Page 18

Harper's eyes fluttered 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."

Harper nodded, her mind already whirling with ideas. "We should put together some welcome baskets. Maybe some toys for the kids, to help them feel more at home. I'll bring it up to the committee."

"That's a wonderful idea," Renee said, smiling warmly at Harper. "I'll get back to the kitchen now, and you two can get your breakfast."

Harper and Nathan made their way to the breakfast buffet, the aroma of freshly cooked bacon and warm pastries filling the air. Harper's plate remained mostly empty as she picked at a small serving of scrambled eggs and a single piece of toast. Her stomach was a knot of anxiety about the new arrivals, and excitement over the prospect of her belongings arriving, making it difficult to focus on food.

Nathan, on the other hand, piled his plate high with a hearty selection. He glanced at Harper's meager portion and raised an eyebrow.

"You'll need more energy than that for moving day," he said, nodding towards her plate.

Harper shrugged, a sheepish smile playing on her lips. "I know, I know. I'm a little wound up, but I'll try."

They settled back at their table, and Nathan took a sip of his coffee before asking, "When are the movers supposed to arrive?"

"They're scheduled to be at the apartment around nine," Harper replied, her eyes lighting up. "I can hardly believe it's finally happening."

Nathan nodded, cutting into his stack of pancakes. "When are the rest showing up for the moving party?"

"I've told everyone to come about eleven or so," Harper said, fidgeting with her fork. "That should give the movers enough time to get the big stuff in place before we start unpacking and organizing."

"Sounds like a solid plan," Nathan commented, his voice warm with approval. "I'm looking forward to seeing your new place."

Harper nodded, her excitement bubbling over. "I figured I'd probably have enough time, once the movers leave, to start unpacking the kitchen dishware at least, before everyone arrives." She chomped on a slice of bacon, then had a small bite of her scrambled eggs, her appetite slowly returning as she talked about her plans. "Kester is bringing a big pan of pastitsio and Greek salad from Kazakis Restaurant at noon. It would be nice if we didn't have to eat Greek food off paper plates with plastic utensils."

Nathan chuckled, shaking his head. "Definitely not. Pastitsio deserves proper dinnerware." He paused, seeming to consider something. "You know, if you'd like, as soon as the movers bring in the kitchen boxes, I can start unpacking the dishes and silver, while you direct traffic. That way, you're sure to have everything ready by the time everyone arrives."

"Perfect!"

Finishing their breakfast, they headed out, only pausing in the lobby, where Nathan approached Angus to settle his bill.

"Thanks for the excellent breakfast," Nathan said, handing over his credit card.

Angus nodded, his usual calm demeanor in place. "Glad you enjoyed it. Good luck with the move today, Harper."

"Thank you, Angus," Harper replied, her voice brimming with anticipation.

As they stepped outside, the crisp morning air filled Harper's lungs. She turned to Nathan, a smile playing on her lips. "Ready for this?"

Nathan grinned back. "Lead the way."

They separated to their respective vehicles, with Nathan following Harper's cherry red Mustang through the quiet streets. The drive was short, and before long, they were pulling up to Harper's new apartment building. Harper practically bounced out of her car, her excitement palpable. Nathan chuckled as he joined her, matching her brisk pace to the building's entrance.

"Someone's eager," he teased gently.

Harper stuck out her tongue playfully. "Can you blame me? I love the bed and breakfast, but as Dorothy from Kansas says, there's no place like home."

They climbed the stairs together, their footsteps echoing in the stairwell. Harper's hand trembled slightly as she inserted the key into the lock of her new apartment. Just as she was about to turn the key, the rumble of a large vehicle caught their attention.

Harper's eyes widened as she glanced out the window. "Is that...?"

Nathan peered over her shoulder. "Looks like your moving van."

Harper quickly unlocked the door, pushing it open. "They're early! That's good, but I'm so glad we didn't linger over breakfast."

She rushed into the apartment, a mix of excitement and nervousness fluttering in her stomach. "I guess this is really happening, huh?"

Nathan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It is. And it's going to be great."

Harper grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I requested the moving company to unload my sofa first," she said, turning to Nathan. "That way, we'll have a place to sit and be out of the way while the movers do their thing."

Nathan nodded approvingly. "Smart thinking. It'll be nice to have a comfortable spot to direct traffic from."

