14: The Sound of Silence

SIERRA

The car ride was quiet for a while after we climbed in. I stole glances at Harper, trying to figure out what to say. He was focused on the road, driving us toward his territory.

I felt a mix of relief and anxiety. Harper wasn’t the one calling the shots there, even though he had significant influence over his alpha. I was clueless about what Alpha Axel would do once we arrived.

Would he send me back home, make demands for me to stay, or simply throw me out to face whatever fate had in store? I was also conscious of the fact that my sudden departure might have put Harper in a tough spot, depending on my father’s reaction.

The quiet, slightly uncomfortable silence gave me plenty of time to ponder the consequences of my actions. I flinched when Harper’s phone rang. He reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and glanced at the screen.

He didn’t look at me, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind. Would he speak to me? What would he say? After all, I had just jumped out of his car and attacked my bodyguard.

I had even threatened him, albeit indirectly. Part of me desperately hoped that he wouldn’t send me away. The silent treatment was somehow worse than an argument. At least with an argument, I could hear his thoughts.

In silence, I was left to guess.

“Yeah,” Harper responded, keeping his eyes on the road. I looked back at the SUV tailing us. Dawn was breaking, but the rain clouds provided some cover from the rising sun.

I hoped we were close to our destination.

“She’s right here,” Harper said into the phone. I could hear Axel’s voice on the other end. Harper had sent him a message when we first got in the car.

I could make out most of Axel’s questions from his responses. Harper glanced at me when Axel asked if I was causing trouble or being dramatic. He wanted to know if he’d have to deal with a harpy when we arrived.

I frowned, and Harper seemed to gauge my reaction, knowing I was listening.

“You do realize she can hear you, right?” Harper asked, sounding exasperated. It seemed like he was used to Axel’s way of speaking. I had a feeling Axel was toning it down because he knew I was listening.

Otherwise, I suspected he would have used the word ‘bitch’ instead of ‘harpy’. It just seemed more his style.

“No, after the initial incident, Sierra has been calm and level-headed. I think she’s willing to talk and explain why she chose to get in our car once we arrive,” Harper said, glancing at me.

I nodded in response, and he looked away.

“Yeah, we should be there in twenty,” Harper said. I noticed more houses and buildings appearing, indicating we were nearing the main city in this part of the lycan territory.

“Okay, I’ll meet you at the office,” Harper said before hanging up. The silence returned, and I found myself stealing glances at him again. He seemed relaxed, but he wasn’t talking.

I couldn’t stand the silence any longer, not just because of the uncertainty of what was to come, but also because of what had transpired between us.

“Thank you for not just taking me back or leaving us on the side of the road,” I said, deciding to break the ice with gratitude. I wasn’t naturally aggressive. Years of oppression had made it easier for me to assume a submissive role.

The fear and adrenaline had worn off, replaced by anxiety about the consequences of being caught.

“You said you didn’t want to go back. Why would I take you back? You’re a grown woman who can make her own decisions,” he replied, not really looking at me.

He had one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on the window, a couple of fingers lightly touching the wheel. He seemed calm. I clasped my hands in my lap, swallowing hard.

“I’m not a woman who can do what she wants. That’s why I did what I did. Your car was just the most convenient option. I know the easiest thing would be to send me back to avoid tension with my coven and father. I realize that my actions have probably caused you problems with your alpha and dealings,” I said calmly, looking out the window. I could see his reflection in the side window and noticed that he was looking at me.

“Maybe for your father that’s the easiest course of action. Not for you, and not for me at this point,” Harper said. I turned to look at him, frowning slightly.

“I don’t see how it can’t be for you,” I said honestly. He sighed and looked forward.

“Then you clearly weren’t listening when I told you what you mean to me. Leaving was incredibly hard, but I found it strange that the pull toward you didn’t increase as we moved further from Red Coven. Why would I send you back when it’s dangerous for me, and I don’t care about your father’s feelings?” he said.

I was taken aback.

