16: Whose Problem

HARPER

I couldn’t help but smirk a little. That was Axel for you. His attitude screamed, “Screw you, I do what I want and you’re just going to have to deal with it.” End of story.

I could almost see Adis’s jaw drop at Axel’s blunt words. Axel had always been straightforward with him, but this was a whole new level of “shut up and do as I say.” I was glad he put his foot down.

I watched as Axel pocketed his phone and crossed his arms.

“Sierra, if your father shows up with his men to take you back, I need to know how willing you are to fight against it,” Axel asked.

“Why?” Sierra asked cautiously, and Axel nearly rolled his eyes.

“Because he’s your true mate and I need to know if my beta might have to watch your back and his. I get it, you’re a vampire and this is all new to you. But I know him and what he’s willing to do for those he cares about. So, are you going to fold under their pressure or fight?” Axel demanded.

I crossed my arms, irritated. Did he always have to be such a jerk? He could be a little gentler with Sierra. But I knew he was on edge with everything else happening in his life right now.

I was sure he was worried about Grace and Layla and the girls. He probably wanted to be with them, but he had this and other issues to deal with.

“I won’t go back,” Sierra said firmly. Her fists were clenched and I uncrossed my arms. I could see the threat of tears in her eyes. I wanted to comfort her, but I knew it wasn’t the right time.

“Well, that’s better than nothing. You’re his problem now. You’ll stay with Harper. I don’t care if there’s somewhere else you’d rather be,” Axel said.

I looked at Sierra and our eyes met. I expected to see resentment, a look that said this wasn’t what she wanted. But she just glanced at me and then looked away.

I noticed Miguel watching us, his eyes darting back and forth. He seemed to understand what being a true mate really meant.

“I don’t have anywhere else to be. Thank you for letting me stay,” Sierra said.

“Harper, why don’t you take your lady and go home. I know you’re all tired from the journey and the rash decisions. I want to talk to Miguel for a bit, make sure he’s not a liability,” Axel said.

I nodded. I knew Axel would fill me in on anything important about Miguel. I was really tired, and I knew Sierra was too.

I walked toward the door and held it open for Sierra to go through first. She did, but she was looking down. She moved gracefully, but her downcast eyes were a submissive gesture. I hoped she wasn’t shutting down. We had a lot to talk about.

“Here. Your belongings from the backseat, Lady Sierra.” Zen and Ian had gone out to check the car while they waited to talk to Axel about what had happened. Sierra took the phone and purse that Zen offered her.

“Thank you,” she said, nodding.

We stepped outside and paused on the steps under the overhang. The rain was coming down harder again. The sky was a darker shade of gray, but still light. I noticed Sierra squinting, and she reached into her purse to pull out a pair of sunglasses.

“Are you very sensitive? How much pain does it cause you?” I asked, glancing back at her. Maybe we had something that could help.

“It’s not too bad yet. The glasses will help. I’m getting tired and it feels like pins and needles on my skin. It’s nothing vampires don’t deal with every day. But I would prefer to be indoors soon,” she told me.

I nodded and pointed to the SUV. It was a short drive to my house.

I felt a mix of excitement and awkwardness. Axel had just decided that Sierra was going to stay with me. I wasn’t prepared for a guest, and I didn’t have a guest room. I had my locked office and my bedroom with a full bath.

Sierra didn’t have any of her things with her, so I would need to get her some things or set something up. Maybe Grace would be willing to take her shopping. I cringed a little at the thought. Grace was going to be all up in our business. I didn’t want her grilling Sierra with questions just yet.

“There’s a lot of space here. The buildings in your city are spread out,” Sierra observed.

I shrugged. “We build more underground and with more space. Wolves don’t like metal cities and such. We do have urban areas, but most of us prefer to stay out of the city and leave it for the humans and other beings who like it,” I explained.

She nodded.

I unlocked my door and stepped aside to let her in, then closed the door behind us. My living room was right there, with the kitchen off to the right, separated by an island bar. A door in the living room led to my study, and a small hallway past the kitchen led to my bedroom. There was another door in the hallway that led to a half bath.

“I’ll be honest, I’m not exactly prepared for a guest. It’s just me living here. But you can stay here. I do have blackout curtains,” I told her, moving forward.

This was awkward. We’d slept together, I’d told her she was my mate, she’d stowed away in my car, and now she was a watched guest in my home. Not exactly the best start to a relationship.

“Your home is neat and modest. I like it,” Sierra said as I opened the door to my bedroom.

I was a bit of a neat freak. I couldn’t relax if there were dishes in the sink or things out of place.

