Michaels Pov“Clear the grounds! I want all the bodies of the fallen soldiers in one heap and the dead bastards in another! On your feet people! Move! Move! Move!” I roared at the guards as they cleaned up the battle scene, their metal armor squeaking from the effort.I could still feel pain stinging my back and sides as I leaned heavily against the tree, jumping straight when a woman’s calm voice came from behind me.“What's this gloominess son? You won, didn't you? So why are you unhappy?” Nancy whispered, her cobalt blue eyes shining with a knowledge that I really didn't like.“Who says I'm not happy?” I snapped back, turning away with irritation to snatch up my sword and wipe the blood from my mouth.Nasty stuff. Fitz tasted like shit, although that was hardly a surprise. Anthony should have fucking warned me.“I saw you back there you know? Even after the twat hugged you and your brother, and they left, you had that sad look in your eye, the same darkness in staring into right no
Why did it always rain after a battle? The pit-patter of rain that clicked like nails against the big windows made me want to snuggle close to the Alpha until I was almost purring.“Come along now Elena, you’ll have your fair share of my brother once he’s all healed up.” Sophie laughed, tugging at my hand as the wolf nurses shuffled in and out of the Grand room, holding towels and herbs that smelled like jasmine.Anthony’s hazel-green eyes met mine and I felt my cheeks warm with heat at the smoldering look he gave me. He looked like a freaking King! Sitting with his back against the huge gold bed frame and his wild black hair falling down his broad shoulders.No…he didn't look ill at all. I could tell from the slight lift of his full pink lips that he was watching my discomfort with amusement.Damn these twins and the way they liked torturing me!“I'm fine Sophie, really-” Anthony tried to interject, his deep baritone rumbling through the space in a way that made a delicious shiver
Anthony’s POV“I'm fine Fedora, really, stop acting like a mother hen,” I growled at the dark-haired woman who had not left my side since the war with Fitz.“I know you're fine, it's not you I'm worried about… it's, well, it's Michael. I think that night hit him hard,” She corrected, widening her eyes and shrinking back as if I had just accused her of having feelings for me.“Michael? You think my brother’s wounded?” I hissed, my brows creasing with barely concealed worry before I watched the woman swallow and look away.It was the first time I was seeing any sort of concern on Fedora’s face and something in my chest tightened at the realization.I hadn't seen my brother throughout last night either, and for a social butterfly like him, it was the damnedest thing.“Nancy…your mother came to me last night…with her fist broken in three places Anthony…she said, she said Michael did it to her.” She muttered, and I felt a muscle tick in my jaw as I rose slowly to my feet, reigning in the f
ELENA’S POVI could still feel the rhythmic thump of my heart hammering away in my chest when Nancy left and I collapsed into the cold floor.The icy chill seeped into my bones as I cried my heart out, wondering what I had done to deserve such vileness from the one woman who I had hoped would like me.I must have passed out on the floor because I awoke with a start to the sound of fists pounding away on the redwood door of my quarters.It was cold…freezing. I glanced around to see that the fire that had been crackling in the stone fireplace had been snuffed out by the cold wind.“Elena…” The woman’s shrill voice came again and I fought the grogginess that clouded my head, glancing around to see that it had gotten considerably darker outside, with the moon only hidden behind thick grey clouds.“Elena! Are you there? Come on! I can smell you!” Sophia’s shrill scolding came again and I jumped up, gasping when I realized the music I was hearing was from the dinner party.Oh my goodness! I
MICHAEL’S POV“What the fuck was that?” My brother’s deep growl made my wolf stand on edge as I brandished my claws, clutching Elena’s rounded shoulders before passing her over to Alfredo who had marched up beside us.“I don't know, guess we’re about to find out.” I snarled, my gaze narrowing on the wide balcony double doors that hung open before a bolt of thunder penetrated through the darkness.The entire banquet hall had been thrown into chaos with wolves screaming and howling and Fedora’s strained voice as she tried to control the panicked guests.“Can you all just keep quiet?!” I roared, causing the wolves closest to me to shrink away but more screams still tore through the air.“SILENCE!” Anthony bellowed in a voice that cut through the hall like a bloody knife, throwing everyone into silence save for some of the women who only let out muffled sobs and whimpers.Right. Another reminder of why Anthony was better than me, of course, they listened to the wicked Wolf.“You there, wh
ELENA’s POVEverything had happened so fast. Everything had happened so fast and yet the world seemed to have slowed to a crawl when I realized Sophie was nowhere to be found. No…she was not in the banquet hall at all! The blonde, delightful woman I knew would have bulldozed her way to my side the minute the lights went out, but it had been more than a few minutes now, and I had only the cold and the hammering of my heart in my chest to keep me company.“What’s happening? Silver? What's going on?” I hissed frantically to the chief guard who was herding the crowd away from the balcony where the rain lashed relentlessly.His bright eyes found mine and I watched him open his mouth before his gaze snapped to a figure behind me and I turned around to see Anthony’s scowling face.“I need you to turn on the backup generators. Someone messed with the fucking lights.” He growled, and the chief guard bowed respectfully before hurrying toward the huge double doors that led into the banquet hal
Elena’s POVMy head felt like it had been doused in gasoline and lit on fire as I shrank away from the Alphas.The blonde man’s words seemed to cut through me like a blade, making my insides tighten painfully before their mother shoved past me, damned near knocking me off my feet before I turned to see her throw herself at Sophie’s body.Murder?…it couldn't be…“My baby! Oh, my baby! Who did this to you? I told you! I TOLD YOU TO TAKE CARE OF HER AND YOU FAILED! YOU LET THEM KILL HER!” Nancy bellowed in a ragged voice, throwing punches at Anthony’s chest before Michael tore her away.“It's not his fault! Okay? Someone DID this Ma!” Michael growled, but my eyes were focused entirely on the dark-haired Alpha who stood motionless in the rain.His face was an eclipsed expressionless mask encased in darkness, with only the ragged rise and fall of his chest showing his rage.My heart broke into a thousand pieces as I watched him gently scoop Soohie’s limp body into his arms before turning b
ANTHONY’s POV“What the fuck is going on? We’ve had men on the prowl for HOURS and still have NOTHING?” I roared, slamming my fist down on the table with enough force that the chandelier hanging above shook threateningly.I felt like I was suffocating in the wide, airy throne room as I glared at the stony faces of the uniformed soldiers who remained silent at my rage.“Every inch of the palace grounds has been searched Your Highness, there's no evidence of foul play-” One of the men dared to speak before I threw my sword at his head, only missing because I didn't want to impale the bastard.“NO EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY?! MY LITTLE SISTER HAD A KNIFE IN HER FUCKING CHEST! THE KILLER LOOKED HER IN THE EYE AND STUCK A KNIFE THROUGH HER HEART AND YOU'RE TELLING ME THERE IS NO EVIDENCE?” I bellowed as rage tore through me before my brother’s calming hand on my back thinned the red haze that had started to blur my vision.“Hey, we’ll find the bastard okay?” Michael growled, but I wondered if h