Layton grinned out at the crowd of rogues that gathered into the hall. A crowd of at most twenty, most of which were men and a few women and just five children who could barely walk on their own.
“Welcome, we’re more than happy to take you under our wing.” He announced as he gazed down at the crowd and that nodded slowly. “We will commence the rest of the instructions tomorrow as you must be tired. Please, let my daughter guide you to the houses we selected for you and then as the moon rises high above the grounds, we shall feast as a welcoming ceremony for you. You shall enjoy a feast of various meaty delicacies, vegetables, fruits and all the possible drinks you can find in the pack. In this pack we are not only individuals, but also family. Feel free, please.” He laughed out as Hope frowned at him for making such an oddly cheerful speech.
“Follow me.” Hope raised her hand and smiled as she got off the platform and walked ahead and next to Harley who was first to walk out as well. “Did you see the proud look on dad’s face?” Hope whispered into Harley’s ear as they began to walk towards the houses. Harley smiled down at Hope.
“He looked really proud. I bet he didn’t expect you to get that much.” He chuckled as she nodded out excitedly.
“I’m going to actually attend tonight’s feast just to feel like an actual hero. I saved these rogues from a traitorous winter….” She giggled out, clasping her hands together.
She’s… Kind of cute… So Harley thought as he watched her excited gaze.
“Gabriel will feel so proud. Not to mention mum and Penelope…” She sighed out admirably as she laced her hands behind her as she walked. She glanced over her shoulder and searched the crowd, spotting Ace at the far end, looking very dark and gloomy. “What’s wrong with Ace?” She suddenly asked as she whispered to Harley who couldn’t help but smirk as he glanced over his shoulder as well, noticing Ace’s broken state.
“I didn’t know it was so easy to break him.” He said coldly as a chuckle escaped his lips, getting hope to frown as she stared at his sinister gaze.
“What did you do to him, Harley?” She asked as she furrowed her brows at him. “What did you say to him?”
“Nothing really.” He shrugged his shoulders, now grinning out as he faced ahead. “I just told him the harsh reality.”
“That’s not like you…” Hope whispered out as her frown deepened with disappointment creeping onto her face.
“Unless you didn’t notice, he started it first, Hope.” Harley frowned as they made it to the houses.
Hope turned from Harley and towards the crowd that stopped once they did.
“These are your houses, each of you and your wives can pick any house. Those alone can pick your own as well.” How forced on a smile as she tried to mask her disappointment for Harley. “Feel at home, get settled and join the feast in the evening.” She chuckled out as the crowd dispersed into their houses, including Ace who simply passed by Harley and Hope and simply walked into his house, shutting the door behind him.
Hope angrily turned to Harley who frowned at her expression.
“Are you going to really make him the victim?” Harley asked in disbelief and she clenched her jaw tightly.
“Ace is just like that probably because of his story.” She pointed out as she pointed at the house Ace was in. “You’ve had a very good life compared to him. You have a best friend that cares about you so much, you have a mother and a father that loves you and are so proud of you, you have my father and mother who love you like you are there’s, you have an entire pack that would die for you. Ace doesn’t have all those good things you have… You can’t really expect to return his rudeness and think you’re being fair!” She hissed out and he clenched his jaw as he crossed his brows to her.
“If you cared about me, you wouldn’t have been this blind!” He hissed out, clenching his fists. “You think I’ve changed but it’s you… Ever since you talked to the Ace… Heck… that was just some hours ago and you’re acting like you’ve known him your whole life… You’re backing him up like he’s something special to you!”
“Just because I’ve just met him doesn’t mean I can just stand around and watch you insult him. He’s barely responsive now and he really looks angry. That means you said something really painful to him!” She yelled out, glaring at him. “Why are you acting so childish right now!?”
“Me…?” Harley raised his brows and chuckled out in disbelief as he rolled his eyes. “I’m being childish?” He laughed out forcefully before frowning deeply. “I’ve spent my entire life with you… Hope. Since we were so young… But even though you don’t know this stupid guy… You let him insult me and made you even question what we had between us. You even sounded so convinced that our friendship died a long time ago… If I didn’t announce we were here, you would have easily fallen to his persuasive words. You don’t see it but Ace isn’t a good man.” He sighed out shakily as he lowered his voice, noticing Hope’s irritated gaze, knowing he might have stepped over a line he tried to avoid.
He didn’t like arguing with her, mostly because she was secretly sensitive despite being physically strong.
But he still had to tell her.
“I don’t know why he’s so against us remaining the way we are. Maybe he just doesn’t like me, or the fact that he got betrayed with something similar, but you can’t always nod your head to everything his says, he’s just going to control you…. I’m just trying to protect us-”
“You can’t claim you’re protecting me, Harley.” Hope glared towards the ground as she clenched her fists.
“Why are you so protective of him…?” Harley asked as he stared at her, trying to sound calm despite feeling irritated.
“I think I like him.” She pointed out, getting him to gasp internally as he widened his eyes at her. “I think he likes me too….”