Chapter 112

Harper’s POV

Erie growls playfully from within me, the sound filling my chest with a soft rumble. Lucas’s wolf eyes follow the sound, and I swear he smirks. Is that possible? For a wolf to smirk?

“We can do this,” I tell Erie as I turn my focus inward. I want to rise to Lucas’s challenge, show him that I can be a strong werewolf like him and the rest of the pack. That need and desire to rise up bubbles within, giving me the motivation to concentrate harder.

Closing my eyes, I think about what it used to feel like to change to my wolf form. I think about my body; my paws tipped with sharp claws, soft chocolate colored fur, and a sensitive nose that could catch a sent a mile away. I remember the feel of the wind whipping around me as I ran in the forest and the way it felt to soak up the sun while laying in the grass.

Erie’s presence grows, and a flicker of something comes from deep inside me.

It starts small then spreads through me like a wildfire, rushing through my veins and seeping into my bones until my body starts to change. The shift is slow and painful since it’s been so long, making me cry out and fall to my knees as my bones rearrange themselves.

Over the rush of my blood and the spikes of pain, I hear a keening whine as something warm rubs along my body. Lucas’s touch chases some of the pain away which makes it more bearable through the rest of the shift.

By the time it’s over, I’m panting and leaning against Lucas’s stronger and larger body. He stays still, allowing me to use him as a crutch. While I take a few breaths to steady myself, I look down at my paws. I flex them, my claws scraping through the dirt.

A new energy flows through my body, exciting and familiar, but the moment I take a step forward, my legs nearly give out.

Lucas is there immediately, catching me with his body. We both tumble to the ground because of my clumsy movements, but instead of being upset, Lucas lets out a wolfy laugh. He easily stands back on all four paws, nudges me, and lifts me back to my feet.

To thank him, I rub my head along his neck. A satisfied rumble vibrates through him and into me, sending a wave of awareness through me. Lucas is here, and he’s not going anywhere.

I try again. This time, I take slower steps until my legs feel steady, and even then, Lucas circles me.

I appreciate his support as I navigate my new limbs.

Sounds and smells from all over filter into my senses, and I try to ignore them as I focus on walking correctly. Lucas’s scent is the heaviest, though. The strong pine and spice scent makes my head spin… in a good way.

“Mate,” Erie whispers dreamily. My heart thumps quickly in my chest, melting into a warm puddle each time he brushes against me or nudges me with his nose. Having him so close, and fully feeling the mate bond, is intense.

Add in the feelings that race through our weak mark-bond, and it’s a lot to deal with in an unfamiliar body. I try not to think about it, wanting to save the emotion assessment for later, but the way it fills me makes it hard to concentrate.

I stumble again, right into Lucas. Luckily, he doesn’t seem to be distracted like me. His full attention is on me. I’m not sure if Lucas senses this or if he’s just guessing, but he doesn’t leave my side. Every now and then, he’ll move away from me and circle around my body, giving me a wider berth to walk around.

The longer I move around, the stronger I feel. My balance levels out and my body finally begins responding to my commands. I move around the clearing, not needing to lean on Lucas any longer as I explore.

Once I’ve got my feet under me, I focus on my other senses. Everything is brighter, sharper, and stronger than before, but before I can really dive into calming the senses, Lucas nips at my flank. I jump back and whirl on him.

Surprisingly, he’s crouched down like a dog wanting to play. His eyes glow brightly, and they follow me when I move. I test him by darting to the right, but he tracks the movement, never taking his eyes from me.

A low, playful growl fills the air.

Is his wolf, Levi, in charge now?

He barks again, jerking his head toward the trees.

The idea of our mate wanting to run with us sends little thrill through me, and Erie sits up to pay more attention. Before I can deny him, Lucas takes off running.

Erie pushes forward, takes over, and before I know it, we’re running. Chasing. Our body is slow at first, our steps careful and calculated, but soon, we’re flying through the forest. Trees blur on both sides of us as we run faster and faster, our speed increasing with each step.

And there’s only one thing on my mind.

Catch Lucas.

He’s far ahead of me, a blur in the dim lighting. With my wolf sight, the darkness I’d been afraid of earlier isn’t so dark. My vision flips, becoming clearer and lighter as I move further into the darkness of the trees.

Lucas jumps across a ditch, easily clearing the distance without fumbling. I follow and launch myself across the gap in the ground. My paws land solidly on the other side. There’s no sign of wavering or weakness, and excitement fills me. I’m doing it.

I’m back to normal.

From somewhere to my left, I hear Lucas bark. I can’t see him, but his scent leads me into a dense patch of trees. I follow it south, then circle around a tree that smells strongly of him before I change direction and go back west.

I search through the trees, using my sense of smell and hearing to follow Lucas and listen for him. A light padding of paws against the ground start up from my left, and I dart toward them. I need to find him.

Something—everything—in me wants to prove myself.

As I search for Lucas, I can feel Erie just below the surface. She guides me, helps me settle my new senses, and pushes me to keep going. Our connection settles comfortably within me, like the last piece of a puzzle finally being put in place after a long time of it being lost.

Bursting through the tree line, I pounce. Lucas dodges me easily then moves and circles me again. I stay where I am and let him study me. Then, he comes closer. My heart jumps in my chest, butterflies flutter in my stomach, and my breath catches.

When Lucas rubs his body along the length of me, a zing of affection hits me. The warmth from our bond changes from a spark to a flame, growing steadily. Tingles race along my nerves, a pleasurable wave following them.

A soft, almost inaudible whimper falls from my snout as relief and trust fill me.

It’s time to trust him again.

Without Lucas, I wouldn’t be where I am today.