LOGINKarson's POV
The forest was different at night.
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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 reports kept getting worse.Every hour, scouts returned with new intelligence. More wolves joining the enemy alliance. More reinforcements arriving at Marcus's camp. More reasons to believe we were facing impossible odds."Iron Claw has sent an additional fifty warriors," Ken report
Irene's POV
Irene's POVThe battle was over.The cleanup was just beginning.Bodies littered the ground around the warehouse. Ours and theirs, tangled together in death. Warriors moved through the carnage, separating friend from foe, carrying the wounded to the infirmary.I should have gone to rest. Should hav
Irene's POVThe morning started like any other.Training exercises in the courtyard. Supply inventories to review. Patrol reports to analyze. The routine of war preparation had become almost normal.Almost.Ken found me near the training grounds, his expression troubled."Princess. We have a situat







