LOGINKarson's POVThe scratches on her arm weren't deep.But they were there. Red lines carved into her skin. Evidence of a fight that could have gone differently. Evidence of my failure.I watched her apply the ointment. Her movements efficient. Practiced. She didn't wince at the sting. Didn't hesitate or fumble.
Irene's POVThe battlefield was still settling when Karson appeared at my side.He moved fast despite his injured leg. Limping across the blood-soaked ground like the wound didn't exist. Like nothing mattered except reaching me."Irene." His voice was rough. Breathless. "Are you hurt? Did they—"
Irene's POVLexie was broken beneath me.Bleeding. Whimpering. Defeated.I shifted back to human form. Stood over her crumpled body. Ready to end this once and for all."It's over, Lexie." My voice came out cold. Flat. "You've lost."
Irene's POVMidnight came slowly.I waited in the shadows near the depot. My body tense. My senses stretched to their limits. Every rustle of leaves. Every whisper of wind. Every distant owl call amplified in the darkness.The children were hidden safely behind the main building. Far from the trap zone. Close enough to alert us if their sharp noses detected anything unusual.
Irene's POVThe trap needed bait.Good bait. The kind that would make Lexie abandon caution entirely. The kind that would draw her in like a moth to flame.I knew exactly what that bait needed to be.Me.
Irene's POVThe news reached me before dawn.Ken slipped into my tent while the camp still slept. His face grim. His eyes sharp with urgency."Princess. We have a problem."I sat up immediately. Sleep forgotten. "What is it?"
IRENE I looked out the window as Alpha Lucas pulled out from the driveway of the restaurant we stopped to have lunch in. I bit my nails as my thoughts wandered without much effort.Karson's visit this morning was yet to leave my thoughts and I couldn't stop or kick out the nervous feeling in my chest
Just when Irene thought her time with Alpha's and Karson were over, she found herself driving down to the conference hall again, alone this time.Alpha Lucas and his Beta were too swamped up in their duties and the next person they could rely on was her.Times like this she wondered if she should curs
IRENEHer face brightened up when she saw me and my heart couldn't contain itself. I felt a rush of emotion just staring at her face again. Time had done her well. In just five years, my aunt had aged like fine wine. She looked even more beautiful with the wrinkles around the corners of her mouth and
IRENEI could tell he was angry. The heavy frown on his face and the way he clenched his jaw, my words had done more than my actions have. I hope he gets the memo now. Despite my deadpan stare into his eyes with my unwavering resolve, I gulp, feeling worried that he would take this up as a challenge.







