ELENA GOTHAMIt was the muted din of laughter in the distance that made me gasp awake with goosebumps covering my entire body.I whipped my head around the clearing in the trees so fast that my vision of the tall spindly trees blurred and spun.We were still in the dark woods, I could tell by the suffocating despair that hung in the air like the thick rain clouds in the vast sea of black above us. It was night already. “Good. Keep that vomit in your throat Goldilocks,” Bella snarled drily and I turned to see her large form glaring down at me.I opened and closed my mouth wordlessly, barely trusting myself to speak as pain zinged up and down my body, brooding around my ankles that had been strapped with sticks and bandages.My throat felt like someone had shoved a grater through it, and I let out another groan when I felt my belly cramping.Had I hurt my baby in the fall? I shook myself, refusing to let panic tear through my heart. I needed to get out of here. I needed to think!The
ELENA WOLFEI could feel the moisture dry from my mouth as the rogue’s words sunk in. Alpha Alaric wanted my baby. My child! “And…and you would have handed me over to him tonight… wouldn't you? You knew I would go out there looking for you so you just sat back and let me walk into their trap like a coward!” I spat, and he stiffened as if I had bitch-slapped him across the face.I didn't care. I was sick and tired of men like him, like Anthony and Michael betraying me!“I wasn't… alright? I’d called it off but Alaric wouldn't back off-” Klein Markov whispered heatedly and I snorted.Yeah right, no shit!“I hated Anthony. The big bad wolf of Gotham was what other rogues called him out here in the wild you know?” He continued, saying more now than he ever had in the time that I had known him.I watched him drain a sweaty bottle of wine into a glass, stifling the yearning that rose inside me and snatching up the water he handed me instead.Fucking prick!“He saved you from the wild and y
ALPHA ALARIC WOLFEThe valley between my eyebrows felt like it was weighed down by my brick blocks as I tumbled into the clearing, feeling the wraith of my tunic sailing behind me.“Where is she?” I roared, scanning the mess of campfires and tents scattered between the tall pine trees.My gaze caught on the bloodied wolf woman kneeling face-down in the dirt, surrounded by a litter of the red moon beasts.My lap dogs.The woolen rope binds that once held the Gotham Luna were now slack and empty. I blinked slowly, trying to take in the sight as red-hot fury burned through me.“Bella. What is this?” I growled after marching toward the prisoner, staring down my nose at her as the guards forced her head up, sending a wave of satisfaction through me when I saw the large purple and red bruises marking the leathery skin.“Your Majesty, we have good reason to believe the general let the prisoner go. We also have reason to believe she was working with Markov. The rogue, to double-cross you,” Al
Michael GothamThe red haze of rage and desperation was all I had seen the second I'd heard Elena’s wild scream through the forest of trees.I thought my heart would explode in my chest from how shocked I was as I stumbled to a stop. I’d left the palace to clear my head but I'd never imagined I'd find Elena in my anger.“ELENA?!” I roared, hesitating only for a second just as her throaty screams tore through the space again and I broke out into a run, slamming trees out of the way and not caring for a second if I was walking right into a bloody trap.My eyes caught on the flash of movement in the trees.Markov! I had seen him carrying the dark-haired Luna over his shoulder and rage spasmed inside me even more.Did he pay no mind that she was pregnant?! Just what kind of monster was he?!“A dead one, that's for sure,” I growled thickly and half-shifted into my wolf without missing a beat, bounding after the pair and closing in around the sidesJust as the rogue dropped from what looke
MICHAEL GOTHAMI brushed my hands over the woman’s oval face which was streaked with the rogue’s blood before snarling at the wolf.“What the fuck is so funny Markov? I'll make sure I tear your miserable heart out next time. See how funny you find that,” I deadpanned in a voice that brimmed with heat, wiping the smirk clean off the rat’s face as his expression contorted into a furious mask.Hate pulsed in my heart like a living breathing thing, eating its way through everything until nothing remained.“So what? I wasn't fulfilling my path fast enough so you decided to take my wife out behind my back and cut a deal with Alaric? Is that it?” I spat, and the harsh lines of his face seemed to contort with pain before he shook his head, like I had offended him.“That's just the thing, Michael Gotham. I didn't KIDNAP your bride,” He spat, sucking in a wavering breath as his eyes squeezed shut with pain before his pale grey orbs flew back to my face.My heart was beating like gladiator drums
ELENA WOLFEI cradled my hands over the small bump of my belly, unable to bite back the frightened shriek that escaped from my lips.“Elena, please listen to me alright?” Michael whispered gently, his voice gentler than I had ever heard it, but the raspy lilt of his baritone seemed to be coming from somewhere far away.“All I need is to take a closer look, alright? I promise I won't hurt you-” The blonde Alpha whispered again, more frantic when he realized I wasn't going to let him.I couldn't, not when him finding more blood between my legs could make this whole nightmare all the more real.I couldn't live through that! Maybe if I hadn't gone out tonight if I had stayed in the cabin like I was supposed to then I wouldn't have fallen in the woods!But then Michael would have never found us! I didn't realize until I saw his strikingly handsome face as he stood in the doorway how much I'd missed him.Being away from my mates had caused a wound in my soul I wasn't sure I could heal anyt
ELENA WOLFE“S-so I'm going to be okay then? It was just a stupid fright?” I nudged, hopeful as his almond-shaped blue eyes flickered behind me before coming back to my face, some of the smile he had earlier gone.My stomach dropped but he was speaking over me before I had a chance.“It was just a stupid little fright Elena, for now. But we aren't out of the waters yet until I've had our nursemaids take a good look at you.” Michael whispered and the rogue grunted in agreement.I had been scared of this happening. Of needed to go back to Gotham with my tail in between my legs, but alarm sizzled through me when I turned to see the rogue’s somber expression. I couldn't leave him out HERE! With no one to care for and nothing to do but bide his time until Alaric came back to finish him off for double-crossing him.“Please don't argue with me on this Lena, I'll throw you over my shoulder if I have to,” Michael warned and I jerked away from him.“I'll come with you on the condition that Mar
ANTHONY GOTHAM“Your Highness! Allies from the North guard are here,” A uniformed soldier chimed at the door of my study and I glanced up to see his ruddy face before nodding at him.“Send for the second Alpha for the hearing and treaty signing, this can't work without him,” I commanded, and the guard bowed so low I could have sworn he had kissed his knees before marching out of the hallway.I stared at my reflection in the grey-tinted glass of the big office windows, my eyes passing over the full mane of my dark hair which I had gelled back, away from my tan face. Almond-shaped hazel eyes bore into me, into the dark silk of my suit jacket and the catchy jade suit shirt I wore underneath.My ringed fingers passed over the muscle tickling in my hard jaw, clean-shaven. The way a responsible king who wasn't losing his shit would have it.“In and out Anthony, just get that spoilt little wart to sign the treaty and you can keep this whole shit show above water for at least five more full m
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