Uselessly, I weep in my hands in pure frustration at the situation. I am woman enough to admit that he did protect me with his body, but he didn’t defend me when his mother stated I and the children we would have would be a problem.I have heard that my whole life, from my father, then the werewolves. She defended Jane, and even though King Harvey rebuked that, it wasn’t with any evidence she wanted. If anything, I just look like a long one-night stand.I can’t stand every downcast gaze of a werewolf because I am human, and King Harvey seems to be different.No, I know he is, and that is why his silence is such a shock to me. My heart cracks open and bleeds. I continue to cry in my frustration, wishing I could slap him in the face just once.I never expected King Harvey to stay silent when I was slandered. His mother is right, our children would have half-breeds. Would he stay silent while our children are mocked? I wouldn’t.Does he even love me?He has never said it, I have never sa
Hearing the voice of King Harvey’s mother shocks, the tears out my system and I wipe my face. Hastily, I comb my fingers through my hair to look somewhat presentable.King Harvey opens the door to my room and offers me a hand. “Come with me, Elena.”I am still upset with him. “Can you say please?”“Yes.” King Harvey picks me up over his shoulder and marches me through his study to the white room with his parents’ wedding outfits.His mother stands in front of the suit and his father stands in front of the dress. Something clicks in me as I look at them, they complete each other, that is what this means.I have never seen King Harvey’s father before. He is as wide as King Harvey, with burning red unnatural eyes. His face is as chiseled as King Harvey’s, with a salt and pepper beard. His black hair is combed back lightly, not tightly to his scalp. His ears are as sharp as King Harvey’s but longer. Two fangs pop out his upper lip, long but not threatening.He is wearing a black velvet cl
“Elena, you are very brave…welcome.” King Harvey’s father speaks with quiet respect.“What the hell do you mean?!” King Harvey’s mother turns to her husband and grabs face with one taloned hand. She squeezes his face in one hand and growls. “What the hell?!”“He has defended her and her honor. He states the truth. He is king. He has exercised his rights and power as king. We must trust his decision. We have retired from our roles and duties. If his heart is there, and hers is w-!”“How?!” She howls. “How do you know?! No, no, no!! I will not stand this!”“Did you not hear her heart, my wife?” King Harvey’s father asks smoothly. “That is why the question was asked.”King Harvey takes my hand. “Please, we must be alone.”He guides me away as the two continue to argue, and I don’t even know what to say.King Harvey looks down at me then smiles.“What, King Harvey?”“Do you really need me to defend you, Elena?”I sigh. He is correct. I held my own against them today. Maybe I don’t even ne
“Elena.” King Harvey pauses walking and turns to face me. He is guiding me by hand to the armory room because he has a surprise for me. “How do you feel about me now?”I squeeze his hand tightly and enjoy the warmth of his hand, and that he smiles.“King Harvey… after what happened, I do understand better what you meant… but you did defend me sooner…”“I know first-hand what it is to be alone on battlefield, Elena. I may be stronger than you by werewolf blood, but…pain is pain. You were correct that I swore to protect you. Yet… Elena, I am sorry to say I don’t fully grasp…the pain of words. Logically, Elena… I get it… but perhaps my heart is more calloused.”I swallow dryly. “Once we have children… that will die, King Harvey. Or…when you see me hurt.”“…I do not wish to see you hurt, Elena.” King Harvey whispers steely. His eyes soften as he gazes down at me. “…I am beginning to understand… the scent of your tears rips my heart out.”“Huh?” I breathe, absolutely confused. “Really?”“E
Elena’s POV“Elena.” King Harvey’s voice cuts through the muck of my mind. “You can take me down, use your mind.”“I am glad you believe in me, King Harvey…” Muttering, I draw in a breath. I know his werewolf ears would catch my words.Opening my stance, I swing the sword again widely and King Harvey grabs it with both his armored hands and throws me backwards.It is a soft toss, but it still sends me a few feet back. Stomping my feet to stay solidly on the ground, I ready myself again and stab upwards with the blade at his helmet. I want to see his face and see if I can take it off.King Harvey grabs the sword with one hand and drags it down.“Too slow, Elena.”“You are having too much fun with this, King Harvey.”King Harvey laughs happily. “It is good to see what you can do, Elena.”We both reset our stances and he circles me with a light step.“The armor is not heavy?”“No, Elena. But very powerful.”“Huh. Really?”“I am not human, this armor would crush a human, but not me.” King
King Harvey gives me a faltering, uneasy smile as he clutches his right arm with his left hand. His talons press into his burned skin unintentionally and he curses loudly, ripping his hand away.“I overestimated the time it would take to explain, Elena.” King Harvey exhales heavily through his mouth, his fangs popping out his upper lip. “Are you well?”“We need to get you help!” I say as I take hold of his left sleeve, as carefully as I can. Blinking the tears out of my eyes, I resolve to push away my sobs as I guide him out of the armory room as quickly as my feet will carry me.King Harvey groans softly over his pain and I am too scared to ask him how he feels. King Harvey remains silent however, as I push into my room and into the bathroom and open the faucet.The color water is ice water, and I am thankful when I check it with my hand. Freezing. Perfect. Filling a cup, I begin to run water up and down his arm. King Harvey weakly groans with every wave of water. I know if I look hi
