Chapter 73

Three days pass of more planning for Emily’s wedding as King Harvey trains the betas. King Harvey has final test for the betas, and then after, he would like me to ask the betas what they think of me.

I have spent the whole morning fretting, my hands lightly shaking as I hope I can go through five betas with full power and get real answers for King Harvey. My ability to be a lie detector also helps the kingdom. I need to master this.

I need to, for my sake too, to stay safe.

All morning I have heard King Harvey battling the betas in hand-to-hand combat, to test their strength and endurance. The sounds make my heart rattle, they are ferocious warriors. I wish I could go hand to hand with a werewolf. It seems less terrifying than my luna powers failing me here and me looking like a fool, holding hands with a werewolf beta that is certainly not my dear husband.

“Elena.” King Harvey appears at my doorway and smiles, shirtless and sweaty.

“Are you hungry?” I question, rushing to him and taking a small washcloth I prepared with a cold bowl of water to wipe down his sweat.

Gingerly, King Harvey stares down at me and smiles.

“I shall eat with the rest of the betas, Elena. It is not fair for me to eat when the others cannot. They all passed their tests.”

I allow my eyes roam his chest, and I see slight dents on his right breast and bruises that litter his body. King Harvey stands before me proud, despite the pain he must be feeling. His chest bounces with each breath and he seems to be trembling because of the adrenaline.

He only appears alive when I kiss him, when we are intimate and when I tell him I love him.

“Do I compare to the spoils of war?” I muse, getting on my tiptoes and rubbing the sweat off his masculine face.

King Harvey laughs into the wet rage. “Elena, my love, you always make my heartbeat madly. How are you?”

“I am a bit nervous… what if I don’t have enough power to ask what I need to?”

King Harvey takes my hand and kisses it dearly. “Elena, it will only be one question.”

I exhale, as my shoulders drop with pure relief. I could live in this state of emotion forever.

“What is the question, King Harvey?”

“Do you hate I am the Luna Queen?” King Harvey pieces together softly as if not to hurt me.

I know he doesn’t hate me, so I am okay with this painful sentence.

“Really? I am hated?”

King Harvey’s face turns to stone, yet his eyes shine with the desire to protect. “Yes. By one beta. I can’t feel who by looking at, but I can smell it. The issue is that the scents mingle among them all making it very confusing. That is where you come in.”

“Do you think my power will hold?”

“It is one question; I think it will be fine. Like your Luna Queen ceremony, I will hold your hand the whole time.”

I nod, seeing that he understands my nerves. “Thank you, King Harvey.”

King Harvey bends and kisses me lovingly. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” Interlocking our fingers, King Harvey guides me to the beta training room.

I have never been in his wide grey room before, with red foam floors. All the betas in their red uniforms bow when they see me, and I try to pick out if any of them hesitate. None of them did.

Their uniform is a red shirt with a collar, long sleeved and tactical black pants. King Harvey stands before them beside me, and they bow lower to him.

“Betas.” King Harvey greets. “This is my wife, Elena. I have both sensed, and have a scent that one beta despises my wife. They must be dealt with. Elena will be using her luna abilities to ask you if you are it. Does any beta want to step forward and save time?”

The five betas get in line of I suppose power ability and look at me, expecting me to speak.

“Oh, uh! See, I must hold your hands as I activate my power and ask a question. Is that okay?” I try to speak firmly but I know I sound lost.

The betas stare back at me coldly and say nothing.

Looking up at King Harvey, I find myself expecting some guidance. King Harvey claps his hand on my shoulder and smiles.

“Beta. Step forward.” King Harvey commands the first beta that is staring at me. His stark orange hair seems to be set aflame, and the scowl on his face makes my heart skip a beat.

“King Harvey, does he dislike me?” I whisper as I offer my hands to the beta.

The beta shows his palms at once, without hesitation.

“No, Elena. Beta John has a mortal wife.”

“Then why were we a mess?!” I huff.

King Harvey laughs. “He is not a king, I am. Now, focus, my love, ask.”

“Do you hate me as your Luna Queen?” I ask Beta John as a small flame burns into my palm and shoots through my fingers. When the power hits his fingers, his eyes glow silver and his fangs pop out his mouth at once.

The other betas gasp loudly.

“I do not care.” Beta John replies.

King Harvey clears his throat. “Do you hate my wife?”

“No.” Beta John says.

I let go of his hands, and he bows to us both, then leaves.

The next beta in line has long black hair and strong beady eyes. He offers his hands quickly. I activate my powers and his eyes turn silver as normal.

I do not feel weak, and I am happy.

“Do you hate me as your Luna Queen?” I repeat.

He stares at me, icily. “No.”

King Harvey watches him over my shoulder, then grunts. The beta leaves.

The next beta has blood red hair, in a buzz cut.

“Is your hair natural?” I can’t help but ask.

The beta smiles easily. “Yes, Luna Queen.”

He offers his hands and with a spark of power, I see his eyes turn silver.

“Do you hate me as your Luna Queen?”

“No.” His silver eyes do not flicker, but I am surprised when he bows.

King Harvey grabs him by the face and tilts his head back as we still hold hands.

“Ask again, Elena.” King Harvey whispers lowly, his voice now a steel threat.

“Do you hate me as your Luna Queen?” I repeat, exhausted by these words.

The beta gasps when King Harvey’s hand closes around his throat, but his silver eyes are now red as I apply more power naturally. Fangs pop out of his mouth as he growls.

“I HATE HER!” He spits suddenly.

“Leave!” King Harvey yells to the remaining betas.

The last betas run off and King Harvey throws the evil beta to the side. The evil beta regains his footing with a simple hop back and throws himself at me. Before I can summon up a shield to protect myself, King Harvey kicks him square in the chest and I hear a sickening cascade of cracks.

“Every rib of yours, shattered.” King Harvey snarls ruthlessly.

“She is a waste, King Harvey!!”

“You are the waste!” King Harvey roars back. He raises his taloned hand and slashes wildly across the beta’s face, one slash on the left of his face, then his right.

“You are marked by a mortal wife! You have lost your strength!”

“You are now marked by the disrespect of a king and his wife! Flee!” King Harvey drags the beta by the back of his shirt and tosses him out of the castle.

In silence, King Harvey returns to me and kisses me hotly. Naturally, I press my body to his as a fire burns me alive.

“Thank you for protecting me, King Harvey.” I breathe into our next kiss.

Before I know it, he bundles me into his arms and marches off to the bedroom.