My eyes went wide at the sight of the woman who walked into the room.
She stood at 6’4” and wore a fitted black leather dress that hugged all her curves. Her dark chocolate skin was flawless, not a hint of imperfection in sight, and her long black hair was up in a ponytail.
She had gorgeous golden eyes with hints of orange, and they only popped out more thanks to her black eyeshadow and contour, which only added to her breathtaking image.
Her lips were cloaked with dark red lipstick, but the golden highlight on her cheeks finalized her makeup look.
What brought goosebumps to my skin was the power that leaked from her. It felt unintentional, as if the aura around her always burned with intensity, making Reika move closer to the surface.
I could feel Reika’s curiosity and competitiveness, and I couldn’t deny feeling the same. We weren’t strong enough to beat her, that was very obvious, but we certainly would have loved to be trained by this woman.
Her eyes locked onto mine and I watched hers narrow as her stare intensified.
That only contributed to the increase in power that pulsed around her in waves, and I soon realized the rest of the pack had crowded around me protectively.
I couldn’t glance away. No, I wouldn’t glance away. The stare was like a challenge in itself, and I wasn’t ready to lose.
I wouldn’t dare lose.
Something wrapped around my waist, but it wouldn’t distract me or Reika, who was so close to the surface I actually worried she’d initiate us to shift like we had in the forest.
“Harper. Tell Reika to pull back.”
Five seconds went by before I realized Ian had spoken, but I didn’t listen.
He didn’t understand the trance I was in, nor did he realize the weird connection between me and this woman. She understood my role, a place I hadn’t been able to claim because of my childhood circumstances, but I deserved to be in the spot, or that’s what my mind was practically screaming at me.
I kept my stance and the sound of bones cracking caught my atttention for split second, but I didn’t back down.
“Kira, chill that power down.”
It was Carter who spoke this time, and the tug of power that came from my left side almost dissolved the spell between this Kira woman and me.
You would think that someone could have just walked between us to stop our staring match, but a part of me knew they wouldn’t.
They couldn’t because neither of us would allow it.
“Why? She looks like she wants a challenge,” Kira’s tone made me growl, a sound that made a foreign nervous emotion run through me.
“Harper,” Ian tried again, but I brushed it off.
His words held no weight to them and wouldn’t bring me down from challenging this woman, whose eyes were clearly mocking me.
“Ready when you are,” Reika assured me.
I mentally nodded back to her, feeling her presence vibrate through me.
I heard a sigh. “Can you guys move back for a second?”
There were shuffling sounds, and I figured the others had moved back to let me finally get this challenge underway, but a wave of power overwhelmed my senses, and from the way Kira’s eyes widened with shock, I knew she felt it too.
As if on cue, we both looked to our left to see Carter’s glowing gold eyes.
His arms were crossed and power overflowed from his body. When I concentrated, I could see the golden glow with hints of turquoise wrapping around him.
“Enough. We’re not fighting here. Kira, pull back your energy. You know as well as I that Harper doesn't know the rules with challenges."
Kira pouted her lips in annoyance and took a deep breath.
"Fine, jeez. Not my fault when her wolf is taunting me," she grumbled.
Carter didn't reply; instead he turned his attention to me. "Harper."
Silence reigned around us, and Carter arched an eyebrow at me.
Part of me wanted to listen, but the other was just as intrigued at the possibility of challenging Carter, loving the power that bled off him and wrapped around us.
"Uh…maybe we should have warned her about the power struggle thing," Hayden suggested.
"Should I make a barrier or something?" Ian questioned, sounding helpless.
"I wish we had popcorn," Damien noted.
"They're not supposed to fight, Damien." Levi sighed.
"I'm down for some action," Kira voiced.
"No one asked you," Heston replied.
Zoning them out, I focused on Carter. His eyes were locked on mine as if he'd done the same.
He took a cautious step forward, and I narrowed my eyes at him, analyzing every slight movement he made, from the way his eyes blinked to the calculated inhales and exhales that left his nostrils.
I would have reacted with his next step, but his powerful aura didn't feel threatening. In fact, there was a sense of love that brushed against the aura I knew was emanating from my body.
