Waking

Stefan

My eyes open, and I see my mother peering down at me. What happened? I feel someone next to me and turn to see Harlyn lying next to me. I’m in my room.

“How did I get here?” I was on the ship.

“You were drugged and didn’t wake, don’t worry. Focus on regaining your energy,” my mother smiles at me.

“I’m fine. Just explain what happened,” I say, still unsure of what happened.

“We believe Wayne injected you with Dragufic during your altercation,” she explains, and I look at Harlyn.

“He did the same to Harlyn?” Why would he do that?

“No, Harlyn used her wolf and the bond to connect with you and make you realise. What was your torment?” she asks, looking at me and waiting.

“Me rejecting Harlyn. Now, thinking back, I can remember it was on replay. At the time, though, it felt so real, and I couldn’t remember it happening again and again.” I doubt I would have realised if Harlyn wasn’t there; I know for sure I wouldn’t have realised.

“How long has she been asleep?” I ask.

“We’ve been here for three hours; before that, we had no idea. You need to rest and recover,” she states, and I nod. I almost give in, then realise.

“No, he’s done this to attack,” I can’t just sit around.

“There is already a plan, and everyone has left. You need to recover,” she speaks, and I get out of bed.

“No, I need to help. Stay with Harlyn, Mother, don’t leave her.” Walking into the boardroom, I look across the plans before getting ready to leave.

An hour later, I am approaching the border, and I can hear the fighting. Rushing over, I stop when I spot the Earl on the floor.

“Your Majesty, you shouldn’t be here,” he says quietly, and I look around.

“What’s happened?” Something has for me to be sat here.

“We were winning, then he showed and used magic to maim our wolves,” he explains, and I nod.

“Where is Samuel?” I ask. Looking around, I can see my father and the others, but not Samuel.

“I’m unsure,” and they are just waiting?

“Where is his witch, warlock or whoever?” I ask, and he explains where they are. “Go there now, bind them, so they are useless.” I rush over to my father, his eyes widening.

“You should be recovering,” he argues.

“Forget recovering. Cause a scene at this side, so the Earl can get behind the one doing magic. I will go this way and distract them more.”

I don’t wait for his reply and rush forward and see soldiers following me, stopping I look at them.

“Your Majesty, we were told to support you,” one of them speaks, and I nod. As I reach the clearing, I see Samuel kneeling and someone hitting him. Wayne is sat back and watching.

I move forward, and Wayne’s head looks in my direction, a smirk curving his lips.

“I’m surprised you’re awake and alive,” he says, his eyes glaring towards me.

“Well, you forgot I had someone on my side willing to fight to bring me back,” I say as I grab Samuel, and no one tries to stop me.

“We were merely playing with him until you figured out a new plan of attack,” Wayne laughs, turning I hand Samuel to the guards.

“Get him back, now,” Lucy will kill us if he dies.

“Your Majesty, we’re to stay with you,” one of the soldiers argues.

“And now you take my order, get him back, and treated, now!” I shout and watch them nod and walk off, turning I look at Wayne.

“You know, your men aren’t that powerful without their wolves. They were never taught to fight without the power of their wolves. That is where your downfall will be,” Wayne laughs.

“I’m here, and you want me, so leave them and take me.” I hold my hands up, waiting for the signal.

“Oh no, I want you all, but I guess we can start with you.” He turns and looks at someone, and they walk off. “We need to make it fair, though, right? You’re a lycan, after all,” he laughs, and I hold back from attacking.

I freeze when I see Carlton walking back with someone.

“Oh, I had a very good chat with Carlton,” Wayne laughs. I stand shocked. I watch as Carlton moves and snaps the guy’s neck with him. Wayne stares at him.

“Sorry, blurred line. I couldn’t tell which side he was on,” Carlton shrugs and laughs, walking towards me. Two of Wayne’s men move for him. “Enlighten me, you forgot you gave me this,” Carlton holds up a ring. What?

I watch as he reaches me. “You may need this. It protects you from magic,” he says as he holds out the ring.

“No, because the king and I are going to give up our wolves and fight without them,” Wayne states. “It makes it fair, right? Neither of us will have the power of our wolves, so let’s see who really is stronger,” Wayne says while looking at me.

Turning, I look at Carlton. “Give it to the Earl. You go back to the academy and ensure everything is locked and the children are safe.” I wouldn’t put it past Wayne to attack there.

“Your Majesty, you can’t agree to blind your wolf,” Carlton says.

“I am. Give it to the Earl.” I push him away and turn to face Wayne.

“After you left, I realised your friend was a warlock. I was ready for you to attack us and bind our wolves, only you didn’t have that idea, but I used it myself.” He stands and walks towards me.

Another person steps forward. I watch as Wayne removes the ring. “Go ahead, bind both our wolves. It’s a fair fight for the kingdom.” Wayne smiles, and I lose the feeling of Ghost. I focus and can’t sense Wayne’s wolf.

“So, just us two?” I ask and step forward and he nods.

“Just us two, let’s see who wins her,” his words send a shiver down my spine. He moves, going to hit me, and I block him. There is no way he’s going near Harlyn again.