As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door. Harper's heart leaped as she hurried to answer it. Two burly men in uniform stood in the hallway, clipboards in hand.

"Ms. O'Neill?" the taller of the two asked.

Harper nodded. "That's me."

"We're here with your furniture and belongings. Where would you like us to start?"

Harper stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter. "If you could bring in the sofa first, that would be great. We can set it up against that wall," she said, pointing to the far side of the living room.

The movers nodded and headed back down to their truck. Harper turned to Nathan, barely able to contain her excitement. "Oh, my gosh, I'm so excited to have all my stuff!"

Nathan chuckled, his eyes warm. "Your own place, at last."

They watched as the movers carefully maneuvered Harper's plush, forest green sofa through the door and into position. Once it was in place, Harper couldn't resist flopping down onto it with a contented sigh.

"Oh, I've missed you," she said, patting the cushion beside her.

Nathan laughed and joined her on the sofa. "I can see why. This is pretty comfortable."

As the movers continued to bring in boxes and furniture, Harper and Nathan settled into their makeshift command center on the sofa. Harper directed traffic, pointing out where each item of furniture should go, while Nathan kept track of the inventory list.

"That's for the master bedroom, down the hall and to the left," Harper called out as two movers carried in her dresser. "At least the boxes are marked by room," she told Nathan. "That's one headache we won't have to deal with, so we can unpack the important areas first."

Nathan made a check on the list. "Looks like we're making good progress," he said, glancing at Harper. "How are you feeling?"

Harper took a deep breath, a mix of emotions playing across her face. "Excited, overwhelmed, happy... a little nervous," she admitted. "But mostly, I'm just glad to be here. To have a place of my own again."

Den , Reyna said firmly, making them both grin.

As the morning wore on, the empty apartment slowly transformed into something resembling a home. Boxes piled up in designated areas, furniture found its place, and the air filled with the promise of new beginnings. Then suddenly it was all in, and the movers closed up the back of their van and trundled off, leaving Harper and Nathan alone.

Harper stood in the middle of her living room, surrounded by stacks of boxes and newly placed furniture. She blinked in disbelief, her mind struggling to catch up with the whirlwind of activity that had just taken place.

"Did that really happen?" she asked, turning to Nathan with wide eyes. "I didn't expect it to go so fast."

Nathan chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Those movers were like a well-oiled machine."

She walked over to her sofa, which now sat proudly against the far wall, and sank into its familiar comfort. Nathan joined her, letting out a low whistle as he surveyed the room.

"Well, the good news is we have plenty of time before the others arrive to help unpack," he said, glancing at his watch.

Harper leaned back, taking in the sight of her new home. Boxes were stacked neatly in each room, labeled with their contents. Her bookshelves stood empty, waiting to be filled with her beloved collection of books. The dining table was already in place, ready for the Greek feast Kester would be bringing later.

"I can't believe it's all here," Harper murmured. "It feels so... real now."

Nathan nudged her gently with his elbow. "That's because it is real. This is your home now, Harper."

She turned to him, a smile spreading across her face. "You're right. It is." She paused, her expression softening. "Thank you for being here with me. It means a lot."

Nathan's eyes crinkled as he smiled back. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the reality of the situation sinking in. Then Harper clapped her hands together, her energy returning.

"Alright, let's get to work," she said, standing up. "We should start with the kitchen. I want to have everything ready for when the food arrives."

Nathan nodded, getting to his feet. "Lead the way."

They made their way to the kitchen, where several boxes were stacked on the counter. Harper opened the first one, revealing neatly packed dishes.

"I'll start with the plates and bowls if you want to tackle the glasses," she suggested, already pulling items out of the box.

Nathan agreed, and they fell into a comfortable rhythm, unpacking and arranging items in the cabinets. As they worked, Harper couldn't help but notice how natural it felt to have Nathan there, helping her settle into her new home.

"So," Nathan said as he carefully placed a set of wine glasses on a high shelf, "how does it feel to have your own place again?"

Harper paused, considering the question. "It feels... liberating," she replied, a smile playing on her lips. "And a little sad to leave the inn, and Angus and Renee, if I'm being honest. But mostly, it feels right."

Nathan nodded understandingly. "It's a big step. But you've got this, Harper. And you've got all of us to support you."

"Speaking of which—" she grinned as the doorbell rang.

