“What did you say?” He asks severely. “Cara’s hips. They were injured when she fell in the fainting spell. She’s not permitted to have any… strenuous hip activity. No sex… for months… with anyone.” Ruby gulps and looks down as Alaric’s eyes bore into hers. “It’s… It’s all on the medical certific
Alaric I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately. I can barely recognize myself anymore. I knew Cara was a gold digger, and yet I still got involved with her. I know Cara’s body is off limits due to doctor’s orders, and yet I still go to the apartment to find her. It’s like I can’t keep myself a
On any other day, I might have stopped this gossiping. I might have told the nobles to hush and mind their own business. I might have even punished them for their words. After all, speaking like this was exactly why I exiled George. But this isn’t just one insubordinate Gamma talking. This is the
Cara “It’s… It’s gone.” Lucy’s voice is in my head. She sounds devastated. She sounds broken. “I know,” I reply to her softly. I can feel it. Whatever was left of the mate bond between Alaric and I… it’s completely and utterly gone. I look down at the birthday cake I pathetically bought fo
I’ll probably never see him again. I look at my watch and realize it’s time to head back to the office for a quick meeting. Alaric shouldn’t be there, which relaxes me a little. I haven’t seen him or Lilia in what feels like a very long time, and I’m hoping to continue that streak. As I walk out
Cara The instant Lilia says the word “pregnant,” I know that my escape plan is in danger. That my baby might be in danger. I pretend I didn’t hear her words and rush out of the office. I have to see Ruby. I need to know my baby is okay after Lilia tripped me and I fell. I need to see an obstet
Whatever he’s up to, I don’t have time to deal with it right now. I turn and nearly run down the hall before he can stop me again. “...Thank you!” I hear him yell behind me. Just as Ruby and I had discussed, I return to the apartment. I’m thankful I took the time to pack everything up earlier.
Cara's POV This is it. Alaric’s wedding day is finally here. My mind is racing with thoughts of my escape plan, the plan that Ruby and I hatched to get me out of Pack DarkWood and away from Alaric. I’m running through my mental checklist, pulling my fiery red hair into a ponytail when my phone
Cara’s POV I suddenly feel overwhelmingly tired of all the charades, of all the attempts to keep Ethan a secret from Alaric. I can keep this up no longer. I can hide my child no longer. If Alaric hadn’t known for certain about my two children by now, after the science competition, then he surely
“Do not speak ill of the Bedfords! They are the only family trying to uphold the decency that Pack DarkWood used to hold so dear!” the old woman replies. “I will speak however I wish!” Alaric yells at her. “Show such insubordination once more and you will sincerely regret it!” At this, the old w
Cara’s POV I stare at Alaric as the young nurse who spoke up for me, the orphan who was also raised in the Pack House, speaks in my defense. “They don’t believe me! They think she’s lying, that she hasn’t helped our pack,” the young woman pleads to Alaric and his Beta, John. “You doubt the wor
Cara’s POV “I come here to this hospital, to your pack, not as a princess, but as a mother,” I say to the group of angry nurses and staff. A small crowd of between fifteen and twenty people stand before me, circled around. They had been mocking me, chastising me for my arrogance and royal lineag
I stay calm, determined not to let their comments upset me. “There must be some sort of misunderstanding. I’m looking for some water—” “Good luck finding it!” a she-wolf staff member says bitterly. “We only have the lowly water, not the kind good enough for royalty. You’ll find no water here for y
Cara’s POV "Is it time yet? Can we go?" Mia shouts excitedly. "Not yet. We need to finish getting ready," I respond for at least the tenth time. "We’re going to DarkWood today!! And Ethan gets to come, too!" Mia exclaims. All morning, she’s been so excited about her hospital appointment in P
Alaric’s POV I’m up late again. Working. Again. It’s no surprise, really. It’s practically my new routine: wake up, work, eat, work, eat again, work again… and so on, every day a continuation and repetition of the last. “We’ve heard back from BloodyMoon about the project proposal, Alpha King,
Cara’s POV My first instinct is to deny Ryan’s words, to claim that I never, under any circumstances, would ever consider getting with Alaric ever again. But when I look over and see my brother’s serious face, his expression so open and supportive, I swallow anything I was about to say. Ryan,
Cara’s POV The surprise of the voice completely shattered the moment that had been occurring between Alaric and I. Snapping from my gaze, I turned in the direction of the voice. As more words rang out, I started to recognize the identity of the speaker. “You and your rude, arrogant child shoul