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."
IRENEI stormed down the hallway, ignoring the guards and everyone else who tried to say hi. My fist was clenched and my chest, tight from the annoyance swirling inside me.How could he do this to me?A few days ago I sent a letter to the Alpha's office to be allowed to leave the pack for a short w
IreneI took a step back, the shock finally registering in my heart. I had no words to say that could make her believe otherwise. My heart slammed in my chest, weakening the rest of my body."It's not what it looks like," I said quietly, thinking of a lie."Oh dear," Aunt Teresa said exasperatedly,
IRENE"Oh, I can't bear to watch you go, Miss. Irene," Nanny May sniffed, putting the last luggage in my car. She took out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes. "I'll miss you and the kids so much."Her eyes were leaking so fast, you'd think I told her we weren't coming back."May, we talked about t
IRENEThe door opened and Nanny May walked in carrying a cup of coffee. "The young alpha would hate that. Staying away from you, I mean. I couldn't help but overhear the last part."I sprung to a sitting position as she handed me the coffee, "Well I can't have him around with so much going on. Alph







