#TheoChambersWest

[written-within-the-stars]

Sisterhood - Solo by Harper

“There is Great Power in knowing, you have a Sisterhood.” -Unknown

New Voice Mails received….  

Voice mail One:

‘Hi…. It’s me… I know you said you need time… I know you feel lost and unsure how to feel. But… I know what you are going through. I love you Harps. I need you back.’

Voice mail Two:

‘It’s me… remember how you said you would forgive any mistake Jenna and I made. I need you to forgive me.’

Voice mail Three:

‘Didn’t we say our sisterhood was deeper than anything in this world? Is it not deeper than this?’

Voice mail Four:

‘Harps…. I …. Miss you… and I love you…’

Voice mail Five:

‘I’m never going to stop trying to make this right. I… I am sorry Harper… I am so sorry.’

Voice mail Six:

‘Harper Lee Fucking Jenkins. I don’t know what McKenzie did to piss you off. But you forgive her right now. You are the glue of this sisterhood of ours. What are we going to do without you to refereeing the two of us. Love you. Just. Fix it Harps. She loves you. WE love you.’

Voice mail Seven:

‘God Harps, I’m sorry Jenna called you. I… I didn’t ask her to. I promise you. I didn’t ask her to. I miss you.’

‘Hey Harper, that was the last of today’s appointments. Would you like me to stay behind and help with the last of the notes?’ #Jessica, stood in the door of my office. Unsure of how much of that she heard I set my phone on my desk face down.

“No, you head home Jess. Thank you for everything you did today. Have a good night.” She didn’t move to start with. Standing there working her hands, the feeling potent that there was more she wasn’t saying and wanted to.

“Good night.” Prompting her to go, and to understand this conversation would not be taking place. And the subject matter had ended before coming to life.

Those around me could tell something had gone amiss. And they weren’t being told the reason behind it, as I’d retracted into my work. With the new year upon us it had made my reasoning for withdrawing from everyone easier and not a lie. Add to that the time I had began to share with the Little Paws, with Big Hearts team in Port Angeles. #Juan had settled into a routine with his time split between the two practices. And now had come the time for me to do the same thing.

So, I had been staying in Port for two nights a week, while #Juan covered the practice here in La Push giving me the time to learn the ways of the Little Paws, with Big Hearts team and practice. Becoming a face, the clients there would begin to recognise.

‘Okay. Well…’ Glancing up from my tablet as I could still feel her eyes on me. ‘I just wanted to say. If you need anything at all Harper. I am here. And dad will have a box of his Danishes here the moment you say you are ready to talk. Good night.’ She closed the door behind her, leaving me sat still with my eyes prickling with tears.

Taking my glasses off to wipe my eyes, and my mind began to race once again. It did that a lot since my world had been turned up and around. So much had happened and I needed time to let my heart catch up with my mind. The logical side of me knew the facts. Understood what had occurred the night we all went out for drinks. And that very same night I found out that the man I had been dating… he wasn’t just a man but something more. That he was a warrior of his tribe. A man who became a wolf…

Stopping myself from falling down that hole once again, and concentrating on my work to give myself a little time.. I would reflect later. Later. Yes Later.

❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁

Have you ever felt like you are being followed and something is out there watching you, however when you turn around. There is no one there at all? More and more I had been feeling this. More and more when I turned to look around, nothing and no one was there.

It is the same feeling I have now, it’s 3 am and I’m leaving the Practice in Port to go back to my rented apartment in the dead of night, however the hairs on the back of my neck told me that I was being watched.

“Hello? Is anyone there?”

I had my keys out in my hands. Holding onto them tightly as I walked towards my car. I could feel my heart beating so hard and fast. As the wind picked up and the rain eased off a little. By the time the door of the bug was opened and then swiftly locked, my hands were shaking. And I couldn’t tell you why. Something just didn’t feel right.

Glancing around the dark and empty car park I jumped out of my skin when someone banged on the driver side window and I found #Juna stood there motioning for me to lower my window.

“Juan! You scared the life out of me. what are you doing jumping out from the middle of nowhere?” hand on my chest with the ears and face heating from the rush of adrenaline.

‘What’s going on? I heard your voice as I was heading out. Are you okay?’ He looked concerned.

“I’m okay. It’s just.” Shaking my head. “Nothing, I’m just tired that’s all. I’m going to head to the apartment.”

‘Want me to come with you?” He asked as the rain began to come down again.

“No, no it’s okay. It’s not far. I’m going straight there.” I told him.

‘Are you sure? I can follow you on the bike.’ But I told him not to that I would be fine.

He waited for me to start my car and pull out of the parking lot before he went to climb into the practice jeeps to head out on call. As I pulled into the main street, I could swear I saw something white flash in my rear view. This had been happening a lot on the nights I was working out here in Port Angeles.

“You are losing your mind.” Something I kept telling myself and yet I didn’t believe it so much.

When I reached the main town junction, there were no other cars on the street but mine. And again, that feeling of being watched came over me. With my eyes darting from side to side, from my rear-view mirror too.

“I am losing my mind!”

❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁

『 ℙ𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕍𝕚𝕖𝕨 - 𝕃𝕖𝕒𝕙 ℂ𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕣 』

Three weeks I’d been doing this. Jake knew that there was no changing my mind, even if he wished I would listen to him for once. He’s stand on this mess was that we had to leave it to the Pup and the Nerd to work things out. As much as it was hurting her and him. But he wasn’t going home to see #Kenz’s broken heart. Even when she tried to hide her sadness from Ma and me, I saw through the mask.

#TheKid promised his imprint to stay out of the sisters mess ( Yes Sisters. Because their friendship had surpassed anything that I had seen. The spirits could see the deep connections in the three girls, and that meant so could I.) But I had made no such promises. #Kenz had told me that Harper had a hard time when it came to dealing with hard choices, that she and #Jenna had lost so much time with their sister over the years, when she had run when things had become hard.

Well, this time that wasn’t going to happen. I’ve lived through this before. When Jake had run from his hard choices, it had hit us all. But most of all, seeing your Alpha go to such a dark place, so hurt and lost. It wasn’t something that was going to leave me ever. Sure, time had moved on, he had found his imprint, and he had forgotten about that time, because that is what finding his true soul mate did for him. But I remembered it all.

So, here I stood in the depths of urban Port. Thankful that I knew this town like the back of my hand. Sometimes in my human form, and sometimes in my wolf fur. But I was watching over this lost girl who had so many choices and cross roads before her. I wouldn’t let her feel alone. And I wouldn’t let her run from those who cared for her again.  

Harper had been working all the hours day and night. I knew from watching over her, from the day she came to live on the Rez. That this was because of who this woman was deep down to her core. Harpers work came first to her. She worked all day at the practice, and in the evenings, she would make house calls as well as emergency call outs too. Add to that her deal with the vets in Port, and the woman never stopped.

The only thing that she and I hadn’t seen coming was the thing that I had picked up two nights ago.

Harper had been out to dinner with the woman who ran the practice in Port. Rosario Castro-Diaz. The two had been talking about work, the Diaz Twins, and life before Washington for the both of them over a bottle of wine and some pasta. I didn’t listen to their conversation, over the years with the packs I had developed blocking of voices as well as blocking my mind. I saw it as breaking her truth if I eavesdropped. And that wasn’t a line I ever crossed with those I cared for.

The evening went on to late, and the two women took a cab home. Or at least, that had been the plan. Harper had given her taxi to Rosa, as it had arrived first, and she had to return home soon, so that the babysitter could leave. It made me smile as I watched the two of them pushing one another towards the car. Harper being a little taller, and I had a feeling her time at the boxing gym with #Charlie and me was starting to pay off, managed to win. However, instead of waiting for her taxi the nerd began to walk home by herself.

At first the scent was weak. It came down wind, and as my wolf and I picked it up the wind changed on us and then it was gone. We were torn between following Harper to her door, or to go and see where the scent had come from. Of course being a Warrior seeing the imprint of the pack (even if it weren’t my pack) to safety won.

Once the nerd was in her rental, I went hunting. The trail of the scent was faint with the time that we had lost, but it was in the air. We ran the length of the town. In and out of dark streets in the dead of night. Seeing humans at their worst while trying to pick up on what or whomever it was that had been around the ladies.

‘Maybe it was someone Rosa knows?’ She knew it wasn’t.

“This scent…  it’s… off. And you know it.” I told her. But there was nothing to find. It made me even more determined to watch over Harper and her new found friends here in Port.

And now. three days later, I got it. By the time I finished up with my patrols at home, the sun had set, and the dark clouds had begun to open up with rain. Scents and smells around Port had become difficult to sort, so it meant we were going straight to find Harper at the  Little Paws, with Big Hearts Veterinary Practice, after a few circles of the town.

Standing in the rain in my wolf form in the shadows I saw Harper and heard the thudding of her heart. She was scared and uncertain. Calling out to someone who was unseen, but someone I could scent.

‘Not Human’ My wolf and I stood guard. The night had been a mix of smells, but this one, it was one of death and decay. ‘It can’t be.’ My wolf was the one to speak first.

Harper started screaming and we bolted towards her from the other side of the parking lot, until we picked up the scent of #Juan. He was with her, asking her if she was okay. Making us stop in our tracks, but still we moved closer staying in the shadows.

“Harper first and then we go after it.” we agreed. However, the Vampire had other plans.

‘Why do they never follow the plan?’ My wolf growled as our eyes caught the blur that began to run after the emerald, green bug down the dead street at three am in the morning.

“Because we didn’t send them the memo.” I growled right back.

We ran, with the speed the spirits had blessed us with. Keeping out of the view of the car, so not to add to the fear we could hear in Harpers heartbeat.

‘Nomad. It has to be. The Scent is nothing like those who we had come across before. But here? I thought the Cullen’s have made it clear to all of them to stay out?’ She was thinking fast as we were running to catch this thing.  

My fur blew in the wind, my paws hitting the ground hard and fast. And the moment we saw the blur jumping off the top of the building, aiming for the top of the car, we leaped into the air and cut it off. My mouth opened wide to take a hold of its neck between my teeth and I held on hard dragging it out into the darkness and away from Harper.

It screamed and clawed at me. his nails digging into my flank. It pulled and pushed but I closed my mouth around his neck harder as I ran. I knew that I couldn’t fight it in the heart of the town, and I knew I couldn’t let it go. The moment we were into the green of the forest it broke free sending the both of us rolling down the side of an embankment.

Standing up we turned to growl and face one another.  Circling, keeping the other in our eyeline, and making sure that I wasn’t giving it a way to escape from here.

‘A little far for you to be out isn’t it mutt. I thought your kind had nothing to do with all the dinner out here.’ He snarled before leaping into the air.

#Jasper’s voice was in my ears. ‘Never let them take a hold of your centre. They will crush you.’

‘Come, come little wolf… She smells so good. One human is all I want. She’s been leaving her fragrance all over this town. You can’t blame a hungry Vampire for coming in for a closer look.’

But I knew that he wasn’t the one who had been taking a look at Harper. His scent only hit me today. The one that I had been following was a mix of his and…. Human? Was that possible? Was this vampire, who clearly knew of the Spirit Warriors, been working with a human?

I wasn’t about to turn into my human form to talk with him. Right now, he was following an Imprints scent, and he wouldn’t be given the chance to see his plan through.

I ran into him, hitting him with all my strength sending him flying into the heart of a tree that came crashing down. He bounced back like a cat with nine lives biting into my side before I could send him across the embankment again. This time he turned to run, but I was on top of him. My mouth closed around his neck again, this time his body was pinned beneath my wolfs paws and with an almighty pull we ripped his head separating it from his shoulder.

One by one my wolf and I roared hard as we ripped him from limb from limb until there was nothing but a pile of body parts.

‘Never leave them in one piece. They will not show you mercy, so don’t be a fool and show them any.’ I wouldn’t show him any mercy after what he had planned to do tonight.  

❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁

『 ℙ𝕠𝕚𝕟𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕍𝕚𝕖𝕨 - ℍ𝕒𝕣𝕡𝕖𝕣 𝕃𝕖𝕖 𝕁𝕖𝕟𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕤  』

That feeling was growing inside of me once again. I couldn’t seem to sleep, so I found myself In the small kitchenet heating myself a cup of milk. Lost in my thoughts while I stood over the hob with the pan, waiting and watching the white liquid begin to boil before pouring it into a cup. The small apartment had everything I needed. A bed, a small couch, a kitchenet with a small bathroom. It wasn’t home, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Something hit the door of the apartment making me jump out of my skin. It was five am. The world was still asleep. The sound came again, this time with a sound that was of an animal?

Setting the cup down on the side table, I slowly made my way to the window facing the front of the apartment, and froze. “What In the name of….” I had to be dreaming, imagining things? But it was the eyes that looked back at me. The size of the white wolf stood before the window staring right back at me unflinching that told me this was real. “Leah?” I mouthed and the wolf fell to the ground.

❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁

To Be Continued...

[written-within-the-stars]

Between the Cusp of Faith and Uncertainty – Together - Part 1

“Regardless of your uncertainty, never give up on faith….” – William Jenkins

❁ Harper ❁

‘You make me put my hand right up the cows arse!’ #Juan wasn’t happy about the little joke I played with him today.

As I pushed the door to the practice open, #Jessica’s head popped up from behind her desk. ‘Hand up what exactly?’ She asked and it’s all Juan needed to give her the full story.

‘Buttercup here acts all sweet and innocent Jess, but you know what. Don’t be fooled.’ He pushed down on the hand sanitizer pump one too many times and rubbed his clean hands until they were dry.

“I never once said I was innocent thank you.” Setting my bag down, I took the messages #Jessica held out towards me.

‘Sure, if that’s your game.’ He huffed at me when he noticed the smile on my lips.

‘What happened?’ #Jessica asked fighting the urge to laugh.

“Nothing happened, we were at the Taylor farm. And some of the cows needed their check-ups.” #Jessica raised her eyebrows at me. She knew me too well now and could tell there had to be more to the story.

‘Dr Jenkins here set me to work, and you know me Jess darling. I am always up for working hard. But…. This one….’ He pointed to me as he spoke. ‘Told me that the cows needed to be examined internally.’

‘Okay… that sounds fine to me so far.’ #Jessica leant on her desk, with the palm of her hand holding her chin up.

‘Sure, and I agree with you. And I know what I’m doing.’ He continued.

“On paper with big animals” I corrected him, this made him huff and turn his back to me.

‘As I was saying. Your boss pointedly sent me off to examine the animals, but then she dared to say in front of the farmer…’

‘Mr Taylor.’ #Jessica helped.

‘Yeah Mr Taylor… that I wasn’t going in deep enough. That I have to be in shoulder deep… When the gloves only go as far as the elbow.’ He pumped more of the liquid into his hands and rubbed.

“Welcome to a vets life here at the Rez, what did you expect it to be? We need to learn how to get neck deep when it’s needed… So, chalk it up to being a good lesson learnt. Knowing how far you should go and where you shouldn’t.”

Setting the messages in my hands down once I saw that #Jess had dealt with them all, she only gave them to me to review. “Next time you won’t make the mistake of questioning yourself, because now you have first hand experience.”

‘What am I missing here?’ #Jess glanced between the two of us.

‘The cow started to shit on me while I was inside of her!’ #Jessica looked from #Juan to me and I shrugged.

“He stimulated the wrong area.” I told her. “Something you need to learn about too. It’s chapter 31 you need to review and then we can talk about it.” I’d given them both the same book on larger farm animals anatomy.

‘I’m going to need to get so drunk to forget about today.’ #Juan said picking up his helmet.

‘Sounds like it. Why don’t you come down to #HwH tonight? We are all meeting up for drinks?’ I tried to get #Jessica’s line of sight however there was no stopping the girl when she started talking. ‘My cousins own the bar, it’s really cool. They have pool and darts, and they have a stage for live music too.’

I dropped my eyes, rubbing my forehead. It wasn’t that I didn’t want him to come, I just wanted a chance to give the others a heads up before #JuanDiaz stepped out in La Push.

‘If I didn’t know better Dr. J. I’d say you don’t want me out in town?’ He turned his full attention on #Jess again. ‘But as you invited me sweet cheeks, I will be there. What time will you be there. I need a bath, and to soak my arm in disinfectant first.’

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. He was acting up. I knew #Juan’s history, I knew mess wasn’t an issue for him. The issue here was how hard me and Mr. Taylor had laughed at seeing it all unfold.

‘Anytime after seven and we will all be there, maybe you will get to meet some of the others from around town.’ She smiled her purest of smiles at him.

#Juan left the two of us to close up, he said he couldn’t wait any longer to strip down and climb into the shower. Not an image I needed or wanted in my mind.

‘Did you not want me to invite Juan out tonight?’ #Jessica asked and I shook my head. I couldn’t expect her not to be her. She was a kind soul, and this was what she did. She had done the same thing for me when I first came to town.

“No, no. It’s fine. We maybe just need to give Leah, Char and Teddy a heads up on how he is?”

❁ Collin ❁

I hadn't been sleeping, I was lying awake all night having different versions of the conversation I knew I should have already had with Harper, over and over in my head.

'No offence... but you look like shit, dude.' The voice was part amused and part concerned when it came through the speaker on my phone. 'You need to talk to her... before you drive yourself crazy. The longer you wait the harder it will be.'

I knew that he was right. But we couldn't all be like #Seth... an endlessly optimistic romantic that could pack up his life and follow a girl halfway across the country. It wasn't that I wouldn't do that... I would. In a heartbeat. Harper was the axis that my world turned on. But after seeing the family and life she built here... I didn't want to give her a reason to run.

"I just... I don't want to frighten her. She has so much going for her here..." I started.

'Collin, stop. You know that won't happen... Maybe she'll need time to wrap her mind around it and that is going to suck. But you've said yourself that she's already feeling the bond.'

"Shit!" I grumbled and thumped my head to the table as I heard a familiar engine pull up outside. #Seth laughed when he heard the voices approaching the door. 'Told you ignoring the group chat was a stupid idea.' He laughed, I looked back up at the screen in time to catch him watching Kenzi walk by.

Large hands clapped onto my shoulders. 'C'mon Loverboy! We aren't taking no for an answer.' Then it was followed by a chorus of excited chattering and hooting into my phone at #Seth when #Quil and #Brady followed #Embry into my kitchen.

The third in command of the Black Pack took my phone and started talking to #Seth. #Brady dragged me towards my bedroom. 'You need to chill out... You've been stressing out over what to tell Harper. You need to relax, or you’ll end up blurting it all out at once.' He shoved me into my room and pointed to the bathroom door. 'Shower. Fast.' he smirked and pulled the door shut.

In less than 45 minutes... I was sat in the back of a jeep and pulling up in front of the #HWH.

❁ Harper ❁

‘You know I will leave the baby here with Dam and be on the next flight up there. I will happily kick that man in the balls and then stomp on them for fun after too.’ #Jenna was on a roll after I told her what had been going on since our last catch up. ‘No, not that top. Wear the yellow jumper if you are keeping your hair up tonight.’ She added, so I pulled off the black shirt and took out the yellow jumper she knew so well. Stepping back in front of the tablet screen. ‘Yes, much better.’

“Jenna, stop threatening to leave the baby. I need cuddles and kisses, so if you visit. You bring Carl with you.” I told her. “And you know I can fight my own battles. It’s just teething problems right now. I’m sure things will settle down soon enough.” I told her.

Jenna had become a new woman after having her baby. She wasn’t as carefree, more of a protective mama bear. A Look I’d never seen in her before now.

‘Fine, but I’m telling you. I’m here and—’ I cut her off telling her I had it all in control.

Saying our good byes I promised to call again soon. With the new year being busy, and spring around the corner she knew I would go MIA for some time until things cooled down again. And then we would only have quick calls here and there.

As I made my way out of the door, I pulled my big coat on. The evenings were colder than the days, however it wasn’t so cold tonight. As I walked down the path, I changed my mind and started walking out towards the bar.

The coolness in the air aided in unwinding, shaking off the madness from the day and take a moment to think of nothing. I could unclutter my mind and… think. That was until I heard the loud sound of a bike coming down the street. There were a number of people in town who rode bikes, however this one I knew too well now. As I came to a stop at the crossing before the bar, He slowed down and rode by my side.

#Juan flicked the front of his visor up and smirked. ‘Hey Buttercup, you should have told me you were walking. I’d have given you a ride.’

“I wanted to walk.” I told him, keeping my hands pushed deep into my pockets. Smiled as I thought of what #Jenna had wanted to do to him.

‘I can understand that. We all need some me time.’ He brought his bike to a stop, pulling it up onto its kickstand before he took his helmet off and hang it on his handlebar. He rubbed his fingers through his short hair, climbing off his bike, before looking to me again. ‘Shall we?’ He pointed to the door and then he froze.

I followed his gaze. ‘That bike.’ He started. His mouth about dropping to the ground. ‘Why do I know this beaut?’ he asked. But I didn’t voluntarily give him any information. He would work it out.

‘It’s that girl… the fine one on the road that day. I couldn’t forget this bike or her—’ he cut off when he saw me looking at him with daggers in my eyes.

“This bikes owner deserves more respect than you are giving right now Dr Diaz.” My voice was a little curt with him. I didn’t like him or anyone talking about #Leah in that way.

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean… It’s just a beautiful bike, a beast. I still cannot believe it belongs to a girl.’ He said whistling at the bike now.

“Woman.” I corrected him. It just makes him wink at me, so I stepped around him heading towards the door. But #JuanDiaz had fallen into step with me.

‘Do you ever lighten up?’ He asked pulling the door open for me. ‘Ladies first.’ He smiled with another wink. But I stood there looking at him.

“Lighten up? I am not uptight—” Stopping as I could hear #Kenz in my mind telling me I needed to stop being so uptight all the time. Was I still that way?

❁ Collin ❁

There was more of the pack in the bar, not that this was shocking news to me. The bar was the place we could all hang out; while at the same time trying to appear less intimidating to the others in the tribe that didn’t know what we were. They were prone to thinking of us all like a gang.

I was greeted with cheers of 'Hello stranger!' and so in. They were exaggerating; they had seen me... on runs, at #Embry's and #Emily's place. But it had been a while since I'd joined them here. I took a seat at the bar and smiled at #Leah behind it. The former setting down a pint glass of milk in front of me and smirked and that only #LeahClearwater could. 'Let me know if you want to let your hair down and I'll bring you a diet coke. You can go wild!' She laughed.

'How come he gets free drinks, and I don't?' #Brady leaned on the bar next to me. He was teasing; sometimes I wondered how the #HWH stayed in business with the way the pack drank. #Leah flicked a bottle cap at him before she handed the beer to a customer. 'A; because if I need something fixed, he actually shows up on time and 2. He never tries to drink up all of my top-shelf liquor.' She turned back to the other customers and #Brady fixed his expression into mock disdain.

