Chapter 24

Harper’s POV

While everyone is distracted by the Sierra situation, I quickly dart away from Lucas’s side. It’s probably going to be my only chance to get away without causing him to get angry again. So, as soon as I spot Logan, I make may way to my mate.

It’s strange enough that Lucas didn’t want to stop dancing or let me go, but now I’m thinking of someone as my mate. Honestly, I thought I’d die before I found my mate, so it kind of throws me off when I refer to Logan as mate.

However, as I reach Logan’s side, a strange mix of internal tension reacts almost counter to the feelings that Logan ignites. The warm and electric excitement clashes with the pain caused by the mark, making me grit my teeth.

Logan reaches out for me, taking my hand. The wave of soothing energy pushes at the tension a bit and dulls it, letting me breathe easier as I look up at my mate.

“Didn’t you say you were number eighteen? What happened?” I ask. If Lucas wouldn’t answer my question, I’ll just ask Logan.

My mate drops his eyes to the floor and rubs the back of his neck, “I’m sorry, Harper. Alpha Lucas stopped me before I could get in line, and he took my number. I didn’t have a chance to tell you.”

“Then why didn’t you come find me once the dance started?”

Is it wrong for me to be a little irritated that he hadn’t stood up to Lucas? Maybe, and while I never quite pictured myself having a mate, I didn’t imagine he would allow another man to steal me away so easily.

“He’s the Alpha, Harper, and when the Alpha wants something, you can’t really fight him on it,” Logan answers apologetically. The frown on his face irks me, and his words send a splinter of hesitation through me.

I can’t help but get the feeling that Logan thinks Lucas likes me.

“What the Alpha wants?”

Logan nods and takes my hands in his. The tingle is less intense this time as he squeezes my hands, “I’m nowhere near strong enough to take on the Alpha, but if you want me to, I’ll tell him to leave you alone.”

Now he wants to step up?

Logan had already allowed Lucas to sweep me away, so what use would it be now?

“Do you want to dance?” Logan suddenly asks, pointing to the dance floor. I bite back a groan as my irritation spikes despite the calming aura that swirls in our bond. The feelings clash again, and a spark of pain settles in my chest.

Thinking it might be a good distraction, I agree and allow Logan to lead me to the floor. He holds me stiffly, and I chalk it up to our unfamiliarity, as we begin to dance.

The slow swaying calms me a bit, giving me the chance to calm down. I probably shouldn’t have gotten so worked up, but everything that’s happened today has been anxiety inducing. I haven’t had much chance to take a moment to myself, and I’m having trouble processing everything.

“What do you do for work,” I ask, needing the distraction.

“I just joined the warrior ranks, so I get a stipend from the pack. Meaning, I’m taking a break from my current position at my father’s firm where I’m an accountant,” he answers. I nod, studying his face for a moment.

Logan is handsome, in the boy next door kind of way. His features are simple- dark hair and brown eyes. A light sprinkling of freckles dust his nose and cheeks, and a dimple creases his left cheek.

“So, what made you want to be a healer?” Logan asks.

When I look up at Logan, he’s already staring at me. He’s smiling, like we hadn’t just been almost arguing a few moments ago. It makes me a bit uncomfortable, but I shove the feeling aside.

“I’ve always loved helping people,” I tell him as we sway. “I’ve always thought that the best way to help people would be to become a doctor. That way, I can touch people’s lives and help them when they’re at their worst.”

“You probably make good money too.”

“I don’t do it for the money, Logan,” I snip, suddenly angry again. “I do it because helping people is my passion. If I never made another dollar as a doctor again, I’d be happy.”

His eyes widen a bit, and he stutters, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you were money hungry. I… sometimes I say the wrong things, but I don’t mean to offend others.”

Nodding, I accept his apology, “Thanks, I know we still have a lot to learn about each other.”

“Yeah, we do.”

He smiles, and I glance around the room. I step back and point to the restroom signs, “If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”

Moving quickly, I make my way to the bathroom and lock myself in a stall. I take a moment to collect myself and let my emotions balance while taking deep breaths. It takes a few minutes, but once I’ve calmed down, I use the restroom and go out to wash my hands.

Just as I reach for paper towels to dry my hands, the door flies open and Sierra struts in. Two of her friends come in right behind her, locking the main door behind them.

“All you do is ruin other people’s lives,” Sierra growls sharply while getting in my face.

“Me?” I laugh. “I didn’t ruin anything. You’re the one who tried to drug another person.”

Sierra shoves me back, and I stumble. I take a few steps away from her, but she’s fast and corners me against the wall before I can move fully away.

“You should have kept your mouth shut! I was humiliated in front of everyone because of you!”

“No,” I hiss, my mouth having a mind of its own. I plant my hands on Sierra’s shoulders and push as hard as I can. She moves back a bit but not enough.

I bare my human teeth at her and say, “What I should have done is told Lucas that you were trying to drug HIM.”

With a screech, she launches forward, grabs me by the hair, and growling, “Stay away from my mate, bitch. This is my last warning!” Then, she throws me toward the stalls.

My body flies through the air, and I barely catch myself on the stall door. My hand catches on the lock, scraping the metal, but I manage to stop my fall before I tumble into the toilet.

The girls with Sierra giggle at my predicament and watch as I stand back up.

“Looks like you should take the trash out, Luna Sierra,” one of the girls says.

“Or flush her down the toilet with the rest of the shit,” the other says. They break out into peals of laughter, igniting my anger.

Sierra moves in front of me, sneering, “I can’t believe you found a mate tonight. I guess the Goddess took pity on you because you’re so pathetic.” She looks me up and down. “Did you think that dress would help you fit in, Harper? You’re a rat dressing like royalty when you have no right to do so.”

Before I can move, Sierra grabs me again and tosses me at the counter. My head slams into the edge of the counter, pain spiking in my skull and my vision going black as I slump to the floor.

Laughter surrounds me, but it fades until it’s completely gone.

Lying on the cold, hard floor, I push all my healing magic toward my head and hope I can heal myself before I pass out.