Chapter 19

Harper’s POV

“What… I thought you left when I went inside,” I tell Lucas. He pushes off the wall, and I stand completely still as he circles me and looks me over. Strangely, he nods and stops when he’s in front of me again.

“Just thought you might’ve died while in the bathroom,” he says coldly.

Maybe ‘hoped’ is a better word than ‘thought’ because that tone doesn’t show any ounce of concern. I bite back a humorless laugh as he turns and walks away.

“I don’t need you being nice if you’re only pretending and are actually toxic,” I mutter under my breath as he disappears down the hallway. That jerk. How did someone so hard and cold come from a woman who is the kindest being on the face of the earth?

Quickly, I make myself something to eat before returning to my room. Chicken, veggies, and rice are all I’m up for now, but the meal should give me enough energy to heal. Plus, I set up an IV for nutrients.

“Harper!” Nora shouts from outside my room just before bursting in. The moment she spots me, my best friend runs to the bed, touching my bandages and taking in the IV before crying, “What happened? How did you get so hurt? Why aren’t you healing? Are you okay? Who did—”

“Woah, slow down. I can only answer one question at a time, Nora.”

She shakes her head, “Sorry. Go ahead.”

I set my empty plate to the side and check the IV before turning to her, “I was attacked in the forest by rogues. Someone told me you and the Gamma were injured…”

I explain everything that happened, including how Lucas came to the rescue. Nora gasped and growled at everything that happened, and when I conclude the details of the day, she pulls me into a hug.

“I’m so sorry that happened, Harper,” she whispers. “I was helping my brother get things read for the ball tonight, which is why I didn’t answer the phone. I didn’t see your calls until just a little while ago. I feel so—”

“It’s not your fault, Nora.”

“But they used our friendship to lure you out there! That makes me feel awful, like I did this to you…” she brushes her fingers over my injured leg and bites her lip. “Does it hurt?”

Shaking my head, I lay my hand over hers. She’s so concerned that I feel a warmth bloom in my chest.

“Thanks for caring, but I’m okay. Now that I’ve eaten and gotten my energy back, I can heal—”

“And then we can get ready for the mating ball.”

I chuckle and nod. The mate ball. Honestly, I’d forgotten it was tonight.

Insteady of responding, I focus on slowly pushing my healing magic through my body, letting it mend each of my injuries until there’s not even a faint mark on my skin. Nora watches with wide, amazed eyes as the tingling dies down, and I smile.

“Good as new.”

She pulls me into a hug before hauling me to my feet, “Then let’s get ready for an awesome night!”

Laughing, I allow her to do my makeup while we talk.

“What is this fake bond that Alpha Lucas mentioned?”

“I’ve been thinking about it too,” I mutter, closing my eyes. “My mother used to have a book that mentions a potion that allows someone to forge a fake bond with another person. Though, it doesn’t last long, and it requires a constant tether between the two people, which can cause the life force of the person who performs the witchcraft to decline drastically.”

She gasps, “Will they die?”

“If they don’t cut it off, yes. It’s usually used for werewolves who haven’t found a mate, but may be dying, to extend their lifespan through the vitality brought on by the fake mate,” I explain.

“Wow. That’s crazy… kind of like how your father is spreading rumors about you around the pack.”

The switch in conversation makes me look up from smoothing out my dress, “What?”

“My father and brother told me about rumors spreading,” she says. “Your father is talking about you and trying to discredit your hybrid status, but I think he’s just jealous of how strong you are.”

The news is worrisome, but I try to push it aside as we finish getting ready and head out. I can deal with rumors later.

Nora leads the way to the ball, and the moment we walk in, a crowd of men surrounds us. I can’t hear what most of them are saying because they all talk at the same time, but I take my chance to begin searching for my mate.

Several women, Sierra’s friends, continue to interrupt me and shove me out of the way. Their derogatory comments make me feel unwelcomed and small. The men don’t talk to me, more interested in the scantily dressed she-devils.

As I move through the crowd, trying to talk to the men here, my mate mark stays silent. I don’t feel the pull toward anyone here. Eventually, one man actually stops when I try to speak with him.

“Hello, beautiful.”

“Um, hi. Can I ask you some questions?”

“Sure, as long as I can do the same.”

I nod, “Were you at Sierra’s party in June last year? The one at Moonlight Majesty Hotel?”

The man pauses for a moment before nodding, “I was at Moonlight Majesty Hotel in June, but not for the Luna’s birthday. I was at a banquet the same night. So were Alpha Lucas, the Beta, and several other higher ranked leadership.”

Another party. Is it possible that my mate wasn’t even at Sierra’s party? He could have been at the banquet.

“Harper, there you are,” Nora shouts, pulling me back to her side. She looks at the man before asking him to excuse us and dragging me toward the food. “You need to eat to keep your energy up after healing.”

“Thanks. That was perfect timing.”

Nora grins, and we hop into the line for food. As I place various party foods on my plate, I notice Sierra near the drink table. What is she…

My heart stutters as she pours powder into a drink and stirs it before handing it an attendant and pointing at Lucas.

“What the—”

I lift the glass to my nose, taking a whiff of the drink before quickly jerking it away from my face. It smells the same as the drink Sierra gave me on her birthday. The drink that made me feel hot.

I turn on my stepsister and narrow my eyes, “An aphrodisiac for your own mate, Sierra?” Sierra’s face flames red and she tries to snatch the cup away. I dodge her and glare at her, “I should’ve known you would use tactics like this. What will Lucas think when I tell him you’re trying to drug him?”

She hisses and tries to grab the cup again.

“I think I’ll take this evidence to the Alpha now.”

Turning, I intend to do exactly that, but I’m greeted by a chest and a sweet smell.

“Mate,” he growls, sending a shiver through my body.