Chapter 71

King Harvey and I return to the castle in a simple blur because King Harvey would like to check up on what is happening in the castle. He carries our duffle bags on his back and drops them at the foot of our bed.

“I smell my parents’ scent, Elena.” King Harvey says softly as he begins to pick through our bag. He dumps our dirty clothing in the hamper, and I begin to put away his colored pencils and art pad in the side desk by our bed.

“King Harvey, do you think this would be a nice visit?”

“You have shown yourself as a Luna Queen, and you have had your official crowning. As such, there should be no issue, Elena.” King Harvey’s words are firm yet kind.

I nod when he looks up at me and hope he is right.

King Harvey suddenly stands at his full height and draws in an obvious deep breath. King Harvey straightens his back and forces a smile on his face. He is mentally preparing for a bit of a mess. Rushing to his side, I take a seat on the edge of the bed and hold his hand tight.

“It will be okay, King Harvey,” I soothe. Pressing a kiss to his hand, I hear him sigh.

It is not more than a minute later when King Harvey’s parents enter our bedroom. King Harvey’s mother rushes to hug King Harvey with arms outstretched. I all but stop breathing when she hugs me next, solidly.

“Welcome, Luna Queen Elena.” King Harvey’s mother states in my ear. “I am so proud of you. You have proved yourself.”

“She has always been worthy, Mother.” King Harvey states sternly.

“Thank you!” Deciding to celebrate her kindness rather than pick at the past, I hug her back tightly as I can, knowing I can’t reach her strength.

This is the first time I have been hugged by a mother since my mom passed. Tears roll down my face and I end up sobbing, completely overwhelmed.

“Elena.” King Harvey’s voice rings clear in my right ear and I feel him sit behind me and pull me away from his mother and into his lap.

This nothing vulgar, and the pain in his parents face only make me feel more accepted as King Harvey hugs me to him.

“I am okay, I am okay! I am relieved!” This is a partial truth. I am thankful I am accepted finally. My heart clenches at the thought of my mom not seeing me as a Luna Queen.

King Harvey’s father bows. “Welcome, Luna Queen, Elena.”

I bow to both his parents now and they bow back.

“Where is your crown?” His mother asks as she fixes my messy hair.

“My husband is making it for me.” I reply, looking into her eyes to see if there is any malice. I have never referred to him as my husband around others. I should get used to that.

King Harvey’s mother nods. “I believe he will make you several crowns, Elena. He will not be satisfied fully with the one he made.”

“He has drawn at least 50 sketches already…” I say out loud.

King Harvey’s father laughs. “He is very… thorough.”

King Harvey’s mother stares at me with intent, then is gone in a blur. When she returns a few minutes later, she is holding a massive bouquet of red roses, that have sparkling diamonds in every rose.

“I am sorry, Elena. I should have been kinder to you. As a human it took you great strength to be in the position you were in, in a dangerous land with a man you didn’t know. I am not saying Harvey is a bad man, but a stranger. You didn’t have any powers yet to defend yourself if needed from other werewolves…and this new world left you vulnerable. I should have been kinder. You have proved yourself even before the Luna Queen ceremony, and I should have seen that. I am sorry. Welcome to the family.” King Harvey’s mother places the roses in my hands, with trembling hands of her own.

I hand King Harvey the flowers and hug her as she weeps. Her husband automatically pulls her into his arms and holds her fiercely to his body.

“My wife has always worried about Harvey, Elena. It was not so much that you were a human… but she was scared he would be outcasted again as he was a child. I am sorry as well, Elena. You have proved your children will be strong with your blood. Half-breeds in power will normalize them, and we need that. It is time for a new wave of werewolves. Welcome to the family.” King Harvey’s father speaks from the heart, looking me dead in the face.

When his wife sobs harder, he presses a kiss to her forehead, and she whimpers.

“Mother.” King Harvey calls from her beside me, opening his arms. In her own blur, she rushes to him, and he cradles his mother to his chest with the loyal love of a son. Her husband moves to hold her hand at her right.

“I thought they would all kill you!” King Harvey’s mother manages between her sobs. “I thought I would lose you! And I just recalled how much was going on with your uncle, all that pain and neglect…. Horrified me.”

“You have forgotten I am stronger than my uncle and more terrifying, Mother. Also, younger.” King Harvey kisses her cheek. “Elena, do you forgive her?”

“Yes, do you?”

King Harvey smiles. “Yes. But behave, Mother. Elena will have a lot on her plate.”

“I am very proud she is Luna Queen.” King Harvey’ s mother says with a soft sniffle. Then, she stares at me. “Elena, where is your mother?”

My throat closes, and I swallow my tears, shoving them in the back of my heart. “…dead.”

His mother’s eyes are now wide with shock. “What happened to her?”

“B-before, King Harvey came to power, she was killed getting me a dress...” I sniffle, looking away as heavy tears roll down my face.

“I am so sorry, Elena.” King Harvey’s mother brushes the tears off my face and I think of King Harvey, who hugs me from behind.

King Harvey’s father steps forward and asks. “Your father?”

King Harvey answers in a hot snarl. “He attempted to beat her and sell her. He is locked in the dungeon….”

King Harvey’s father places his hand on my shoulder. “I am sorry you have had such a tough life, Elena. Do you have any other kin?”

I try to brighten up. “My sister, Emily. She just graduated to be a werewolf doctor.”

It is a silly sentence, but the way his parents grin makes me very happy.

A knock at the door distracts us all from our tragedy and I clear my throat.

King Harvey is the one that replies. “Hello, Emily. Please come in.”

Quickly, I scrub my face of my tears and smile. King Harvey’s parents watch the switch of my emotions sadly.

“Look!” Emily screams as she runs in, placing her left hand in my face, with a massive shimmering diamond protruding out of her ring finger. “Look what Beta Tom gave me!”

“When is the wedding?!” I automatically revive at the smile on her face and I stand up to hug her as tightly as I can.

“Very very soon, he needs to ask King Harvey for time off. I am getting married!!”

“You are, you are!” I celebrate with a smile.

Emily bounces up and down on her heels and squeals. “I can’t wait!”

“Nor can he.” King Harvey comments with a soft smile.

“You knew!” I say pointing at him.

King Harvey’s small smile fades. “We were a bit late to the engagement… Beta Tom told me. Emily accidentally saw the ring… he had to roll with it.”

“Well, we will be at the wedding!”

Emily joyous laughter makes my heart soar. “He is so great, Elena. I am so happy!”

“So am I!”

I am glad everything is working out for Emily and I. King Harvey’s parents smile at us and I feel safe.