Chapter 54

Two days of peace pass for King Harvey and me, and we are both grateful. As our day shifts to midday, King Harvey carves into a small honey-baked ham he made for us. Now, I watch my husband slice easily into the meat, smiling at the scent.

“Had that wolf pup not been a traitor it would have been eating well.”

“Thank you for protecting me, King Harvey.” I whisper squeezing his bicep lovingly. Slipping to stand behind him, I rest my head on his shoulder and watch as he continues to carve our ham. He turns to kiss me on the cheek quickly, then sighs.

“I feel like a fool still for allowing that little animal to trick me.”

“Perhaps, they knew that you are kind and wouldn’t hurt an innocent animal. Your kindness overshadows you… do you think the North Kingdom thinks our marriage is… I don’t know a charity?”

“They are fools to believe so, Elena, but yes. I do not think that however, Elena.” King Harvey moves to kiss me sweetly. “I love you so-

“King Harvey!” Beta Tom’s voice carries from behind our front door.

I know Emily is with him and I run faster than King Harvey to get to the door. Throwing it open, I see Emily playfully hiding behind Beta Tom.

“Emily!”

Emily throws herself at me and hugs me tightly, happily laughing as I spin her in my arms.

“How are you?” I ask as I kiss her cheeks.

“Good, very good. I wanted to see you, so I asked Beta Tom to take me here, is that a problem?” Emily asks softly as she glances at King Harvey.

Looking at King Harvey, I see he smiles kindly.

“Of course not, Emily. You are family. I enjoy how happy you make my wife.”

Emily laughs nervously. “Oh, thank you.”

I take Emily by her hand and show her the cottage we are staying at. Happily, she and I chat about our lives and the cottage. Beta Tom hangs back and speaks to King Harvey in a low tone, and I catch the word mate about four times.

Emily sits beside me on our emerald, green couch and chatters on about her studies in the hospital and how fast she is learning to properly heal werewolves.

The scarf on her neck seems misplaced, it is only somewhat chilling today. The scarf she is wearing is warm, and King Harvey’s signature red. There is a gold metal wolf head on the end of it and it reminds me of a gift King Harvey would have given me.

“Your scarf is beautiful, Emily.” I say politely.

My sister catches the knowing look in my eye and ever so subtly looks away from me. Her eyes land on Beta Tom, who is sitting ramrod straight by my husband and is looking at us.

King Harvey catches my gaze and tilts his head to the side in question.

“T-thanks, Elena.” My sister whispers as she twirls the scarf with her pointer finger.

“Who gave it to you?” I question my sister, staring at Beta Tom.

“Beta Tom gave it to me.” Emily breathes quickly.

“It is a gift of engagement, Elena.” King Harvey says as soon as my sister pushes her words past her teeth.

“Oh.” Turning to my sister, I take hold of the scarf gently, as badly as I want to rip off the scarf. I know she is hiding something.

I know what it is.

“Tradition, Beta Tom?” I inquire, standing up and moving to kneel in front of my sister. “Take off your scarf, Emily.”

“…will you be mad?”

My heart thumps irritably in my chest. It is a concaving boom. “I have no idea. I know I love you. Now, show me.”

With a shuttering sigh, my sister unravels her scarf and I see a shallow pre-mating mark on her neck. The welts on her skin are surface level and bumpy, slightly light pink. Very fresh.

“Beta Tom proposed last night and bit me.” Emily informs me quickly as her hands shake.

My shoulders fall as tears roll down my sister’s face.

“Emily…” I start, briefly looking away to look at King Harvey over my shoulder. In a flash, he is standing behind me and rests his hand on my back lovingly.

“Please, please don’t be upset! I love him!”

“…how many dates has it even been, Emily!” I sigh, rubbing my face to stop myself from crying in fear.

I know King Harvey, he and I had a different kind of relationship, we needed to do all of this in a rush.

I don’t know Beta Tom and I have no idea how this relationship would work.

“Beta Tom and I are together day and night, Elena.”

“Doing what?” I snarl. My pain is now anger. “You don’t know him, this too soon!”

“You married King Harvey in a matter of months!” Emily hisses back, her eyes brimming with anger.

“We had to!” I hiss back. “For his sanity! And the kingdom.”

“Beta Tom feels the same!” Emily continues. “Do you love your husband?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Balling my fists, I move away from my sister entirely, taking a few steps back.

“I love Tom, why can’t you just let it be!”

“It has been maybe two months! Right, King Harvey?”

“One month, Elena.” King Harvey replies as he pulls me to his side tightly. “Elena, Beta Tom ultimately is a man I trust with my life. I trust him to protect you. Your sister is an extension of you. Do you trust my judgement?”

“I trust you because I know you personally, King Harvey. Beta Tom is a stranger.”

“Very well,” King Harvey starts firmly. “We will have to get to know one another more.”

Looking over at Beta Tom, I see he is staring at his phone, then shows King Harvey a video of a collection of maids.

“What the hell is that?” I glower.

I love my sister with all my heart, how dare she get engaged and not even tell me. Not even ask me, update me that her relationship was so serious.

“There are rumors of the newer maids taking bribes from King Harvey’s parents to speak about your marriage, Elena. Doris has more information.” Beta Tom informs me, looking dead in my eyes. “We came over to check on you and explain this arising issue. As for your sister, Elena, she is my heart. I would never harm her.”

“…. fine. We need to get rid of those maids.

King Harvey looks down at me with a kind smile. “Elena, please do not worry about your sister.”

“I love my sister. I love you. I don’t know Beta Tom.” I sum up in one breath. “This all too damn much.”

“I suggest you return to your kingdom, King Harvey, to handle this situation.” Beta Tom continues as if nothing is wrong.

“We will.” King Harvey looks over at me for approval and I nod.

“What is the plan to lure the traitors out?” Beta Tom asks and I laugh.

“Simple. King Harvey will just offer them triple the amount of money that they are receiving, and they will break.”

King Harvey smiles broadly at me. “Two bars of gold.”

“How much money are they getting, Beta Tom?”

Beta Tom checks his phone. “About five thousand dollars apiece.”

“King Harvey, your parents are rich. Why not three bars of gold?” I smile at King Harvey who grins back.

“Three, then. Well, let us return home, my love.”