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?"
KARSON'S POV'What do you mean you lost the kids?' I picked up my jacket and moved around the room to get my watch.'They were right here,' Wayne reported with a panic tone. 'We left them right in the car and we just turned away.''Then they probably snuck out,' I concluded and stared in the mirror, wo
IRENE'S POVI was drenched in cold sweat immediately but even under his watchful eyes, I took a deep breath and relaxed my shoulders."Yes, my dear?" I answered in a sweet and calm tone. I didn't miss the way Karson recoiled in a bit of shock. He seemed to be having trouble deciding how to react but h
KARSON'S POVShe walked out. She ignored me and she walked out while latching onto that man. I squeezed my fist by my side, holding myself from storming after her.I was sober now thanks to that. Even after drinking over twenty bottles of beer, Irene's attitude and fierce eyes were enough to slam me b
IRENE'S POV"You were gone for quite a while," Alpha Lucas said the minute I got to the receptionist to take my room key. The other Alpha's around were already heading to the elevator and I spotted Karson standing next to the entrance with a phone to his ear. He had his back turned to us."Irene," Alp







