MasukIrene's POV
The healer's tent smelled like blood and panic.
![]()
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."
KARSON "She's your what?" he almost screamed the woods down. "Keep your voice down, Ralph." "Sorry, Alpha but… I don't even know how to feel for you." His voice was devastating enough and that added an extra layer of defeat to my shoulders. "I don't know how to feel for myself. It's why I want
KARSON "Alpha Karson?" I snapped out of my thoughts and blinked at the maid who looked concerned beside me. The sound of the kids giggling brought me down to Earth and I realized we were having breakfast. Shit. After last night, my mind was all messed up. I hadn't slept a wink since I got back t
IRENE"Here comes the chew train," I almost felt bad for Mirabel. She was trying so hard, but Karen's bored expression wasn't in the least encouraging.Aunt couldn't control her laughter, making matters ten times worse. Carl, on the other hand was swinging his feet as
KARSON"Luna has asked to clear your schedule this weekend, Alpha."I lift my head from my computer, making the guard uncomfortable with an arched brow. "What?"She couldn't reach out to me first? I pinched the bridge of my nose, irritation flaring in me, subtly







