Chapter 23 - Harlow

I had to do anything to change the subject and to get the focus off Joe. He didn’t want to say anything, and I wanted to have his back. The best way to change a subject was to start a fight. I felt bad for starting one with Alec; he seemed like a nice guy, but he was the only one available to start one with.

         I knew Malachi wanted to know why I asked Joe if they knew. I know he was pretty private about his personal life. I just happened to go to a restaurant where he was on a first date with another man. He was gruff and tatted up, but his taste was for preppy men, sweaters, button-downs, khaki pants, and glasses. It is true what they say, opposites attract.

I found it strange that he hadn’t said anything to his pack members, at least to his Alpha. He was gay; there had to be other gay wolves out there. It wasn’t my place to say anything, and no matter how many times Malachi would ask, I wouldn’t say a word until Joe came out.

         Malachi offered me his hand and I followed him to his room. His room was more modern than the rest of the house, the walls done in a dark gray, while his furniture was taupe. The comforter on his bed was a darker gray along with the pillowcases. There were a few pictures on the wall, some of what looked to be Malachi’s parents. The similarities between the two men were astounding.

         “Are these your parents?” I pointed at the picture and looked at him.

         “Yup. That’s my dad, Gus, and my mom, Isadora, Izzie.” He smiled at them.

         “You look like your dad, and you mom is beautiful.” His dad stood behind his mom on a swing, almost serious but had a humorous glint in his eye. And his mom had her head tilted back, smiling broadly, almost as if she just finished laughing. “What happened to them?”

         “Nothing. As soon as my dad handed the pack over to me, they retired to Florida. They were tired of the snow.” He took a moment to look at the photo. “You’ll meet them. My mom will love you.”

         I could feel my face drop. I never thought about meeting the parents. I have never had to do that. I never really dated anyone long enough to meet the family. Trent was just a convenience fuck, even though he caught feelings. But now it was serious. If I were to stay with Malachi, I would actually have to meet the family. That was scarier than any assignment I have ever received.

         “What’s wrong? It looks like you have seen a ghost.”

         I could feel Malachi staring at me. I let out a breath that I didn’t know I was holding. “It just hit me that I have never actually met the parents of anyone I have ever dated or slept with. That freaked me out a little.”

         He stared at me with a blank expression on his face and then started to laugh. “You…who just tortured the shit out of three wolves, is afraid to meet my parents.” He continued to laugh harder.

         “It’s not funny.” I pursed my lips together. “My stunted relationships didn’t prepare me for something serious.”

         “I know, I know. Sorry. It’s just you’re this big, scary assassin, and meeting my parents freaks you out. It’s just a little weird.” Malachi tried to control himself. “Aw, come on, don’t look at me like that.” He pulled me into his arms and held me there as I continued to look at the picture of his parents.

         It wouldn’t be that bad. His mom looked happy and cheerful. His dad looked like he was more serious, but could laugh and smile. Maybe his wife brought that out in him. Of course, he had to be more serious, he was the previous Alpha to the pack. He was a leader and needed to present himself as one.

         “I know your parents died, but do you have any other family?” He pulled away and looked down at me. “Anyone I can be scared to meet?”

         I rolled my eyes at him. “I have a younger sister, Lacey.”

         “See, someone I can dread meeting.” He smiled at me.

         “You would probably fall in love with her.” I chuckled. “Just think of a Stepford wife. She has a banker husband, two kids, and a white picket fence house. She’s been annoying me more and more lately about finding a man. Blah blah blah.”

         “Then I can set her mind at ease.”

         “Yeah. She’ll probably stuff you with baked goods and ask when you plan on proposing. She wouldn’t be above selling me off.”

         “I mean, if you need a ring, I can get you one.” He smiled down at me. The look in his eyes didn’t show that he was joking. The butterflies in my stomach started to somersault.

         “I can’t tell if you are joking or not.”

         “As I have said before, you’re my mate. You’re my end-all be-all. I don’t want anyone else. So, no, I’m not joking. I would propose to you right now if I didn’t think you were going to shoot me or run.”

         My heart started to thunder in my chest. Normally, I would have shied away from even the mention of getting married. But when Malachi brought it up, I didn’t want to run or break up with him. That’s what I normally would do. Staring into his eyes, I realized I did want to be with him, marry him, and be this pack’s Luna.

         “Breathe, Harlow.” His hands moved to my shoulders and stared down into my eyes.

         I let out a breath and tried to take a few calming breaths. Trying to slow my hammering heart. He could more than likely hear it.

         “Are you okay?” He asked after I took a few breaths. “We are going to go at your pace. I’m going to do my best not to rush you.”

         I just stared at his chest. Trying to work through my thoughts. I wanted him. Not just now, but for the rest of my life. Sometimes I would try to think about if it didn’t work out, and that just makes me sick. We haven’t even known each other for more than twenty-four hours, and I was ready to get hitched to him. My grandma always said, when she was alive, that when you know you know, and you just have to lean into it.

         “Harlow?”

         “Yeah?” I shook my head and looked into his eyes.

         “Are you okay?” I could hear a tightness in his voice; he was starting to worry.

         I nodded. “Yeah.” I cleared my throat. “I’m going to lean in.”

         Malachi raised his eyebrows and gave me a lopsided grin. “What does that mean?”

         “I want this. Not just dating, but…but forever.” I pulled away from him. I needed to move, I couldn’t just stand there, or else I was going to pass out. I paced back and forth across his room. “You know, my grandma always told me that whenever you meet the person you should be with, you know, and you shouldn’t question it. You should just lean into it. So that’s what I’m going to do, I’m leaning into it.” I stopped pacing and faced Malachi, who was trying to catch up to what I was saying.

         His face was serious, and his eyes were darting back and forth as he was connecting what I was saying to our situation. “You mean…”

         I nodded and bit my bottom lip.

         “You want to be mine, marked, mated, and the Luna?”

         I took a deep breath and let it out, trying to calm my butterflies. “Yes.”

         “Forever?”

         “Yes.”

         A big smile spread across his face, it resembled his mom’s, and it made me smile. “Holy shit!” He yelled and lunged at me, picking me up and spinning around. “I thought it would take a lot more convincing.”

         The weight that I had been carrying seemed to lift off me. Even though I only knew he was my mate for a few short hours, it felt right. That this was the right decision. I could fight it, but why would I want to?