LOGINKarson's POV
The days blurred together.
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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"Here it is," Anna opened the door to my office and I walked in. In such a short time they had managed to create a space for me. It wasn't like my old one, but with how fast they cleaned up, it was like I never left.It was just a desk, vase, couch at one corner, TV on the wall and some files
KARSON"I still can't believe Irene is back here and she has pups," Ralph said by my side as we walked into the Arena where my warriors were hanging out, shirtless and flexing their muscles in competition."You think she can handle it? I mean it's a lot to take in, the pack too. They won't go easy
IRENEIt was just the first day and I was already hanging by a thread but it turned out alright in the end. They agreed to give me a chance, each warning me not to mess things up.With my past record as Luna, they knew they could count on me to win everyone over again, but what would truly seal the
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







