His Plan

Stefan

Everyone is waiting for the confirmation, but I wanted to speak to Harlyn about it first. I wanted to explain the links to Wayne even if I have no proof.

I nod, however, and give up. “It doesn’t matter how it happened; it is my fault, and I accept responsibility for it; please, Harlyn, let me speak to you.” I go to step towards her and feel someone push me back.

“Think Stefan.” My mother looks at me.

“I tried telling you! You laughed it off; you made out like I was joking and mocking you. I was never mocking you, Harlyn; I’m sorry I did it this way, but now everyone knows, so there is no more hiding it.” I shout and look at her, but she keeps her face pressed against Wayne’s chest.

Samuel stares at me, shocked. “You rejected her. I think that speaks pretty clearly about how you feel about her. So leave her alone,” Samuel says.

“No! It was a mistake to reject her, she knows that, I apologised.” I move forward, and Lucy pushes me back.

“You already hurt her, Stefan. I heard you that day! I saw her after. I won’t let you do it again!” She glares towards me, that’s how she knew? Was she watching or at least listening?

“I never wanted to reject her, Lucy, just move.” I won’t let them walk out of here.

“Stefan, son, think about this.” Father steps in my path, his eyes go to the pups then Wayne.

“I’ve considered it.” I will get her out of his arms.

“You haven’t. Remember what you told me? Just try and speak to her from a safe distance.” His words are quiet, so no one else can hear. I know what he is warning me about.

The fact that the pups are trained to follow Wayne’s whistle commands isn’t good, but I need to get her out of his arms.

“Harlyn, please, can we speak of this.” I plead, but she is stuck to Wayne, and that just pisses me off.

“Speak?” Lucy jumps between us again, and my eyes roll. “You rejected her just to rape her and let her be exiled!” She screams and hits me.

Samuel moves and pulls her back.

“How can you just stand there? He raped your sister!” She screams and fights to get back to me.

“Because, based on your mother’s words, most of that night was out of his control. Had it known it was Harlyn, fine, I would want his blood, but he didn’t know.” Samuel speaks and glances at me. “But in no way do I forgive you for ruining her life.”

Of course he doesn’t, why would he? I don’t deserve his forgiveness, not yet.

“Your Majesty, I think you should let her go. You can’t stop the titles she has been given by lying to cover for her disgusting behaviour. Since she has returned, there’s been nothing bad in our lives.” The Earl looks at me.

“Oh, shut up!” My words are loud, and everyone stares at me, shocked; yeah, okay, that was wrong, but he’s pissing me off with his crap about Harlyn. “The proof is there; this isn’t me trying to remove the name you labelled her with; it’s the truth.” Stepping forward, I got to grab Harlyn and feel someone push me back.

I glance down and see Thorin.

“Stay back!” he shouts, and I sigh. I watch as he moves and takes a stance that says he is ready to fight.

“Thorin, I will not fight you.” I smile and step forward, but he pushes me back again.

“Stay away from Mummy!” His shout is loud.

“Harlyn, we need to talk.” I look at her.

“Talk?” Wayne glares at me. “Does she even look like she can talk right now? She’s barely conscious, and if you keep trying, I swear you will regret it.” He glares towards me, and I nod.

“If she wasn’t near you, it would be easier, right, Wayne?” I ask and step forward.

“If you keep pushing, you will regret it!” He growls at me.

“You’re going to use my own kids against me, right?” I ask, stepping forward. “Go ahead because I will not stop until I have her out of your arms.” I move forward and hear my father shouting at me to stop.

Wayne whistles, and I see Isaac kick out at my hand, which almost has Harlyn. I manage to dodge the hit, but I feel claws drag across the backs of my knees, and I fall down.

“Stefan, stop!” Mother calls out to me, but I can’t until I get her away from him.

I feel the claw against my side, and I try to move forward, and block their hits without hurting them, Lotta’s hand slashes across my face and I hear Wayne whistle, and they seem to respond and move around me, attacking me more.

No matter how much I try and block them it’s impossible.

“Children, stop!” Mother cries out, I stagger to my feet feeling their claws rip against me, the blood covering my body as I fight to get to Harlyn, and barely even manage to take a step in her direction as Wayne continues to whistle his commands.

Thorin’s eyes blaze as his paw strikes across my neck, my Mothers scream is loud as she begs them to stop, or begs me to stay down.

I can’t let him win, though. I fight to stand, and Wayne continues his attack. God, I need to do this, and I hate it. Closing my eyes I focus on Harlyn, and let the pain flow through to her mind, I hear her scream.

Waiting, I expect Wayne to call them off. I’ve stopped trying to get close to her, but he isn’t. I hear Harlyn screaming again.

“Stop, you’re hurting, Harlyn!” My words are shouted. “You’re hurting your mum.” I look at Thorin, and he moves, slicing across my face.

Harlyn’s screams get louder.

“You’re letting her hurt!” I shout, looking at Wayne. I will heal quickly, but this will be torture to her without a wolf. I hear him whistle, and they move back to his side.

My mother runs to me, and I watch as Wayne moves to the door carrying Harlyn.

“Don’t, Stefan. Don’t do this. Don’t get yourself killed.” Father looks at me. “Let them walk out. They can’t leave the kingdom; I will have the ports blocked.” I nod at his words.

I want to feel proud, the strength of either of the pups alone is monumentle, for stronger than mine. Together, they are unstoppable. Only they are trained in a way to forget everything.

Thorin didn’t make the connection. He was too blinded to realise it was hurting his mum. I’m lost on how to fix this. How do I even stop them when I can’t get her?