Cara’s POVWhen I open the front door the next morning, expecting to see Noel, I’m surprised to find that Colin, Ryan, and Aidan are standing, speaking with Noel on the other side. When they all see it’s me, they turn toward me at once.“Cara,” Colin says. He starts to take a step toward me like he
Alaric’s POVNow that I know the scent to search for, I patrol with a fresh enthusiasm. Pushing back my mental and physical fatigue, I send the photo to everyone on my security team, as well as Cara’s brothers, Noel, and Cara herself.They should all know who we are dealing with. I also let them kno
The elders are a tradition carried down through the generations only out of respect. They have no real authority. It’s only by my kindness do they continue to have respect in the pack at all.If I shared what they were doing, secretly harboring an exiled wolf – what would the pack have to say about
Alaric’s POV“Why,” I say through gritted teeth, while trying to maintain some sense of my composure which was quickly slipping away, “would you ever do that?”With the secret out, the other elders seem more willing to speak openly with me. Some stay to the back, looking embarrassed and ashamed. The
Mia’s POV“Then what is your plan, Lilia?” George insists, “Because I can’t understand how kidnapping the Alpha King’s daughter isn’t going to land us in more hot water.”“Don’t you hate him too? And Cara?” Lilia asks.“Of course I do, but I also have this thing called self-preservation, that you se
Alaric’s POVAs I watch Noel hug Cara, and Cara melt into the hug, a flash of jealousy rushes through me. Immediately, I push down on it. Now isn’t the time to be concerned with my personal feelings, especially when we finally have a lead to act on.Yet, the apparent closeness between Cara and Noel
Cara’s POV“Mia?!” I call out, hoping she can hear me – hoping she knows I’m coming to save her.“Shut that brat up already,” Lilia snaps, making my blood boil. No one talks about my daughter like that. No one treats her like this!Lilia will pay for everything that she’s done. One way or the other,
Slowing down and eventually stopping, the brothers and Noel look at me in confusion, tipping their wolf heads to the side. They don’t know what I do, that there’s reason enough to be alarmed to warrant a quick stop.I quickly shift back to human form and answer the phone. “I’m in the middle of a hun
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