I paused. “Why are you moving the couch?”
“I’m trying to clean under it. Duh.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “No, I’m not getting out early, but I do have something to tell you.”
He paused for a moment. “What?”
I told him everything that had happened over the past half an hour. The only thing I left out was what Harper had told me about Aria’s father. I asked her that in a professional capacity, and when she wanted to share with the others, she would.
When I was finished, he was silent on the other end. “Harper has a daughter who’s also a shifter?”
“It seems so.”
“So, what now?” he asked.
“Aria is four. Ideally, she’s around other shifters who can teach her to control the changes. This is a pretty pivotal time, and she needs the support.”
“I agree,” he said.
“I think we need to discuss that all together.” I was inclined to say she should stay with us, but I didn’t want to push her into it or assume the other two would want that.
He sighed on the other end. “You’re right, but I’m sure she’ll come stay with us.”
I huffed. “How are you so sure?”
“Cause who could say no to me?”
I barked out a laugh. “Do you mind telling Hawthorne? I don’t want to leave Harper alone for too long.”
“Of course. We’ll meet you there.”
“Perfect. I’ll see you soon. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I hung up and went back to Harper, who was now calm.
“Ready?” I asked her.
She took a steadying breath. “I guess so.”
CHAPTER NINE
HAWTHORNE
Itapped my pen against the table as I listened to the alpha from the Mislulu pack drone on and on about who knew what. This meeting was supposed to discuss a trade between packs, but somehow, the conversation had taken a turn to discussing their lack of alphas. They lacked alphas because many had left their pack over the years. They were a fairly old-school pack, and a lot of people didn’t like that. That didn’t seem like our problem, but here we were, discussing it anyway.
At least we were on a four-way call, and no one could see my near-constant eye roll. And even though I was stuck here, my mind kept drifting back to my mates.
Since Harper came along, it felt like everything was falling into place. The four of us just fit together, even though it was early. I was trying to keep my cool. I knew humans didn’t feel mating bonds the way wolves did, or at least not as strong, and I didn’t want to scare her away.
I checked the group again, but it was quiet. I did have a message from Leo, though. “You should come to the clinic. Now,” was all it said.
My heart dropped to my stomach. Was he okay? Was Jasper? I clicked myself off mute and interrupted the call. “I apologize, but there’s been an emergency. I will touch base with you later.”
I hung up and swung my coat off the back of my chair, darting out the door. I knew the quickest way there would be shifting. I got naked, throwing my clothes in my bag, and shifted. I felt my bones crack as skin turned to fur and my face elongated to a snout. I picked up my bag with my teeth and flew through the forest. The clinic sat at the base of the mountain, right at the edge of town. I knew I could get there in ten minutes easily, but I pushed myself hard to get there in six.
When I reached the building I shifted back, threw my clothes on, and rushed inside, though I could still feel my wolf sitting at the forefront. My vision was still as sharp as it was when I was shifted, my senses heightened. Even though I knew I needed to have more control, I couldn’t.
