MasukIrene's POV
The camp was dead quiet as we walked back.
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Karson's POVThe forest was different at night.Shadows stretched between the trees like dark fingers. Moonlight filtered through the canopy in scattered patches. Every sound amplified in the stillness. Every rustle of leaves a potential threat.I followed Irene through the darkness. Keeping my footsteps light. Matching her pace exactly.
Irene's POVKen arrived just as the meeting was winding down.His face was grim. The kind of grim that meant bad news. The kind that made my stomach clench before he even opened his mouth."Princess." He gave a quick nod to the elders. "I need to speak with you. Privately."
Irene'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."
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
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







