ELENA’S POVMy knuckles turned white on the soft pillow I gripped in my hand as I blinked slowly, only hearing the noise of my heart hammering in my chest in the silence that followed.What the hell was that? My pulse throbbed in my wrists as I sat up slowly, taking in the quiet hum of the overhead air vents in the shadowy room.The fire in the stone hearth had gone out, leaving an eerie chill in the air that made goosebumps break on my flesh.I couldn't tell if the scream I had heard was all in my head or not before the rushed sound of feet pacing in the hallway snapped me to my feet. I had been sleeping since my trust in Michael, recovering under Emily’s care and the unnecessary amount of sweet soup broths she brought in for me.My body still tingled at the memory of my promise, the way Michael’s manly hands scoured over my body as he murmured praises and sweet nothings in my ear.His sweet woody scent still lingered on my pillows and it was all I could do not to press them to my fa

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

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

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

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