She headed to the door. Opening it, she was greeted by the smiling faces of Jacinth and Katerina, with Talya bouncing excitedly behind them.

"Surprise!" Katerina exclaimed, holding up a colorful gift bag. "We thought we'd come early to help set up."

Harper's face lit up as she ushered them inside. "You guys are amazing! Come on in."

As they entered, Harper's brow raised. "Talya, I thought you'd be in school today."

The young caracal shifter grinned. "It's teacher education day, so I'm off school. I couldn't wait to see your new place!"

Harper grinned back at the teenager. "Well, I'm glad you could make it."

Never one to stay still for long, Talya glanced around the apartment. "This place is so cool, Harper! Can I see your room?"

Harper laughed. "Of course. It's down the hall, first door on the left. Just be careful not to trip over any boxes!"

"So, what can I do?" Jacinth asked, her hands on her hips as she looked around.

"We've got the kitchen dishes unpacked, but there's still tons left to do," Harper said, gesturing at the stacks and stacks of boxes.

Katerina rolled up her sleeves. "Point us in the right direction, and we'll get started. Where do you want us?"

Talya bounded back into the living room, her eyes wide with excitement from exploring the apartment. She skidded to a halt in front of a cluster of large, flat boxes, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Harper," she called out, her voice laced with curiosity, "why do you have three big-screen televisions?"

Harper turned to look at the boxes Talya was pointing at. She burst into laughter, shaking her head. "Oh, those aren't televisions. At least… one of them is. The other two are my harps."

Talya's eyes widened even further, her jaw dropping slightly. "Harps? Like, real harps?" She looked from Harper to the boxes and back again, clearly impressed. "Wow, I didn't know you had a harp!"

Harper smiled, walking over to stand beside Talya. She patted one of the boxes gently. "Well, they're not full-sized concert harps. I have a lap harp and a lyre harp. They're smaller, more portable versions."

"That's so cool!" Talya exclaimed, her voice filled with awe. She gently placed her hand on the box, as if she could feel the instrument inside through the cardboard and packing material. "I've never seen a real harp up close before. And you can play them?"

Harper nodded, a fond smile crossing her face. "I can. I've been playing since I was a little girl, actually. It's one of my favorite things to do when I need to relax or just want to enjoy some music."

Talya's eyes lit up with excitement. "Could you play something for us when you unpack them? Please?"

Harper chuckled at the teenager's enthusiasm. "Of course, I'd be happy to. Once we get everything settled and unpacked, I'll give you all a little concert."

A gentle knock at the door interrupted their conversation about the harps. Harper opened it to find Becca standing there with a bright smile, her stormy blue-gray eyes twinkling.

"I hope I'm not too late to help," Becca said, stepping inside and giving Harper a quick hug.

"Perfect timing," Harper replied. "We're just getting started."

Becca surveyed the sea of boxes with a determined expression. "Well then, point me where you need me. I'm ready to work."

"The kitchen is partly done, and I'm going to start working on the living room," Harper said. "Everything else still needs unpacking. All the boxes are marked, and stacked in the rooms they're supposed to be in."

"I'm with you in the living room," Nathan said, inspecting the labels on the boxes in the spacious room. "Half a dozen of these are labeled 'knick-knacks.'"

Harper just grinned at him, unapologetic. She loved her collectables.

"I'll take care of the bathrooms." Becca headed down the hallway, pausing to wave at Talya who was carrying an armload of books into the spare bedroom.

"I've got the books," Talya called out cheerfully. "This room looks like it could be a library."

"Yes, that will be my study," Harper called back.

Jacinth had already claimed the kitchen, her hands moving with practiced efficiency as she unpacked dishes and cookware. "The organization in here is coming along nicely," she said, opening another cabinet.

Katerina disappeared into the hallway with a stack of fresh towels and sheets. "I'll get these into the linen closet," she called over her shoulder. "Harper, your color coordination is impressive. And by the way, how about if I make up your bed?"

"That'd be great, thanks," Harper called back.

The sound of cheerful chatter and rustling boxes filled the apartment, punctuated by Talya's occasional exclamations over interesting book titles she discovered. Nathan caught her eye from where he stood connecting the big-screen television, which stood proudly in the center of an entertainment center. "You okay?" he asked softly.

Harper nodded, unable to keep the smile off her face. "More than okay. This is perfect."

