Harper grinned, picking up her fork. "Oh, I wouldn't say that," she teased. "There's still plenty of surprises left in this world of ours."
Chapter 18
Harper's eyesfluttered open as the shrill sound of her alarm pierced the early morning quiet. For a moment, she lay still, her mind slowly coming into focus. Then, like a bolt of lightning, excitement coursed through her veins. Today was the day. Her furniture and belongings were finally arriving. Lydia had been great about giving her the whole day off, so she didn't have to rush back to work once the movers were gone. She'd already packed up her suitcases and taken those over to her new apartment last night; all she had left here was an overnight bag, her laptop, and her purse.
She sprang out of bed with an energy that surprised even her. Humming softly to herself, Harper pulled on a comfortable pair of jeans and a soft, well-worn t-shirt. Perfect for a day of unpacking and organizing.
As she descended the stairs, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted up to greet her. Her pace quickened, drawn by the promise of caffeine. Stepping into the lounge, her heart skipped a beat. There stood Nathan, two steaming mugs in his hands, a warm smile lighting up his face.
"Good morning," he said, his voice still husky with sleep. "Thought you might need this."
Harper accepted the mug gratefully, their fingers brushing as she took it. "You're a lifesaver," she murmured, inhaling deeply before taking a sip. The coffee was perfect - strong and smooth, with just a hint of sweetness.
"Ready for the big day?" Nathan asked, leading the way towards the dining room.
Harper nodded enthusiastically. "More than ready. I can't wait to have my own space set up."
As they entered the dining room, they were greeted by a flurry of activity. Renee moved about the space with practiced ease, her movements graceful despite her hurried pace. She paused when she saw them, her face breaking into a warm smile.
"Good morning, you two," she called out. "Harper, today's the big day. Excited?"
"Absolutely," Harper replied, unable to keep the grin off her face.
Renee nodded approvingly. "Well, you'll need a good breakfast to keep your energy up. Oh! And before I forget, I'd like you both to meet someone."
She turned and beckoned to a woman just coming through the kitchen doors, holding a platter piled high with bacon. The newcomer put the platter on the buffet table and approached, a friendly smile on her face.
"Harper, Nathan, this is Elle," Renee introduced. "She's joining our kitchen staff."
Elle stepped forward, extending her hand. "Pleasure to meet y'all," she said, her voice carrying a musical Southern lilt. "I hope y'all don't mind me sayin', but you two make an adorable couple."
Harper blushed, and tried not to giggle, but Nathan beamed, looking proud.
"Thanks," he told Elle.
Elle returned to the kitchen, leaving Harper and Nathan to find a table. As they settled into their seats, Renee approached, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a more serious expression. She pulled out a chair and joined them, leaning in close.
"I'm glad I caught you both," Renee said. "We had our first refugees arrive last night."
Harper's eyes widened, and she felt Nathan tense beside her.
"It's a shifter family with two young children. The little ones were spotted by neighbors in their wolf forms. The parents had been passing it off as fostering wolf hybrids, but once the news about shifters broke..."
"That excuse wouldn't hold up anymore," Nathan finished, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Exactly," Renee confirmed. "They started receiving threats. It got so bad they had to pack up and leave in the middle of the night."
Harper's mind raced, thinking of the family's fear and desperation. "Are they okay? Where are they now?"
"They're safe," Renee assured her. "We've got them set up in one of the suites upstairs. They're shaken, but unharmed. If you could let Katerina know they're here, that would be good."
Nathan ran a hand through his hair, looking troubled. "This is really happening, isn't it? It's not just theoretical anymore."
Renee reached out, patting his hand. "I'm afraid so. And this is only the start."
"Is there anything we can do for them right now?" Harper asked, her voice filled with concern.
"For now, they need rest and privacy," Renee replied. "But I'm sure they'll appreciate some friendly faces once they've had a chance to settle in. Later today they'll be going to stay at the wolf shifters' pack house with Joe. The pack will take care of them from there."
