Page 7 of Of Wolves and Wives

If the pregnancy or the wolves don’t eventually do me in, then I’m sure she’d be all too happy to sink a knife into my back the first chance she gets.

3

Heath

The door to Rose’s room slams in my face. I scowl at it for a long moment, wanting nothing more than to throw it open again. The sound of the lock turning fills the hall, and I let out a sigh as I take another step back.

Clearly, I’m not wanted here. I’m not sure what Helena’s game is, but I know how important this baby is to her, and to the kingdom. I have to believe that, for now, Rose is safe. Rose and the baby.

I stare at the door for a moment longer as I fight the urge to break it down, despite my own reassurances. Leaving feels like a nearly impossible task, but I slowly turn on my heel and do just that. My footsteps echo through the stone halls, guilt weighing heavier on my shoulders with each step.

While my heart may wish to stay by Rose’s side, my mind knows it’ll only make things far worse for us both if I do. Besides, I need to speak with the other two, and by the time they’re done bathing and dressing Rose, my limited time with her will be over.

Another cruelty stacked upon a teetering mountain of pain and anguish. The Grey Prince’s specialty.

I grit my teeth against these thoughts.

No. It’s better this way. This way, we can regroup to come up with a plan and make sure one of us is always watching over her.

My steps are measured as I make my way through the halls, the hairs on the back of my neck prickling. The castle has always had eyes and ears, watching and listening from the shadows, ready and willing to report back to the prince.

I can’t allow my true emotions to show. I can’t let him know how the news of Rose’s pregnancy has thrown me. He would use that against me. Against her.

The moment Helena ordered her husband not to touch Rose, she became the one thing he had to claim again. My stomach twists sickeningly at the thought. Shame, regret, and hatred for myself threaten to swallow me whole.

I’ve failed. Not just as an Elite, but as her mate.

I should have been there. I should have protected her from him. From them all, but I didn’t.

My jaw hardens as I think back over the past few weeks, over what I’ve seen and allowed to happen … not just to Rose, but to the other women as well. It’s no wonder others have failed to accomplish what we’ve been sent to do.

It will be no wonder when we fail, too.

So, it’s settled.

It may cost us the kingdom, but the Grey Prince will never claim her again. Not as long as I still draw breath.

Throwing open the doors to the main hall, I find the Grey Prince lounging on his throne, and nearly every ounce of resolve to keep my true emotions in check flees my body.

Behind him, Rykker and Pierce stand on either side. Their feelings as clear as my own; murder shining in their eyes as they watch the prince bite into an apple, his icy gaze fixed on my approach.

Spitting out a seed, the prince sits and leans forward.

“Well, guard? Is the girl dead or has my seed taken root?”

What I would give to tear his head from his shoulders in this moment.

“The baby has taken,” I say, forcing myself to remain calm. “Mistress Thompson has assured your wife that the baby is health, and she’s confident Rose will carry to term.”

Though my gaze remains fixed on the prince, I don’t miss the shared looks of relief that pass behind the prince.

The Grey Prince nods, a cruel smile playing on his lips as he bites into the apple once again. Leaning back in his throne, his eyes narrow on me as he attempts to stare me down.

I know he means to remind me of my place, but I’m no longer interested in playing along with his games. Suddenly, the kingdom isn’t the most important thing on my mind, and I regret that I didn’t accept this realization sooner.

“Excellent,” the prince drawls, his smile widening. “So, my seed has finally found a vessel worthy of it. Soon, the kingdom will sigh in relief that an heir is imminent, and my place on this throne settled.”

I can’t help the low growl that rumbles through my chest at this, and a cold laugh escapes the prince.

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