37. Harper
THIRTY-SEVEN
HARPER
The door to the dining room closed behind me, separating me from the two most important men in my life. My dad’s hushed whispering to Wyatt played on repeat in my mind. Marry my daughter?
Wyatt and I had broken up for a reason, a big reason. And yet hearing my dad give his blessing made my heart twinge in ways I couldn’t understand. Just because Wyatt and I weren’t together anymore, didn’t mean I didn’t still have feelings for the big-footed billionaire.
And then there was my dad. He hated that I’d fallen for a sasquatch, and yet here he was, giving his blessing to Wyatt in what could be his final act as a father.
No. I couldn’t think like that. Dad was going to be fine, and so would Wyatt. They had to be.
The Carders couldn’t win.
Low voices carried through the thick French doors, but I couldn’t make out the words. Savannah appeared next to me, resting her manicured hand on my bare shoulder. “They’ll figure it out.”
“I know,” I whispered. “I just wish it didn’t feel so… final.”
She nodded. “You need sleep. We all do. Why don’t you come back to the guest cottage with me? Wyatt sent the wolves back there, probably so they won’t kill one another. And I could use another human.” She let out an awkward laugh. “God, I can’t believe this is really happening.”
“I’ll come in a bit,” I promised, returning my gaze to the door.
“Okay,” she conceded. “But don’t take too long. Valentina is still up, and she gives me the heebie-jeebies,” she shuddered, before wandering away.
The door to the dining room creaked open, but Wyatt emerged alone. He looked like he’d aged a hundred years, his face wrinkled with concern. I wanted to help take away some of his pain, but I also knew it would only make things worse.
I opened my mouth to speak, but Wyatt shook his head. “Please, Harper. Not now,” he uttered softly. “I need to update Tank on some developments.” He disappeared down the long hallway, leaving me alone once more.
After a few minutes, Dad still hadn’t come out, so I walked into the room, surprised to find him standing cross-armed next to the velvet curtains that framed the large bay window. As he stared out into the vast darkness of the estate, he let out a heavy sigh.
“There’s more happening in the dark of the night, than I ever realized as a man.” In the reflection of the window, I saw a lone tear spill down his cheek. “How I wish I could go back to those days of being human,” he sighed. “My science has been nothing but a curse – on all of humankind, but especially on you and your mother.”
“Dad…”
He held up his palm, pressing it to the glass. “I’ve done too many things that I regret, Harper. And now it’s time to repent for my sins. My obsession with the cryptothelys has ruined everything good in my life.”
“It’s okay, Dad.”
He caught my eyes in the window. “No, it’s not. I’m not a good person. I…” He shut his eyes tightly as if he was in pain. “After your mom was poisoned, I drained our family bank accounts so you wouldn’t look for me. I’m the reason your life has been so hard.”
It felt like being stabbed by an ice-cold dagger. “Why?” I choked, vivid memories of my awful youth flashing through my head.
“I couldn’t have anyone looking for me. It was too dangerous. It was easier for everyone to think I had run off. I would rather everyone think of me as the bad guy, then to know the truth.” He turned to me, his eyes glassy. “I wanted you to give up on me. And it would be easier now, if you gave up on me again.”
His admittance stung, and it would for a long time. But I was beginning to understand that there was more to people than meets the eye. Just like Wyatt had turned out to be more than just another cocky billionaire – until our breakup, he’d been my everything.
“You did what you had to do. It hurts, but I understand why you did it. Dad…” I took a tentative step toward him, not wanting to scare him away. “You don’t need to do this. Let the sasquatches and the wolves figure it out.” When he didn’t react, I took another step, moving closer to the window until I was able to touch him. It felt like hugging a statue, but after a moment, his body relaxed and he leaned into the hug. “I forgive you, Dad. For everything.” I sniffed back the tears that threatened to escape. “And I’m not giving up on you this time. Please. Don’t go. I can’t bear the thought of something happening to you. Mom and I just got you back,” I said, sniffling.
