Chapter 28

Elena’s POV

I open my mouth to ask King Harvey when training will begin, but my phone rings. I know it is Emily calling, so I press it to my ear.

“Elena! There is a man named Beta Tom here?”

Oh, I see he ran off as soon as King Harvey said so.

“Yes, Emily. Because of this situation we are in, it has been decided he will be your protector.”

Emily giggles, oddly out of character. “He is very handsome, Elena!”

“You know he can hear you?” I whisper into my phone as she gasps. King Harvey smiles softly at my side, seemingly amused at our conversation.

“Right, right, werewolf…” Emily sighs. “Well, what is he like?”

King Harvey takes the phone from my hand kindly and puts it on the speaker. He clears his throat, then speaks.

“Beta Tom has my upmost approval as an aid, Emily. Please trust our decision.”

“Oh! Of course, King Harvey! Thank you so much for thinking of me in these difficult times and taking care of Elena so kindly. When is the wedding?” Emily replies happily.

If I had been holding the phone in that moment, I would have dropped it. As my jaw drops open, King Harvey gazes at me attentively.

“Very, very soon, Emily. I am sure Beta Tom will escort you to our wedding.” King Harvey says sternly.

“Yes, Beta Tom is very kind.” I say to kill the silence and fear roaming through my body.

“I trust you both. Thank you very much. Elena, do you remember years ago we spoke of our ideal men?”

Shivering from my fear, I nod. “Yes, Emily.”

“So, is Beta Tom trustworthy, kind, loyal and handsome?”

“All but handsome, Emily, remember I am spoken for.”

“Aha!” Emily laughs. “So, King Harvey is your type!”

I know what my sister was getting at, I have rejected Beta Tom in a way by not saying he is handsome, so that means my heart belongs to King Harvey. She is right. I have no idea how to tell him.

Now, King Harvey turns to face me in full, his whole-body swivels to face me. I swallow a scream and place my face in my hands. “Yes...” I breathe through my fingers.

The fanged full grin King Harvey gives me unabashedly stops my heart.

“Elena is my mate.” King Harvey speaks with such pride and joy, just an obvious statement, makes me topple over.

I sink down to the floor under the weight of his words and he sits on the floor beside me casually, then pulls me to sit in his lap.

Blushing, I feel my face burn severely.

“Oh, I can’t wait for the wedding!” Emily exclaims brightly.

“Nor can I.” King Harvey’s voice pitches deeper and I fear he will lose his mind again. A look at my face calms him all at once. His growing fangs halt.

“Emily, if you don’t mind, King Harvey and I must talk. I love you; can we talk later?”

“Yes, Elena. I love you too. Talk to you later!”

King Harvey hangs up the phone and hands it to me.

“Thank you, Elena. I enjoyed meeting your sister.”

“Oh. Right!” I brighten up. “This is your first meeting with Emily. Thank you for being so kind, King Harvey.”

“You desire me.” King Harvey cuts through my thoughts with ease.

I look away to hide my deep blush. “…you do too.”

“Yes.” King Harvey runs his hand down my back caringly.

I know he can hear my heart racing in my chest.

The silence between us is both awkward and deafening. I need to say something, I don’t want to seem like I am rejecting him, especially after sending Beta Tom to protect my sister.

“King Harvey…” I have no idea how to finish that sentence or what to say. “Uhm… you like Emily?”

“Only you.” King Harvey lifts my hand and kisses it, never breaking eye contact with me.

“I-I meant… as a person.”

“Yes.”

I nod, and look at the ground, what else do I talk to him about?

Shockingly, King Harvey wraps an arm around my shoulders and walks me to my room and sits on the bed with me.

“…King Harvey?”

“We need to buy you nightgowns, Elena.” King Harvey speaks with such a casual tone, as if this isn’t intimate.

Blushing, I look away. I am too nervous to look him in the face. “…I… King Harvey… what will you wear?”

King Harvey shrugs. “Father slept naked, in case of battle. It was easier to transform.”

I completely turn away from him now to hide my red face and take in two long breaths. “Uhm... King Harvey… perhaps a robe?”

King Harvey laughs. “That would be very hot, Elena, you know how warm my body is.”

“…I couldn’t handle you naked…” I mutter, glancing into his brown eyes.

King Harvey looks at me. “A light robe then, so you feel comfortable.”

“Thank you, King Harvey.” I press my hand onto his and feel the blood rushing through his body. Turning to me entirely, he leans in and kisses me hotly, getting me completely off guard.

Cradling his face, I manage some control of the kiss, but this is just proof he is running out of time and sanity. I feel his claws ghost down my neck, then grab my dress front and hook in.

He pulls me to be flush to him, chest to chest. By the time we pull away, the room is spinning.

“Elena…I am sure… perhaps you will not need nightgowns…” King Harvey’s breathing is labored, and his words are heavy.

The heat between us is killing me. We are both pretending to be innocent with no desires. I can’t imagine the agony he is in with heightened senses.

“Emergencies, King Harvey. I want no one to see my body but you.”

“You are right,” King Harvey whispers lowly as he runs the back of his hand down my face. “So many to kill if they see you…”

I shake my head to clear my mind. “What about Jane?”

“She is not invited to the wedding.” King Harvey smiles.

“What are we going to do about her, King Harvey?” I reply seriously. “I need to know we are all safe.”

King Harvey nods. “She is to be sent to the area before being exiled. It is a rehabilitation center. I will give her one chance, as I do most unruly werewolves. If you do not mind.”

“Send her…perhaps it will be the kindest thing to do. We need clear minds to enjoy the mating ceremony and our wedding. We should her grace, she should do the same.”

“At the least remember it, Elena… you are very kind.”

I laugh. “I hope this is the right method.”

King Harvey nods. “Some werewolves are very territorial. Some more than others. The rehabilitation center helps to equalize emotions.”

“You are rather possessive of me, King Harvey.”

"It is my right to be your partner, protector and husband. And, of course, you have the right to everything I have, Elena."

King Harvey looked down into my eyes and I held my breath.

"There is a secret room in the study with some things I thought you might like to see."