Chapter 111

Lucas’s POV

Harper’s body trembles as the magic in the air disappears. She stares at her hands, her eyes filled with tears and her body swaying. The light around her—the light that had been Erie—fades completely, and I lurch forward to catch Harper as she slumps to the ground.

Wrapping my arms around my mate, I pull her into my lap, torn between amazement and worry at what just happened. The solid warmth from her body leans fully against me, and I carefully adjust her head, tuck her into my chest, and hold her.

Our bond hums between us, stronger and louder than it’s ever been, and I almost don’t know what to do. I can’t really do anything other than hold her close while she recovers from the ritual.

“It may take a while for her energy to fully replenish, especially since she was already low when we began,” Ms. Sage says, pulling half of my attention to her. I don’t take my eyes off my mate, though. The slow rise and fall of Harper’s chest reassure me that she’s merely sleeping to gather strength. I’m not sure when she’ll wake up, especially since she’s being so still.

“She will also need time to return to normal,” the witch adds. “After being separated from her wolf for so long, shifting and having another consciousness inside her will take some adjustment.”

“Will it be difficult?” I ask, brushing a lock of hair out of Harper’s face. Her head limply rolls to the side, and before it can get too far, I lift my arm to catch her head.

Ms. Sage hums, tapping her fingers on her knees before responding with, “It would be if she was alone, but I suspect that’s not the case.”

“You’re right. It’s not,” I murmur. “She’ll never be alone again. I won’t allow it.”

Harper stirs a bit, her eyes moving beneath her lids. Carefully, I turn her to where her wide is against my chest, cradling the back of her head to keep her from falling. I want to be the first thing she sees when she opens her eyes.

“I’ll leave you to alone for a moment. If you need anything, please let me know,” Ms. Sage tells me. The kindness feels strange, since not even two hours ago, we were attacked by her monster. I try not to hold that against her as she starts to clean the ritual area, and I turn my attention back to my mate.

A soft, tired sigh puffs against my neck.

My entire body coils tight, hoping that Harper will feel better, that she’ll feel like everything is right again, when she wakes. I smooth my thumb back and forth in circle on her arm and watch as Harper’s eyes flutter.

For nearly two hours, we stay like this. I hold her, letting her rest while allowing my senses feel for our bond. Strong as an unbreakable elastic band, the bond stretches between us. Unlike anything I’ve ever felt, even the strained fake bond Sierra created, this bond is pleasant and natural.

It feels right, like it should have always been there. Not for the first time, I wish that I’d found Harper before her father ripped her wolf away. If I had, neither of us would have gone through the troubles that plagued us over the past year.

But that doesn’t matter.

With time, I will gain her trust which will strengthen our bond even more than it is now. Just the thought of spending the rest of my life with Harper has my heart beating faster. Spending forever with someone as kind, compassionate, and amazing as her is all I need. If she were to ask, I’d give up everything and follow her.

The mate bond pulses between us, a light affectionate sensation coming over me. It slides down the bond, coming from Harper. Her energy, feelings, and presence become stronger the longer we sit here, and I realize that having her wolf back is starting to activate the mark I’d given her.

A soft sigh falls from Harper as she burrows closer to my chest. I nearly flinch when her cold nose brushes my bare skin. The touch sends my heart running. My body locks up, taking note of how Harper nuzzles into me, and goosebumps race across my skin.

“What I wouldn’t give to reverse time and find you sooner,” I whisper, my lips softly touching her forehead.

“Lucas,” a soft, almost fragile voice croaks.

Beautiful, deep golden eyes meet mine, and everything else fades away. There’s a spark in her eyes, a mixture of excitement and sleepiness that She blinks slowly as if fighting the exhaustion, I’m sure is weighing her down.

When I look down, the air flees my lungs. Did she hear what I just said? If she did, she gives no indication. Instead, she tries to sit up

“I’m here,” I say, my heart filling with relief. “How do you feel?”

Golden eyes fade back to her pretty, light green color. She blinks again, leans against me as I help her up, and rubs the center of her chest. I watch her head tilt to the side just slightly and her face scrunches in thought. The little furrow of her brows is cute, and I reach out to smooth it with my thumb.

“I-I can feel her,” she whispers, touching her chest again. “It’s strange. I feel like I’ve been walking around as an incomplete person, and now…”

“Now?”

“Now, I feel whole,” she says softly, her eyes finding mine again. “It’s a little overwhelming.”

I nod and notice the way her hand curls around my wrist. Again, she rubs at her chest, but this time, her eyes take on this faraway haze. If I let her, she’ll probably fall back asleep, but I don’t.

Gathering her in my arms, I stand. My chest aches slightly as I hold her closer, asking, “Do you feel the bond?” My wolf lifts his head, waiting for her answer with just as much anticipation as I do.

“I do. It’s pulling me… is that me or the bond?”

The uncertainty in her question nearly kills me. I swallow back the denial that it’s just the magic of the bond working between us.

“I believe the bond only enhances feelings that are already there,” I answer truthfully. “Our relationship may have been decided by the Goddess, but the strong connection and the pull between us? I believe that’s real. I don’t think the bond gives you fake emotions.”

Harper stares up at me for a moment, processing my words, and I can only hope she believes the same thing. There are people who believe that the bond forces two people to have a connection but not me.

She doesn’t speak as I carry her out to the front of the cottage. By the time I reach the front yard, Harper is shifting restlessly in my arms. My men stand at attention, their eyes immediately landing on Harper.

“Put me down, please.”

I do as she asks, setting her carefully on her feet and holding her until she’s not swaying on her feet any longer. Once she’s steady on her feet, I step back. However, instead of standing where I left her, Harper moves with me. She stays close, not letting me put more than two feet between us.

Interesting.

“Would you like to try to shift?” I ask, turning her around to face me.

“Can I?” The hope in her voice tugs at my heart and makes me smile. Taking her hand, I lead her toward the trees. Her hand slides up my arm, grasping it tighter than she ever has as we walk. Even though I watched her wolf return to her, I’m still surprised by her sudden strength.

“Let’s see if you can keep up,” I tease, pull away from her, and begin my shift.

If Harper wants to shift, I’ll do everything I can to help her. And the best way to entice Erie is to let Levi come out to play.