StefanI lose myself in the kiss, and while I want to damn Ghost to hell for this, I can’t because it’s her. Something inside of me is screaming that it was Harlyn that night.Her mouth feels exactly the same, she tastes the same, and I swear the small moan that escaped her mouth instantly sounded like that night.My body is pushed back slightly, and her eyes are on fire with rage. Her hand swings, and for some reason, I don’t try to move out of the way.As the sting of her punch flows through my jaw, I stand there, stunned, caught in the emotions that sweep over me like a storm.Harlyn—no, it couldn’t be her. But the familiarity of her touch and the taste of her lips ignite a primal instinct within me that defies all logic and reason.Her eyes blaze with fiery rage, yet beneath the anger, I glimpse a flicker of fear—a fear of the repercussions of hitting the king. At that moment, I couldn’t blame her for hitting me. I had overstepped my bounds and crossed a line that should never hav
StefanI stand by the table and look at the Earl.“What do you propose?” I ask, knowing that he will have some suggestions.I watch as he rolls out the maps. “The wedding is tomorrow, and it’s too late for us to go now. This is where they got through; currently, the soldiers on the second defence wall are holding up,” he explains.“So we send more soldiers to ensure no one else can get through,” I suggest, and he nods in agreement.“The plan is to ensure the soldiers are there and stop them from breaking through the second defence. After the wedding, our top soldiers and I go and push them back out of the kingdom.” He explains the plan while marking out the areas on the map.“Send reinforcements to the west,” I order, and he looks at me in confusion. “When we send more soldiers there, they will think we took them from another point, so reinforce the next closest one.”I watch as he nods in agreement. “Good plan. I will get it sorted. The soldiers can easily hold off the rogues until af
HarlynAfter getting to my room last night, I inspected the damage to my ankle. Princess Diandra had kicked me with her heel, and the pain is still there now. I couldn't go to the med ward and ask for help.It's another thing my father would blame me for. So instead, I've wrapped my ankle, and I'm hoping no one notices it.As I stand beside Lucy, her nerves are visible. I can’t help but try to ease her worry. My and finds hers, offering silent reassurance.“Do I look okay?” Her voice trembles with uncertainty as she steals a glance at me.“You look astounding! Truly amazing, Your Highness,” I reply, offering her a warm smile. The dress is truly breathtaking.“I’m so scared,” she confesses, and I nod. I can understand her worry. Most people are scared on the day they marry.“Don’t be. You’re marrying a man who loves you. He’s waiting for you,” I assure her.“He loves me?” Her words come out almost as a desperate plea.“Yes! I spoke to him this morning, and it was abundantly clear,” I c
HarlynThorin has gone to dance with my mother, and now Lotta is dancing with me. The atmosphere is alive with joy and celebration. I’m even more delighted because my father and Stefan are nowhere near me. They haven’t been present at any part of the wedding since after the ceremony.“Harlyn.” I turn, hearing Samuel’s voice, and my arms instinctively wrap around him in a tight embrace. I’m so glad I got to watch him marry.“I’m guessing Thorin told you about the plan?” He asks, waiting for my reply.“He did. We’re going to the palace for the night?” I ask, seeking confirmation.Samuel nods. “Yes, but not tonight. Things are still going well at the wall. The rogues aren’t getting through, so we’re not leaving until tomorrow.”I relax at his words; it gives me time to prepare for everyone’s inevitable questions when they realise the pups are mine. Right now, amidst the festivities, no one seems to suspect.“So tomorrow?” I inquire.“Yes, it just felt wrong to leave tonight, even if the
StefanI slip away through the solid oak door, which provides a welcome barrier between myself and the clamour of the wedding festivities. Despite having fulfilled my familial obligations, mingled with guests, and congratulated my sister and Samuel, I am expected to stay longer, but I mentally can’t cope with staying longer.The noise of over three hundred voices compacted in the grand halls assaults my senses. I find myself trapped by a single thought: Jacub’s intentions. What is his plan? Perhaps my Father’s idea was correct, and there was no plan, or it faltered before it could happen. The absence of repercussions in the eight years leaves me with more questions than answers.Yet, one name persists in occupying my thoughts like an uninvited guest: Harlyn. She lingers in my consciousness despite my attempts to divert my attention elsewhere.She annoyed me during the ceremony, and although she did nothing herself, I blamed her; it was entirely my fault.Asshole.Ghost is correct. I a
HarlynI don’t move. Father glares at me as if he is willing to magically set me alight.“She clearly deserved it. How many men had she propositioned for it to get to the point that one decided she deserved what she offered?” Father’s words attack me.He thinks I deserved to be raped because I propositioned myself to too many men? I want to laugh, but my mind is silent, reeling from his new attempt to destroy my very soul.Why does he hate me so much??Why does he only see the bad?Why does he always see something bad, and I’m to blame? Even this, me getting raped, is somehow my fault.He can’t just accept it as truth. No, he has to find a way to blame it.“She was a victim, Father, and it is wrong to blame her,” Samuel speaks, and I don’t see why he bothered; Father’s view of me will never change.Nothing anyone says will make him change his view on this.“She’s your daughter, our sister, and you’re calling her those vile names. Names that no woman should ever be called Father.” Samu
StefanI feel every word he uses against Harlyn in my gut, and I’m shocked and disgusted by how he could say such vile things to anyone, let alone his daughter.The words he’s using many wouldn’t dream of, yet he is, on his own daughter. I knew he hated that she didn’t have a wolf, but I never imagined his hate was this deeply embedded within him.God, how can he say such vile things to her?You should know.Ghost’s words burned through me. I was trying to save her from the pain of the king and queen telling her she wasn’t good enough.I want to interrupt, but a war between the Earl and me wouldn’t end well. What would my reason be anyway? It’s their family. It doesn’t impact me or the kingdom.He’s hurting our mate.I groan at Ghost’s words. I can’t say that to people.How is it possible that the night I spent with that woman, Harlyn, was raped?Because it was you, you fool.Ghost appears right at the moment I don’t want him. I’m not a fool; I just can’t see it being Harlyn; how coul
Stefan“Your Majesty, what are you doing?” Harlyn asked, trying to pull away from me.“I need to talk, to explain something,” I say, and before I even process what I am doing, I am walking towards the guards outside of the room I often occupy when I stay here.They step back, and Harlyn struggles in my grip more.“Why are we here?” she asks. I walk into the room and close the door, finally releasing her. Now, though, I regret this choice. I didn’t realise until now that it was the room from that night.“I need to talk to you. Did I not already say that?” I press. Glancing down, I see her trying to keep the weight off her foot.“Why this room? You could have spoken with me in the halls.” Why did I come here?“This is my room. Your ankle can heal better here.” No, it can’t. God, what lame excuse is that? She looks at me like she knows it’s a lie. “Look, it’s my room. No one will interrupt you here,” I say, leading her to the sofa.“Your Majesty, I can’t stay here, my kids...I...” She st