Three days have passed since Harvey told me we're mates, but, most of the time, I haven't been thinking about it. I've been with Harper.Whenever I'm not at work or doing a college assignment, and whenever she isn't at school or doing homework, we hang out together. We get coffee or lunch, or we watch TV in her room, and yesterday we decided to carve jack-o'-lanterns even though the pumpkins probably won't make it to Halloween.She often talks about Delsin. I don't have to outright ask her about him to know she really likes him. They have plans next weekend, yet all I do is smile while she gets giddy talking about it because I can't decide whether to interfere; it's not like I know how to explain why Delsin isn't trustworthy, anyway.Harper goes to bed early because of school, so I spend the rest of my nights in my room whether I'm doing school work, reading, scrolling on my phone, or tidying things up.When I do think about Harvey, it's before bed. I can't distract myself when I'm al
I've woken up nine times to a text from Abby, and they all say the same thing: Harvey isn't back yet. Usually, I sleep through my phone alerts; it's only a soft buzz on my nightstand and a moment of dim light but waiting for Harvey has put me on edge, and once I read the text, I can't fall back asleep.What was assumed to be a week of Harvey helping another pack in Maine has turned into a hodgepodge of spacey, distracted days and endless, restless nights. I was late for work three times and missed an assignment deadline — something that hasn't happened since high school.On Saturday night, Abby texts me repeatedly about getting together, but I'm too busy helping Harper to conjure excuses as to why I'd rather stay home. Harper tries on six different outfits out of her closet and four from mine but can't decide on anything to wear on her date with Delsin. "I still think the black skirt was nice," I tell her while lying belly-up on my bed, "and you can wear those winter-tight things you
"Do you think you and Harvey will get married? For us, the mate bond is enough on its own, but I know humans get married to make things super official — legal and all. I'm sure Harvey would if it's what you wanted.""Oh?" I glance at Liberty as we follow the others to the kitchen. "I can't say I've—""Stop trying to freak her out." Abby steps in."She's mated to an Alpha. If I was in her situation, I would want to be legally bound."We pass the dining room, and I nearly pull a muscle twisting my head to get a better look. There's no furniture, only stacks of hardwood flooring, grey patches covering the walls, and an entire section of the floor missing, revealing the basement; only once I double-take do I realize one wall is gutted entirely.The hall opens up into the kitchen, and Abby takes me the opposite way of Liberty, instead towards Jalen and Luke. We lean against the counter and watch Jalen make himself a drink while Luke b-lines for the fridge. The sounds of more beer cans open
"Harvey! You know Mia is here, right? She's so sweet...and funny. Oh, here she is. Mia, look, he's home."Abby latches onto Liberty who's clearly had too many drinks and coaxes her away. Harvey can't make it past the foyer without being surrounded by his pack, but he sees me past them, and those in the way step to the side. My face burns; I didn't plan on talking to him with an audience.At first, Harvey looks at me like I'm not really here, but he quickly realizes what's going on — everyone has gathered in his absence, and I've been invited. He breathes out and eyes Abby."Surprise," she says. "Mia's met everyone.""And we love her," Liberty tacks on."All of you go home, and if you're supposed to be on duty, shift and get to it." Harvey turns to me, and my body goes stiff. "Mia, come on."Harvey nears me and places his hand on my back, guiding me the way Abby and I came. I peer back at her, and she mouths, "I'll wait for you."When we turn the corner, I say, "I'm sorry if I'm not su
I'm home.I stare at the message for a minute before pressing send. It delivers, and I toss my phone to my bed while I wind down and get ready to sleep.Harper's bedroom door was shut when I got back with no light illuminating the cracks, and by the sight of their coats on the barstools and mom's purse on the counter, I know my parents are home from dinner. I'm not sure why no one decided to ask where I'd disappeared to all night, but with their rose-colored perception of Black Lake, it's easy to assume wherever I am, I'm perfectly fine.I return to my room from the bathroom and finally end my anticipation by checking my phone. There's a message from Harvey, and I sit on my bed to read it: I want to talk again, especially about your expectations and what you're comfortable with concerning our matehood. Let me know when you have the time, and I'll make it work.The butterflies in my stomach start fluttering again. I lie back and contemplate my reply, deciding to say: This sounds like a
It's been two nights since Harvey came to my bedroom to see me, and they've been two nights of horrible sleep. I stare at the approaching road as I drive from the center of town back home, and I occasionally sip on a coffee I made and poured into a travel mug, but nothing seems to cure my grogginess.Halloween is around the corner and all the businesses around the lake have decorated their storefronts for the holiday. Webs line windows with giant spiders, skeletons stand at attention to usher customers inside, and the dentist's office has a window painting of three witches around a bubbling cauldron with a written offer to trade in candy at a dollar per pound.I stare at the sign, assuming no kid will give up their Halloween candy unless their parents make them. The dentist's office did the same deal when I was trick-or-treating, but I held onto my candy for as long as possible until the day it disappeared, and I didn't realize it.Only through having siblings did I discover my mom hi
"We begin this evening's broadcast with breaking news: a local resident of Black Lake has been reported missing for over two days now. Town resident Philip McNamara was last seen Sunday morning walking his dog Scout in the lower lake park as he does every morning, but this time neighbors reported he never made it home. Scout, his gold retriever, was found lying on the doorstep of McNamara's residence still wearing his leash, waiting to be let inside. Philip McNamara has worked at Seymour Hardware store on Main Street for over nine years after retiring from the Air Force where he—"The TV screen goes black. I peer over my shoulder and see my mom with the remote in her hand. "Come on, time to sit down for dinner."Harper — who's stretched across the adjacent couch texting — gets up without looking from her phone screen."Texting Delsin?"She side-eyes me on her way to the dining room, warning, "Stop."Perry's footsteps thunder down the stairs, and he goes right into the dining room wher
Harvey's visited me before bed three nights this week, and I can feel myself growing more comfortable around him. It helps that he's patient — he never asks me for more than I give him and always makes me feel safe, beautiful, and cared for. He's easy to want and yearn for when he isn't here, and when he is, I don't want him to ever leave.Becoming so attached to someone so quickly would typically turn me away, but I know we're soulmates. Every man is his family leading back to Dr. Norwood and his wife has stayed with their human mate, lived in Norwood House, and had at least one child together. Harvey is only becoming more perfect the more I see and talk to him, so if anything were to drive us apart suddenly, it would have to be because of him — if he were to change his mind about me.Yet everything he tells me sounds like a promise that he won't.As I lean against the counter in the kitchen drinking tea, I watch the trees move in the wind, growing more naked by the day. It's Saturda