hurried past my car – not visible from the shop – and ducked into an alley. Noah was already waiting.

“Hey, glad you’re okay,” he sighed, wrapping me in a quick, tight hug. Before I could ask what this was about, he pulled a folder out of his jacket. “Just listen, okay?”

I took it, confused. “Okay?”

“The boss had me look into your boy and I found everything you don’t want to find,” he explained, and my stomach sank. “That’s all one case though, his ex-girlfriend sued him.”

My eyes widened at the thick file. “One case?” I started flipping through it. Police reports, mug shots, hospital reports, but so much was blacked out it was almost unreadable.

Noah nodded gravely. “She accused him of abuse, stalking, and…” he swallowed. “Worse. But Mason was able to have it buried.”

For some reason, I was shaking my head. Of course I believed him, I saw for myself the monster Mason was. I just couldn’t believe the evidence was out there and I hadn’t known.

“Look, I’m not telling you what to do with your life, kid,” Noah said tiredly, “Maybe he’s changed and found enlightenment for all I know. But I thought you should have this and –”

But I snapped the folder closed and shoved it back. “I can’t take this,” I said quickly. If Mason found it…

Noah seemed to understand. He slipped out a page and ripped part of it off. “Here, take this at least. It’s the ex’s contact information. If you need to you could reach out for evidence, then petition the Alpha Council for a divorce.”

“I’m fine, Noah,” I lied, “but I’ll take it if it’ll make you feel better.”

He said nothing as I texted the number immediately – Hello, this is Mason’s fiancé. I hope it’s okay to contact you. Can we meet?

“Whatever this fight with Levi is,” Noah blurted, ripping my focus from the screen, “end it. Please, Harper. You can just come home. He will always protect you. You know that, right?”

I stepped away from him. “I know he will, but I’m fine,” I said, making myself shrug. Because the thing was I did know that – and I couldn’t keep being a burden. Noah would never understand.

The day I knew I had to get away from Levi for both our sakes drifted through my mind.

Being an orphan who never shifted hadn’t exactly made me many allies growing up. In fact, it got me bullied through high school. I’d tried my best to be strong, but Levi eventually noticed and started being nicer.

It was little things, stopping to talk to me in the few minutes he had between meetings. Our Sunday morning coffees. Randomly getting me books he thought I’d like. Just… paying attention. Being kind.

And stupid me had fallen head over heels for him.

I’d been so moved by each little gesture until he was all I could think about. I felt like I was losing my mind. I’d hesitated for months. But I’d made the mistake of telling a friend and she couldn’t stop talking about how it would be the most romantic thing in the world.

With her in one ear and my own foolish heart in the other, I broke. I waited for Valentines day and bought him special chocolate liqueurs – a grown up gift.

I’d put on my cutest outfit and ran downstairs as soon as I heard him come in. Only to see him making out with some random woman.

Crushed, I’d just run from the room sobbing. “Harper, what’s wrong, what happened?” Levi came after me, confused and worried.

I’d just lied. “I told a boy I liked him today. Got rejected.”

Levi blinked at me in disbelief. “You? What little shit head rejected you? Harper, you’re amazing.” For a second, hope swooped in my chest. But then he continued with a smile, “When I was a kid, I would’ve killed to have a girl like you.”

Kid.

Girl.

The words were like claws, ripping my hope to shreds. That’s all Levi would ever see me as – a little kid, a helpless girl in need of his protection.

I knew it then, and I knew it now. I could never be with him. I wasn’t worthy, especially with all the taboo things about our bond. The age gap, the whole foster daughter thing. I couldn’t do that to him.

So I ran to the West to kill my feelings completely. And ended up in this freaking mess.

I just gave Noah a bitter smile, “Everyone has to grow up someday. Without me, Levi will be freer.”

He gave me a strange look and rubbed the back of his neck, debating something internally.

“Look,” he finally sighed, “Levi actually…”