ELIZABETH MILKHART
The shrill sound of an alarm bell tearing through the quiet air of my room made me groan, throwing my hands painfully over my ears to shut out the awful noise.“Come on up girls! Today is the day you all learn how to be dutiful surrogates to this pack! Out of bed now!” The head maid’s manly voice bled through the corridor walls and my heart skipped a beat when I heard her heavy knuckles bash angrily against my door.Shit.I stumbled out of bed with bleary eyes, splashing water on my face and cursing the dark circles under my startling green eyes in the mirror.I hadn't been sleeping well since I came to Blackwood and I found myself longing for the small, rundown comfort of my old slum house instead. The wild curls of my red hair were braided into a ponytail by one of the quiet maids who never replied to anything I said and I was out of my quarters before I knew it.“Just this way, Miss.” The girl breathed, pointing me at an open courtyard where all the surrogates sat in an awkward circle with the head maid standing over them, pausing mid-sentence when I walked in.Great. I was late again. The tense silence only made me squirm even more as I perched on the stone chairs, waiting patiently for the head maid who cleared her throat before continuing on.“Rule number four, Blackwood Castle! Every royal surrogate maiden must not attempt to meet with the Alpha or royal without the council’s permission or outside of her time.” She screamed, her eyes drifting to me in a way that made my breath catch in my throat.“The punishment for this treason is execution at the gallows. Be warned.” Madam Burter deadpanned and the silence that followed made my blood run cold.I knew some of the surrogates harbored fantasies about the mysterious Alpha, but it was hard not to. He looked like a Greek god would if Greek gods were damned near seven feet tall with bright gray eyes and wolf-cut black hair.His clean-shaven jaw always seemed to be permanently tense, although it was hard to imagine him being relaxed when he wielded the most powerful wolf pack in all of Stone County.I wondered what his large hands would feel like on my skin, how it would feel being cradled against his expansive chest and hearing his gravelly voice against my ear.I shook my head, shuddering. I couldn't lose focus…not like this. Not when Ma was counting on me back home to save us from being thrown out into the streets.“Excuse me, Miss Burter? His Highness has demanded the presence of one of the surrogates by the gardens tonight. We’re here to prepare her,” A startled-looking maid with thin blonde hair and a friendly open face whispered and a hushed murmur rose between the women.“Yes?” Sarah Sossen answered, standing proudly and whipping her long blonde hair behind her shoulders as the women watched her in awe.My heart sank a little. Of course, he would pick the most stunning woman in the group, what the hell had I been thinking?“I'm afraid not Miss Sossen, it's Miss Elizabeth Milkhart he wants to see,” The maid coughed awkwardly and I almost choked on my tongue.Tension sparked in the air like a live wire when I rose slowly to my feet, shaking in every limb.“W-what?” I wheezed, unable to believe my ears and knowing from the surprised looks on everyone’s faces that they couldn't believe it either.“Why the hell would he want to see HER?” One of the women snarled, throwing me a scorching look that made me curl in on myself, keeping my eyes trained solely on the floor.“Tell us wench! Have you been going behind our backs to tempt the Alpha?” One of the taller wolves snapped, shoving me hard enough that pain exploded in my chest and I stumbled back, stunned.“I dare say she has! Didn't you see the way she stormed into the dinner party yesterday? What a slut! Have some respect for your Luna!” Sarah Sossen spat coldly and I wrinkled my lips until it was a straight, firm line.I turned to Madam Burter for help, feeling pain twist at my heart when the woman pretended not to have seen anything and glanced away instead.I was very well aware that I could die here as the wolves circled me, kicking at my body until I struggled to my feet, panting heavily.The metallic tinge of blood filled my mouth before the head maid finally cut in, clapping at the women to move away.“That's enough now ladies, you don't want to be leaving any marks His Highness can find when she goes in to him. It's against the rules.” The cryptic air surrounded the woman’s words made my blood run cold and I had the feeling she had watched one too many fights before.A whimper escaped my throat when the woman with the flame tattoo on her collarbone strode toward me, yanking my hair hard enough that I shrieked. Her grip was unnaturally strong and my fists pounding on her chest did nothing.I blinked back tears, swallowing painfully and feeling the crease in my back as her spiteful words filled my ear.