'Goodie-two-shoes.' He growled at me, teasingly and I just swigged from the glass. It was about ten minutes of catching up with the younger pack members (Who still annoyingly thought that #Brady and I were one of them... despite the fact that we were in the pack for the battle with the new-born army. Before they were starting to feel the effects of the change) before someone came in and whispered that;

‘Collin’s imprint is outside with a strange dude on a kickass bike.’

I had to stop myself from growling for two reasons. One: She had a name! It was like any of them didn't know it. Two: A stranger? As in someone on the Rez that the pack hadn't been aware of before. With a shared hive mind, it was hard for anyone on the reservation not to look familiar, either you'd met them or just recognized them from a shared memory. As years went on it was harder to tell.

"Did you know she was coming tonight?" I asked Brady. Was that why they had been so pushy?

'No... I swear... but, it's a small town and the #HWH is really the only place to be.' Brady wasn't lying. He was a pain in the arse most of the time, but he was a terrible liar. I'd always liked that about him. But after joining the pack it caused a few problems. Thank the Spirits for #Sam's gag order.

Too many eyes were on me now but a pointed clearing of the throat from the Black Pack's beta had them all rushing back to their previous conversation. I struggled to keep myself from staring at the door... well, from sprinting for the door if I was to be perfectly honest. I settled for a few sidelong glances and waited to see if she would come in.

❁ Harper ❁

As soon as we stepped into the bar, there was a buzz in the air. A hum of energy that screamed of too many men under one roof. However, it wasn’t a place you would feel unsafe. I wasn’t sure how #Leah did it, however there was always order when she would be here, and if there weren’t things were addressed fast.

‘The guys in this place are pumping the roids huh?’ #Juan inhaled a whistle the moment his eyes landed on the tall woman, with long dark hair and a ‘Don’t mess with me.’ sign over her forehead. And even with it visible. #DiazJunior was moving towards #Leah like a moth to a flame.

“You really shouldn’t.” Are the only three words of warning I shared as it was clear he wasn’t going to listen to me.

‘Harper!’ #Jessica jumped up from her seat from behind a table surrounded by a lot of people. And okay, maybe #Juan had a point about the men here? However, I recalled #Leah and #Seth telling me that it was in the tribes blood to be bigger, faster, and better than the rest of the world.

‘Oh No…’ She mouthed rushing over towards me. ‘Did you warn him?’ She came to stand beside me, we both were watching the train crash about to take place at the bar. ‘Maybe Leah will want to have a drink with him? you know… Maybe?’ She whispered.

“Shouldn’t we be warning Leah? You believe Leah would fall for his charm and smiles? After which the sky will start to rain candy.”

#Juan stepped up to the bar, rubbing the back of his neck before he shrugged out of his jacket. As #Char came up to ask how he could help #Juan, he made to let the girl stood beside him go before him. The girl was short, fair hair, wearing jeans and a pink tee. She smiled at #Juan, but his attention was elsewhere, and she could see it when she followed his sightline.

‘Have you seen the others?’ #Jessica whispered, and I shook my head in reply to say no.

“Juan caught up with me as I walked up to the bar.” I told her.

‘Why did you walk?’ she questioned, and I told her I just felt like I needed to enjoy the fresh air.

When #Leah was free, she asked who hadn’t been served, looking around but something told me that she had #Juan in her sightline. He stepped up, nodding his head. We could just make out his voice over all the sounds in the place as he ordered himself a beer and asked her to join him for a drink in her break. #Leah eyed him and then dismissed him with a bottle of beer set before him. She told him she wasn’t into drinking on the job at the start of the night.

‘Is that a lie? I mean she did say at the start of the night, so no. it’s not.’ #Jessica answered her own question.

#Juan didn’t move away from the bar.

“I can’t see anymore of that...” I told #Jessica nodding my chin towards the bar. “Should I go over and help Leah? stop this?” What was I going to do? Tell #LeahClearwater to take it easy on him?

‘No, come on he is a good guy, and my cousin is always looking out for everyone. Maybe she will agree to go on a date or something?’ There was an air of well wishes in #Jessica’s words.

Just as I started to worry and my heart started to beat that little harder, imagining all the outcomes that could follow, I made myself look away. And then it happened. That pull from the heart. I felt him close by before I saw him. I wasn’t sure how, but I knew Collin was here.

❁ Collin ❁

The second she stepped inside all my senses came alive, out of all scents in the room (and there was so many) I could pick hers out with ease. It set my heart speeding and my nerves tingling. The pull in my chest eased with the knowledge that she was close. The male scent with her was new... And the first words out of his mouth had all the guys bristling. I shook my head... some people's sense of self-preservation was just non-existent. Another cleared throat from Leah settled it.

Her sway over the packs without the voice of the alpha was proof of how they respected her... even though none of them would admit it. She had become a voice of reason.

I smiled… my eyes on the half-full glass in my hand. I stood from the stool, timing it just right to pass the new guy as he made a beeline for the bar... for Leah. Poor guy had no idea what he was getting into. I sized him up in the three seconds it took us to cross paths... Cocky... maybe a little arrogant, used to getting his way. Especially with women. But probably not a bad guy. That was about as generous as I could be considering that he had walked in here with the woman I imprinted on.

I reached the girls just in time for it to be believable that I could have overheard Jessica. "Really?" I chuckled. "Have you met Leah?" #Jessica squeaked with fright and whirled to see me, slapping my arm for startling her. I leaned away so even her light slap would glance off my arm, mostly so she wouldn’t hurt herself.

'You scared the hell out of me!' She huffed and I smiled at Harper.

"Hi." My heart thundered enough that a few of the pack glanced at me and, I could feel the grins on their faces. They weren't mocking... they never were. Not for an imprint. Never for an imprint. There was nothing more sacred. #Jessica's eyes flitted between Harper and me. She made a soppy sound and took a step back to pretend to give us privacy.

I took a step closer to Harper, my lips pressing into a tight line and somehow still smiling. "I've always been a little socially awkward." I leaned in close to her ear... but if any wolf in the room wanted to... they could hear me. But the guys would do their best not to overhear if possible. "Are we at the point where I can kiss you to say hello?" I pulled back to see her face, her beautiful eyes. "Are we there yet?"

'YES!!' The high-pitched sound left Jessica and I laughed as she clamped her hand to her mouth like it had slipped out against her will, and then she excused herself to run to the ladies room. I just chuckled and smiled a lop-sided smile.

❁ Harper ❁

My heart rioted within my chest, the sound of the bar had died down and my sight had tunnelled to the point that Collin was the only person in focus, making me forget my words again. I could see him smiling, his eyes lowered to something in his hands, the way his tall body moved around the people without coming into contact with any of them. ( Or was it that they were the ones who moved out of his path towards me? ) However, just as he made #Jessica leaps out of her skin I couldn’t help but to smile wide.

#Jessica jumped, she was speaking, I could make out the sounds. However, all I could see was him moving towards us and then when he was right before me, the world came back to life in a highspeed catch up.

Sounds came hurtling in a combination of voices, music, and the thudding of my heart.

#Juan and his bad choices were out of my mind; I didn’t give him another thought now. Because I knew #Leah would have some way to set him straight. Or she would take him up on the offer. Who knew?

“H…Hi!” I replied to his greeting, biting the corner of my lips. My nervousness of seeing him, of feeling all the things I did making me push the rim of my glasses up my nose.

Then #Jess made the most girly of sounds before giving Collin and me a little space. As he took a step towards me, I in turn did the same towards him. Questions in my mind falling like a waterfall. Was he feeling everything I was? Was he as nervous as me? Was his heart doing the same things mine was right now?

The closer he was the hotter my cheeks grew. Making even more questions fall into line. Was he about to kiss me? Or was it a friendly hug? Would he care that other people would see us? Were his friends here? Would it make a difference to him?

I’d been out of the dating scene for so long, and I was always so awkward in public, that I always overthought everything. And then he did it again. With one sentence all the worries and thoughts rushed away. I found myself laughing softly at his questions, as well as at #Jess’s reactions.

I could feel a number of eyes on the two of us, but I pushed that away. “I guess if we are to take advice from Jess…” I said as she ran off towards the restrooms. “We are at that place.” #Jessica’s face had changed to the colour of a red tomato; making me wonder what her outburst did to my burning hot face right now.

“Hi…” I said again, and this time I turned my face towards him lightly letting my lips touch his. He had lent into whisper in my ear. I took the step forward as he had been the one to ask for permission without making the assumption, I would be fine with him just coming on to me.

Did he even understand how much I respected him for what he had just done? Placing my hand on his chest I closed my eyes and this time kissed him again. Taking in his scent, feeling so warm this close to him.

“Hi…”

I whispered again for the third time. Pulling back, pushing the rim of my glasses up my nose once again, so that I could look up at that smiling face of his.

❁ Collin ❁

I could hear her heart beating faster as I approached. Was she as lost as I was at the sight of her? Half of me was utterly certain she was, and the other was terrified to hope. That soft stammered Hi… my heart hammered.

Heat burned the back of my neck spreading all the way to my ears. I smiled when her cheeks tinted rosy, pink. When she said ‘Hi’ for the second time I was done for, she was moving closer and the scent of her filled my head. It was dizzying… in all the best ways. She didn’t need to reach up to kiss me; I barely needed to tilt my face towards her for our lips to touch. The brief gentle contact could have floored me.

“Thank the Spirits!” I muttered and chuckled softly. My free hand came up to rest on her upper arm. I wasn’t sure I could have survived the night if she’d said no… I mean, of course, I would have… Okay well, maybe I’d have found a way to get her to sneak off with me a little early.

“Hi.” I said back to her so softly, I wasn’t sure she’d hear it… my fingers moving over the soft fabric of her sweater. Of course, she could wear bright yellow and look stunning… I smiled. Everything about her revealed a piece of who she was at heart, her car… her clothes… even her furniture.

I felt her hand settle on my chest and the fact that my heart was thundering behind my ribs came rushing back to me. I didn’t care, I wanted her to know that just being close to her made my heart race. The second kiss doubled its pace. I leaned in, parting her lips just slightly with mine; just enough to feel the heat of her breath against my lips.

I smiled again and said. “Hi.”

Ears and face flushing bright red when I realised, I had said it twice… but hadn’t she done the same? Honestly, I was just so happy to be close to her that she could say or do anything, and she would have my undivided attention. My smile grew when she pushed her glasses higher on the bridge of her nose… I loved it when she did that.

“You look be—“

I was cut off by a cleared throat… ‘Sorry to interrupt—‘ It was the new guy… I really needed to get his name. He was standing just a step away from us. A beer in one hand and a distinctive blue cocktail in his other hand… the notoriously strong cocktail #Leah had invented. He extended it to Harper.

“Are you?” I asked with pinched brows, the expression on his face not sitting right with me.

The words had tumbled out before I could stop them. I cleared my throat and tried to reel my wolf back in.

“Ah… Are you new in town?”

It wasn’t the best save… but I wasn’t that guy, the jealous and possessive guy that needed to lay claim to a woman… even if she was my soulmate. Just knowing that was more than enough.

“I don’t think we’ve met yet… I’m Collin.” I squeezed Harper’s arm gently before extending my hand to him.

His eye dipped to the glass in my hand, and he tilted his head. I was used to that look though… A grown man in a bar drinking a glass of milk. It was weird. But normal was overrated.

He looked to Harper like he was trying to read something in her face before he introduced himself.

❁ Harper ❁

There it lay, in the depths of his deep brown eyes. Collin didn’t laugh at me for being foolish, he wanted to take part in it. And really, he’d been the one to ask me to join him on the path of foolishness first. Which I’d happily been traveling on since the first cup of hot chocolate we shared. Being this person, who was lost of words, lost from knowing what to say when I was with him. it was a mile off from the confident and eloquent woman the world knew me to be.

As he said ‘Hi’ back to me again, my smile grew just for him. The way his hand rested on my arm… The tingle his lips caused on mine… The thunder in his chest was palpable, the heat radiating from him told me he indeed felt all the things I did, right?

Even the roaring from the crowds of people around us couldn’t take away how there was something special between us. Maybe it was time for me to listen to my friends? To give myself over to the fact that maybe, just maybe someone this kind wouldn’t break me.

My thoughts cut short, I was listening to Collin speaking, and then his eyes were gone towards the side. Only then did I notice #Juan, he stood with a short round glass full of a two-toned blue liquid with a slice of lemon on the side of it. #JuanDiaz had brought me a drink? Was he feeling well?

The shock froze me in the moment while Collin spoke. Had I been witnessing an edge in Collins voice? No, I told myself. Because with a blink of an eye it was gone. I had to have imagined it. But #Juan, I saw the tension in his shoulders. The way his eyes travelled over Collin and the hand he had placed on my arm. And then #Juan like Collin eased back into himself, plus a cocky grin.

‘Doctor Juan Diaz, I’ve been in town a few weeks now. Finding my comfort zone with Buttercup here. And finding my feet at the practice as well. But you…’ He winked at me before returning his eyes to Collin. ‘I want to know how come you kept this handsome fella hidden from me Buttercup?’

I cringed at the nickname. It was going to stick, I could tell #Juan wasn’t going to let go of it.

‘I didn’t know you would be here Collin, otherwise I would have gotten you a--- glass of milk?’ There was a teasing in there, and I couldn’t help but want to stamp on #Juan’s foot. Like really, really, Really hard.

Something in the room changed, there was a palpable electricity humming around us.

“I wasn’t hiding him.” I just didn’t feel like talking to #Juan about my personal life.

“Collin isn’t a big drinker, and in my eyes it’s admirable that a man doesn’t give into pressure to do what the world expects of him.” I was frowning a little too hard because it caused my glasses to slip down my nose a little.

‘I didn’t mean anything by it buttercup, actually I can respect a man who knows what he likes. I was genuinely saying I would have gotten him a top up.’ He held the glass up towards me. ‘Miss Clearwater said you may like this, as I didn’t know what your poison is yet.’

The word yet. Hadn’t been missed by me. Before I could take the glass or refuse it, #Jessica was back. ‘Oh, Mermaidspunk. I love those.’ She took the glass from #Juan and sipped on it. ‘So, what did I miss?’ She asked looking between the three of us.

#Juan gave her a wink, turning his attention to her. ‘Nothing much Sweet Cheeks, Buttercup was introducing me to her friend.’

I shifted on my feet, making #Juan and #Jessica turned their eyes to me. I was starting to understand that these two never miss a beat. I sheepishly looked to Collin. Hearing #Juan call Collin just a friend. It didn’t’ feel right. But why was I second guessing myself? Was it because once again I had someone in my life whom I cared for dearly?

I wasn’t sure what it was about #Juan. He knew how to push my buttons by just saying ‘Good Morning.’ Making me doubt myself.

#Juan’s attention moved slowly away from me and back on Collin again. ‘So, Collin… What’s your attentions here?’ he pointed from me to Collin and back again. ‘Going to keep this one honest?’ he was laughing as he swigged from the beer in his hand.

“How do you know I plan on keeping Collin here honest?” I chimed in. “It’s the 21st century you know. Woman can take men astray too.”

#Jessica stifled a giggle by bringing the cocktail to her lips. And I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole!

❁ Collin ❁

There wasn't an ounce of falseness in this woman, every time I was close enough to look into her eyes I could see all the way into her soul. Something was happening behind those eyes, some big realizations. My eyes dropped to her hand against my thundering heart. Was she starting to realize that what I felt for her was a whole lot more than what would normally come from...? What was it now? Two dates and a night with her friends? I smiled at the reminder of how that night ended; dancing with her in her kitchen.

My brows shot up at the buttercup comment, but I managed to contain my grin. I bet Harper just loved that new nickname. I cringed a little internally that it had been the idea I’d given Harper that had brought him here. But I was going to focus on the fact that it meant Harper wasn't going to be on call all night, every night anymore. I wasn't going to wake up in the middle of the night worrying that she was so exhausted she might have wrapped her car around a tree.

"Oh, so you’re staying in the Tribal support housing then?" I tried to sound enthused. "If you ever need anything fixed just let me know. Maintaining those houses is kind of my responsibility." I chuckled and wrapped my arm around Harper's back when she said she hadn't been hiding me. Then I instantly worried that maybe that was too possessive? My wolf grumbled low.

No. He was right, I wasn't going to second guess every move I made with her. Plus, Harper was a force to be reckoned with... if I did something she didn't like she would let me know. But then #Jessica came back and any awkwardness was pushed aside. I chuckled at her as she took the glass from #Juan and tried not to roll my eyes at the name of the cocktail. The guys in the Black Pack were all a little crazy.

Before I could formulate an answer to his question that consisted of minimal stammering (Because let's face it... it happened more often than not when I was talking to or about Harper) she had answered him herself. A reply that made me beam proudly. "Would I be imposing if I asked to join you guys?" I asked, noting the tinge of pink in Harper's cheeks.

'That's a great idea!" #Jessica smiled and looped her arm through #Juan's. 'Let’s go find a seat.' After she led the new guy off, I smiled and leaned into Harper’s ear again and whispered. "You can lead me astray any day, Dr Jenkins." The scent of her filled my senses before I tightened the arm around her and pressed a kiss to her hair.

❁ Harper ❁

“Yeah, that’s where I’m staying for now. It’s a great idea and set up for the tribe to welcome in outside help from those like me.”

As I witnessed the exchange between the two men, I saw a genuineness in #Juan that had been missing all the time we spent together. And just as that thought was being processed, I tuned back into their conversation.

‘You help with the upkeep of those places?’ #Juan’s glance moved from Collin to me again. This was new to me; I didn’t know that Collin helped to maintain the community support housing here on the Rez. ‘I’m pretty handy with tools myself, but…’ he took a drink from the beer in his hand. ‘If you have time, the kitchen cabinets are a little loose. I was going to find the hardware store this week and fix them. But if I could maybe borrow some tools from you.’

As we all stood there I saw #Leah’s head pop up and she was looking towards me with a wink, and then she was on to serving the next customer. Sometimes it felt like she and #Seth were apart of conversations just by the way #Seth smiled from a far, or like now #Leah did something to say ‘I’m right here if you need me.’

When #Jessica led #Juan away I was in the mind to turn around and tell Collin he didn’t need to put himself through a night of this. However, when his warm breath was felt on my skin, I lost my train of thought. Goosebumps covering the skin under my jumper, and I could feel a ripple like lightening move over my cheeks. How was it possible for me to react in this way? In the past I had been the one to counsel #Kenz and #Jenna away from feeling this way so fast. Now look at me?

“Are you so easily led astray Mr. Littlesea?” I whispered unsure if I would be heard over the sounds within the bar. Turning myself into his hold around my back. “What would the world say?” The teasing tone was enough of a giveaway. My eyes found themselves looking at him, taking in each facet of his face. I felt myself leaning to kiss him, however I heard someone clearing their throat behind us.

Pulling back so fast, I felt myself about to trip over my feet, but I managed to save myself. ‘Hi, we saw you come in and wanted to say hello.’ The smiling face of #Rachel and her husband #Paul greeting us.

❁ Collin ❁

I nodded. "Yeah, well... The town is so small... we can't keep every profession covered" I chuckled. "Half the kids in town pick their careers based on what the tribe needs, and the other half go to college and never come back."

I listened to the usual male response... the one that most wives on the Rez heard right before they have to call in someone like me; to fix an even bigger problem than the one they started out with. But there was still a chance he did actually know what he was doing.

I heard #Brady scoff from the bar when #Juan made it sound like a casual thing, that I stopped by and helped out on occasion. But I didn't react to him; acting human was as easy as breathing to me now.

"Well..." The awkward urge to raise a hand to rub the back of my neck to the way I tended to when I was feeling... well, awkward. But one arm was around Harper and the other held a fast warming, half-full pint glass of milk in the other. "I actually helped build some of them..." I nodded in #Brady's direction. "Along with Brady over there... and my boss." I was babbling. "But, I can drop off a few essentials for you." My smile may have had a hint of cockiness in there... but I was curious to see if he was full of it or not. Plus, there was no damage he could do that I couldn't fix.

Then Harper and I were the only people in the world for a moment. "Normally... I'm pretty responsible... but under the terms of our foolishness agreement." I smiled at her. Spirits, she was so beautiful. "I think you—" I stressed that word. "Just might be able to."

The way she was looking at me made my face and ears and neck burn so much I was convinced my face had to be bright red now. The urge started to swell up inside of me, to ask her to come with me, somewhere we could be alone, and I could tell her everything I had left to say. She knew... She knew that this thing between us was so much more than ordinary. She had to... how else could one look from a person like her almost make a Spirit Warrior buckle at the knees?

I was completely blind-sided by #Paul and #Rachel's approach. Being around her always took up all of my attention. But here... with half of both packs in the same room, I only needed to think about her. I didn't need to be on alert for anything. Because Leah and the guys wouldn't let anything at all go wrong. I mean that was always the case, but we had always done more when the guys were there with the imprints... to just let them be... let them drop the drive to protect so they could just be in the moment with the ladies. And now... I was one of them.

I could see #Paul noticing the shift in me, and he smiled. I think he had probably felt this more than any of us. In the beginning, he had always been so afraid that he might hurt #Rachel because of his temper. But when everyone was together, he was able to let us take on the role of keeping her safe and just be a normal guy in love. Or as normal as a guy like #Paul could ever be.

"Hey cuz!" I grinned; of course, I was happy to see her. She rolled up on her toes even in heels to kiss my cheek.

'I didn't know that you were coming tonight.' She smiled and looked around at the sheer number of wolves in the #HWH tonight.

"#Embry and #Brady dragged me. But luckily the good doctor came to my rescue." I thought I could hear the two at the bar roll their eyes. #Rachel pulled a face like she'd just seen a cute baby or puppy and leaned into #Paul a little more. #Rachel turned her attention to Harper and smiled that bright beautiful smile that reminded me so much of Auntie Sarah... or at least the pictures I had seen and the flashes in #Jacob's memory.

'You look amazing Harper... seems like our little rainy slice of paradise is agreeing with you.' And every single word was pure and genuine. The dichotomy of #Rachel… the sweetest, kindest gossip queen with the occasional flair for drama that you would ever meet. It was a combination that shouldn't work but did.

❁ Harper ❁

Every time Collin and I met I discovered something new and interesting. About him, about his tribe or even about the world itself. It was refreshing to be in a place where you looked forwards to what you could learn about another person, and he did not disappoint. We were different people, with crossroads overlapping over certain parts of our lives, making me aspire to be more and to uncover more. However, as we weren’t alone right now, I set this information to the side to ask him more about it later.

I rained in my shock and excitement of hearing he hadn’t just participated in a small way to help his tribe, but he, his best friend and boss had really gone all in. Learning the reason why the next generation of the tribes people picked their vocation had my gaze wondering the floor of the bar until I found the laughing #Jessica, recalling the first day we met. The girl wouldn’t take no for an answer, and now I was so thankful that she pushed until I broke. She would someday become a powerhouse for this tribe, and I would be so proud of her for it.

