“Do you think we should have taken some guards at least?” Hope asked as she jumped over a protruding root, grabbing Harley’s attention as he blinked curiously at her.
“I thought you were stronger than the men back there?” Harley chuckled as he walked behind her while. She sighed out with a grin as she turned fully to Harley.
“I am-” she froze as she fully turned to him, nearly coming into contact with his lips.
They but th stood, shocked as they stared into each others eyes, neither of them clearly expecting they would actually be this close. As a matter of fact, Harley just really didn’t put that much space between then for precaution.
“W-Why are you so close…?” Hope darted her eyes down to his lips only to suddenly gasp as she jerked back and covered her mouth in terror, facing away from him.
… Did I just…. Hope paused in terror, feeling an uneasy feeling settle into her stomach.
A sudden feeling of guilt filled her entire body as she felt her heart suddenly thud against her chest as she reluctantly imagined Harley and herself sharing a kiss.
She shook her head to her own thoughts as she forcedly slapped herself, alerting Harley who gasped st her sudden action.
“Are you okay?” Harley asked as Hope sighed out, driving the image to the back of her lips as her cheek remained flushed and warm.
“You should really put distance from us Harley. Why were you walking so close behind me?” Hope whined out as she folded her arms across her chest, hardly turning to Harley who had to walk to her to see her expression.
“It’s in precaution class in the military, to remain as close as possible if we have the fear of surprise attacks, you’re the one that even explained it to me every time you tried to sneak sway from your father at ten years old remember?” He chuckled as she pouted her lips, feeling her heart beat in her ears, failing to drive off the image since he was standing right in front of her.
He paused as he noticed she was clearly avoiding him with her eyes, darting else where except him. It took a moment for him to realise she was shying away from him now, something she never really did.
He clenched onto his jaw as he felt the warmth in his cheeks suddenly rise by the second. Staring at Hope suddenly realise he wasn’t just a best friend, but also the opposite gender suddenly made his heart thud.
‘Tell her….’ His mind yelled out to him, forcing him to clench onto his jaw even tighter. ‘Tell her now or else you never will!’ He squeezed his eyes for a rough moment, struggling to keep his composure before finally giving in to it.
“Hope-” the sudden sound of a breaking twig echoed into his ears, instantly settling the hairs on his skin to rise as Hope frantically glanced around after hearing it as well.
“What was that?” Hope whispered as they turned from each other and pressed their backs together in defense.
“I don’t know.” Harley whispered back as he narrowed his eyes to look around clearly. “I smell someone-”
“You must be from the near by pack.” A voice suddenly spoke out and both Hope and Harley glanced up, only to spot a man sitting on the branch of a tree, gazing down at them, almost as though he had been there the whole time. “Weren’t you two about to kiss?”
“N-No!” Hope shook her head vigorously as Harley frowned slightly. “We’re just best friends…. Who are you?”
“I thought you were looking for me.” He said smoothly before leaping from the branch and landing without much of a strain. “I heard you talking from a mile away with a man about rogues. Aren’t you looking for some?” He asked as he shifted his glance from Hope to Harley.
Compared to Harley, the man was just slightly taller than Harley and much bulkier than he was. The man had a perfect shade of hazel but eyes and long hair that he tied into a small loose bun on top of his head. He wasn’t wearing a shirt but simply had on a pair of black shorts and barefoot.
He shifted his gaze back to Hope who was clearly amazed at how tall and masculine he was. Adding to that, he didn’t seem much older.
“Where are the others?” Harley asked as he noticed the aura emitting from the man in front of him. Feeling as though he was a threat to him.
“I’m sent to talk on their behalf.” He shrugged his shoulders as he smiled slightly, only to drop it back into a straight line a few moments later. “I’m the youngest they have, so even if I get killed by you it won’t affect them. See, I’m new.”
“We didn’t ask if you were new.” Harley rolled his eyes only to notice Hope’s complete expression of admiration for the man in front of her.
“How strong are you?” Hope asked the man who returned his gaze to her and smiled. “You look pretty strong.”
“I’m very strong.” He smiled out. “Why ask?”
“I’m an alpha,” she smiled to herself as he raised his brows in shock. “I love competing against strong opponents, so far Harley is the strongest opponent I’ve had to face.”
“Interesting. So a woman became an alpha?” He chuckled out and clasped his hands together. “Does that mean this man beside you is weaker than a woman?”
“She’s not just a woman.” Harley rolled his eyes as he glared at the man. “She’s really strong.”
“Then your pack must be full of weak men. I mean, you’re shorter than I am and I guess you must be a six foot.” The man said as he walked over to Harley who clenched his jaw tightly. “I’m a seven foot.” He chuckled out and reached out to pat Harley’s head, clearly mocking him.
“I’m far taller and obviously stronger than you, if a woman had to take the alpha position.” He chuckled out, getting Harley to release a tensed sigh.
“Fight me.” Hope grinned out as the man glanced at her in wonder. “Whomever whimpers first loses. If I win, you join the rogues.”
“And if you lose?” He asked, grinning as he walked to Hope.
“I’m not risking my position for a mindless game. But I can let you go without enforcing a blood bath.” She chuckled as the man nodded his head slowly.
“That’s a very unfair deal, but I’m willing to out up with it because I know I will win.” The man grinned out as Hope smirked while Harley stared uncomfortably between the two.
She clearly found a match possibly stronger than Harley.