As Libby entered the room she shared with Harper later that night, she mentioned, "I could smell some intense hostility between Lucas and Alex."
Harper looked at her with a grim expression on her face. "How's Francine?" she asked instead, clearly not in the mood to address the two men in her life at the moment.
Libby sighed and perched on the side of her tiny bed. "From what I can see, she appears to be in good shape. What were you thinking when you offered yourself up for her to feed on?"
Her mood shifted as she nodded slowly. She seemed pleased and relieved to learn that the vampiress was in good health. If she were really honest with herself, she was more afraid of being left alone to deal with Lucas and Alex at this point. Having Francine around, she thought, was her only option to avoid a real confrontation between the two men.
"Have you told Alex the truth?" Libby asked.
"Yes." She frowned then sighed.
"And? How did he react?"
Her frown became even more pronounced. "At first, he was furious-"
"At first? Okay, say no more. I get it. They're both fighting for your attention," her friend smirked, seeing the situation from an entirely different perspective.
"No, it isn't like that. Actually, it's nothing like that."
Libby’s smile vanished. "You're confused. I get it."
Harper let out another sigh. "As it turns out, Lucas is my mate."
"What?! No shit!"
"Yes, shit!"
"Wow! How? You're human! Well...are you?"
"I am."
"Okay. So. But, Why do you look so unhappy? You love Lucas. I mean, you already told me. Unless-" Libby gasped. "Are you? Have you?"
Hasper sat up in her bed and gently stretched. "Well, Alex has been-well, we've gone through a lot."
Libby nodded slowly and knowingly. "I think I understand what you mean. But poor Lucas."
A sigh was all Harper could muster up.
"Have you informed Lucas about your change of heart?"
"No, I haven't. To be quite honest, I still don't know what I want right now. I mean, I'd been in love with Lucas for a long time. I think I'm just so used to the feeling that I don't know how to let it go. And I'm not even sure if I could."
"But Alex is also madly in love with you, Harper. I sensed that when I was with him."
"Well, Alex has lost his memories and he is Francine's mate. What happens if his memories come flooding back? What then? Are his feelings for Francine going to return, too? Their bond? And will he then forget about his feelings for me?"
Libby gave a nod. She understood what she was trying to say. This is a difficult position for you. To be honest, I'm not sure what I'd do if I were in your shoes. In the first place, both men are smoldering hot right now.
"Libby!"
The young sevant burst out laughing. "What? It's true. I've seen both of them before. They've just gotten hotter, though! I can't believe it's even possible. They're both ripped! Don't pretend you haven't noticed."
"No, I haven't."
"I've got to tell you, though, Alex has changed a lot ."
"Change how?" Harper rolled her eyes. "Like he's gotten hotter?" Besides that." Libby swallowed and cleared her throat. "You know, I used to be afraid of him."
"Really?"
She gave a slight nod. "He was haughty, demanding, and short-tempered. And he never stopped making me feel inferior to him. Well, his parents are members of the Royal Council and his father is a Lord and I think that had gotten into his head."
"I get what you mean."
"But is that the only reason you're skeptical about him? "If you choose him, you're afraid of what will happen when his memories come back."
Harper pursed her lips and said, "Isn't that reason enough?"
Libby locked her gaze on her for a little while before her lips formed a grin. "You've already decided on one of the two men."
"What? I'm not sure what you mean. I haven't given it any thought as of yet. And Lucas—I know he loves me. And I've learned that rejecting your mate is more than just breaking their heart. It shreds their soul. And I don't think I'll ever be able to do that to him."
"So, what are your thoughts?"
Harper shook her head. "I honestly don't know. Perhaps if Lucas falls in love with someone else, it will make things easier for me. But we're connected. For as long as I'm here, I doubt he'll be capable of feeling anything for anybody else." She took a moment to reflect. "I never imagined that having the freedom to choose would be so difficult."
