15. My mate is a Greek god
Grace
I 'm sweating too much. I’m also a little lightheaded, and maybe drooling.
I can’t believe Nevaeh thought this was a good idea. How am supposed to appreciate this alone time when I’m too busy fidgeting and chewing my bottom lip bloody.
I think I’m going to pass out.
If my trembling fingers toying with the hem of my dress, don’t scream ‘I’m a nervous wreck’, then my flushed face probably does. I don’t think it’s intentional, but Harvey oozes a certain confidence, that makes it hard not to feel intimidated.
If it’s not his presence, then I’m having a heart attack.
Not like Harvey's unashamed eyeing is helping my nerves at all. My stomach flips funnily way when I peek at him, my mate , only to find his eyes already on me. Oh God .
Folding his leather jacket with more care than I would assume from such a large man, I watch him lay it on the seat beside him. Resting his elbows on his knees, Harvey waits for me to start the conversation.
And I was ready... until he started folding the sleeves of his dark shirt and I saw the tattoos covering his arms. I almost choke on nothing seeing the modern Greek god... I mean my mate .
Red and black swirls of patterns that start somewhere under his shirt, strategically follow down to his knuckles ending with the shape of a half-lotus.
Absolutely drool-worthy.
My eyes refuse to stray from his muscles, and I have to catch myself several times from being too obvious. I don’t want him to think I’m a freak for gaping like he’s the first man I’ve laid eyes on.
But those eyes ... God, I need to rein it in.
The second I saw the storm in Harvey's eyes, my whole world turned upside down. That was also when Rick grabbed my arm to keep me from tripping over my feet. At his touch, every bad decision I’ve ever made flashed before my eyes—including the man clutching my arm.
Rick’s hand on me didn’t go unnoticed by Harvey, and the agony in his eyes made me want to drop to my knees and beg for forgiveness. I hate what my foolish decisions are doing to him, but keeping my distance from my mate is the only fair option until I can talk to Rick.
I was genuinely shocked when Harvey didn’t demand any explanation or make his frustration clear. Instead, he understood my need for some time to embrace the idea of us wholeheartedly. His acceptance only dug the knife of guilt deeper into my heart.
Standing to survey the exits and ensure all the party people are only accounted for, Harvey once again takes a seat beside me and breathes out, “So the warrior— Rick , he’s your boyfriend?”
I freeze when Harvey jumps straight to the point. I should’ve known he would want answers, but whatever I say will make him mad. What if he thinks I’m a whore for being with a different man and not waiting for my mate?
How do I make him believe I’m not that girl? Rick never trusts me, and I’ve been with him for two years. What chance do I have to make a man I’ve just met believe that I genuinely didn’t think someone was specifically made for me?
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t think—”
“No need for apologies, darling. I’m not interested in who came before me. All I want to know is if you intend on rejecting the bond.”
“No! I don’t want that.” Harvey’s face softens from his stern expression, and I relax a little. “I genuinely thought I didn’t have a mate because I’m human. Rick was sure I didn’t.”
Harvey's lips turn down, and my heart burns the moment his eyes aren’t on me, so I quickly add, “But I always wanted one. I’m not rejecting the bond. Never . I’ll talk to Rick. I’m sure he'll understand.”
Will he, though?
Just the thought of telling Rick about Harvey makes my heart rate pick up.
My mind flashes back to the time he was so blinded by his anger that he didn’t realize he was hurting me. This time, I’m giving him something to be mad about, and I have a feeling I won’t like that conversation.
I feel my fear crack through my false calm exterior when Harvey grabs my hand that's clutching the end of my dress and smiles at me.
A warm smile that melts my insides, makes me curse every day of my life I had to live without it.
I almost got electrocuted the first time his hand touched my back. It’s a relief to know it won’t be happening every time we touch.
Nevaeh never mentioned anything about the spark being literal , but that could be because she was so out of it when she first met Anxo.
“Don’t worry darling, I’ve waited years for my mate, I can wait a few more hours or days. But not more than that.” My face burns with the endearment, and I’m starting to feel a love-hate relationship with how he makes me feel. Nodding, I agree to sort out my mess.
“Now tell me everything I’ve missed.”
Clearing my throat, I try to pull my hand from his, but Harvey holds on tighter. The plea in his eyes tells me he needs at least this from me. Stretching my fingers, I entangle mine with his.
“Let's start with the basics. So the previous leaders combined the kingdoms—Nevaeh told us it was your dream, so I bet you’re excited about that.”
The corner of his lips tilts up as he asks, “Horseman of Conquer said the Tetrad kingdom was waiting for me. I’m assuming we rebranded?”
“Oh yes. We still have the four individual kingdoms, but now we present as one big dynasty among mythics. When they moved from the human realm—really sorry about the shift, by the way—they built portals…”
I don’t know how long we sit there, but by the end, Harvey knows everything new about the kingdom compared to what he remembers.