“Elena, what do you want?” King Harvey whispers as I pull away from our passionate kiss. His silver eyes clue me in on what he wants.“I am very glad you are better… and you read rather elegantly…” Blushing, I release his face and move to not be leaning into him anymore.He twists in his chair fully to face me and picks me up by my waist, to place me in his warm lap.“Wrong way, Elena.” King Harvey whispers in my ear as he leans down to press a slow kiss to the pre-mating mark on my neck.A feverish fire explodes through my body, and I gasp, trying to control the undeniable desire to lie down and let him have his way with me. It is a thunderbolt of desire that has taken over my body and soul.I don’t have to turn to face him, he simply rearranges me, I realize he is using his dominant right hand. Is he healed fully?“Your arm, King Harvey!” Whispering to him, I barely press my fingertips to the massive muscle that is his right bicep.The skin of his arm is smooth and cold to touch, t
King Harvey is nothing more than an inch away from me.His hand lands on my thigh as I try to eat, his talons tickle the inner of my thigh and I find myself looking up at him with hunger and not fear.Doris clears her throat at us and huffs. “Sorry to bother, King Harvey, buI suggest you two regain composure.” The conversation continues, Doris’s recounting how we are to eat and in what order to show respect, but I can’t listen with King Harvey’s hand on me.When she notices, she waves her hand at us, and King Harvey whisks me into a private room. I have no time to gasp as he kisses me heavily.Two days pass and King Harvey’s arm is fully healed. I still had to check his arm for drying skin and clean him up, and it was a bonding experience. King Harvey has been watching over me as I try to learn how to picture a flame as I hold the candle, but I have had no success just yet.King Harvey leads me by hand lovingly to the main hall to dine. It is a family pre-wedding dinner. We are going
A few months have passed since the planning of our orphanage. I have named it Hilda’s Home, after my mother. I have placed a portrait of her that Harvey painted for me for our first wedding anniversary at the front door, and this is my home as much as it is the children that reside here.Emily splits her time working with me, between being a mother to her two boys and working at the orphanage as a doctor. Beta Tom works as her assistant and bodyguard. Harvey and I do our best to split our duties evenly, but he is here as often as I am.As long as phone is available, he can do his kingly duties here as well.The King of the North died in disgrace four and a half years ago, succumbing to his illness and the wound sustained from Harvey and me. No one attended his funeral, not even his wife. The people he left next in line have no issue with us, or us with them, so it has been a peaceful life.“Luna Queenie?” I hear a small little girl ask as she looks up at me.She is about three, named
The King of the North has not made a sound for months after his attack and we are all grateful. King Harvey remains at my side, loyal as always, but more silent. “Elena.” King Harvey starts as I look over the blueprint for an a new building. Should it be a school, a hospital? A shelter from wars and storms? In these past months, Emily has married Beta Tom and swiftly got pregnant. I am still waiting for my symptoms of pregnancy. There are none. I think I know what he wants to tell me. “Harvey… I am not with child.” “No, Elena. Not yet.” King Harvey bows his head and turns away to face the window. When I see tears roll down his face, I leap at him, holding him tightly to my chest. His hand dig into my back desperately. “Why a false positive?” I ask, trying not to weep openly. Tears roll down my face too. “Your luna abilities are so strong, Elena. It seemed and smelled like you were, and I believed it, until now. Doris pointed out that you would be showing by now, for sure…” K
It has been a couple of weeks since King Harvey told me I was pregnant. I feel better, but my luna powers are starting to light my hands when I am asleep. No one knows what it means. Emily is all over me, asking if I am having nightmares or pain. There is nothing bothering me physically. Emotionally, I am very stressed by the thought of being a mother. I am just worried.Nervous, very, very nervous.“King Harvey.” I call for my husband in the dark, wondering where he is. His side of the bed is empty.The front door cracks open slowly, and an orange light bathes my husband from behind. King Harvey shuts the light behind him and walks back to bed silently. He presses a napkin in my hand, and this is when I feel two pieces of toast with butter in my hand.I can’t help but laugh out loud at the innocence of his act.“You were saying you were hungry in your sleep, Elena.” King Harvey says between crunches of his own toast. “Would you rather have a sandwich?”“Thank you, King Harvey. You ar
