LOGINKarson'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?"
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
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
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,







