Harlyn
The manor hall is full, but I don’t feel like I’m surrounded by people, I’m trying to find Princess Lucy, she promised me she would attend tonight so that I wasn’t alone here. She isn’t here though. Not that I can see.
I continue to walk around trying to find her and stop when I see Prince Stefan. He hates me. I’ve noticed that whenever I even attempt to get close to him, he throws vile words at me and pushes me away. It’s as if he is afraid of me going near him, so I barely get within five feet of him before he shouts abuse at me and storms away, or I run after his words.
Why, though? Is all this because I don’t have a wolf? Does he really hate the fact that I’m merely a human, not a werewolf? I see Princess Lucy and walk towards her.
“Your Majesty.” I curtsey her, grateful to finally have someone at this celebration that I can speak to. Other than my mother and brothers that is, there is no one else here will even acknowledge me, it’s as if they themselves don’t see me as worthy of being here because of my lack of wolf.
“Harlyn!” She pulls me in for a hug, and I embrace her back, pulling her closer.
“I’m so glad you’re here, I’ve had no one to speak to and had to stand around like a loner.” I laugh slightly and she smiles at me.
“Happy birthday, how was your day?” she asks.
I sigh and shrug. “Same as always, Your Highness, in the shadow, I focused on what my mother wanted and ignored that today is my birthday,” I explain. It’s for the best, it stops my fathers abuse that I am ruining her birthday.
As he always reminds me, without my mother my birthday wouldn’t be today. I wouldn’t even exist. He’s right, I wouldn’t.
“Well, I am here to ensure you enjoy the rest of it. So drink!” She pushes the glass into my hand and I laugh. “You’re eighteen, get drunk, come on, drink up.”
Her words have me laughing. “Your Highness, you’re a bad influence.” She’s trying to get my drunk. We both laugh and she nods.
“It’s your birthday, eighteen, you shouldn’t be sober, plus, getting drunk has it’s benefits, you can ignore people and pretend you’re too drunk to notice them.” She laughs and I nod, giving in and taking a drink.
Maybe I should, then it might be at least one night where I fall asleep without hearing the abusive words of my father and Stefan? Maybe it won’t help and will make it worse, but it’s worth a try.
We stand together for a while, and I glance across the room, unable to see the king or queen. “The Queen and King are not in attendance?” I ask, feeling confused. It’s unlike them—and certainly unlike the Queen, considering she is my mother's best friend.
“There is an attack at the border. Father is sorting it, and mother is helping. Either that or they are looking at suitable candidates for the future queen.” She laughs loudly, and everyone turns to look at her.
“Future queen?” She means Stefan’s wife, right?
“Yes, my parents are set to find my brother the perfect wife and queen for the kingdom. They want him to marry soon after he is given the crown and takes the title of King, so they are hunting different kingdoms for suitable candidates.”
Something inside of me burns with jealousy. I hate the thought of Stefan being with another woman, even though he rejected me and he’s not mine. How is it right? It should be me, but he rejected me and hates me.
Maybe he has the right idea? People reject their mates in the hope for a second chance mate, one they are better suited for. I can understand Prince Stefan wanting someone with a wolf, maybe I will find a second chance mate. One who at least can stand to look at me, unlike Prince Stefan who can’t stand the sight of me.
Maybe he was right in rejecting me, to give us both a chance to find a better mate. Still, I hate it, I don’t like the thought of him marrying another woman, and her becoming queen. It should be me, I was his mate. The one the Moon Goddess chose for him, and chose as the future queen. It makes no difference to Prince Stefan however, to him, I’m not worthy of anything. So how could I possibly be worthy of becoming the queen?
I hug Lucy goodbye and watch her walk away. I should just leave and go to my room. Grabbing a drink I nod and thank the man who hands me it. My eyes look around the room.
“Darling, are you okay?” Mother looks at me.
