The next morning we head downstairs to meet up with Winter and Zed, and I realise that Winters mate isn't here. To be fair, it is invitation only.
"Good morning." Winter chirps with a smile, offering me her coffee. I take it with a grunt of thanks, exhausted after dancing all night and then falling victim to Hardin's tongue.
"So, can I ask why you were gone so long?" She asks me, without an ounce of care for titles as usual. I like that about her, I'd never expect her to be formal with me.
I give a shrug, gulping a mouthful of hot coffee.
"She's not a morning person." Hardin grins, his eyes gleaming, knowing exactly why I'm glaring at him.
If he hadn't kept me awake half the goddamn night I wouldn't be so grumpy.
"Sure." Winter snickers, dropping the topic as we had outside to our cars.
"Ugh, I'm so jealous! Can I drive it?" Winter pouts like a child, her doe eyes big and pleading.
"You scratch it, you pay for it." I warn, tossing her the keys.
"You're the best!" She immediately squeals in excitement, while Zed complains as he follows her.
Hardin and I head to his range, I continue sipping the Starbucks coffee as I curl up in the passenger seat.
"It's almost twelve, what do you want to eat?" He asks as we set off.
"Anything, we need to stop at a chemist." I sigh, remembering that we had unprotected sex, twice.
"Already taken care of." He announces, pulling something out of his pocket and handing it to me.
I raise my eyebrow in question.
"I had Zed go." He explains. Popping the pill out, I swallow it with a mouthful of coffee.
"We can go to simply." I offer, considering I've been there a few times with Luther, I know the food is good.
"Where is it?" He asks.
I reach for the unused satnav and type in the location, clicking go, and putting it back on the stand.
For a while everything is silent, and it's peaceful, but I just feel like there's something off. I've been avoiding it since I saw him, but I know he needs to know.
"I'm sorry that I lied." I say quietly, turning my head towards him. Usually I'd look away, I'd avoid watching his expression as I tell him something. But I don't want to do that anymore, I want to see him.
His eyes flicker with a hint of frustration, and confusion, concern, even hurt.
"I was loosing my mind, I thought..." Hardin trials off, his jaw clenching.
My heart sinks slightly. "You thought I'd left you." I finish gently, knowing it's true.
"It was easier than thinking you were dead." He says in a low voice, like he feels guilty for having doubts. But I get it, I understand.
"I'm sorry I did that to you...I wanted to tell you, but I knew you'd never let me leave. The Elders tend to hurt those who don't obey, and I didn't want my defiance to cause harm to someone I love." I explain.
Hardin gives a slow nod. "Where were you?"
"Ellesmere Island." I sigh. "The Elders sent me to kill a bunch of lycans, it was a barren wasteland of mountains and snow."
"Lycans did that to you?" Hardin's grip on the wheel turns white.
"It was worse, I've been in a hospital for the last week. I stabbed a little girl, and when I realised it was a child I couldn't let her die. Once she healed, she left and then the rest came a couple days after. They took me to their home, took everything I had and tossed me into a pit." I admit to him.
"Kali-"
"I missed you so much." I whisper, resting my hand on his arm because I see his anger, the boiling desire to tear someone apart.
I know it's hard for him to hear me being treated that way, but I don't like keeping secrets from him.
"How did you get out?" He whispers, like he almost doesn't want to know.
"If I wanted food, or water, or clothing, I had to fight one of them. So I got my phone, and got in touch with a pilot that owed me a favour. Then I used the little girl to cause a distraction, and I ran." I shrug, giving him the short version.
"You make is sound so easy, Kat." Hardin almost chuckles, if he wasn't so pissed, he would have.
"It wasn't, but I wasn't ready to die for the Elders." I sigh.
"Plus, I know you really wanted to see that dress." I say with a smile.
Hardin's eyes darken, and this time it's not in anger. Knowing we're almost at the cafe, I just grin and stay silent. I know how much that dress brought out the carnal hunger in him. I'll definitely be wearing it again.
"Do you want to eat in?" He asks me as we park on the side of the street.
I shake my head, knowing he won't care, he doesn't much like being around humans.
"What can I get you, Alpha Kali?" His teasing smirk only makes me look away, knowing those words coming from his mouth sound better than food right now.
"Full English, and short stack with blueberries and Nutella, please." I smile sweetly, my stomach grumbling at the thought of food.
"Coming right up." He gives me a lingering kiss before exiting the car.
As I'm waiting, I send a message to my horse handler and tell him that I'd like Apollo to be brought back from Fairfield stables tomorrow. It's been ages since I've seen him, and I feel awful. I know I can't keep abandoning them, it's not fair.
I jump slightly as the car door opens, my eyes snapping up as if to check its Hardin.
"Thank you." I beam a smile, grabbing the food so he can get in the car.
Hardin drives us to the airport, and I fork feed him and myself knowing he's hungry. As expected the food is orgasmic.
*
Hardin's private jet lands around nine-ish, Winter and Zed climbing back into my car, Hardin and I in his black range as we head straight home. The drive isn't too long, I manage to stay awake, my limbs aching for a bed.
I wanted a quiet night, but the moment we get to the pack house it's very clear it'll be anything but quiet. The wolves are wide awake, playing some sort of game in the dark. Kind of like tag, except they're all in wolf form.
I head straight inside, greeting Jackson with a huge hug.
"NEVER do that to me again." He growls, spinning me around.
I just give him a wonky grin and chuckle. "Promise." I mumble, giving Lucifer a stroke as he follows me upstairs to the room Hardin and I always sleep in.
"What's up with her?" I hear Jackson asking Hardin.
"She's had a rough month, I'm sure she'll explain tomorrow after some rest." Hardin tells him.
I smile slightly, rushing up the many steps to the third floor. I'd taken a lot of my stuff home, which I now realise was stupid because I don't have any pyjamas here. I shower quickly, wanting to go to bed. Instead of asking Winter for some clothes, I grab one of Hardin's t-shirts and slip it over my head, uncaring for panties or a bra. The top reaches mid thigh, covering what it's supposed to.
Shrugging, i brush my teeth and climb into bed. Lucifer jumps up too, laying at my feet. I don't mind, I know he usually sleeps on his bed at home, and he's probably missed me.
I don't hear the door open, or feel the bed dip, the bliss of a comfortable bed sending me into a slumber that I don't ever want to be woken from.
YOU ARE READING
ENDURING {Sequel to Everlasting} ❗️EDITING ❗️
WerewolfLife after the ceremony was different. Kali was completely alone for the first time in her life, no parents making her obey, no mate to confide in. Still, she found ways to adapt. Five years. Five years since she laid eyes on the man she once ador...
