Harley’s POV
I was stunned and speechless, unable to say a word.
How could he easily introduce me as his woman?
“We don’t hate it,” Jade whispered.
She was so pleased with how he was treating us.
“Your woman? If she really is, then what am I to you? Aren’t I your woman as well, Alpha?” she asked seriously, and I felt an urge to grab her by the throat and rip it apart. I had to take a deep breath to calm myself down.
“I hate such childish games; you know that. What if my mate misunderstands your terrible jokes and hates me for it?” he asked seriously, and I found myself smiling at him for saying that.
Vanessa, on the other hand, looked so shocked.
“Um… being introduced as your best friend’s sister is too much, don’t you think?” she asked.
“What exactly did you want me to introduce you as if not that? Did you want me to say that you are my young sister? Or perhaps our pack healer?” he asked simply as her facial expression changed.
It was obvious she was not happy. She was hurt by his words, yet he looked unbothered. It was either he didn’t care about her, or he was deliberately doing it.
“Don’t you think those words are a little harsh knowing that we have known each other for many years?” she asked in a pained tone.
“Hell no, I knew you because of your brother and father. If not for them, I wouldn’t have known you because I have no interest in being your friend besides being your Alpha,” he answered as I covered my mouth with my hand to avoid gasping.
It was now clear to me that she liked him or had an interest in him, yet he wasn’t looking at her in the same light or reciprocating her feelings.
“I see, I never had a chance to begin with,” she whispered and then blinked the forming tears away with a forced smile on her face.
“A chance to what?” he asked with a confused expression on his face and then looked at me.
“You can be so dense at times, but that’s also a cool side of you that I really like,” she answered and then shifted her gaze to me.
I am glad to welcome you to this pack on behalf of all the pack members. I am one of the healers of this pack, you know… like a doctor. I apologize for not being here the very day you arrived; it’s just that I thought it was a joke when I heard about you. But now that I have met you personally, it’s slowly sinking in how I have lost… fair and square,” she said in a cracked voice.
“I mean, look at you; you are so pretty, and I, on the other hand…” she cut her sentence short and moved her hand to her cheeks to wipe off a tear that had rolled.
“What the hell are you talking about? What’s wrong with you?” Sky asked loudly.
I knew I wasn’t supposed to feel happy at the moment, but I was.
“Hey, I know that we are strangers, but I hope we can be good friends with time,” I said in a low tone.
“Alpha, can you please give us a few minutes?” she asked.
“No, fucking way. I don’t want you telling my mate stupid childish stories and boring her to death. I would rather you say what you want to say in my…
“Sky, please give us a few minutes to talk,” I said, cutting him off.
He sighed heavily and then leaned in and kissed my head lightly.
“Call me when she begins to bore you,” he whispered softly and then walked out.
I rubbed my hand against my arm, enjoying the tingles that I was feeling.
“I won’t lie to you, I have loved him all my life,” she said as another tear rolled down her cheek.
“I thought I had a chance and waited for him to look my way. All this time he waited for you; I wanted him to acknowledge my very being. I prayed to the goddess for you to never exist or die,” she said in a cracked voice and then wiped away the tear.
“But you are who he needs and has waited for-a very powerful being whose looks are exactly his taste and type. I won’t hate you and fight you like some sick character in a romance movie who can’t seem to let go. All I can ask of you is to just love him and give him a chance. Let him be your fortress because he is much more than you know or can see. He won’t only be a friend but a truly amazing lover,” she said and then pressed her hand against my chest, startling me.
“If you have someone in here, let them go and close that chapter. Open your soul to a new beginning like I will and experience a love that you deserve,” she said as tears filled my eyes.
I did think of Glen when I came here, but in the few days I was here, I no longer did, and I honestly began to look at Sky differently.
“I am so sorry for everything because I can see how you really love him. I want to tell you how I would step aside and give him and you the chance that you deserve, but sadly I can’t. A part of me wants him for myself; that’s why I really apologize,” I answered as tears ran down my cheeks.
“You are a good person; I can see it in your eyes,” she said and then dropped her hand.
“I pray the goddess blesses my brother with a wonderful mate too,” she said and then gave a bow.
She was about to go when I grabbed her hand, making her stop.
“I will be around if it’s not too much to ask… Can… can we be friends?” I asked softly.
She looked at me and then laughed softly.
“Of course, see you around,” she answered and then walked out of the room.
I felt a little guilty and at the same time relieved.
I quickly wiped my tears when Sky walked in. He had an astonished look on his face.
“Did you hear our conversation?” I asked huskily.
“I’m sorry,” came his response.
“You had no idea she loved you, did you?” I asked softly.
“No,” he answered.
“I know I shouldn’t be selfish and that I don’t know you at all, but I don’t want to give you up,” I said as tears blinded my vision.
He quickly moved closer and embraced me.
“Then don’t. Vanessa is like a little sister to me, and that will never change. You are who I want, and that will never change,” he said as I hugged him back with a wide smile.
I wanted to stay by his side, and I was going to do just that.