Chapter 113
Harper’s POV
The wind in my fur, the feel of my mate nearby, and the surge of adrenaline that fills my body is almost too much.
I slow as I near the witch’s cottage again. My senses effortlessly reach out beyond my body, sensing that Lucas is near even though I can’t see him. As I look around, I let myself catch my breath. It’s been so long since I last ran like this that I’d almost forgotten how freeing it feels.
Something bumps against my back leg before it rubs up my side and under my neck.
Lucas.
He’s been doing that a lot as we run. Touching me and rubbing his scent on me. I have to admit that it’s nice, and each time he does it, I don’t want him to pull away. And when he does pull away, I want to go to him, rub my body along his, and return the affection.
He rumbles softly when he rubs the top of his head along the underside of my neck, sending a tingle through my body again. I peer at the large male wolf circling me, wondering what he’s thinking.
Is it Lucas or Levi in charge?
Is he thinking about me or Erie?
Does he want to keep running?
Did he like running with me as much as I liked running with him?
Because, I kind of want to continue our run. It’s been amazing so far, and for the first time in forever, I feel full of unabashed joy.
Does he feel it too?
I nip at him playfully to get a reaction. The way he stares at me speaks volumes, tells me he wants to be right at my side, and makes me yearn for more. The longing is so heavy and insistent that I can’t stop myself from walking toward Lucas.
Is this how it will always feel with him? With my mate?
I don’t think all of this change would’ve been the same without him.
Before I can change back to talk with Lucas, he moves to my side and nudges my shoulder with his nose again. He then jerks his head toward the denser part of the forest, eyes lit with another challenge.
And somehow, I know exactly what he’s thinking. Understanding flows into me like clean water into a stream. Lucas wants to know if I’m willing to test the limits of my new body. I was thinking about it while running, but to know that he’s going to stay by my side while I explore is comforting.
Going through the denser part of the forest will be more difficult, but I’m willing to try as long as he’s here.
So, I growl softly and nod in response before taking off.
Not even ten seconds later, I hear his paws padding on the ground at my side, his form a blur beside me as we run. Each time I encounter an obstacle that trips me up, Lucas uses his body to help maneuver me.
He pushes me to the left when I nearly hit a tree, and he even slows down in front of me to help me change pace. But soon, Lucas is behind me, letting me run free and unrestrained. I weave through the trees and leap over fallen logs, my confidence growing with each movement.
Even when I stumble or falter, he’s there, guiding me. He nudges me when I need encouragement and steadies me when I stumble.
So, I turn the tables. I change directions and chase him further into the trees. He disappears, but unlike earlier, I know he won’t leave me. I can feel his heavy Alpha presence near. The spicy, alluring scent that always surrounds Lucas fills the air.
He’s still here.
Always near.
Then, he’s at my side again. His fur brushes against mine, sending that lovely tingle into my body. Instinctually, I lean in and as I do, I realize how much my trust in Lucas has grown over the last few days.
Not only do I trust him to guide me physically, but I also trust him to be here for me emotionally.
“Do you know what it’s like to be without your wolf?” I ask softly, staring up at the sky above the cottage. Lucas’s men linger nearby, but I don’t have the energy to pay them any attention.
My vision blurs with sleep, and my eyelids droop, but I force them open as I look up at Lucas. His hand softly brushes my hair, relaxing me and making my exhaustion that much heavier.
“No, but I think if you hadn’t shown up when you did, I would have found out,” he murmurs.
“Your wolf was growing weak,” I mutter. “I remember.”
Solemnly, Lucas nods, and I lift my head off of his lap to study him better. He helps me sit up, and when I turn to him, he watches me carefully.
“Do you think…” I don’t know how to finish the question without sounding strange, but I don’t have to because Lucas speaks.
He cups my cheek in his hand, his thumb softly rubbing along my cheekbone as he asks, “Do I think it’s because of our mark bond?”
I nod.
“I do,” he says, making me look into his eyes. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Again, I nod. We haven’t fully discussed the situation, but it hangs between us like a broken limb getting in the way when you run. If you don’t move it, it will continue hanging there.
“There are consequences that come from marking someone and not fulfilling the mate bond,” Lucas starts, leaning back on his hands. “Most mates don’t feel the strain like we did since they usually complete the mating when the mark is given, as you know. I felt weakened and felt my wolf retreating, which would have been my punishment, but others might feel something different.”
“I was in pain,” I whisper, pulling at the grass. “I didn’t feel it at first, but it grew unbearable most days. Sometimes, I would pass out because of the pain and the weakness back—”
Hands cup my face again and lift it, connecting my eyes with Lucas’s bright blue ones.
“Do you still feel pain?”
“No. Like you, it started going away when I came back to the pack,” I tell him. “Remember, I wanted to remove the mark, thinking it would get rid of the pain. That’s why I asked you to find the man who marked me.”
He nods and releases me, though, I can practically feel the reluctance as he slowly moves.
“I remember. I never thought…”
Shaking my head, I gently rest my hand on his arm. “Me neither, but now we know, and now we can make a decision about it.”
“You’re my mate, Harper. I don’t want anyone else,” Lucas says firmly. “But I know you have hesitations. I said it once, and I’ll say it again; I am willing to wait as long as you need or want. Just… don’t push me away so quickly. Give me time to show you how I truly feel about you.”
His words prick at the softer parts of me, the parts that have turned from solid ice to a small, warm fire in the middle of my chest.
“Okay,” I murmur. “I’ll give you the time you’re asking for.”
