Harlyn
It’s been two months since that celebration, and my mind often goes back to that night. I’m unsure what to do about it. I know my father will blame me, making it out like I somehow caused it to happen.
I stare at the doctor, his head nodding at me.
“I’m sorry, Miss Harlyn, but you are pregnant,” he says, and my head shakes.
Samuel and Colton are stood beside me, they are here for support, I was hoping I would be wrong, but I’m not. When my period didn’t arrive last month, I told myself it was the stress of everything.
Then, this month, it didn’t again. I asked Samuel to get the doctor to check me over without letting my father know, and he agreed to. I was so sure the doctor would tell me it was something like stress.
He didn’t, though. Now, Samuel and Colton are staring at me in shock. I couldn’t come to the doctor alone, I knew they would tell my father or mother. Coming with Samuel, however, means there's a chance the doctor won’t speak to my father.
Still, I didn’t think this would be the result. It was one night, people try for months before getting pregnant, how did I manage to the first night I slept with someone, the night I lost my virginity?
“Thank you; you may leave.” Samuel looks at the doctor and nods. I watch as the doctor begins walking out. His eyes now turn to me. “Harlyn, you asked me to come so Father wouldn’t find out. I thought you said that you weren’t well, and that was why?”
Maybe I should have told him.
“Harlyn, you can’t ignore this. You need to speak to us. Surely you realised you were pregnant if you weren’t having periods?” Colton looks at me.
“I…” God, what do I say? “I thought it was just stress. I didn’t think it was possible,” I whispered.
“It shouldn’t be possible, so who is he?” Samuel shouts, and I shake my head. Harlyn, we need to know, so give me his name.” He stands waiting.
“I don’t know,” I whisper, now realising that I am going to have to tell them about that night; tears gather in the corner of my eyes, and I fight to hold them in. “I shouldn’t be pregnant, it shouldn’t be possible,” I say, trying to argue with my own body. Why me? Why did this have to happen to me? I told myself I wouldn’t get pregnant, not that first time. That is just bad luck.
“Harlyn, please speak to us. Who is he?” Colton looks at me, waiting for me to give a name. How do I give a name when I don’t know it?
“I don’t know,” I say again, feeling myself panicking. This isn’t going to end well for me; even I know it will be bad. I don’t know who the father is, and I know exactly how that will look to my father and the rest of the kingdom.
“Please just tell us before Father finds out. If we know we can sort it before he gets here,” Colton pleads, and my head shakes.
“I don’t know…I swear to you guys, I’m not lying. I don’t know who it was. I didn’t see them,” I finally admit, my words trembling as I begin to cry. How can I even explain it, that night, I can barely remember what happened. I just remember somehow ending up in the bed with a man.
What did I expect? It wasn’t once, he used my body all night, over and over.
“When did it happen? Can you at least tell us that?” Samuel asks, and I can see he is concerned for me. I want to lie, but if I do, then it may make things worse.
“At mum’s birthday celebration,” I confess quietly. Shame washes over me.
“Harlyn, that was over two months ago,” Colton reminds me. It isn’t like I forgot how to tell the date, I know how long ago it was. I just hoped it was caused by stress.
“We need to know who it was and what exactly happened, Harlyn.” Colton looks at me waiting for my answer.
“I wasn’t lying; I don’t know who it was. I swear it, guys,” I choke out. My head falls forward, and I cry. “I was completely wasted and barely able to walk. Then…I was in bed with him.”
Their eyes widen, and I force my gaze to drop to the floor, refusing to see their disappointment.
“Why wouldn’t you tell us, why leave it this long?” Colton asks. I thought he would realise why.
“It’s yet another failure, another mistake to add to the stockpile that Father keeps of me,” I confess. The tears now finally fall and roll down my cheek.
“Who was it, Harlyn, and what happened?” Samuel asks again. Does he really think I am lying about not knowing who it was?
