LOGINIRENE
'Did you see her fur?'
Irene's POVKen's words hit me like a punch to the gut."Defensive blueprints," I repeated. My voice hollow. "How much did she get?""Enough." Ken's jaw was tight. "The eastern wall fortifications. The underground tunnel system. The locations of our emergency supply caches." He paused. "She's been feeding them information for weeks, Princess. Maybe longer."
Karson's POVThe hairpin was cold in my hand.Ice cold. Like it had been sitting in snow despite the morning warmth. My fingertips had gone numb from clutching it so tight for so long.I couldn't let it go. Couldn't put it down. Like releasing it would make everything disappear. Would prove this was just another cruel dream.
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"Here it is," Anna opened the door to my office and I walked in. In such a short time they had managed to create a space for me. It wasn't like my old one, but with how fast they cleaned up, it was like I never left.It was just a desk, vase, couch at one corner, TV on the wall and some files
IRENEAunt didn't let me leave until I agreed to keep a promise I didn't even know about. We waited until the kids could shift again and once they did, they burst into tears, sorry for what they did.They hugged my legs tight, throwing their heads back dramatically as they cried with their butt out
KARSON"I still can't believe Irene is back here and she has pups," Ralph said by my side as we walked into the Arena where my warriors were hanging out, shirtless and flexing their muscles in competition."You think she can handle it? I mean it's a lot to take in, the pack too. They won't go easy
IRENE"Mummy! Uwaaaah!"My thoughts scattered, panic and confusion setting in. Where was Mirabel? What happened to them? Did I trust the wrong person?"Let me see you," I cupped their faces, scanning them from head to toe with my heart beating twice as fast. "You're okay, you're okay. What's wrong?