Leaning into Collin a little further, still keeping my voice low. I was smiling so much when I was around him that my cheeks could feel the tension. “I’m not competitive, however if I were. I would step up to the challenge to see if I could.” The words he brought out of me. Then the blush followed not so far behind.

“I didn’t do the rescuing alone tonight.” Placing my hand over my heart. “I would say it’s teamwork.” Both #Paul and #Rachel shared a look, and she did that cute thing with her lips, mouthing something to him.

Smiling as #Rachel spoke, I glanced down to my jumper, a reel of heat hitting my cheeks and I was the same tint of red as Collin had turned.

“I will have to thank my friend Jenna for this choice, she likes to keep things bright when it’s dark outside.” I pointed to the windows. “And you look pretty too.” I was so bad at this, thinking how gorgeous someone looked was easier than telling them. #Rachel smiled and giggled the sweetest way.

‘She looks sexy in anything she wears. And—’ #Rachel spun around and covers her husband #Pauls mouth.

‘Do not dare finish that sentence, Leah will kick us out.’ She nudged him in the side, which just made #Paul grin wide and hold her closer.

Just behind #Rachel and #Paul’s shoulders I saw a number of young boys around the pool table, however no one was playing. They were all watching us? I saw a face amongst them I recognised, smiling I waved and mouthed a ‘hello’. It was the boy who had delivered the pizza to my house the day Collin and the others came to help build the flat pack. All the boys around him turned their eyes from me to him and then back again. And them they all were talking to the boy.

I shifted hoping I didn’t embarrass him with his friends being around, however before I could do anything more, I felt them all straighten up and this time they turned their attention back to the pool table. “I’ll have to check on him later.” I muttered to myself.

❁ Collin ❁

The look she gave me when I told them about the housing project had me standing taller. I mean it had been my job. We got paid... but of course, because it was for the tribe the Boss had obviously made given them the best possible price that wouldn't leave him short-changing his crew. but it was a job we had all put in extra hours on and were pretty proud of.

My ears burned. Was she teasing me... in an entirely new way from our playful banter? Spirits, I hoped so because I liked it, even if I had no idea how to respond to it. I smiled when she we'd rescued each other... I knew that this guy was a colleague, but he riled me. To hear her say I rescued her too; soothed this rather unpleasant alpha male thing that the pack had warned me might wake up after I imprinted. In a very loose sense of the word since there was a long, long line between me and the alpha role; even if I was #EphraimBlack's Great-Grandson too. My fingers tightened on the brightly coloured fabric by her side, just to remind her I was here and the was the brightest and most beautiful part of my world.

Even if I couldn't tell her that yet. I cleared my throat at #Paul and shook my head for him not to continue that.

A: Because that was my cousin he was talking about, and it was hard enough sharing a hive mind with him sometimes and B: It too soon to introduce Harper to all of the crazy that was the #PaulLahote we all knew and loved.

I followed Harper's gaze to the pool table. Oh hell! Those pups had no poker face at all. What on earth were they playing at? I heard Harper's whisper, but I could tell that was speaking to herself... my eyes drifted to #Jessica and the new vet... then back to the pups not playing pool. Her words made me stop and think that maybe I should do the same. But I saw #Embry shift at the bar... and move to the gathered pups. Because that was just what he did.

"If we both want to maintain our hero status we probably shouldn't leave #Jessica alone with #DonJaun over there." I chuckled.

Rachel reached out and squeezed my arm. 'You two enjoy your night.' She smiled and led #Paul away.

"Do you want a drink before we join them?" I asked Harper. My mind still trying to puzzle out if Harper had been trying (succeeding) to tease me.

❁ Harper ❁

#Rachel and #Paul smiled as they left the two of us, and I could still feel the caress of heat on my cheeks from the way I had attempted to flirt? Or tease? Whatever it was, I was slowly becoming aware of the fact that I had failed at it terribly. I wasn’t #Jenna, she almost always had a way with how she spoke to men. And it was clear I didn’t.

Clearing my thoughts and throat, I shifted on my feet. “I’m not sure the title is one that could be lost. A hero for life when you sign on the dotted line, isn’t it?” My gaze gliding back over to #Jessica who was speaking animatedly. With #Teddy joining the fray now too. He found me looking and blew a kiss, mouthing ‘Come on over.’ With a flourish of his hand.

“I agree we should go and join the others.” I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose. “Even if Jessica is good with Juan; I am certain she would like to have some back up.” However, I was convinced that both Collin and I would be no match for #MissJessicaClearwater.

Tilting my head, I considered the question about a drink. Then I pointedly turned towards the bar. “A drink would be good; would you like another one of these too?” This time I glanced down to the glass of milk in his hands. “I’m happy to go grab then for us.” I started to slowly walk backwards away from him.

Then I paused at the realisation, and once again he made me smile. “Did you just call him Don Juan?” Blinking my eyes, I lowered my voice just a little. “Are you becoming a rebel now too?” There had been nothing wrong with what he said. #Juan had been going around giving #Jess and I nicknames, so why could he not be given one too?

❁ Collin ❁

That flush in her cheeks made my heart stutter a few beats. She was so beautiful, but I could tell by her expression that she was completely unaware of it. “Something like that.” I chuckled, I had to admit that having her refer to me as a hero; did a strange new alpha male thing in my chest… this one was a little more welcome… but still not quite right, not quite me.

I laughed again. Something that happened so naturally with Harper. “Hey, he was the one that tried to flirt with Leah.” I grinned, one corner of my mouth curling up. “Around here, trying that and not leaving in an ambulance earns you a nickname.” I leaned in and brushed a kiss to her temple. “Nope! Not this time. You bought the pizza, it’s my  turn now. What would you like, Buttercup?” I teased, a little I did it without faltering. I knew she drank wine… but I wasn’t sure what her preference was when she was out… thought I was sure whatever it was, Leah was making it as we spoke.

My gaze never left Harper though. The rosy hints still showing her cheeks, the glasses that had slipped so slightly down the bridge of her nose. I smiled. She was… perfect. I reached up and pushed her glasses up gently the way she always did. “Beautiful.” I whispered, unable to stop myself from voicing how I felt right at this moment.

❁ Harper ❁

“As he is still alive and walking, I will hope for the best…” pausing before continuing. “And prepare for the end of the world. Maybe?”

I couldn’t argue with the facts. #JuanDiaz had taken his life in his own hands at the time he decided to step up to the bar and say whatever it was that he did to #LeahClearwater. I had heard many stories from her brother #Seth about how men sometimes didn’t walk away. However, seeing that #DrJuanDiaz has indeed walks away from the bar, and had been served drinks. Could it have been that #Leah liked him?

I glanced over to him stood beside #Jessica and #Teddy, talking animatedly and then I turned my eyes on #Leah. Telling myself ‘No way.’ It was more likely that she knew why ‘#DonJuan’, had come here to La Push. And she understood how I / we needed his arms, hands, and legs intact.

“Oh… Sauvignon Blanc… I believe Cha and Leah have some hiding behind the bar for me.” I was back with him now. the night in questions popping into my mind. “Let us not forget that you taught me how to make my own pizza. So, really… Isn’t it my turn again?” We were stopped half way to the bar when I smiled tilting my head to the side. He was watching me closely.

When he kissed the side of my head. New butterflies came to life in my tummy, roiling to life and taking my attention off the point I was attempting to make. I closed my dark eyes, feeling a warmth and fervour radiating from him. It made me lean in a little more.

‘Buttercup’? however as the word sat with me for a moment, when he said it… it somehow didn’t sound the same way it did when #Juan said it. “You really are on a rebels walk tonight Mr. Littlesea.” I whispered to him, that was until my world paused at his term. ‘Beautiful’, then he was the first person ever to push my glasses up the bridge of my nose. My mouth went dry at the intimacy that one action brought with it. And now, I really had no words to say.

❁ Collin ❁

"Only if Nova and I get to bunker down with you." I smiled, a little proud of my own wit. I had to chuckle at her remark. "I asked you over for lunch and then made you cook it yourself... if anything that means I owe you two." I grinned, but  she wasn't the keeping score type, and the only reason I hadn't cooked before she arrived was that I knew that she would love it. She really couldn't be more perfect.

"Me?" I teased. "A rebel? Not my style at all." I dropped my hand, letting  it skim over the arm of her brightly coloured jumper... Beautiful was such an understatement. She was struck silent and that made my heart pound.

"You go rescue #Jess. I'll just be a second." I wanted to kiss her again... but I was walking as  for as the bar, and it would be mere moments before I was next to her again. Was it too much? Desperate even? But despite those thoughts, I brushed a swift kiss against her cheek, my lips grazing the corner of her mouth in a way that made my  stomach come alive with butterflies.

Never too much... never desperate... not with Harper. With her, it was always just right.

When I got to the bar, I could tell #Leah already had the drinks poured behind it, a round for the whole table, not just Harper and me. 'She's a catch, pup.' she said in that way she did when she was about to get deep in that #Leah-specific way of hers... which was to say very deep without really saying much. 'You can't keep her in the dark forever.' And  there it was. She was right, of course. She was right far too much.

"I'm not going to." That was all I said... like a sulking teenager because really, I had nothing else, I could say that wasn't an excuse.

'Actions, Pup.' And there it was  again... all that heft behind two tiny words.

"As soon as I have her alone." There was no coming back from it now. Every warrior in here heard that, and I knew they were eager to welcome her into the folds of the pack too... it had been so  long since anyone had shifted or imprinted. The whole pack and all the imprints were buzzing with the excitement of it. I wanted Harper to experience that part of all of this too... to show her that she could have the most incredible family here. One that would cherish her and the memories of the family she'd lost.

With a smile #Leah set the drinks on the bar in a way that told me my brief yet highly effective lesson was over. Before I gathered up the drinks, I noticed #Embry and  #Quil shuffling the pup from earlier outside for some air,assuring the pup over and over that they weren't going to make him go home.

I looked at #Juan and #Jess talking closely over the music and typical bar noise. 'Not your problem tonight.'  

Leah's hand came down on the bar, she was solely trying to get my attention but covering it by wiping the perfectly clean surface with the cloth in her hand. 'His brothers have this.'

I knew it was true... and they would make damn sure of it  too... especially now that they knew my intentions. Besides... I wasn't known for my stellar advice. "Does Juan..." I trailed off not wanting to finish the question. "Is he..."

Leah cut me off. 'What the new guy wants, or thinks isn't a  factor. Harper is a grown woman; he can fancy who he wants... and he isn’t the one, she's been staring at doe-eyed for the last fifteen minutes.'

"It wasn't fi-- Wait? Was it?" I glanced back at Harper for a second, when I turned back #Leah was giving me a  look that had me gathering the drinks and weaving my way to the table.

❁ Harper ❁

“Okay.”

The utterance from me which had to be the answer to all the above.

The end of the world, with the baby girl and him…

Him not being a rebel…

Going to be with #Jess…

Whose turn it was to go to the bar…

Because let’s face facts. I didn’t really know... All I knew was that I’d spent time with him and #Nova, and yes nothing was disregarded about anything in those days and moments. However, keeping track of other things had not been something I could do. ( Unless it was about where things went after they were used. )

My fingers grazed the spot where his lips stroked mine, leaving a warm glow on my cheeks. The butterflies in my tummy had started to dance, as I looked back over my shoulder at Collin stood beside the bar speaking with #Leah. Smiling I found myself bumping into the side of someone.

‘Slow down there, Dr. Jenkins, what’s the rush?’ My cheeks smarted from embarrassment.

“I’m so sorry Mr Murry, how is Princess Poppy feeling now?” I asked the man who had a small brown hamster that had come in for an infected ear.

‘She is doing so much better; Jia has been helping with the cleaning tasks. The advice you gave for her school project has her doing as much as she can now.’ He was smiling as he spoke to me.

“I’m so glad to hear it, anything we can do to keep the youngers involved the better.”

Excusing myself I stopped beside #Jessica. I stood listening to #Teddy sat at the table, telling the group how his boss had promised to give him the lead on an upcoming collection. And what an amazing opening he had planned for, then I felt someone step up on the other side of me.

‘A vet and a carpenter walked into a bar…’ #Juan gave me a crooked chortle. ‘Doesn’t it sound like the best joke could start that way?’ taking a pull from his beer. ‘You don’t have a drink. Let me go grab you one.’ He continued.

“Firstly, some of the best jokes keep us all smiling, at a time when our worlds may be dark. And secondly, Collin is already at the bar fetching me one. Thank you.” Contemplating what he could mean by the joke comment.

‘I didn’t see him being your type. The guy is handsy.’ Now I turned to face #Juan.

“And since when is your boyfriend wanting to touch you a bad thing?” I asked, feeling #Jessica’s eyes on me.

‘Did you just call Collin your boyfriend? Spirits Harper… that is so cute.’ My face flushed as she pulled me into her arms and hugged me. Telling #Teddy what I had just declared.

I couldn’t help but turn my attention towards the bar, happy to see that Collin had turn to walk our way. Because had I really just made such a declaration without speaking to him first? However, he had just told me he wanted to have #Nova and I with him at the end of the world, right?

❁ Collin ❁

I couldn't help overhearing the new guy’s so-called joke... I told myself that it wasn’t an elitist thing. But my mind went straight to the fact that this man was far more highly educated than me and clearly didn't have a problem pointing it  out. But this was the effect of the imprint; this was a normal reaction to someone talking about me, to my soul mate. But I needed that territorial crap to go to sleep... it wasn't the real me.

I focused on what #Leah said... What  the new guy thought or said was inconsequential. Only what Harper felt mattered.

‘Handsy.’ Damn! Was I? I was doing this all wrong...

But then...

My heart started to beat harder than ever in my chest. I paused as I made my way to the table. Had she really just said that?

'Play it cool pup.' I heard #Paul say, from somewhere across the bar and I started to move again.

I passed Harper her drink first, trying to control my smile but not too sure I was succeeding. Then I handed  #Jess another cocktail before passing the guys theirs. "So, what did I miss?" I asked.

'I was telling everyone about the show I have coming up. you and Harper should come. It would be so great to see someone with a great artistic eye  there.' #Teddy very pointedly looked from #Juan to me. 'And speaking of! You still owe me a viewing of your work, Mr Littlesea.

I chuckled and slid my phone across the table. "That's true! Put your number in there and we'll make a date." Then  I wrapped my arm around Harper's waist... because Handsy or not Harper wasn't complaining. Her referring to me as her boyfriend was a sign that she wanted to be closer to me, wasn't it?

'I feel like I'm missing something here?' #Juan  said looking around the group.

'Collin is an amazing photographer.' #Jess spoke first... because she was Jess and that's what she did. 'And #Teddy here has been dying to get a look at Collins work.'

❁ Harper ❁

“Thank you.” I smiled taking the glass of wine,  trying to hide the frolics of the conversation that died thankfully with a nudge from #Teddy when he saw Collin coming. I really didn’t want him to be brought into the mess that was alive in my mind.

All eyes turned to me upon Collin’s question, however it was #Teddy who jumped to answer before #Juan or #Jessica. I could kiss that man, the way he turned the conversation towards his upcoming art show gave me room to breathe, and my heart to settle from the race it had been running. However, at the same time I didn’t miss the look he gave #Juan who was clearly amused as he was drinking his beer.

Listening to them all speaking had my eyes wondering towards the Bar for a moment to watch how #Char and #Leah worked together. There was an easy about them, like they knew when they needed to move and dance around one another while they worked.

My attention drew back to the discussion, and I felt myself standing a little taller proud of this man I hadn’t known long, and yet hearing someone praise his talents felt right and wholesome. When Collins arm came around me, drawing me in closer. I didn’t fight it, because as much as calling him Boyfriend terrified me, the tow that had now become a sentiment when he was close made itself be known…. And eased my fears.

I watched him out of the side of my eye as he teased #Teddy with is words.

‘Don’t you dare tell my Char that I was this enthusiastic at the mention of a date with you Mr. Littlesea.’ #Teddy winked at me as he added his number to the phone contacts.

I was smiling again… I found myself doing it so much more these days. However, as my mind drifted from the dialogue to the glass in my hands, I once again thought that not many people had this in their life. How lucky I had to be.

‘A dollar for your thoughts.’ #Juan whispered to the side of me. And I jerked my head up.

“Me?” lost a little in the thoughts still.

‘Yeah. I’ve not seen you this quite before.’ #Juan arched a brow, and I lifted the glass in my hand up so that he could see it as the others spoke about Art and photography.

“I was thinking about this wine… You know that Sauvignon Blanc mostly comes from France, or from New Zealand. However, when #Leah and #Char found out I like a glass of wine now and then, they ordered me in a case. It’s called Eight Thousand Lakes, a Sauvignon Blanc that was made in Washington State not far from here. On a vineyard she told me her brother Seth had visited. So, of course, I had no choice but to try it.”

The wine glass had fogged from the crisp cool of the liquid within it, as I swelled it, the scents of Peach, Citrus Fruits like  Grapefruit and  Lemon, as well as Passionfruit made themselves known to me.

‘Are you just going to look at it, or do you plan to drink it?’ My eyes moved to #Juan, who was giving me a cheeky grin.

‘Let the girl saver the moment, don’t rush her.’ #Teddy said, winking at me.

So, I did in my own time take a sip. It was cold; however, it was the crisp and zesty flavour that was welcoming.

“Worth the wait.” I teased the taste in my mouth. I didn’t know much about wines; I just knew what I liked which #Leah told me was the only thing that mattered.

‘Give me a beer any day and I’m happy.’ #Juan said and I shrugged.

“We all have things that are right for us, it’s best we don’t judge others for their tastes in life.”

‘You are such a nerd.’ He laughed.

❁ Collin ❁

All it this made me smile... The was her friends covered up her declaration in front of me. Even #Juan didn't sell her out, so there was finally a mark in his plus column. I happily dove into the conversation with her friends... she seemed a little stunned by her own words. Then again... so was I, the best possible way.

I laughed at Teddy. "I won't bring it up... but if he asks. I won't lie for you, Mr Waterson." I winked at him and looked mock offended, making me laugh again It was hard to focus on the conversation, but my mind wanted to pull all of my attention to Harper's side conversation with #Jaun. But one corner of my mouth curled up when she got all nerdy about her wine. Spirit's this woman was perfect... a quick glance around the room at the faces I knew told me that even without imprinting; all my friends would agree. I made mental notes of everything I had just heard.

I liked these people the way Teddy told #Juan off without really telling him off about rushing her. The way she stood up for herself without a hint of bitterness... I liked it all. When the new guy called her a nerd my fingers curled into her jumper, and I tightened my arm around her subtly... no more than a tensing of the muscles in my arms really.

"She really is." I said to #Juan, but my eyes focused on Harper alone. "And it is by far one of her most attractive qualities... if you ask me."

❁ Harper ❁

My glasses slipped down my nose a little, making it so that my eyes connected to Collins without any hurdles in the way. The softness in the way his gaze found my, made my heart skip and my tummy flutter with those butterflies once again.

‘You both are way too sweet for me.’ I heard #Juan says; however I didn’t dare pull my glance away from Collin. There was that connection and pull, telling me I was home. A feeling that only a few weeks ago would have had me running out of this bar.

“I didn’t know…. Ugh…. That…there were more qualities you were attracted to?”

My words stumbled and I could swear that I could hear a roll of laughter coming from afar and then it was gone.

“Care to enlighten me? Not to build my ego, more on a Scientific level, of what I should do more of.”

Okay…. Lord… I really was a nerd, and I didn’t even try to hide it when I was around him. This was the level of comfort I had begun to feel around him.

‘I’m so going to need something stronger.’ I could hear #Juan asking the others for their drinks order before he was gone again.

❁ Collin ❁

My heart stumbled when her eyes met mine, enough to make me ignore #Juan's macho act... I grew up in a pack of wolves and warriors, with Alphas, territory wars and armies of vampires... If I hadn't been sucked into the atmosphere of toxic male egos #JuanDiaz had no hope of making it happen now.

I waited until #Juan excused himself from the table to answer.

"I'll give you the whole list if you let me walk you home later on tonight." It wasn't until I raised my glass to my mouth and took a drink that I realized there were too many interpretations of what I had just said, and I choked as I swallowed... managing not to spurt milk out of my mouth; thank the Spirits for that! "I mean um... Just... you, not that... Just to  walk you home... to the door... you know... so we can... talk..."

I felt an elbow against my bicep and #Teddy saying. 'Ow... Jeez...' He rubbed his elbow. 'Calm down Man of Steel.' He teased me and pointed to Harper. 'She got the message... and what the hell do they put them in water around here?' He pinched the muscle on my upper arm and looked around the bar at the other guys in the pack, appraising the muscles in the room.

I laughed... still a little awkward but my heart was  returning to normal. "Just... Genetically blessed." I smiled; at least that was the truth... just a much understated one.

❁ Harper ❁

Leaning into him a little, I was trying to calm myself. If I started to overthink everything, I knew that I would end up in a spiral.

I took a sip from the cold wine in my glass and coughed at the same time as Collin finished asking his question. My mind had gone to the most innocent of things. Thinking he just wanted to walk me home, not sure how he knew I had walked here. But I must have told him.

However, when I saw his face turn a shade of pink, mine mirrored it with new meanings coming to light.

Wait... was he really asking for a walk home, or did he want “coffee”?

I mean… we were taking it slow… but we hadn’t really had the time to talk about more. Or act on it…

I hadn’t even shaved my legs! What if he did want “coffee” tonight? What would he think of me?

Did I want more? Was I ready for the next step?

STOP!

I told myself. This was just a request to walk me home. It was Collin. It was all going to be fine.

‘By the spirits.’ I swore I heard #Leah mutter as she walked past with a tray full of empty glasses, the lip of her towel darted out to hit Collin in the back of his head.

‘Do better.’ Did she mutter at him? or was it in my imagination? And then she was gone.

“Uhm…” I set the glass down on the table, it was safer to hide the slight shake of my hands.

#Teddy had come to my aid again, taking the attention from me and moving it to the men all lined up beside the bar and the far side of the bar. They were all trying to look busy, with some of them smiling when I caught their eyes.

This time I leant into Collin and whispered into his ear.

“I would love for you to walk me home.”

❁ Collin ❁

She choked... great I was going to kill my own imprint by being the definition of awkward AF.

The tribe was going to tell legends about the idiot wolf that caused his soul mate's death by being... well an idiot!

Her heart started to  hammer and that really didn't help mine slow. I wanted to glare at #Leah... but there was no chance that she would come to my rescue. #Embry would normally intervene when things got bad... Changed the subject... say something to draw the  attention away from our screw-ups. I looked around. He still hadn't come back inside.

Seriously? ‘Do better’, was all my beta had to offer? #Teddy was becoming my new hero.

I didn't even flinch at the towel flicking into the back of my  head, I was stunned by my own foolishness... and there it was... rescue. I leaned in to Harper and whispered... "Sorry... good thing we have our... foolish little bargain, right?" I smiled and gave her a nod to confirm that I would indeed like  to walk her home after all.

