His strong hands settled on her waist as she reached him, drawing her down to sit beside him on the bench. Without hesitation, he pulled her close against his side. Her breath caught as he leaned in, his lips finding hers in a tender kiss that made her toes curl.
The kiss was sweet and unhurried, filled with promise. Nathan's hand cupped her cheek gently as his mouth moved against hers, unconcerned about their audience. Heat bloomedin Harper's cheeks, but she found herself melting into the kiss despite her usual shyness about public displays of affection.
Inside her, Reyna practically purred with satisfaction.Claimed by our mate,the fox observed contentedly.In front of the pack.
Harper drew back slightly from the kiss, her cheeks flushed and heart racing. Nathan's fingers traced along her jaw, his touch sending tingles down her spine. His other hand remained warm and solid at her waist, anchoring her against his side on the picnic bench.
Around them, the backyard buzzed with cheerful activity. Jacinth and Becca were arranging desserts on a nearby table. Liam, in his Great Pyrenees shape, sprawled in the grass with Cherie flopped beside him. The children darted between the picnic tables, their excited voices carrying across the lawn.
Nathan's thumb brushed across Harper's lower lip, drawing her attention back to him. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled down at her, and her breath caught at the tenderness in his expression.
Harper leaned into Nathan's solid warmth, savoring the simple pleasure of being held. His fingers traced idle patterns along her spine, and she felt herself relaxing completely against him. Here, surrounded by supernatural friends who accepted her exactly as she was, she could simply be.
Chapter 15
A shrill whistle piercedthe air, making Harper jump. She broke away from Nathan's kiss, her cheeks flushing as Troy's voice boomed across the yard.
"Alright, everyone! Pets don't get human food - if you want to eat, get on two legs!"
The effect was immediate. A wave of furry bodies surged across the lawn toward the house - two identical clouded leopards, one massive white dog, and a large brown tabby Maine Coon cat all making a beeline for the kitchen door. Harper couldn't help laughing in sheer delight.
Harper watched as Talya corralled the children with practiced ease, her dark curls bouncing as she guided them toward the food tables. Layla swooped in to help, scooping up little Yousuf and settling him on her hip while keeping a watchful eye on Benny and Molly.
"Come on, kids," Talya coaxed, helping the children gather paper plates. "Let's get you all set up before the hungry shifters descend."
Only after all three children were settled at a child-sized picnic table with their food did the adults begin moving towardthe grill and picnic table that sagged under the weight of all the food.
Good pack,Reyna observed.Strong bonds. Care for cubs.
"Come on," Nathan said, squeezing her hand. "We should get in line before the others come out of the house."
They joined the growing queue near the grill as the shifters began emerging from the house in human form. Naomi and Beth came out first, their matching features making them look even more identical as humans than they had as leopards. Liam followed, his tall frame filling the doorway. Katerina was last, smoothing down her clothes as she hurried to join Troy at the grill.
Harper's stomach rumbled at the mouth-watering array of food. Platters of grilled chicken, hamburgers, and hot dogs competed with bowls of potato salad, pasta salad, and fresh vegetables. The deviled eggs she'd sampled as Reyna looked even more tempting now.
Inside her, Reyna stirred contentedly.Good hunting,the fox approved.Strong pack provides.
The line moved quickly as everyone filled their plates. Harper found herself caught between amusement and amazement at how seamlessly everyone shifted between their animal and human forms, treating it as casually as changing clothes.
Harper settled at one of the patio tables with her loaded plate, Nathan beside her. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the lawn as conversations and laughter filled the air. Benny and Molly had finished eating and were playing tag with Yousuf while Talya kept a watchful eye on them. The adults scattered among various tables, creating pockets of animated discussion.
The peaceful atmosphere settled over the gathering as people finished their meals. Harper watched Katerina clear someempty plates from a nearby table, her movements graceful and efficient. Taking a deep breath, Harper squeezed Nathan's hand.
"I'll be right back," she murmured, rising from her seat. She approached Katerina, who looked up with a warm smile. "Could we talk for a minute?"
"Of course!" Katerina set down the stack of plates she'd been gathering. "Let me just drop these in the kitchen."
Jacinth glanced up from where she was sitting with Douglas, Liam, Naomi, and Beth. "Don't worry about those," she called, and winked merrily. "I'll take care of cleanup."
Everyone laughed appreciatively, knowing Djinn magic would be involved. Harper resumed her seat beside Nathan, and Katerina settled in across from them.
"Is everything okay?" Katerina asked, looking a bit anxious.
"Yes, of course." Harper replied. "I've been thinking… I want to be more involved in the contingency plans for protecting shapeshifters. I know I'm still new here, but I feel responsible for what happened. You invited me to the meeting the other day, but there's going to be more, right? I don't want to sit on the sidelines, like a bystander, I want to take an active part."
There was a brief pause before Katerina spoke. "Harper, you know it's not your fault, right? But I understand how you feel. We'd love to have you involved."
She smiled, a sense of relief washing over her. "I just... I hadn't known who to go to about getting involved. Everything's still so new to me here."