“Oh, Sunbeam.” He released himself from the hug and kissed the top of my head. “This is for you and your mom. I know you’re worried about her at Sun Valley, but it’s still the safest place for her right now. And you’ll be safe as long as you follow Wyatt’s orders. That man loves you, and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect you. I know you’re as stubborn as your mom,” he chuckled, “but this time, it’s imperative that you listen to Wyatt.” He held out his pinky. “Promise me.”
“I promise, Dad,” I said, locking pinkies.
A low knock on the door caused us to turn. One of Wyatt’s crew, a tall brown-haired man, stood awkwardly in the doorway. “Tim’s, uh, ready to run those tests in his lab.”
“Lead the way,” he said, though his voice wavered. On his way out, he paused in the doorway, his eyes shining as if to say goodbye. I lifted my fingers in return and held my breath until he was gone.
I walked through the hallway numb. My feet carried me on autopilot up the stairs to our old bedroom, and I paused outside. What had once felt like a safe space – a place filled with love and lust, and full of hope for the future – now felt foreign.
I assumed Wyatt would be busy making plans for Atticus’ retrieval, so I opened the door without knocking. Inside, it looked the same, yet everything felt different somehow. Did things change that quickly after a breakup?
Grabbing a suitcase off the shelf of the closet, I began shoving it full of clothing I’d left behind in the chaos of our breakup; jeans, sweaters, underwear. I rushed to finish, the ghost of our past relationship haunting my every movement. When I had a good arsenal of clothing, I shut the suitcase, ready to target the bathroom next.
“What are you doing?”
I hadn’t heard him come into the room. Wyatt glanced at the suitcase beside me, frowning. “Ah, I see,” he uttered softly while stroking his chin, his fingers gently combing through the thick, scruffy hair that had already grown in since the gala.
“I figured I’d sleep in the cottage since…” My eyes darted to the large four-poster bed that was thankfully still made. One less temptation.
“Harper.” He sighed wearily, and with it, I could feel my walls breaking down. “I know that none of what’s happening is… ideal,” he frowned. “Come daylight, Fiona will take you and Savannah to our village in Stirling County. It’s the safest place for you both.”
“The village?” I gasped. “But I thought it was forbidden for a human to….”
“Now’s not the time for rules,” he interrupted. “Besides, since when do you ever follow them?” He smiled meekly, though his eyes remained dark and hollow.
“Yes, but…” I rubbed my arms, the anxiety coursing through my veins.
“If we fail tomorrow, then the village is the safest place for you girls. The city won’t be safe, and if this army gets into a buyer’s hands… nowhere will be safe.”
“But…” My voice broke. “If you fail, that means…” The Band-Aid that I’d stuck over my broken heart ripped off as I realized what Wyatt was saying.
He nodded grimly. “If things don’t work out tomorrow, then you should know… I wouldn’t change a single thing.” He took a step toward me. “I’d give up my family all over again, if it meant getting the chance to know you.” My breath hitched as he took another step closer. “I’d climb a million mountains, fight a thousand wolves.” He was suddenly standing before me, and all the hairs on my body felt alive, tingling with anticipation. “I’d find ways to make you fall in love with me, again and again, even if it meant just holding you for one night,” he growled, his eyes filled with lust and something darker.
Time froze. And then suddenly, our hands were everywhere, the electricity of our bodies a raging inferno. Buttons popped and zippers broke as we tore into each other’s clothes, our bodies greedy for one last touch, one last taste. My silk dress ripped, dropping to the floor, as he lifted me to the bed, my body already aching with need for him.
After, as we lay wrapped in each other’s arms, tangled in the sweaty sheets, I thought I heard him whisper, “I’ll always love you.” I wasn’t sure if it was real or in the dreams that came too quickly. Then I gave in to the sleep my body needed, while wishing that tomorrow would never come.