Chapter 35: The New Deal

Harper’s POV



For some reason Drake and Zoey are still here. It’s been three days since they arrived, and I still see some members of their pack floating around the compound when they’re meant to be out in the woods looking for whatever materials they need.

I just find it odd that despite Asher being blunt about them leaving immediately, they continue to walk around and take their sweet a** time getting what they need. Asher hasn’t noticed it as much as I have. He’s been busy with meetings and training, so most of his day is taken up. Whereas, I’m constantly moving around helping members with issues or having play time with the children, so I notice it more.

When I brought the issue up with Asher, he assured me they’ll be gone as soon as they get what they came for. I want to believe him, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the Lunar Pack came for something other than materials and supplies.

I’ve been wanting to bring up the conversation Asher had with Zoey the other morning, but I don’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble between us. We’re in a really good place at the moment, and I fear by bringing up Zoey he might begin to think I’m jealous, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

I’ve also been suspicious of the fact that I haven’t seen Julius and Dean around much since I was poisoned. It’s almost as if they’ve gone into hiding because Asher is onto them. If they’re not around it means I’m less likely to end up hurt or dead.

I’m sitting in Jack’s room with Amaris, painting each other’s nails. Asher and Jack are watching a movie in the cinema room with some other members. We both decided that we needed a night away from each other to see our best friends. I love being around Asher, but sometimes I need to talk sh*t with Amaris.

“I can’t believe Zoey is back,” Amaris sounds astounded as she paints my nails black.

“I know right,” I say, leaning back on to the wall, “The nerve of that girl, I tell you.”

“What did she say to Asher when they reunited?” She asks, curiosity seeping out of her eyes.

I sit up on knees after Amaris paints the last nail, excitement written all over my face, “Get this right, she pretended to not even know him in front of her husband.”

Her eyes widen in shock, “No! That’s terrible.”

“I thought so, too. But something is clearly up with Drake and Zoey. Their stay here can’t be a coincidence.”

Amaris shrugs, “Who knows, maybe they really are just here looking for materials.”

I frown, “I mean, it’s possible. But, come on, whoever is after me must’ve known about Asher’s ex-girlfriend and that her being here would create problems between us.”

“And has it?” She questions, raising her eyebrows.

I slump against the wall, “No, it hasn’t.”

She places a soft hand on my knee, “I know bad things have been happening to you since you arrived, but you can’t be suspicious of everything, it’s not good for your mental health.”

I sigh, knowing she’s right. But sometimes I can’t help it. Too many bad things have happened to me that can’t be explained, so now I’ve begun to assume the worst about every situation. I look twice at people’s actions in case it’s something out of the ordinary. I must protect myself somehow.

“I’ve nearly died too many times to not be suspicious. Maybe you’re right, I need to just relax and see what happens with Drake’s pack,” I say, attempting to smile.

“Good,” Amaris chirps, “Now, let me do your toenails. I don’t know why you insist on always painting your nails black.”


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I close the door to Jack’s room behind me with a soft thud. Jack came back about ten minutes ago, so I thought I should head back to see Asher. Jack appeared to be a little intoxicated so I’m sure Asher has turned out the same way. He gets very cuddly when he’s drunk, so I’m looking forward to that.

The compound is dark and eerie, not a single person is around. It’s not even that late in the evening, but everyone appears to be in bed already. That’s strange.

I’m walking around the corner before our bedroom, when a hand is wrapped around my wrist. I squeal in shock as I’m being dragged in the opposite direction of my room, and towards the empty cinema room.

I follow the unknown person in the dark, refusing to speak. I swear, if this person is going to try to murder me just after I told Amaris I would try to relax, I’m going to be pissed.

The figure pushes open the door to the cinema room and drags me inside. Once the door is closed, they flick on the light to reveal themselves.

Drake.

“What are you doing here?” I demand, folding my arms across my chest.

How did he manage to get inside once the doors to the compound were locked?

“I needed to talk to you in private,” he says, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

Drake is dressed like someone who would break into your house and try to kidnap you. He’s wearing a black hoodie, with the hood up, black jeans and dark brown sneakers. His eyes are mostly covered, but I can see the blonde tips of hair peeking out from underneath the hood.

“About what?” This man is so frustrating.

“I heard a conversation between Asher and Zoey the other morning,” He says, panic clear in his voice, “It sounded like they were talking about running away together after declaring their love for each other.”

My heart stops beating in my chest.

“What?” I’m sure this can’t be right; he must be mistaken. I haven’t seen Asher and Zoey together since the other morning, and I heard the whole conversation. There was no mention of them running away together.

“I don’t believe you,” I say, shaking my head.

“But it’s true,” Drake pleads with me, “I overhead the whole thing. They met up in the woods yesterday afternoon.”

I frown, trying to think where I was when this happened. I think I was with the children baking a cake. Asher told me he was hanging out with some friends, but that could’ve easily been a lie.

When I don’t respond, Drake keeps talking, “Clearly Asher doesn’t care about you or the pack. So, if we let them run away together, I can gain control of his pack and I’ll support you one-hundred percent in whatever you want to do.”

“Well, my goal is to become Alpha of my own pack,” I say, cautious.

“And we can make that happen,” Drake smiles, too enthusiastic.

“The two of them don’t care about us,” He continues, “We need to do what’s best for us. We can both achieve our goals without them in our lives.”

I’m not completely convinced Drake is telling me the truth about Asher and Zoey. Asher has told me multiple times that he doesn’t love her anymore, but sometimes my heart thinks he could be lying to me to protect our fake marriage from failing.

My heart did sink at the thought of them two hiding in the woods expressing their love for each other. It makes me feel sick, honestly.

“I’ll consider your offer,” I say, moving towards the door. “Oh, and don’t grab me like that ever again, or I will have to break your arm.”

Drake looks shocked for a moment, but nods his head, “Of course, I apologize.”

I leave the room without another word. I march towards my bedroom, ready to have a conversation with Asher about what I just heard. I need to know if it’s true or if Drake is lying to my face.

I push the bedroom door open. Asher is lying on the bed reading a book, clearly waiting for me as he’s placed the book I’m currently reading on my pillow.

Asher smiles, taking off his reading glasses, “I’ve missed you.”

I stomp towards the bed, “We need to have a chat, husband. You have some explaining to do.”