23: Cool Down

HARPER

I arrived at the city block party, a lively event that had taken over the park and the surrounding streets. Music filled the air and people were having a good time. But I wasn’t in the mood for fun.

I was feeling a bit guilty about my earlier outburst. Yet, I couldn’t bear to see my mate’s emotional wall, to know she was denying herself food to suppress her desires. It was painful.

So, I decided to drown my sorrows in alcohol, even if it made me look like a petulant child. I rarely acted this way, but I didn’t care. Let Axel scold me. Who else would dare to stop me?

I doubted Axel would even care if his beta decided to get drunk for once.

“Hey Harper!” Tony, a fellow werewolf, called out to me. I liked Tony. He was a decent guy who worked at the hospital.

He seemed to be enjoying a drink, which sounded like a good idea to me. Lycans don’t get drunk easily, but I didn’t care. I didn’t have to wake up early tomorrow. I deserved a vice.

“Hey, what are you drinking?” I asked, approaching him at the outdoor bar.

“Uh, Moon special. It’s a double, good stuff,” he replied.

I nodded and ordered two for myself. I downed the first one and took a big gulp from the second.

“Whoa man, why so fast?” Tony asked.

I just shrugged. He chuckled.

“I’m off duty. I feel like drinking. I rarely get time off, so I’ll do what I want,” I retorted, my words laced with bitterness.

Tony raised an eyebrow at me. Yeah, it was pretty obvious I was in a bad mood.

“Fair enough,” Tony conceded.

I chatted with him for a while before deciding to wander around. I felt restless, unsure of what to do with myself. I was on my fourth drink when someone tapped my shoulder.

Yes, I was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol. No, it didn’t erase thoughts of my mate, but I didn’t expect it to. I just planned to drink until I was ready to pass out, then I wouldn’t have to think and could sleep peacefully.

“Harper, what are you doing?” Axel’s voice broke through my thoughts.

I raised my glass to him. “I am clearly drinking, Axel. Do you want to argue about it? For fuck’s sake, man. I’m always on my game, I’m pissed off and my mate won’t let me touch her or be near her. I need a goddamn drink,” I snapped at him.

Axel raised an eyebrow at me. “I’m going to let that tone slide because I know you well,” he said.

I gave him a mock toast and finished my drink.

“What is that?” he asked.

“Moon special. You want one?” I offered.

This drink was potent for our kind. Only lycans or full-blooded werewolves could order it here. Humans or half-breeds couldn’t handle it.

“No, I don’t need Layla yelling at me. Besides, if my beta is drunk, I can’t be,” Axel said, a hint of a smile on his face.

“Fair point. I’m just tired, man. Let me have this,” I said, signaling the bartender for another drink.

Axel studied me for a moment. “You know, I haven’t seen you act this self-destructive in a long time, Harper. How about you slow down? How many have you had in such a short time?” he asked.

“Five,” I admitted.

I knew my other side was not kid-friendly and if I didn’t keep a tight lid on the monster inside, it could cause a lot of destruction. But I was far from that point.

“Then how about you take it easy for a bit,” Axel suggested.

I looked at him and downed half the drink. “Is that an order from my alpha?” I asked, starting to feel a bit light-headed.

Yeah, that was the buzz I was looking for. I wasn’t handling my first lover’s quarrel very well.

“More like brotherly concern. You know I respect you, but if Grace isn’t here to remind you, I will. Besides, I can’t drink. Layla would kill me if I did. I’m pretty sure,” Axel said, making me laugh.

I looked around. “Where is she, by the way?” I asked, frowning.

“Talking to a few she-wolves over there.” Axel pointed out, then quickly gripped my shoulder to keep me from turning to look. He kept my attention focused on our conversation.

