Page 11 of Of Wolves and Wives

A sudden surge of protectiveness washes over me. My hand goes to my stomach, and I see the flash in her eyes.

Whether I like it or not, she sees this child as hers, and until the baby is born, we’re on the same side.

It takes me a moment before I’m able to push aside my wariness of her, if only temporarily and give Helena a nod.

“Good, then know that I mean it when I sayno onewill stand in my way when it comes to this child.”

Again, all I can do is nod.

She gives me a tight smile, her eyes boring into me as though searching to see if I truly understand her.

“For now, that promise includes you,” she says, stepping closer. “I will do everything in my power to protect you and keep you alive, for the sake of the child. I have made it my duty to see to it that you are cared for, no matter what or who that requires. I will do what is necessary to make sure the child is born. Alive.”

“Thank you,” I murmur, not quite knowing how best to respond to this as my eyes flicker behind us to Pierce.

“Even if that means protecting you from my husband, most of all,” she says, her eyes meeting mine as a sense of understanding passes between us.

With her words hanging between us, she takes a step back. Pulling herself up, an icy look overtakes her face as she glances around the garden, just as a soft breeze swirls around us, carrying with it the scent of freshly bloomed flowers.

A scent that has Helena turning her nose up to in disgust.

5

Pierce

“You’ll have to excuse me,” Helena says, having called me over to them. “I’ve suddenly realized that there’s no pleasure for me to be found in these gardens. They remind me too much of a time long since dead to me. I’ll leave you to get some fresh air, girl.”

Rose nods slowly, her eyes still searching Helena’s face, and I’m curious what passed between them here. I’d watched as the Grey Prince’s wife paced the garden, her eyes sharp and her words hushed as she spoke to Rose.

Though her body never tensed, I’d been primed and ready to launch myself at Helena should I need to. I never should have gone against my gut. I should have protected Rose from the beginning, even if it meant throwing everything else to the wind.

I regret my part in all of this. For ever turning a blind eye to the Grey Prince and cruelty.

I’m sure Heath would be furious with me if he heard this.

“Guard, see to it that she takes a stroll then is returned to her room safely before your watch is up.”

I nod once as Helena breezes past me, not even bothering to waste a glance my way. I wait until she’s out of sight before stepping closer, my eyes fixed on Rose.

Her on gaze is trained on the roses, and I’m struck by the sudden need to know if they’re her namesake. It’s strange, this feeling of wanting to know more about her. Not that I didn’t before, but it’s different now.

Now, I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I don’t care what my mission is. The world could burn down around me for all I care, as long as I have her.

As long as I can protect her.

My need to be close to her, to breathe her in ... It takes every ounce of control that I have not to act on my feelings.

She owes me nothing, and I have no intention of taking what she does not freely offer me. Hell, if she chose to scratch my eyes out for what we did not save her from, I would take the punishment. Gladly.

Rose takes a step toward a white rose bush, and I can’t help but notice the way her fingers clench at her side, or the way her mouth parts to allow for steadying breaths.

Without thinking, I move closer, my heart thudding in my chest even I force myself to remain calm.

“Here,” I say, her eyes gradually lifting to meet mine as I offer my arm to her.

“Thank you,” she says, her voice quiet and her hand trembling as she slips it over my arm.

My stomach knots as I feel the tremor of her body against mine as we begin to walk slowly through the garden together.

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