Two weeks pass by as I train harder. I can create a shield with no effort, but I can’t hold it for very long. That will come with time. I have had to pause my training because I have been feeling weak these past few days. I know I am running a fever. King Harvey checked my temperature and Emily checked me. I wonder where I got it from. Opening my eyes aches the rest of my body, I have been in and out of sleep for the past hour. “Elena.” King Harvey whispers to me at my right side of the bed. I see him kneeling at my side and I try to sit up. When I groan, he pops up and slips to his side of the bed and helps me sit up, wrapping a warm arm around my shoulders. “Are you well, Elena?” King Harvey asks as he readjusts so I can rest my head on a pillow he props behind my head and against the headboard. “I feel very weak.” I say to the best of my ability. It hurts to speak. King Harvey says nothing as he lights his hand with a soft red flame, he places the healing flame on my forehea
King Harvey cradles me lovingly to his chest in our bed, and winces when his knuckles brush my face. “Ow,” he grimaces. “That stupid ice shield! I had no idea he would do that!” “How did you break it anyway?” I ask, lifting my hand to press it above his and heal his wounds lightly. I can handle scrapes and that is about it. King Harvey smiles down at me. “I am so thankful you are my mate… and naked.” “King Harvey.” I address my husband firmly. “How did you break the barrier?” “Force.” “Ah, so I can’t do that.” King Harvey understands my question and his brown eyes widen. “Oh, you believe it was werewolf abilities?” “Yes.” “No, it was my strength. But with your luna abilities I am sure you can highlight your hands and fight. Not that I want you in any form of close combat, Elena.” King Harvey takes my hands and kisses them sweetly, then presses a kiss to my cheek. “I am so glad you were not harmed.” “You wanted to kill him…” “What husband in love wouldn’t?” King Harvey voil
King Harvey quietly takes a seat beside me in his office as I stare at the treaty I am writing up. I have been sitting with it all day, oscillating between feeling as if my words will fall on deaf ears, and pure joy that humans will finally have a voice. Will both sides listen to me? King Harvey interlocks his fingers with mine. “Elena, you are doing wonderful. Please, do not stress.” “What if they do not listen?” King Harvey tilts his head to the side. “Plenty will not, but once it is law, they have no choice but to follow. Many will, and those that don’t will be punished. It is nothing new, Elena.” “Yes, I know laws are important, but if there is a massive push…” My husband brushes the hair out of my face with a gentle and steady hand. “They will not defy me.” “King Harvey!” Beta Tom exclaims as he runs through the double doors. “The King of the North is here to see you!” Automatically, Beta Tom turns to the left and bows as the King of the North and his wife walk into our o
Awakening from a long passionate night with my husband to Emily laughing loudly outside my front door makes me smile. Slowly, I sit up and feel King Harvey’s warm hand on my lower stomach. “Sleep, my mate.” King Harvey’s voice is still worn with sleep. His lower register makes me shiver, but when Emily continues, I want to throw open the door. “Stay in bed, King Harvey. I need to see why she is happy.” King Harvey chuckles. “You believe she will not tell you?” “Yes, she will… you are correct, it is best we rest.” My eyes drift shut again when King Harvey holds me close. By midafternoon, King Harvey and I are awake and are strolling around the exterior of the castle. King Harvey tells me about the trees and how he used to climb them as a child, with a sweet smile on his face. I wonder what our future will hold for us. “Harvey.” King Harvey’s mother calls from behind us. Instantly, King Harvey sheathes his sword again and we turn to his mother. “Hello.” We both greet his mother
Three days pass of more planning for Emily’s wedding as King Harvey trains the betas. King Harvey has final test for the betas, and then after, he would like me to ask the betas what they think of me.I have spent the whole morning fretting, my hands lightly shaking as I hope I can go through five betas with full power and get real answers for King Harvey. My ability to be a lie detector also helps the kingdom. I need to master this.I need to, for my sake too, to stay safe.All morning I have heard King Harvey battling the betas in hand-to-hand combat, to test their strength and endurance. The sounds make my heart rattle, they are ferocious warriors. I wish I could go hand to hand with a werewolf. It seems less terrifying than my luna powers failing me here and me looking like a fool, holding hands with a werewolf beta that is certainly not my dear husband.“Elena.” King Harvey appears at my doorway and smiles, shirtless and sweaty.“Are you hungry?” I question, rushing to him and ta
“You are free to marry Emily, Beta Tom, after you get your work squared away. I can do without you for about two weeks.” King Harvey says as he flips through a thick book of wedding cake recipes. “Thank you, King Harvey.” Beta Tom bows slightly as he flips through the same wedding book I did. Emily is sitting beside me on a red velvet sofa as we look for wedding dresses for her. Emily is a simple woman and wishes to marry as I did. In the church first, then a mating ceremony. The only difference is that only King Harvey and I will be at her mating ceremony to make sure it happens. It doesn’t have to be every royal werewolf and I am glad for that. “Remember Mom’s wedding dress? Those lace sleeves and helm? I want that.” Emily says as she keeps flipping through the book. “That will be very beautiful. And lingerie?” I purposely ask and look at Beta Tom, who turns as red as the couch we are sitting on. Good, that means he has some morals about him. King Harvey flashes me a fang-fill