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."
IRENE'S POVI fell back on the bed with a hand draped over my face while I pressed my phone closer to my ear. The ringing sound of the call was cut short and Nanny May's groggy voice came through."Oh! I'm so sorry!" I quickly apologized. She sounded like I had just pulled her out of a very deep sleep
IRENE'S POVWith their attention turned towards something more interesting, the conference decided to take the time to investigate the rogue. Alpha Lucas was silent all through but he gave his permission in the end.I guessed the reason for his silence was that he too wanted to get to the bottom of th
IRENE'S POVI led Alpha Lucas out of the bar and while he walked majestically beside me, putting up a tough front before the others, I knew he was really drunk. I still had my hand on his wrist, carefully pulling him along."Where are you parked?" That question was directed to myself more than him. I
IRENE'S POVMy eyes had grown heavy and staying awake was impossible. I had succumbed to the darkness that pulled me into its cold grip.I jerked awake with wide eyes, panting as I looked around. For the first few seconds everything looked foreign to me. I could hear noises beside me and I flinched wh







