His Warning

Stefan

I see the shock on Harlyn’s face, realising just who Wayne is. I want to pull her out and insist we leave, but even I know she won’t do as I say. When does she ever anyway?

If less were at the kingdom and I’m wearing my crown, even then, she does it in a mocking way, making me aware she doesn’t agree.

“Harlyn, I can change,” Wayne says, and I laugh, which only infuriates him more.

“Your wife is standing right there, your mate, and you’re just acting like she’s non-existent,” I say, watching him. He glances from Harlyn to Katy.

Katy is standing looking hurt by his rejection.

“Mate’s means nothing if you don’t love them, and I don’t love her anymore,” Wayne states.

“Please, Harlyn doesn’t want you. So why ignore me?” Katy asks.

I look from her to Wayne. She should know. “Katy, if you go back to him, you can’t come to the kingdom.” There is no way that I can trust he isn’t using her to get to Harlyn or the pups again. If she is set on going back to Wayne, I won’t allow her to come to the kingdom.

“Like I would want to if Wayne takes me back,” she glares towards me.

“I’m not coming back, Wayne,” Harlyn says, and my body relaxes. “I’m grateful for everything you did for me, even if it was part of the plan to use me. There is no way I am staying here.”

I can’t help the smile that comes to my face when I hear her words. Even if right now she is set on staying away from me, I have a better chance of winning her back if she comes home than if she is here.

So I don’t even try to hold in the smile or the happiness, knowing I am going to return to the kingdom with her. Harlyn turns to leave, and as I am about to follow, Wayne moves.

He’s quick, but not quick enough. Before he can get his hands on me, my hand turns into a paw, and I wrap it around his neck, my nails digging in.

“Try it, and I will have your throat in my hand within seconds. I was going to walk and leave you alive, but if you try to attack me, I will stop you,” my words growled, and my nails dug in deeper. The feel of Harlyn at my back reassures me that she’s safe.

His smile rises mockingly. I watch his hands raise as he gives in. “My apologies, Your Majesty,” he growls, but an uneasy feeling spreads through my body.

As I feel Harlyn’s body move from behind me, I hear her scream. There’s no hesitation; Wayne is released from my grip, and I shift. Ghost drags away the man who has Harlyn, and she ends up pinned against the wall behind me so no one can get close to her.

A movement to my left has me snapping out and biting against someone.

“I have other plans that you know nothing of,” Wayne mocks. I want to go for him, but I see movement near us again and bite against them.

Wayne is moving away, and I’m not happy with that right now. I see movement again and turn to bite them.

“Fuck! It’s me!” Samuel shouts, and I stare shocked, my head turning and seeing Wayne is gone. “Just get on the ship, now.” He pulls Harlyn with him, and I follow behind, waiting for someone else to move, but they don’t.

Why? He had them attacking, so why did he suddenly stop them and disappear? I stayed in wolf form on the ship, waiting until we left, and I knew it was safe.

“Your clothes, Your Majesty.” Samuel’s voice comes from behind me. I should have just killed him, then we wouldn’t have the issue of whatever else he has planned.

Shifting back, I get changed and search for Harlyn. I find her with Samuel and the pups.

“I’m sorry,” her words are whispered, and I stand confused. “I should have shifted and protected myself.”

My head shakes at her words.

“That would be impossible. You still don’t have complete control of your feelings, thoughts, and body, which means you won’t be able to shift like others,” Volkaros says. “Your wolf is there, but the magic that had you bound to Wayne is locking it out. Once it’s cleared, you will be able to feel your wolf and shift when you want.”

His words at least reassured me. I wondered why she didn’t shift, especially after someone hurt her. She just stood and was honestly as weak as before she got her wolf.

I lift her arm where the blood is and look, but there’s nothing. No mark, no scar, nothing.

“She heals as fast as you,” Samuel says. Come on, pups, let me show you where you can sleep until we get back to the kingdom.” Samuel leads the pups away, and Volkaros steps back out of hearing distance.

“I’m sorry,” Harlyn’s words have me rolling my eyes.

“I said don’t apologise.” Moving, I kneel at her feet.

“Not for that,” she whispers. “For how I acted, hitting you, shouting and everything. When it happened, I felt like I had no control, and all I felt was hate and anger. Now I see everything that I couldn’t, and I didn’t want to do it.” Her head drops, and I smile.

“I deserved it; I probably deserved worse, Harlyn, for how I treated you over the years. Don’t feel guilty, not when I was the one who created that hate in you after how I treated you,” I explain. I hurt her, which is what the magic used to grow that hate and anger she felt for me.

“Is this what my dad will feel like?” she looks at me. I want to say he deserves it, but I feel that would just cause an argument.

“From how he acted when the item was removed, yes. That doesn’t mean you forgive him. Not straight away Harlyn and by no means does that mean he won’t face court for what he did to Thorin,” I say. Even if she asks us not to, its happening. There was no need for him to hurt Thorin.