Page 23 of Of Wolves and Wives

“I too am curious as to what it was you were testing,” Helena adds.

Ms. Thompson watches me for a moment, her eyes slowly sliding to Heath. After a moment, she turns toward Helena with a nod, as though she’s had to reassure herself of whatever conclusion she’s come to. Despite myself, I’m curious as well.

“There is much that I don’t know about shifters, especially when it comes to pregnancy and birth. But, it seems to me that the girl has formed an attachment to the men she was given to.”

The Grey Prince lets out a furious growl at this. His eyes narrow as he glares toward where Heath and I stand. Heath takes a step closer to me, a silent promise to protect me should the prince think to act on his emotions.

“What does this mean for the baby?” the prince demands. “Is this attachment proof that the babe is his?”

“No,” Ms. Thompson is quick to say. “It has nothing to do with who sired the baby. The attachment is the sign of some deeper magic at play here. It seems that with the girl, and the baby by extension, require the presence of the men to ensure she feels safe and relaxed. She’s able to stomach food when he’s near but the moment he left, it didn’t take long for her to lose her breakfast.”

“But what does that mean for the baby and the human?” Helena asks.

“This attachment is simply a form of protection for the mother and baby. To ensure that she makes it to the end of her pregnancy, safely, she relies on her mates. I believe its to ensure that another jealous male can’t cause the end of this pregnancy and then attempt to have his own seed be successful.”

I watch as Helena nods, her shoulders relaxing with each word. Her gaze is still critical as she turns to me, though. I’m not sure I believe or even understand what Ms. Thompson is explaining. But Helena seems to.

“Then if what you say is true, it seems that a change in the rules is required,” Helena says.

“What do you have in mind?” Ms. Thompson asks.

“The men will be allowed access to her. If all she requires is their presence to relax, then she shouldn’t be limited to when they can be around her.”

The Grey Prince lets out a low sound at this. I keep my eyes on his wife, though. For a moment, her shoulders sag as though she’s about to give in to him. He doesn’t want my men around me and I don’t think he truly cares enough about the baby to listen to any reason. Just like that, what little hope had sprung to life in my chest begins to shrivel.

“The child must survive,” Helena says, her voice soft but firm. “If this means one of her guards must be in close proximity to her, then so be it. I say it’s a small price to pay.”

“I will not allow those men to lay a hand on her. She is mine and she carries my child. I will not allow them to sully her.”

“You don’t have much choice here.”

The Grey Prince scoffs at this. “I always have a choice, wife.”

“If you want this heir to survive, she needs to be able to keep her food down. It matters little if the men are the ones that keep her alive, just that she is in fact alive.”

“These men have betrayed the throne. I will not grant them free access to this human. Especially if she carries my heir.”

“They’ll do no harm to her. In fact, having them close to her will ensure her safety all that much more. None will get close to her with them at her side.”

“I will not stand for this.”

Helena’s gaze sharpens as she pulls herself up. “For the sake of your throne, you will find a way.”

I watch as rage crosses the Grey Prince’s face. For just a moment, I wonder if his cruelty extends to his wife. Will she suffer as the others have because of this small moment of rebellion? It doesn’t matter if I’m still unsure about her. Enough women have suffered because of this prince. I hate that I’ll be the cause of even more misery.

“I will leave it to you,” the Grey Prince says after a long moment. “Wife.”

His eyes flash once as he glances at me. Then, he storms from the room. The moment he’s gone, Helena’s shoulders sag. For a moment, I see something like hopelessness on her face. She’s quick to erase it when she glances to me.

“Then it’s settled,” she says. “The guards will tend to the human, ensuring she’s safe and fed.”

“It seems to be settled,” Ms. Thompson agrees.

“Fed her again, guard, and stay with her to ensure it stays down,” Helena orders. “Then you are to instruct the others of these…changes.”

Heath bows his head before telling her, “Yes, your highness.”

She gives him a curt nod before turning on her heel and sweeping from the room. Her exit much more dignified than her husband’s. Even as I turn to Heath, a smile on my face, I worry who will have to face the prince’s anger over this.

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