MasukThe news spread worse than wildfire in the space of an hour. Wayne was shameless enough to broadcast it like he was getting paid.
‘Lexie is pregnant and
Irene's POVI tracked Ken through the forest for over an hour.He'd left camp shortly after the confrontation in the center square. Told the other guards he was doing a perimeter sweep. Checking the outer boundaries for signs of intrusion.But I knew better. Ken was looking for me.
Irene's POVDawn broke over the camp.I'd stayed hidden all night. Watching. Waiting. The concealment cloak wrapped tight around me as I crouched in the shadows beyond the perimeter.My legs had gone numb hours ago from staying in the same position. My back ached. But I hadn't moved. Hadn't risked giving myself away.
Irene's POVMidnight came slowly.I waited in the shadows beyond the camp perimeter. Watching the guard rotations with careful attention. Counting the minutes between patrols. Learning their patterns. Memorizing every detail.The Dark Hollows guards were thorough. Professional. Disciplined in a way that spoke of Ken's rigorous training. They moved in pairs, checking every corner, every shadow, every possible approach to the camp. Ken had trained them well. Too well, maybe.But even the best guards had gaps in their coverage. Moments when attention shifted. When backs were turned. When the night stretched long enough that focus slipped just slightly.Those were the moments I needed.I watched for them. Waited for them with the patience of a hunter.The eastern patrol passed my position. Headed toward the supply warehouses on the far side of camp. The western patrol was still checking the far perimeter, their torches visible as distant points of light. There was a window—maybe three min
Irene's POVThe training session was winding down.I watched from my hiding spot in the bushes at the camp's edge. The concealment cloak wrapped tight around me, masking my scent, blurring my presence into the shadows.Karson called an end to the drills. His voice was hoarse. Rough from hours of shouting commands. The warriors dispersed, heading toward their quarters. Exhausted. Bruised. But alive.He stood alone in the training grounds for a moment. His shoulders were tense. His head bowed. Like the weight of everything was crushing down on him.Then two small figures appeared.Carl and Karin.They ran toward him across the dirt. Their silver-streaked hair catching the fading sunlight. Their faces lighting up despite everything."Daddy!"Karson's expression shifted. The hardness melting away. Replaced by something softer. Something that made my chest ache.He crouched down to their level. Both children crashed into him at once, small arms wrapping around his neck.He caught them. Hel
Irene's POVThe Pack grounds came into view just as the sun began to set.I stopped at the tree line. Hidden in shadow. The concealment cloak wrapped tight around me.Everything looked different.Guard towers that hadn't existed befo
Irene's POVI woke to find the old woman packing supplies into a worn leather bag.My heart jumped. "What are you doing?""Preparing for your departure." She didn't look up from her work. "Your ribs have healed. The burns are closed. Your strength has returned. There's no reason to keep you here any longer."
The visitor arrived without warning.A convoy of black vehicles rolled through the gates just after noon, bearing the silver crescent emblem of the Moonlight Pack. Guards scrambled to intercept them, but the lead car had already parked in the main courtyard.Alpha Nathaniel stepped out.He was olde
Irene's POVLucas arrived the next morning.I heard the commotion at the gate and knew it was him before I even saw the car. Something about the way the guards relaxed told me it wasn't a threat.He found me in the garden, watching the children practice their shifting with Ken. They were getting be
Irene's POVThe answer had been in my mother's diary all along.I sat in my room, the worn leather journal spread open before me, reading the same passage for the fifth time. My heart pounded harder with each word. The candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows across the yellowed pages.The fo
Irene's POVThe messenger came during breakfast.A young omega, nervous and fidgeting, approached our table with downcast eyes. She looked like she would rather be anywhere else in the world than standing before us with whatever news she carried."Alpha Karson." She bowed low. "Miss Lexie sent me.







