ELENA WOLFEI watched the fancy-dressed women rush to their queen bee’s side, cooing and fretting over every inch of her perfect face.I tried to ignore the barb of jealousy in my chest as I watched them, now wasn't the time to be distracted, Elena!“Another siege on Gotham…fucking hell, it's like they're pouring in from Hell’s very gates!” Carla breathed, and I swallowed heavily, wondering if Anthony and Michael would have realized what was going on.They had made it out of the palace at dawn and it was almost midnight now. The royal wolves could hold their own against the invaders but it was clear from the screams of anguish outside that they were outnumbered.“We can't stay here, we’ve got to find a way to get to the bunkers-” Carla hedged, wringing her hands in her skirts before I realized it was the first time I had seen real terror masking her beautiful face. The bang of a body slamming against the door made us all gasp and the overhead lights whined and fizzled, becoming dim a
ANTHONY’S POVThe dark-haired woman went limp in my arms before I glanced down to see that her porcelain face was pale…drained of blood.“In here! I want all the healing balms and tonics in here this minute! Stop the bleeding!” My brother growled as we tore into one of the white-walled rooms of the royal infirmary. A crowd of nursemaids swarmed over to us, bowing their courtesy before lifting the woman from my arms.“Your Highness…if you would step outside please-” One of the nursemaids rasped, and I felt Michael’s hand wrap around my shoulder to pull me back before I could refuse.The huge double doors banged close in my face and I turned to see my brother’s strained face staring at me.“What the hell Michael? I need to be in there to see what they're doing to her-” I started before he cut in rudely, flashing his fangs at me so that I stumbled back in shock.“Like you suddenly care about her now? Fuck off, Anthony! You might be the most powerful Alpha in all of Gotham's pack and beyo
ANTHONY’S POVMy eyes found the woman almost immediately, her small face turned to face me as I walked in before the maids excused themselves, bowing wordlessly to me and shutting the doors behind them with a soft click.“Elena -”“Anthony-” We spoke at the same time before I cleared my throat awkwardly, shifting my weight from foot to foot before exhaling as some of the tension in my shoulders relaxed.“How are you?” I started as she rose to her feet and I tried desperately to keep my eyes from roaming over her body. Elena looked as delectable as ever.The white frock of the infirmary uniform was transparent as she stood in the warm yellow of the sunlight dripping in from the half-open curtains.Her dark hair tumbled freely…sexily over her shoulders, parting around her full perky breasts and pink nipples that pressed insistently against the cloth.Arousal stirred in my groin and my heart hammered against my ribs despite myself. I couldn't believe she was carrying my child inside her.
ELENA’s POVIt was strange how fast my life could have flipped downside up in what seemed like a split-second.If anyone had told me seven nights ago that I would be sitting in one of the most luxurious royal rooms of Gotham Palace with gifts piled around me and my legs hefted up in a handmaid’s lap, I would have tagged the heifer a lunatic.But that was exactly what I was doing, plopping juicy purple grapes one after another in my mouth and moaning when the sweet tangy flavor cooled my tongue and throat.Pregnant. Fedora’s words had changed the course of my life entirely. I was a new woman, more loved…more fearful.“Is there any news about the Alphas yet? Emily? Rosa?” I asked, glancing up from Emily’s bowed head to her wide-eyed friend Rosa who stood stiffly by the corner, watching her bathe the length of my bare feet in oils and tonics.It had been two nights since Anthony came up into my quarters with somber hazel eyes and a handful if roses and told me about their reckoning in a
MICHAEL GOTHAM“This place’s started to give me the fucking creeps,” I hissed to my brother as the Viper Pack guards marched on either side of us to the large grey throne room at the center of the compound.There were crows picking off bread and what looked like fat worms from the dirt, their eerie cawing echoing as they scattered away with our approach.“The energy’s been off since we stepped into their villages, Michael… it's why I asked the rest of the men to hang back,” Anthony murmured under his breath and the hostility in his voice did not surprise me.“Keep your eyes peeled. Something isn't right here. We take this shit, have them sign it, and be back in our palace before nightfall.” He muttered before the huge doors creaked open and the crowd of wolves that had been muttering inside fell silent.I could spot their Alpha almost immediately, the man sat at the end of the table in a long black frock that would have looked better on a pope than it did on his lithe frame.“Greeting
ANTHONY’S POVMy entire body felt like it had been doused in gasoline and lit with a match as I watched the night descend.“Are you sure about this? Your Highness? Your brother-” Klein Markov’s throaty whisper made a muscle beat in my eye and he shut up as if sensing that I was on the verge of exploding.How dare he? After everything Gotham had done for them? I had seen signs earlier, there was no one but myself to blame for this fucking mess.Ten thousand able-bodied soldiers had been drafted from Gotham to defend the Viper pack from Cove’s deadly attacks, and they had won, because of me.That smarmy little bastard with his slick black hair that was more full of gel than actual hair had won because of ME. Because I risked the safety of MY pack, to protect him.“My brother knows damned well who his Alpha is. I suggest you pledge your loyalties now as well.” I growled, throwing the lithe-bodied wolf a scathing look over my shoulder and watching the meaning sink into his eyes before he