The entire time, he sits patiently, listening to my every word with genuine curiosity, waiting until I finish a topic to ask questions. He even remembers to ask how Hazel and I came into the picture.
Throughout our interaction, I can’t help but think how different it is talking with Harvey.
Where Harvey talks with me, Rick talks at me.
Rick would never let me go on for this long. He thinks my ‘ know it all’ behavior is annoying, and just because I’m a Bookkeeper doesn’t mean I have to yap about everything constantly.
During our talk, I feel horrible not bringing up his parents, but that’s a conversation Anxo didn’t want me to touch. It feels like a betrayal to hide something this big from my mate, but I promised Anxo I’ll let him handle this. He thinks it’s crucial we have Harvey in our corner to prevent a complete breakdown.
When Nevaeh finds out what we're hiding, she’ll need her best friend more than any of us.
“So, my little human, anything else I’m missing?”
If I were even a shade lighter, I’m sure my blush would’ve given away how his endearment creates a whole zoo inside my stomach. I can’t keep my head on straight if he keeps talking to me this way.
I’m about to say yes because how can I tell a decade’s worth of information in such a short time when Rick stomps over to our table. Only when he speaks over me do I notice his presence.
“Outside. Now.” Rick sneers near my face and only backs up to let me get up.
I swallow thickly at the crazed look in his eyes. I almost want to tell Rick I won’t go anywhere with him when he’s acting this way but decide against making a scene in front of everyone. In front of Harvey.
Glancing back, I’m stunned to find Harvey glaring at Rick with a murderous glint in his eyes. Noticing Rick’s anger, Harvey stands to cover me but stops short when I subtly shake my head.
Harvey evades my eyes, but I can feel his disappointment pouring into the air. I've barely known my mate for an hour, and I’ve already managed to hurt him more times than I can apologize for.
I’ve wanted to end things with Rick for months now but never had the courage to... but tonight, the arrival of my mate has changed everything.
As much as I would love some support, I think it’s time I finally stand up for myself. Even when Rick doesn’t deserve it, I want to part on civil terms.
The front doors of the clubs open to an eerily quiet and empty parking lot. The second the door bangs shut behind us, Rick marches up to me seething in anger, and snarls in my face.
“I don’t know where to start with you tonight. What do I even say to my girlfriend for throwing herself at strangers like some cheap slut! Wearing—wearing that tiny piece of cloth you call a dress! And what did I tell you about letting your hair down like that, huh?”
Rick reserves this specific condescending tone and unfiltered fury for when we are alone. It’s degrading and explicitly meant to humiliate me.
I hate to admit it, but I’ve gotten used to his tone. No matter what I do, I’m always wrong in his eyes.
“There’s nothing wrong with the dress Rick, I like it. And I feel more comfortable with my hair out of those tight braids.” I keep my voice steady, praying it won’t crack with fear. Rick expects me to roll over and take his verbal hits, but I can’t look weak tonight.
“How many times have I told you this huh? It makes you look dirty and unkempt.” I knew he would hate my hair. “And what about that man, huh?”
“ That man is our Prince of War and—”
“So you’re defending him now? Is it because of his rank? Are you going to latch onto him now like the power-hungry whore you are?”
Is this what he really thinks of me? Rick wasn’t even an elite warrior when we started dating, so what power was I running after?
I can’t keep quiet anymore. He already assumes the worst of me, but maybe if he knew who Harvey was to me, he would understand that I'm not a whore for simply talking to my mate.
My mate . Just the thought of my bond gives me enough courage to blurt out that he’s my mate, even with Rick pacing before me with his hands pulling on his hair.
“Reject him.”
My world stops spinning as soon as the words leave his mouth. I search his eyes, wishing Rick only said it out of anger and confusion. Yet, when I look at him, all I see is a clear warning.
The idea of rejection reels me too far from reason. My mind zones in on one thing, disregarding everything else. I have to protect my bond.
“I won’t reject my mate.”
This is not how I wanted to do this.
“You do what I say!” Rick hisses and I will myself not to back down before I say what I want. Staying as calm as possible, I communicate my feelings to him for the first and last time.
“No. You ask me politely, and I will only do it if I feel comfortable. I’m supposed to be your partner, Rick, not your slave. Nevaeh was right. I can’t keep making you happy by neglecting my own comfort and happiness.”
“Of course, she’s the one pulling your strings.”
He blows up once again. Kicking over the trash can behind him. I hear him mumble something about ‘counting her days’, and when he stomps over to me, I walk backward until I'm trapped between Rick and a brick wall.
Don’t panic Grace. He can’t know how scared you are, or he’ll use that against you. I encourage myself to talk it out calmly so I won’t aggravate him anymore.
I just want to leave. I’m so tired of him treating me like a possession, something he can boast about among his peers and not someone he should love and cherish.
