Page 3 of Of Wolves and Wives

“They are not to enter her room either,” he adds, “and when they are not with her, they are to personally attending to me. Is that understood?”

Helena nods once in acceptance of the prince’s terms, and a cruel smile stretches across his lips, killing what little hope I made have had that these demands were somehow in my favor. Watching the way his eyes glint as they shift to take in my three mates, I can’t be entirely certain that he hasn’t figured out a way to be rid of them, yet.

“From dawn ‘til dusk, they will rotate shifts by the hour,” the Grey Prince says, striding toward the men. “At night, only one will be posted at her door, chained outside and watched by my own guard to make sure they do not go near her. The others will be chained outside my own chambers, and only I am to have a key to their bindings and the woman’s room.”

“No, I will also have a key,” Helena says. “You would not dare to deny me access to our heir now, would you, husband?”

The prince’s nostrils flare, his lips pressing into a thin line as he glances back at his wife. I shouldn’t be surprised that she saw straight through him, but I not ready to feel any amount of relief at this.

The prince is too cunning for that.

My hand moves protectively over my middle, as I realize the game we’ve just entered into. The stakes have never been higher, and with how determined the prince suddenly is to get his hands on me again … I don’t think I’d survive him if he did.

“Of course not,wife,” the Grey Prince says with an icy smile that makes my stomach twist with unease.

It’s decided then.

This child will either be my salvation from these wolves … or my damnation.

2

Rose

The prince snaps his fingers, pointing at Pierce and Rykker as pushes passed them and through the doors to his bedchamber. “You two, with me. Now!”

The men share a look between one another before glancing back at me, their expressions unreadable as they turn to follow the Grey Prince out of the room.

Mistress Thompson helps me to my feet the moment we’re out of sight, shooting a hard look at Heath that stops him in his tracks as he steps forward to help.

“Hurry, we must get her away from this place at once,” Helena says, her voice strained with worry as she hovers at my side. My body shakes, my knees nearly giving out beneath me, but still she’s unable to bring herself to touch me.

Leaning more against Mistress Thompson than I’d ever care to admit, I struggle to keep my head up and eyes open as we move through the castle.

“She’s to be fed the best there is. I want her made strong and well again to give the baby the best chance of survival,” Helena says as we walk. “She’s to have fresh air, daily. Even if a bed must be moved to the rose gardens. Whatever it takes. You will have her checked on and watched to make sure she’s eating and otherwise taken care of. Do I make myself clear?”

Mistress Thompson nods once as she all but carries me through the long halls.

I’m surprised by the concern in Helena’s eyes as she glances over her shoulder at me. I didn’t expect her to have this softer side, let alone be so excited about the prince having potentially sired an heir … especially with me. Yet, I can’t deny the eagerness I sense building in her.

Pain shoots through my stomach and I suddenly find myself clinging to Mistress Thompson as I double over to dry heave once again.

“What’s happening to her?” Helena asks, her voice tight.

“It’s nothing to worry yourself about, my lady,” Mistress Thompson answers. “This is quite natural for the early stages of human pregnancy.”

I dry heave again, nearly choking on my own tongue in the process.

“Are you sure?”

“Quite sure,” Mistress Thompson says, pulling me back up against her. “It’s merely the girl’s reaction to the wolf now growing inside her. Humans are far more fragile creatures, after all.”

“I see,” Helena says, her composure returning as she turns to lead the way again. “Come along, then.”

We continue making our way through the halls once again, though we’re forced to pause several times so that I can dry heave onto the floor. Helena’s jaw clenches each time, but she does not question Mistress Thompson again.

I catch Heath’s hands balling into fists out of the corner of my eye, his body twitching to draw nearer to me.

I wish he would.

---