Chapter 413

**Chapter 413**

**Judy’s POV**

I reacted quickly. Nan jumped out of her seat, and I stepped in front of her to protect her from Harper. It wasn’t hard to stop Harper’s attack.

She was drunk and unsteady on her feet. By the time she tried to reach Nan, she almost fell over.

I had Harper pinned to the ground easily. She screamed in frustration as I quickly gained control over her.

Chester heard a loud commotion and quickly dashed into the room. His eyes were wild as his wolf instinct fought to take over. He could already sense that his mate was in danger.

As soon as he entered, he spotted Nan standing off to the side, her eyes wide with fear. She looked frozen, clearly shaken by whatever was happening.

As I tackled Harper, I noticed Chester watching me. He relaxed a little when he saw that she was safe. But the moment his gaze landed on Harper again, his expression turned to anger.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Chester shouted, walking towards us with fury in his eyes.

“Why are you here, Harper? You were fired.”

Tears kept falling down Harper’s cheeks. I didn’t think she would attack Nan again, so I finally let her go.

“I came to get my things,” Harper said, “and I—”

“I’m sorry,” she said, her bottom lip trembling. “But when I saw her here… I just snapped.”

“You need to leave before the security team throws you out!” Chester warned, crossing his arms tightly over his chest.

Harper sniffled and wiped her tear-filled eyes.

“I’ll help you with your things,” I said as I stood up from the ground. I pulled her to her feet. My heart ached for Harper as she struggled.

I didn’t like that she wanted to fight my best friend every chance she got. But I did feel bad for her because she was so heartbroken.

I knew she had feelings for Chester for a long time, and now it felt like those feelings were being torn apart.

Chester stayed behind with Nan and Sammy while I walked to Harper’s old bedroom. When we got inside, Harper broke down in tears. She was really upset, and it made me feel terrible to see her like this.

“I’m so sorry, Harper,” I whispered as I stepped closer to her.

“No, you aren’t,” she murmured. “How could you be? You’re choosing her side over mine.”

As she spoke, she began to gather her things.

I searched through the room to make sure Beta Taylor hadn’t forgotten anything.

“Of course, I’m on her side; she’s my best friend,” I said, sitting on the edge of the bed. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not…”

“I don’t feel sorry for what I’m going through. I wish there was something I could do that wouldn’t hurt my best friend,” she said.

“I’ve loved him for so long,” she whispered. “Ever since he moved to the…”

“That’s not fair,” I said, looking at the Silver Crescent pack.

“Nan is his fated mate,” someone replied. “You had to know that could happen.”

She frowned deeply, narrowing her eyes at me.

“I thought he would have rejected her,” she said. “Just like I rejected mine for him…”

I couldn’t believe what I heard. My mouth fell open as I stared at her in shock. Had I really understood her correctly?

“You rejected your fated mate?” I asked, still trying to wrap my head around it.

I asked her a question. She nodded, biting her lower lip as she thought about how serious the situation was.

—

**Chapter 413**

“I thought he would have done the same thing,” she whispered, her voice shaky.

Turning down a mate right away…

A bat was a rare sight among wolf shifters. For wolves, finding their mate was a special bond, something sacred and unlike anything else they had ever felt.

“Who was your mate?” I asked, confused. “When did you meet him?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” she whispered, tears streaming down her face. “He wants nothing to do with me. I rejected him in the worst way possible, and now he hates me.”

“When did this happen, Harper?” I asked, concerned.

A few months ago, she admitted, “At that moment, I thought Chester and I were meant to be together forever. But it turned out to be a dead end…”

“I’m so sorry,” I said to her.

“I can’t believe your partner could really hate you like this. You must have done something really terrible to make them feel that way. But maybe there’s still hope for you?”

She gave me a sad smile and shook her head.

“No,” she whispered. “I don’t.”

I stood up and wrapped my arms around her, hugging her tightly.

Soon, there was a knock on the door. It opened slightly, and Chester peeked in. He glanced around the room.

The tension between us was palpable, as if he expected us to be in a fight or something.

“Is everything okay?” he asked after a brief silence.

“I’m not attacking her if that’s what you’re worried about,” Harper said quietly.

Harper stood with her arms crossed over her chest. “Isn’t that why you came to check on me?” she asked.

Chester sighed and walked fully into the room. “Harper, do you think we could talk before you leave?” he asked.

Chester’s calmness was surprising for someone who had just seen his friend attacked. I could tell that his wolf had given up control, and Chester was back in charge.

Harper gave a slight nod, and I took that as my cue to leave. I walked back to join Nan and Sammy.

I was in the living room, catching up with my friends. I filled them in on everything Harper and I had discussed. They were shocked when I shared that Harper had given up her destined mate just to be with Chester. She was heartbroken because she had to let go of something so important.

Chester had always been there for her, so she thought he would support her again. But when he didn’t, it made her lose her temper.

**Chapter 414**