“You better watch your back human. You’ve got more enemies here than you do friends.” The blonde woman hissed at me, her shoulder digging into mine as she shoved past me and I glanced up to see the heavy-set headmaid watching us tensely.Adrenaline spiked in my body as goosebumps trailed over my skin.Alpha Ezra Blackwood wanted to see me?…ME?! Why the hell would he want to do that?!“It’s got to be some sort of mistake!” I rasped weakly, And yet…i couldn't shake the thrill that had run through my body last night when our eyes met in the garden.The way his piercing gray eyes bored into mine like he was a skull pirate.“Are you coming then?” The head maid, Madam Burter growled, and I nodded, swallowing the bitter lump in the back of my throat and following quickly behind her, all the while, aware of the women’s jealous glares burning holes in the back of my head.Sarah Sossen was right. I had to find a way to get out of Blackwood and Stone County before it was too late. My life just might very well depend on it.ELIZABETH MILKHARTI was going to have sex with the Alpha tonight…there were no doubts in my mind about it.It was the third time I had brushed my sweaty palms on the lovely orange taffeta dress the maids had put me in. I could hardly recognize the luxurious woman in the mirror, the way my hair had been removed from the messy pigtail braids and curled into loose waves that fell over my shoulders and bare back.“I think you're ready Miss,” Theresa whispered, her warm brown eyes meeting mine in the mirror before she smiled reassuringly.I tried to smile back but it came out as a grimace instead. The fluttering in my belly only got worse when the girl led me through the corridors out into the mouth of the beautiful garden.“Here?!” I groaned, hoping she could have at least been with me when I saw the Alpha but knowing it was a crime that would have her executed if she dared.She shrugged, giving me another regretful smile before pausing to squeeze my hand. If I didn't know any better I
ALPHA EZRA BLACKWOODExquisite…it was the only way I could describe the red-haired human with bewitching green eyes that had run away from me.I could still taste her cherry lips in my mouth as I stormed into my chambers, ignoring the temptation to punch a guard who stood too close to me.Could they not see that I was losing my mind? I fucking hated breaking character like this.Who the hell did she think she was? Refusing me like that? And why the fuck couldn't I get a simple human out of my head?“Your Highness, the elders have assembled as you requested, for the surrogate showing-” Rudolf, my best man and guard announced from the doorway and I half-turned to face him, nodding my consent before exhaling a deep breath.“The Queen has requested Your Highness choose Sarah Sossen as the royal surrogate. She says to tell you she is more…at ease with the maiden.” Rudolf whispered as he stalked into the room, his bald, tattooed head glinting in the mirror where I watched him from.He had b
ELIZABETH MILKHARTI could hardly hear the girls’ angry murmuring above the frantic beating of my heart as we tumbled out of the gothic throne room into the cool air of the castle outside.My cheeks were wet with tears and it was all i could do to reign in the frustrated scream that rose to my throat when I felt a hand shove me roughly from behind.“What the fuck did you do cunt?! I should have known a whore like you would try to one-up us by sleeping with the Alpha!” Sarah Sossen’s vile insults cut through my heart like a knife.“I didn't sleep with him! I didn't even WANT to be here!” I wanted to scream, instead, I wrapped my arms around my body, shaking my head weakly for lack of anything better to say.There was no denying the fact that I had just made the entire wolf pack my enemy…a fate that was worse than death itself.“Enough. This way please, Miss Milkhart.” The big guard I had seen earlier interrupted us, his orange-brown eyes locking on mine with an intensity that made my