An hour later the doorbell chimed again, and Harper's fox-enhanced senses caught the delicious aromas even through the closed door. She threw it open, to find Kester and Tamera standing in the hallway, laden with dishes.

"We come bearing sustenance," Kester announced, holding up a large pan that smelled of ground beef, pasta, and béchamel sauce.

"That smells amazing," Harper said, stepping aside to let them in.

Tamera followed, unloading a large bowl of salad, pita bread, and hummus onto the kitchen island. She looked around the living room and dining room. "Wow, this is coming along fast!"

The scent of food drew the others from their various tasks. Talya bounded into the kitchen first, peering eagerly at the dishes as Kester and Tamera set them on the counter.

"Is that pastitsio?" Katerina asked, inhaling deeply. "Kester, you've outdone yourself."

"Fresh from the restaurant kitchen," Kester confirmed, pulling off the foil cover to reveal the layered pasta dish.

Harper retrieved plates from the newly stocked cabinets while Nathan grabbed utensils from a drawer. Everyone gathered around the kitchen island, drawn by the mouth-watering aromas.

"This looks wonderful," Jacinth said, helping to distribute plates.

Kester glanced around the apartment as he served generous portions of pastitsio. "The place is coming together nicely. You've got a good crew here, Harper."

"You've made amazing progress," Tamera agreed, removing the lid from the dish of hummus. "Though I wish we could stay and help more."

"The restaurant calls," Kester explained apologetically.

"We completely understand," Harper assured them. "Thank you so much for bringing lunch. I'll wash the pans and stuff and bring them back this evening."

"That's fine," Kester assured her, heading for the door.

"Don't forget to save room for dessert," Tamera called over her shoulder as she trailed after Kester. "There's baklava in the blue container."

The group settled around Harper's dining table - her first meal in her new home. The pastitsio was perfectly layered, the pasta tender and the meat sauce richly seasoned. Conversation flowed easily as they ate, punctuated by appreciative sounds and requests to pass the pita bread.

After clearing away the lunch dishes, Harper set the baklava aside. "We'll save this for our victory celebration when we're done," she said, closing the door.

The afternoon stretched on as they tackled the remaining boxes. Muscles ached and energy flagged, but determination to finish kept them going. Nathan hauled empty boxes to the recycling area by the trash bins downstairs, while Becca and Katerina organized the spare room. Even Talya's endless enthusiasm had dimmed to quiet concentration as she arranged books by genre on the shelves.

Harper pulled decorative throw pillows from a box, arranging them on the forest green sofa. The pillows featured subtle patterns in shades of sage, moss, and earth tones, with hints of gold thread catching the light. There was also a lovely velour throw in a chocolate brown. She placed matching pillows on the oversized armchair nearby.

Jacinth paused in her organization of kitchen cabinets to watch Harper work. "I love your color scheme," she said, gesturing at the living room. "All these woodland colors - it's very forest-y. Like bringing nature indoors."

Harper laughed, fluffing another pillow. "I wish I could take credit, but it was all Reyna's doing. She was very... adamant about the colors when I went shopping. Every time I looked at anything bright or bold, she'd practically throw a fit until I picked something in earth tones."

"Your fox has good taste," Jacinth said with a smile. "It feels peaceful in here. Like a quiet grove in the woods."

"That's exactly what Reyna was going for," Harper agreed, smoothing the last pillow into place. "She wanted our home to feel like a den in the forest. Safe, cozy, natural."

Den , Reyna confirmed, making Harper smile.

Harper noticed Talya trying to stifle a yawn, her hand barely covering her mouth as her eyes drooped. The teen had worked tirelessly all afternoon, and exhaustion was clearly catching up with her.

"I think someone's ready to call it a day," Harper said softly to Jacinth, who glanced at her daughter with knowing eyes.

"I'm not tired," Talya protested, even as another yawn escaped.

Katerina stretched, her own fatigue showing. "I should head home too. I hear a nap calling my name."

"Same here," Becca added. "Jake's probably waiting for me."

Harper retrieved the container of baklava from the kitchen. "Let me divide this up for everyone to take home." She pulled out some paper plates from a newly unpacked box and began carefully separating the sweet, honey-drizzled pastries.

"You don't have to do that," Jacinth started to protest, but Harper shook her head.

