"I can't believe you did that to me," Harper muttered, not realizing she'd said it aloud until Nathan chuckled, and patted the sofa next to him, where she'd been snoozing as her fox just a few minutes before.
Harper's feet moved of their own accord toward the sofa, drawn by Nathan's warm smile and outstretched hand. His fingers wrapped around hers, gentle yet firm, as he guided her down beside him. The cushions dipped beneath her weight, and a shiver raced through her at the contact of his thigh against hers.
His thumb traced circles on the back of her hand. "You don't need to apologize. I'm flattered, actually."
The tenderness in his voice melted her embarrassment. Her shoulders relaxed as she dared to peek up at him through her lashes. His brown eyes held no judgment, only curiosity and something warmer that made her heart skip.
Reyna preened in the back of her mind.See? Good mate.
"Hush, you," Harper muttered under her breath.
"Reyna commenting again?" His lips quirked up at the corners.
"She's... rather pleased with herself." Heat crept up Harper's neck. She focused on their joined hands, marveling at how perfectly they fit together. "I should probably explain about the whole mate thing. It's not... I mean, you don't have to..."
"Hey."
Harper's heart thundered in her chest as Nathan's warm hand squeezed hers. His touch sent tingles racing up her arm.
"I've learned quite a bit about the supernatural world lately," Nathan said. "Including about how paranormal beings find their Chosen ones." His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "I'm guessing when Reyna called me her mate, it's something along the same lines?"
Relief flooded through Harper, her shoulders sagging. She nodded, grateful she wouldn't have to explain the whole concept from scratch. "Yes, exactly. Though with shifters, our animal sides tend to be more... direct about it." She ducked her head, remembering Reyna's enthusiastic declaration.
No shame. Good mate.Reyna's satisfaction radiated through their connection.
Nathan's thumb continued its gentle circles on her hand. "It's okay, really. I mean, it's a lot to process, but I'm not freaked out or anything." His free hand reached up to brush a strand of hair from her face. "Actually, I'm kind of honored that Reyna chose me."
Harper's breath caught at his touch. She forced herself to meet his gaze, searching for any hint of uncertainty or discomfort. She couldn't believe he wasn't laughing at her, or worse, asking her to leave. Who could blame him? They'd known each other for all of a minute before Reyna dropped the mate bombshell. Instead, she found only warmth and genuine interest emanating from him.
"You're taking this remarkably well," she whispered.
"After finding a supposedly mythological creature that's become my pet, and that shapeshifters exist?" His eyes danced with amusement. "Finding out I might be someone's Chosen seems almost normal in comparison."
The knot in her chest loosened. She hadn't expected him to be so understanding about having a supernatural bombshelldropped in his lap. Yet here he sat, holding her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Her inner fox projected an image of Nathan's warm brown eyes and gentle smile, along with a wave of absolute certainty.Mate good. Mate kind.
"Reyna, please stop helping," Harper whispered through clenched teeth.
Nathan's rich chuckle went a long way to dissolving her tension. "You know what? Let's not overthink this." His thumb brushed across her knuckles. "I'd love to get to know you better, Harper. No pressure, no expectations. We can take our time and see where this leads."
The tension melted from her shoulders. His words echoed exactly what she needed to hear. "I'd like that too." Her voice came out softer than intended, but the smile that lit up his face told her he'd heard.
Good mate understands,Reyna approved. The fox's satisfaction radiated through their connection.
Harper studied Nathan's profile - the way his sandy hair fell across his forehead, the gentle curve of his smile. Everything about him called to something deep inside her. Yet he remained practical about the situation, willing to explore these feelings at a reasonable pace. It only made her inner fox more certain they'd chosen well.
"Maybe we could have dinner again later this week?" Nathan's eyes held a mix of hope and warmth that made her heart flutter. "I know a great little Italian place in town. Unless you prefer something else?"
"Italian sounds perfect." The words tumbled out before she could second-guess herself.
His fingers squeezed hers gently. "I have to admit, I'm really intrigued by all of this - by you." A slight blush colored his cheeks. "I mean, I barely know you, but there's just something..."
"I feel it too," Harper whispered, amazed at how easy it felt to admit it. "It's new and a little scary, but in a good way?"
"Exactly." His smile widened. "Like finding something you didn't even know you were looking for."
Reyna's smug satisfaction flooded through her.See? Mate smart too.
