“What did you say?” He asks severely. “Cara’s hips. They were injured when she fell in the fainting spell. She’s not permitted to have any… strenuous hip activity. No sex… for months… with anyone.” Ruby gulps and looks down as Alaric’s eyes bore into hers. “It’s… It’s all on the medical certific
Alaric I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately. I can barely recognize myself anymore. I knew Cara was a gold digger, and yet I still got involved with her. I know Cara’s body is off limits due to doctor’s orders, and yet I still go to the apartment to find her. It’s like I can’t keep myself a
On any other day, I might have stopped this gossiping. I might have told the nobles to hush and mind their own business. I might have even punished them for their words. After all, speaking like this was exactly why I exiled George. But this isn’t just one insubordinate Gamma talking. This is the
Cara “It’s… It’s gone.” Lucy’s voice is in my head. She sounds devastated. She sounds broken. “I know,” I reply to her softly. I can feel it. Whatever was left of the mate bond between Alaric and I… it’s completely and utterly gone. I look down at the birthday cake I pathetically bought fo
I’ll probably never see him again. I look at my watch and realize it’s time to head back to the office for a quick meeting. Alaric shouldn’t be there, which relaxes me a little. I haven’t seen him or Lilia in what feels like a very long time, and I’m hoping to continue that streak. As I walk out
Cara The instant Lilia says the word “pregnant,” I know that my escape plan is in danger. That my baby might be in danger. I pretend I didn’t hear her words and rush out of the office. I have to see Ruby. I need to know my baby is okay after Lilia tripped me and I fell. I need to see an obstet
Whatever he’s up to, I don’t have time to deal with it right now. I turn and nearly run down the hall before he can stop me again. “...Thank you!” I hear him yell behind me. Just as Ruby and I had discussed, I return to the apartment. I’m thankful I took the time to pack everything up earlier.
Cara's POV This is it. Alaric’s wedding day is finally here. My mind is racing with thoughts of my escape plan, the plan that Ruby and I hatched to get me out of Pack DarkWood and away from Alaric. I’m running through my mental checklist, pulling my fiery red hair into a ponytail when my phone
Cara’s POVBack under the pavilion for another break before the next contest, I sat at one of the picnic tables with my arms stretched out and ice packs over my aching muscles.“There’s no reason for you to participate in the final event,” Charlotte said to me, echoing previous warnings made by both
Cara’s POVThe day was filled with contests with very little time to break in between. As such, I wasn’t able to talk with Alaric, my brothers, or Noel. Instead, though, I filled in the Claw Sisters and Georgie on what occurred.“A secret stabbing is so cowardly,” Charlotte said. “If she had any hon
Cara’s POVAt once, I moved my arm up to shield myself, desperate to protect my vital organs.Yet, when the knife stabbed into me, I surprised to find that the blade pushed back, harmlessly, into the handle. I’d seen such a thing happen in the past, during stage shows. Her knife was nothing more tha
Alaric’s POVWith Colin watching the kids, Ryan, Aidan, and I went to spectate the cooking event. The event itself was being held in a large gymnasium, with special mats set up to protect the typical gym floor. Atop the mats, each contender was given their own section, with their own counters, appli
Cara’s POVThe next day I was somewhat exhausted from the event on the night before. The organizers of the event must have taken that into consideration because today was the last day of rest before the contests started the next day.The cooking showcase was my first event, and I was already nervous
Alaric’s POVI was ready to start throwing hands a minute ago, but now, seeing how quickly and resolutely the BloodyMoon pack came to Cara’s defense, I allowed myself to calm down, at least enough to sit back down and contain myself.My fury at those that had spoken against Cara remained, however, a
Cara’s POVAs we started to move about the stage, following the steps of our routine, I kept an eye on Lilia and her can of paint. I had my suspicions that it was intended for me. At a crucial moment, when we were at the front of the stage, the routine would bring us directly side by side.Perhaps t
Cara’s POVGeorgie asked me to return to my dressing room, where she arrived shortly after carrying the gown that she was supposed to be wearing that evening. On herself, she was wearing a robe.Looking at my own dress still filled me with a sense of mourning. It had been such a beautiful thing, des
None of them seemed even remotely guilty. They were all entirely confident, I could see it in their eyes.Only Lilia wore a different expression. When no one else could see her but me, she seemed smug, smirking. She pointed to a nearby camera.“I’ve been on camera this entire time, too, if you don’t