❁ Harper ❁

“Let’s be foolish together, remember?” My gaze met his once I could trust myself not to turn as red as a tomato again.

‘I think we need to move those boys off the pool table and show them what a real game looks like.’ #Jessica said standing up from the table, jabbing her thumb over her shoulder towards the back of the bar.

‘Why do we need to move them away? You could do with some eye candy darling Jess.’ #Teddy was up on his feet and downing his martini. ‘Harps? Handsome one… You both in?’ He lent over the table. ‘Twos?’ Nodding his head towards the pool tables.

“Uhm…” I looked over to Collin. “I’m up for a game if you would like to play?” I asked him.

‘What, no one going to ask me to play?’ #Juan was back with a fresh round of drinks for everyone, setting a cold glass of milk down before Collin. ‘I’m always up for a game.’ He was smirking at #Teddy with a wink.

Thanking #Juan for the second glass of wine. “Okay, well why don’t we play round robin? Or I don’t mind sitting to the side and watching.” I said, looking over towards Collin not even sure if he was up to playing at all. I didn’t want to assume or make the choice for him.

I knew we needed to make #Juan consider La Push as a second home for him. I wanted this partnership with his practice to be successful, and soon enough I was meant to be going to Port Angeles to fulfil my side of the deal too.

❁ Collin ❁

I smiled at her and raised my glass to my lips, the back of my neck and my ears heating, I wanted to press another kiss to her cheek or the side of her head again, but #Juan was still watching us closely. So, I brushed my fingers along her waist where the still sat over the soft fabric of her jumper.

I had been staring at Harper, so until #Juan spoke I had assumed #Teddy was talking about him and not me. I smiled when Harper spoke up about sitting out for a game, she was too sweet not  to. But I leaned in and whispered to her. "You should play the first round with #Juan... he's new in town. We should make him feel welcome." I kissed her cheek and turned into her, so it would look like a couple having a cute moment. I mean... she had used the word boyfriend after all. "This place is full of people I grew up with. I'll play the winners."

#Juan may have found some way to get on my nerves... but he was a stranger here, and he should know that La Push was a good place to be. Especially when him being here meant the Harper wasn't going to be on-call twenty-four hours a day, every day. That was a good thing. I worried about her... and selfishly, i knew it would mean she would have more free time I hoped to monopolise. (Only if she wanted to, of course.)

I turned to face all of them. "Why don't you four play... I'll take on the winners?"

❁ Harper ❁

There. There was the reason why I felt like myself with this man. He had spoken the words I had been thinking. However, more so he took the time to understand the need to open and welcome someone into the fold. I had been an outsider here not so long ago. With no one but #Sue and #Leah to call my own. And it had been my foolishness that I had not seek them out right away upon arriving in town.

I placed a hand on his chest, feeling his hand on my side stroking the fabric of my jumper. It was just the two of us and the bar filled with silence all around us. “You are amazing Mr Collin Littlesea.” I whispered just for the two of us. “Thank you.” I mouthed and then his lips touched my skin, and I closed my eyes.

‘Sounds like fun in the making.’ #Juan clapped his hands loud, and I jumped out of my skin and out of the moment. ‘Let’s go people.’ He now rubbed his hands together.

‘Teds you and me against the boss and the Squid?’ #Jessica was already making her way across the bar.

“Squid?” I asked confused.

#Juan laughed hard. ‘It’s what you call an ex-navy officer. Sweet cheeks wanted to learn some slang.’ He told me before following her.

“Oh joy.” I muttered. “He is going to have her talking like a sailor before the week is out.” Shaking my head, I turned to look at Collin again. “Are you sure you don’t mind?” I slipped my free hand into his, gently squeezing it with the fresh glass of wine in the other.

❁ Collin ❁

There it was again, that spark of kindness... the purity of her friendship. My heart thundered beneath her hand. Every molecule of oxygen left my body when she called me amazing. "Not even close." I chuckled. "But I try."

I nodded at her comment about #Jess... "Maybe... but she's too sweet to swear, so at least that's something, right?" I laughed.

'She is right here, thank you very much! And I'm not so easily influenced.' #Jessica nudged one of the guys that were playing before us with her hip... he was closer to her age so I was sure they knew each other from school. They cleared the table, having already heard us talking about playing. #Brady came up and stood next to me.

All the guys around me tensed when  Harper startled... as did I. It was that split second difference that people missed, it wasn't #Juan's action that caused it... it was the fact that it scared her, added to because she was an imprint. I tightened my arm around her, there was  something underlying here. I leaned in close, letting my cheek brush against hers, telling her I was right here and everything was okay, without saying a word.

I flashed Harper a bright smile. "I am completely sure. Plus... I'm kinda a pool  god... so really it's only fair that I go up against the winners." It sounded like a brag... but it was also true. #Brady and I had spent far too much time on this table trying to best each other. The fact that we were both math nerds meant the games could go on for hours.

'That's a lot of big talk.' #Juan smirked.

'Only if he can't back it up.' #Teddy added before #Brady had a chance to back me up. I was really starting to love this guy.

I reluctantly took my hand back from Harper's waist and smiled at her. "Go show 'em how it's done." I winked at her and instantly regretted it. Then I turned to #Brady and whispered. "You need to step up your best friend game or I'll have to replace you with Teddy." I laughed when he shoved my shoulder lightly.

❁ Harper ❁

I couldn’t stop myself from smiling from ear to ear, witnessing the exchange before him and #Jessica has me shaking my head, and then pushing the fame of my glasses up the bridge of my nose.

“No one is saying you are easily lead astray Jess, just that we wouldn’t want you to be influenced.” I tease and she knew it was what I was doing.

‘I’m not the bad influence in this situation Dr Jenkins.” #Juan stood with his cue in hand now.

I gave him a look saying ‘Yes, yes you are.’ However, turned my attention to Collin and his best friend. Saying Hi to Brady.

There seemed to be a charge in the atmosphere of the bar, all the guys who were stood carefully, laughing, and joking seemed to stop the moment before, and then they were shaking it off.

I must have been imagining it, right?

The light touches from Collin had me reeling, I knew that it would be rude, but some part of me really wanted to spend more time with him. To learn more about him. However, I knew we had time. “Don’t worry, I will hold my own out there.” The wink from Collin making me giggle from the surprise. He was really coming out of a shell tonight.

‘What’s going on here?’ #Paul had come to stand beside us. Making himself at home between #Juan and myself. ‘Why does no one invite me to play? I’m good you know.’

He waggled his eyebrows as he spoke, until his eyes met #Juan. Stepping up he held his hand out toward the new member of our practice. Introducing himself. The handshake felt like it lasted a few moments too long.

‘It’s because they know better than to take you away from your wife.’ #Rachel nudged #Jessica as she climbed up into a stool to watch the game.

#Teddy handed me a cue and some chalk.

“Would you like me to rack the balls up?” I asked setting the small blue square down to the side.

There was a hum in the bar, as I glanced around there was an energy engulfing all those around me. By the time my eyes fluttered to the door. They were already half way inside.

‘There she is!’ #Jenna called out pointing towards us ( me ), and I dropped the cue on the table   and rushed over to meet them.

‘Are you about to hustle the locals?’ #Kenze whispered for the three of us to hear.

“No…” I laughed. “You made it.” I called out as their arms flew around me and squeezed hard.

‘Wild dogs couldn’t stop your friends from coming out. Sue was kind enough to offer to babysit for us, so we could have a night out.’ #Dam was the next one to hug me. Lifting me off the ground and kissing my cheek.

In the time it took us to hug and talk, for #Dam to set me down on my feet. I saw that #Seth had been rushed by  half the bar. He turned and winked at me, then held his hand out for his Fiancé to join him. Introducing her to those he knew. ( Which seemed to be everyone. )

‘They make a good couple don’t they.’ #Jenna was still holding me.

“They really do.” I smiled feeling such  warmth at watching them. “I’m so happy for her and you. With Damian and Seth… I don’t have to worry about you.” The words were out before I knew I was saying them.

‘Now it’s us, who are always worried about you.’ #Jenna said her eyes moving over the floor.

‘So, where is he?’ She pointed to Collin. ‘That is him.’ She beamed. ‘Cute!’

‘Hey. You’re married wife.’ #Dam joked ‘I should go say hi to him.’ He continued.

“Be nice please.” I warned them both.

‘Never.’ and #Jenna was off.

❁ Collin ❁

The looked that Harper shot #Juan gave me far too much pleasure...I wasn't this kind of guy! What the hell was wrong with me? I wasn't the jealous type, and I knew logically that I had no real reason to be.

 "I have no doubts." I smiled at her; the laugh seemed more amused by my wink than it did mocking; so that was something.

Paul's arrival after Harper's reaction wasn't a shock. He was never fond of strangers in town and had no doubt been keeping an ear on the new guy. He made  himself known to #Juan... who to his credit (and detriment) didn't show any hint of hesitation with him.

"Maybe if you stopped taking your shirt off and jumping on the table when you win, you'd get more invitations." I laughed at #Paul. He just smacked my shoulder lightly.

I had known that this was going to happen. But I was suddenly very glad for the night I had spent with Harper, #Teddy, #Char and #Jess. At least it just meant two new faces. #Seth had stopped by with #Kenzi shortly after they'd arrived. Them being here was another reason I wanted to speak to Harper. So she would have her friend to speak to about everything... I still had no idea when they were all leaving. I was loving having #Seth back home so  much that I still hadn't had the heart to ask that question yet.

I let the guys that hadn't seen #Seth yet push forward and reunite with him. Some were meeting his imprint for the first time, and I wondered if #Kenzie could tell the Spirits Warriors from the humans? She knew what to look out for, after all. Harper looked so happy to see her friends from home... sisters really. I smiled as a watched her with the girl I knew to be #Jenna. The love these girls shared was so clear, that tug in the centre on my chest made itself known again.

I made my way around the crush of people wanting a piece of #Seth and headed towards them as the one #Seth had told was #Damien mentioning saying ‘Hi’ clearly intending to size me up. Which I was fine with... I knew I only had the best of intentions with Harper. I was always as honest as I could be while protecting the tribe's secrets.

I met #Jenna halfway between we had both started and I held out my hand to her. #You must be Jenna." I smiled. "I've been hoping we'd get a chance to meet. Harper talks about you all the time. I'm Collin... it's nice to meet you."

❁ Harper ❁

#Jenna stopped in her tracks, the sound in the bar was heaving making it difficult for me to understand or hear what the two were saying. However, when she finally gained her composure, her shoulders seemed to be a little less tight.

I kept making my way towards them when I heard her saying. ‘Oh, you are good.’ Holding her hand out toward Collin for him to shake. ‘Harper has told us a lot about you too.’

I cleared my throat, giving her a warning to mind her full stops.

‘Yes, yes.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Harper also wants me to be nice. And play nice.’ The last part she said a little louder, I assumed for me. ‘She forgets, I never have been one to play nice. It’s her and Kenz who kept me in line all these years’

“Collin. Meet Damian… Jenna’s husband.” I interjected, hoping he would stop his wife from  whatever it is she was doing here.

‘Hi.’ #Damian said holding his hand out now after looking Collin up and down. ‘I’m not just Jennifer’s husband, Harper is like a baby sister to me. And I’m very protective of my family.’

I grimaced, my glance moving across the bar wishing #Kenz would come over to help. I stilled seeing how there was a group of girls all around her, with #Rachel ( Collin’s cousin ) in the middle. However, #Seth was looking towards me and then the others.

‘I’m an easy-going gal really Collin, I’m also not one for mincing my words. So, let’s not beat around the bush. If you break my best friends heart… I will hurt you; I will plan to sell your parts to hog farmers.’

“Jenna!” I jumped in between the three of them and dragged them both back. “Collin I’m so sorry. She doesn’t mean it.”

‘Yes, she does.’ #Damian said looking down proud of his wife.

‘Oh, I like this one.’ #Damian and I turned to see #Juan and #Teddy both saying those words at the same time.

“Aren’t you both meant to be playing pool?” I reminded them.

❁ Collin ❁

I smiled when #Jenna said I was good… she knew what I was doing. Just like #Seth had told me she would. “Thank you… I actually have a rather nervous constitution. So, I really had to psych myself up to walk those ten feet.” I shook her hand; it was strange… the first time I saw #Kenzi she ran right in for a hug. These girls were all so different, with the common thread being how much they love one another.

I smiled again and laughed. “Play nice? That will make it very hard for you to figure out if you approve or not, wouldn’t it? No need to play nice… you can hit me with all your best shots.” But my attention was pulled away from #Jenna the second Harper closed the space between us and introduced #Damian. I couldn’t help  it, she just… pulled focus. I was sure everyone had to be captivated by her. I did look away long enough to give him a firm handshake – not look like the one #Juan had given me earlier – “Nice to meet you…” He was straight to the point too… I could see why they were so suited. He was tall, not much shorter than me, and had that clearly military stance. “I have a baby sister too… so I know exactly how you feel.”

I saw the expression on Harper’s face… but I was always good at this  part; meeting friends and family… even when my shyness was out of control, people tended to like me. I gave her a smile that said, ‘I got this, don’t worry.’

I turned to Jenna and nodded, laughing softly. “If you think I have a  chance to be important enough to her to break her heart… I’m going to take that as an endorsement.” I smiled, feeling a little proud of that one. Somewhere in the bar #Embry voiced his approval, but I didn’t turn to find him.

“And if I ever do… I won’t even put up a fight, promise.”

The husband and wife raised their eyebrows at one another. “I’m going to need a partner to play against whoever wins this round… You game?” I smiled intently at #Jenna, jerking my head toward the  table.

Both #Paul and #Brady let out a resounding. "Hey!" of protest that made me laugh so hard I snorted…

Damn! I had been doing so so well!

❁ Harper ❁

#Jenna’s eyes darted to me at hearing the sweet way Collin laughed. The little piggling snort had been adorable. And I saw her eyes soften in that moment too. She liked him from all that she had learnt about him from me over our video calls, and then I was told by #Seth that the two girls had round robin him about Mr Collin Littlesea after he had asked me out for coffee. However, she had told us all that she still planned to make him work hard for his place in the circle. To which both #Sue and #Leah had told her ‘You should.’ It was all the Go Ahead, she needed for this.  

‘Don’t let your nerves get the better of you, not tonight.’ #Jenna told him. However, from the way #Dam steps back up, giving Collin in approving half smirk, I knew he liked what he saw and heard too.

‘Also, THAT IS WHAT I KEEP TELLING THEM BOTH! What’s the point in playing nice, we need to get to the goal so we all know where we stand.’ #Jenna continued to say to Collin.

I should have known; I should have had faith in him. The way in which he stepped into the conversation with #Jenna and #Dam. His regards of their relationship to me, and the understanding he exuded towards these people who were my all, gave me chills in the nicest possible way. Something as simple as telling Dam how he understood him, because he too is an older brother to his sister #Ananya.

‘We can’t play pool when my so-called partner is missing.’ #Juan said distracting me from #Jenna and giving me a cocky grin.

‘And there is no way I am not going to come over and say Hi to the Thompson fam.’ #Teddy interjected, turning to #Dam and continuing to speak. ‘You found the place okay I see.’ They hugged.

‘Yeah, we came with Seth. The guy has all the low down.’ #Dam joked giving #Juan a handshake.

‘Oh right, I keep forgetting this is Seth’s home town.’ #Teddy laughed before heading over to the bar spotting his boyfriend smiling towards him.

To my dismay #Juan and #Damian had hit it off from the moment #Dam and the others walked into the practice to check it out. The two men had so much in common, and without the need to air their past they were drawn to each other like magnets.

My ears were back in #Jenna and Collin, she took a hold of his arm and turned him towards the back of the bar and the pool tables. ‘As long as I don’t have to play Harps, the gal only ever talks about angles, degrees, speed of the hit and the momentum of the strike. I love her, but she takes the fun out of it.’ She half turned her head blowing me a kiss and mouthing. ‘I like him’, with a wink.

‘Now...’ She turned back to Collin. ‘Tell me… What are your intentions with my sister from another mister?’

I stopped in my tracks, dropping my head, and wishing the ground of the bar to open up and swallow me.

‘You know I’m not sure my sisters insurance will cover spontaneous ground openings.’ I knew that kind, warm voice anywhere. He makes my lips curl up into a broad smile before my eyes met his.

“How do you always read my mind?” I asked

‘Because… It’s always written on your face, like a neon light.’ He replied without missing a beat. He pushed the rim of my glasses up my nose. ‘You really need to have those tightened.’

I wasn’t sure why, but a bubble of emotions rotated my stomach, and my eyes prickled. ‘Hey, none of that. It’s a good night. And you know Jenna is just messing with the goofball.’ #Seth wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me into him. ‘I think Will would have really liked him, Harps.’ He leant down to whisper it in my ear. ‘He would be happy seeing you like this, in a town that you are now making your own.’

Another arm came to rest on my lower back, I didn’t need to see #Kenz before her head was squeezed into my side. ‘Can another get into this love fest?’ Both #Seth and I opened out the circle and engulfed her into the centre of it.

“Without you Kenz, none of this would have been possible.” I told her and kissed her cheek. She had been the one to step up and give me the permission I needed to leave Thompson. She had been the one to talk #Jenna around to it too.

‘Ugh. Get a Room… Just not together!’ #Leah broke the magic of the moment by smacking the side of #Seth’s head with the back of her hand as she walked by. Leaving us all laughing, before we went to re-join the others by the tables.

❁ Collin ❁

I gave #Jenna a nod when she told me not to be nervous. But I could see the cheekiness in her that also said maybe a little. "Don't hold back. I can take it... I hope." I smiled at Harper again, they could rack me over hot coals if it meant they'd trust me with their friend's heart... then I would come back for more.

I could see some approval in #Damian's eyes when I told him I had a younger sister... I really wished #Ana had come home for the weekend all of a sudden.

When they mentioned #Seth my tension eased a little. "We're all delighted to have #Seth home. We... um... went to school together. He was two grades above us."

I grinned and allowed #Jenna to thread her arm through mine and I raised my brows at Harper as if the action was a stamp of approval. But then my heart almost stopped, and I did a double-take... The way #Jenna described her playing style. "Wait... She does?" My eyes locked back on her and my heart thundered back to life again. I swallowed hard. That was hot! But before I could open my mouth to say we needed to get this game going, she was asking me about my intentions.

"Um..." I rubbed the back of my red-hot neck, feeling that tingle in my ears. "First... I think... getting the rest of her stuff out of boxes so she isn't living out of them. I'm still working on a long game to get all that flat pack furniture replaced with quality pieces." I laughed trying really hard not to get distracted by her conversation with #Seth. "But that might take a while... and eventually... hopefully, fall completely and utterly head-over-heels in love."

The pack all took a collective breath... but I kept my gaze trained on her as she spoke closely with #Seth. I could see the pink in her cheek. My smile widened when #Kenzi wriggled her way between them. She was so like #Ana, I knew the two of them would hit it off instantly.

They were a beautiful little family, and I couldn't help but a swell of pride at what #Seth said about her father. It was high praise considering he had the honour of meeting the man.

"If I'm worthy." I said softly... hopefully.

'You can't take your eyes off of her, can you?' #Jenna's voice was still playful, but thoughtful too.

"I can't understand how anyone ever could. She's..." What? Beautiful? Perfect? All of that... but... "Everything." I whispered just before they headed back towards us.

❁ Harper ❁

‘Everything!’ #Jenna came around the table, whispering the word in my ear and kissing my cheek before she set to break. My eyebrows drew together as I felt confused at what she meant by  ‘Everything’?

‘It’s about time, I felt myself growing old in the time it took you all to walk halfway across the bar.’ #Juan stood with another round of drinks. But then he pointed to #Damian. ‘These are on him.’

I smiled leaning back on the wall watching them all mingling, I listened to the conversations all taking place. The excitement in the area all around us was palpable. It felt like the world was alive. “You would have loved them all mom and dad.” I whispered to no one as my eyes prickled again. My nose tingled as I felt goosebumps coming to life on my body.

‘Are you okay?’ #Jessica came to stand beside me and I just nodded my head slowly, not daring to use my voice in case it gave me away. ‘It’s good to have them here?’ She asked soft and sweetly. And I nodded once again. ‘Okay..’ She squeezed my arm stepping away when she was called away by some of her other friends.

‘I’m going to wipe this table with your arse Mr Garyson.’ #Jenna pointed her cue across the table to her husbands chest.

‘Sorry fokes, I don’t take any accountability for the competition and the competitive nature of my wife. She is a beautiful beast and I love her for it.’ #Damian winked at her and then took a shot potting two balls in opposite pockets.

‘Damn.’ #Juan and #Teddy whistled.

‘Now there is a shot we all need to write home about.’ #Juan said and he wasn’t wrong. #Damian had been the one to brief us girls on what we were doing wrong and how to correct it.

Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Collin, he looked in place, like he had been in the middle of this core ground of people who mean the world to me. I gave him a small smile and a half wave.

❁ Collin ❁

I swallowed hard when #Jenna whispered, that word in Harper's here. By her reaction, I could tell that she hadn't heard what I had told her friend.

My heart broke for her as she sent that quiet whisper to her mom and Dad, I couldn't imagine the  loss she felt. Then she smiled and waved at me, I gave her one right back.

#Seth materialised next to me, clapping a hand on my shoulder. 'She's okay, Collin.' I turned to face him, raising a brow. 'Or... on her way towards being okay. And you're a big part of that. She's building a home here.' He gave me that signature smile of his.

"I'm not worried about that... I would go anywhere with her... But I'm not so sure she would embrace the guy she just met travelling across the country to follow her." I gave #Seth that knowing look, and he instantly found #Kenzi in the crowd and winked at her.

'Maybe not yet... But she isn't looking to move on anytime soon... she has the practice here. She seems... settled. For the  most part.' #Seth explained. 'The rest of it... will come with time.'

"Sometimes I just worry... that maybe there are parts of her life I can't ever understand, you know? How can I help her when -" #Seth cut me off.

'She misses her parents?'  He gave me a small smile and glanced back at her. 'Just because your parents are still with you doesn't mean that you can't help her... You don't need to know what that pain feels like. You just need to learn what helps her through it. Not what  makes it stop, not what makes her put it away to deal with on her own. Whatever it is... go through it with her. It's never going to go away, but you can still make a difference. And you can... you were literally handpicked by a higher power to  be that person for her.'

I smiled at him and pulled him into a hug. "It's really good to have you home, bro'." I patted him on the back. "We really missed you." #Seth broke the hug and messed my hair the way he used to when we were kids.

"Hey!!" I laughed and he shoved me lightly.

'Now go get your girl.' He said with a grin.

