LOGINIrene's POV
Battle was nothing like the stories.
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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's POVThe answer had been in my mother's diary all along.I sat in my room, the worn leather journal spread open before me, reading the same passage for the fifth time. My heart pounded harder with each word. The candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows across the yellowed pages.The fo
The visitor arrived without warning.A convoy of black vehicles rolled through the gates just after noon, bearing the silver crescent emblem of the Moonlight Pack. Guards scrambled to intercept them, but the lead car had already parked in the main courtyard.Alpha Nathaniel stepped out.He was olde
Irene's POVThe messenger came during breakfast.A young omega, nervous and fidgeting, approached our table with downcast eyes. She looked like she would rather be anywhere else in the world than standing before us with whatever news she carried."Alpha Karson." She bowed low. "Miss Lexie sent me.
Irene's POVLucas arrived the next morning.I heard the commotion at the gate and knew it was him before I even saw the car. Something about the way the guards relaxed told me it wasn't a threat.He found me in the garden, watching the children practice their shifting with Ken. They were getting be







