The Blood Moon Twins
Chapter 47

HARPER

I slowly approached Julie, unsure of what she could possibly want from me. She was on the other side of the room from Remy, and her leg was completely covered in a cast. It was in a sling that helped her raise her leg in the air. Somehow she looked perfectly put together, despite being in the hospital. Her makeup was done, and her hair was curled.

"You look rough," Julie said when she saw me.

My hands curled into fists. "If you're going to talk to me like that, then I'm leaving." I turned on my heels, already over this conversation. I had forgiven Caulder for the kiss with Julie, since after he explained himself it was clear he was not a willing participant. I had no intention of forgiving Julie, on the other hand.

"Wait, wait," Julie said, her voice breaking as she tried to stop me from leaving.

I stood facing away from her for a moment. Everything told me to just walk out the door. I didn't owe Julie anything, and I didn't want to waste my time with her, but I found myself turning around to face her. "What do you want?" My voice was hostile, matching my feelings towards her.

Julie quickly broke eye contact with me, looking down at her hands. "Why did you help me out?"

Her question threw me off. Part of me fully expected her to taunt me about kissing Caulder or something along those lines. "I didn't really help you."

She twisted the bed sheet in her fingers, still avoiding my gaze. "You made sure that guy helped me get away. You didn't have to do that. I wouldn't have done that, especially if the person was someone I was mad at."

"You needed help, and we're pack mates. Whether or not I like you doesn't change the fact that I will help you in a crisis. That's the difference between you and me. I actually think about others. You only think about yourself." My words were harsh, but I didn't care. Julie was the last one who deserved to be babied. She was spoiled and thought she deserved everything she wanted. I didn't know her parents, but I was surprised there were parents like that under Alpha Mark's rule. He was the kindest alpha I had ever met. "Yeah, I guess you're right." Julie's voice was soft, and her eyes started to well up. This was a classic act for her to get out of trouble, and I wasn't buying it.

"I just want to make sure I get things clear. Just because I helped you out, it doesn't mean I like you or I forgive you for trying to break up Caulder and me. And if you try anything like that again, I won't hold back. Caulder would never hit a girl unless his life depended on it, but that factor won't stop me." I was not normally the aggressive type, but the thought of Julie touching Caulder enraged me.

"Fair enough." Julie looked off to the side and out the window. "For what it's worth, I am sorry I did that. I didn't think Caulder was actually serious about you. You're not his normal type. I thought it was all some sort of joke, but I get it now. You are exactly what he needs."

My fingers relaxed as I heard her speak. I would have never expected someone like Julie to apologize and actually mean it, but this was the most genuine I had heard her. Whatever happened during the attack must have gotten to her.

Silence filled the air, and I knew I should say something in return, but I didn't know what to say to her. Just because she apologized, it didn't mean I forgave her, and I especially didn't trust her. She may have had a life-changing moment, but I knew those were often temporary, and eventually the person reverted to their old ways.

A part of me still appreciated the apology, even if I didn't fully trust it.

"Is Remy going to be okay?" Julie asked. Her voice had softened, but her grip on the sheets tightened to the point that her knuckles were turning white. "They say she will be."

.

This was another surprise. Julie was showing some sort interest in Remy's health2

"She saved my life, you know. She risked her own and even got injured to help me. She didn't have to. I've always been a b***h to her, but she didn't hesitate to run towards danger to save me. She deserves to be happy." Julie sniffled, telling me she was crying, even though I couldn't see her face.

"She does deserve to be happy." I glanced back over the room, wanting to get a glance at Remy, but there were curtains in the way, blocking my view. I knew it wouldn't matter, anyway. Remy hadn't woken up in the few minutes I had spent talking to Julie. "Is that guy who was with her her boyfriend?" Julie asked.

My head snapped back towards her. She was finally looking at me, waiting for a response, but I didn't know what to say. For Remy's sake, I needed to keep Blade's identity a secret, but Julie had obviously seen him.

"Why do you want to know?" I didn't know how to explain Blade's presence, even with a lie.

Julie shrugged. "I don't know. He's a hot guy I didn't know. He also showed up out of nowhere to help save me, just like an angel."

"Did you tell anyone about him?" My heart was racing. If Julie had said anything to someone, Blade's cover could be blown.

"No? Why are you acting so weird about him?"

"Good. Don't tell anyone. As a thank you to Remy for saving your life, don't ever mention meeting that man."

Julie's face twisted into one of confusion. "Okay. Fine."

-

CAULDER

Harper stared at me in complete disbelief. "Why would you tell him you would bring him to the pack house? Remy would kill you if she knew you were doing this. It's practically a guarantee that Blade is going to be discovered."

"I couldn't say no to him. He was trying to keep it together, but he was on the verge of falling apart." I knew Harper was right, but I couldn't go back on my word now. "I couldn't help but put myself in his situation, and I would do anything to see you if you were hurt." "We don't know him," she argued. "I know Remy says he's her mate, but we don't know him, and if what you said about vampires is true, how do we know he's not just tricking everyone?"

Harper was the voice of reason. The smartest thing to do would be to keep Blade away from the pack house. Maybe even tell my parents about the vampire lurking on our territory, but the more I got to know Blade, the more I trusted him.

"He's not tricking Remy. If you met him and got to know him, you would see what I see. He's just a man falling in love with a girl, and he's risking his life to be around her. I know Remy would want to see him, and part of me thinks his presence might help her wake up." The hope of Remy waking up was driving me to follow through with Blade's wishes.

Harper slumped against the wall and started playing with her hair. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath. "If you think it's worth it, then I'm helping you."

"1-"

"And before you argue with me, I don't need your protection. I have been through the same training as you. I'm the beta's daughter, and I can handle myself." Harper stood tall and looked at me with a stern face.

I smiled as I looked at her. Her strength and independence was one of the things I admired most about her. She wasn't afraid to put me in my place, although I had seen the shy side of her ever since we had started dating.

"I was going to say that your help would make it much easier," I said with a laugh.

Harper instantly blushed and relaxed her posture. "Oh really?"

I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her waist. As I pulled her closer, I could hear her heart racing. I brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear and then leaned in so my lips brushed against her. "Of course. Having you by my side makes everything easier."

Her breath became shallow, and she naturally draped her arms around my neck. She smelled amazing, and it made it difficult not to completely devour her in that moment. I found myself moving automatically. My hands ran down her side, wanting to touch every part of her. My lips brushed against her as I placed a trail of kisses down her neck.

Soft moans escaped her lips, and that only fueled my actions. I moved my hands back up her body, slipping my hands up her shirt. I left goosebumps in my trail of her soft skin until my hand reached her bra. I played with the strap casually, trying to test how far I should go.

I pulled away from her neck and took a moment to look at her face. She was flushed, and her eyes were softly shut as she enjoyed me touching her. She wasn't saying no, but that wasn't enough for me. I needed to know this was something she actually wanted. I kissed her lips softly, pulling her even closer by tugging on her hair. When I pulled away again, she cracked her eyes open. She looked so cute when she was flustered.

My fingers trailed just above the cup of her bra. "Tell me to stop, and I will." I wanted her to know she was in complete control here. Whatever she wanted, I would comply with. She was my everything, and I knew I would bend over backwards for her. "Don't stop," she whispered breathlessly.