LOGINKarson'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."
IRENEMy thoughts went dead and my heart stopped at the news. I tried to make sense of what I was hearing. Did I mishear?"What did you say?" I turned my gaze to Karson who looked very uncomfortable, biting his mouth and gripping the wheels."I said the kids are at… Lexie's."I looked out the window, wa
KARSONI watched Irene storm out of the house without another word. Alpha Lucas tagged along with the kids clinging to his body like they couldn't get enough of him. The little ones seemed to share an attachment to him.I didn't want her to leave just yet, but after that scary speech to Lexi who hadn'
IRENE I looked out the window as Alpha Lucas pulled out from the driveway of the restaurant we stopped to have lunch in. I bit my nails as my thoughts wandered without much effort.Karson's visit this morning was yet to leave my thoughts and I couldn't stop or kick out the nervous feeling in my chest
Just when Irene thought her time with Alpha's and Karson were over, she found herself driving down to the conference hall again, alone this time.Alpha Lucas and his Beta were too swamped up in their duties and the next person they could rely on was her.Times like this she wondered if she should curs