“I don’t know. I tried to say no, but it sounded like I muttered. I felt like I was drugged, like I had no control over my own body,” I admit. The weight of shame washes over me, and I know this is nothing. When my father finds out, this will be worse. Samuel moves to me and hugs me. It’s something. Still, it’s not enough to calm me entirely.
“We’ll get to the bottom of this, Harlyn. I will find out who it was, I promise you.” Samuel reassures me. I wish they could, but something tells me it won’t work.
“Why didn’t you tell us sooner, we could have sorted it straight away.” Colton asks.
“I…” God, am I really going to say this? “I was scared, I didn’t know what to do and I couldn’t bear to face the truth. I know it is something new that Father will blame me for. Like everything else, this will also be my fault,” I admit.
“You’re not to blame. I will find the guy who is, we won’t tell father, for now we will keep it hidden.” His arms cradle me and I cry against him, hoping that he can find out who it was, then maybe the abuse I face from my father won’t be so bad?
HarlynIt’s been two days since I spoke with the doctor and explained things to Samuel. I’ve heard nothing since, so I can only assume it means there’s no update, and he hasn’t found out who it was yet. I was hoping by now he would have answers or at least something to ease the blow of this.“Harlyn,” Samuel says, and I turn to see him with Coton.“He knows, right?” They are looking at me like they are ready to hurt me, which means my father has found out the truth.“Yes, he’s on his way. We will help, he can’t say or do anything Harlyn, you’re not to blame, and this wasn’t your fault, it was the bastard who took advantage of you.” Samuel shouts. If only father would see it in that way but something is telling me he won’t.I hear his footsteps first, or rather stamps. He is angry.“What is this about you being pregnant!” His words float through the hallway as he storms towards me, my mother following behind him. He glares at me and stops in front of me.“Father, please. Can we try and
Harlyn – Eight Years LaterI look around the room, ensuring that everything I have to do is finished. My gaze goes to where Wayne is standing. It’s strange to consider how much things have changed in the last eight years.The eight years have forced me to change, not just because I was exiled and homeless but also because I became a mother, and well, things like that changed a person. It changed me a lot, and I am grateful for the changes the pups have forced me to make.The weak, pathetic girl from before is gone. She has been replaced by someone stronger, who no longer stutters her words. Now, I walk around with my head held high rather than with my eyes on the floor, too afraid to look up.The changes were made throughout the last eight years, thanks to Wayne and the pups. They have given me a strength that I never knew I had. I went from living with a family and pack who mostly hated me and saw me as worthless to living with a family and pack who saw the value in me.“Are you fini
HarlynI’m stuck on what to reply to him, the silence once again fills the car.“So, this celebration,” he says. He's clearly changing the conversation, sensing I’m worrying about the wedding topic. “Beta Jonathan and Olivia will be returning in a few days.”I know he’s right but celebrations should wait, we have other pressing issues to solve. “Wayne, maybe we should hold off on celebrations? At least until we figure out the attacks at the east,” I suggest.“We can deal with that, my love, without compromising on celebrations. The pack needs something to celebrate, and this is the perfect excuse,” Wayne explains, and I nod.“I still don’t understand this whole rogue king and why he’s returning,” I say, feeling confused by the entire situation.“I’ve told you everything that I know my love, some rogue kings who have lost their kingdoms and packs do just attack others in the hope they can win and take over,” he explains and grasps my hand. “It’s no real threat.” I nod, accepting his wo
