The Waiting

Stefan

We sit and consider it. Consider why Harlyn would get the rarest wolf, the one never seen before.

“The stories say the blue wolf is given as a blessing by the Moon Goddess to one individual who has fought battles many others would succumb to,” Harold explains. “The person blessed with the blue wolf is meant to have overcome hurdles like no other and proven themselves worthy of it. Typically in the stories, the Moon Goddess tests certain werewolves by not blessing them with a wolf straight away. If one proves worthy enough, they are blessed with the blue wolf, otherwise, they are given a normal one.”

I don’t know enough about it to comment. It was a phantom, a story, something we would joke about as kids. Who has ever seen a blue wolf?

Well, I have now. It was unlike any wolf before. Her fur was like the night sky, a deep blue, but there were small white spots, almost like light. Making it look like there were stars on her.

“Harlyn has certainly faced a lot, and throughout it all, she never lost faith in werewolves. Many without a wolf end up resenting werewolves, shaming them. Harlyn hadn’t,” my mother explains, and I know she is right.

Many who are exiled and without a wolf turn to one of the smaller cities where those without wolves live. That is where I imagined Harlyn had gone. I never imagined she would search out a pack to accept her.

That just proves she never gave up on werewolves. She never gave up the hope that things could change for her.

“It could also be because there is black magic at play?” Father speaks now. “The power of it, based on what you have said, son, regarding her actions towards you, the pup’s actions, says it isn’t small. Black magic is used, but many frown upon it. If they are using black magic and planning to attack, maybe Harlyn getting that wolf is the way to stop it?” he asks, and I shrug. I don’t know.

Most wolves don’t use black magic, actually, most don’t use magic at all. It’s why many of the witches and warlocks live with those humans, the werewolves without wolves.

“The plan is that when he gets here, we go to where she and Wayne are, and he will remove the black magic. Then, I need to hope that Harlyn sees what Wayne has done. I need to hope that the pups realise all those feelings they had weren’t real.”

Something tells me it won’t be that easy. As much as I want to think we can just walk in there, him do what is needed, and Harlyn and the pups wake up to what is going on, I know it won’t be that easy.

I listen as they talk, discussing the plan. It will only be myself and Samuel going, anymore going, and Wayne will think we’re going to war.

The story is that I’m there to ensure Thorin is fine and ask Harlyn if she wishes to attend court against her father. For now, he’s fine, but when we return, he will face court for his actions. The Warlock is going to play the mediator, a middleman, to stop any issues. Wayne won’t know who he is or his real reason for being there.

Everyone says I need to keep hopeful, but I’m being realistic and considering everything that could go wrong. That way, if it does, I have a good idea of how to react or what to do.

“Have you considered if once the magic is lifted, she still loved Wayne and picked him?” Lucy looks at me.

“That won’t happen.” That is one thing I am sure of, there is no way she loves Wayne, no way at all would she choose him over me.

“It’s a possibility, something to consider, son. If he’s magic to grow her feelings, it still means there had to be some kind of feeling there before for it to work.” My head shakes at my father’s words.

“She wouldn’t pick him regardless of her feelings. She will know he is using her and the pups; she won’t pick him.” I know she wouldn’t, not when she uncovers the truth. There is no way she would forgive him for that.

“What is the plan for if she does come back?” Samuel looks towards me now.

“I thought that would be obvious. I accept her, and I marry her.” Why would I do anything else? I have done this much to win her and the pups; I wouldn’t do this just to leave her sitting on the sidelines again.

“You rejected her once; you hated her so much, you rejected her.” Samuel glares at me.

“I never wanted to reject her. I had heard things and thought my parents would make me reject her in front of the entire city. I thought I was protecting her from not just their rejection but the entire kingdom. I made a mistake, I accept that.”

Samuel stares from me to my parents.

“They were my words,” Harold whispers, and Samuel turns to glare at him. “She was mut, nothing going for her. I didn’t want to see her as the queen. I was willing to force the king into making Stefan reject her for all to see if either of them mentioned they were mates.” His words are quiet.

I can see Samuel and Colton are shocked. His evil towards her and exiling her is nothing—not compared to getting her mate to reject her. That is cruel and unheard of, but he was willing to try. That, however, was until he realised he couldn’t force me physically, but by then, it was too late. I had already rejected her. He got his wish, even if he hadn’t carried through with it.

There were too many secrets, had people spoken up and not hidden the truth, maybe Harlyn would never have left with my pups. Maybe she wouldn’t have been exiled, and that night I was with her, maybe I would have been, but with her knowing it was me.