“This isn’t about who said what, it’s about how I feel and… and that is uncomfortable, ridiculed, and stepped on every time you talk to me. I-I keep fixing what you break, but you never stop breaking. I’m so t-tired of piecing myself back. I’m sorry Rick, but it’s over.”
The words are barely out of my mouth when he backhands me roughly. My vision goes dark briefly, and his arm presses under my chin to keep me in place.
Grabbing my cheeks, Rick squeezes harshly, forcing me to look up. Everything happens so fast, I can barely keep up. There’s no hiding my tears anymore, and I have to blink hard to make the stars in my vision disappear.
I need to get out of here—or scream. I need to do something before Rick completely loses it. I’m having a hard time coming out of my shock to focus on what Rick is screaming in my face.
His eyes flash red, and I’m afraid he is losing control of his demon. “—I’ll make sure you pay for running your mouth. Once I’m done with you tonight, you won’t ever disrespect me again.” His grip on my cheeks is so painful that I can’t hold back from crying out.
“Please st-stop.”
“Not so brave now, huh, darling ? I would shut up before you force me to punish you for disobedience too, you—” his words cut off when a fist lands on his cheek from the side. Rick’s grip on me falters as he stumbles back and lands on his behind.
Turning to the direction of the surprise attack, I’m stunned to find Harvey standing there with his furious gaze fixed on Rick—who already has a bruise forming on his cheek. Harvey stalks towards the man on the ground like a predator. I immediately cover my eyes when he starts pounding Rick’s face into the hard ground.
Being as quiet as possible, I sink to the ground. Muffling my wails behind my hands, I bring my knees to my chest and curl into a ball. It gets harder to breathe, but I don’t risk making a sound.
For a quick second, I pity Rick for being on the receiving end of Harvey’s wrath. Part of me is glad that Rick is forced to feel what I did when he let his frustrations win, but a bigger part of me just wants to go home and never see his face again.
For the next ten minutes, I don’t dare open my eyes. All I hear is the sound of bone cracking, Rick’s painful groans, and fist connecting to flesh.
Two hands grab my shoulders out of nowhere, and a terrified scream rips from me. I try to scoot back so Rick can’t touch me, but the wall behind me makes it impossible. No more!
“It’s just me, darling.” Feeling a light brush on my cheek charged with electricity makes my eyes flutter open. Finding Harvey crouched in front of me with concern and misery etched on his face, I immediately relax.
“He won’t bother you again, I promise.”
The words soothe my fear, but I want to be sure. When I try to look past him, Harvey quickly pulls me on his lap so we are both facing the wall.
I don’t overthink before wrapping my arms around his muscled waist and hiding my face in his chest. Finally letting the tears flow, I stop muffling my cries.
I don’t know how long we stay like that, Harvey comforting me, whispering sweet nothings in my ear, and gently rocking us side to side while I try to remember how to freely breathe again.
When my cries reduce to small sniffs, I look up at him with a foggy vision. “Thank you for coming for me.”
“You’re welcome, darling.” Holding my chin, he quickly kisses the corner of my mouth, making me blush furiously.
Harvey shifts me so I’m straddling him and stands up like I weigh absolutely nothing. I lock my thighs around his hips and loop my arms around his neck.
Gripping the collar of his leather jacket, I hide my face in his neck and take deep breaths of his addictive scent.
Accidentally tracing over the raised bumps on the back of his neck, I stiffen. I know what they are; having seen enough of them on Nevaeh. They’re Harvey's share of poorly healed scars.
Suddenly, the tattoos covering his whole body carry a heavier weight. I’ve seen enough people with tattoos to know the difference between getting them because you like them or because you want to hide something.
It breaks my heart to consider the level of pain Harvey must’ve felt to hide his scars. Anything so his sufferings weren’t on display each day, every day.
Tightening my hold, I press my nose in the crook of his neck. Unlike me, Harvey doesn't hide his eagerness to be close to me. As we walk back into the club, Harvey holds my dress in place under my thighs, so I won’t accidentally flash anyone.
Before I can peek a glance at Rick, who has been silent this entire time, Harvey spins us around so I’m facing the entrance.
“Is he…”
“Yes. Does that upset you?”
I don’t like how worried he sounds, so I quickly find a way to ease his mind. “No. But you didn’t have to do that.”
“Anyone who lays a hand on my mate deserves his fate.”
Making myself comfortable in his arms, I rest my warm cheek on my mate’s shoulder. “You’ll have to walk backward, Harvey,” I murmur into his neck, pecking a faded scar hiding behind a rose thorn .
I can’t get enough of my lips on his skin. I’ve read that the mate bond affects humans differently, and how the desire is tenfold for them. I don’t think Harvey minds judging by the way he sighs with every small kiss on his neck.
“I’m a Horseman, my saving Grace . I think I can manage,” he whispers, his warm breath causing goosebumps to spread on my skin. Patting my bum twice, Harvey gives them a firm squeeze.
Oh boy, am I in trouble.