Chapter 88

Harper’s POV

The silence is heavy in Lucas’s bedroom as I sit on the edge of the bed. I’m alone, which is what I wanted, but I can’t seem to pull my eyes away from the door.

When he left breakfast, I didn’t stay in the living room for long. It felt strange being in his home alone, but being in his bedroom—since I’d been here one night already—felt a bit better. Not by much, though.

The ache of being alone begins to creep in after a while. It digs a hollow cavern in my chest, and I fight with myself on being relieved or disappointed that Lucas actually left me here. He might as well have thrown me in a room and locked it with how this feels.

I rub at the center of my chest, hoping to relieve the ache, but it only grows worse. To match it, my mate mark thrums with the need to see Lucas again.

Tired and frustrated, I crawl back under the blankets and curl in on myself. But I can’t sleep. Hours pass, the room changing from a soft yellow to a bright, blinding gold as the sun rises higher in the sky, and I glance at the door again.

If I can get out of his apartment, I could sneak down to my room and grab a few of my things. Or, I could go find Nora and see if she’ll help me run away again. Should I wait for night? Would it be easier to escape unseen if I go during the night?

Probably not.

The night patrols are even more strict than the day patrols, from what I’ve seen, and I don’t have a wolf. I’m slower and weaker than anyone out in that forest, which risks being caught or getting hurt. Of course, I could heal myself, but how many times could I do that before I pass out?

The thought makes me grit my teeth, clench my fists, and throw the covers off me. I move to the window and look out. The front lawn is empty, but that doesn’t mean someone isn’t lurking nearby.

I probably couldn’t even make it across the lawn before being caught.

Sighing, I pace the floor and try to think of ways I could get out of here without Lucas dragging me back. Escaping may be a desperate fantasy, but staying without some sort of resistance feels like giving up. Even if the idea of truly leaving makes my heart burn.

On what’s probably my hundredth lap around Lucas’s bedroom, I hear voices through the door. They’re muffled at first, but they grow louder the closer I get to the door. Whoever it is, is inside Lucas’s apartment, and when I lean my ear to the bedroom door, I can pick out Lucas’s voice and Mason’s voice.

“…you can’t just storm into the Domain like that, Lucas,” Mason growls angrily. “Do you think they’ll just let your intrusion go? You broke in and stole something from them. They’ve now been humiliated by you, and that—”

“I don’t care about their feelings!” Lucas shouts, making me jump. I quickly lean back into catch his next words, “…know all I cared about is getting her out!”

Her… Me. He’s talking about me.

My breath catches in my chest as I listen.

Mason doesn’t miss a beat. “And now you’ve pinned a giant target on our pack and on her. I don’t know much about the Domain, but I know they won’t tolerate this. They’ll come for you, the pack, and her. You’ve risked everyone’s safety in this. You should have thought this through better!”

My head spins as Mason’s words sink in because he’s right.

Stealing me away from the Domain is likely to cause a lot of trouble, especially since the Domain is so careful. There’s no doubt this situation has probably put them in a tough position, which will only make them angry.

“I’d risk it again.”

Lucas’s words make me gasp, and I hold my breath as he says, “She’s worth it.”

My heart flutters at Lucas’s claim and the deadly steel in his tone. There is no lie there that I can hear.

He thinks I’m worth saving even if it puts himself and others at risk.

“I understand that, but you can’t make stupid decisions without thinking things through,” Mason hisses, and I wish I could smack my stepbrother. “It would be best to keep her hidden away until we know everything is safe. She’s more vulnerable than anyone here, and if you don’t keep her here, you’ll lose her again.”

My stepbrother’s words are like a slap to the face. He wants to keep me contained, lock me up and not let me out. The thought has my lungs constricting, and I gasp at the idea of being caged again.

I can’t.

I won’t let them.

Before I can think, my hand is turning the knob and shoving the door open. It bangs against the wall as I barge into the living room. Both men turn, staring at me with wide eyes.

“You’re not locking me up again!” I snap, stepping toward them. My voice is sharper than expected, but I don’t lighten up. I spin on Lucas, pinning him with my glare. “Do you agree with him? Are you going to lock me away?”

The challenge in my voice mixes with the venom I feel bubbling in my veins. If he says yes, I will leave right now. I don’t care if he apologizes a million times; I’ll never forgive him if he tries to lock me up.

They both stare at me, and Mason shifts on his feet, looking uncomfortable. His eyes jump from me to Lucas as if he’s also waiting for the answer.

“Are you?” I ask, my voice cracking pathetically.

A spark of horror lights up in Lucas’s eyes, and I feel a bit of hope at the sight.

“No.” Lucas’s voice is rough and firm, and a moment later, he steps closer. I don’t move, wanting to know what he’ll do as his eyes lock on mine. “You’re not a prisoner, Harper. Never again.”

The words and the earnestness in his gaze make my eyes burn with unshed tears. I blink them away, but they come back just as fast, and Lucas repeats himself, “You’re not my prisoner. I’ll never lock you up again.”

Lucas reaches out, his fingers brushing softly across my cheek. “You’ll be protected,” Lucas murmurs. “That’s it. Protected.”

Instantly, I’m jolted back to reality and realize that we’re too close. Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip to stop it from trembling, I take a step back.

Then another, and another until I’ve put enough space between the two of us. My irritation spikes again, the warmth I felt moments ago disappearing as his words fall on me like they’re a comfort and a chain.

Why does it feel good to hear him say he wants to protect me?

And why does part of me hate that he thinks he can control me?

The odd mix of wanting him to take care of this and wanting to take care of it myself brings forth yet another headache.

“You don’t get to rule my life and make decisions for me. You don’t get to decide what I need,” I tell him, my voice lacking the edge it did before.

Lucas’s eyes soften. “I know, but I’ll give it to you anyway.”