The Quiet One

31

Harper held onto Regal's hand in a death grip. Her nerves were on edge as they walked toward the holiday market. It had been set up in the large expedition hall situated on the edge of their town.

"Relax Harper, everyone has already heard I found my mate. They will all love you because I love you." He kissed her forehead and she relaxed against him.

"What about being shy?" she whispered, her number one fear was not being understood because of her shyness.

"We are shifters and our type prefer quiet, you'll be perfect," he assured her and she took a deep breath.

"Alpha!" Called a short plump woman with gray hair.

"Hello June," Regal replied, stopping at her booth. June sold handmade quilts, Harper could see the hard work put into each one. Letting go of Regal she walked over to a royal blue and white patchwork quilt. She loved it and thought it would make a perfect baby blanket for the baby she knew would be coming.

"See something you like?" June asked, Harper nodded and pointed to the blanket.

"I first made that pattern when I found out my son was expecting his first cub," June shared and Harper smiled, she didn't feel comfortable enough to speak.

"Do you see any others you like?" June asked, she motioned to the other quilts and Harper walked over to take a look. Regal stood off to the side, she could tell he was waiting to step in should she need help. His presence gave her the calm to find her voice with June.

"You do such beautiful work, when Regal and I get settled in our home I want to take a look at your whole stock and commision a piece," she said softly, with a tiny smile for the older woman.

"It would be my pleasure, you are our Alpha's mate after all." June bowed her head, Harper felt a little odd at the sign of respect, she was a book shop owner, not royalty.

"You'll get used to it," Regal whispered, when she made her way back over to where he'd been standing.

"I don't know about that, but those quilts were beautiful. I want one for our bed, I didn't want to make a choice without your opinion and I know we need to keep moving. It is important for you to stop at each booth and that means we can't spend too much time at each place," she replied and he nodded his agreement. With his hand on her back they moved through the majority of the venders without any issues, Regal did the talking and Harper observed. They did not purchase anything, it would be seen as favoritism to purchase from one and not any other vendor. She made a mental note on the venders she liked the most and would ask Regal to contact them about the items she wanted for their house.

At the last vender they ran into Eliza and Luke, they were sampling the cheese spreads set out.

"Harper!" Eliza called and held out her arms for a hug, Harper gave her a hug and Luke one as well.

"Who is this?" A young woman with dark brown hair asked, she was standing behind the booth with an older gentleman, Harper guessed it was her father.

"This is Harper, she is Regal's mate," Luke replied.

"Harper, this is Nina Smythe and her father Ethan," Luke introduced her to the two, she bobbed her head in greeting.

"So you found your mate after all?" Ethan asked, his voice thick with a southern accent.

"There was a time we thought you and our Nina were meant to be," he continued. Harper's heart froze at his words, was Nina supposed to be his mate and not her? She knew he had a past and understood it didn't reflect on the present, but Ethan's words stung.

"We dated in high school," Regal explained, his hand rubbing her back gently. Giving a small nod, she stepped up to look over the food offered at the Smythe's stall. An array of meats and cheeses were set out, along with a pairing of wine or beer.

"Is she always so quiet?" Nina loudly whispered at Regal. Tensing she waited to hear his reply. The other vendors had been polite enough not to mention her quietness. Seemed Nina did not hold to the same awe of her alpha as the others.

"Not once you get to know her. We can't all be outgoing like you." Eliza jumped to her rescue.

"Harper is quiet around everyone, don't take it personally," Regal added, he was standing with his dad and Ethan. They were in the process of sampling some of Ethan's home brew.

"How is she to lead our pack, if she can't speak?" Nina chided, Harper watched Regal's eyes flare with anger. Nina intimidated her, she reminded her of all the girls from high school who didn't know how to leave her alone. They would pick at her until she ran off crying. Today wouldn't be a repeat, she had Regal now and refused to be bullied.

"Sometimes the best leaders say nothing, but lead by example," June commented. Harper looked up to see many of the vendors they'd visited standing around her in a semicircle.

"What has she done to show she can lead? I was supposed to be Regal's mate. If he hadn't found his mate by thirty-five, we would mate," Nina argued, Harper looked over at Regal with large eyes. Was what Nina said true? Regal shook his head just enough she knew he was trying to put her fears to rest.

"She has shown an interest in all of us. She may not have spoken much, but her eyes spoke volumes. You can see the pride she has in our abilities, she admires our hard work and doesn't claim she can do it better. Harper is Regal's mate, you young lady must set your sights a little lower. Our Alpha has been spoken for, if you haven't taken the time to notice, she bears his mark," June announced, Harper beamed at the older woman.

"Thank you June, I couldn't have said it better myself," Regal commented, he walked over to her with a gleam in his eye. Harper knew that look, he wanted her. Without asking permission he bent his head, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. The pack erupted into cheers around them, as he bent her down to kiss her more thoroughly. Harper wrapped her arms around his neck and held on, becoming an active participant in their heated kiss.

Regal released her and she blushed, the group moved in to give hugs. June took her hands and said,

"Don't pay any attention to Nina. You are perfect for our Alpha."

"Thank you," Harper whispered. June patted her hand and left to go back to her stall. Harper looked over at Nina to see her sizing her up.

"I'm sorry," she told the other woman. Nina gave her a surprised look, but nodded and turned away to help other customers.

"Mom wants to know if you want to have dinner?" Regal asked her.

"Yes," she replied and wrapped an arm around his waist. He kissed her temple and they walked around the vendors once more. Harper still remained quiet but tried to make sure she smiled and let Regal know which vendors she liked best. 

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