Harlyn
I’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 words. I need to trust he is telling me the truth.
Over the years, I have watched him change. He seemed lost, adrift almost when I arrived, all I knew was his wife had died four years before I arrived and he seemed to give up on the pack, and everything else.
Everyone had told me how he seemed to obsess over things that weren’t needed. Somehow though, my arrival and the pup's arrival changed him. We gave him a reason to fight, to change. He’s more open with the pack, as before many didn’t know what he was doing, he kept everything secret.
Together, we changed each other, and that is something I will forever be grateful for. I’m no longer the child I was when I was exiled. The car stops and we walk in, I hear the voices instantly and the pup’s footsteps as they run through the manor.
Lotta squeals as she runs to me. “Mummy!” I kneel, and her arms wrap around me. I can’t stop the smile that instantly builds on my face. It’s amazing just how much I have missed them today.
“My princess, Lotta,” I say as I kiss her cheek.
“Wayne! Wayne is back!” Isaac’s yell has me laughing as he bounds through and jumps into Wayne’s waiting hands. I watch as they hug briefly; it’s amazing how close the pups are to him.
Lotta keeps her arms around me, and I smile at her.
“Did you have fun, sweet Lotta?” I ask, knowing that she would have. Wayne’s sister, Mandy, ensured she had enough events planned for the entire day so they wouldn’t constantly question where we were.
Lotta nods quickly. “We made you this, Mummy,” Lotta says, and she holds out a paper flower she has made.
“Thank you, it’s beautiful.” I kiss her cheek. I hear Isaac telling Wayne about how they spent their day. I look up, waiting for Thorin to join us.
“Thorin?” I call out, and a few seconds later, he enters the room. He quietly walks towards me and wraps his arms around me.
“Hi, Mummy,” he says while smiling.
“Hi, Thorin darling,” I reply. Hugging him tightly, I kiss his cheek. “Did you look after everyone while we were gone?” I ask. He believes he is looking after everyone, but it is the guards who are.
“I did, Mummy, just as you and Wayne asked me to.” We didn’t ask him to, he insisted. I laugh at that. It makes him feel good, however.
I watch as Wayne steps forward and kneels ahead of Thorin. He moves and holds out the gloves-the ones Thorin has been asking for. I watch as his eyes widen with excitement. Thorin takes the gloves and hugs him.
“That isn’t all. For a warrior like you, Carlton has agreed to visit the pack sometime and personally give you a lesson,” Wayne explains.
I’m anxious about others seeing the pups strengths and abilities, but Thorin’s face forces me to push it away. They aren’t like others, and I don’t want anyone to find out about it. Ignoring my worries I smile at Thorin, Carlton is a renowned warrior, and from what I know, he’s only been beaten once in the arenas.
For him to agree to come and give Thorin a personal lesson is big, and I don’t want to ruin it for Thorin. We move in and sit together, Thorin tells me about how his training has gone today, he could have skipped out on training for today, but he enjoys it. Isaac and Lotta enjoy training as well, but not as much as Thorin.
Where they see it as fun, Thorin sees it almost as work, and really does focus on it when the time comes. It explains why he is progressing so quickly, that and because the pups are different.
I watch as Wayne sits with them, joining in their conversations and hugging them. He has adopted them as his own, although nothing official has been done, I know that he treats them how he would his own pups. He protects them like he does me. Everyone in the pack knows not to hurt or upset the pups. Wayne wouldn’t allow it.
My eyes go to the time, I should call Samuel and check in, it’s been long enough, and I don’t want him worried about me.
“I cooked,” Mandy smiles at us and sets the table.
“Thank you, Mandy,” I say as I hug her. Walking through, we sit together and eat, and again, Isaac is the one controlling the conversation. He can’t stop talking about what happened today. Anyone would think we were away for weeks with how long this catch-up is taking.
He doesn’t want to miss a single thing, so he goes through the day from one event to the next. I see Thorin roll his eyes at Isaac, clearly getting bored of the conversations now.
“I’m going to call Uncle Samuel. Does anyone have a message to pass on?” I ask, knowing that they like to give me a message to pass on.
“Can I ring this time?” Thorin looks at me.
“No, darling. You know it’s adult conversation and only lasts for a minute.” We don’t go too deep, and I don’t want Thorin to be told of anything bad.
“I’m an adult,” Thorin states boldly.
He certainly speaks and acts like one. “I know, but I need to speak with him and ensure there are no issues. Do you have a message?” I ask, waiting.
“No, not this time.” He sulks slightly, and I nod. Kissing them, I walk away from the table and watch as they go back to the spot in the living room to play. I have missed Samuel, Colton, and my Mother. Eight years feels like a lifetime without them.
