Chapter 13

Harper’s POV

No matter how long I stare at the photograph, I can’t figure out who the man is. He does look familiar, but I haven’t been in the pack for a year, which means I haven’t seen people from the pack in a long time.

“I don’t know about this,” Nora says skeptically. She shakes her head and sighs, “We don’t know who sent you this picture, so we can’t fully trust it. Right? I mean, what if it’s a trick or a lie sent by someone trying to hurt you or lead you on?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time,” I mutter.

“Exactly!” She smacks my arm, and I stumble into the wall. “Sorry. Sorry. I forgot you’re not at your old strength.”

Nodding, I wave it off and look at the blurry picture. Why does this man look so familiar? I haven’t seen many men since I’ve been back, mainly because I’ve only been back for two days. The only men I’ve seen are the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and a few warriors.

“Who’s following this?” I ask, looking at Nora. “Sierra and Ruby- we know they’re paying attention to my movements- my father, possibly, and the Alpha. Though, I just can’t make out who this might be.”

Nora pulls me back into the bedroom and over to the bed. I leave my suitcase by the door and settle my back against the headboard, thankful for the chance to rest. My weakened state only renews my purpose in finding out who the man is.

If I can figure it out, I can get him to break the bond just in time for me to return to my human life. Since I don’t work for the pack now.

“What if you’re right and this picture is a fake meant to lead us in the wrong direction? How am I supposed to know?” I groan, letting my head flop back against the wall. Instantly I regret it when a sharp pain splinters the back of my skull.

Nora winces and then shrugs, “I’m not sure.” She hums in thought, huddling closer to get a good look at the picture. Her body is much warmer than mine, and I end up curled into her side as we think.

Another thing I miss from being a werewolf. I was never cold. Now, I’m cold all the time, especially when I’m feeling weak like this. It could be seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit, and I’ll need a blanket.

“So, assuming this message is real and not a lie, your mystery man is here and not in the rogue lands,” Nora says. I watch her tap her finger to her chin like a little cartoon character who is thinking too hard. “I know a few warriors who have similar builds to this, but no one of them are this tall. It could be…”

Nora’s words trail off as she squints at the image.

“Could be who?” I ask, grabbing her hand. The sooner I find this man, the better. He’s the literal key that unlocks the rest of my life, so if he’s here, and she knows who it might be, I nedd to know.

“He kind of looks like Alpha Lucas—and before you stop me, look!” She points to the dark hair, then to the broad shoulders, “He’s also tall, which we know Lucas is tall. Then look at those muscles!”

“No, there’s no way it would ever be Alpha Lucas. You’re not thinking straight,” I tell her, shoving her over so I can turn to face her.

“They said it’s a man in the pack,” she fires back.

Laughing, I shake my head and argue, “Aren’t you forgetting that he’s Sierra’s mate? They have a bond, and she has his mark on her neck, Nora. Alpha Lucas isn’t the man who marked me. There’s no way.”

“If it’s not him, then we need to begin searching. Would it be weird to line up all the men in the pack and look at their backs?”

I laugh again and pull her into a hug. I didn’t realize how much I missed Nora until I came back. Once I go back to the human world, if I can make it back alive, she’s going to have to visit. Phone calls won’t be enough anymore.

I miss my best friend.

“Well, if you don’t think this man is Alpha Lucas, then maybe he knows how to find your mystery man,” Nora says, nudging me.

“It’s worth a shot,” I mutter, standing. “This could be goodbye forever, so asking now would be the bet time, especially with the picture.”

Nora jumps up and hooks her arm through mine, “You’re absolutely right!”

“I’m going to find Alpha Lucas.”

“Thought you were leaving, little rogue,” Sierra calls as soon as I walk out of the pack house. She smirks then growls when she realizes I’m going to ignore her.

“I won’t let you stay, even if you try.”

Again, I ignore Sierra and keep walking. Nora said Lucas is usually at the training grounds with warriors at this time of day, so I head west, where she said the training area is.

Sierra grabs me by the arm, her claws digging into my skin as she yanks me back. I yelp at the sharp pain of her claws and wince as blood begins to trickle from the puncture holes.

“Let go, Sierra!”

“No, and no one will care what happens to you since you’re being thrown out like the trash you are,” she hisses before shoving me back. I stumble then before I can react, she’s on top of me, pinning me to the ground.

I try to buck her off, but she’s much stronger than me.

Claws rip into my arm, slicing down my bicep and making me scream from the fiery pain. Blow after blow, she hits and kicks me, even going so far as to drag me by my hair to the point that I feel like my hair will come out.

I try to fight back, try to kick her or hit her, but she blocks or dodges every blow.

“Sierra, stop! Let her go!” Nora’s voice is a welcome reprieve, especially when she tackles Sierra to the ground and gives me a chance to scramble away. They roll across the ground, clawing at each other.

I gasp through the pain and force myself to sit up. Blood pours from claw marks on my arms, my head feels like it’s on fire, and my stomach hurts from Sierra’s kicks.

“What is going on here?” A loud, booming voice echoes around us.

All three of us freeze at Lucas’s voice and presence. We may be outside, but his domineering Alpha aura fills the air. A chill runs down my spine as he jogs over to me and helps me up, scanning my injuries.

“I was trying to convince Harper to stay, but Harper got Nora to attack me!” Sierra wails, and big fat tears roll down her cheeks.

“Like anyone would believe that,” I snap, “I’m clearly the one who was attacked, and Nora helped me get away from you, you psycho!”

Everyone present gasps, including Alpha Lucas, and all eyes turn to me. I don’t’ know what I look like right now, but I’m sure I look like I fought with an animal… which I did. Luckily Nora stepped in or else I could have been seriously injured.

“Sierra, we will discuss punishments for attacking another pack member in private. I am disappointed you would treat anyone this way, especially the woman I am inviting to stay on as the Head Healer of our pack,” Lucas growls. Sierra flinches and lowers her head.

“You don’t have to—”

“I want you to stay,” Lucas says. “We can rebuild that trust we spoke about between doctor and patient, and I need an amazing healer like you in my pack.”

My body protests, and I feel myself faltering. But I know what I must do. I need to stay to find the man who marked me, and now I need somewhere to heal.

“Alright. I’ll stay,” I agree. “On one condition.”

“Name it.”

“Can you please find someone for me?” I pull the picture out of my bag and hand it to Lucas.