Their Approval

Harlyn

The celebration has been going amazing; I watch Wayne standing with the pups and Samuel walking towards my mother. I sit.

“Darling.” She moves and hugs me. “He seems like such an amazing man.” Her words make me smile.

“He is; I’m grateful to have him.” That I am.

“He and the pups have changed you. The girl you were has basically disappeared. You walk with your head up, no longer at your feet,” she says while smiling.

“Mother, you know we all love you, right?” I ask, and she nods. “Then don’t do this again; imagine how I would have felt if Father refused to let me return and you had died.” I hate how close that reality came.

“Samuel needed you. Lucy needed you.”

“So much that you were willing to die?” Is she crazy? I stare at her, fighting back the tears.

“He missed you. We all did.” Sighing, she looks around the room. “Maybe it was foolish, but I knew Samuel needed you there for his wedding. I knew you would forever regret not being there. So if I died in my quest, it would have been worth it.” She smiles and grasps my hand.

“I may not have the power to stop your father from exiling you, disowning you and throwing you out. I can use myself, however, to ensure that you and Samuel got to be at his wedding together.”

She’s crazy. “Mother, it wouldn’t have been worth dying for.” How can she not realise that?

“Are you sure? Despite what that witch did to you, Harlyn, you and Samuel were smiling in a way I hadn’t seen since you left. If I died tomorrow due to my actions, I at least know he got his wish to have his sister there when he married.” She smiles at me, and I still want to say it wasn’t worth it.

I can’t, though; I know that the family are here within the restrictions of the royal family. That’s what they signed up for. Part of being the Earl, Countess, and their top guards and warriors tied them to this place.

The only way for me to see them was to come back, and I hate what my mother did right now, but I’m grateful I can leave now and know they will be fine. They have been for the past eight years, so they will be for life.

“I’m keeping the pups with me tonight, Harlyn,” she says, and I look at her confused. “You will be leaving soon, and I want to spend as much time with them as possible.”

“Of course, Mother, although I’m unsure if Thorin will agree.” I’m not.

“Well, let’s try.” She stands, and I follow her to where the pups are with Wayne and Samuel.

“You three are staying with me tonight.” Mother says, and Lotta and Isaac cheer and hug her. Thorin moves closer to Wayne, his head shaking.

“Thorin, it’s fine. Go have fun with grandmother.” I say, kissing his cheek.

“No, I can’t do that, Mummy.” His words are cold, and he shakes his head.

“Thorin,” Wayne says, and he glances up at him. “It’s fine, go have some fun.” Wayne smiles down at him; Thorin grins and rushes to them.

“Good night, Mummy!” they call as they leave. Slowly, Wayne and I walk out of the palace and through the gardens.

“How are you feeling my love?” He looks at me.

“Better now that you’re here.” My hand slips into his.

“You’re not a good liar, not with me, so what is the problem, the real one?” He asks, pulling me to sit on the grass. I look up at the moon.

“How are things in the pack?” I ask, my worry increasing over the fact that he has left.

“It’s in some trusted hands. Do not worry.”

“The rogue king?” I ask, knowing that he keeps returning.

“Sorted, I can assure you that he won’t be returning again. Now, what is the issue with you?” He smiles at me.

“I...” Sighing, I look around me. “I missed being here. I didn’t realise how much I missed until I was back and saw everyone.” I admit I can’t return, even if my father allowed it. My life is with Wayne.

“We can come back and visit any time that you wish to.” His words are meant to help, but they don’t.

“That won’t happen, Wayne. My father only allowed me to return this time so my mother would eat,” I remind him.

“Maybe so, but Samuel married the princess. Think about it, my love. She asks King Stefan. He will approve of you visiting with the pups to see her.” He smiles and pulls me closer.

Maybe he is right. I’ve only spoken to my father that one night, so there’s less chance of him sending a maid to get me if Wayne is here.

“My love.” I turn and look at him, confused by his tone. “How much do you know about the royal family and their ability to protect you if you were to visit here?”

I consider his words: “They won a battle early this morning, Wayne. I believe a group of rogues had tried to get past all the lines of defences for two days and failed.” That should answer his question.

“Yes, but how powerful are they really?” he asks, looking at me and waiting.

“My father, the Earl, is more powerful than the former king. However, King Stefan is more powerful than even the Earl. From the small bit I have spoken to those here the last few days, King Stefan is almost impossible to be taken down by werewolves.” Then again, it was similar before I left.

I remember watching them train, and there would be fifteen soldiers trying to fight him, and it was impossible for them to win. Even at the young age of fourteen, he was amazing at fighting, and over the years, his strength only seemed to increase.

“Honestly, I would be safe. Nothing can take down King Stefan.” I smile at him, trying to reassure him, but I don’t think I will come back here without him.

I want to be here with him or not return at all.