ELIZABETH MILKHART“Please-” I croaked, beating desperately against the tall Luna’s hard chest as darkness surged in my vision before a woman’s shrill voice made her drop me instantly.“Your Grace!” Theresa shrieked as I tumbled to the floor, catching only a glimpse of the fear in her reddened face before pain exploded in the side of my head as I hit the ground. HARD.“Miss Milkhart! I-Is everything alright?!” Theresa wheezed, rushing over to kneel beside me with her soft hands moving comfortingly inside my hair.I gasped, tears filling my vision as I scrambled away from the woman who towered above me like a wraith, her narrowed hazel eyes and long blonde hair billowed around her shoulders like waterfalls.“Listen to me, Elizabeth Milkhart, because I will only repeat this over your grave.” Cassandra Blackwood hissed, pointing one crooked black claw at me as a scream lodged in my throat.“You will not see MY husband outside of the council’s permission, do you understand? And no jewelry
ELIZABETH MILKHARTLace, chiffon, and silk dresses and suits shimmered in the low candle-lit room of the banquet hall as the melody of the opera and piano drifted softly through the air. I felt my shoulders sag as the sweet wine Theresa had slipped me earlier dissolved on my tongue.It was beautiful…rich, and my head whipped from side to side to take it all in.My dress was a silver, silk slip that hugged my curvy body and plunged low at the neckline. It had been Madam Burter’s choice and I wiggled uncomfortably in the right dress.“God help me,” I whispered under my breath and my eyes moved through the crowd as the murmur of conversation boomed around me.I didn't have anyone to talk to, but I was fine with that, I was staring right at the Alpha who seemed to have all the women entranced by his presence.The King stood nearly two heads above everyone else, his tall stocky frame draped in an all-black suit with stars and beads on the shoulders. Ezra Blackwood was striking, with his wo
ALPHA EZRA BLACKWOODBlood roared in my ears as I pounded my way into my royal chambers with the Luna of Blackwood snapping at my heels.“That was too far, Cassandra-” I started, whirling to face the tall blonde woman and watching her face redden even more as the dark arched brows drew together on her head.Her exquisite, ball gown had come undone at her shoulders, exposing the rounded white curves that made my groin tighten with lust.She looked wild, with platinum blonde hair falling down her back in straight sheets and her full red lips turned down distastefully. She did not look like my wife at all.“TOO FAR?! You were all but fucking here right there in the open for everyone to see Ezra Blackwood! Do you know how much of a disgrace that is as your wife?! Have you forgotten your duty to me-” She screamed, pointing at the empty doorway behind us.Me? Disgrace her? Her words sparked a dark fury inside me that made my vision blur and I was pinning her against the wall before I realiz
ELIZABETH MILKHARTThe woman’s black glare fixed on me like a hawk on prey until I felt what little sanity I had left unravel. Madam Burter yanked at my wild red curls brutally with her comb, her hot eyes burning my face in the blue glass of the mirror.It was almost time for my first night with the Alpha, but I couldn't push back the painful bitterness that had lodged in the back of my throat.“Three nights Elizabeth,” She ground out, but my name rolled off her tongue as “eel-isabed”, the harsh sound of it making my teeth set on edge.My scalp was on fire when she finally dropped the comb, allowing waves of red to frame my long porcelain face beautifully.“Tonight is your first chance to impress the court and get pregnant with Blackwood’s heir. Now what happened with the Queen was unfortunate…but it is a disgrace for a surrogate to come to the royal castle also barren.” She hissed, her coal-black eyes pining my face in the mirror.I felt my throat burn as panic wound tight knots in m
ALPHA EZRA BLACKWOODThere were tears in the redhead’s eyes as she stumbled into the room.Had Cassandra done something already? The breath I inhaled burned my throat as the maiden surrogate sputtered helplessly, her despair clutching at my chest in a way that made heat swell in my groin.Fucks sake- What the fuck was wrong with me? I shouldn't be caring about her feelings, and yet here I was, wrapping my hands around her and whispering comfortingly like a fucking saint.I was a damned hypocrite and I knew it.“Elizabeth,” I breathed, trying to calm her hysterics but my voice only seemed to renew her efforts to claw at my chest desperately. Her skin felt soft under my hands, and I had to bite back the urge to sink my teeth into her flesh. To taste her salty skin, the full pink pout of her lips…damn it! What was wrong with me?The maiden’s face was frightened as she rambled on about not being ready, flailing her hands wildly and sucking in a deep breath when I caught her tightly by t