"I insist. You've all worked so hard today - you deserve some sweetness to take home." She wrapped each portion in foil and handed them out. "Besides, if I keep it all here, I'll end up eating the entire pan myself."

"Well, we can't have that," Katerina said, snickering as she took a plate of baklava from Harper.

Harper watched as her friends gathered their belongings, preparing to leave. The apartment felt different now - organized and welcoming. Her heart swelled with gratitude.

"Thank you all so much," she said told them. "I couldn't have done this without you."

"That's what friends are for," Katerina told her.

"Don't forget about tomorrow night," Jacinth reminded her as she shepherded Talya toward the door.

Talya managed to perk up enough to give Harper an enthusiastic hug before following Jacinth out the door. Katerina and Becca followed suit, each embracing Harper warmly before departing.

"I won't," Harper promised. She waved goodbye until the last of them disappeared down the hallway.

When she closed the door, Nathan was still there, settling onto her overstuffed green sofa. He patted the space beside him invitingly. Harper's heart fluttered as she joined him, curling into his side as his arm wrapped around her shoulders.

"So," he said, his voice soft and warm against her hair. "What's next on the agenda?"

Harper snuggled closer, enjoying the comfort of his presence. "Well, the vampires are arriving from Manhattan sometime tonight. They're coming to help with security for the shifters who go public."

Nathan's arm tightened slightly around her. "Tonight? That's happening fast."

"Mhmm," Harper nodded. "So tomorrow night there's another meeting, this time at the vet clinic. That's what Jacinth was reminding me about. We're going to meet the vampires, and discuss the plans for protecting the shifter community in more detail.

Nathan's brow furrowed with concern. "Are you sure you'll be safe? I mean... vampires."

Harper couldn't help but giggle at his worried expression. His protective instinct was sweet, but misplaced in this case. She patted his hand reassuringly.

"The vampires aren't what scare me," she explained, settling more comfortably against him. "They're coming here to help protect us. What really frightens me are the humans who are reacting badly to finding out shifters exist."

A shiver ran down her spine as she remembered the news reports of protests and angry social media posts that had erupted after the incident in Yosemite. The hatred and fear in those people's voices had chilled her more than any vampire could.

"At least the vampires are on our side," Harper continued, grateful for their unexpected allies. "They understand what it's like to live in secrecy, to have to hide who you really are. And they're powerful - having them as protection will make a huge difference."

Safe , Reyna agreed in her mind. Her fox seemed completely unbothered by the idea of vampires, which only reinforced Harper's confidence in their alliance.

"Besides," Harper added, "they've been living peacefully among humans for centuries without detection. Just as we have been."

Harper couldn't deny her relief at having such powerful allies. The thought of facing hostile humans alone had kept her awake more nights than she cared to admit. With the vampires' support, maybe they had a chance of making this transition without loss of life.

Harper stifled a yawn, snuggling deeper into Nathan's side. The afternoon sun filtered through her newly hung curtains, casting a warm glow across the living room. Her muscles ached from the day's work, but contentment settled over her like a cozy blanket.

"You're exhausted," Nathan murmured, his fingers tracing gentle patterns on her shoulder.

"Mmm," Harper agreed, her eyes growing heavy. "But it's a good kind of tired. Everything's unpacked, organized... finally feels like home."

Den , Reyna corrected sleepily in her mind.

Nathan chuckled softly. "Reyna seems pleased with how it turned out."

"She is," Harper mumbled against his shoulder. "She needs this as much as I do… our own place, where we're safe and can dig in. So to speak."

"Wait." She frowned. "You heard her? In my head?"

"Mmhmm."

"That's weird. I never heard of anyone being able to do that before."

"Shh." His hand moved to stroke her hair, and Harper felt herself drifting. The steady rhythm of Nathan's heartbeat and the warmth of his body beside her made staying awake increasingly difficult.

"Come on, sleepyhead," Nathan's voice came from somewhere above her. "Let's get you to bed for a nap."

Harper made a noise of protest as he shifted, but allowed him to help her to her feet. She swayed slightly, steadied by his hand at her elbow.

"I'll head home so you can rest," he said, guiding her down the hallway to her bedroom. "You've had quite a day."

Harper crawled onto her newly made bed, already missing his warmth. "Thank you for everything today," she managed through another yawn.

"Sleep well, Harper," Nathan's voice was soft as he pulled a throw blanket over her.

She was asleep before she heard him leave.