Chapter 10

Harper’s POV

One of the doctors mutters something beneath their breath, but I ignore them and continue to walk away.

Before I can get five steps, a hand lands on my shoulder and yanks me back. A burning pain sears my skin where the man touches the invisible mark, and I bite back a groan. The pain had been less present today, but I should’ve known it wasn’t gone.

I’m not that lucky.

“That little cripple bitch,” he growls, “I called out to you. Didn’t you hear me?”

Spinning, I break out of the man’s hold just in time for another man to step forward, sneering, “Forcibly deprived of her wolf by her own father, a disgrace like that can heal?”

I don’t dignify his words with a response, so he throws his hands into my face, using sign language to insult me.

“Wolfless bitch.”

“Coward,” I growl, dodging his hands when he tries to grab at me. I shove the heel of my palm into his neck and push him back, pinning him to the wall. The men around me gasp and freeze as if they didn’t expect me to fight back. I’m sure they also didn’t expect me to be so strong without my wolf strength.

What they don’t know is that women have a special inner strength meant to specifically deal with arrogant, crude men.

Men like them.

“Release him at once!”

Something splashes across my wrists, instantly burning and itching to the point where I have to let go. The foul, acidic scent fills my senses, clouding my head and bringing painful memories to the forefront of my mind.

It’s the same substance one of Sierra’s companions poured over me when I was a child, leaving me itching and with red, irritated burns for months. Fragments from that day pierce my mind, making me stumble back and into a steady form.

“Leave this place,” Warrior Rone orders. “You are not to cause a scene. If you do, I will take you into custody.”

I lean into his hold, scratching at my burning wrist as the men around us scurry away. Warrior Rone keeps an eye on them as they leave and only looks at me once they’ve disappeared.

“You shouldn’t get involved with them,” he tells me. “They clearly have ill intentions toward you… Are you alright?”

“I-I’m fine,” I mutter, shaking my head to clear my thoughts. “I just need some air.”

Lucas’s POV

My body is already healing itself, and by the time I change clothes, the wound is fully healed. I didn’t have the heart to tell the little healer that after getting the poison out, her medicine wouldn’t be needed.

She was so focused and intent on doing her duty as a doctor that I let her. Harper’s passion and commitment are commendable, even catching my wolf’s attention with her desire to help. My wolf even agrees that she is brave for risking her life to remove the poison from my body.

There was no hesitation or fear in her, only pure determination to help her injured patient. It’s hard to believe that an outsider like her would risk so much for me. I haven’t known her for more than a day, and in that time, I’ve not been the kindest man to Harper.

Because of this, I never thought that Harper would fully fit in as a healer here. I didn’t think I could trust her since she’s a rogue. As an Alpha, I have every right to be wary of the people who come into my pack from outside.

I didn’t spend the last year working myself to the bone just for a single female rogue to waltz in and mess things up.

Blood, sweat, and tears have been shed to get the pack to a position in the top three strongest packs. When one rises to power, there is always a rise in jealousy and anger. I can’t help but be cautious when an unfamiliar woman suddenly applies for an integral position, like a healer, in my pack.

“Lucas, babe!”

Sighing, I close my eyes. The last person I want to see right now is Sierra.

“I heard you were hurt. Let me see, and I can help take care of you,” she says as she walks toward me. I dodge her hands when she reaches out for the bandages I have yet to rid myself of.

Oddly, the bandages Harper wrapped me in are more comforting than my mate’s touch. Sierra continues to make a fuss, trying to move the bandages to see a wound that is no longer there. I swat her hands away as she prattles on about the healing touch of a mate.

Sierra runs her hands down my chest and sides, like she’s petting a dog, as she coos and acts as if she’s calming me down.

“Which is why we should complete the mating bond. As you know, mating is good for our wolves, which would be good for your healing capabilities,” Sierra says. “It would also create an opportunity to officially accept me into the pack as your Luna.”

A sneaky and pathetic way to say she wants to have sex. She’s been pushing more lately for us to complete the mating bond, and I guess this moment isn’t any different.

“I’m fine,” I mutter, moving out of her reach once again. I move to the window, looking out at the grounds and the forest beyond.

If anything, I’d rather continue holding off on completing our mating because she’s clearly only thinking of herself again. Like always. Sierra is always thinking of ways to further herself while I have always longed for a strong, unique woman who would understand me and help my pack grow.

Sierra is none of the above.

All she cares about are clothes, jewelry, getting laid, and gaining the title of Luna- though, she doesn’t want the responsibilities.

“I have business to take care of.”

Sierra turns to say something, but I leave before she has the chance. Nothing she says will convince me to stay in that room for a moment longer. I’ve been thinking about reconsidering my options in the mate department, but it’s difficult.

Fated mates are a once in a lifetime gift from the Goddess, and they’re not something to turn away without serious consideration. Once you reject your fated mate, that’s it. There’s no going back.

But, something feels off.

The pull and desire to be near her that others talk about… I don’t always feel it with Sierra. Sometimes there’s a flicker of affection, but it quickly becomes drowned out by her greed and worldly desires.

I make my way toward the training grounds, expecting to see my warriors training. Instead, I find Harper sitting alone on a set of steps. She’s pale, shaking, and breathing heavily. Her hands are clasped tightly in her lap as she stares off into space, only moving slightly to scratch at her wrist before clenching together again.

No longer is she the competent, professional, and sure doctor from moments ago. This woman is an entirely different being.

Before me sits a vulnerable woman.