“Mate stuff is hard, man. There’s always going to be some jerk who thinks they can tell you how to do it. I’m not going to tell you how to win your mate over. You’re better than me. I could never have handled distance from Layla. I would have done something terrible, we both know it. I’m the hothead, you’re the level-headed one. So, make sure you don’t screw something up, okay? She needs you, Harper. She’s just as broken as we were. It’s always a fucking struggle,” Axel said.

I thought for a moment, then finished my drink. “Thanks. Just so you know, you should work on your pep talks. Cut out the swearing. The girls will appreciate it when they’re older,” I said, my words starting to slur.

Axel chuckled. “I don’t think I’m cut out for nice talk. I’ll do my best for them though. Just be smart. Don’t make me have to whip you into shape again,” Axel warned.

“Again? Fuck you, Axel. You’re the one who needed a kick in the ass. I might have had to do it once or twice,” I retorted with a chuckle.

Axel shrugged. “Then make sure you don’t become a miserable fuck that I have to deal with,” he told me.

The swearing and banter did help lighten my mood a bit. We chatted a bit more and I ordered another drink, but I took my time with this one.

Axel didn’t stay long. Layla appeared and gave me a warning look, telling me to take it easy. I promised her I would and they left. I nursed my sixth drink more responsibly. I did want to be able to find my way home.

SIERRA

When I arrived at the festivities, I wasn’t sure where to find Harper. I could reach out to him mentally, but I didn’t. I didn’t want him to think that I was rushing over here to find him and start another argument.

I felt out of place in the crowd of people having fun. Thankfully, Miguel was with me, which made me feel a bit better.

I paused when I spotted Harper in the distance. Axel seemed to have just walked up to him. I chose to hang back and watch.

Harper was moving around a lot, a drink in his hand. The noise level made it impossible to hear their conversation. My focus was pulled away when a woman broke away from a group nearby and approached me.

“Excuse me, are you Lady Sierra?” she asked. The blonde was striking, and I recognized her instantly, even though we hadn’t officially met.

“Yes, and you’re Luna Layla,” I replied. She nodded in confirmation.

“So, you’re the woman who’s caught Harper’s eye,” she said, causing me to blush.

“I hope so. I’m still figuring out this whole mate thing, but I want it,” I confessed. From now on, I decided, I would respond with conviction. I wanted this.

He was my mate, and I would make that clear. No more uncertainty.

“He’s a good man, Harper. He deserves the best, just so you know. He’s well-liked, the good cop to Axel’s bad. I hope you’re ready for that. It’s nice to finally meet you. I can’t stay long, though. I came to see a few people, but I need to get back home,” she said.

“You’re lucky to have your children and a mate who loves you,” I told her.

Luna Layla smiled at me. “You can have the same. Don’t be a stranger, come visit with Harper sometime. Grace has been telling me about you. Harper and Axel are like brothers. You’re part of our lives now. So, don’t hide, okay?” she said.

I nodded in agreement. “You’re a gracious luna. Thank you for accepting me, even though I’m not one of you,” I told her.

“Of course,” she said, giving my arm a comforting squeeze. It felt good, a sense of camaraderie.

I watched her join Axel and Harper. They chatted and shared a laugh. Harper seemed a bit unsteady for a moment.

When they left him, I stayed put. I wanted to observe him from a distance, to understand him better. To see how he was when we argued, because I was filled with regret.

I wanted to rush over and apologize, to do anything to make him not mad at me. But I held my ground. He was my mate, I reminded myself.

I saw him interacting with many people. A few women approached him, one of them noticeably drunk, trying to pull on his arm. He was quick to dismiss them and move away.

He clearly didn’t want the attention. That made me feel good, and I turned to Miguel.

“Miguel, I’m going home. Please stay here and drive Harper home. He’s been drinking, and it’s affecting him. If he tries to drive, stop him,” I instructed.

Miguel nodded in understanding.

I didn’t feel threatened here, and Miguel walked me to the car so I could drive it back. Once home, I paced, trying to figure out how to talk to Harper the next day. I looked at the flowers and decided to keep myself busy.