Cara looks even more concerned. “Which sitting room?”This is how I learn, with my heart sinking down in my stomach, that Mia is playing with her dolls in one of the sitting rooms.Cara and I rush there at once, to find the butler gently escorting her and her dolls from the room.“He says I can’t pl
Alaric’s POVAlpha –There is evidence that the rogue Lilia has been in contact with certain members of the nobility, including those on the elder council. Her motivations could be revenge for you and yours. Please be cautious. Your family, including the children, are too vulnerable.The note is uns
“Then does it feel like it will…”I don’t know what else to say. I have such few words to offer comfort. What I do have are my strong arms, so I wrap those around her and pull her into the safety of my chest. With her against me like this, I can keep her safe from the whole world. If only we could s
Cara’s POVI allow myself only a few moments of weakness, wrapped in Alaric’s arms, before I drag my determination back to the forefront of my thoughts and harden myself for what’s to come.We’ll have to move again, but Alaric has many houses over many different locations. If we are careful, if we p
But there’s more. There at the foot of the dresser, one lone sock lies on the floor, as if it had been taken out of the drawer in haste and accidentally discarded. Why would Ethan need to pick his socks so quickly that he wouldn’t pick it up?It could be nothing, just the messy habits of a young boy
Alaric’s POVTo have Ethan back, only to discover that Mia is the one truly missing now, is like a punch straight to the gut right after trying to catch my breath. The wind is totally knocked out of me.Fresh fear flashes through me, but there is no time to fall victim to it. As long as Mia is out h
Cara’s POVThe moment Alaric returns, I can tell that something is very, very wrong. His face is tight and his posture straight as a rod. With me and the kids, he usually takes on a softness, treating us gently and with compassion. Right now, he looks every inch the Alpha King he projects for the re
Mia’s POVI dash into the forest, not knowing where I’m going. Any direction is a good direction, though. Whatever gets me away from that terrible place I’m leaving behind.My heart races, I’m terrified. But I’m also exhilarated. I’m free.I need to get to Mom. I need to warn her about what these ba
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