Page 10 of Of Wolves and Wives

Her eyes are sharp as she takes me in, and for a moment, I almost swear I see the same threat in her eyes that I saw with Lyra and the others.

I’m not sure how to articulate that I have nothing but hatred for her husband. That this was not the fate I would have chosen for myself.

“Enjoy this treatment while it lasts, human,” she says, her eyes narrowing on me. “Once the child is born, you’ll have no purpose here.”

I force myself to nod as she closes the remaining distance between us. Her fingers pinch my chin as she moves my head to the side, taking me in.

Every instinct in me screams at me to pull back, to fight her off, but I don’t. The last thing I need right now is for her to think I’m an actual threat. To her or the baby.

She needs to believe that I’m just another human that intends to do what she must to stay here, and most importantly, to stay alive.

“Just so we’re clear,” Helena says, “the child you carry within you is mine.”

Her voice is low, the threat clear as day despite being buried behind a smile. Though smile is being generous when it’s more like a flashing of fangs.

It’s in this moment that I realize, without a doubt, that she’s been underestimated by the court and her husband. And perhaps, most of all, by me.

“I will not allow you or anyone else to stand in my way when the time comes, is that understood?”

It’s all I can do to nod.

At least this is something we both can agree on. When the time comes, I know I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure this child not only survives, but thrives.

I know all too well what a life without loving parents can be like ... and I can’t be certain that the Grey Prince doesn’t mean to kill the babe, even if it is his. Whatever the cost, whatever I must do, I will make sure I give this child a better life than I had.

And the last thing that means is handing it over to these wolves in human clothing.

Helena stares at me for a long moment, as if reading my thoughts, before finally letting her hand drop.

“Good, then it is settled,” she says, the edge in her voice giving her true feelings away. “Now, let’s take a walk. Shall we?”

With another smile that fails to reach her eyes, she links her arm firmly through mine.

I’m still lacking the strength I need to keep pace, my body not quite recovered from the time spent with her husband. Helena nearly has to drag me across the room as I stumble over my feet. If she notices this or the way I’m forced to sag against her, she says nothing as she throws the door open.

Pierce is leaning against the wall opposite my room, his eye widening the moment he sees me. Helena glares at him as he shoves off the wall and takes a step toward us, her wordless look all he needs to stop in his tracks.

Turning, she pulls me down the hall. I don’t need to glance over my shoulder to know that Pierce is following us, his mere proximity seems to calm my nerves as I focus on the thud of his boots echoing through the hall.

Not a word is shared between any of us as we make our way down to the gardens, though I can feel the hungry eyes of the nobles and servants peering out of us from the depths of the castle as we walk.

I can’t blame Helena for keeping silent here, not when we both know anything that’s said will undoubtedly be reported back to her husband. My suspicion is only confirmed when, the moment we step into the sweeping rose garden she lets out a deep breath.

Holding up a hand, Helena signals for Pierce to stop, keeping him from entering the garden with us. He frowns at this, but obeys, his large form filling the doorway and blocking others from being able to pass.

Dragging me deeper into the gardens and out of earshot of Pierce, Helena suddenly turns to me.

“My husband is a cruel man,” she says, taking me by surprise. “I’d be a fool to believe otherwise. He’s a heartless creature who only cares about himself and keeping his place on the throne.”

I hardly dare to breathe as I’m faced with the unbridled fury I see in her gaze. Not that I blame her for it. In her shoes, I doubt I’d be able to stomach being the Grey Prince’s wife.

Watching her as she paces before me, it suddenly strikes me that she may not have had a choice in the matter. Wolf or not, she is a woman. I wouldn’t be surprised to know she was forced to marry the Grey Prince for one reason or another.

“He is a plague on us all. A disgrace to wolves and men alike. His own desires have always, and will always, outweigh all others,” Helena spits, the venom dripping from her tongue. “While I know many would like to see him gone, I shudder to think what would happen should the throne be left without an heir. That being said, I will not stand idly by and let this child be given to him to do with as he pleases. Do I make myself clear?”

It takes me a moment to realize what she’s trying to say without actually speaking the traitorous words.

She might just be an ally, if only for the sake of the child I carry.

---