Who Is My Husband
Scene 64

Grum frowned looking at the wounds on Bethany’s body. As his fingers trailed over her the light sparks and tingles rippled over him. Her sweet scent embraced him and he leaned his head closer to hers. He set his jaw and squeezed his hand in a ball taking a small step away from her.

“What were you thinking taking on five of them?” Grum said trying to stop himself from reaching for her.

His tone snapped Bethany away from the fogginess that was taking over. She blinked and refocused on him. “Like I had a choice. The queen wanted to put me to the test. It isn’t like I could back down from that.”

“You would die in order to take a test?” Grum’s voice was laced in irritation.

“Does it look like my body is heavily damaged? Injured…yes. But not life-threatening injuries…” She met with his eyes. “How about you? What were you thinking? Why come to my aid?” She watched his eyes flicker at her for a moment.

“I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t…” Grum squeezed his eyes close for a moment before slowly putting his gaze back on her. “I can’t see you getting hurt.”

Bethany nodded her head and gave him a small smile. “The mate bond is hard to fight, isn’t it?” She looked down at the ground. “What is the mate pull anyways? How is it supposed to really know what a person is like? Or if this person is always going to be by your side?”

Grum looked at her wounded face as she spoke. Her eyes were looking down but he could see the water build-up in them. What she said was exactly how he felt. It was what he was thinking as well. He had b***d relatives that threw him aside. Wouldn’t that connection be just as strong as the mate bond? How was he supposed to trust it? But damnit if he didn’t want to at the same time. His thoughts and body betrayed the other. They battled over the other in a vicious mutiny.

“Who left your side?” Grum asked quietly.

Bethany blinked away the tears and lifted her head up to him. “My parents died… and the only relative I knew passed me along to a distant relative of mine. Since I wasn’t the type she could connect with. And the distant relative, a cousin, left me to do my own thing. They were not cruel nor were they comforting. Really a kind stranger is what they were to me. I grew up on my own. And it is myself that I know I can depend on. What about you?”

Grum opened his mouth to say something and then stopped. He turned his head to the side. “That’s a long story. But I only recognize Trey and Kailee as my family. Same with Reggie and Lance. They are my family now.”

Bethany listened to the tone of his voice. She could sense the level of hurt over whatever had happened before. She was an i***t for what she said to him when they first met. Of course, he would also push her away after that. How else could you protect yourself? She knew this to be true because that was why she said what she did.

“I’m sorry.” Bethany said quietly. She watched him turn to look at her. His gaze softened as he looked at her in confusion. “I’m sorry for what I said when we first met. I was shocked to replace my mate. And… and I didn’t want to feel the rejection. I didn’t want to have that feeling… the hopeful feeling that gets pulled out from underneath you. That feeling makes you feel even worse.” She felt her nerves going as he just continued to stare at her not saying anything. Maybe she was reading him wrong. She thought that maybe he was trying to connect with her. But looking at his face now had her feeling differently. She started feeling the unwanted pain of being someone unwelcome.

She looked up at the sun and put on a fake smile. “Umm… thanks for helping me.” She turned away from him and started to walk away. She felt a bit embarrassed and just wanted to escape the situation. She only managed to take a few steps when a strong hand gripped her wrist and pulled her backwards. She landed into his chest as his arms imprisoned her there. Tingles erupted from her body as her heart rate quickened. She felt a sense of comfort and safety she had never experienced before, and she melted into it. She placed her hand over his torso feeling his hard defined chest under his shirt.

Grum closed his eyes as he breathed in her scent. The feeling of holding her was euphoric. And his beast growled in approval as he felt her lean more into him. He pulled himself slightly back, still holding her captive so that he can look into her eyes.

“I…I might mess up. I might make mistakes. But I am loyal. I’m not going to disappear…” Grum started to say quietly.

“I…I might mess up. I might make mistakes. But I am loyal. I’m not going to disappear…” Grum started to say quietly.

“I won’t ever disappear either.” Bethany met with his eyes trying to show him her conviction behind her words.

“I didn’t want a mate. I didn’t want to be burdened by being obligated to someone else.”

Bethany giggled and smiled up at him. “You sure know how to make a girl feel wanted.” She reached her hand up and placed it on his lips to stop him from speaking. “I know what you are saying. I didn’t want one either. But now I am replaceing myself changing my mind.” She lowered her hand back down to see a grin widen on his face.

“I am not just replaceing that I have changed my mind. I HAVE changed my mind. I’m claiming you, Bethany. And I won’t ever let you escape from me.” He reached his hand to her face tilting her chin up to him with his thumb.

“And I am claiming you right back.” Bethany’s eyes sparkled up at him as the pull continued to fasten them closer. “Maybe the mate pull is a good thing…”

Grum nodded and smiled. It helped give him the extra push he needed. He never would have taken someone by his side without it. When he watched Bethany fighting his beast stirred in anger. At the same time, he felt pride for her. Even facing against five dragons she didn’t show fear or back down. But he couldn’t take watching her getting injured anymore. He knew the flame that ignited in him would be one he wouldn’t be able to ignore. But when he found out that she had her own concerns and worries it melted his heart. When she said she didn’t want to feel the rejection his heart embraced hers as his own. He knew he wanted her and that he had to have her.

