Chapter 19: The Normal Routine

Harper’s POV



Days turn into weeks; mornings turn into night. I’ve settled into a routine with Asher’s pack rather quickly. I’m learning day by day how things are run around here, and they’ve allowed me to insert myself in daily activities. Women in the pack have started coming to me for advice and it warms my heart.

Asher hasn’t said much since the cave incident. Every time I try to bring it up, he shuts me down and says he’s sorting it out. Whatever that means. I don’t like when he’s worried about me, but at the same time I enjoy the fact that he cares about me and wants to protect me.

I haven’t seen Julius or Dean around the compound much in the past few weeks. I think they must be keeping a low profile since Asher announced he was taking full control over the pack, and they were to answer to Asher and me instead of holding a privileged position within the pack. That’s the way I like it, just Asher and me.

For the first time since leaving my home, I’m happy and content with life here. It’s not the type of life I wanted to be living, but it’s better than having to deal with my Father and Artemis. Here, I can just be myself and help anyone around me. That’s what I do best, help others.

Speaking of Artemis, I’m hoping my plan will be implemented soon. I was thinking about writing a letter to my Father to learn how everything is back home. Maybe this way I’ll be able to scope out how life is going there and add to the game plan in place. Asher has said he’ll help with whatever I need because of how much I’ve helped him with the pack.

Something I haven’t done with the pack is sparring. It’s been a while since I’ve shifted, and I’m beginning to feel like I need to be training more in case danger were to come upon us. Asher asked me this morning if I wanted to spar with him and some of his friends, and I agreed as long as Amaris could come along.

The weather is beginning to turn cool, leaving the summer warmth behind for cool evenings and more rain. However, today is the perfect weather for sparring; it’s cool and sunny.

I walk out to the backyard to see Asher and Jack wrestling each other in the middle of the lawn. Amaris is standing by watching. I’m sure her eyes are focused on Jack and his exposed torso.

I stand next to Amaris, giving her a nudge on the shoulder, “If you keep staring at him like that, he might see you.”

Her cheeks turn pink in an instant, “I have good news.”

“What is it?”

She claps her hands together in excitement, “Jack finally asked me out on a date last night.”

My eyes widen in shock, “Really? Finally, am I right,” I laugh, “So, give me the details.”

Asher and Jack grunt as they throw each other to the ground, trying to show who the strongest wolf is. Asher looks like he is winning, although I’m not surprised with a physique like that.

“Well,” she begins, turning to face me so the guys can’t see us talking, “We ran into each other during the middle of the night, we were both going to get some water. We got to talking, and chatted in the kitchen for almost an hour at two a.m.”

I smile at her excitement; she looks so happy.

“When we went to say goodnight, he asked if we could grab dinner tomorrow night and watch a movie in his room,” she continues, her cheeks somehow turn a brighter shade of pink.

“How exciting!” I gush, “I’m sure you two will get on like a house on fire.”

Amaris looks at the ground, shy, “I hope so. I really like him.”

At that moment, Asher jogs over to us. Sweat is pouring down his face, dampening his wavy hair. He has the biggest smile on his face, which in turn makes me smile.

“Are you ready?” He asks, out of breath.

“No. Are you?” I laugh.

He laughs along with me, “Not at all. You might end up kicking my a*s.”

I shove his sweaty shoulder, “I doubt it. I haven’t sparred in a long time so you might be knocking me on my a*s within minutes.”

“I’ll take great pleasure in doing so,” he smirks.

We walk over to where Jack is standing. He’s attempting to catch his breath, sweat pouring off his forehead.

“You did well,” I comment. Asher kicked his a*s, but I don’t want to tell him that.

Asher and I stand about ten feet away from each other. He’s had time to warm up, whereas I’m feeling rusty. I’m excited to shift and spar with him. I think it’ll be good for the pack to see their Alpha and Luna doing this together, especially if we are wanting to appear in love to them.

Asher rips out of his baggy shorts, transforming into the most beautiful wolf I’ve ever seen. His fur is pitch black with a snow-white streak going from his chest, up over his head and finishing at the tail. I’ve never seen a coat like it; I’m in awe.

I look at Jack and Amaris who are looking at me questionably. I need to act like I’ve seen Asher this way before, otherwise they’ll start to become suspicious. We’ve done a pretty good job at being a married couple in front of them; we don’t want to ruin all the hard work now.

I take a deep breath, feeling the sensation of shifting taking over my body, running through my bloodstream and taking over my muscles. I can feel myself letting go, the fighter in me begins to take control. Colors around me begin to change, the world feels different.

Asher begins to circle me, giving me zero time to compose myself. If he’s ready for a fight, then so am I.
He takes a dive for my leg, landing a nip. It’s not painful, he was very gentle. He’s probably letting me warm up first before we start to get into it.

I follow his lead and begin to circle him, too. I search for the best place to attack. Maybe his back legs? Or will he see that coming straight away and block it? I decide to take a dive for his front left leg and land a blow. He yelps and backs away.

The break was short lived, because Asher takes a dive for my neck and soon, we’re rolling around on the ground trying to block bites and attack at the same time. It’s a mess of loose limbs, barred teeth and flying saliva. By now a crowd has begun to form, all eyes on us.

After several minutes, Asher and I are both spent. We shift back and lie on the ground fighting for air to enter our lungs. That was so much fun, and just the type of exercise I’ve been needing.

Asher leans over and places a delicate kiss on my cheek, “You were great, babe,”

I smile, my heart aching as it once again begins to race. For a moment I think the kiss is genuine, but then I remember the crowd around us and am reminded of the fake marriage after weeks of pretending it was real.