Hope sighed out admirably as she had just finished her plate of juicy spiced steak, boiled seasoned potatoes and some garden salad. Harley chuckled as he glanced over to Hope, noticing her pleased smile as she leaned back to the chair and shut her eyes, looking satisfied.
“How was the alpha work?” Gabriel asked as he had just finished off his glass of ice cold water, getting Hope’s attention.
“So far I had to listen to people complaining. It wasn’t fun if that’s what you’re asking.” She sighed out, leaning onto the table as she frowned. “Their problems were ridiculous and just time wasting. But it seemed important to them so I guess I had to solve their problems.” She groaned out, clenching her hair. “I didn’t even get to sleep as Harley promised I would.”
“I only said that if you finished fast enough.” Harley defended as he dried his hands with a towel. “You didn’t finish in time.”
“It’s not my fault though.” Hope friend at him. “There were too many people. It was hard to control.” She leaned back into the seat as Penelope finished her plate as well and wiped her mouth.
“Anything else?” Penelope asked and Harley nodded his head.
“Just one more thing, since her father decided to reduce the pressure on her.” Harley sighed out, also leaning back into the seat. “We don’t even have time to train.”
“We did.” Hope attacked as she glared at Harley who glanced at her. “You disturbed it.”
“I did?” Harley asked as he sat up. “You’re the one that fell on me!”
“Did something happen between you two?” Penelope grinned widely, getting both Hope and Harley to furrow their brows at her, before eventually ignoring her.
“Yeah, but you started talking about your mate!” Hope pointed out as she shrugged her shoulders.
“You’re the one that did all the talking. I didn’t say anything about my mate.” Harley defended as he narrows this eyes at her, getting her to roll her eyes.
“You have a mate?” Penelope asked as she glanced towards Harley in shock. “Who is it?”
“I don’t-”
“Ria.” Hope pointed out without a second thought. “Oh… I wasn’t supposed to say…. Please don’t tell anyone else…” Hope frowned as she glanced at Penelope with begging eyes.
“I won’t…” Penelope frowned as she glanced at Harley with a disappointed gaze before glancing back at Hope. “You might actually be the one spreading the news yourself Hope.”
“Don’t you dare Hope!” Harley hissed out as he glared at Hope. “You’re just making things up. I didn’t say it was Ria!”
“Then who is it?” Penelope asked with raised brows. “Someone perhaps… Very close?”
“Very close?” Hope asked as she glanced at her sister with raised brows, only to lower her brows as her lips parted a bit. “Penelope… Do you love Harley?”
Penelope chocked on air the moment the words made their way into her ears. Very unexpected.
“No!” She shook her head violently, denying strongly about it. “I don’t. Not at all.” She laughed out as she clasped her hands together, getting Harley to roll his eyes. “Do you, Hope?” The question forced Harley’s heart to thud dangerously against his ribs.
Did she have to ask so suddenly?
“I love Harley.” Hope smiled brightly as Penelope furrowed her brows in boredom, knowing too well what kind of love Hope was referring to. “He’s my best-”
“What would you do if Harley kissed you-”
“Okay, now you’re going a bit too far Penelope.” Harley hissed as he glared at Penelope who grinned out.
“Would you have Harley as your mate, Hope?” Penelope asked anyway, wanting to know what her sister thought of Harley. Whether or not her plans to have the two best friends finally fall in love was going to work.
“As my mate?” Hope asked slowly as she glanced down at her fingers, trying to process her answer. She glanced at at Harley who looked away with a flushed face, not wanting to stare at her since it was a sensitive topic. “Harley as my mate… Hm…” She thought as she stared at him a bit more, though he wasn’t looking at her. “I guess I wouldn’t mind.” She smiled as she glanced towards Penelope who raised her brows in excitement. “Harley’s fun around. So I wouldn’t mind.” She chuckled.
Gabriel on the other hand stared at Penelope with a displeased gaze, clearly knowing what Penelope was trying to do as she had already explained the details of her plot to him and Lily, as well as to her parents who simply smiled at her and eventually ignored her and let her do what she wanted to do.
After all, it all depended on the two, Harley and Hope. Whether or not they would want to quit being friends and fall in love.
Harley, hearing Hope’s reply couldn’t help but glance at her in shock and somewhat some relief.
“Your turn Harley.” Penelope couldn’t resist her devilish grin when he frowned at her, pleading her with his eyes for her to just stop. But she didn’t want to, not after knowing her plan would work. “Would you have Hope as your mate?”
“Penelope let’s not-”
“It’s a simple answer. Just say it.” Penelope shrugged her shoulders, getting Hope to raise her brows and glance at Harley who clenched his jaw.
“I won’t feel bad if you say no.” Hope chuckled, noticing Harley’s uncomfortable state.
“Yes.” Harley breathed out in defeat. Getting both the girls to raise their brows in question.
“Yes… What?” Hope asked, even more confused.
“I wouldn’t mind having you… As a mate.” He uncomfortably cleared his throat as he glanced away from Hope’s smiling gaze.
“Why?” Penelope asked, getting him even more uncomfortable than before. He clenched his fists under the table as he resisted the urge to seeming very reluctant when Hope had answered without much hesitation.
After all, she only said it for fun. Not that she would consider him as a mate. Just a best friend.
“Because Hope is just Hope.” He sighed out, easing his shoulders as he glanced up at Hope who’s smile slowly faded into a mute expression. “I just like everything about her.. So… I guess..” He redirected his eyes to Penelope who smiled and nodded at him to go on, but he sealed his lips tight, not saying more.
Too afraid to say more.