“Thank you. Like I said, it’s just me here, but I have some spare clothes if you need to change. The main bathroom is there,” I said, pointing to the door adjacent to my room.

The other door led to a closet. I went to the sliding glass doors in my room and pulled the curtains shut. It got pretty dark in here, but with the light from the hallway, we could still see just fine.

I moved toward the side of the bed where Sierra was standing. She was nervously scanning the room, her hands clasped together. I watched her, wishing I could close the distance between us, break down the awkward barrier that seemed to have sprung up.

We stood there, silently exchanging glances, waiting for her to voice her thoughts. I’d rather hear her speak than try to guess what was going on in her mind.

SIERRA

I was standing in his room, his scent permeating the entire house, especially this room. A whirlwind of emotions was swirling inside me. I felt uncertain, anxious about the expectations that might be placed on me.

I was worried about having to adhere to wolf customs instead of my own. We hadn’t really talked about all this yet. Apart from our brief conversation in the car, I was feeling overwhelmed.

“Is there only one bedroom? Am I supposed to sleep with you?” I asked, immediately regretting how it sounded. I didn’t mean it in a sexual way, but I was afraid he might take it that way.

I was just talking about sleeping, but my mind did wander to the other possibility. A part of me liked the idea, wanted it again. But right now, it wasn’t the right time.

I was tired and stressed. Sex was the last thing I should be thinking about. I hoped he didn’t expect that from me, not after yesterday.

I swallowed hard as he looked at me, tilting his head slightly. I tensed as he moved closer, not touching me, but close enough for me to feel his body heat. When he leaned slightly to the left, I couldn’t help but stare at him.

Was he going to kiss me? Touch me? Was he upset about my comment? I felt silly for wanting him to kiss me, yet not wanting him to at the same time. I was a mess.

He leaned in so close that our bodies almost touched. “You must not have been listening yesterday,” he said, his breath brushing against my cheek and ear.

He reached around me, causing me to shiver. I had a strong urge to reach out and touch him. My eyes dropped to his neck, my mouth watering for a taste.

But years of discipline and fear of punishment kept me in check. “I only want a willing woman in my bed. And you’re clearly not willing,” he said, straightening up.

He had leaned over to grab a pillow. My face flushed for a number of reasons. I had never had such intense thoughts about a man before.

“I’m only interested in a mate who wants me, Sierra. Not a woman who feels burdened by my presence. Please don’t insult me or my values,” Harper said, stepping back.

I could tell he had pushed my boundaries just to gauge my reaction. I wasn’t scared of him, I just had a lot of internal demons to deal with.

“I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I was just talking about sharing the bed, nothing more,” I said, clearing my throat and looking away.

I felt like a schoolgirl with a crush, awkward and unsure. I could feel his gaze on me as he turned and walked toward the door, pillow in hand.

“Even if you’re okay with it, I’ll sleep on the couch. We don’t need any more awkwardness. I don’t think you’d appreciate it if I couldn’t control myself and touched you, even innocently. Just rest, Sierra. You can lock the door if you want. I’d rather have honesty than lies. I can tell you’re uncomfortable,” he said, making my face heat up even more.

“Harper,” I called out, turning to face the door. He paused, hand on the door, looking over his shoulder at me. We locked eyes for a moment.

“I’m not uncomfortable with you or anything that happened between us. I’m uncomfortable in a place where I don’t know who I can trust. I made a rash decision and we both know there will be consequences, despite what Axel said. I appreciate you giving me space. Maybe tomorrow we can start fresh and talk about this with clearer minds,” I said, trying to extend an olive branch.

I didn’t want him to feel regretful about me. He was the first man to treat me like I mattered, like my opinions were important. I remembered our conversation at the bar, how he listened.

I remembered how he explored my body, like it deserved attention and pleasure. Even now, as he was about to sleep on the couch, I could see that he was a man of deep morals and standards, unlike any I had known before.

“I think it’s best if we talk after some sleep. Good rest, Sierra,” he said, using the vampire phrase for goodnight.

“Good rest, Harper,” I replied softly, watching him close the door. I sat down on the bed, hugging a pillow and lost in thought. I let out a frustrated sound, half-shouting into the pillow.

It felt good to release some tension. What was I doing? What had I done? I lifted my head, inhaling his scent from the pillow. My eyes were red from the emotional turmoil inside me.

I decided to clean up a bit. I was still barefoot, but I hadn’t been outside for long. I thought it best to clean up and maybe change. Then I would lie down and hopefully get some sleep.

I needed it. For now, I was safe from my father and Kaven. It would take them time to get here if they decided to do anything. So I took Harper’s hospitality and the freedom to do as I pleased seriously. Who knew how long it would last.