Carter was facing me in two steps, and very slowly, he raised his right hand and pressed it against my cheek. I felt its warmth, and my left hand grew hot, but it wasn't uncomfortable.
It felt right. He was supposed to be here.
"Harper, love. We promised to work together, not against one another," Carter coached. He leaned in until his lips were barely touching mine, his warm magic wrapping around me like we were physically hugging. "I know the power pulsing in this room is distracting and makes you want to prove yourself, but no one on the premises is your enemy. You are safe, and you know I'd never allow anyone here to challenge you without me by your side."
His bold, husky voice was trickling through the fog my mind seemed to be in.
"I don't like being challenged." My voice was laced with anger and annoyance. "Reika and I want to prove our strength."
"I know, but this is not the time or place. You can trust me, right?" he reasoned, his thumb gently running along my bottom lip.
"Yes," I replied, looking into his gold eyes. "I trust my Alpha and mate."
The conviction in my voice made him grin. "That's my Harper," he whispered, and gave me a light kiss on my lips, the action finally breaking the spell.
I relaxed, and Reika seemed to have snapped out of her daze as well; her teal eyes blinked a few times before she pulled away and waltz back to her usual spot.
Walking around in a circle a few times, she settled down, but kept her attention on the surface in case I did need her.
When Carter pulled back, I gave him a sympathetic smile. "Oops…I…didn’t mean to do that," I admitted, feeling horrible.
A laugh entered the room, riding the air around us.
We turned our attention to Kira, whose golden eyes were now an ocean green, her hands on her curvy hips.
"That was so much fun! I'm so sorry, I was told to test Harper and see if Carter would be able to cool her down. Guess our Alpha's confidence in both of you was bang on," she exclaimed with a wide grin.
I blinked as the remaining power that had been ready to fight diminished like cold water had been dumped on me. I glanced over at Carter who looked unamused as he pulled his power back like a vacuum sucking it in.
"I feel played..." Reika grumbled and laid her head down onto her paws.
Me too.
"I'm taking a nap."
Alright… thanks Reika.
"No problem."
Carter sighed and slipped his right hand into my left one, squeezing it supportively before he spoke.
"Kira." His voice was rock hard, but Kira clearly didn't give a shit as she raised her hands up defensively while continuing her laughing fit.
"Ah. Don't be all scary-looking. I swear, it was an upper command request, or I wouldn't have bothered you all while you're catching up." Kira giggled.
"Meow!" Muffin reappeared and ran to my side, going on her back paws as she began to pat my legs with her front paws, her eyes locked onto my right hand that still held her piece of bacon.
"Oh," I replied and gave Muffin her bacon.
She sat on my right bare foot and went back to munching on the crispy piece.
I looked over to the others, noticing they were crowded in the corner of the room. "My bad guys. I'm safe to be around again."
"Thank goodness. Carter would have blamed the broken guest house on us." Damien dramatically sighed in relief, walking to standing on my right side. He reached out to gently pat my head. "Remind me never to piss you off, Harper. You're dangerous."
"And stubborn," Carter added with a sigh. "I'm tired."
"Was it that bad? It was kind of weird, like I was here but not really here? I couldn't focus on anything else but Kira at first. Then when Carter stepped in, I really wanted to challenge him too. I still heard what was going on around me, but it was like it didn't matter. Sorry." I gave each of the others an apologetic look.
When I reached Ian, I caught the glimpse of hurt in his eyes before his guarded expression was back in full force.
Aww no, he's probably mad.
Levi was standing next to Ian and placed a hand on his shoulder, and my eyes caught onto the slight squeeze in his hand that gripped Ian's shoulder.
"It's expected, especially with us not warning you about it. Totally our fault. Right, Ian?" Levi stressed, side glancing at Ian, who frowned and stared at him. They shared a look and he took a deep breath.
"Ya. I experienced similar when I entered the pack. Don't stress yourself about it," Ian comforted. I knew he meant it, but I could still see the hurt in his eyes.
“Don’t even worry about it,” Kira announced, pulling my attention away from Ian and back to her. “Happens all the time.”