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
HarlynWalking in, I see someone standing ahead of us; I watch as he turns, and I can’t stop smiling.“Harlyn?” Samuel stares at me. He looks so different.“Sam!” I cry. Running to him, I wrap my arms around him in a tight embrace. Emotions flood through me. It’s been too long. Eight years is a long time not to see your family.“You came,” he whispers.“I wouldn’t refuse Same, not when it’s likely the only chance I will get to see you again,” I remind him. I look at him and smile.“Come say hello to your uncle,” I look at the pups, and watch as Isaac and Lotta walk forward, Thorin however stands looking at him. I watch as Samuel kneels and speaks to Lotta and Isaac, after introducing himself he turns to Thorin.“You must be Thorin,” Samuel asks. Thorin cautiously steps forward, and I watch as Samuel goes to embrace him.“I am,” Thorin speaks. He offers his hand to Samuel to shake, rather than accepting the hug. Once he knows Samuel he will allow him to hug him, right now he is cautiou
HarlynI’m sitting with my brothers and mother. Isaac and Lotta are sitting and playing with my mother, who already looks far healthier than she did before.“So, why do you have guards, Harlyn?” Colton asks. My mother and Samuel also look at me like they want to know.“They are not guards like the palace has, they are beta’s,” I explain. “They aren’t mine, they are Alpha Wayne’s,” I say, and look between them, deciding now is the time to just say it. “I’m engaged to him,” I say while holding out my hands. I watch their eyes widen.“You’re engaged to an Alpha? Samuel asks in disbelief.“What does he look like, Harlyn?” Mother questions.“Is he your mate?” Colton asks, and they continue to ask questions while I laugh slightly at how quickly they are asking questions without giving me a chance to answer them.“Why isn’t he here? Surely he should have come as well?” Samuel looks at me with a confused expression.“Mummy said he wasn’t allowed to come with us,” Isaac speaks, and Samuels's ey
Harlyn“Harlyn,” I hear Samuel call out my name. I turn to look at him. He moves and sits next to me.“Are they okay?” I ask, my eyes glancing towards the manor.“Colton is entertaining them. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t tell me you were engaged?” He asks.My mind goes back to that call and I explain it to him.“Harlyn, please tell me that you have settled. I worry that you’re still alone.” Samuel’s voice quakes with worry. That will only increase if I tell him I have no fixed home and I’m still trying to find a pack to accept me.“Samuel, how is Mother doing?” I ask, wanting to know how she is dealing with the situation.“Would you want to know the answer if it hurts you, Harlyn?” He asks, and my heart shatters knowing I don’t.“Would you, Samuel?” I reply, and the call goes quiet. “We can’t do this, Samuel; updates cause more pain. They remind me of what I’m missing.” I fight back the tears.The last time we spoke, he told me he had taken over and become Prince Stefan’s first
HarlynI look at Lucy waiting to see what she has to say.“Shall we take a stroll? I have something to discuss with you,” she asks. I nod and she begins to walk around the palace with me.“I’ve missed you, Harlyn. Even before you left, you hardly visited me anymore,” Lucy said. Her gaze shows her sadness. She’s right; after Stefan rejected me, I avoided the palace more and more.She stops suddenly and sits in one of the palace halls. I move and sit beside her.“How have you been, your Highness?” I ask. I can’t help but smile at seeing her again, she looks so different, and so much more grown.“There’s something I must share with you, Harlyn,” Lucy begins. Her voice portrays her excitement.“Well, tell me, don’t leave me in suspense,” I respond. My own excitement bubbles to the surface. I want to hear her news, and I hope it will make me smile when I am gone and know that she is well. Lucy hesitates, and I get a sense she is uneasy about whatever she is going to say.I can’t help but w
StefanI watch as she embraces Lucy, my eyes taking her in. Is this really Harlyn? Something about her seems so different. She’s no longer the child I saw her as.If anything, she’s a woman, grown far more than anyone I know. My eyes look across her, and I feel I am missing something.I stand dumbfounded. Harlyn barely even looks like herself. She hasn’t even noticed we followed.Diandra steps towards Lucy and Harlyn and pulls me with her. “You returned?” Her words annoy me, and I watch as Harlyn looks towards Diandra.“Harlyn, this is Princess Diandra from Wicklore Pack.” Lucy introduced her, which was good, as I was still speechless.“Oh, I apologise, Your Highness, I didn’t know.” Harlyn does a small curtsy. Who is this woman?“Are you planning to stay?” Diandra asks, and I’m glad she did. I want to know if she will stay.“I am not staying, no,” Harlyn speaks, and I stare, shocked. She’s leaving? Surely not? Why would she leave?“Why? You just got back.” Lucy complains.“I’ve nothi
HarlynI stand confused as Stefan shakes his head at me. I led him to my mother's room; what more did he want right now? I wanted to find Samuel and ask about the wedding, I planned to ask Lucy, but she asked about why I left, and then Stefan interrupted us.I hadn’t noticed he followed after I was introduced to Diandra, or rather, Princess Diandra. They make a perfect couple. She looks just as bossy as he does.“Well, open it and guide us in,” Stefan orders. Every fibre of my being screams with the urge to lash out, to challenge his authority, but I know better than to provoke the king within his own kingdom.Internally, however, I burn with the desire to punch him square in the jaw. How satisfying it would be to wipe that smug expression off his face. But, I am bound by the constraints of hierarchy here. This kingdom isn’t like Wayne’s small city.It’s run by royalty, and they must be respected and followed.With a heavy sigh, I push the door open, ready to turn and walk away as soo