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
Cara’s POV Without a second thought, I block Alaric’s new phone number immediately. And while I’m at it, I decide to block Matthew Bedford’s contact information, too. After that ridiculous proposal Matthew tried in the hospital the other day, he’s been trying to reach me constantly. I’ve ignor
“Ah, the life of a jet-setting international playboy,” Eamon says mockingly. Landon sighs, being sarcastically dramatic, “Yes, it’s a tough life, but someone’s got to do it!” We all laugh together, enjoying the comfortable silliness for what may prove to be the last time in who knows how long.
Cara’s POV I’m awash with relief when Dr. Marlow finally tells me that Mia is permitted to go back home. I whisper my thanks up towards the Goddess, not sure if my prayers had helped my daughter, but I figure it’s worth a shot either way. I gather up Mia’s belongings and get my daughter safely i
Alaric’s POV “Go to her, sir. If you only just tell her how you feel, you can explain—” my Beta’s voice is fast and pleading. I cut John off, not letting him finish his suggestion. It’s preposterous anyway. It would do no good, there would be no use in discussing the situation with Cara further.
Cara’s POV Alaric’s features instantly harden at my question. “Do you...love me?” I asked him. For every moment that passes without a response, it’s as if the question continues to echo around us, endlessly repeating. His mouth forms a hard line, and he looks down at the ground, folding his ha
He raised his hand and grasped my shoulder. With his scorching warmth. I’m forced to face him, staring directly into his eyes. He’s clearly angry. "Tell me, Cara, why did you choose that bastard?" Alaric roare. "What’s the point of marrying a guy who isn’t there when his wife and daughter need h
Cara’s POV I watch my daughter’s chest rise and fall in a slow and steady rhythm, sleep finally taking a firm and well-deserved hold on her. My head is spinning with complicated emotions. This isn’t the first time Mia has asked me to give her a Daddy. I know her little heart yearns for a father…
Leaving only the roses, still in their place. I merely stare at him as he walks away, not bothering to respond. “Thank you,” I say quietly to Alaric. “He was quite… insistent…” I say. Alaric cocks an eyebrow at me. He opens his mouth to speak, but is interrupted by Dr. Marlow, who sticks her h
Cara’s POV Somehow there were enough people present in the hospital on this night to witness this completely out-of-nowhere proposal. The sound of applause and “Awww”’s fills my ears. “How romantic!” someone shouts. Is this really happening. Hapeening when my daughter’s life and humanity is