Troubled Mind

Harlyn

I woke up with yesterday at the front of my mind. I hadn’t meant to run and hide for so long; I just needed to get away from Wayne, and when it came to returning, I couldn’t shift back.

It turns out it isn’t like a switch. I had watched people shift all the time, and it seemed easy, but apparently, I was wrong. It’s far more complicated than that.

After showing, I step into the bedroom, and Wayne is waiting.

“We should talk,” he states. I nod at him, knowing he’s right, but right now, I don’t want to.

“Later,” I say. Grabbing my clothes off the bed I walk back through to the bathroom and get ready. After fully dressing, I walk back out, and he’s still there.

“Harlyn, can we talk please?” He sits waiting.

“Later,” I reply and walk to the door. His hand captures mine.

“I forgot what happened back at the kingdom, but yesterday?” He looks at me.

“Nothing happened.” Sighing, my head shakes. “I’m not talking now. Leave it, Wayne,” I say. His eyes widen, but I don’t stop. Instead, I walk out of the room and search for the pups. I plan to let them return with Stefan and Samuel.

As I step outside, I see the pups with Stefan and Samuel. They aren’t exactly together. Isaac and Lotta are with Samuel. Thorin is with Stefan. It’s his usual time to train.

Standing, I watch them. It looks different to when Thorin and Wayne train. Maybe because Thorin has to hold back and can’t hide his full force as he would hurt Wayne? Right now, he’s using his full force, and I stare shocked.

It would be wrong not to let the pups spend time with Stefan, especially when he’s the only one I know they can train with and not have to hold back.

“Hey, sis.” Samuel hugs me. I hadn’t even seen him coming towards me.

“What is going on?” I ask, looking around. Something is, I’m not entirely sure what, but something is happening.

“Nothing. We came to ensure Thorin was okay, Stefan was worried about him.” He smiles at me, and I nod. “You know, at first, I wanted nothing more than you to stay with Wayne because Stefan rejected you and hurt you.”

I glance at him. “At first?” So, what now, he doesn’t think that I should stay with Wayne?

“People make mistakes. Stefan’s was a big one, and at first, I thought you were happy with Wayne. Now, looking back, I realise you didn’t look half as happy with him as you do when you even speak about Stefan.” My eyes roll.

“He’s your best friend.” I remind him.

Laughing, he nods. “Considering I married his sister, I can’t exactly beat him for loving you, can I?” he smirks at me. “Go talk to him. I will keep the pups company.”

I nod and walk towards where Stefan is with Thorin. As I get closer, Stefan notices me and smiles, and my heart flutters. I didn’t even notice how him smiling at me affected me.

Samuel calls Thorin, and I watch him run off as I reach Stefan.

“How are you feeling today?” he asks, and I shrug. Sitting, I look at the guy behind him. “Oh, he’s here to confirm your answers when it comes to your dad’s court,” Stefan states, clearly sensing my confusion.

“I haven’t exactly considered it, Your Majesty. When do you need an answer?” I ask.

“Harlyn, don’t do that,” Stefan shouts, and I sit confused. “You’re speaking to me like I’m nothing but the king, stop.” He looks at me.

I didn’t even think, we’re in public, I should call him that, I should speak to him like he’s the king.

“Until I return, can we please forget my title?” he asks, looking at me and waiting.

“Fine, Stefan,” I say, and he laughs.

“So, I’m either treated like the king or mocked, great.” His eyes roll like it’s a joke, but he looks hurt. I hadn’t meant to say it like that.

“I want you to take the pups with you when you leave,” I explain. They need time to get to know Stefan and learn about Lycans and what they mean—from Stefan, not from others who don’t know about them.

“Sure, if you come as well.” He smiles at me.

“Stefan, I can’t come with you.” I glance towards the manor.

“Why not?” He looks at me, waiting.

I can’t, I need to sort things here. I can’t just up and leave and not sort things out. I need to explain things to Wayne.

“Harlyn, you owe him nothing,” Stefan states. Turning, I look at him.

“You wouldn’t understand.” How can he? He hasn’t lived the life I have for over eight years, and he hasn’t done what Wayne has for eight years. I can’t just walk away all of a sudden.

“What wouldn’t I understand?” he asks, looking at me and waiting.

“I showed up here eight months pregnant, Stefan. Wayne gave me a home. He literally gave me his room, paid for the doctors, and everything. He looked after me and the pups for eight years. He was the only one there when I had no one,” I explain. He looks at me and doesn’t speak.

“Without Wayne, I wouldn’t be alive; I would have died trying to find somewhere to live. I know you hate him, but I at least owe him time and an explanation,” I say, and he nods.

“I don’t hate him.” His words are almost growled, and I laugh.

“Just take the pups with you. I have things to sort and consider.” I do, and I can’t just move back. I could regret it, and right now, my mind could be confused.

“I’m not leaving without you, Harlyn,” he argues. I stare at him. He won’t leave without me? Not he won’t take the pups without me, now he won’t leave without me?

“I can’t leave yet. This could all be that I’m just confused,” I whisper, and he stares at me in shock. Maybe I was just a mess yesterday and didn’t consider everything?

Sure, I feel like I don’t love Wayne. I know now that I can’t be with Wayne, but to leave just like that feels wrong after everything he has done for me. There’s still that hold on me.