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?"
IRENEKarin and Carl looked startled by my little outburst and I regretted it as soon as the strong tone left my mouth. "I'm sorry," I quickly recollected. "Who told you that?""They were talking about it. Some moms," Carl reported, carefully this time as if watching for my reaction. I rubbed his a
IRENEWe each went back to our respective rooms that night, begrudgingly too.I woke up early the next morning, making the snacks for our picnic and finishing up the work from yesterday since my day was ruined and I couldn't be productive anymore.Karson got the car ready and tied up some loose end
IRENE"You may want to sit for this," Alpha Lucas led me to his study room. He didn't bother to go back in to get a shirt. He gave me the full view and now I couldn't get the image of his thing from my mind. He poured himself a glass of water-- two glasses and gulped it down.It was only natural to
IRENEI opened my eyes to very familiar ceilings and the warm sun on my face. It was a new day and all I could remember from the night before was the fight between Karen and Lucas.Did he get home okay? Wait, I'm supposed to be mad at him for what he did.He disrespected me. He could do it again later







