Cara’s POV I’m in Alaric’s car and he’s driving Mia and I to the DarkWood hospital. The car was speeding, but Mia's expression and the pain on her face changed even faster. All I could do is gently stroke her hair. I admit, I was really worried about my daughter—so very worried—but I couldn’t
Cara’s POV The medical team takes Mia for full body scans and more extensive tests. The doctor explains that he has some ideas for treatment options, but they need more data before they can start. “We gave her medicine to make her comfortable, but there’s still so much we don’t know yet. This wi
Alaric’s POV The doctors call Cara back into Mia’s room for an update, and I’m left in the waiting room alone with my thoughts. My butler called me. “Sir, Eamon Arbun and his brothers have arrived at the hospital.” I asked, “No other men? Has anyone else applied to enter DarkWood?” He replie
Husband? He thinks Cara has a husband? Did she say something like that to him…? “You’ll be lucky to be gone by the time he’s here,” I hear my brother Colin say quickly. Colin?! Colin is usually so calm and mature. He’s the quiet one! What’s he playing at, lying to Alaric like this? I sho
Cara’s POV I watch as Mia’s little red wolf body breathes in and out, chest rising and lowering at a slow, peaceful pace. We’ve been at the hospital for a few days in a row now, but I don’t remember the last time I left Mia’s side. I’ve been here watching over each test, each medication, eac
After he leaves, I lean my head back and close my eyes for what feels like only a moment. It must be longer than that though because when I wake there are two nurses in the room providing medicine to a still sleeping Mia. “Oh, sorry to wake you, dear,” the older she-wolf nurse says to me when sh
Cara’s POV In order to manage my responsibilities, I take turns watching over Mia at the Pack DarkWood hospital, switching with Ruby or my assistant so that I can return to BloodyMoon for official business, as well as to care for my son Ethan. Once the doctors get Mia stabilized and shifted back
Eamon’s POV "Cheers to so many years of serving your pack with pride and honor! To Walter!" "Cheers to Walter!" The fifty or so partygoers join me in toasting Walter, my longtime Beta and friend. Walter has served Pack BloodyMoon for decades, acting as my father’s Beta before I took the throne
None of them seemed even remotely guilty. They were all entirely confident, I could see it in their eyes.Only Lilia wore a different expression. When no one else could see her but me, she seemed smug, smirking. She pointed to a nearby camera.“I’ve been on camera this entire time, too, if you don’t
Cara’s POVIn my mind, there could only be one person responsible for this: Lilia.The beautiful embroidery, torn out. The rainbow-shimmering lace, in tatters.It had been such a gorgeous dress, a true work of art.To see it destroyed like this sent an icy chill down through my veins. This was worse
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