HarlynI dial the number and wait. Each ring worries me. If Father answers, which he has a few times, I have to hang up quickly so he doesn’t know it's me.“Harlyn!” Samuel’s voice comes through the phone, instantly making me smile, but at the same time, tears begin to fill my eyes.“Samuel, it’s good to hear from you,” I reply. “I wanted to do our usual check-in,” I explain. Our phone calls are rare, and they are the only way I know that everyone is alive and well at home. We have agreed on no big updates, if less they are life-and-death sitauations, it’s for the best.“Harlyn, I need you to come home, please,” Samuel says, and I notice the worry in his tone.“Samuel, that’s not possible. I was exiled, remember?” I remind him. My heart is craving to go home and see them, but it’s not possible.“Please, Mother wishes to see you, Harlyn,” he pleads. I wish he could understand this.It isn’t easy to refuse, but going back is going against my father's orders, and that won’t be good for a
HarlynThe pups look excited about this trip. “Okay, go pack, please,” I say to the pups and watch as they run to their rooms. Moving on, I walk to mine and begin to pack my bag, ready to go.“Are you sure about this, Harlyn?” Wayne asks. I turn and see him standing by the door. He’s worried, but I know that I will be fine.“I am sure. Don’t worry about me, Wayne. I’ve changed, you know that I have,” I remind him. He walks to me and wraps his arms around me.“Yes, you have,” he whispers. “The difference from the person you arrived here as to today is huge, it seems almost impossible for you to be the same person.” He kisses my cheek, and I smile. “The pups have changed you. Just remember your training, Harlyn. You may not have a wolf, but for seven years, you trained,” he reminds me.I nod. Even I know my training is useless if I am faced with someone who is a wolf. Another human, sure, I can manage, but a wolf? No. Still, he needs reassurance.“I remember, don’t worry. Plus, Thorin w
HarlynWalking in, I see someone standing ahead of us; I watch as he turns, and I can’t stop smiling.“Harlyn?” Samuel stares at me. He looks so different.“Sam!” I cry. Running to him, I wrap my arms around him in a tight embrace. Emotions flood through me. It’s been too long. Eight years is a long time not to see your family.“You came,” he whispers.“I wouldn’t refuse Same, not when it’s likely the only chance I will get to see you again,” I remind him. I look at him and smile.“Come say hello to your uncle,” I look at the pups, and watch as Isaac and Lotta walk forward, Thorin however stands looking at him. I watch as Samuel kneels and speaks to Lotta and Isaac, after introducing himself he turns to Thorin.“You must be Thorin,” Samuel asks. Thorin cautiously steps forward, and I watch as Samuel goes to embrace him.“I am,” Thorin speaks. He offers his hand to Samuel to shake, rather than accepting the hug. Once he knows Samuel he will allow him to hug him, right now he is cautiou
HarlynI’m sitting with my brothers and mother. Isaac and Lotta are sitting and playing with my mother, who already looks far healthier than she did before.“So, why do you have guards, Harlyn?” Colton asks. My mother and Samuel also look at me like they want to know.“They are not guards like the palace has, they are beta’s,” I explain. “They aren’t mine, they are Alpha Wayne’s,” I say, and look between them, deciding now is the time to just say it. “I’m engaged to him,” I say while holding out my hands. I watch their eyes widen.“You’re engaged to an Alpha? Samuel asks in disbelief.“What does he look like, Harlyn?” Mother questions.“Is he your mate?” Colton asks, and they continue to ask questions while I laugh slightly at how quickly they are asking questions without giving me a chance to answer them.“Why isn’t he here? Surely he should have come as well?” Samuel looks at me with a confused expression.“Mummy said he wasn’t allowed to come with us,” Isaac speaks, and Samuels's ey
Harlyn“Harlyn,” I hear Samuel call out my name. I turn to look at him. He moves and sits next to me.“Are they okay?” I ask, my eyes glancing towards the manor.“Colton is entertaining them. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t tell me you were engaged?” He asks.My mind goes back to that call and I explain it to him.“Harlyn, please tell me that you have settled. I worry that you’re still alone.” Samuel’s voice quakes with worry. That will only increase if I tell him I have no fixed home and I’m still trying to find a pack to accept me.“Samuel, how is Mother doing?” I ask, wanting to know how she is dealing with the situation.“Would you want to know the answer if it hurts you, Harlyn?” He asks, and my heart shatters knowing I don’t.“Would you, Samuel?” I reply, and the call goes quiet. “We can’t do this, Samuel; updates cause more pain. They remind me of what I’m missing.” I fight back the tears.The last time we spoke, he told me he had taken over and become Prince Stefan’s first