"I'm not so sure I can say that yet." I laughed... but I tilted my head, thinking. "Although she did call me her boyfriend earlier tonight." I smiled far  too wide, and I knew my whole face had to be bright red. "Not to me... but to the others."

'Wow... progress!' #Seth grinned. 'You know what that means right?'

I looked around to make sure no one was too close to overhear who shouldn't. "I know. I'm going to tell her, I promise." Then I made my way over to Harper.

I made sure that she saw me coming before and moved behind her and leaned in to whisper. "A little birdie told me that you take a mathematical approach to playing pool. Is that true?"

❁ Harper ❁

‘Are you planning on becoming a wall flower tonight?’ I turned my concentration away from the shot #Jenna had lined up. Smiling at the friendly face gazing back at me with a tray in his hands. Then #Char stepped up to stand beside me, giving me an easy reach over to him. So, I gave him a hug and a kiss on his cheek.

“Why, do you believe I would bring the vibe of the décor down?” I teased and he nudged me in my ribs.

‘Nah, I’m sure Leah would be up for a life size image of you bringing more of the guys in, to play and have a few drinks.’ We both turned our eyes towards the bar. #Leah had just rolled her eyes and slapped someone over the head. ‘She does that a lot.’ #Char told me. ‘Not that I blame her, some of these guys need putting in their place.’

When I started to draw my glance back it stopped on Collin and #Seth, they were huddled together. Face to face speaking with some seriousness. I pushed the rim of my glasses up my nose. ‘Do you need to wear those things all the time? I’m sure I’ve seen you without them.’ I heard #Char’s question, however I kept watching those two on the far side.

‘Harps?’ He nudged me again. ‘Stop stalking your boyfriend.’ He whispered in my ear just as Seth and Collin hugged.

“Wh…What?” I was shifting in my spot.

‘Do you think my boyfriend would keep anything from me?’ He winked collecting the empties and then he was back off to work.

They all would know soon enough what I had let slip. Lost in my thoughts I saw Collin coming towards me, and I smiled. With him came a warmth, an invisible yarn drawing him towards me, and with each step he took. The weight from my chest and shoulders lifted.

I slipped back into his body, resting my temple to his cheek. “Hmm… A little birdie did, did she?” I was looking at #Jenna, and then #Kenz, then settled on #Jenna. It was her.

“Wouldn’t you agree the game of pool is more about mathematics than it is skill?” I asked lifting my chin to the way #Juan was about to shoot. “By using math, we can all predict where the ball will go if Juan hit from various angles and distances. Giving us the knowledge if he is making the best shot or not...” The not so inner nerd was out in her full glory. And that tingle of excitement and thrill made me shiver.

Now I whispered close to Collin’s ear. Closing my eyes. “If I have this correct, Yellow ball will go to the far-right pocket, hit the ledge and bounce back.” I wasn’t watching. That way he couldn’t say I was cheating. The sound of the cue hitting the ball came and I held my breath. Was I right? or had #Juan somehow compensated to make the shot?

❁ Collin ❁

I heard the boyfriend comment several times in a row, #Seth's expression changed and he took it as confirmation of what I had told him.

When I was close to Harper again, my whole being hummed. That incredible feeling of being exactly where I was meant to be washed over me and I soaked it in. I knew she felt it too, the way she leaned against me. The perfect, affectionate touch of her resting her face against my cheek.

"An anonymous birdie." My arms came around her, poking her gently, and playfully in the ribs when her gaze settled on Jenna. Then I whispered, turning into her so my nose brushed against her hair. "Easy, #Nerd... you trying to blow my cover and get me killed!" I laughed, teasing her like this gave me more joy than  I thought possible.

My hands stayed on her waist while I had an internal battle with my wolf about whether or not to stand here in a crowd with my arms completely around her, holding her to me like I wanted to be possessive or otherwise an Alphahole move.

Dammit!!! #Ana and her stupid book quotes were rubbing off on me!

My stomach tightened when she made her prediction and closed her eyes. The white ball connected, the yellow rolled... slowing as it approached the right-hand pocket  but not enough, it hit the corner and redirected. Stopping not even two inches from the pocket. A collective 'Oooooh!' of disappointment went up from the spectators and I released a breath I hadn't realised I was holding alongside hers.

"By the Spirits, that's so sexy!" the words rushed out in a breath and my stomach tightened. The words had only been for her to hear... or they would have been if we hadn't been in a bar full of Spirit Warriors with superhuman hearing. They were  very intently trying to not listen now... Apart from #Embry who chuckled and muttered to someone. 'That pup is weird. I fucking love it.'

My arms had slipped around her completely, still gentle, but apparently, the excitement of her prediction  had overridden any concern I had about coming off as possessive. I was of course blushing from head to toe now too because I had called her sexy. I used the words, beautiful... cute... kind... intelligent and many more like those; but this was a first.

That word wasn't like the others, it felt different. They all made my heart race... but this one made it race differently. It was true, of course, but the way her mind worked... the way she solved the world around her. It did  something to every nerve ending in my body.

❁ Harper ❁

“Sure, let’s go with that. It’s all about getting the cute guy killed.” I teased, he wasn’t going to drop my friend in it, and was still sticking with the ‘anonymous birdie’, thing. Which I hate to say, I could respect a guy for.

The warmth of his breath tickled my skin, and the consoling sounds of from around the table had that smile back on my lips and growing. “See. I told you. Mathematics.” Upon opening my eyes, I found #Jenna’s fixed on me… no… Collin behind me. She was watching him with such intent that she hadn’t noticed that I was now watching her.

She tilted her head from side to side, the same way she did when we were children and she had been lost in her thoughts. Or she was trying to divulge her mind with a mystery and coax out the answers to the meaning of it all.

The air in my lungs had been knocked out of me, and I knew my face would have been a deep shard of beetroot. Had I just miss heard him? ‘Sexy?’ My stomach roiled at the meaning this word had. I mean Cute, sweet, kind, pretty… Those were things people stuck to when they spoke about me. but ‘Sexy’?

“Uhmm...” There were no words on my lips willing to make a sound. When I decided to place one of my hands over his, that was when it came to light how he had engulfed my body into the circle of his strong arms, and I felt at home in them. I turned my face towards him. My eyes finding his with the most intense pull calling me closer and closer. That song I’d been hearing singing to me.

‘Are you two going to join in, or do we need to find another two to play?’ #Teddy clapped his hands and clicked his finger snapping me out of whatever place I had just been transported to.

❁ Collin ❁

My whole face flamed now. I got called boyfriend and cute in the one night! I smiled wide. Spirits, I wanted to take her out of here right now and have her all to myself. But I couldn't take her away from her friends while they were all together. Who knows if this would ever happen again after they all went home? There was no way I would cut this night short.

That unsure sound she made when I called her sexy made me laugh softly. "That might have been a little  forward. But what can I say..." I chuckled. "Nerds are hot."

For a moment I forgot where we were, until #Teddy reminded me. The dramatic flair in his snapping and waving was something I now recognised as innately Teddy-esque behaviour and I was here for it. "Hell yes." I grinned. " I need to see this one in action." If she could predict someone else's shot like she had... then I had to see what she could do with a cue in her hand.

I turned into her one last time, taking in the  scent of her hair while trying my best not to make it look like that's what I was doing. I kissed her cheek and stepped back, releasing the light hold I had on her. "Ladies first?" I said and realised it had sounded like a question when I hadn't meant it to be one. I recovered by taking her drink and smiling. "Go show these guys how it's really done."

❁ Harper ❁

I smiled and laughed softly, “Nerds are hot.” I agreed, letting my head fall forward to hide the embarrassment of saying those words out loud. I was starting to become a little bolder with him and because of him. Collin made me feel like being me was with it.

I pushed reluctantly out of his arms. I wanted to draw him in, to kiss those cheeks of his. The red tint on his tan skin was endearing and I did not wish to see it ever stop.

‘Harper Lee Jenkins.’ #Teddy impatiently came around the table and tugged me by the sleeve of my yellow jumper.

“This is your fault Mr Littlesea, I was happy hiding away in the corner.” I place my hand on his cheek once he took my glass from me. Smiling back to Collin as #Teddy heaved me along with him.

‘Oh, you people have no idea what you are getting yourself into.’ #Kenz came bounding over to the table as #Dam handed me a cue.

‘Why do I feel like I’m about to be played?’ #Juan asked racking the balls up on the other side of the table.

“Are you all talk Diaz?” I pushed the rim of my glasses up my nose. The entry in the bar seems to shift, it was like everyone around the bar and the other table all collectively shifted to get themselves a better view.

‘Less talk Jenkins, let’s see you break.’ He winked stepping back with a beer in his hands now.

I glanced back to where Collin stood, smiling at him. “This is going to go wrong now that you are all watching me.” I told them all as I bent down and lined the cue up to the white ball. The point I wanted to hit between the centre of the balls in my sight. I pulled back, adjusting the tip of the cue to hit the centre of the white ball and watched it roll down the table.

❁ Collin ❁

My grin widened when she agreed with me... was that a compliment aimed at me? I mean... she knew that I was one of her people. I loved how her confidence was growing around me and how mine was with her too. The more we got to know one another the more, sure of ourselves we became.

There was a change in her heart when she stepped away and slightly dim in her eyes and a flash of what I only call something naughty. I smiled, even though my body told me to hold tight and step back from her.

"You shine too bright to be hidden, Harper. You just think you go unseen, but I see you... Always." I smiled. I turned my attention to #Kenzi. "I cannot wait to see this." The smile was evident even in my voice.

I smirked at #Juan's comment and then Brady piped up. 'You have no idea New Guy.' and slapped me on the shoulder. #Brady and I only ever got to play each other now... and sometimes #Embry and #Paul. The former because losing never bothered him, even if he acted cocky about  beating us one day and the latter because he was so bull-headed he was convinced every time that he would beat us.

"Never gonna happen." I beamed at her. "You've got this."

'Yeah!! C'mon Doc! Show 'em how it's done!' #Brady slapped his  hands together and #Kenzi said something to #Seth about him being crazier than he had told her. But there was affection in her tone. My gaze was glued to Harper as she lined up her shot. I watched her make the shot, but my eyes didn't leave her  until the ring of people around the table made a collective sound of approval. Then I saw the strong even break fan out across the table, a bright yellow ball drop into a corner pocket ad that sound became a full-on cheer.

"Oh yeah..." I  said to myself knowing the wolves would hear me, but not caring. "Definitely sexy."

'I didn't realise I was your type, Littlesea.' #Damien had come to stand next to me at some stage. I had been too enraptured with his unofficial little sister to have noticed. I couldn't tell exactly what the look he was giving me meant. I chuckled... "You could have been... If I hadn't met her first." I smiled and caught #Teddy winking at me.

❁ Harper ❁

My cheeks burnt as I glanced over my shoulder at #Brady cheering me on. “Both of your confidence in me is  much appreciated.” I told the two friends now stood beside one another, and I finally noticed that people started to pay attention. I wanted to shrink back into the background, I wasn’t used to being noticed like this. It made my mouth dry a little. However, in that moment my eyes found Collin’s. with a calm washing over me. I gave him a half smile and a shrug of my shoulder. “I was trying to be modest” I told him.

‘Modest my arse! If you got the skills. Show them off darling. You were born to shine.’ #Jenna scoffed. 

My hand arched, I rested the cue between my fingers. Keeping my feet, a little wider than my shoulder-width apart. My eyes were switching from the contact point on the cue ball to the point I was aiming for on the next targeted ball. My first break had scattered the balls close enough to a place where I could slowly start to make my way around the table.

‘She’s a little wolf in sheep’s clothing.’ I heard #Juan clicking his tongue; however, it had been said with a laugh and no malice. I pulled the cue back and hit the white ball with the correct velocity to send two balls across the table. One hit the edge of the table knocking the red ball out of the way, and the other glided into the corner pocket.

“Bottom left.” #Kenz called out, her smile growing with each ball that hit it’s mark. I stood, stepping back assessing the table before taking the next shot. Each time I moved; my eyes found their way back to Collin. And now with #Dam there looking at him.

‘She’s going to clear the table?’ I heard a voice saying from the far side, beside the other table.

‘Ten bucks on the doc, she’s so going to nail this.’ Another voice said.

‘I’ll take some of that.’ This voice made me giggle. It was #Leah. And one by one I made my way around the length of the table.

Standing up I pointed my cue to the bottom left pocket. “8 ball?” I asked #Kenz witnessing her jumping up and down. Filled with excitement. “Okay.” Leaning over the table, I used my height to leverage one foot off the ground. Drawing my cue back and taking my shot. I held my breath watching and waiting.

❁ Collin ❁

Her eyes sought out mine in the crowd and I gave a small, soft smile, for no one but her. We connected in that moment... it wasn't the first time... but the first time with so many people around. I felt a tug in the middle of my chest again, urging me to go to her. Jenna's words made me smile, her friends were amazing... even if they were clearly trying to figure me out.

But, honestly... that made me like them even more. Mine would do (and had done) the same thing if she wasn't my imprint. My relationships tended to start out great... but not stay that way. But now... they were all just happy for me.

My heart pounded when that look of concentration came over her face. She pocketed another ball with ease. My mouth  went dry... it really was hot! Watching her, knowing her mind was processing the possibilities and the angles... I had never been drawn to someone like this when surrounded by people. If I had been able to focus on anything but her I would have been uncomfortable with the butterflies in my stomach when surrounded by my closest friends. But... there was only her.

We found each other's eyes between every shot... and I wondered if she could tell that she was fanning a fire in me. #Kenzi's excitement and giggling probably saved me from following through on the desire to grab Harper and kiss her right there.

Geez... what the hell was that? I mean, I pretty much always wanted to kiss her... but with a much different kind of desire than this.

I watched her line up her next shot and felt a hand on my shoulder. #Paul had squeezed himself between me and #Damien. 'You got this, pup.' He whispered so only I would hear while people talked and boasted about Harper around us, he casually drank from the bottle in his hand. 'The bond amplifies a lot of things... this especially. But if any of us has a hope of controlling it... it's you.'

Damn! Was I really that transparent? I glanced around but only #Leah  and #Embry seemed to be throwing an occasional glance my way. One of them sent him here... because we all knew when #Paul imprinted, he didn't even try to control it... but that was okay because #Rachel was more than capable of showing #Paul  her limits. Then and now. He was so taken with her he'd have done anything she asked.

'Looks like our resident geek may have just found his match!' #Paul said, louder now to make it seem like that's what he came over for.

"Why do you think  I'm sticking to being on her team." I nudged him. "No way would I want to go up against her." I smiled at Harper and gave her a wink. The desire softened when my gaze sank into warm eyes.

❁ Harper ❁

The crown erupted, drinks were sprayed, the ground shook. Out of my peripheral vision I saw #Juan pushing his hand into his back pocket and holding up a note. And then out of nowhere #Leah tugged it out of his fingers, flicking it on his nose. She was grinning while she looking him over. And he for the first time ever looked lost for words.

‘Oh my god! That was amazing!’ #Jessica rushed me before I could straighten up, and my girls weren’t far behind.

‘I thought you were going to crack under the scrutiny  just the way you still at school.’ #Jenna kisses my cheek.

‘Hush. She’s nothing like what she used to be like back then. Haven’t you noticed the transformation in hers since bending here?’ #Kens nudged #Jenna.

I followed #Jenna’s eyes to Collin, and her lips tightens  before smiling. ‘Yeah I am.’

‘HARPER LEE JENKINS! You have been holding out on us!’ Before I could question #Jenna on that look, #Teddy had joined the fray too.

#Rachel’s husband #Paul drew my attention away from the conversations breaking the sound barrier around me. His tone jovial and light, however his voice rang louder.

'Looks like our resident geek may have just found his match!'

My face flushed and I knew without a doubt I was a beetroot red.

‘You know what they say… Nerds rule and the Geeks follow, like honey to a flower. And our nerd is a beautiful flower. Inside and out!’ #Kenz tugged on my jumper to bring me down to her height and kissed my cheek after she said that. Whispering into my ear.

‘He is smitten, but so are you my lovely.’ I swallowed down the urge to go to him, it had been prominent within me, calling to him all night.

❁ Collin ❁

I watched her take shot after shot after shot, it felt like my skin got tighter with each and every shot she made. Watching her leaning over the table gave me thoughts I really didn’t want to think here… we weren’t there yet, but my wolf stretched and prowled beneath my skin. She was so perfect, I reminded myself again and again that she was more than what I saw, more than the incredible body and silky hair, more than that fucking sexy arse… long legs… my gaze travelled up and even with the modest neckline of her yellow jumper… Spirits!

I shuddered out a breath and #Paul kicked the side of my boot. It did nothing… not until her face tilted up. She wasn’t looking at me, she was concentrating, squinting, and adjusting her position in the tiniest increments. Some of the expressions she was making would be comical… possibly even a little unattractive to others… but no… she was beautiful to me, her nose scrunched up and them relaxing and making her glasses slip  too low on the bridge of her nose. I laughed softly, my smile returning to one that felt more… Like me.

‘You know…’ #Damien’s voice might have startled me had his scent not been there this whole time. ‘Most guys wouldn’t have an issue teaming up with a girl and then having her show them up like this?’ There was condescension in his tone… but it was forced. The fact the #Paul scoffed under his breath instead of bristling at the comment confirmed my suspicion.

“Wha-“ My brow  furrowed while my mind worked… “How is she… OH!!” Now my brow shot right up to my hairline. He couldn’t think that I was mad about this incredible show of skill, could he?

“That’s not what she’s –“

‘That thought never even dawned on you, did  it?’ His brows pinched together. There was a hint of confusion in his tone… like he couldn’t fathom how I hadn’t been thinking that. He was gauging my reaction… testing the waters to see if I was one of those guys… with a fragile ego.

“No… I was just….” My eyes went back to her and she hit the shot that would clinch the game. “Fascinated.” My eyes didn’t leave her, but my peripheral vision could follow the path of the ball to the pocket.

The crowd lost it and I watched her friend swarm her with a huge smile until I heard #Kenzi’s words to her. #Paul took the glasses in my hands without being asked and went to her. “That was unbelievable.” I beamed and leaned in to kiss her, my fingers brushing her cheek. Not asking this time, not caring that people were staring. “Trust me.” I smiled, but it was cheeky now. It hadn’t sounded like a question!!

I took her hand to help keep her steady while I stooped, to wrap my arm around the back of her legs and  lifted her high, settling her easily onto one shoulder. My arm rock solid beneath her and my hand on her waist, stabilising her. #Seth was there in an instant taking her other hand, to let her find her balance and his other hand rose in case she panicked and tipped backwards. The only time this move went wrong was when what we called Imprint error occurred, but there was always someone there to catch the lady in question.

#Brady instantly had a chant going of  ‘Doc, Doc, Doc…’ and someone switched the music.

( Music  - Survivor - Eye of the Tiger)  

I wasn’t shocked to see #Embry had slipped behind the bar and was hunched over what I was assuming to be the laptop controlling the sound system. I saw  #Kenzi almost jumped into #Jenna’s arms… and #Jenna looked like she was actually prepared to catch her.

‘I love this town so much!!’ #Kenz squealed and followed us as I carried Harper to the bar, joining in the chanting.

❁ Harper ❁

My face and all of me was burning red hot, he had kissed me and then without any warning I was in the air. His strong arms had scooped me up onto his shoulders and I was supported to sit up there with #Seth and the others close by.

Hearing the song playing as well as the chanting, I bristled with that inner voice wishing I had indeed remained that wall flower, not allowing the others to talk me into showing off my ‘nerdy talents’.

‘Hold on tight.’ I heard someone shout.

“Oh, I intend to!” I half squealed out keeping my hands in Collins and #Seths not letting go. And yet there was that soft hum in the air telling me ‘He will keep you safe.’ Which I genuinely believed to be true.

‘Goofball, set the woman down, my insurance doesn’t cover people in the air.’ #Leah made her way around the side of her bar, a small towel in one hand and a tray stacked high of empties in the other. She hit two young men over their heads who had been chanting the loudest with the towel, and then whispered something to them and they rushed into the back area, returning with two mops and a bucket. She then proceeded to make her way around the back of the bar. As she passed #Leah back/side kicked the man hidden there. Telling him to get out from her bar. The grin he gave her was cheeky and kind of….

‘Damn that man is fine!’ I heard someone say. He was okay. I guessed. The view from all the way up here was like flying over all these heads. Even with my heart pumping fast, I could enjoy the moment.

“Oh!” I was slipped down from the shoulder, hands keeping me upright and safe until my feet hit the ground. I turned to face Collin and found myself pushed right into him. Face to face, chest to chest. My beetroot red face giving a nerdy smile. “So, this is the first time someone has done that to me.”

My eyes dropped to his lips and then back to his eyes. “Still want to keep watching those Hallmark movies with a pool hustler?” I asked close to his ear over the loud crowd still formed around us. I felt an arm come around my shoulder and pushed back seeing it to be #Brady, Collin’s best friend.

‘Doc, I need you to do that again next weekend. I could make some money off the bets.’ He gave me an even more shockingly cheeky smirk telling me it could be a joke.

“Are you planning on cutting me into the final amount?” I asked with the same cheek in my voice.

‘Spirits, I like her!’ He playfully flicked my nose. ‘You are in Batman.’ I laughed recalling the first ever conversation the two of us shared.

“So are you, Robin.” I giggled shaking my head.  

A round of drinks were held up beside us and I shook my head. “No, thank you. I’ve had all I wanted to drink tonight.” I knew I had to walk home, and I wouldn’t be doing it inebriated, it wasn’t something I would ever do again, not after… I stopped that train of thought from materialising.

❁ Collin ❁

I laughed at #Leah. "Like I would drop such precious cargo." I couldn't help but laugh at #Embry getting his arse kicked and still  managing to get checked out by a random girl.

I smiled at Harper, keeping her close in the crush of  bodies, even though I knew that they were all almost as aware of her as I was.

"Keep playing pool like that and it won't be the last. " I smiled, my lips pressing together into a tight line. My eyes fell on her lips. "Actually... right now. I kinda want to take you home. Light some candles... pour you a glass of wine and solve some complex math problems with you." I leaned in close and dropped my voice. I heard snickers going up from some of the pack that there was no way Harper could hear.

And I heard #Brady somewhere behind me whisper to someone. 'Told you my boy's got game!' I knew there was no chance he had actually told someone that; before he appeared next to Harper.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Are you  seriously making weekend plans with my girlfriend before I even get a chance to?" I laughed.

The unfamiliar jealous streak didn't raise its head when it was the guys from the pack. I was glad of that at least... For some of the guys... back in  the beginning, it hadn't made a difference. Maybe because we were all struggling still... maybe our bond was deeper now, the trust was unshakable.

I smiled and turned to the bar asking for two glasses of water. It was only then; when I turned  back to her and wrapped my arm around her shoulder again. I realised it... My neck flushed with heat, my ears burned and the heat in my cheeks almost hurt. #Brady had a huge grin on his face when I looked back.

