StefanI see the shock on Harlyn’s face, realising just who Wayne is. I want to pull her out and insist we leave, but even I know she won’t do as I say. When does she ever anyway?If less were at the kingdom and I’m wearing my crown, even then, she does it in a mocking way, making me aware she doesn’t agree.“Harlyn, I can change,” Wayne says, and I laugh, which only infuriates him more.“Your wife is standing right there, your mate, and you’re just acting like she’s non-existent,” I say, watching him. He glances from Harlyn to Katy.Katy is standing looking hurt by his rejection.“Mate’s means nothing if you don’t love them, and I don’t love her anymore,” Wayne states.“Please, Harlyn doesn’t want you. So why ignore me?” Katy asks.I look from her to Wayne. She should know. “Katy, if you go back to him, you can’t come to the kingdom.” There is no way that I can trust he isn’t using her to get to Harlyn or the pups again. If she is set on going back to Wayne, I won’t allow her to come
HarlynI’m unsure of how long we sit and talk, and Stefan explains everything to me in more detail. Volkaros, who is apparently a warlock, not that I knew they even existed. Explains the magic used against me and the pups.I’m unsure where I will stay when we get back. Stefan has informed me that if I want to stay at the manor, I can, and he will restrict my father to his own quarters, so I won’t even need to see him.Likewise, if I stay at the palace, he will make everyone aware my father needs to give notice before coming so that I know the rooms to avoid so I don’t see him.He seems to be thinking of everything, but one thing keeps coming back, and it’s court. He’s mentioned the types of punishments my father could face, and it’s my choice whether to give my view on which is appropriate.I won’t forgive him, sure the magic made things worse, but he hated that I didn’t have a wolf. Even though it was beyond my control, he blamed me for it.Still, after all the punishments he could g
HarlynEveryone is quiet, and Volkaros seems extremely sickened by what is happening. I need to know, though. It’s not something I’ve ever heard of before.“What is it?” I look between Samuel and Volkaros.“Dragufic is a drug. It torments your mind and pulls up moments of intense guilt, regret and such. The mind is focused on those moments and replays it, over and over, slowly driving them crazy,” Samuel explains.“So we wake him,” I say, and I wait, but his head shakes.“There’s no counter drug there’s nothing you can do to stop it. He needs to,” Samuel explains.“What do you mean he needs to? How can he? Don’t you have a doctor on here or something?” I can’t see them travelling without a doctor, or I hope not.“There’s no doctor with us. We weren’t meant to cause fights. We were meant to just get you and leave. Plus, anything a doctor could heal a wolf can heal quicker,” Samuel explains.“There needs to be something, Samuel,” I argue.“I don’t know enough about it Harlyn, we will be
Harlyn I looked between my father and the queen, wondering just what she was hinting at. “I agree, darling; we can’t risk Harlyn for a chance of saving him,” the former king says. “If he can’t bring himself out of it, the pups need her, and we can’t sacrifice her on the off chance of it working.” The queen deflates, and I watch as they take out Stefan and I move to catch up with the queen. “Your Grace,” I say as we walk into the palace, she peers at me. “Harlyn, the maids took the pups in and showed them to their rooms,” she smiles at me. “How do you think I could help him?” I ask, wanting to know if there is a way. She glances around us to ensure no one is listening. “From the stories, in the past, people have tried various techniques, some successful, others not so. One was using someone’s mate. If the mate’s wolf can, it connects with the wolf of the person infected,” she explains. I nod at her quickly. “So how do I do it?” I ask. “You would get pulled into it Harlyn, then
StefanI’m not sure what is happening, but something feels wrong. I’m unable to understand what; however, everything feels different, and I reject Harlyn.Something isn’t right, but I’m not sure. I feel like I’m in hell, and there’s not much I can do. Darkness descends, and I feel relief. Then, I’m right back there, and I swear it’s like it’s on replay.That isn’t possible, though. Yet, something feels different, like I’ve already lived this part of my life. I feel like I’m being tortured but still confused by everything.I close the door, and my body runs cold as I hear Harlyn shouting my name. I almost reopen the door but realise it’s in my mind. How?Harlyn?The words are thought in my mind rather than me speaking them, which makes no sense whatsoever.Wake up, it’s not life, Stefan, it’s a memory, wake up!My body relaxes as I hear her. Wake up? I’m not asleep, am I? I whisper the word sorry from my lips.Wake up, remember Stefan, this isn’t real, the pups, remember them.Wait, th
StefanMy eyes open, and I see my mother peering down at me. What happened? I feel someone next to me and turn to see Harlyn lying next to me. I’m in my room.“How did I get here?” I was on the ship.“You were drugged and didn’t wake, don’t worry. Focus on regaining your energy,” my mother smiles at me.“I’m fine. Just explain what happened,” I say, still unsure of what happened.“We believe Wayne injected you with Dragufic during your altercation,” she explains, and I look at Harlyn.“He did the same to Harlyn?” Why would he do that?“No, Harlyn used her wolf and the bond to connect with you and make you realise. What was your torment?” she asks, looking at me and waiting.“Me rejecting Harlyn. Now, thinking back, I can remember it was on replay. At the time, though, it felt so real, and I couldn’t remember it happening again and again.” I doubt I would have realised if Harlyn wasn’t there; I know for sure I wouldn’t have realised.“How long has she been asleep?” I ask.“We’ve been h
StefanI’m not sure how long we have been fighting, but the longer it lasts, the more strength he gains, and I realise his wolf wasn’t fully bound.Some of his men have run off in the direction of the distraction, so I know that they will have their wolves back soon. Not that it helps me now, I don’t have the strength against Wayne and his wolf.I fall to my knees and he laughs, but right now, my body hurts.“Hold him down,” Wayne speaks and I feel my arms get gripped and them holding me down to keep me kneeling. “You see, all I wanted to do was show everyone how it felt without a wolf.” His face leans into mine.“After all, Harlyn had no wolf, and many of the people here mocked her for it. They will now realise just how she felt.” His fist swings and hits me, and I groan. “Don’t worry. I will claim her again and use magic, so she stays.” He leans into my ear. “And well, your pups, I guess they become like the Cinderellas of the fairytale, just without the happy ending.”I see the kni
HarlynI walk into the room and sit next to Stefan. I know I panicked too much with Thorin; it’s hard to remember that he is strong and a lycan. To me, I see him as the baby from when he was born, and he’s still a child.“How are you feeling?” Stefan glances at me. He seems off—not like before, but like he’s avoiding me.“I’m fine, honestly. Shouldn’t we go out there and celebrate, Your Majesty?” I ask.“I’d rather sit here with you and the pups,” he says while smiling.I know he would rather that, but he’s the king. Him avoiding a celebration after a battle isn’t right. “We will join you,” I say.“Your father will be there, Harlyn,” his words are barely a whisper. I know I didn’t want to see or speak to him, but it’s going to be impossible. I know they would have used my father to help with the battle, and it would be wrong to remove him from the celebration.I also don’t like that me insisting I avoid him will make it harder for everyone.“I’m fine with it, Your Majesty. At some poi