Telling Them

Harlyn

The room falls quiet, and Wayne looks at me. It’s clear he is thinking I’m joking, but I’m not. I want to do it tomorrow to prove to Stefan how little he owns me. Everyone is watching, in shock, clearly wondering if they heard me right. They did. I will marry Wayne tomorrow.

“Say that again?” he asks, and I laugh slightly; his arms stay wrapped around my body as he peers into my eyes, waiting for confirmation.

“Let’s get married tomorrow,” I say again, unable to contain the smile that spreads across my face. I see the shock flashing in his eyes. I don’t want to wait; what is the point in waiting anyway?

“For real? I know you agreed, but I assumed you would wait. Only do this, my love, if you are completely sure.” He stands shocked. Even though I agreed to marry him here, I knew in his mind he thought it wouldn’t happen.

He is still thinking I’m about to walk away from this, but I won’t. I will be marrying him tomorrow. Nothing and no one has the power to stop us.

“Tomorrow? Are you totally sure you want to marry me tomorrow?” he asks, and I laugh and nod.

“Yes, Wayne! Tomorrow,” I say. I hear my Mother cheer.

“Oh, Darling, I’m so glad I get to see you marry him!” She walks over, and I hug her, watching Samuel shake Wayne’s hand.

“This is great news; I’m glad she found you, Wayne.” Samuel is beaming right now.

“Welcome to the family.” Colton shakes his hand.

“I apologise if this is an inconvenience; I understand there is a lot to sort out. I just wanted Harlyn to be able to choose to marry here with her family.” Wayne looks at them.

“Are you joking? Forget the inconvenience. You’re giving me a chance to watch my baby sister marry! That means any inconvenience is wiped out!” Samuel continues to grin.

“Oh, darling. I will get the maids and such to work quickly on this. It will be an amazing wedding. I can’t wait for tomorrow.” She hugs me and continues to smile.

“Getting married with my family and friends is important, and I would be a fool to hold off on marrying him any longer.” I smile and turn to Wayne. “Eight years we have known each other, six of those we were dating. I don’t want to wait anymore.” Reaching up, I kiss him and feel a twinge, almost burning sensation where my mark is.

“Can I come?” Lucy looks at me.

Laughing, I hug her. “Lucy, you’re welcome. Your entire family is like, I wouldn’t want you there. You’re my maid of honour, remember?”

She smiles and hugs me tighter.

“Thank you, Harlyn. I will help your Mother sort everything out. Tomorrow will be perfect. It might be last minute, but I can guarantee your day will be epic!” She steps, and I see Stefan out of the corner of my eye.

He glares at me, but I don’t care. If he thinks claiming and biting me will prevent me from marrying Wayne, he’s wrong. I will find a way, and he can’t stop me.

“My love, you’re amazing.” Wayne kisses my cheek, and I smile at him.

“I’m so glad you came into her life, Wayne; she is lucky to have you.” My mother hugs him.

“No, you’re wrong there. Any man who rejects Harlyn is a fool. She is the most amazing woman, and many would be lucky to have her in their life.” Wayne’s words warm me, and he pulls me closer.

Pain seems to grow in my body, and I fight back the groan. Where is the pain coming from? It’s weird, and I can’t seem to work out what it is or what is causing it.

“Let’s go to our room and talk.” I smile at Wayne. I need to explain to him what happened; I can’t have him find out without me telling him first.

“Sure, my love.” Kissing my cheek, he guides me out, and we walk through to my room. Standing there, he pulls me closer to him. That pain seems to only intensify now.

“Are you sure you’re ready, my love?” Wayne smiles at me, and I nod.

“I am, Wayne. I need to tell you something,” I say, trying to figure out how to tell him what Stefan has done. Opening my mouth, I close it again, and he kisses my cheek.

“I love you, Harlyn; you’ve made me the happiest man ever.” My mark burns at his words, and the pain seems to seep through my body.

“I’m glad, Wayne,” I whisper, and he kisses against my neck over my hair. My teeth clamp down to stop the scream and burning radiated through the mark.

“Wayne, I...” God, do I just say that Stefan claimed me? Do I just show him the mark and tell him?

“Harlyn.” He pulls back and cups my face. “You have no idea what this means to me. How important this is to me. It’s like life and death. You’re giving me life,” he explains, and I smile.

“I love you, Wayne.” My words are whispered, and he pulls me closer.

“And I. Harlyn. Love. You. Forever.” He punctuates each word before kissing my neck, and I groan, hissing at the pain that flares through my neck. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” He moves back and pulls my hair away.

“Who did this? Harlyn, who the hell claimed you?” His eyes are on fire, and my head falls forward. I don’t want Stefan to claim me; now, it’s too late to change that.

His finger strokes over it, and I gasp, hitting his hand away, feeling the burning worsen.

“Harlyn, who did this to you?” I see the fury burning through his eyes, and my head drops.

“The king, Stefan,” I say reluctantly; while I’m angry at him, I feel like I should protect him for some reason. Why?