Chapter 86

Lucas’s POV

“We should leave before they send out another search party,” I mutter, peeking through the blinds. I didn’t think we’d get out easily, but I also didn’t expect the Domain to send people to search for us.

At least twice during the night, I heard patrols go by our motel.

Harper doesn’t say anything. She merely stands from her seat on the bed and nods.

The silence is unbearable, but I force myself to keep my opinion to myself as I lead Harper out to my car. She yanks her arm out of my hold, wincing at the movement, before climbing into the passenger seat and staring out the window.

With her arms crossed over her chest, her gaze fixed out the window, and her little breaths huffing in annoyance at any little movement I make, I try and fail to focus only on the road.

She hasn’t said a word since she woke up this morning, and honestly, I don’t blame her.

The road is quiet as we drive, except for the hum of the engine and the creak of the steering wheel as I grip it tightly. I should say something or apologize—maybe I could ask how she’s feeling… but then I glance at her and realize that anything I say will probably sound like an excuse or a demand to her.

And neither of those will help right now.

Instead, I let my mind wander to something I’ve been trying to avoid since I learned about it. Our bond.

Even now, the idea of her being my mate is surprising. At the same time, it makes sense. I’ve always felt a pull to her, and it’s only grown after Sierra’s spells have worn off. Now, I know it was the mate bond trying to bring us together.

It’s sharper and stronger now, feeling like a tether between us, and I wonder if saving Harper last night is what made it feel stronger.

My wolf rumbles in agreement, his attention squarely on our mate as he paces my mind. He’s still restless and worried about her, wanting to get her back to our land where we can make sure she’s safe.

Like me, he also wants to explore this bond. However, we both know it’ll be a while before Harper forgives us.

“You,” he growls. “Before she forgives you. I’m not the one who ignored her pleas and threw her in a cell.”

“Shut it,” I growl. I know my actions were wrong, and I’ll do everything I can to make it up to Harper. I glance at her, noting how she’s sitting as far away as possible in the small space. Her scent fills the car, though, and I catch faint traces of blood and motel soap mixed in.

It smells stale, and I find myself thinking about how she can get that soft, sweet smell back once we return home.

Again, I turn my attention back to the road, but I can’t fully focus on driving. She’s all I can really focus on. The soft sounds of her breathing, the way her heart beats steadily in her chest, the way her fingers dig into her elbows when I’m looking at her… it all catches my attention and tells me one thing.

She doesn’t trust me anymore. And why would she?

I could apologize. I could tell her I regret how I handled things. I could tell her that I believe she’s innocent and that it was my fault that she ended up in that cell. But would she listen?

I didn’t listen to her, so why should I expect anything different?

Sighing, I tighten my grip on the steering wheel. The silence between us grows thicker the closer we get to home. The closer we get, the more tense she becomes in her seat.

By the time we reach the pack house and park, she’s gripping her arms so tightly that her knuckles are white. I don’t say anything, just climb out of the car and wait for her to follow. It takes a moment, but she eventually moves to my side and follows me inside.

No one says anything as we enter the pack house, and when I look at Harper, she quickly looks away. She won’t meet my eyes, and my wolf bristles at that. I try to remind him that it’s natural for her to be angry, but he just growls at me.

I lead Harper through the pack house, and when we get to the stairs, she hesitates. Her eyes move to the hallway that leads to her room, but I gently pull her up the stairs. She frowns.

“This isn’t the way to my room.”

“I know,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “You’re staying in my room for the foreseeable future.”

She stops walking and tries to pull away as she asks, “Why?”

“Because I can’t keep an eye on you if you’re on the other side of the house,” I say, and when she cringes, I realize how domineering that sounds and change my words. “If you’re in my room, I’ll know you’re safe.”

Her eyes brighten with anger as she whirls on me.

“That’s not fair,” she snaps. “You can’t just—”

“The Elders would want me to send you back to the cells,” I say, knowing it’s probably not the right thing to say. However, it does what I need it to and makes her reassess the situation. She glances up the stairs then back at me, her jaw tightening in anger.

The words hang between us, heavy and disgusting. I hate that I even had to say them, but it’s the truth. The Elders still think she’s a traitor, someone who would work with people like Logan and the Domain. I’ve done what I can to hide the fact that she escaped once, but if she runs again, they’ll see it as proof they were right.

Harper doesn’t speak again, and I sigh.

“Come on,” I murmur, laying a hand on her lower back and guiding her up the stairs again. I need her safe, and she’ll be safest in my room.

When we get to my apartment, she stops just inside and looks around. I nudge her forward, through the living area and toward my room. The way she grows stiffer as we enter my room doesn’t escape my notice.

Again, I’m forcing her to stay somewhere she doesn’t want to.

My room is larger than hers, filled with books and trinkets I’ve gathered through the years. The bed takes up most of the space, and I watch as she walks in slowly. My scent surrounds her, and her scent mixes with it, and my wolf stirs.

A satisfied rumble fills my mind, and I shake my head. He’s pleased that she’s here, in our space.

Harper takes another step inside, moving slowly as she looks around. It’s like she’s stepping into a trap or a cage.

Maybe, to her, that’s exactly what my room is.

“Make yourself at home,” I tell her, sweeping my arm across the room. “You can use the shower if you’d like. There are fresh clothes in the dresser. Pick whatever you like for now until I can get your clothes.”

She eyes me, her gaze guarded before she turns away. “Fine, but I’m not here because I want to be.”

“I know.”

That’s the last thing either of us says as she disappears into the bathroom. The sound of running water fills the air, and I drop down to sit on the edge of the bed, letting my head fall into my hands.

Truthfully, I want her here and not just because it’s safer. I want her here because I can’t stand the idea of her being out of my sight again.

Not while she’s possibly in danger.