Cara’s POV I pull away from Alaric, but his hand still grips my wrist. “Let me go,” I say to him. “Wait, Cara—,” Alaric starts to say, not letting go. His fingers are squeezing into my skin, and my arm starts to feel uncomfortable. I look up at his face and see the firm stare in his eyes, bu
“You’re right, you can handle that, I’m sure of it.” Ruby shoots me a sweetly supportive smile. “But that sounds like a tough day. Do you want to tell me more?” “I think I was able to show the Pack House my true intentions, and that I’m not just helping them to boost my ego or image. So that’s one
Alaric’s POV I’ve become someone I don’t even recognize. “Today is September 19 -Alaric.” Cara doesn’t respond to my text message. Then I realize: the other times Cara hasn’t responded, it was on account of her husband. When Aylon Auburn blocked my number on Cara’s phone, that wasn’t her own
Cara’s POV “Excellent work!” “Yes, great job as usual!” “We knew we could count on you!” I’m in a pack business meeting with my brothers Eamon and Colin, as well as some of the other Pack BloodyMoon nobles and leadership. Eamon just announced that a deal I’d been hard at work to negotiate
Cara’s POV “But why? Why you leave us, Ruby?” I ask my best friend, deeply saddened by her news. “I hate to do it, Cara. But I must. I must go. For Mia.” Ruby says simply. “For Mia?” I ask, confused. How could Ruby leaving help Mia? Mia loves her Auntie Ruby. I imagine what it will be like t
Ruby’s POV “The Bedfords, all of them, supported Lilia and her attempts to become Pack DarkWood’s Luna,” my best friend Cara’s voice was quiet. Trying to prevent children from hearing our words, my voice quiet too: "Oh, that's so disgusting." Then I casually throw the photo aside and never loo
“You do?” I whisper back, looking behind me, checking that neither Cara nor Mia are around to overhear this discussion. There’s no sign of either of them. Ethan nods. “So, what will you do when you’re in DarkWood? Remember that’s where your science competition will be. What will you do if he is
Cara’s POV It’s the day of Ethan’s science competition, and all of us are eager to see how Ethan fares. There’s a large crowd gathered, well over a hundred people. The competitors are a mixture of children from Packs BloodyMoon and DarkWood. At only six years old, Ethan is by far the youngest ch
When it gets to be nighttime, I take the kids up to their rooms, where after changing into their pajamas and brushing their teeth, settle into their beds for sleep. I tuck them in and read them a bedtime story one at a time, starting with Mia and then heading into Ethan’s room.Ethan, on the cusp of
Cara’s POVAlaric walks me to the door, and then I usher the kids inside, feeling better when they are no longer out in the open. Then, Alaric looks at me, not like he expects anything from me, but more that he is worried to leave me on my own.Is it the fear he saw in me that makes him want to stay
Cara’s POVIf I wasn’t so jumpy, I might not have accepted Alaric’s invitation to escort me to the daycare and then to home, but as it is, I’m very pleased to have the company.I’m still not sure how I feel about dating Alaric. With how nervous I’ve been, I haven’t had room in my thoughts to truly c
It helps solidify in my mind what I have to do.She doesn’t want security, and will likely take offense to me going behind her back in such a way. She wouldn’t be happy with what my second-choice backup is, either. Still, this one is a bit more subtle, and she’d likely end up enjoying it more.I wal
Cara’s POVNothing happens to me in the stairwell, but the nerves stay with me until I exit out onto the main floor.By now, I’m breathing heavily, my chest rising and falling in great heaves. It’s not from the physical exertion, even without my wolf I can handle more of a workout than this. This is
Eamon’s POVWith anyone else, I would doubt my ears. With this bunch, I can fully believe what I’m hearing. Though, the full agreement of the women among the group surprises me.Do they really believe it’s impossible for a woman to be a Beta, when they themselves are proud and capable?They nod alon
Cara’s POV“Cara, it’s so lovely to see you,” Noel says. He stands as I near the table. “Sit. Join us! I’m sure the waitress will bring another menu.”They’ve already finished their meal, but I would refuse anyway. I didn’t come here to be chummy with Noel. I came to talk with Landon.“No, thank you
Alaric’s POVThe pack elders are still in town and are eager to meet with me. I’m not sure why I thought I would find some resistance with them, perhaps because my plan lacks any true timeline, yet when I walk into that hotel banquet room that has been arranged as a meeting room space, they all stan
A title she should have been given from the start.I need to not just not repeat the mistakes of my past, but also to correct them. I can only do that from here.“Sir?” John asks, and I realize how long I’ve kept him waiting for a reply.“Delay our return for at least another day, John,” I say. “I’l