MasukKarson's POVThe scratches on her arm weren't deep.But they were there. Red lines carved into her skin. Evidence of a fight that could have gone differently. Evidence of my failure.I watched her apply the ointment. Her movements efficient. Practiced. She didn't wince at the sting. Didn't hesitate or fumble.
Irene's POVThe battlefield was still settling when Karson appeared at my side.He moved fast despite his injured leg. Limping across the blood-soaked ground like the wound didn't exist. Like nothing mattered except reaching me."Irene." His voice was rough. Breathless. "Are you hurt? Did they—"
Irene's POVLexie was broken beneath me.Bleeding. Whimpering. Defeated.I shifted back to human form. Stood over her crumpled body. Ready to end this once and for all."It's over, Lexie." My voice came out cold. Flat. "You've lost."
Irene's POVMidnight came slowly.I waited in the shadows near the depot. My body tense. My senses stretched to their limits. Every rustle of leaves. Every whisper of wind. Every distant owl call amplified in the darkness.The children were hidden safely behind the main building. Far from the trap zone. Close enough to alert us if their sharp noses detected anything unusual.
Irene's POVThe trap needed bait.Good bait. The kind that would make Lexie abandon caution entirely. The kind that would draw her in like a moth to flame.I knew exactly what that bait needed to be.Me.
Irene's POVThe news reached me before dawn.Ken slipped into my tent while the camp still slept. His face grim. His eyes sharp with urgency."Princess. We have a problem."I sat up immediately. Sleep forgotten. "What is it?"
IRENE"L-Let go of me, Karson!" I struggled against his tight hold as he held me from behind. I tried to grab the door to the kitchen to pull myself away but he kept dragging me back, putting it away from my reach."Karson, let me go!" I yelled in a whisper as he chuckled at my frustration, planting a
KARSONIn five years, I could count how many times I've had a good night's sleep and it was all thanks to the woman whose head was resting on my chest and her small frame glued to my body. She was the reason for the sleepless nights and my sleep-filled nights. She was a terror and a dream for me at t
IRENEBy the time I got home, I had no tears left to cry. My anger had dissipated and all that was left was a deep hole of nothingness and numbness in my heart.I recalled the situation back then and I slid to the floor against the door, threading my hands in my hair as I stared hard on the floor.Fuck
KARSON"Karson, what's wrong?" Irene continued to ask and I'd lost count of how many times now.I walked on, leading us back to the car and sending a mindlink to the guards to leave at once. I opened her door but she stood far away, watching me with confused eyes."Get in.""Why are you acting like this







