LOGINIrene's POV
Being bedridden was its own kind of torture.
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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."
IRENE"Oh, I can't bear to watch you go, Miss. Irene," Nanny May sniffed, putting the last luggage in my car. She took out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes. "I'll miss you and the kids so much."Her eyes were leaking so fast, you'd think I told her we weren't coming back."May, we talked about t
IRENEI stormed down the hallway, ignoring the guards and everyone else who tried to say hi. My fist was clenched and my chest, tight from the annoyance swirling inside me.How could he do this to me?A few days ago I sent a letter to the Alpha's office to be allowed to leave the pack for a short w
IreneI took a step back, the shock finally registering in my heart. I had no words to say that could make her believe otherwise. My heart slammed in my chest, weakening the rest of my body."It's not what it looks like," I said quietly, thinking of a lie."Oh dear," Aunt Teresa said exasperatedly,
IRENE"Have you been crying? What's wrong with your eyes? Give me a name and an address," I rolled my eyes, groaning as Karson continued. "I'm not joking, Irene. Fill me in on the way--""On the way to where? You're not even allowed to come here."He narrowed his eyes on me through the phone. Nanny







