Cara’s POV“So soon?”I ask, though I suppose, in hindsight, it really isn’t that soon. I’ve been working as the pack Beta for a time, doing a good job behind the scenes.“You’ve made significant contributions to the pack collaboration,” Eamon says. “It would be a disservice to you to not be properl
Alaric’s POVWork has kept me busy these past few days, tying me to my office and my desk more than I would otherwise like.But proposals needed approved and papers needed signed. Though my heart remained in BloodyMoon pack lands, I couldn’t abandon all of my responsibilities to pursue it.Besides,
It was all just a dream. A horrible nightmare, reminding me of my many mistakes of the past.If I didn’t go through with the wedding…If I had accepted my feelings for Cara, keeping her close rather than pushing her away…If I hadn’t driven her to run away from me…Maybe our child would still be ali
Cara’s POVAs the revelation of my identity as Aylon won’t be revealed until much later this evening, I dress in my less elaborate beta work clothes for the beginning of the festivities.In the morning, and most of the afternoon, I will be assisting with the preparations and behind the scenes work a
Cara’s POVEamon had such kind words for me and my dress, but he himself is also stunning in his white fitted suit with golden trim along the collar and cuffs.He wore a red vest under his white jacket, with a golden crest of the BloodyMoon pack emblazoned upon it.The gold in the white gives him a
For better or worse, that spotlight is about to come for me.As Eamon and I stand backstage behind the curtain, Alaric and his beta John approach from the other side.When Alaric spots me, he stops, stunned by the sight of me.Alaric:"...Cara?!"His eyes are slightly wide, his lips parting.He doesn
Alaric’s POVShock strikes through me like a lightning bolt, leaving me rooted to the spot.For a long moment, my mind is fully blank, as I take in the sight and the words of the host.Cara… is Aylon Auburn?She is the BloodyMoon beta?!It doesn’t seem real. Maybe I am dreaming again. Subtly, I pinc
Alaric’s POVIn reality, I’ve only waited for Cara’s response for a handful of seconds....and yet, somehow, it still feels like forever.This is nothing but a simple request for a dance, and yet it is so much more.If she rejects me in this, perhaps she is rejecting me in every other way as well.S
Alaric’s POVI was ready to start throwing hands a minute ago, but now, seeing how quickly and resolutely the BloodyMoon pack came to Cara’s defense, I allowed myself to calm down, at least enough to sit back down and contain myself.My fury at those that had spoken against Cara remained, however, a
Cara’s POVAs we started to move about the stage, following the steps of our routine, I kept an eye on Lilia and her can of paint. I had my suspicions that it was intended for me. At a crucial moment, when we were at the front of the stage, the routine would bring us directly side by side.Perhaps t
Cara’s POVGeorgie asked me to return to my dressing room, where she arrived shortly after carrying the gown that she was supposed to be wearing that evening. On herself, she was wearing a robe.Looking at my own dress still filled me with a sense of mourning. It had been such a beautiful thing, des
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