"You are right. Being human offers you the ability to pick your mate, but when two gorgeous lycans compete for you, it'll be a headache and a whole lot more." Libby yawned as she rested against the wall. "Why don't you have both?"
"What are you on?"
Libby broke out laughing. "It's possible, you know. I'm sure you can work something out with the two of them. And if they want you that much, I'm sure they'd agree."
"They won't. And I'm not into that sort of...stuff." Harper couldn't stop her cheeks from flushing and her neck from sweating.
"Alright." Libby replied between chuckles. "It'll be fun!"
"Libby, what's gotten into you? I believe you've changed, too."
"Sorry! I'm sorry. I was just teasing you."
"I believe you've changed, too."
"Well, this world does things to a lot of us who aren't really from here."
"I'm sure."
"Well, I think we should get some rest. We still have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
"You don't say."
But Harper didn't fall asleep immediately that night. She stayed up for a few more hours, listening to Libby's breathing and her own heartbeat, her thoughts drifting to Alex, Lucas, and Francine. She thought about how she would see and talk with them. They needed to get out of the casa as soon as they possibly could, or else they would never get out. She turned to Libby and thought how much the young woman had changed.
After another hour of serious thinking, Harper finally fell asleep.
But it didn't take Libby long to wake her up early the next morning. They got ready fast and before she knew it, she was walking along the corridor, sleepily following the young servant. Then they came to a complete stop in front of a large entryway that was located someplace in the far back of the casa. From within, there was a lot of laughing and chatting.
"Welcome to the common hall. Here, along with a few of the casa's warriors, we'll be eating. From today on, you'll be dining with us."
"How come I wasn't let in the other day?" Harper glanced around for Alex or Lucas, but instead met the gaze of one of the guards, who placed his hands on a whip connected to his belt.
"Whenever we have newcomers, Master Gillen wants them to first become acquainted with the casa and its rules. He wants them assessed as well, to ensure that they are not the sort to spark another uprising."
"And I believe I passed the evaluation?" He has enough faith in me now to allow me to interact with the rest of his slaves?" She followed Libby into the common hall, heaving a deep sigh.
The hall was packed with fighters, some of whom sent Harper meaningful glances, while a few slaves got up to get a closer look and started whispering. The majority of them seemed to realize she was human right away and regarded her with suspicion. After a short staring competition in which she was defeated only by the fact that she was outnumbered, she saw that most of the fighters in the hall were no more than twenty years old, and many of the slaves were young females.
"Grab a plate, load it full, and take a seat," Libby urged as they approached a table where a young man had already taken a seat.
Harper took a plate, loaded it with food, and sat at the table with Libby, joining the young man.
"Harper, this is Clay." Libby pointed at the man using her fork.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Harper. It's no surprise they speak a lot about you," Clay said with a grin.
"Pardon me?"
"Your mate and your current lover."
"Clay! Shut it." Libby shook her head, looking at Harper. "Around here, word spreads like wildfire. Don't worry, Master Gillen is fond of humans and everyone here knows you are one. They wouldn't dare to do anything stupid." Then she fixed her gaze on Clay. "Right."
Clay looked Harper in the eyes, as though apologizing. "I'm sorry. I didn't intend to be a－"
"－dick?" Harper immediately filled in.
He laughed. "You’re feisty."
"That's what I've been told."
"It's no surprise they're madly in love with you..."
"Clay! Didn't I just tell you to shut up?" Libby stated firmly.
"What?" Clay lifted his hands in mock surrender. "Did I say something offensive to her? What will be insulting is when you bed one of her－"
"－shut the fuck up!" Libby growled, her face suddenly tense.
Harper was quick to notice the dramatic change in Libby's demeanor, which included a look of anger and shame. "What exactly is he saying, Libby?"
"Nothing!" Libby snapped. "Let's finish our breakfast. We've got a long day ahead of us."
Harper gave her a passing glance before focusing on Clay, who was now paying close attention to the food on his plate.
*What is going on?*