Harlyn“Because I love you.” I am dumbfounded by Stefan’s words. He leans forward and kisses away my tears.Stefan’s words roll around in my mind, and I wonder if he’s okay. Like mentally, because he really appears to be losing it.I’m concerned for him. The shift in his attitude and behaviour is worrying. Was he hurt during the war with the rogues, and has that caused this?Either Stefan has genuinely had a nasty knock to the head and needs medical help, or this is a joke, a game to him. He hates me. Actually, he despises me. So why is he now acting like this?Why the hell is he constantly trying to touch me? Hell, he kissed my tears. What is his plan and game now? Just to make everything even more painful for me? Is he set to make sure that he outdoes my father’s hurt towards me?It feels like he and my father are battling for the top spot on who can hurt Harlyn the most.I don’t feel like he’s being honest, and part of me honestly is worried. This isn’t right or real, and there mus

Stefan POVI stay sitting, facing her, trying to figure out the words I need to say.“So, us...The whole mating bond...” Sighing, I try and fix my mind. “About our bond...us being mates...”I watch as she nods and smiles, my body relaxing.“I, Harlyn Rich—” her words infuriate me. I quickly cover her mouth with my hand to silence her rejection.“What the hell, Harlyn! I thought you said we were fine?” She said we were fine, she smiled, and then she tried to reject me again. “I’m sorry, okay. I take everything back, I take back the rejection, I take back my words, I take it all back.” I shout, trying to make her see sense.She thrashes and tries to break out of my hold. “Why are you still trying to reject me, Harlyn? I apologised. You remember how we used to be before.” I beg her, trying to make her see sense.Why would she try to accept my rejection? I wanted to shake her for being so stupid; I thought she remembered and realised how much we cared for each other.Was it all an act to

HarlynThe room falls quiet, and Wayne looks at me. It’s clear he is thinking I’m joking, but I’m not. I want to do it tomorrow to prove to Stefan how little he owns me. Everyone is watching, in shock, clearly wondering if they heard me right. They did. I will marry Wayne tomorrow.“Say that again?” he asks, and I laugh slightly; his arms stay wrapped around my body as he peers into my eyes, waiting for confirmation.“Let’s get married tomorrow,” I say again, unable to contain the smile that spreads across my face. I see the shock flashing in his eyes. I don’t want to wait; what is the point in waiting anyway?“For real? I know you agreed, but I assumed you would wait. Only do this, my love, if you are completely sure.” He stands shocked. Even though I agreed to marry him here, I knew in his mind he thought it wouldn’t happen.He is still thinking I’m about to walk away from this, but I won’t. I will be marrying him tomorrow. Nothing and no one has the power to stop us.“Tomorrow? Are

StefanI didn’t sleep last night—how could I? My mind was focused on Harlyn and her upcoming marriage to Wayne. Well, she could try. After getting ready for the wedding, I stepped out of the room, and my mother looked at me.“Are you sure it wise for you to go to this wedding?” She asks, and I laugh.“I’m not going to the wedding, Mother, because there won’t be one.” I will stop it before she even walks through that door.“Stefan, you can’t do anything crazy.” She looks at me, and I know she is worried, but I need to do something crazy.“I already did that, Mother; it apparently didn’t work, so I need to get up a level,” I say while smiling at her.“You already did? Stefan, what did you do?” She stands staring at me.“Stopped him from being able to claim her mother, like he tried that night. Which room is Harlyn in?” I ask as I walk around her.“Harlyn is in her wedding dress. You can’t enter that room, Stefan.” She follows behind me.“Oh, but I can. Which room, mother?” I stand waiti

StefanI don’t know what to do; I walk out of the room and look for my mother. I find her with the guests.“There you are, you’re late.” Diandra looks at me, and I push her hand off me.“Not now!” I snap at her and turn to my mother. “I need you.” I walk out, and she follows me.“What is going on?” She stops me and looks at me, waiting for my answer.“I think Harlyn is under a spell.”She laughs at my words.“Don’t, Mother, I mean it. How do I stop it?” I need to know.“That would depend. What sort of spell?” She sits on the small sofa and waits for me to explain.“I don’t know. One where she hates me, especially if I talk, but if I get close to her, if I touch her, it breaks the spell, as long as I don’t speak.”She looks at me like I’m crazy.“I mean it, she is like a hurricane, screaming, hitting me, then if I grip her chin and make her focus on me, and I stay quiet, she’s calm and kisses me. Something isn’t right.” I just need to break it; then I can stop this.“A spell like that