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
Eamon’s POV“Yes, and then when I told him to… he…”My voice trails off as I realize the person I’m talking to is not listening to me at all. His gaze is thoroughly distracted to something on the dance floor. Glancing around me, I realize that he is not the only one.Nearly everyone in the room is l
Cara’s POVAs the elders swarm around Alaric, I use the opportunity to back out and away from that group.Glancing around, I spot my brothers gathered around at one table in the corner. Knowing I’d be more comfortable there, surrounded by family, I point my feet that way and start walking.Along the
“We are,” I said. “Tomorrow. Let’s do something tomorrow. We can bring the kids.”“Cara…” He seemed like he wanted to say more but held himself back.I was too tired to try to discern his meaning without words. “I’ll call you later, Alaric. After a nap. We’ll talk then.”His face was tight, but he n
Noel’s POVIf trying to have an enjoyable evening with Cara was awkward for me, then this situation had to be doubly so for Alaric. I could only imagine what he must have been thinking, as the three of us walked into the kitchen.Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to think about his presence either. Wasn’
Alaric’s POVI knocked on the door to the house, unsure what kind of mood to expect from Cara today. Yet, when she opened the door, she seemed somewhat upbeat, if not a bit nervous.“Come in,” she said. “Thank you for coming.”“You don’t have to thank me,” I told her. “I’ll always be here for you. Y
Cara’s POVI was willing to do anything to get Lucy back, but this seemed like a longshot, even to me. Alaric and I had rejected each other years ago, and though some affection remained, I couldn’t imagine it would be enough to somehow heal me through our old bond.Still, Richard and Grayson were lo
Cara’s POVI tried to put the encounter with Alaric out of my mind, but it stayed with me even after I left the restaurant, and further into the week.As an Alpha, and as my former mate, Alaric had instincts to protect me that were stronger than most and hard to ignore. When I felt dizzy, he’d moved
Cara’s POVAfter the brunch, when the other contenders and I went our separate ways, I was left feeling a combination of annoyed and vulnerable.I still felt some jealousy about how that one wolf was talking about Alaric. All that she knew about him was that he was handsome, which was true, but she
Cara’s POVThe next morning, at the brunch for the contenders of the Global Princess Competition, I arrived early, wanting to make a good first impression. Yet, even though I arrived early, I still seemed to be one of the last few to arrive.The others all turned to look at me as I shuffled through
Cara’s POV“Alaric,” I said with shock, surprised beyond all reason to see him standing there. I had been so convinced at the restaurant that I had dreamed him, that I had insisted Noel take me home early. I’d been too rattled to eat.Yet he was here. That could have genuinely been him I saw through
Alaric’s POVI should have known when Aidan told me where to find Cara, that he would be setting me up for disaster. Yet my foolish heart had longed to see her regardless and went along with what Aidan directed, hoping to catch sight of her.And I had. Through the window of the fancy restaurant, I s