“I was listening. I just don’t understand it. I guess I have to admit that I was glad it was your car. I feel something, but it’s hard to put a name to it,” I confessed, hoping it was the right thing to say.

I felt better trying to connect with Harper than ignoring everything and risking his anger.

“Well, that’s a relief. I was starting to think you were just humoring me and didn’t feel anything. Kaven made it clear when I was leaving that you were his. I must admit it bothered me to think it might have been mutual, especially after what I told you,” Harper said, his body tensing slightly.

I pursed my lips, irritated at Kaven. What exactly had he said to Harper?

“Kaven is an asshole, and I’d rather bond with a corpse than him,” I said sharply, my tone bitter. I rarely used foul language, but finally, I could call him a name without fearing the consequences.

I wanted to call him worse things, but I found it hard to do so. Harper chuckled at my words.

“A corpse, huh? Is it that bad?” Harper asked, giving me a small smile.

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks. Harper had a very nice smile.

“You did meet him, didn’t you?” I asked.

Harper’s smile widened. “I agree, he’s a total jerk,” Harper chimed in, his lips curling into a small smile.

I found myself mirroring his expression, a sense of relief washing over me. It was comforting to have someone on my side, even if it did make me a little anxious. The kind of anxious you get when you care about someone’s opinion. My stomach fluttered with the beginnings of butterflies.

Harper was definitely having an impact on me. I fell silent for a moment before speaking up.

“Can you explain what it means for your kind to have a true mate? I’ve only heard rumors. I want to know if they’re true,” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

I was scared he might be lying. But there was a part of me that felt so at ease around him. I wanted to be near him, and that made me want to believe him.

Plus, the way he bit me didn’t feel like a ploy to get on my father’s good side. Using me didn’t seem like the right strategy.

“Just so you’re aware, if you’re asking because you want to change it, you can’t,” Harper said.

He wasn’t looking at me. His gaze was fixed straight ahead. I could see his body tense up again, even though he seemed relaxed at first glance.

“I just want to understand. I can’t make any promises if I don’t know what I’m dealing with. I don’t know where my head’s at or what I want right now. As you can see, I wanted to run. I’m feeling pressured by others to do things,” I said, trying to convey that I might not be ready for the kind of commitment his kind was used to.

He let out a sigh.

“True mates are something you can’t ignore. It’s a soul-deep bond for us. It’s our truth, our belief. It’s rare. Once you find your true mate, you won’t be able to see anyone else. When you mate or bond with them, that’s it. You won’t be able to look at others, react to them. This happens even after just seeing them,” he explained.

I glanced at him and then out the window. The sky was starting to lighten, and I felt a wave of exhaustion hit me, my eyes beginning to sting.

“I see,” I responded.

“What happens if a true mate rejects the other?” I asked without thinking.

It wasn’t that I was planning to reject him. I was more worried about the consequences and trying to gauge how aggressively he might pursue me. When he didn’t respond, I turned to look at him.

He was silent, his grip on the steering wheel tight. The silence stretched on, and I could feel my anxiety rising.

I found myself wondering if he would hurt me when we reached our destination. Would he punish me like the men from my coven?

My thoughts started to spiral, consumed by the fear of punishment and pain.

“I don’t know of any instances where a true mate rejected the other. I do know what happens when they’re separated or try to ignore the bond for too long. Especially when one isn’t from our kind. It hurts, not having the full bond or mating. It grows into a need. I don’t know because I’ve never seen it. We live and die together. To me, it’s not something I can deny or want to deny. I always thought I’d at least be worth a try if my true mate wasn’t from my kind,” he said.

Harper didn’t look at me, and I felt a pang of guilt as I detected a hint of hurt in his voice.

“I didn’t say I wasn’t willing to try. I just don’t know if I’m ready to jump in right now,” I said.

He shrugged. “I guess that’s something I’ll have to deal with then.”

We fell back into silence. The tension was palpable, and I decided to keep quiet, not wanting to dig myself into a deeper hole with him.

Right now, he might be my only potential ally in a place I didn’t know. Especially if I could overcome my own demons.