“I’m fine mother.” I smile at her, lying because I know if she tries to solve my issues tonight my father will throw the entire world of abuse at me for ruining her birthday.
“Are you sure?” She hugs me and steps back.
I have no choice but to be sure. “I am; I think Princess Lucy just put too much alcohol in my drinks, mother.” I smile at her, trying to ease her worries.
“She is wild that one. Just don’t go too crazy and make yourself ill, okay?” She laughs and I anod. She hugs me before walking away, turning I see my father glaring towards me. I told her I was fine, so she went back to her celebration, what more does he want?
Downing the drink, I leave the bustling hall and walk down the corridor. My steps become slow, and I feel myself struggling to move. I think I drank that last one too quickly. I feel someone guiding me through the manor and into a room to a bed.
I fight to remember what I am even doing. Something cold has me jumping, and I realise they are hands touching my skin. How did I get here? Something about him pulls me in. I feel safe, but at the same time, I don’t want this. I’m saving myself for my mate, but my body can’t move, and I can’t speak to tell him no.
Stefan When I step into the manor hall, the guests flood the room, and all I can hear is ‘Your Highness’ over and over as people try to get my attention. This is another reason I wanted to avoid tonight. I've dealt with people every night for over a month, and tonight was the one night I had free. I give quick nods of approval to the people trying to get my attention but excuse myself quickly. I can’t wait too long before seeing the Earl and Countess; they are the first people I should have a conversation with tonight. I also know that my father's guards are watching my every move and will likely report back to him how long it took me to approach the Earl and Countess. As I walk through the crowds, I spot them standing together and make my way for them. As I stop at them, the Earl bows. “Your Highness.” He smiles, and his wife curtsies in acknowledgement. I smile at them both and nod. “I apologise for the interruption, but the king is unable to join tonight's celebrations,” I de
StefanI'm not entirely sure what is wrong with me, but I don't feel great.“Your Highness, are you okay?” Jacub appears in my face, and my head shakes. The room spins slightly, and my eyes fall on a woman. “Your Highness.” His words this time are louder.“Something is wrong, and I feel like I’m drugged. Something feels wrong.” Why did I repeat that? A king doesn’t repeat himself. My words are barely even a whisper, or at least to me sound quiet.“Your father, the king, feared this would happen.” Jacub looks at me.“What?” I ask, trying to focus, but I fail, and the feelings continue to grow.“There was a threat. Someone was going to try and get to him. Lace his drink with drugs, and a woman would guide him into a private room. She was set to record the encounter and use it against him,” he explains, and I nod. “Do not leave with a woman who offers herself to you, Your Highness.” His words are serious, and I nod.Laughing at him because I wouldn’t anyway. My relationships are hidden i
HarlynIt’s been two months since that celebration, and my mind often goes back to that night. I’m unsure what to do about it. I know my father will blame me, making it out like I somehow caused it to happen.I stare at the doctor, his head nodding at me.“I’m sorry, Miss Harlyn, but you are pregnant,” he says, and my head shakes.Samuel and Colton are stood beside me, they are here for support, I was hoping I would be wrong, but I’m not. When my period didn’t arrive last month, I told myself it was the stress of everything.Then, this month, it didn’t again. I asked Samuel to get the doctor to check me over without letting my father know, and he agreed to. I was so sure the doctor would tell me it was something like stress.He didn’t, though. Now, Samuel and Colton are staring at me in shock. I couldn’t come to the doctor alone, I knew they would tell my father or mother. Coming with Samuel, however, means there's a chance the doctor won’t speak to my father.Still, I didn’t think th