"I just called her my girlfriend, didn't I?"

'Yup!' Brady said loudly.

"And she heard me... right?"

'Most definitely.' He nodded and I drew my gaze back to hers.

❁ Harper ❁

“Maybe I should hang my cue up while I’m on a win. There is a chance I could underperform the next time.” If I didn’t set my mind to it, it was possible. However, I set my mind to everything I did from the start.

I couldn’t stop myself from giggling like a silly teenage girl once again. Just being so close to him, with his arms around me, and added to the mix this cheekiness? The fact that maybe we were both starting to become less guarded from the other? Or it was just the way we were both surrounded by those we loved and who loved us?

I bit down on my lower lip, my eyes darting down as I slowly returned them to meet his through my eyelashes and glasses. The frame had slipped down the bridge of my nose again, however it did nothing to hide the apples of my cheeks blustering with heat. His proposal of wine, candles and complex math problems had my heart racing so fast.

“You know how to promise me a good time.” And I was not being funny. It would be so good to sit and workout how his mind worked. How he came to his solutions and the steps he took. “I know the Trisecting an Angle problem has already been solved, however I would give it a run for it’s money with you.”

‘Yeah, there is nothing to worry about here. I don’t need to give Harps or, her new bow the talk. Not from the way they want to spend their time alone. ‘ #Jenna’s voice carried and then my heart stopped.

My heart stopped; my mouth fell open with a dryness making my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth. From behind me there were some squealing sounds however, all I saw was the back of Collin’s head as he spoke to his best friend.

‘He, said it. he called her his girlfriend! And on the same night as she said it to us too!’ The high-pitched voice belonged to #Jessica

‘Oh, they are so cute together.’ #Teddy said in his mother hen voice.  

When he turned to face me, his eyes were the only thing I saw. Shock, a warmth, a sense of something being right took a hold of me. His eyes, that smile, the crinkle at the corners of his lips. They all drew me in. My lips curled up and I tilted my head to the side, unconsciously placing my hand on his cheek letting my thumb brush down once softly.

“Would you like to get out of here?” I asked just for him to hear, unsure where the confidence came from. Maybe, it was because I didn’t want to have this moment shared with anyone but him. And I really, really  REALLY… Wanted to kiss him.

❁ Collin ❁

Both mine and #Brady's brows shot up and eyed her, both saying "No way!" At the same time and laughing. I knew then that #Bray wanted a game with her too; it had been a while since we had a challenge.

'You can't do that to me!' #Brady said  dramatically. 'I've been stuck playing with these peasants for years! I need a challenge.' I laughed because I'd called it. A hand shot up from somewhere and cracked him across the back of the head. #Leah, of course.

The way she was laughing and  smiling made my stomach come to life with fluttering again. I spied #Jenna and her husband watching us. I heard her heart begin to race and if it had been possible for mine to beat faster, I knew with would have, but it was already beating like the wings of a humming bird.

"Now you're just talking dirty!" I teased, stunned that the words came out without so much as a stutter. Then #Jenna and #Jessica had my cheeks burning red hot. I pressed my lips together and fixed my gaze on her as  #Jessica revealed that she had said boyfriend tonight too. She couldn't have known that I had overheard that.

I pulled her closer like I was protecting her from all the attention. The whole bar cheering for her was one thing. But this  kind of attention was intimate. It was from all the people that loved her the most. Just when I thought I was going to be lost forever in her eyes, her light touch on my cheek brought me back, but only to the awareness of her... the rest of the  world dulled in comparison. Because here... here I could let that happen. Here I could be hers and only hers, I didn't need to think of the world around us and the dangers it could hold for her. My brothers were here, nothing could get to us  here.

My smile softened but lost none of its joy and excitement when she asked if I wanted to leave with her. But then thoughts swarmed in her eyes, and she gave an unsure shake of her head. The rest of the world came back into focus. #Jenna was  leaning her head against #Damien's arm and watching us. #Kenzi was bouncing on her toes just like #Jessica while #Seth watched her like she was performing a masterful ballet.

I reached up and pushed her glasses gently up the bridge of her nose. "Look around." I said as softly as I could while making sure she could hear me in the raucous bar. "They're all happy for us... right? I think they'd be angry if we didn't give this everything, we've got...."

My eyes moved around again. #Rachel was pouting like she was watching two kittens playing and #Paul was whispering something to her. #Brady and the guys were already making space for us to slip out the side door. I leaned in close to her ear. "And I really want to kiss you with no one watching right now."

There was a flurry of movement and I look around to see #Paul hoisting my cousin onto the bar and jumping up after her. He swept one of her legs over his hip, dipped her backwards and kissed her in such a way that it probably should have been saved for the bedroom. The bar began cheering again. He was giving us an opening.

"Looks like this is our chance, Dr Jenkins..." I smiled. "What do you say?"

❁ Harper ❁

He knew how to make me feel like the only woman in the world. Something my mom had once explained when I was young. Dreaming of my Prince Charming after watching Cinderella for the first time.

‘When you feel your heart flutter with warmth, when you feel like the boy in front of you sees you and no one else. When you close your eyes and only see his face. You will know, this is the boy you should try to be happy with.’

These were things Harper thought only took place in fairy tales, never in reality. This was until she saw how #Seth looked towards #Kenzi, and #Damian looked towards #Jenna. Then she believed they deserved all their happiness. She was overjoyed for her friends, her sisters. However, never saw it in her own life.

She smiled as Collin pushed her glasses up her nose and asked her to look around. As she did so,  #Juan’s voice wasn’t drowned out as he came to the bar, talking with #Char about how things had changed for him since he left his service. However, I shook my mind free from listening to them. I knew my friends would be safe here, that they would be taken care of. Just one glance away from Collin and around the bar showed me how they were all mingling in with the people of this small town. But more so, how the town for some reason had opened its arms to us all too.

“Astonishing.” I muttered under my breath. How things had transformed from my first night out here. Where I had sat here at this same bar, I had started to talk to #Charlie and made my first friend in La Push. To now, where even if I do not know all these people by name, their faces felt known to me. “I would have to agree, they want the best for us.”

The commotion came without any warning. “Paul Fucking Lahote! Get your arse off my bar! Rach, you can stay.” #Leah crossed her arms looking up at the sight unfolding for us all to witness. She was smirking so I could only hope, Rachel’s husband would live to walk home tonight.

I turned to Collin, nodding my head. “Let’s go.” I feed my fingers into his hand and tugged him back away from the bar. There seem to be a clear path, however it wasn’t to the front door, but to the side entrance. I didn’t look back as I started to run. Laughing unconsciously as we burst out into the cold night, I couldn't help the joy over taking me, I was laughing as I slowly came to a stop half way down the parking lot. Turning back and bumping right into him. My eyes slowly looked up, laughing still at the way I exited the building without looking to see if anyone had noticed. All because I knew he wanted to leave and for the same reason as I had.

“Hi…” I smiled and laughed up at him. “Do you still want to be foolish together?”

❁ Collin ❁

Those moments when it was just her and I left in the universe were perfect. There was only her, looking right back at me in that way only she could.

I smiled when she looked around and whispered that word. I was so proud of my brothers at  that moment. We were a close-knit group for a good reason. But this was Harper's family... blood or not, and they were treating them as such. This was #Kenzi's family, #Seth's family.

They would be mine too... If Harper chose me. These people  would be my people, and I couldn't have picked them any better if I'd had the decision to make.

I laughed softly at the scene on the bar but abruptly turned away when #Paul groped my cousin's rear end.

Her slender hand slipped into mine and  our fingers laced together. I laughed and let her tug me towards the door. I tried to ignore the pats on the shoulder I got as I left. Luckily, the guys were all fast enough that I doubted Harper noticed them.

I was so bewitched by her  playful laugh that I barely noticed her stop and turn back to me. Only my wolf stopped me from continuing to plough forward when she bumped into our chest.

"Hi." I smiled as big as possible, lifting the hand she wasn't holding to her cheek.

"With you?" I pressed a sweet, quick kiss to her lips and whispered against them. "Always." I slipped my hand out of hers and wrapped both arms around her waist.

I lifted her off her feet, my heightened senses telling me that anyone standing outside the bar was around the front, and we were alone... all the wolf-ish ears were inside. I spun us both around like a scene from one of her romance movies and kissed her. It a was sweet, innocent kiss and I couldn't help but laugh softly  against her lips.

"So?" I set her back onto her feet, even though I had lifted her mere inches... she was really tall. I recalled #Jessica's words. "Boyfriend?" I tilted my tilt with a grin while my neck and ear flamed red.

❁ Harper ❁

The sounds of the bar muffled a little as the door swag shut behind us. There was a charge in the air, the kind that told you, something good would happen. There were no bad thoughts.

That song from my dreams, it played in the air around me, a warmth came in from within the cold night. The laughter not subsiding, just being with him felt so different. It felt. Warm. Welcoming. Right!

The soft kiss sent those butterflies in my tummy fluttering to life, they were tried to escape, and at the same time they were here to stay. “Always.” I whispered back into his lips.

Laughing softly again when he lifted me off the ground. I bent my head to look down at him, my hair flying and the world going around. I felt like one of the girls in the Hallmark movies. When she got her guy.

“Still laughing I came down my arms staying around his shoulders as my feet settled to Earth.

My face, neck, body all flashed a deep crimson. I found myself thanking whoever looked out for me that the night and lights sheltered me from sight. However, I could feel my flush. “Well… I… I… Uhm…” what could I say? The truth. “Boyfriend.” I nodded slowly my big brown eye looking up at him through my glasses. He didn’t look like he would run, and he had called me his…

“So…” I matched him and tilted my head. “Girlfriend?” My lips curled up into a big smile. My eyes searching his for a sign.

❁ Collin ❁

Hearing her say that one sweet, perfect... sacred word was unlike anything else had ever felt. "Always." I mumbled again. Did it make her skin tingle all over too?

Her cheeks were flushed and her whole face lit up... She was too beautiful for words. Those gorgeous eyes turned  up to me and touched the tip of my nose to her. Spirits! I loved how tall she was! My smile took over my features when she turned the tables on me. "Oh!! Sneaky, Dr Jenkins, flipping the script like that. But!" I paused for dramatic effect. "To the victor go the spoils.

So... I suppose that all depends on the answer to one deeply important question." I pulled her close again and kissed her, just once, softly. Then I pulled back to see her face completely and fixed a very serious expression onto my face or tried to at least. "Are you ready  to be a grandmother?" I laughed and quickly added. "Don't answer yet though. Let me walk you home. I have another story I would really like to tell you. If you'd like to hear it?"

My heart started to pound, and I gave her one more soft sweet kiss. Trying not to let the nerves show. Would this be the last time I kissed her? Had I achieved making the end of this night here with her friends and family the perfect ending... if that was where this was leading? Would she ever look at me like this again? I began filing away the memory of every  single glance, and smile she'd given me tonight for safe keeping.

❁ Harper ❁

I wanted to correct the quote. However, I had let out enough of my nerd tonight and he still wanted to know more of me.

And yet the quote wouldn’t die down…

“To the victor belong the spoils,

                            Of the enemy.”

I thought to myself.

He felt like a beacon of light in the darkness of the parking lot. And the funny thing was, there were lights everywhere around the #HwH lot. And still it was him and the warmth of his smile, the way it lifted the both of us. It was all I could see.

“Not just a pretty face I will have you know.” I flushed again. This time half covering my face in the shadows created by the moon, who would be the witness to this night, these moments with him. But more so, the fact that the urge to leave and run had not returned even now.

I looked up a little to catch him looking right at me. Our lips touched for the briefest of times, and it was still… perfect.

My heart started to thunder at the clause, making me tilt uncertainty and now a little uncomfortable with what this one important question could be.

When he asked it, and burst out laughing. I had no choice but to join him. Laughing I parted my lips to reply, however stopped when he told me to keep a hold of it until he walked me home.

Why did this man make everything so easy? To laugh, to smile, to be with him,  and to kiss him when we we’re both Like this?

“Stories?” I asked him. “Okay. Are these the stories you promised me?” I hadn’t forgotten about that, he told me there stories of his history which he would someday share.

Taking a step back off from him, my hands found one of his and tugged him further away from the building.

“Yes please, tonight feels like the perfect night for stories.”

I could not wait to hear what he would share. The high from having my Thompson family here, him, everything. It all felt so… Serendipitous.  

❁ Collin ❁

Even with the apprehension building in my gut, I couldn't help but smile around her. "You are so much more." I said... "But it's a really pretty face."

Her heart was beating as fast as mine when we kissed, she had to be feeling  everything that I was.

I smiled at her as we walked and nodded. "I have so many stories to tell you... but this one is part story... part history and how it's all... evolved ."

I walked with her letting her tug me along for a few steps  before I lengthened my stride to catch up. "You remember that I told you about The Great Wolf? And how his descendants shared their form with a wolf too?" There was no reason I couldn't start now, I just wanted her to be home when I told her  about me... and us. It was important to me that she was in her safe place when she heard everything.

❁ Harper ❁

I was flying on cloud nine.. until now I didn’t even know this thing, this feeling, this sensation could really and truly be felt.

And all mighty roar of laughter came rippling out from #HwH as someone opened and closed the door. However, it still wasn’t enough to pull my attention away from Collin and how it felt to be alone with him.

My heart beat picked up once again when he started to walk in step with me. I pushed the rim of my glasses up my nose before answering.

“The Great Wolf?” Thinking back to the time we sat on the beach with  #Nova running and playing. And the story he had began to share with me.

“I actually do. It’s why everyone here love the wolf? They are the tribes protectors?”

The chief had said it too when he gave me the hand carved wolf. Saying it would look over me and protect me.

❁ Collin ❁

I didn't need to turn and look but my senses were on high alert a real of laughter flowed from the door of the bar. My ears training in the sounds, but it was only someone going inside. Without my brothers around I was the protector again.

I nodded, I never doubted that she was listening when I told her. She had been so intrigued and asked questions, she clearly longed to learn about the tribe. But that was who she was... I believe that she would be the same about any new place and  people; hungry to learn.

"Yes." I beamed, a chill sea breeze picked up and I slipped my hand from hers and wrapped it around her shoulders. It was nowhere close to as cold as it got here, but I could keep her warm in any weather. "And the relationships with the women who protected them changed too. Because the Warriors never left their bodies. They no longer needed an anchor, their physical bodies didn't need protection. They became almost invulnerable... to all but one creature and one deep-seated human flaw... a trap that powerful people too often fall into."

I crossed the street, after checking for cars, still making our way back to her place like we had walked this exact path together a thousand times. Bringing  her home felt like coming home too... I knew it was presumptuous and I knew I shouldn't think like that right now. But the thoughts were there and denying that would be lying to myself... What I knew for sure though was that I never let those  thoughts influence her, her needs came first.

❁ Harper ❁

The cold wind had not infused itself into my bones yet, however it was well on its way. Until Collin drew me into his side and his arm wrapped around me.

Within moment, I could swear that I have imagined the cold. We were walking as close as we could be, on the sand path and I felt so comfortable in his vicinity.

I looked up a little confused. Recalling all I remembered from the story he had begun to share and then the dreams I had subsequently.  Smiling as I remember seeing Leah. And Collin, and myself too. The song I hear being sang while I took the place of a protector of a Warrior, who in my dream had been Collin.

“So, the warriors no longer left their bodies? And that meant that the women no longer had to sit in guard of their Warriors?” This hurt for some reason. I had fallen in love with the idea that the warriors were out protective over their tribes, while the women kept them safe.

“What flaw?” I asked, excited to be learning something new. My eyes were turned to him for a moment before I set them back on the ground making sure I didn’t trip or fall.

“There are so many traps powerful people find themselves in, but the warriors. They were pure, weren’t they?”

However, the answer came as I said the words. “Uhm… but they were still humans?” I bite down hard on my lip. Because I knew I was jumping ahead.

“Sorry, you can blame the wine. It makes me a little Impatient. Please... you go on.” I placed one arm around his back and rested it on his waist. Making it easier for the two of us to walk like this.

❁ Collin ❁

She seemed almost disappointed to learn the warrior's bodies no longer need guarding when they went into battle. I knew it was silly and I knew what I had to tell her next would fill in that gap in the story and still... I felt a twinge in my  chest when I heard that hint of sadness in her tone.

Then questions started to pour from her lips, and I smiled, I loved how curious and full of questions she was. "No need to apologise." I chuckled. "You can ask me any questions you have; I might not have all the answers. But I can find someone that will know."

We turned a corner onto her street, and I felt her arm come around me and it was I wanted to tell her, that these... these little gestures, were just as protective as the  women the stood guard. "The women became the guardians of their humanity, keeping them grounded and making sure the power of their wolves didn't take over. And the way they found each other changed too."

I turned to her and smiled. "I'm sure you know wolves mate for life, considering..." I chuckled. Of course, she did... she probably knew better than those of us that were living it.

❁ Harper ❁

Chewing on my bottom lip, I walked step in step with him listening to the story.

I couldn’t help but smile at the memory of Jenna commenting on Collins height. And how we seemed well fitted. She said that without knowing how much I loved talking with him. How a text conversation after a day of working hard, hadn’t been dreaded by me. On the contrary I have enjoyed it so much side falling asleep with my phone beside my pillow. This man made me feel like myself.

And when he told me these stories. He brought them to life. And I like this somewhat more… my imagination took a hold and the small village of my dreams turned and evolved into a new space. Where the Warriors when to battle, and the women of the tribe become the…

“Guardians of their humanity.”

This idea gave me a heat filled and joyful kick in my step. It was crazy I knew. However, there were women not to be questioned. They had a duty, and they knew how to do it.

“Oh… yes…” I started, following him down my street. “You know it’s true. We have found that, most wolves are known to be monogamous. Which of course means they only have a single mate.

They will stay with this mate for as long as possible. Even when they are in a pack. And no other female wolf will encroach on another females mate. The have a respect for the bond.”

I say with a nod of my head, pushing the rim of my glasses up the bridge of my nose.

❁ Collin ❁

The thought of how perfectly we fit side-by-side threatened to completely derail my train of thought. There was no need to focus on where I stepped to make sure I didn't trip her up (Which definitely happened in the past... I had caught the  girl. Thank you, Spirit Warrior reflexes) but now... we just seemed to fall into a pattern.

I smiled when she started to talk about wolves, they were clearly on the long list of animals she loved. I clung to that fact even if I logically knew that it wasn't the same thing. My stomach flipped again when she nudged her glasses back up again.

I nodded and chuckled softly. "Exactly... so the Warriors... the Wolf warriors, when through a lot of changes, the young boys of the tribe would grow up and once they reached a certain age they would begin to change. They would grow bigger and stronger than the other men. The Great Wolf's magic was only passed along in his bloodlines. The first time they shapeshifted they would be  inducted into the pack. This would push forward their development to that of a full-grown man. They were stronger, faster, and almost impossible to kill. They developed the ability to heal rapidly from all but the most fatal of wounds, they  never fell ill. They had heightened senses and reflexes even in their human bodies. And they stopped ageing. Taha Aki outlived two of his wives. But the Spirits needed to find a balance; because nothing in nature with so much power should be  unchecked." I smiled and stepped with her, up onto her porch.

"And what could possibly be more intoxicating than the power and freedom to run with the wolves? What is the one thing that would always bring you home and make you human again?" I  moved to stand in front of her, my eyes met hers and my heart suddenly started to pound. My wolf stirred and radiated his answer inside my chest.

❁ Harper ❁

“True Love….”

The two words make from my lips before I knew I had even said them. I had stepped up to my pouch, however I had been so engrossed in the tail that it hadn’t registered where I was standing.

I turned to face him, a step higher then him, so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath on my face. And it made the butterflies in my stomach dance to a song they were making up themselves.

“The women… they were the ones to become the anchor the Wolf warriors required to not forget who they were and why they were blessed.” I asked.

“And they had Taha Aki too? To guide them if they became lost?” I couldn’t see how young warriors would know what to do without help.

“Pack…” I whispered. “The warriors followed the mentality of the Wolves too?” There had been so much to unpack in this story.

However, one thing stuck with me. I couldn’t let it go. So, I held up a finger.

“You.. know… there is a flaw… in the story… Wolves cannot heal themselves in that way. I mean if you said they were geckos… I would believe it a little, they have the ability to heal, and regrow. I mean have you seen how fascinating it is when they lose their tails, and they dance around like they have a beating heart in there… and then… you will see the same one with his/ her tail regrowing…. it’s a miracle in a living creatures body.”

Okay, so I had gone off into a tangent. I placed the finger on my lips  and shhh myself.

“Sorry… I am listening. This is all so fascinating.” Realisation dawned upon me, that we were stood outside me door.

Fishing out my keys from my pocket, I played with it uncertainly. Finally, my eyes found his. Smiling. “Would you like to come in for a hot chocolate and to keep telling me the story?”

❁ Collin ❁

My heart stopped... or at least I swore it did... only for a moment when those words fell so naturally from her lips. Lips that I was now fixated on, she was so close. Close enough to kiss if I wanted to. But the next time I kissed her... she  would know the truth. I just hopped and hoped she would want that kiss too. It wouldn't matter how long that took, I would wait.

"Yeah... they had their chief, their Alpha. And if you remember the first story, I told you. You'll remember that  he knew what was like to be separated from his human form for a very long time. So, he was their guide too. And he knew the importance of the women when it came to their unique magic, underestimating how much he needed them was his greatest  mistake."

I smiled too widely when she spoke about healing and then geckos. One corner of my mouth curled up. "Don't be sorry." I beamed. "I love your tangents. I always learn something new." I glanced towards the door and back at her. "I was  kind of hoping you'd ask... But only if you promise to tell me more about the geckos when I'm done? But unless it's the magic of the Great Wolf's blood, I'm not so sure their regrowing limbs is the same as the Warrior's healing abilities... But  a six-foot-long gecko shape-shifter sounds really cool."

❁ Harper ❁

I played with the keys in my hands, the cold chill had started to work it’s way into them and I hugged myself hiding them into myself. My face flushed again, and my nerves made me giggle a little. ( or it could be the wine itself. )

“It’s a deal!” I told him. “I am happy to talk about animals as long as you are willing to listen.” Unlocking my door and pushing myself into my quiet and dark house. Only one lamp beside the couch had betel left on.

“Come on in, make yourself comfortable.” I bent down unzipping my boots and stepping out of them, setting them to the side beside the door, and then I headed to the kitchen.

“Now… where were we?” I called back as I rushed to the fridge taking out the cream and milk. “Oh yes. The Great Wolf not underestimating the women of his tribe? And wait a moment.” I stopped peering out from the opening of the kitchen to the living room.

“Did you just say six-foot-long geckos? What is this? Jurassic Park?”

❁ Collin ❁

I smiled at her seeing the goosebumps rising on what little skin she had exposed. It struck me again how beautiful she was, and how she didn't fall into the trap that women needed to wear tiny dresses and high heels to be attractive... I had no  doubt that she would be just as beautiful if she did.