ANTHONY GOTHAMIt was never a good thing, to be praised by a mad rogue who had wiped out his entire pack because he had been bored, and yet, I could only grin at his words as blood thrummed hotly through my veins.“I had felt the beat of the bastard’s heart riot against my blade before I speared him.” I jeered and caught the rogue throwing back the great mane of his head to howl excitedly into the night.We pounded toward the Gotham palace at breakneck speed, and my breaths came faster in my throat when I noted the glare of fluorescent spotlights swinging from side to side in the distance.“We’re home Markov. Brace for impact.” I ground through clenched teeth, and then the gates screeched open.#“Your Highness,” The soldiers cheered before I watched their beady eyes pop as they took us in when we stormed into the palace grounds.I was aware that my black fur was still caked from Lord John’s blood, I smelled animal…like death, as I made my way over to the string of nobles in the Pala
ELENA’S POVAlpha Anthony Gotham had appeared back in the palace like a puff of black smoke. His wild shock of black hair was rustled from his shift, falling over his eyes in a way that shadowed his hazel orbs almost frighteningly.A monster. It was the only way to describe him after what he had done, and yet, I could only see the broken man behind his bloodshot eyes.It was the same with Michael. The way his blue eyes slid away from mine like he was hiding something whenever we stared at each other.I had to do something! Something to draw our bond tighter than it had ever been before! I couldn't let the Alphas slip away from me again. I just couldn't.“Would you come with me? Please?” I whispered to Michael as some of the elders chatted with his brother.Blood rushed in my ears as I took in the heat of the man’s body behind mine, aware that things could go very wrong if he made a mistake.If he lost control.I would be trapped.“Focus Elena!” I panted inwardly.I could feel Anthony
Queen Elena Gotham“Bloody hell, are they fucking trying to wake the dead?” The man’s voice in my ear growled and I tried to bite down on the laugh that bubbled up inside me.The noisy grind of saws and breaking concrete made me screw my eyes open with a satisfied yawn and my lips formed a smile at Michael’s husky voice.“Good morning my love-” Anthony growled before pressing his lips to my head, the amusement twinkling in his eyes as I blushed furiously, untangling my body from their twinned limbs.It had been almost three weeks since the war and the birth of our son, Aiden Gotham, and Carla’s daughter Yulga.Anthony and Michael had moved me fully into their grand chambers and Gotham’s rebuilding was slowly coming together, with double the size of the men and cannons we had before.“Your Highnesses! The royal mistress’ carriage is ready,” A guard’s voice boomed in the hallway and my shoulders tensed immediately as I sucked in a breath.Shit, I had almost forgotten we were supposed t
Michael GothamAdrenaline shot through my body like liquid dynamite and I knew deep inside me part of it had to be the curse working.It felt like a rift was opening in my head as my wolf shifted into place, my muscles bulging until there were plate-sized grooves in my shoulders and biceps before I charged at the flood of beasts, taking out a decent chunk of them by swinging my long sharp claws in a messy arc.“Who dares to invade Gotham?” I roared at the beast’s approaching and the frail line of guards between us with their shields up. Fuck, with most of our firepower soldiers injured I knew the string of guards would be no match for the colossal beasts that were pounding their way towards us with thick white drool dragging at the corners of their mouths.“Markov! Eyes on the gates! We need to stop that thing from getting any closer!” I thundered at the gaunt wolf who flashed his fangs in understanding, knocking down more the the beasts when they got too close.I flew at the beast a
ANTHONY GOTHAM“What the fuck was that?” Michael’s harsh voice rasped and I snapped my head up in time for a woman’s haunting scream echo through the dark woods again.The thick line of blood smeared around Michael’s jaw from the carcass he bit into looked garish with the silvery moonlight beating down on us between the thick pine trees.What the hell was any woman doing out here by this time?And why the hell did it sound so familiar? A bolt of unease rips through my gut when the woman’s screams comes again, closer...more desperate.My feet are moving before I can stop myself just as I hear Michael curse behind me before his heavy footfalls tear through the space.The sight of a large beast on top of the red-haired woman made a bellow break from my throat as I watched the Cove beast’s eyes snap up before he flashed his fangs at me and disappeared.Those eyes…shit! Alfred? “Are you okay Carla? Bloody hell, what the fuck were you thinking coming up here by this time?” I roared, cuppin
