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'S POVI could still picture Irene's face on the little ones. They had her eyes and smile. Everything pointed to her as their mother but I still found it hard to believe.I was aware that these days, she-wolves could have pups with anyone, it didn't have to be their mate but what was new to me w
IRENE'S POV"Oh Goddess!" Nanny May had her hand over her mouth when we stepped into the house. Tears filled her eyes so suddenly as she ran to the kids and hugged them. "I'm so sorry," she apologised over and over again and I could only imagine the scare she went through last night." It's okay, May.
Alpha Lucas held their small hands and led them outside. He didn't know what to think seeing Karson act all caring and affectionate with the kids. Did he know they were Irene's kids?No, it didn't seem like he did. If anything, Irene would be particular about not wanting Karson to find out. It was no
IRENE'S POVI pushed myself away from Karson's hold and jumped to my feet. I had recovered from the shock of him barging into my room from the window and now the next thing was to get away from him.I didn't miss the stench of alcohol in his breath and it made me even more annoyed. Was he drunk? Even







