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."
KARSON My daily visits to Irene's house were enough for me. I wasn't going to be greedy and ask for more even though I desperately wanted the kids to call me 'dad' someday and wanted Irene to admit the truth but, I'd settle with this for now.It was peaceful these days and I'd do anything to protect
IRENEHe didn't need to use his words, I could already tell. That strong look in his eyes, the heavy uncomfortable silence-- I had lived with this man growing up so I knew at first glance that something was wrong.Now whatever it is, I failed to see how I could even be involved but I knew the only thi
IRENE"Karin! No running in the hall. Carl, drop the toys," he wouldn't let go of the new toys all day."No!" He grinned, waiting for me to snatch it with a daring look in his eyes."It's time for bed, you need to sleep." I arranged their pillows as Karin walked into the room in her pyjamas. "Come here
IRENE Karson stopped by the next day and the day after that. It's been three days now and he's shown up every day to say hi to the kids and me. Unlike the first time, he stayed a little longer and even one time, he stayed over for lunch.His visits left me paranoid but also nervous... In a good way.I







