LOGINIrene'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."
Irene's POVThe old woman moved like water.Fluid. Effortless. Despite her age and weathered appearance, she demonstrated the combat technique with a grace that took my breath away."You're telegraphing your strikes," she said, circling me in the small clearing outside the cave. "Your shoulders tense before you move. Any experienced fighter will see it coming."
Irene's POVThe days blurred together in the cave.Wake. Eat the bland porridge the old woman made. Drink bitter herbal tea. Sleep. Repeat.Slowly, painfully, my body knitted itself back together.The burns on my back stopped weeping
Irene's POVPain woke me.Sharp and insistent, radiating from my ribs with every shallow breath. My head throbbed. My limbs felt like lead.I tried to open my eyes. The light hurt. Everything hurt.Where was I?
Karson's POVThe war room smelled like blood and smoke.Maps covered every surface. Battle reports stacked in messy piles. Half-empty coffee cups scattered across tables. Nobody had slept properly in days."They're regrouping near the eastern ridge," Ken reported, pointing at the map. "Approximately sixty wolves. Mixed forces from Shadow Pack and Iron Claw."
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
IRENE"How have you been? Have you been well? Did you have any troubles? Are you okay where you are? Do you need anything? Tell me if there's something you need, okay? Do you like that place-"The questions only kept pouring in as she tried to make up for times we've spent apart.Hearing her voice agai
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.
Irene had her thoughts with Luna Teresa throughout the drive back home. She felt a dull ache in her chest as she drove farther and farther away from the Pack.She had missed her so much that seeing her again, sprung up all the feelings she thought she could hide and suppress.She kept her eyes on the