My heart skipped a beat or six when she leaned over to take off her boots and I very quickly fixed my gaze on my own feet as I toed out f my own boots. I knew she liked a clean home, and  the soggy streets of La Push really didn't make it an easy task. I left mine next to hers. Looking around and thinking... Home. My eyes settled and the doorway to her kitchen with the emerald, green curtains... the kitchen I dreamed about so often and never knew would, one day, be a reality.

I nodded. "Yes... after leaving his body vulnerable and having it stolen, he learned the Spirits had a plan for those women too."

I laughed. "Did I not mention that the wolves were six-foot tall from paw to shoulder? Sometimes bigger... and eight to ten feet long."

❁ Harper ❁

The warmth felt like a glow when I watched him stood in my living room. The contrast of his height, his build, the sweetness of his smile and the softness in his eyes. I smiled back, feeling the uncertainties wash away the more time I spent in his company. And I still could not believe it to be true.

The guiding voices were talking to me. #Kenz giggling and saying. “He should make you want to Swoon, and your heart should swell with love.” And we all witnessed her falling in love with Seth, it was such an amazing transformation from the girl she once had been.

And then I smiled hearing another voice. “Don’t let yourself become lost in anyone. Men shouldn’t make you swoon, there should be a 50/50 meeting in the middle.” #Leah… Her thoughts on the topic so different. She believed in standing on your own two feet. Not allowing another the power to break your heart. But at the same time, they should have the balance in how the two people feel.

But I could find a happy medium, couldn’t I? With Collin, it all went possible. And this thought  scared me. How could I. Harper Lee Jenkins, feel so deeply about a boy I had only just met?

“No...?” I answer shaking my head. Had he mentioned it? Had I forgotten? No? Maybe?  

“I am sure if I heard about six-foot-tall wolves. I would have so many more questions. Like what is there in heir genies to make something like that possible. What would their metabolism be like to maintain such bulk of their bodies. How would it be possible to shift from –“ I stopped myself. My mind was spinning at the science behind it all. When this was a fairy tale of sorts.  “I’m sorry.., I’m… I will let you tell the story.”

Turning back into the kitchen I got to work on making William Jenkin’s special Hot Chocolate, hoping Collin would like it, a little something of my dad for him to share with me.

❁ Collin ❁

I caught her looking at me in a way that made me blush... not the way a lot of girls did... the leering all of the pack members got always made me uncomfortable. She was crazy beautiful, glowing really. Those eyes... and that sunshine bright  smile. I could hardly look away from her.

"Oh!" I laughed, shaking my head. "Then I left out a big detail." Then her science-geek side rushed out all at once, that was so hot. I followed her to the kitchen, "Yes, their metabolism was  incredibly high, so high that their body temperature even rose to higher than a bad fever. Those were the early signs that the change was upon a young boy, the tribe called it The Rage Fever. They became quick to anger and lash out because of  the changes in their bodies." I remembered her telling me about her dad's special hot chocolate. So, I watched her closely, not offering to help, hoping to learn from watching.

"Normally a moment of intense emotion would cause the first change. Anger, fear, or a deep protective urge. And we need to remember this isn't just science it’s the union of biology and magic and while turning into a giant wolf is pretty magical, I believe that the bond they call imprinting between the  Warrior and his protector is the most magical of them all."

My gaze never left her. "The shapeshifters would lay eyes on the one the Spirits had chosen for him for the first time, or at least the first time after they joined the pack... and  instantly they became bonded, it's love at first sight only a million times more that... The bond is unbreakable and the relationship between the two can take all possible shapes. True love, best friends unlike anything you would think  possible, he could become the greatest big brother of all time to her. More times than not they would fall in love, because the Spirits chose Souls that would complete the other. Nothing and no one could come between them."

My heart was  pounding as I spoke and I realised I had moved closer as I spoke, until I stood right next to her. "It was like every love story possible combined and became just theirs."

❁ Harper ❁

He came with me, and I was fine with it. My mom always said the kitchen was the heart of a good home, and acts like this. Made me feel like my house, was becoming a home with a heart. I once described to #Kenz how I felt a connection to this man, how it was like something drew me in towards him. that sensation was prominent once again now.

I set to work. There sat a saucepan on the hob, half filled with milk with a dash of cream. The rest of the cream had been placed into a bowl with a table spoon of powdered sugar, a dash of vanilla bean paste, with a drop of cognac in it. I set it to the side. Taking out two big hot chocolate mugs, I reached over to the chocolate jar on the counter. Taking out two large Hershey chocolate kisses, whispering to myself “It’s a kiss for your heart.”

I turned my attention to Collin, “Rage Fever?” Wondering how high the fever would become. 99, 100? 103? That was hazardous for any human. However, these warriors were magical.  

Nodding and smiling up as I worked from time to time, acknowledging I still was listening to his story ( because it was fascinating to me. How well he immersed himself and me into the words he spoke.) I unwrapped the two kisses and set them into the bottom of the mugs.

“Young boys?” Had I miss understood the story on the beach? “Only boys were these warriors?” I asked as I worked. My eyes searching out his when I spoke. However, my attention had moved on to the next thing. “A union of both Biology and Magic. I like the sound of this.” It was Hogwarts meets science all rolled into one. Something I would like to believe in. Imprinting between the  Warrior and his protector is the most magical.

“Imprinting?” My mind went to a baby bird. I shook my head still listening.

I took out a bar of melting chocolate next. Checking on the milk so that it didn’t burn, I started to then shave the bar finely. Once I had enough,  I added it to the now simmering milk, with a dash of maple syrup. Taking the time to whisk the cream up into soft cloud like peaks.

My heart started to beat harder when hearing about shapeshifting warriors, and their one true love. What a mythology to live your life by.  The images from my dreams came back to me now. I saw the women in their tribe, looking to the skies for their warriors to come home to them.

 “A bond is unbreakable and the relationship between the two can take all possible shapes.”

I could feel myself mentally floating with the words of his story. There was that invisible line between my chest and his, and as he told me this, I felt that thread become stronger. How, I had no idea. However, with such a beautiful history, how could I not sense something? The way to be with… with someone they were bound to by their souls. A friend, a brother, a lover…  

Seeing that the milk was now ready, and the chocolate melted, I took the pan off the hob, and pour the hot chocolate into the mugs and top it with three spoonful’s of that delicious, whipped cream. Adding some shavings of the melting chocolate. I smiled to myself; it didn’t look like Dad’s. However, I knew it was as close to it as I would ever have from now.

Smiling when the two mugs sat on the counter, I turned to the side, jumping out of my skin finding him right there beside me. My cheeks were burning  as our eyes met. He was the first man that I reacted to in such an intense way. And I  made my dad’s hot chocolate for him. The thing that astonished me, I felt no fear in the moment of sharing something so meaningful to me with him.  

“Love story…” My eyes never once leaving the earthy pools of his. “Became just theirs.” Uncertain why I felt the need to repeat the words. And why I felt than… bond… that pull… that… song… singing to me.

❁ Collin ❁

I paid as close attention to everything she did as I could, though my heart was racing as fast as my mind was. I heard her whisper, and I remembered our no-coffee-coffee-date. How her dad added a Hershey's kiss to the hot  chocolate.

"Well, the stories we were told always said it was only the boys... but..." I tilted my head. "These stories were typically told by men. So, who knows really? Quileute women are strong in all sorts of ways. So, I don't believe that they were only chosen to be Guardians of our Warriors. Maybe those stories just didn't survive." That fact saddened me, but all we could do was make the stories of strong Quileute women weren't ever silenced again.

I reached out to rub her arm when she jumped. "Sorry." I mumbled. "Sometimes I just can't resist, this tug I feel." I touched my fingers to my chest where I felt that invisible cord that tethered me to her.

Taking in a deep breath I managed to tear my eyes from her and drop them to the cups. I picked one up and took a sip. I needed to know what this tasted like... I didn't know where this conversation might lead. I made a deeply approving sound. The vanilla and cognac balanced the sweetness of the maple syrup. "Oh wow..." I smiled and met her eyes again. Spirits, they were beautiful. "This is... incredible. Love in a cup." My thumb stroked against her arm, her father's recipe.

One of the few pieces of him she had left... and she was sharing it with me. In that moment the story didn't matter anymore. The plan didn't matter. Only she did. I lifted my hand from her arm to cradle her jaw, stroking her cheek, I knew what this meant to her. My gaze never faltered from her, and I whispered.

"Thank you."

❁ Harper ❁

When he touched his chest, I knew that sensation. I knew it because I felt it too. It was right there. my fingers had unbeknown to me moved to that exact place on my own chest. I wondered if he heard the songs like I did? Could it be some magical connection that made me feel like…. I stopped myself from thinking of the word Home. Because that could be true. I couldn’t be a woman of science and believe in magic too? Or could I?

There it happened once again, his lightest touch to my arm had those butterflies alive and dancing in my tummy. But they all stopped teasing me ( or I stopped noticing them ) when he lifted the cup to his lips. My heart beat so fast, I hadn’t though what I would say if Collin did not like the drink. Would my world shatters? Would I be able to move past it? Would I ….

’This is... incredible.” He said. ‘Love in a cup’ He said.  

And all the uncertainty washed away in a flood of warmth that exuded from this man. I didn’t know how it was possible. But this man… I… I knew my dad would have liked him. And this thought made a lump grown in my throat. The thought that Collin would never see my dad, never speak to him. I didn’t know why. But it my eyes fill.

“You are welcome. I’m glad you like it.” I whispered looking down to the ground, even with his hands cupping my face. I give myself a moment or two to gather myself, because it felt like he understood. I wasn’t sure how. It just felt that way.

Letting a few moments pass in silence before I found his eyes again. “You stopped telling your story.” I whispered.

❁ Collin ❁

I pressed my lips into a tight line when she mirrored my action. She felt it too? The same way I did... I heard the other imprint describe their bonds... they all had different words and feeling for it, they all had a unique experience... and this was hers.

I wet my lips and set the cup down after another sip. Was there a right way to do this? Or more importantly, was there a wrong way? Was this the wrong way? "Not stopped." I smiled through the anxiety that tightened my chest.

"Just... paused."

I looked to her table and back to her. "Why don't we sit?" Picked up the cup again and trailed my hand off of her arm as I moved to take a seat, not wanting to nudge her to the table if she'd rather stand.

I fixed my gaze on the cup, the scent of it was soothing but it couldn't compete with the conflict happening in my mind right now. "What if it was a story?" I said to the curling steam, but then I forced myself to be brave enough to look her in the eye. She was going to think I was crazy or teasing her.

I reminded myself that she hadn't been raised with these stories, that it was going to take time with her. I took a breath and met her gaze. "What if was history? Real life, tangible history. What if I could prove to you that it's all happening in the world today?"

Please don’t be afraid of me. The silent plea ran through my head over and over again, I swallowed hard, letting go of the mug when I noticed my grip tightening. It was sitting on the table but, I had both hands wrapped around it because I didn't know what else to do with my them. I didn't want to explode in my hand and terrify her.

❁ Harper ❁

I took a few small sips from the mug, playing with my hands around the rim of it. It was too hot for me to drink it just yet. However, the scent of it just reminded me of home… of dad…. Of his soft soothing voice….

My eyes travelled with Collin as he took a seat on small kitchen table. This wasn’t the first time he sat there, however with the dark of night. Only a few lamps on in the house, the shadows outlines the frame of his face. His hair, and those eyes that I could see…. Looking….. worried….?

My heart sank… and my eyes burnt a little. I felt a cold chill clawing its way up where only moments ago I felt warmth, and want, and….

I looked down at my mug, the hot chocolate moved in circles as I told myself I would be okay. That I had to know this day would come. I worked too hard, never had time for anything or anyone. That I had cancelled on him more than I had met him. This had been the reason that I had hidden away my first six months here. And now….

I pushed the frame of my glasses up my nose. Pushing back this uneasy feeling of dread back. Telling myself it would be okay, that I would be fine. He would walk out of here and I would tell him it was fine…. That I….

I sat down across from him. Setting the mug on the table in front of me, however then my hands now had nothing to do. So I curled my fingers around the mug again, absorbing the heat. Because now I felt so cold.

His eyes didn’t meet mine. So I did the only thing I knew. I dropped my eyes to my mug so that he could do this without having to look into my eyes.

‘You will be fi—‘ the thought had just start to permeate when he spoke again. And my ears, mind, and heart  could not determine which had the correct message?

He wasn’t breaking up? Or dissolving this relationship that hadn’t even had its time to flower and bloom?

I blinked a few times, my mouth dropping open. “What if it wasn’t just a story?” This was what he was telling me? “So.. you aren’t breaking up with me?” The words spilling without my mind having time to stop them.

Why did I have to say that? “Sorry… Uhm… forget I just said that…” I had to be the biggest fool  in this town! Lord help me and my over active mind!

I waved my hand in front of my face, letting out a much-needed sigh of relief. And then I was frozen at this joke he had been playing with me.

❁ Collin ❁

I saw a change in her, one that scared me more than the thought of telling her everything. Something was causing her pain and I couldn’t stop myself from flicking my eyes around the room to see who or what it was before my wolf ruffled inside  my chest and told me that it was me.

I was causing her pain. My fear and anxiety was hurting her.

She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose again and even with the sadness in her eyes, she was breath-taking. I did a double take… That  was what was hurting her? She thought…

Wait… was it even possible for me the break up with her? Had our playful exchange tonight meant as much to her as it had to me?

That really wasn’t important right now.

No… actually. It was. It was  this thought that had put that look on her face, and there was no way that I could ignore that. I reached out and gently took her hand before she dropped it. “Spirits… no! Harper…” I took a breath. “That is the last thing I want. Ever since I  met you…. I…” I smiled, the tension easing for a fleeting as my mind flipped through memory after memory with her. “I have more happy memories with you than in the last few weeks than I've made my whole life. And I know we could still make more than we could ever imagine together.”

I couldn’t let the momentum I had gained in telling her the truth fade out though; I needed to see this through. “There are just things you need to know, about me. Things that are going to be hard to  believe, but none of them are about not caring for you Harper.” I tried to keep the fear from my gaze again. Not wanting it to hurt her again. “But if it changes how you feel about me… I’ll –“ Something caught in my throat. “I’ll understand.”

If she was going to choose me she needed to know exactly what she was choosing. I set our clasped hands on the table and wrapped both of my hands around hers, enveloping it completely.

“Close your eyes for a second, and think like the woman  of science that you are… Think about my hands, how they feel… what is different?” I knew that explained away our differences, it was human nature; it was how people made the strange world around them feel safe.

“Please don’t be afraid of me.” I hadn’t meant to whisper the words, and I knew she didn’t need enhanced hearing to pick it up.

❁ Harper ❁

I couldn’t stop myself from thinking of all the times I laughed or smiled. The times when I wanted to be with him, and I knew I couldn’t. The times I had fallen asleep after saying ‘Good Night.’ To him. And still the first thought that came to me was that he would leave too.

I knew that it was something I had accumulated over the years, the feeling of being left behind. However, right now. With my hands in his, with his telling me exactly how I too feel. I had to know it was the truth. The underlying issue here was in me I told myself. Not in him.

I let him hold my hands, and I listened to what he asked of me. My mind raced thrusting his words forward.

‘There are just things you need to know about me.’

What did he mean?

‘Things that are going to be hard to Believe.’

So far, I had believed him whenever he told me something. Should I not have? “Close my eyes?” I asked as the more of his conversation starts to play on a loop.

‘But if it changes how you feel about me….’

Wasn’t this exactly what I had been telling myself?

‘I’ll understand.’

I wanted to say. ‘What is I don’t want you to understand? What if I want you to fight for me?’

However, those words need making it to my lips.

I closed my eyes, seeing the tension growing on his. I took in the deep breaths and tried to do as asked. I felt the warmth from the mug I had been holding. And then… his warmth? It was comfy and welcoming… and….

“Warmth. You are so warm.” I whisper, as my hands started to frown clammy.

My eyes shot open at hearing him speak. “No, why? I am… I am not Collin… mind scientific mind, starting to flood…

‘What if it wasn’t a story?’

‘What if was history? Real Life, tangible history?’

‘Their body temperature even rose to higher than a bad fever.’

 ‘The Rage Fever’, ‘Shapeshifter’s’ ,‘Warriors.’

‘Magical Blood of the Great Wolf.’

My eyes shout open, and I laughed out of the madness of what conclusions my mind had started to draw. The sound of uncertainty. However, his eyes, the intense way they were focused on me.

‘The women became the guardians of their humanity, keeping them grounded and making sure the power of their wolves didn’t take over.’

My brow eyes dropped to the hands holding on to me. “Collin? What…. Wh…..”

The words drying in my throat.

“Funny.” I was being gullible.

❁ Collin ❁

I stayed silent while she thought about everything I said and asked her to do. Though I did wonder if she could hear my raging heart beating in my chest even with her human ears. I let her think and assess. When her eyes flew open I saw exactly  what I expected. Disbelief and shock…

“There are things I didn’t tell you, Harper. But I have never lied, I never will… I never could. This isn’t a trick or a prank.” She still hadn’t pulled her hand away and could feel it warming in my  gentle hold. “My fever set in when I was thirteen. I’ve been part of the Spirit Warrior pack since then. And I can prove it.” I needed to leave no doubt that I was telling her I was one of the men from the stories.

My eyes moved around me the room… how could I prove it? I obviously wasn’t going to shift in front of her. Maybe I could pick up the refrigerator? Or… my eyes settle on her kitchen drawer and then her sink. This was an idea I had crossed off my list a long time ago  because it seemed too extreme. But I needed something she couldn’t explain away like a body temperature.

I lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles hoping it would convey how much I did not want to let go of her. My eyes locked back on hers. “I can show you… I’m not a monster, Harper.” My eyes begging now for her not to see like that. Begging for her to still see the guy she walked on the beach with and watched movies with. Guy, she called her boyfriend in front of the most important in her life.

“I promise you don’t need to be afraid of me.” Something behind my eyes stung and stood up. I was overly cautious not to make any sudden moves like maybe I had started to sprout fur like a creature in a horror movie. Like I suddenly become something she would have nightmares about.

I opened a drawer and pulled out a small, sharp chef’s utility knife, there was no need to make this even more dramatic than it was about to be with a larger blade. I  pressed the tip of the blade to my left index finger until a bead of blood appeared and made a low hiss when I sliced a short shallow cut hardly half an inch, just enough for her to see.

I dropped the knife into the sink and held my finger over it. Letting a few red drops splash against the bottom of the basin. It all took no more than a few seconds, I moved swiftly. Not wanting to give her too much time to get scared of the crazy guy in her kitchen with a knife.

Spirits I was an idiot! What was I thinking?

❁ Harper ❁

The drink was now forgotten. The scent of it make have been one I couldn’t pass in. However, right now the only thing… person… my interest were in had to be the man sat before me.

He said he didn’t lie. They were things I needed to  learn. But with every passing silence moment, the heart in my chest hit a faster beat.

I try to laugh again, however the sound of it was lost in the air between my lips. “No… that’s… it’s… it’s a story.” I say again. And then I follow his  gaze around the room.

What was he looking for? “Prove it? Prove what Collin?” Uncertainty creeping into my assured, voice. And then the kiss on my hand.

“Where are you…” the question didn’t completely come out as more of what he said started to sink in.

‘My fever set in when I was thirteen. I’ve been part of the Spirit Warrior pack since then.’

This was impossible! What he was saying.. it was out  of a fictional Novak or a movie. And then I started to see those who were close to Collin. His best friend, his cousin son in law.

The jokes about there being something in the water in this town. How the men were so much taller and bigger and….

“Collin! No!!!!” The words out before his action registered completely. I unceremoniously jumped up from my chair. Running to grab the tea towel and then… he was by me… I was trying to gab his hand, cover it with the towel. “What  were you thinking, what… why Collin? Why—“

My eyes frantically trying to search his eyes until I went to look at the injury. The blood had dried up, and before my eyes. The skin started to knit together.

The gecko came to mind. He had said that the wolves were healing… his finger… the blood, and not the cut was gone? Just a fine pale mark where I knew he had been bleeding from.

I dropped the towel and stumbled back away. The side of my hip hitting the edge of the cooker sending pain shooting up the side of my body.

“I am dreaming…. You are playing a trick on me… this… it’s not real….” I was babbling my mind and my heart at war with my scientific thoughts and that little voice saying. “How? How is this possible?”

❁ Collin ❁

A second before she started to rush to me, I remembered why I had dismissed this idea. I had just cut her imprint... I remember Paul hurling a book across a room just because Rachel got a paper cut. He was a lot better with things now... but we were still brand new at this.

I let her wrap the towel around my hand but rested mine on hers and slowly pulled my hand back for her to see the bleeding stopped within seconds. "I'm sorry Harper... I wasn't thinking... I shouldn't have..."

Spirits I was a fool!

Her eyes were on my finger again and the skin closed leaving a pale pinkish line that would be gone in no time at all. I heard the bump as she collided with the stove. I knew I shouldn't but... the top was still hot from the pan she used to make the hot chocolate; so I put my arm around her and pulled her into me, making sure she couldn't add a burn to whatever injury she'd just gotten because of me.

Only then did I let myself wince at her pain, it tightened  my chest and made my heart beat like it was being squeezed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think about what seeing that would do to you. I'm so sorry, Harper. It only hurt for a second... and hardly at all." She would think I was insane for trying to comfort her by telling her I was okay. I held her into my chest, wondering how long it would be before she let me near her again after this. "It's not a she trick Harper. I promise you." I said into her hair. "If you take my temperature, it will be  one hundred and eight... maybe higher because I just healed." I pulled back just enough to see her face so I could answer her question.

"I'm a direct descendant of the Great Wolf... on my mother’s side. I have the same magic in my blood as the people in the stories I told you." I stopped and tried to control the shake in my voice. "I can uh... show you... if... or when... If you want to..." The stammering was back in full force now. "I can show you, my wolf. Whenever you're ready  to see... if you ever want to. I could show you."

There was still so much to tell her. Would she know she was my imprint, and I was hers? Would she guess that? Then there was #Seth and #Kenzi too... was it my place to tell her about them? And  there was #Paul and #Rachel... she'd met #Brady and #Leah too... Should I tell her all of it or just let her process what I had told her already?

❁ Harper ❁

My own pain shot through me like a lightning bolt, and yet I couldn’t  take any time to register it before his arms drew me in and I felt that tug in my chest calling him to me again. HOW? How could I want to be here?  There was something that had all of a sudden become stronger? Or was I just projecting in the moment?

“You… You hurt yourself to show me something…. To prove something to me…. Me…. Collin…. I never wanted that…” I never wanted to be the reason of another person’s pain.