“Um...” I trailed off, unsure how to address her after our heated staring competition. Kira blinked, and it looked like a light bulb lit up in her mind.
“Ah, right! I guess I should introduce myself!” Kira wore a fearless grin as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Kira Damaris, 2nd Gen Alpha of the North Cardinal Pack. A pleasure to see you're awake and well, Harper Blessed Lake."
"Huh?"
Carter, Kira, and I turned to the other five males, who looked shocked by the last name. Carter sighed and looked at Kira. "They didn’t know that minor detail."
"Oh..." Kira replied with one of those "oops" looks. She shrugged. "Welp! Now they know. You can do the whole explaining backstory. I gotta go deal with four Alpha men who act like children when I'm not around. Harper, I'll come by after Christmas and we can have female Alpha bonding time." She gave me a broad smile, looking quite excited, and turned to Carter, her ocean green eyes shifting to gold-orange.
"As for Alpha business, I'll keep you informed of when the Alphas will arrive. Harriet would like to see Harper. She'd do it earlier, but shit is getting messy down south in the First Gen department. Be on guard in town, and I suggest you keep Harper guarded at all times, especially if the blade is on her," she stressed, looking like she could deal a lethal blow at any moment.
Carter nodded in understanding, his eyes still shimmering that vivid gold. With a blink, Kira's eyes returned to their green color, and she turned around.
"Ciao everyone. Have fun learning."
We watched her walk off, and we all stared at Carter, who pinched his nose in annoyance.
"I'll explain on the way back. I need a nap," he grumbled.
"Wouldn't mind a nap too. That was intense." Damien sighed.
"I'll come with," Levi replied.
"Oh, are we having a group nap?!" Heston and Hayden questioned in excitement.
"You guys are always excited to sleep." Ian sighed.
"Sleep is life. Don't hate." They side-eyed Ian with their dual blue eyes.
Levi and Damien chuckled. "Let's go take a nap. Harper, come join us in a bit!" Damien suggested, giving me a wink.
I frowned, unsure what he was implying, but Carter, Ian, and I watched them exit the room.
"Meow!" Muffin patted my foot gently, grabbing my attention. She gave me a cute smile and turned around and moved to Carter. She hit his leg in a swift slap movement and he rolled his eyes.
"Do you just like abusing me? I'm tired." He huffed out a breath, glaring at Muffin who met his gaze. She looked back to his leg and gently patted his foot before she raced off.
Carter glanced at me and a yawn escaped him. "I'm going to nap with the others. See you there." He moved to give me a hug, and I felt his soft lips press against my neck. I blushed, noticing his slight smile as he pulled back to give me one last glance.
His eyes were back to their turquoise-gold appearance but held a hidden meaning in his teasing look.
Is he leaving me alone on purpose?
Before I could give him a puzzled stare, he was out the door, leaving Ian and me alone.
The life of an Alpha...
Glancing at Ian, I stayed in place, unsure what to do or even say.
I really wish Reika wasn't asleep now.
Ian let out a sigh and walked up to me. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a comforting hug, and I could hear him take a deep inhale.
"Are you mad?" I whispered.
"No."
"You were mad, though?"
"No."
"So—"
"There's no need for you to apologize, Harper. I'm not mad at you. I'm working on it..." He trailed off, hugging me tightly.
I closed my eyes and a small smile formed on my lips. I knew he meant he was working on bettering himself and him feeling inferior to Carter.
The fact he'd acknowledged it and didn't blame me for it was what contributed to my growing happiness.
He's learning and growing. He's willing to share me and continue to love me, even if some things test him.
Raising my arms slowly, I wrapped them around his waist, hugging him back.
"You know I love you, right?"
"I know, Harper," he whispered. "I know you’ll always love me."
Leaning back, I met his silver eyes that reflected his calm acceptance. "Thank you, Ian. I know this will be a bit difficult to get used to as our relationship grows with the others, but… I'm really happy."
Happy to be alive, loved, and start this new chapter of discovery.
"Your happiness is all that matters to me. If you’re happy, I'm happy." His lips lowered to mine.