HarlynIt’s been two days since I spoke with the doctor and explained things to Samuel. I’ve heard nothing since, so I can only assume it means there’s no update, and he hasn’t found out who it was yet. I was hoping by now he would have answers or at least something to ease the blow of this.“Harlyn,” Samuel says, and I turn to see him with Coton.“He knows, right?” They are looking at me like they are ready to hurt me, which means my father has found out the truth.“Yes, he’s on his way. We will help, he can’t say or do anything Harlyn, you’re not to blame, and this wasn’t your fault, it was the bastard who took advantage of you.” Samuel shouts. If only father would see it in that way but something is telling me he won’t.I hear his footsteps first, or rather stamps. He is angry.“What is this about you being pregnant!” His words float through the hallway as he storms towards me, my mother following behind him. He glares at me and stops in front of me.“Father, please. Can we try and
Harlyn – Eight Years LaterI look around the room, ensuring that everything I have to do is finished. My gaze goes to where Wayne is standing. It’s strange to consider how much things have changed in the last eight years.The eight years have forced me to change, not just because I was exiled and homeless but also because I became a mother, and well, things like that changed a person. It changed me a lot, and I am grateful for the changes the pups have forced me to make.The weak, pathetic girl from before is gone. She has been replaced by someone stronger, who no longer stutters her words. Now, I walk around with my head held high rather than with my eyes on the floor, too afraid to look up.The changes were made throughout the last eight years, thanks to Wayne and the pups. They have given me a strength that I never knew I had. I went from living with a family and pack who mostly hated me and saw me as worthless to living with a family and pack who saw the value in me.“Are you fini
HarlynI’m stuck on what to reply to him, the silence once again fills the car.“So, this celebration,” he says. He's clearly changing the conversation, sensing I’m worrying about the wedding topic. “Beta Jonathan and Olivia will be returning in a few days.”I know he’s right but celebrations should wait, we have other pressing issues to solve. “Wayne, maybe we should hold off on celebrations? At least until we figure out the attacks at the east,” I suggest.“We can deal with that, my love, without compromising on celebrations. The pack needs something to celebrate, and this is the perfect excuse,” Wayne explains, and I nod.“I still don’t understand this whole rogue king and why he’s returning,” I say, feeling confused by the entire situation.“I’ve told you everything that I know my love, some rogue kings who have lost their kingdoms and packs do just attack others in the hope they can win and take over,” he explains and grasps my hand. “It’s no real threat.” I nod, accepting his wo
HarlynI dial the number and wait. Each ring worries me. If Father answers, which he has a few times, I have to hang up quickly so he doesn’t know it's me.“Harlyn!” Samuel’s voice comes through the phone, instantly making me smile, but at the same time, tears begin to fill my eyes.“Samuel, it’s good to hear from you,” I reply. “I wanted to do our usual check-in,” I explain. Our phone calls are rare, and they are the only way I know that everyone is alive and well at home. We have agreed on no big updates, if less they are life-and-death sitauations, it’s for the best.“Harlyn, I need you to come home, please,” Samuel says, and I notice the worry in his tone.“Samuel, that’s not possible. I was exiled, remember?” I remind him. My heart is craving to go home and see them, but it’s not possible.“Please, Mother wishes to see you, Harlyn,” he pleads. I wish he could understand this.It isn’t easy to refuse, but going back is going against my father's orders, and that won’t be good for a
HarlynThe pups look excited about this trip. “Okay, go pack, please,” I say to the pups and watch as they run to their rooms. Moving on, I walk to mine and begin to pack my bag, ready to go.“Are you sure about this, Harlyn?” Wayne asks. I turn and see him standing by the door. He’s worried, but I know that I will be fine.“I am sure. Don’t worry about me, Wayne. I’ve changed, you know that I have,” I remind him. He walks to me and wraps his arms around me.“Yes, you have,” he whispers. “The difference from the person you arrived here as to today is huge, it seems almost impossible for you to be the same person.” He kisses my cheek, and I smile. “The pups have changed you. Just remember your training, Harlyn. You may not have a wolf, but for seven years, you trained,” he reminds me.I nod. Even I know my training is useless if I am faced with someone who is a wolf. Another human, sure, I can manage, but a wolf? No. Still, he needs reassurance.“I remember, don’t worry. Plus, Thorin w