“Where are you taking me, King Harvey?” I ask as he picks me up over his shoulder and runs off into the forest. “I believe we should rest in our cottage, Elena. Do you mind? Close your eyes, Elena. It will be a very fast blur.” “No, let’s go!” King Harvey picks up the pace and I feel him running faster. When he places me down on the ground, I open my eyes and feel stable. It has been a few hours since the luna ceremony, and King Harvey snuck me away from the after party. “You kidnapped me away from the party.” King Harvey chuckles lovingly. “You look exhausted, Elena. Please, let’s take a nap together.” “You haven’t been resting well, King Harvey.” I run my hand down his chest and he catches my hand to kiss it sweetly. “I have worried about you, my mate. I believed in you, but I could feel your fears.” “Oh, I am sorry!” King Harvey picks me up and carries me across the threshold of our cottage, then lays me down in bed. He lies in bed beside me and holds me to his chest. “I
King Harvey shows me his sketch pad and I find myself mystified by a simple golden crown he has drawn for me. It is a thin crown, with a beautiful howling wolf in the center with ruby eyes. King Harvey smiles broadly as I stare at it.“It is beautiful! King Harvey, did you get taught to draw?”“It helps with werewolf abilities, Elena. Every werewolf in power understands how to draw.”I nod. “It seems you will have to give me drawing lessons, King Harvey. I haven’t drawn seriously since before my mom…”King Harvey gently pushes his collection of colored pencils to me. “Pick a color, Elena,” he urges warmly.Picking a nice soft red that borders on the color of pink, I rim the eyes of the wolf. King Harvey openly stares at me, sweetly humming as I continue to color.“You did such a wonderful job, King Harvey. I don’t want to mess up your work.”“That is impossible, Elena.” King Harvey peers over my shoulder and studies his drawing. My nerves jump when his gaze is longer than usual. I hop
King Harvey and I return to the castle in a simple blur because King Harvey would like to check up on what is happening in the castle. He carries our duffle bags on his back and drops them at the foot of our bed. “I smell my parents’ scent, Elena.” King Harvey says softly as he begins to pick through our bag. He dumps our dirty clothing in the hamper, and I begin to put away his colored pencils and art pad in the side desk by our bed. “King Harvey, do you think this would be a nice visit?” “You have shown yourself as a Luna Queen, and you have had your official crowning. As such, there should be no issue, Elena.” King Harvey’s words are firm yet kind. I nod when he looks up at me and hope he is right. King Harvey suddenly stands at his full height and draws in an obvious deep breath. King Harvey straightens his back and forces a smile on his face. He is mentally preparing for a bit of a mess. Rushing to his side, I take a seat on the edge of the bed and hold his hand tight. “It
“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
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
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
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
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