Chapter 32

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 cloak with grey fur over his shoulders. The suit he wears is all black, with white pinstripes.

His wife by his side is wearing a simple black dress, but that necklace King Harvey mentioned is around her neck.

“Human.” His parents say to me at once.

I am automatically intimidated and take a step back. King Harvey’s mother smiles coldly.

King Harvey’s father looks me over. “Harvey has said you are strong, are you?”

“…in what context?” I ask softly.

King Harvey’s father rears his head back and laughs loudly. “You are human! The answer is no!”

I grit my teeth. “Did you not hear me arguing with your son? In the least, I am brave! That is a form of strength!”

“Are you sure?” King Harvey’s mother asks icily.

I refuse to look King Harvey in the eyes for any support. I open my mouth to reply but King Harvey’s voice vibrates throughout the room.

“She is strong, mother. She has always been extremely brave. There are many werewolves that are not brave but have fangs. Enough with this.”

King Harvey’s father moves and clasps a hand on his son’s shoulder, aggressively. “We are to speak our minds, son.”

“She is my wife!”

“You have not yet mated with her, Harvey.” King Harvey’s mother says sleekly. “We can find another woman.”

“I do not want another woman, mother.” King Harvey hisses, his fangs now fully showing. “Elena is the only woman.”

“You get your loyalty from your father, Harvey.” His mother replies lightly, even smiling lovingly at her husband. “However, we are the same breed.”

“Matters not, mother. Elena is my wife.”

“Mate, wife, what else, Harvey?” King Harvey’s father asks seriously. “How many words for a woman that has not proved herself?”

My eyes widen at his words, and I exhale deeply to calm my running thoughts.

“Gamma Kevin tried to kill me the first night of this life, I survived. I tried to get those women out of that ballroom. I have calmed King Harvey when he is almost transforming several times, I have argued with King Harvey until I was blue in the face. I defended myself against Jane. I have proven myself!” I snap. “I am not a werewolf, but I am not useless or worthless!”

“Human,” King Harvey’s mother starts slowly. “Did Harvey tell you that he spent the night defending you to me?”

My blood freezes as I turn to face King Harvey, who easily stares at me.

“No.” I state firmly looking King Harvey in his eyes.

“I am aware he loves you, human. We must know why.” King Harvey’s mother says.

“King Harvey has explained to me that it is natural. Instinct.” I reply, looking her straight in her eyes. I swear she smiles.

The admission that King Harvey loves me doesn’t hit me. I am too on edge.

They are all intimidating… even King Harvey in this moment.

King Harvey’s father stares me dead in the face. “Do you feel the same, human?”

“Yes.”

King Harvey’s eyes widen, and we all see it, but he says nothing. No smile finds his face. Again, I feel nothing. I have no time to question what is going on or what he means. Deep down, I believe he does love me.

I must.

King Harvey is practically forfeiting his kingdom and all his status by loving me openly. I must wonder when I was at school if the other kings would visit him and mock him. Some days, I would find him punching the punching bag until his knuckles bled.

King Harvey looks at me now, and I can tell he wishes to speak.

I hold my head up high. “I do love your son; despite the bullshit we went through last night. I am no fool, I know we will have differences. But the only difference between King Harvey and I is that he is a werewolf. I will withhold loyalty, love, devotion and respect to him and the kingdom he is creating. I have been going to school to learn to be a luna. I take his advice to heart. What else is there?”

“Your children will be vilified.” King Harvey’s mother states factually. “Can you withstand that, being mocked by the other kingdoms and watching your children go through that?”

“Who mocked King Harvey?” I ask. She must be speaking from experience.

“He was a weak pup, our miracle. We could only have Harvey. The robbery wounded my wife and I, weakened our powers slightly… so… we all were vilified.” King Harvey’s father explains.

“A human luna will take a lot worse.” King Harvey’s mother adds. “You must be as strong as us, if not stronger to withstand it. I don’t believe a human can.”

“Elena is strong. My heart and instincts know what they are doing. How dare you doubt me?!” King Harvey snarls at them both.

“I know you want what is best for your son, but I love him, and he picked me, doesn’t that shock you?” I ask.

“We believe it is a mistake.” King Harvey’s father says. “We cannot look weak to the other kingdoms.”

King Harvey stares his father down but says nothing, his hand twitches.

He wants to defend me, and I believe he wants to defend me physically…

“Test me then, what morals would you like his mate to have?” I ask, at my wits end, as to how to please them.

The argument with King Harvey swirls about my mind.

“Everything you have stated is correct, Elena. You impress me, in a way. I respect you…you would be perfect if you had fangs.” King Harvey’s mother states.

King Harvey takes a step to both his parents. “As King, I am exercising my right. Elena is perfect as you have stated. She has all the morals you want.”

King Harvey’s father stares at me, studying me in an intellectual way. Not with love that King Harvey does.

I can feel he is about to make up his mind.