Arriving Home

Wayne

I watch as Harlyn sits with the pups. Everything goes a mess. We weren’t meant to stay any longer than needed.

“Are you okay, my love?” I look at her, feeling uneasy.

“Perfect.” She smiles brightly at me.

“Okay, I’m going to go see Ethan and check how things were while we were away.” Smiling, I walk out and head to the training ground; Ethan sees me and walks towards me.

“So, how did it go?” He asks.

“Wait until we get somewhere quiet.” I walk through the building and into the office, closing the door. I look at him.

“You were going to test and see if it was possible. Is it possible?” He looks at me, waiting.

“It is, providing we have enough men to keep the soldiers off the pups. If too many target one, then they are able to immobilise them, then we’re dead within seconds.” That is a risk.

“Something happened? Before, you were confident nothing could go wrong.” He looks at me, waiting.

“The magic isn’t working as strongly as it was meant to with Harlyn and King Stefan.” It’s weakening over time, and that is becoming a risk. “With her father, it was easier; they were both there; with Harlyn, you did it when she arrived here, without Stefan.”

I know that. I had hoped it would work, but it’s weakening and becoming an issue.

“Harlyn stays here.” I don’t want her there, even with her wolf for protection.

“What? The plan was she went with us Wayne.” He glares across at me. “Father told you the plan. You said you would follow it. You can’t change it now because you love the damn mutt!”

“Don’t call her that!” Shouting, I stand.

“Have you forgotten her father, the Earl?” He laughs slightly. “Father’s best friend, the one who murdered your wife, and you’re honestly backing out of it now.”

“She has nothing to do with her father’s actions! Harlyn isn’t to be hurt. She stays behind until it’s safe.” I can’t let her go with us, not again.

“What you mean is, if Harlyn comes, she will stop it. Then what, Wayne? If the magic isn’t working well, and you try to attack her own family, she will stand up to you, and you’re forced to kill her. We get the kingdom back, even if that means she dies. That was the plan.” His words are shouted.

“There is no need for Harlyn to go with us! She’s no use, she can’t offer anything. The pups will fight better without her there. Harlyn stays here.” I won’t negotiate on it.

“She has her wolf, Wayne. I saw her, and I could sense it. She can defend herself. You’re not worried she will die; you’re worried she will run into his arms and you will lose her. You weren’t meant to get that close. Make her believe you loved her, yes, but not actually fall for her.”

I know that was the plan, and I messed it up, but I can’t lose Harlyn, no matter what happens.

“Fine, she stays behind. How were the pups with Stefan? I’m guessing you tested the theory. Were they strong enough or not?”

My head nods. “One of them alone wouldn’t have an issue taking him down, he won’t harm them. They made it clear no one was to touch them, so even if they are killing them all, they won’t be touched. That doesn’t mean he won’t order them to be chained down when we attack however, so we keep as many guards away from them.” That way they won’t be useless.

“So they go for the royal family and the Earl, right?” He looks at me.

“The old king isn’t that strong, you and Gabriel together can take him down. The pups focus on Stefan and Harold.” Sighing, I look around. “There’s one person I am not sure I can get Thorin to attack if he appears, however.”

“Who?” he asks.

“Carlton, apparently, is in the kingdom and goes to the academy to train others.” His eyes widen.

“He’s one below Stefan. How long is he planning to stay for?” He looks at me.

“By the sounds of it, months. If he shows up to help, Thorin is to be moved so he doesn’t see Carlton, Lotta, and Isaac can deal with him alone.”

“Is there anyone else that the pups might struggle to attack?” He looks at me.

“Harlyn’s mother and brother Samuel. Lotta seems rather fond of that princess, Lucy.” They weren’t meant to get so attached, but I needed to stay to see if they were, indeed, stronger than Stefan.

“They shouldn’t be issues. Guards can sort those out easily enough.“He shrugs like it’s nothing, but he hasn’t considered it fully.

“Even so, if they see them under attack, it may not work. They may stop fighting and try to defend the ones we need to kill.” There is a risk that everything will fall down, so we need to ensure they are kept away from the weaknesses.

“They know Stefan recognised me. Well, he saw the resemblance between me and you and knows Jacub is my brother, even if you used a fake name.” I should have considered that more, but I needed it done quickly.

“So, her father? I’m guessing his hatred for her was seen by the pups to help when it comes to fighting him?” he asks, and I nod.

“You have to remember since Harlyn was a pup, that relic has stayed on his finger. The magic keeps him from removing it, so yes, he hates her. The pups won’t consider him when the time comes.”

I had hoped that it would be similar for Harlyn and Stefan, but something about them two makes the magic weaken over time. Not to mention, now that she has her wolf, the connection is back.

“Harlyn, getting her wolf, has removed my claim; it was there but weak, and as soon as she shifted, it snapped. Then I realised their bond was back, which means Stefan can claim her again.” Which is exactly why I insisted we leave before he could get a chance to.

“So keep her here; just remember it was Father’s wish they all died, including Harlyn.” He looks at me.

“Harlyn has faced enough, first the king rejected her, she was faced with years of abuse by her father for us to be able to win, I won’t have her hurt anymore.” I refuse to use her any more.

“Fine, I will go back to training them. They know we’re going to be taking over a kingdom, but not which.” He stands and walks out. It will work. Harlyn will be safe here.