Today was the day to try dresses for the upcoming ball. Unfortunately, Harper wasn't looking forward to it. Testing fabrics and getting free acupuncture by the dressmaker didn't sound like fun. Harper knew she would be injured, so she was unwilling to leave her bed. She rolled around in the morning light. Birds were singing outside the castle, and Harper parted her lips in surprise. Saint was lying on his stomach in her kingsized bed. Harper blinked in surprise and then blushed—that's right! How could Harper have forgotten?! She had given her bed to Saint, but somehow she had forgotten about it during a bathroom visit at night! Now Harper was lying next to Saint, who still wasn't awake. His broad back was naked, and his thick hair fell into his face and hid his muscular arms. Yet there was no denying Saint had transformed from a skeleton into an intimidating behemoth. Saint probably needed to turn a bit to get through doors now. He was a tank of a man, and Harper's heart gallope
After sharing breakfast with Saint, Harper was standing inside an airless room with the dressmaker. Her nose could barely gather any oxygen, and Harper suspected the windows were never opened to ventilate this room.It made Harper want to head outside. The weather was lonely. Sunlight shone through the windows, and birds were singing. Harper would have loved to take Saint out for a walk, but sadly, she was stuck inside this room."Ouch! Be careful, please?!" Harper cried out while wearing a blue satin dress. It brought out the blue from her eyes and looked good with the dark brown color of her hair, but the fabric sat way too tight. Penny, the dressmaker, glared up at her. "If you stood still, it wouldn't hurt, young lady. You're making it harder than necessary to put the needles in place. Stop dancing around.""I think you're pulling the fabric too tightly around me. I feel like I'm wearing a second skin," Harper grimaced. "And I'm shaking because you're clumsy with the needles!"A
When Harper wandered back into her room to eat lunch, Saint was already waiting for her by the door. Harper couldn't peel her eyes off him. Large arms were parked over his mighty chest, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up. The muscles in Saint's arms were huge and exposed. Harper wanted to touch them, maybe even lick them if Saint would allow it.Harper realized she sounded crazy, but...Saint looked like sex-on-a-stick if you ignored the hair on his face. But it frightened Harper how he lacked respect for her personal space. Saint behaved like a giant cat that got straight in her face."H-hello... "Harper nervously said."What is that smell?" Saint questioned. "W-what do you mean?" Harper asked.She tried to keep eye contact with Saint, but her curious gaze had a mind of its own. It crept over Saint and made her absorb him. And Harper gulped at what she saw.She couldn't help but notice how Saint made Asher's clothes look like they were from the children's section. The sweatpants
Harper ate her soup in silence, bending her head to eye her father across the table. Since entering the kitchen, he hadn't spoken a word. Yet Harper knew her father was pleased since her dress was finally ready. The upcoming ball seemed more important to her father than Harper. She could already see her father was looking pleased. He probably longed for the weekend to come.Finally, Harper would pick a man to marry. It meant a new beginning for the Sun pack, but for Harper, the ball symbolized the end of her freedom. No longer would she be able to find her mate.Though lately, there had been another agenda on Harper's mind. She wished to know more about Saint. Hopefully, her father had the answers she was looking for. Now Harper needed to enter a conversation about Saint without drawing suspicion.Harper cleared her throat. "Can I ask something?"Her father looked up. As usual, he was wearing a suit and a cravat. His bushy eyebrows were combed, and his lips formed a frown. It looked
Anxiety hit Harper when she woke up without Saint sleeping in her bed. His large frame could usually be found sleeping only inches away from her, but not this morning. Instead, Saint's side had been neatly folded, making Harper's eyes skip around the room. Where had the behemoth gone?The door to Harper's balcony was opened. A wind hit her face while sunlight danced in through the curtains. The birds chirped happily outside, but Saint was nowhere inside Harper's room. It made loneliness wrap around her heart. Saint had promised to be at the ball... So why had he left Harper in the middle of the night?Confused, Harper swung her feet out of her bed. Typically, Harper always shared breakfast with Saint. It was something she looked forward to every morning. Grief pierced her heart. Nothing in this world could repair the blackhole growing inside Harper's chest. Well, except for Saint coming back through the balcony. Unfortunately, Harper knew Saint wouldn't return, or else he hadn't
Music from the human world was blasting in the speakers that the witches had set up, and the ball was in full motion. All the guests seemed to be enjoying their time.Werewolf women were sitting on chairs along the wall, waiting for men to invite them to dance. Harper watched one pair that seemed to be mates, which was very romantic. "Oh-my-god, you're my mate!""And you're mine!""What are the odds?""Right!"Harper smiled. She watched the two mates giggle and flirt while sipping on her drink without alcohol. The pair was lucky to have found each other.Eventually, Harper moved her gaze to watch another pair spin on the dancefloor and then another.Everyone was wearing fancy clothes, including herself. Harper was uncomfortable in the blue satin dress. According to Penny, the dress hugged her in all the right places.Harper herself wasn't convinced. She felt packed like a sardine wearing the tight fabric. The high heels were also highly uncomfortable, but at least she was a few inche
Harper didn't think she possessed even one fierce bone in her body, but tonight was the last straw. She had always been a pushover and a nice girl, but to fuck with it all!Enough was enough!Harper's father tried to control her life. Asher supported her getting married, and Julian thought it was his right to touch her—Harper's last patience snapped like a rope!"Let go of me!" Harper exclaimed and pulled back her arm. Her fingers were throbbing where Julian had squeezed them. "You got some fucking nerve holding me like that!""It's my right!""No, it's not, you jackass!"Julian looked offended and ready to punch her, but Harper didn't back down from the challenge. She could feel her anger rising. Her wolf was prepared to fight this man to the last breath."A woman should know her place," Julian growled at her with his eyes filled with fury. "If I want to dance with you, then you will respect me as a man and do what I say!""I'm not any woman," Harper growled back. She propped her fi
Harper stared up at Saint. A dark smile lit up his features. He was the wolf, whereas she was the lamb. Or maybe she was the oil, and he was the fire, waiting to ignite her.He strode forward, ready to take back Harper's arm to continue dancing inside the ballroom. But she stepped away, and Saint's eyebrows shot up before his lips curled further. "Are you afraid of me?""I would be stupid if I weren't," Harper replied. "You've revealed your identity, and I don't know what it means! I have never heard of the nymph king, but I'm guessing you're dangerous.""Because your father locked me up?""Yeah," Harper breathed. "I thought you were a weak prisoner when I released you. There wasn't any danger..." She trailed off. "But now power seems to ooze through your pores."Saint regarded her in silence before speaking. "Can I be completely open with you, Harper?"She met his gaze. "Honesty is preferred."Saint reached out his large hand and placed it on her cheek. His touch seemed to awaken he