“it was a painful experience to actually figure it out when I noticed the hickeys Ace gave her.” Harley chuckled uncomfortably as he glanced at Kelvin who had a deep frown. “I remember crying a lot that day after I found out. Her sister must have seen me crying because she just happened to be going to Hope’s room that day. I pretended I wasn’t and she didn’t ask, but I know she saw me. I’m not sure if she told Hope or not, but the next morning, Hope wanted to talk about the whole mating thing with Ace but I pretended as though I never even confessed to her in the first place.”
“wow, you went that far?” Kelvin chuckled out as he folded his arms to his chest but still had a sad smile on his lips. “that must have hurt a ton of you had to pretend as though you’ve never had feelings or even confessed.”
“it obvious didn’t work on her.” Harley chuckled out as he scratched his head nervously. “she got so upset and stormed away for a bit before coming back and pretending with me. Sadly it didn’t go as planned because I couldn’t stand seeing her with Ace. Things got awkward after that. Then I met Anna whilst we were coming here and she wanted so desperately to be my mate.”
“All of a sudden?” Kelvin asked with raised brows. “to a stranger?”
“She had an abusive husband and me being extra kind to her made her cling onto me. I’m just kind by nature, but she insisted, plus, she was from the same pack as Ace so he said she had always easily fallen in love with people.” He shrugged his shoulders and frowned a bit. “anyway, after I met Anna, Ace begged me to let Hope go. So I agreed and decided he would have her, since she didn’t love me. After that, things got awkward when she wanted to sit with me to talk out of pity and I said I wanted to sit next to Anna and get to know her.”
“wow.” Kelvin sighed out as he glanced ahead. “your story is far much more complicated than mine.”
“I doubt it.” Harley chuckled as he leaned back into his arms. “at least no one’s pregnant in my situation.”
“well at least I don’t love Emily and she doesn’t love me too. So you’re is too emotionally involved.” Kelvin chuckled as he glanced at Harley who shrugged. “by the way… if you gave up on Hope… what would you do if Ace actually becomes her mate in the end?”
Harley paused at the question and stared at one spot on the ground as he thought.
What would he really do?
“She’s been married before.” Harley smiled weakly as he glanced up at him. “he cheated on her so they divorced. She got married while I was in love with her. It won’t make a different. I’ll still feel the same way I felt back then.”
“But this time while she knows about it.” Kelvin pointed out before standing up and stretching himself. “she didn’t know then, so you’ll obviously feel more hurt than you do now.”
Harley remained silent as he pressed his lips together whisky clenching onto the covers of the bed.
“if you love her, you have to tell her. Try to get her to your side-.”
“Kelvin… it’s not as easy as it sounds. I kissed her and nothing changed.” Harley sighed out as he glanced away. “I even asked her for more but she… she didn’t want me. That’s all. I’m better off a best friend to her than a mate. It’s my fault for talking lone but…. I was afraid we’d end up the way we are right now. So awkward and distant.”
“it’s not like you could ignore it.” Kelvin shrugged as he glanced towards the window. “but if you really love her, you won’t let her go.”
“I made a promise to Ace that I’d let her go.” Harley sighed out shakily. “I can’t go back on my word.”
“but you’d rather get hurt?” Kelvin chuckled in disbelief. “Ace only stole her from you and you’re willing to leave someone you love for him?”
“he spoke as though he deeply loved her and I believe him. Like I said before, she doesn’t like me the way I like her. So I have no choice.” Harley said as Kelvin walked towards the door.
“your niceness will be the end of you one day. You’ll realize that people can take advantage of your soft side.” Kelvin shook his head in complete disappointment.
“I can’t help it.” He shrugged his shoulders and smiled at Kelvin. “by the way, about your situation, I think you should tell everyone the truth. You don’t have to gain responsibility on something that doesn’t belong to you. I know you’re a great guy, so you’ll obviously find your own way of dealing with it.” Kelvin smiled as he stared at the ground thoughtfully.
“Thanks. I will.” Kelvin chuckled as he licked his lips and nodded in agreement. “goodnight, Harley.”
“Night.” Harley chuckled as he waved slightly before the door closed shut.
He threw himself back, hitting his back against the soft covers as he let out a heavy deep sigh as he clenched onto his fingers, staring up at the ceiling.
The soft ‘ticking’ sound of the alarm clock just on the headboard of the bed filled his ears as he felt his heart slowly mute itself.
“H-Harley?” his heart picked up its pace as he heard Hope’s voice behind the thick but light doors.
He instantly sat up and shot his eyes towards the doors in complete shock and unbelieving to what he was hearing.
Was that really Hope behind his door?
He glanced over his shoulder to the clock and it was well past the eleventh hour.
He would have thought she was probably fast asleep since the journey itself was tiring.
“Harley, we need to talk…” she whispered out behind the door but still audible enough for him to hear.