Chapter 16

Elena’s POV

I don’t dare to continue looking up at King Harvey. I’m not brave enough to meet his powerful gaze. I don’t want to die in the disappointment in his eyes.

I know he said I did good, but I don’t believe him. He must be saving face with the other werewolves.

“Elena, I am King. You are to look at me when I speak to you.” King Harvey says to me sternly, yet not in a rage. He sounds patient.

Lowering my head for a moment, I take time to regain my courage and look up at him.

“I am sorry, King Harvey.”

His brown eyes gaze down at me with adoration, and I freeze.

“Well done, Elena. I have never met a human that tries as hard as you. I meant it when I said good job. A good King does not lie, Elena, especially to his mate.”

“…I feel unworthy, King Harvey.”

King Harvey nods. “Trust that I have picked you, Elena. Trust me.”

King Harvey smiles at me genuinely and I know it is a rare smile.

“Thank you, King Harvey.”

I have no energy to blush; I just wish his words were sinking in.

“You have really surprised me, Elena.” King Harvey whispers warmly as he gazes down at me sweetly. “You are very tough.”

My heart starts to palpitate wildly.

Do I really like King Harvey?

“Come with me, Elena. We shall eat.”

King Harvey stares at me for a second then helps me up. He walks me over to a table that is tucked at the end of the battlefield and offers me a cup of water.

Drinking it, I find it funny that he drinks with me.

“This water is from a spring that I own.”

“…you own a spring?”

“Yes.” King Harvey smiles happily.

Leaning against King Harvey to regain my strength, I am grateful he allows me to do so.

King Harvey wraps an arm around my shoulders and rubs my arm. I shiver against him between my nerves of being around him and my exhaustion.

King Harvey pulls a small sandwich off the table and hands it to me. “Eat, Elena. You have done well.”

“Have I?” I whisper as my tears of frustration spill from my eyes. “I didn’t meet your time limit, King Harvey.”

King Harvey simply nods.

“…yes, King Harvey.”

I eat the sandwich trying to avoid his attentive gaze.

When I take another, King Harvey smiles brightly.

“…will I get better, King Harvey?” I ask as defeat drapes over my shoulders.

“Yes, Elena. You are the only human to attempt this. You are brave.”

“No, no! I am so behind!” Tears stream down my face as King Harvey places his hands on my shoulders and looks me deep in my eyes.

He goes as far as to bend over and press his forehead to mine.

“Elena.”

When I see nothing less than love in his eyes, I stop breathing all together.

“King Harvey, I am sorry…”

“Don’t doubt me, Elena. Have I lied to you?” King Harvey asks firmly.

“No, no! I mean no insult, King Harvey, I promise. I am very overwhelmed by your kindness, King Harvey. I do trust you, your protection…”

King Harvey tucks his taloned fingers under my chin and forces me to face him. “Elena, I known my place is to rule since I was your age, if I was a liar the werewolves would have killed me. It is in our blood to be honest. If you wish to prove yourself, you’ll train regularly and run for a week.”

I nod at the sincerity of his voice and his plan.

One week later, I see that my physical fitness and stamina have improved a lot. I have gone from running myself into the ground and throwing up to being able to run for twenty-minute prior.

I do still fall short of the 45-minute requirement. Still, I continue to run as I do now, hoping to get better.

With every passing day, I never forget that the combat test gets closer and closer.

I know King Harvey’s schedule by heart.

King Harvey sits through meetings and treaties all morning, mid-day he goes to lightly train and check on me, then he trains the werewolves some more as the combat test gets closer.

The slight pride that blooms in my heart comes from knowing that the Betas first ridiculed me, then were surprised by my strength, and then admired me for my attempts.

There is no way to avoid it now, the combat test is unfolding before my very eyes. King Harvey selects a werewolf one by one to battle hand in hand-to-hand combat. After one or two punches, King Harvey knocks out every opponent with one hand tied behind his back.

I could throw up.

My nerves bounce and bump against the pit of my stomach and rise to my throat.

I continue my run as instructed until I get all my laps.

King Harvey approaches me, sweating lightly. “Elena, it is time for you to start combat training.”

“King Harvey, didn’t you say you want me to run within 45 minutes?”

Suddenly, King Harvey bends down and squeezes my right ankle harshly. He frowns as I gasp loudly in pain. A stabbing pain travels up my spine and almost makes me sit down.

“You will lose your leg if you don’t stop!”

“It will be okay…” I hiss between my teeth. I don’t want to rely on King Harvey for everything.

King Harvey stares at me strongly and studies my disappointment, then wordlessly flicks three fingers as Beta Tom rushes over.

“Beta, Elena’s training plan will be as follows: she will do her running, then I will train her in hand-to-hand combat with three pounds weights.”

“King Harvey, I-!”

“Later, Elena. Look. I will show you how to resist powerful enemies when you are wounded. As I have said, you must use the strength of your core.”

King Harvey grabs my waist and lets me punch him as hard as I can.

My face burns red, we are body to body with his hand rubbing my sides, making me tremble.

He doesn’t move, and nor do I. It is as if I am in his arms.

“I’m… a bit tired…” I lie, as I feel extremely uncomfortable. Pressing my hand to his chest, I try to create a gap between us.

“The training is not over yet, Elena.” He speaks with authority.

He takes my hand and then runs his hand down my spine.

“King- “

“When you punch, your body leans forward which strains your body. You must learn to adjust yourself.

“Yes, King Harvey.”

My nerves make me feel as if I am going to fall over.

I finally manage to push him away in a panic, trying to run off, but I forgot that my ankle was still swollen.

Unable to maintain my balance, I fell back into his arms. He is a wall of pure muscle and latent strength. There is no escaping from his grasp.

The massive grin on his face terrifies me.