“Now that we all know each other, we can actually have a less awkward dinner.” Jason chuckled out as Harley nodded in agreement.
Jason led the way into the mansion with Emily and Hope just behind him, neither of them saying much since they were both feeling uncomfortable walking close to people they have some problem with. Emily’s uncomfortable feeling came because of Jason and Hope’s uncomfortable feeling came because of Harley.
“So.” Kelvin said as he fell into step with Harley, throwing his arm over his neck. “your best friend…”
“want to be her mate already?” Harley smirked as he chuckled when Kelvin smiled.
“No.” he shook his head as he laughed out and fanned himself. “but, I can’t help to ignore how awkward you two are.” He whispered, not wanting her to eavesdrop on their conversation. Harley slowly dropped his smile and shifted his eyes to the ground for a moment, forcing Kelvin to believe even more that there was really something going on between them.
Harley didn’t seem like Jason, though they were slightly too similar both being betas and very silent and somewhat kind, Kelvin found it more comfortable talking to Harley than he was with Jason who he spent more time with.
“we’re just in a new place.” Harley shrugged his shoulders as he glanced towards Hope and frowned a little before turning his eyes towards Anna who was still walking behind him, like a shadow. “Oh right. I forgot to introduce the rest.” Harley chuckled as he slipped under Kelvin’s arm to get away from him and fell back into step with Anna who’s eyes flew when she noticed him giving her some attention. “this is Anna.” He said as Kelvin glanced over his shoulder when he stopped walking.
“Oh.” Kelvin nodded as he waved at Anna who waved back with a smile.
“She’s my mate.” Harley said with a clenched jaw, getting Anna’s cheeks to burn up at the mention of the word. She glanced up at him with adoration as a smile creeped onto her face.
Harley knew a little too well that Hope and Ace was listening. Just to clear up the air, he had to make sure Hope believed he would make Anna his, so that Ace can finally get what he really wants.
He hated the mere thought of it but didn’t want Ace feeling the same pain as he was. Despite not wanting to let Hope go, despite not wanting to watch as some else took her away from him, he had to admit she wasn’t in love with him. He had to painfully accept the reality.
Maybe Anna was going to be the right mate for him.
Hope clenched onto her fingers as she heard him claim Anna was already his mate. Something she had always wanted him to say since she was young. She had wanted to know who his mate was, what she looked like and how pretty she was. Anna loved Harley and Hope could tell without a doubt. What she didn’t like was that it was so bizzare that Anna would easily fall in love like that. It was just too sketchy and Hope just didn’t like the idea of Anna being Harley’s mate.
It didn’t add up.
It just didn’t make any sense.
…. Maybe she just didn’t want her to be his mate… but someone like-
“here’s the dining hall.” Jason announced as he opened the large doors into a hall with an outstretched dining table with the entire table filled with countless food options. From an entire buttered pig down to grilled and spiced ribs.
“where you about to feed a mob?” Ace asked from behind as he chuckled at the ridiculous amount of food on the table. Harley rolled his eyes as he glanced towards Ace who smirked at him.
“well we figured you might be hungry-,”
“bro, I’m not complaining. Back in Harley and Hope’s pack I feel like I’m on a diet.” Ace joked as he threw his arm over Harley’s neck again, chocking him.
“it’s not our fault, you ate everything else.” Harley hissed as he tried to pry off his hand as he resisted and locked his neck in. “let go Ace!”
“you two are awfully close huh?” Anna smiled as she stared at the two wrestling each other. “you might have found someone to replace Zack after all.”
Ace smiled as he winked at Anna who chuckled out. He then let go of Harley who finally sucked in a deep breath as he rubbed his neck, feeling the painful squeeze still strain around his neck.
“Harley is alright.” Ace shrugged as they walked towards the table and took seats.
Anna dat next to Harley who was sitting next to Kelvin. Hope sat just across from Harley next to Emily and Ace.
“you may begin to feast, enjoy the meal everyone.” Jason clasped his hands together with a small smile and they all began to share their own portions.
Hope and Harley would often share each other’s plates as a test just to see how well they knew each other.
A smile made its way to her lips as the thought of it floated back into her mind, the perfect at to get back the Harley she used to know.
“hey, Harl-.” She stopped mid way as she glanced up only to see Anna holding up a plate already filled with food for Harley.
“I hope I got your favourite.” Anna smiled charmingly as she placed it in front of him.
“you almost got everything right. Except for the fish sticks, I’m just not a fan of sea food at the moment.” Harley smiled as he took the plate from Anna who rose her brows in question.
“why not? Seafood is really good.” She said as she grabbed her plate to get her portions when Harley snatched the plate from her.
“I ate a whole bunch this one time on my birthday.” Harley said as he began to place some portions on her plate. “on my sixteenth birthday, Hope hosted an all seafood buffet and I ended up eating most of it. Then since she noticed I loved it so much, she made sure I had seafood everyday for seven days. Like just for the rest of the week. So I had a wonderful time eating seafood. There after I got so obsessed with it that I would eat it more even with other food options.” He chuckled out as he glanced over to Hope who eventually smiled and glanced down to her plate. “aftr a while I got fed up and stopped eating it for a while.” He shrugged his shoulders as he placed the plate in front of her, filled with countless options. “I hope I got it right.”
“well…” Anna smiled as she take her eyes across the food. “most yes, but I don’t eat peas.”
“Why not?” Harley asked as he watched her gently remove the peas.
“There was this one time Zack had told her that peas are just plant eyeballs, so she got scared with that since she was young.” Ace laughed out as he leaned back into the chair.
“Eyeballs?” Harley asked as he glanced down at the peas. “there’s not much of a resemblance anyway.”
“don’t ask me, Anna is really weird sometimes.” Ace chuckled out as Anna pouted her lips on anger. “jist kidding. Anyway, let’s eat before it gets too cold.”