“I… You… We… This…” I couldn’t string my words together. So, I stopped to give myself the time I knew I needed. I couldn’t exhale without thinking I was about to faint. Yet at the same time I also knew that I wouldn’t black out. Not with my heart beating so fast.

The laughter from before came rushing back. The walk to the bar, seeing him there, the amazing fun I had… Us in the car park calling one another… I stopped thinking. He asked me to be his girlfriend…However, asked me not to give him my reply until after he had told his story.   

“All this time… Since I met you… 13… Thirteen...” I pulled back to look into his eyes. With my tears threatening to fall. “You are trying to make me believe…” But I had no choice, I had seen his hand, the blood and now it was like nothing had happened but the pink mark.

“This… this is… This is outrageous.” I laughed but there was no humour in it.

“On your mothers side?” I knew his mothers side. The Chief of the Rez came to my mind and the wolf. I broke away from him. Stumbling back out of his arms. My eyes not leaving him... I should have been running out of here, right? Screaming? Shouting? I shouldn’t  be feeling this clinical about what he was saying and telling me. And yet my emotions weren’t far too.

Without saying another word, I turned and walked out of the kitchen towards my bedroom. There was one thing I needed to see. To make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Turning the lamp on in the room once I pushed the door open, I sat down on my bed not daring to touch it now. The wood carved wolf sat looking at me, and now I knew something additional that had to be the reason the Chief had given it to me? Did this mean that he knew about Collin? About what his nephew is? About This? With tremendous will I reached out my hand and picked it up.

“You were meant to protect me, to look over me. I told you my secrets, I told… I… I…told you my wishes….” Now I was crying, and I didn’t know why…. Was I really sitting here and thinking that this was true? How could I even go there.

Standing back up, I  took off my glasses and wiped my eyes.  The small wolf in one hand, I returned to the kitchen. Straining to keep myself still, I stood at the door, I felt myself roar internally to get out from here. “Show me. If you are really what you say you are… Show me.”

❁ Collin ❁

My chest ached. I had made her voice sound like that... I did that to her. “I know, I'm sorry... I didn't think it through... A small injury like that... To one of the pack, it feels like a scratch. But I should have been thinking about what it  might make you feel and I wasn't.” Something squeezed my heart. There was so much guilt in my voice... She was supposed to be my highest priority and I let her down already. “I won't let anything like that happen again; I promise you. I was so stupid.”

I let her slip away, I always would... At least, in this way, I wouldn't ever force her into an embrace she doesn’t want. No matter the reason for it, although, I wasn’t sure how far away I could promise I would let her go. When  she was out of my sight I slumped over the sink; bracing myself and drawing in deep breaths as silently as I could. Having her walk away from me like this was unlike anything I had ever felt. It was like she had taken all the air from the room  when she walked out.

I heard her words and the soft hints of her sobs hit me in the chest like a sledgehammer. ‘You will not crumble.’ the voice in my head force me upright. I sucked in air, one breath at a time.

Gathering the little  composure I could muster, I picked up a sponge and rinsed the blood... my blood, from her sink, then I cleaned the knife and I set it on the side to dry. It was silly, but order helped me cope and kept me grounded.

When I heard her approach,  I tried to erase all signs of angst from my face. I couldn't cause her more pain. I couldn't bare it. Her reddened eyes turned the butterflies from earlier into razor-winged creatures that cut up my insides... appropriate karmic retribution. “If you're sure that's what you want... We can do that. But... I'm--” I looked around her kitchen. “We can't do it here. We should take your car that way if you--” I swallowed hard... I couldn't say ‘if you’re too scared to get back into a car with me, you can leave.’. “Y-you can leave anytime if you need to.”

I took a step towards her. “There's uh... Difficulties phasing indoors... And then...” I glance out her window. All her neighbour's houses were dark, but all it would take was one late-night bathroom trip for someone to glance out their window. “There’re the neighbours... We can't let just anyone see. I promise you'll be safe, will you come with me?”

The  question was one and a million at once. Are you afraid of me? Do you trust me? Will you stay with me? Will you ever see me like you have all this time ever again? Will you ever love me, Harper? Please don't be afraid of me!?

Okay, so that  last one wasn’t really a question and yet... It was the most important one right now.

❁ Harper ❁

My fingers were so tight around the small wooden wolf that I could feel the bite of it in my palm. One way for me to tell that this… this was all real. I was awake, and this was not a dream.

I knew what a rollercoaster  life could be, how nothing was a guarantee, how your world could be turned around, and you have no say in any of it. And here once again I stood on the precipice. With no power, being nothing more than an observer.

I swallowed back the  lump growing in my throat, with my burning eyes drifting to his hand. And each time it felt like my lungs were going to collapse in on themselves. Why? And how could I feel this much pain over… His injury?

And words from the stories told  to me came.

‘Soulmates like nothing seem before, our love is, like none felt by another. Our pain when losing one another is devastating.’

#Sue had once spoken these words. About her love for her late husband #Harry. Saying in another time, she knew that he would be her one and only. And this time, he was the love of her life.

Was she telling us about this same thing? About impossible love and connection with one soul to another? Did she know about this too?

As he took a step forward, I took one step back. My body started to shake from a cold that had taken a grip of me to the depths of my insides.

“Neighbours…” wasn’t that a good thing? People who could hear? Who could see? Come if needed? However, my lips when opened said.

“Okay…”

I didn’t know if I could do this. Why was I even trying?

“Okay.” I said again, this time it felt like those four letters meant so much more. There has to be some level of me, who knew. Okay meant I could do this.

The resolution was simple. I needed to know. To know that this man I had thought to be kind, and  loving, wasn’t a liar. “My car.” I whispered.

I needed to know the truth, but the shake of my free hand when I stepped back towards the door, the way my legs felt like lead weights, every warning a body could give you to stay. To not go. I did not adhere to.

Before I knew it, my feet were in my boots, I had the sense to put a coat on, and then picking up the keys to my bug. I glanced towards him once before opening the door and stepping out into the dead of night with the cold air cutting into my face.

❁ Collin ❁

I watched her knuckles turn white around the wooden wolf in her hand. From here I could make out my Uncles unique style, I had quite a few of his traits having picked up my practical skills from my Father and my artistic ones from him. But  where The Chief used knives, files and picks I used power tools and precision instruments.

I didn't think this was the time to tell her, that the wolf she held was a pretty accurate rendering of my own wolf form, minus my patchwork coat of every shade of brown imaginable, the wood was its beautiful, natural shade. She would see soon enough.

When she took a step away from me a strained sound died in my throat as I tried to stifle it. Something in my soul shattered, and I took two steps back. Each one almost killed me, but if she wanted space then she was going to get it.

I wanted to wrap my arm around her and warm her shaking form like I had when we walked back from the bar.

How was it possible to miss her when she was right here... only a few feet from me? But I did.., I missed her desperately.

I followed her staying three steps behind her. "We'll do this at your pace, Harper. As fast or slow as you want." I didn't step back into my boots until She was stepped outside. "I've had ten years to get used to this... you've had ten minutes." I couldn't help but assess the coat she was wearing... was it warm enough? But a good chunk of her job was outdoors and she had what she needed to dress for La  Push weather. I moved to the passenger side of her car and looked at her across the roof... we both easily towered over the car.

It was then, standing there looking into the glistening fathomless eyes... that something occurred to me. I  patted my pocket to check that my phone was with me. "Would um..." I shook away the nerves... "Would you like someone to be there with you when..." I hated the idea... of there being someone else there when she say my other half for the first  time. But I didn't want her to be afraid. "There are people you trust - ah!' The sound slipped out when I felt the stab when the thought that I was no longer someone she trusted occurred to me. I crushed the feeling. I had to be stronger than  this.

"People that know... like... eh... #Leah." I chewed on my lips... "Or #Sue... and um... #Seth..." I didn't suggest #Kenzi because I knew Seth could never allow his imprint to be around me when this was happening, even if we both knew I wasn't a danger to anyone. That was the one thing I had no doubts about. I clung to that singular thread of certainty. She was safe with me, even is she had no way of knowing that yet. "They'll come... if you want them to?"

❁ Harper ❁

When I replay his words…. Something broke inside of me, but not for myself. It broke for him. Thirteen…. That number of a child’s ages. He was but a baby when he says this…. I couldn’t finish the thought.

Because didn’t these things only occur in movies and books? Vampires, Zombies, Werewolves, Mummies… Things that all went bump in the night? Or was this more like Spider-Man?

WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING? How could I an intelligent woman be allowing myself to think all these things? Was it even a cut? Did I really see it happen? Maybe he has just pretended to injure himself and then use ketchup? Maybe… maybe… may… be…

“Why are you being so… so… so… accommodating…” The words blurting out as I walked down.

He was stays back from me, he was agreeing to my requests. He was even trying to keep me calm. And calm wasn’t what I needed. And once again, I thought I would like to wake up from this dream. I didn’t like this one. Not the way I have liked all the others with the two of them in them.

When our eyes met over the hood on my bug, I felt that hum in my chest again. The one that always is followed by the toil and need to be beside him. It told me to go to him, to rest my head on his chest, to listen to the truth of his heart.

And then my heart stopped beating. “Sue… Leah… Seth?” I whispered their names as more tears began to freely rolls down my cheeks. I shook my head, lifting my glasses to wipe at my face. “No…. This… whatever this is…. It’s between you and me Collin Littlesea.”

But my mind was spinning, if this was a joke, a prank… But then I saw in my mind his cut forming together, the blood stopped, the faint pink line on his skin.

Anger took a hold, anger that stood here in the cold of this night. That…. “I’ve been drinking… and so have you…” I couldn’t drive. I couldn’t get in behind the wheel  of his car and take that  risk over another person’s life. “You have to drive. Wait. No… you were drinking too.” My hand fisted with the wolf went to my forehead, and I half bent over thinking about this.

Maybe I didn’t want Seth here? He would tell me the truth; he would tell me that this joke of my mind had gone too far?

No!!! No… I couldn’t take him away from Kenz at this late hour… I could do this… I could do this myself… no… I couldn’t…. However, I wasn’t going to burden them again… Whatever came… I had to face it…

When I dared to look bad over the car, my heart started to beat rapidly with the humming in my ears. Why… Why was I trusting him still?

❁ Collin ❁

"I don't want you to be afraid of me, Harper." My voice shook. "I'm not a mons-ter." My voice broke on the word. "I promise you, I'm not a monster."

I wanted to beg her not to be afraid of me. She could be angry, annoyed, or furious. She could think I was certifiably insane... all of that would be better than her thinking I was some kind of demon. But how could I ask that of her? She just found out that the guy she was dating wasn't even human.

I could feel her horror at the  names I mentioned. And I understood... I hoped that offering her that safety net meant more to her than finding out from them all personally. But I was relieved that she just wanted it to be us.

"If you change your mind... any of them will  come if we call." None of the people I mentioned ever switched their phones to silent.

I hadn't thought about the fact she had a few glasses of wine. I walked around to the driver's side, the shock had certainly sobered her up enough to drive  but she was still shaking. "I can drive... I wasn't drinking tonight." I didn't really drink at the bar... only occasional for celebrations. I decided not to explain to her that I would have had to drink a whole bottle of vodka before it would  affect my ability to drive.

And I was a lightweight compared to the other guys that drank regularly. "I was drinking milk and water... remember?" I knew that bringing it up would make her think clearly enough to remember that. I held out my hand for the keys. "I can drive if you want me to." I wasn't going to suggest walking, more than one imprint had run off during this... well, I guess it had become a ritual now.

I could have suggested we could wait, but she seemed so determined and I didn't want her to think I was trying to hide from her. Her heart was thumping so hard it was worrying.

Music: Man or a Monster (feat. Zayde Wølf) · Sam Tinnesz

Continued in Part 2

[written-within-the-stars]

The Morning After – Solo by Harper

My eyes opened to a smiling face, a smile that went from his lips all the way up to his eyes. His head lay on the pillow beside mine, letting the sunshine from the window light him from behind. I’m telling you, between the light of the morning, his smile and those eyes of his. He was perfect in every way.

“Good morning.” He whispers, his fingers moving across my face to brush away some stray hairs. It was clear to me he’d been awake for some time, I asked myself “had he been watching me sleep?”. And “did it matter if he had?” The answer was “No”. It didn’t matter, I’d spent the night with this man, and now I was waking up to his smile. I felt a smile growing on my lips as I say the same back to him.

“I didn’t want to run off into the morning without saying, I had a great night.” His eyes never once leaving mine as he spoke. “Thank you for making me look good on the dance floor and allowing me to come home with you.” Smiling as I hear the words.

This wasn’t home, which was the only reason I’d let last night happen. I’m not going to lie, dancing the night away with him was great foreplay. I’m far from a “good dancer”, however the way he moved us to the music made me feel special. As if I knew every step and every move. Clearly, he was well skilled in how to make a woman feel in his arms. And again, it didn’t matter to me.

He lent in and placed a soft kiss on my lips, and I felt the stubble of his chin against my face. His hand moving into my hair as he deepen it for a moment before pulling back. His eyes twinkled at the thought of what could happen next if I allowed it, but we both knew well what this was meant to be.

We said our goodbyes, as I sat up in the bed, he asked me not to step out of it to walk him to the door, allowing me to just sit here and watch him gather his things and get dressed. As the door closed behind him, I knew I’d never see him again, and it was fine by me. He was great for last night; he gave me everything I needed for now and then he knew just how to take his leave.

Falling back into my pillow still smiling, I felt relaxed. Maybe Teddy was right, a night of not thinking and just acting was what I needed. Curling myself around the sheet I laugh softly to myself, closing my eyes with flash backs of the night past.

How he moved me around the dance floor to the music, how his lips moved with mine, how his fingers caressed my skin and body and how his touch set me on fire all night long.

Moving myself up out of the bed, I felt like I was walking on air towards the bathroom. Letting the sheet fall to the ground stepping into the warm shower, allowing the spray of the water wash over me and flow as easily as he’s mouth had. It was intoxicating to say the least. How long I’d not allowed myself to feel this way. How I’d closed myself off from the touch of another human. But now I could see how I’d managed to attract the right man for the pleasure I needed last night.

The soft knock on my door pulls me out of the daze I’d been walking around my room in. Getting dressed with a smile that only a fool could get way with if you ask me. I’d not been expecting anyone just yet. So, when I opened the door to a waiter with a room service trolley, I must have looked confused.

“Good Morning Miss Jenkins, where would you like me to set up your breakfast?” Again, I took more than a couple of moments to reply before the door in front of me opened and Teddy stood there. He is the one who’d ordered the breakfast.

“Oh, lovely Food! Please go ahead in and set it up.” I stepped to the side, curling myself around the door watching the two of them as if I wasn’t even here. Once the waiter had left us. Teddy sits himself down and waits for me.

“Harps, baby don’t keep a hungry and hungover man waiting. Charlie said he’d join us after a shower, but I can’t wait that long to eat. And.” He gave me a cheeky grin. “I want to hear everything about the handsome stud you brought back to your room last night!”

“Oh, of course you know, and you want the details, right?” He and I both laugh as I join him. He was a little disappointed that I wouldn’t give him too much information about my night, but then he told me he could tell the guy must have been good from the glow over my face.

This wasn’t something I thought I’d have away from Kenz and Jenna, someone who could see me past my mask and be a good friend.

We sat drinking coffee, eating omelets with smoked salmon eyeing the Danish tray we were leaving to eat at the end. This had been a good idea, and of course it was. I’d not been the one to put it together.

[written-within-the-stars]

Letting my Hair Down – Solo by Harper

“Harper darlin’ we told you, once we got you out of our small town and into the lights of the Big City, you’d feel better.” I had been kidnaped. I fought to get out of it, but once Charlie and his boyfriend Teddy had made up their minds there was no changing it.

“Girl, you need to stop thinking about work and enjoy life a little” Their words not mine, when they showed up on my doorstep with overnight bags packed. Telling me they were joining me not just for the Friday I had to go into the city to meet with Dr. Hill, (My boss who lived and worked in Seattle), but we were going to make a “weekend of it”.

I was confused as to how they knew my plans, and they didn’t let it slip. Until we’d stopped by the practice and Jessica looked up at me full of guilt. The girl couldn’t even look me in the eye. I wasn’t mad at her; I knew she had the best for me at heart. But I made a note of talking to her about giving me a head up and not sharing my plans with anyone, not even friends. I’d not told anyone about my near miss the other morning, and I was still trying to get my own head around it. I’d hoped the night away would give me time to do that. It’s not shocking that a near death experience would shake a person up. However, it was now clear to me that I’d have to lock it down and way until I was back.

#Charlie and #Teddy made themselves busy in the day while I met with Dr. Hill, to review what I’d put into place at the new practice. We talked about things I still needed, and how we could start doing some working so for free for people who couldn’t afford the bills. “With there being so many farm animals going unseen until they are too ill, it’s causing more of a stress to the people of the community. They are all working hard, but if we did free checkups, I do believe in the long run it will mean we have a better handle on what we see.” Dr. Hill agreed with me, he and his wife were kind people just as Dr. Harris and his wife were back in Thompson Falls. The two couples were friends, and I was made to feel like a member of the family too.

“I will talk to Sarah about doing some sort of fundraiser just for your practice, see if we can drum up some interest to put all this into play. But you know this means you’ll have to come into the city for the events? People love to give money, but they want nothing more than to hear from the people on the ground as to where we are spending their cash.” Dr. Hill was trying his best to show me how to make things work for us in the city. Things were different where I’d grown up. If we needed funds for anything new, the whole town would chip in. We’d have a BBQ, or a Barn dance. Or even a bake sale. It’s not the same here.

“Now, Harper tell me how are you settling in? Sarah wouldn’t forgive me if I didn’t update her on the progress you know.” He spoke softly, and when he said the name of his wife, I could tell it was with love. His lips smiled and the smile could be seen in his eyes. They were both good together, and Sarah was on a mission to make sure I didn’t just work my life away. I told him about the surfing with the gang of Jessica’s friends, how Charlie and Teddy were here in town with me now to make sure I “let my hair down”. And how I hoped I’d get around to unpacking before he and Sarah next came to town for a visit.

The last time they came was about six days before their baby had been born. Sarah wanted to see the setup and how it was all going before the baby arrived. The thing that surprised her the most was how well and quickly I’d got the office painted, set up, and running. And yet when they stopped by my place that evening it was a polar opposite. Unopened boxes everywhere, flatpack furniture waiting to be opened and made. And things hadn’t changed too much since, although I did manage to get the living room done. So, if someone did come knocking on my door, at least there was a sense of my togetherness in my life.

I said my goodbyes to Dr. Hill before making my way to the hotel. I couldn’t help but feel like I was walking on air. Talking about everything we had achieved over such a small space of time, was eye opening. It was hard to see it all when you were in the middle, with your head down trying to swim in a storm. However now, talking Dr. Hill through it all, I was proud of Jessica and myself. Just a team of two. And we were hitting the balls out of the park.

The boys were so happy to see me in a better mood. “Going out in the evening, here is so much nicer. So much to do and see. It’s going to be a blast.” They had been visiting friends and catching up in the day. Teddy was an artist, so told me how he and Charlie had managed to go off to see some exhibitions and galleries. They made for a good couple; they never held the other back. Always supportive from what I could see. It was nice to spend time with them.

“Are you guys sure you want me tagging along with you tonight?” I’d asked as I changed, and they both lay on my bed waiting for me. “Harper, there is no way we are going out tonight without you. Don’t you try to wiggle your way out of this. Now show us what you are wearing?”

Ok. So, maybe I was still kind of trying to get out of it. I mean who could blame me? I saw the hotel had a spa, gym and a pool. I’d have been happy spending the time down there and having room service and a good night’s sleep. However, the guy’s had different plans for me. Stepping out of the bathroom I stood before them. “Do I pass?” I ask with a cheeky smile on my lips. It wasn’t a new dress; however, it was one I loved to wear. My very own little black dress. In the moment so grateful to Jenna for making me pack some of my evening “going out” dresses with me in the move.

The night moved from dinner to a cocktail bar where we met up with some of Teddy’s friends. Followed by another bar where we met up with some of my friends from university.

“Oh, I forgot you went here right Harps?” Teddy asked me as we stood at the bar waiting for our drinks to be made. I nodded my head.

“Yeah” I leaned into him so to talk close to his ear as the music was starting to get louder. “Only for the first year, then I went back home to work with Dr. Harris, and I finished off my degree and training with him. He and Dr. Hill helped me to be closer to my dad when he needed me without me having to give up on school altogether.” Which for my father I would have done within a beat of a heart no questions asked?

Teddy told me about his time at college and how he would love getting into “Fine Trouble” with the local boys. “All before I met Charlie you see. Now he has me wanting to be better.” And I could see it, there was no dread in that statement. It wasn’t something that was being pushed on him. Teddy wanted to be better for Charlie.

As we got the drinks and went back to our group.

Everyone joined in the conversation old friends, new friends, people we had only just met in the bar. It was a good vibe of happier times.

I smiled mentally taking a step back and watching all that was playing out around me. The sounds around me going quiet, I could see everything and nothing all at the same time. I saw people laughing but there was no sound to it. I could see them kissing, holding hands. But it was all being done in silence. It made me feel content from within to be around people who were open to allowing themselves to be happy. And yet this was the part of me that had been closed the day Dad died. I didn’t want to feel what they all felt, but I knew how to wear the mask of “Happiness” well. I had good practice by now.

A light touch to my hand brought me back from the world within my head. I looked around to see a smiling face. His eyes were the first thing I noticed after his smile. They were dark green as if the ocean around a tropical island. His touch was warm to the feel, and he didn’t look to be out of place by what he was doing. “I know a girl who wants to dance but won’t ask anyone to take her to the dance floor.” He moved two steps back, taking my hand in his telling me to follow him.

I didn’t not want to dance. But I found myself moving between the people as he took me to the center of the floor, turning to face me when he was happy with where, he had stopped. Only now did I hear the music. It was Salsa night at this bar, looking around I could see a sea of people dancing and having fun. Moving to the music however they wanted and felt. His hands moved around my waist pulling me into him. “Don’t be scared, I promise to be a Gentleman.” My mind spoke but my lips stayed quite “You best be, this girl knows how to look after herself.”

He twirled my body around and around, letting my hand go, he guided me to stay close to him, not wanting the space between us to grow too far. He took a hold of my hand again, stopping me when I was close, pulling me back into him so near that I could feel his breath on my neck.

The music was fast and the base bumping through my chest. My hair flying behind me as we started to move back and forth to the beat. I couldn’t help but let out a laugh when he placed his strong arms around me and lifted me off the ground and around his body. I was swinging in the air, and yet he still had full control of me, until my feet hit the ground and I stood before him once again. I had to let out another laugh when he dipped me down and brought me up, once again we were moving to the music.

My leg kicking between his, my arms around him holding him close. His on my waist guiding the way he wanted me to move. And for once I was letting myself go, to not think and just have my thoughts be about the fun I was having.