“What do you want?!” Alaric says, voice strained. *** Ruby's POV I need a fucking break. Cara’s surgery took longer than expected. Way longer. If I would’ve known… I never could’ve predicted… I never should have helped her with that stupid plan. The stupid plan that almost got her kille
Richard's POV I’ve been sitting at Cara’s bedside for hours, trading watch with Ruby. She takes a shift watching Cara while I take care of my actual patients at the hospital, then we switch, and she sees patients while I watch Cara. It leaves little time for much else, like sleeping. But Cara
... ... SIX YEARS LATER. *** Alaric’s POV “Where are those reports I asked for?” I speak to my Beta, my former butler. After that disaster of a wedding and Cara’s accident, I had a hard time than usual trusting anyone. I promoted my butler, reasoning that he at least had been with me lon
Eamon's POV If the last six years have taught me anything, it’s that Cara and Lilia are nothing alike. Lilia was a princess in every sense of the word. She loved to be doted upon, loved to be the center of attention. Cara couldn’t be more different. Cara almost never thinks of herself. She’s
“Yes, please, make yourself comfortable.” I do as he instructs, keeping a curious eye on him. “Walter is retiring,” he says simply. I nod, unsurprised. Walter has been the BloodyMoon Beta since Eamon’s father was Alpha King. My father. Even now, six years later, it still takes me a second to
Cara's POV Today we're having a family party. Or rather... a family meeting that mix business and pleasure. We’re having a barbeque in the backyard, and the sound of Mia and Ethan’s laughter in the background warms my heart. The Arbun family is very nice. No matter what comes their way, they t
Colin says, “How can we ask this of Cara? As Beta, she’d likely encounter their Alpha King at some point.” “Wait, Cara’s Beta now?” Landon asks in surprise. He should be second in line to the throne by birth, but leadership never interested his free spirit. “Amazing what you miss when you’re gon
Eamon’s POV Alaric is a real prick with Cara,but he's definitely a great king. I’m not surprised that Cara made the right choice to reopen diplomatic relations with Pack DarkWood. It only makes sense to continue a business relationship with such a strong pack. It’s just one more drop in a sea
Cara’s POVThe night of the opening ceremony came much quicker than anyone would have liked. Even me. I’d been preparing as best I could for the events, and spending as much time with Alaric whenever possible to help revitalize Lucy.So far, I mostly just felt tired, not prepared, and Lucy remained
Cara’s POVKissing Alaric was as easy as breathing, especially when, after a moment, he gently opened his mouth and accepted my waiting tongue. His hands clenched at my waist, tugging me closer as he licked along the side of my tongue with his own before chasing mine back into my mouth and deepening
Alaric’s POVRuby’s request for a physical seemed to come rather suddenly after I picked up Cara from the rehearsal and brought her home, but I wasn’t one to ignore a healer’s orders, especially when she claimed she wanted to check me to see if they could pinpoint some medical ways I could help Cara
Cara’s POVLater, as all the girls were being fitted for our gowns for the opening ceremony, Ruby surprised me by walking into my dressing room. I was in my gown, with the tailor marking where to make the hem at my feet.The gown needed some work yet. It was much too small in the chest, and far too
Cara’s POVI moved without even realizing it. One minute, I was on the stage. The next, I was down near the exit, standing beside Alaric. My hand clutched Lilia’s by the wrist, as I pried her touch away from his chest.Both Alaric and Lilia seemed surprised by my sudden appearance. A few breaths lat
Alaric’s POVTrue to my word, I stuck to Cara’s side as much as I could. It was no great ask to keep my arm slung around her waist, her torso pressed into my side.The kids looked at us strangely, but seemed otherwise pleased with themselves, like they had somehow facilitated this. I didn’t know how
Cara’s POVWhen we arrived back at my house, I knew it was only a matter of time before Alaric started talking me out of my desire to stay in the competition. His protective instincts were fierce, even though he clearly had been trying to fight them lately. I knew he wouldn’t be able to hold back at
Cara’s POV“There’s no need to be a bitch, Cara,” said one of the nearby wolves.“She’s learning. You didn’t pick up positioning on your first time either,” said another.“I’m starting to think you are just jealous,” said a third.Those wolves, the ones who had come to hate me anyway for reasons I d
“He’s not worth the trouble you could get into,” he said.I didn’t know if that was true, but for Cara’s sake, and the sake of the kids, I’d keep myself from getting locked away in jail.For now.With Lilia on the loose, I couldn’t afford to be away from them for even a day. Not even an afternoon.“