Chapter 24

Elena’s POV

“We need to marry first. We must suffer together.”

Looking up at him, I watch his eyes fade to brown as he sighs. I feel as if I have failed him, but it is true, the werewolf rule is to wait.

Instead, I stay calm and kiss his nose.

He lays beside me and drops off to sleep as if nothing was wrong.

I awake alone. The warm spot where King Harvey slept is cold as I blindly reach for him. I didn’t expect to feel so safe in his arms.

Not to mentioned loved…

It is our last day here, have I done something wrong? I was as polite as I could be and helped him calm down from a bloodthirsty rage. I have done good.

Is he mad at me?

No, he was very kind last night. He seems happy to be with me.

I know I am happy to be with him.

Rolling over on my back I sigh, wondering what to do with myself.

Did he leave a note?

I get up and check the nightstand. There is nothing there.

Oh no.

What do I do?

Looking at the dial up phone on the nightstand, I decide to call Emily’s training grounds. King Harvey gave me her extension to get directly onto her phone for emergencies.

Three rings later she picks up.

“Hi, Elena!” Her bubbly voice fills the phone and my heart.

“How did you know it was me?” I laugh.

“You are the only one who calls! Are you okay?”

“King Harvey is not in bed…” I mutter, thinking out loud.

“…are you having sex with a werewolf?! Is that real?”

“No, no!” I shout accidentally as my heart races. I am terrified to mate with King Harvey, despite wanting to.

Emily laughs at me. “Wait… this area code… I just checked it. Is this the love spa?”

“Yes!” I hiss hotly. “It was an accident! Tula’s parents run this, and she gave me the tickets.”

“You are so silly!” Emily replies cheerfully. She sounds exactly like our mom. “Those heart tickets weren’t a dead giveaway? You were seducing him.”

“No, Emily! He understood it was an accident…. I did see a box of sex toys.” I whisper as I cover my mouth.

I blush at the thought of throwing myself at King Harvey. I wouldn’t even know where to begin or how.

“Yuck.” Emily deadpans. “So…did you have fun…?”

“Yes, King Harvey is very kind. Where do you think he is?”

Emily laughs. “He is not my werewolf husband!”

My heart almost leaps out my chest. “We are not married, Emily!!”

“Will be!” Emily’s bubbly voice lightens for a moment. “Hey, Elena… could you maybe one a wing for werewolves nearby the kingdom? So, I can see your more often?”

“Of course, Emily. It will be the very first thing I ask King Harvey to do once we mate, after taking care of mom…” Tears fill my eyes and I sniffle.

Emily automatically breaks out into sobs. “Why are you crying? I cry when you do.”

“I am just so happy you love me.” I manage between my salty tears.

It is a slice of agony, the coldness of father versus my sister doing everything possible to still be with me.

“Well, I love you!”

“I love you too.” I exhale, trying to regain myself. “What do you think mom would think of King Harvey?”

“She liked him.” Emily replies lightly.

“What do you mean?” My heart clenches so tightly it feels as if all the air has left the room. “He came to power after she died.”

“Yeah, I know. But the rumors of King Harvey helping humans were around then. They called him Faceless, back in the day. Mom said she was glad someone was helping humans. Now, King Harvey is helping us.” Emily explains firmly.

Emily speaks with such understated power that I sink to the side of the bed. “I-I didn’t know that.”

Emily hums. “It randomly came to me the other day, Mrs. Faceless.”

“Oh, shut up!” I laugh lightly to calm my fraying nerves. “Quit pestering me!”

“I have been taking care of werewolves for a bit, Elena. If you stay calm, they do too. Remember that on your wedding night. Mating will be a bit different, but he will snap in place with you.” Emily tells me this in a stern educated tone.

I know she is trying to help me and calm me. I am thankful.

“Thank you for the tip.” I say softly. “What should I do about missing King Harvey?”

“He will find you, Elena, don’t worry.”

“Thanks…” I whisper as I seriously consider going out and asking around for him.

No, I shouldn’t. I blush, I don’t want to feed into any rumors anyone has. I go looking for him it looks like a fight or bad sex…

“Have you seen him naked yet?” Emily asks happily.

“Bye! Emily, I love you!”

“Oh, whatever! Bye for now, I love you too, you prude!” Emily blows me a kiss and hangs up the phone.

I lay back on the bed and breathe deeply. I will wait for him to return, but there is nothing to do in the meantime.

Sure, I can make the bed and bathe, but then what?

Sighing, I think it is best I do just that, be neat and tidy.

Two hours later, I am out of the bath and clean.

No King Harvey waiting for me on a chair unfortunately.

I smooth out the white simple dress King Harvey bought me and run a comb through my damp hair. I wonder where he is and what he is doing.

A knock on the door freezes my motions and thoughts. They are strangers, do I open the door?

“King Harvey!” A woman’s voice speaks from behind the red oak door. “We are here to bring a gift basket for Elena!”

The woman is holding an overflowing wicker basket, fruits, and chocolate.

“Oh, hello, Elena!” The woman greets warmly. “How are things?”

“Very well, this is a beautiful place.” I smile politely.

“We are Tula’s parents.” Her father steps forward and investigates the room. “Here, we got you this.”

He hands me a whicker basket filled with fruit and chocolate.

I smile as a thank you and close the door behind me.

Sitting the basket down on the bed, I wonder what King Harvey is doing. I miss him, a lot.

The phone starts ringing, and I answer. “Hello?”

Screaming and crying fills the phone.

“Elena!” Emily shouts. “There is a girl here named Jane. Why does she want to kill herself over King Harvey?!”