He lowered his head lower towards hers. “I’m sorry Bethany but I think I’m going to be very possessive of you.” His lips finally brushed against hers and an explosion rippled through his body. He pushed deeper into her and pulled her more into him. At the same time, he held her delicately, mindful of her healing wounds. But that reminded him. He pulled away slowly and looked her over.

“Your wounds… they are already healed?” Grum let his eyes wander over her.

“I’m an accelerated healer.” Bethany felt herself blushing as his eyes wandered over her.

“That’s a really good thing.” He said in a low growl looking over her body slowly.

“I need to replace Kailee…” Bethany said in a breath.

Reggie… can you take over watching Kailee for now? She should be with the queen. I’m taking Bethany for a bit.

Grum listened to the chiding voice that entered his head. Oh, Grum you aren’t a dragon but a dog. Ruff ruff get you some you big boy. Grum rolled his eyes and cut off the link.

“Reggie will keep an eye on Kailee… so we can take some time to get better acquainted.” Grum reached his hand through her golden strands letting them fall through his fingertips while keeping his eyes on hers.

_

Reggie chuckled as he followed beside Trey.

“What is it?” Trey asked turning his head to him.

“Kailee is with auntie right now and Grum asked if I can keep an eye on her. Apparently, he is taking Bethany for a little bit.” Reggie raised his eyes with a wide grin.

Trey smiled. “Good for him.” He pushed open a door to see Kailee sitting at a table across from his mother. He wanted them all to replace someone amazing like what he had. With Grum taking Bethany as his mate, Reggie was the only one left unmated.

The two men walked up to the table and took a seat on each side of Kailee.

Edith shook her head and smiled. “You just couldn’t let us have some girl time.”

Kailee smiled up at Trey. “Your mother has very interesting ways of pulling the strings around here.”

“Oh no… what did you do mom?” Trey glanced up at his mother who shrugged.

“I just antagonized Grum’s beast a little bit. Let him see his mate injured. The rest was on him.” Edith shrugged innocently.

“I…I might mess up. I might make mistakes. But I am loyal. I’m not going to disappear…” Grum started to say quietly.

“Oh auntie… so Grum taking Bethany is all your doing. You clever fox.” Reggie chuckled and leaned back on his chair.

“Mom’s ways are effective but are questionable…” Trey frowned and shook his head. “They would have come together on their own.”

Edith waved her hand off at him. “Oh, who knows how long that would have taken. This way is way more effective and instant.” She then set a fierce gaze on Trey. “So are you going to tell me what is going on? Where is Jane?”

Trey’s eyes met with his mother. “Some discussions will need to be done privately and with dad.” Trey glanced around showing he was nervous about others overhearing.

Edith raised her hand to her mouth. Do we have corruption within these walls?

Yes… I have reasons to believe we have some here who have joined the order. Trey watched his mother’s face pale as her eyes widened. But her reaction didn’t seem as shocked as he thought it would be. It was almost more like going through the necessary emotions. But he shrugged it off. It was hard to tell what she was really thinking.

Where is Jane?

Jane has betrayed us… and it has been going on for quite some time. She is working with the Order as well. It is how the witch Cresha knew about me.

Do you suspect her parents as well? Edith asked.

I have to suspect everyone right now. I don’t know how deep this goes. We need to talk more about this with dad. I wasn’t going to tell you about it… but I guess this is too big to bust on my own.

Reggie and Kailee watched as Trey mind linked with his mother. They knew the conversation was getting serious.

“How about I show Kailee around? So you can have a private visit with your parents since it has been so long.” Reggie said nodding towards Trey. He watched Trey’s eyes flicker towards Kailee as he hesitated. “As if anyone can get to her through me.” He pushed his seat back and extended his hand down to Kailee.

Trey frowned. He knew he needed to talk with his parents but was planning on keeping Kailee with him. Though she would be safe enough with Reggie. It was just him being greedy wanting her near him. But she has never been here before and it would be more enjoyable for her to sight see.

He leaned over and kissed the side of Kailee’s head. “Stay with Reggie and have fun. I’ll see you for dinner.”

Kailee smiled at him and then placed her hand into Reggie’s.

“Let’s go get into trouble.” Reggie chuckled as he winked back to Trey. He led Kailee out of the room and then down the long hall. “So what were you and auntie talking about?”

“She was apologizing and explaining to me about the Jane situation. I didn’t explain to her about Jane since I didn’t know what Trey wanted to do about that. I was glad you guys popped in when you did because she was asking me where she was.” Kailee scrunched up half of her face. “I am relieved hearing it was nothing personal against me. It was just them looking out for Trey and I understand that. She told me that they do accept me completely.”

Reggie placed his arm around Kailee’s shoulder. “Trey’s parents are good people. They are protective over Trey but we knew they would accept you after they met you. And you have to remember they have a kingdom to think about too. They needed to know you were someone they could trust in a position of power.”

Kailee smiled up at him and nodded. “I know… so where are we going?”

Reggie grinned down at her. “Are we too old to go into the woods and build a fort?”

Kailee giggled. “Your fort building skills aren’t that good. I end up doing all the work.”

“How about I teach you how to really skip rocks then?” Reggie watched her face light up.

“Let’s see who the better teacher is. You or Lance.” Kailee grinned widely up at him.

“Not even close. I’ll have those rocks gliding off the surface of the water.” He looked down at her curiously as he felt her body tense up into his.

Reggie… someone is following us.