Chapter 25

Harper’s POV

My head still buzzes from the healing magic, but I manage not to stumble out of the bathroom. A slight pain still sits in the back of my skull, and I have to ignore it as I make my way back to the ballroom.

If I didn’t have healing magic, I probably would have been in real trouble.

Sierra is getting too out of hand with her threats and attacks against me. I’ll have to do something to stop her, but if I go to Lucas, I could make things worse.

When I make it back to the ballroom, Lucas is on stage speaking. The first thing I notice is that he looks pale. His voice is unsteady as he announces that it’s almost time for the midnight run, and the longer he talks, the more I notice.

Little beads of sweat pop up on his forehead, and when I look down, I see Lucas is gripping the podium so hard that his knuckles are white. He didn’t look like this while we were dancing, and now, he looks like he’s contracted the flu.

I’d bet money that if I were to go up there and feel Lucas’s forehead, he would have a fever. What happened between then and now?

I know for a fact that he’s completely healed from the poison, but maybe there was something I hadn’t noticed. Then, an idea pops into my head. Had Sierra drugged him while I was healing in the bathroom? I try to think of how long I was in the bathroom, but I don’t know. I was so out of it that I’m not even sure what time it is now.

There isn’t a clock in the room, and I don’t have my phone.

“Alright everyone, if you’ll leave your belongings here, it’s time to gather outside for our midnight run.”

No one else seems to notice his struggle because everyone gets up and makes their way to the front doors. No one goes to check on him, not even Sierra, who… I look around and find her nowhere in sight.

She’s probably still with those harpies that came to the bathroom with her. If that’s the case, maybe she didn’t do something to Lucas. Or at least, I hope she didn’t. Lucas is my Alpha now, and it’s my job to make sure he’s healthy. He shouldn’t have to watch for danger from his mate.

By the time I push my way through the exiting crowd, Lucas is no longer on stage. I didn’t see where he went, so I decide to look for him outside. If he’s sick, going on the run might not be the best thing for him right now.

“There you are. Come with me,” Logan says, taking my arm. He pulls me toward the front of the gathered people, and a familiar feeling of discomfort fills me. I’m not sure what I’m going to do while everyone else runs because, without a wolf, I can’t participate in the run.

I feel awkward standing in the midst of the rest of the pack. However, I am kind of excited to see Logan’s wolf.

Everyone is talking excitedly about the run. They’re grouped up in clusters; some are with their mates while others are standing with friends or family. I notice Sierra toward the front, standing with a group of girls her age.

From what I’ve heard, the Alpha usually leads the midnight runs. As the Luna, and as Lucas’s mate, she should be standing with him. And he should be at the front of the pack, but I don’t see Lucas.

The air buzzes with excitement as everyone begins shifting into their wolves. I turn and find a large brown wolf shaking its fur out, and I match the color of the fur with Logan’s hair.

“Hi,” I greet the wolf, petting his head tentatively. He rumbles at me, which brings a smile to my face. I’ve never really interacted with anyone else’s wolf before, since I’ve always been an outcast. The only wolves I’ve had interactions with were my so-called family and the rogues who attacked me.

I’d always felt left out when my family went on runs because they wouldn’t include me, saying a half-wolf didn’t need to be as active.

Also, my wolf never spoke, so I don’t know how wolves would interact with people because I wasn’t even able to speak with mine.

However, I don’t have to do much because Logan’s wolf pushes his head into my hand. I continue to pet him, letting his soft fur slide through my fingers.

“You’re a handsome wolf,” I say, hoping that isn’t weird. His mouth opens and his tongue lolls out, much like a dog, and he smiles at me.

“He likes you,” Logan’s voice in my head says. I startle at the sudden voice before remembering that I’ve been accepted back into the pack, which means I have access to the pack mind link.

My face heats at Logan’s words, and I continue petting him until a howl signals the start of the run. Logan barks at me before taking off with the rest of the wolves.

Sighing, I watch as, yet again, everyone leaves me behind. I watch as they disappear into the forest like shadows in the night. The only evidence of their presence being the howls that ring through the air.

Instead of standing here, I decide to walk the grounds and wait for Logan to come back. He said he’d walk me back to my room if I wanted to wait for him to get back from the run.

Taking it as a good sigh, I promised to wait, so in the meantime, I walk through the gardens at the back of the pack house. The former Luna loves gardening, and I remind myself to let her know that her flowers are beautiful.

Blues, pinks, oranges, and yellows fill the flowerbed, stretching all the way to the end of the garden.

As I pass through the roses, a groan sounds from somewhere behind me. I turn and squint to see through the darkness. I don’t seen anyone, and for a second, I think I’m hearing things. Then I hear it again, a pained groan followed by a growl.

“Hello? Is someone there?” I call out. “I’m a healer. Do you need help?”

I walk back toward where I heard the sound and follow the rustles and groans until I step past the tree line. A man is on his knees, bent over and digging his claw-tipped fingers into the ground.

“Are you… Lucas?”

He groans again and teeters before falling to his side.

“Harper,” Lucas growls. His next words are too mumbled for me to hear, so I move closer, crouching next to him. I jerk my hand back when his forehead is unnaturally hot. Too hot.

“You’re burning up. What happened?”

I look around for anyone else, but we’re completely alone.

“H-Heat,” Lucas growls, and I move back quickly, not wanting to hurt him with my touch. Everyone knows that when you’re in heat, only your mate’s touch feels good. Anyone else’s touch feels like knives… or at least that’s what I’ve heard.

Helplessly, I watch as Lucas groans and arches his back in pain.

“Where is Sierra?”

Lucas’s eyes pop open, locking on me as they glow bright and hot.