Carla WinehouseMy belly felt like a volcano pit about to erupt as I glared down at the dark-haired woman who watched me back with a stony expression on her face.“You are not allowed in my chambers, Carla Winehouse, how many times do I have to say it for it to get through to your thick skull-” Elena spat acidly, her bright grey eyes narrowing dangerously as I fought to keep the shock from showing on my face.My heart started its harsh mechanical grinding in my chest and it was all I could do to keep from leaping at her.Who the hell did she think she was?I stalked toward her slowly, waiting until I was only inches from her stupid perfect face to snap my claws around her neck, surprised when her hands shot up to squeeze my arms.“Just because you’ve been away for however long you have Elena, doesn't mean that anything’s changed in this palace,” I growled, tightening my claws around her neck before flicking her wrist away when she beat at my chest and shoved her into the wall.The rag
Michael GothamMy mouth tasted like a rat had curled up and died in it when I came to.“Michael? Can you hear me?” The rogue’s scratchy voice made me drop my fangs instinctively.Just how close was the motherfucker to me? Bloody hell if I didn't know any better I'd have sworn he had a crush on me or something!My eyes rolled around in my head before I dared to open them, the black pinhole of my vision slightly easing as I glanced around the dark room and realized I was hissing.What the hell was up with that?My veins felt like they were filled with molten lava and it was all I could do not to claw at the beautiful woman that strutted into the room only minutes after.“Could you get me more of this Markov? Please?” I whispered when he hesitated, still cradling Elena in my arms and watching his gaze flickered between the two of us before he snatched the blood bag from my hands, muttering curse words under his breath.“I'm not your fucking butler Gotham, get your own fucking blood next
ELENA GOTHAM“M-Michael?” I gasped breathlessly, inching hesitantly toward his cold face before I saw his lips twitch and I shot across the room like a freight train from hell.“Careful Elena! Heck! The baby!” Markov’s scathing hiss was quick behind me but I didn't care as I wrapped my hands around Michael’s hard body, marveling at how much bigger he had gotten.It was like he had changed overnight! “Oh my goodness! Freaking hell, you’re alive! You don't know how happy I am!” I managed to choke through the tears that were now streaming down my face.“I can see it,” Michael grunted and I pulled back to see the ghost of a smile on his face, noting how the dark circles around his eyes were gone.It felt too good to be true.“W-what herb is this? Did the nursemaids put you on some miracle moonshine or something? Heck, this feels just like one of Alaric’s experiments-” I chuckled unsurely now, my hands shaking on his chest before Michael’s hands circled mine, the sight of his black veins
ELENA GOTHAMThe soft chirping of the birds outside made a smile spread across my lips before I screwed my eyes open with a lazy yawn.The sun fell in yellow slants through the thick grey floor-length curtains and I allowed myself a contented squeal.My entire body felt pleasantly sore and I pressed my fingers to my lips as memories of Anthony and me last night flashed through my mind.I had never imagined my little seduction would work so well with a baby between us and my body throbbed as the memory of his need and longing washed over me again.I wasn't going to lose Anthony now or let that Carla wench play her silly little games in Gotham anymore.“Emily!” I screamed, yawning as I shuffled out of bed to splash cold water on my face, eyeing my straight black hair that parted around a slender oval face in the mirror.My breath caught in my throat when I saw how swollen my lips were from my husband’s kisses and heat fanned up my neck to my cheeks.The muted sounds of soldiers parading
ANTHONY GOTHAM“God I've missed you so fucking much-” I growled, groaning as pleasure shot through my body and goosebumps skittered over the bulk of my arms where I had pinned her hands against the wide wood bed frame.Elena’s porcelain face contorted in pleasure and pain as I nibbled at her lips, plunging deeper into her pussy and forcing back a shiver when she flexed around my cock.“I've missed you too Anthony…I thought…FUCK! I thought I'd never see you again-” My Queen panted, and I relished the way her breath caught in her throat when I rolled one pink rubbery nipple between my fingers, watching the way she arched her back into me.My entire body felt like it had gone up in flames and blood pounded in my ears as I plunged faster and faster between her splayed legs, allowing my eyes to squeeze shut as her moans grew louder and louder.I was almost sure the creak of the bed hitting the wall could be heard from a mile away as the sound of my balls hitting the soft round moons of her
ANTHONY GOTHAMI charged into the room faster than a freight train going off the rails when Elena’s scream tore through the palace.“What the hell?” Markov hissed, wide grey eyes swinging to face me before we both shot off.“Shit,” I hissed, my heart thumping with every step.Was Elena hurt? Was the palace under attack?! I felt my breath hitch in my throat so violently that nausea rolled through my body.Hurt and terror thrummed in my chest as I broke through the double doors, catching Elena just as she flew away from my brother’s pale body, her grey eyes wide with fear.“What the fuck is going on?” I roared, my voice harsher than I would have intended when the woman’s teary eyes met mine.“It's Michael…he…he-” Elena hiccuped, whipping her head from side to side before I caught her in my arms.I couldn't help the way my heartbeat spiked in my chest and held her in my arms reflexively. What the hell was she doing? I didn't like admitting that seeing her so heartbroken scared me, and c