Page 15

A shrill whistle pierced the 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 toward the 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 some empty 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."

"As Maroulla's granddaughter, it made sense for me to lead the local initiative," Katerina explained, her expression warm and understanding. "Joe's got his hands full as alpha of the wolf pack, but Jake's agreed to be on the committee to keep his brother updated on everything." She gestured toward where Jake stood chatting with Troy by the grill. "And of course, we have Jacinth's support too."

"We're planning to set up specific teams at the next committee meeting," Katerina continued. "Different groups focusing on various aspects of protection and integration."

Reyna stirred with approval. Good pack structure, the fox observed. Good leadership.

"I'd really like to attend," Harper said quickly, not wanting to miss the opportunity. Her financial background could be useful in some way, surely.

"I have a stake in this too," Nathan's warm voice interjected. He turned to Harper, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "Especially since it seems we're mates."

Harper's breath caught at his words, heat blooming in her cheeks. Reyna practically vibrated with joy inside her, the fox's approval radiating through their shared consciousness. Yes! Our mate claims us!

Harper's heart fluttered as Katerina's eyes went wide with delight. The Maine Coon shifter practically bounced in her seat.

"Nathan is your Chosen?" Katerina exclaimed, her voice rising with excitement.

Heat flooded Harper's cheeks as she nodded, unable to contain her smile. Inside her, Reyna preened with satisfaction at their mate being publicly acknowledged.

"Everyone!" Katerina called out, her voice carrying across the yard. "Nathan is Harper's Chosen!"

The reaction was immediate. Conversations stopped mid-sentence as heads turned their way. Then came a wave of delighted exclamations as people rushed toward their table. Jacinth reached them first, her eyes sparkling with joy. Douglas followed close behind, grinning broadly.

"I knew it!" Jacinth declared, clapping her hands together. "The way you two look at each other - it was so obvious!"

Jake and Becca hurried over, with Liam and Naomi right behind them. Even the children paused their game to see what the commotion was about.

"Wait, wait!" Troy's voice boomed across the yard. He strode toward them, holding up his beer bottle. "This calls for a proper toast!"

Everyone quickly grabbed their drinks - beer bottles, wine glasses, and sodas raised high as Troy cleared his throat.

"To Harper and Nathan," Troy proclaimed, his face split in a wide grin. "May their bond grow stronger each day, and may they find endless joy in each other. To the happy couple!"

"To Harper and Nathan!" the group echoed, glasses clinking together as cheers erupted around them.

Nathan's arm slipped around Harper's waist, pulling her close against his side. His touch sent warmth spreading through her entire body, and she leaned into him, savoring the moment of public acknowledgment of their bond.

Strong mate, Reyna purred contentedly inside her. Good pack.

The excited crowd gradually dispersed, returning to their previous conversations and activities. Harper's cheeks still felt warm from all the attention, but Nathan's solid presence beside her helped steady her nerves. Reyna radiated contentment inside her, thoroughly pleased by the public acknowledgment of their mate bond.

Katerina settled back into her seat across from them, her expression turning more serious. "About the committee - we're actually meeting tomorrow morning at the inn. Ten o'clock, right after breakfast."

Nathan looked disappointed. "Tomorrow? I can't make it - I have the kids coming over to visit Jill." He ran his free hand through his hair, clearly conflicted. "It's become a regular Sunday morning thing. They look forward to it all week."

"Don't worry," Harper assured him, placing her hand over his where it rested on her waist. "I'll take good notes and fill you in on everything afterward."

"Are you sure?" Nathan's brow furrowed with concern. "I hate missing the first meeting..."

"The children are counting on you," Harper said firmly. "Besides, Jill's part of this too - teaching kids about magical creatures is important work."

Katerina nodded in agreement. "It shouldn't be a long meeting anyway. We're mainly focused on organizing different groups to handle various aspects - security, public relations, legal considerations, that sort of thing."

"I'll make sure Nathan knows everything that happens," Harper promised, squeezing his hand gently.

"Katerina, I need to consult with you." Nathan ventured. "It's about Jill."

Surprised, Katerina blinked her wide, golden eyes... so like that of her cat... at him. "Yeah, sure. What's up?"

"The thing is, my parents are coming to visit in a couple weeks." Nathan ran his fingers through his hair distractedly. "I've either got to figure out a way to keep them out of the back yard, or have some explanation for the pen taking up most of it, while not having any animal in there to show them. I thought about telling them I'd started in with rabbit rescue, but I didn't have any at the moment. Thing is, Mom'll get all excited and start nagging me to send pictures when I do get these hypothetical rabbits."

Katerina eyed him closely. "You're not comfortable telling lies to them, are you?"

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Nathan shrugged a little. "No, not really. We've always been pretty close, even though I only see them a few times a year."

"How did they take the news of shapeshifters?" she inquired.

He grinned. "Mom was over the moon. I don't think Dad quite believes it yet."

Katerina nodded sagely. "You must not have told them that you personally know some shifters."

"No, not yet. I figured, you know, I'd find the right time to drop it into the conversation."

Harper, listening to this, spoke up now. "That can be awkward, I bet. They'd probably want to meet some, and you'd be put in the position of asking your friends to come over to..." she paused, trying to find a diplomatic way to say it.

"Perform," Nathan finished her thought, nodding glumly. "I don't want my friends to feel like they're... I don't know... circus animals, you know?"

Katerina laid a gentle hand on Nathan's arm. "We understand," she assured him, "and we won't mind. Tell your parents about knowing us. It's not like they don't know we exist now. And if that goes well, then tell them about Jill. Maybe not about Jill until they're actually here," she amended. "Have some good strong whisky on-hand, that's what Troy does." She grinned wickedly, clearly remembering her husband's shock when he first learned of their existence, and the various subsequent revelations.

Harper nodded her agreement. "They're your family, and you said they're close, so you must know if they can be trusted to keep Jill a secret."

"Oh, they can," Nathan was quick to assure her. "If I didn't think I could, I wouldn't even contemplate telling them, even if they are my parents. But they're good people. The best."

Katerina grinned, and leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Perfect." She rose, and made her way back to Troy's table, where he sat chatting with Jake about something that had both men gesturing animatedly. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the patio as conversations ebbed and flowed around them.

Nathan's arm remained warm and solid around Harper's waist, his thumb tracing small circles against her side. The casual intimacy of his touch sent pleasant shivers through her. Inside her, Reyna practically purred with contentment.

Mate, the fox observed with satisfaction.

Harper leaned into Nathan's embrace, savoring the peaceful moment. The sounds of children's laughter drifted across the yard where Benny and Molly had resumed their game of tag with Yousuf. Talya kept watch from her perch on a nearby picnic table, her dark curls dancing in the light breeze.

"I can't believe how quickly everything's changed," Harper murmured, watching the happy chaos around them. "A few weeks ago, I was all alone in San Francisco, and now..."

"Now you have a whole pack looking out for you," Nathan finished, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple.

Harper nodded, unable to find words for the warmth spreading through her chest. Instead, she turned her face up to Nathan's, meeting his gentle smile with one of her own. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he leaned down, capturing her lips in a tender kiss that made her toes curl.

When they finally broke apart, Harper noticed several knowing grins directed their way. Heat bloomed in her cheeks, but she couldn't bring herself to feel truly embarrassed. This was her pack now, her chosen family. And her Chosen mate.