LOGINIrene's POVThe war room felt smaller with everyone crowded inside.Elders filled the seats around the main table. Maps and diagrams spread across every surface. The smell of blood and smoke still lingered on our clothes from the battle hours before.We had won the skirmish. But winning a battle wasn't the same as winning a war.
Karson'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.
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 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.
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
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







