Alaric’s POVWith Cara gone, I feel no more reason to stay at the event. It seems to be winding down now anyway, with only a few couples lingering on the dance floor and a small group hanging out by the dessert table. Most of the guests have already departed.Ignoring Noel entirely, I say my goodbye
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
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
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
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 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
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 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
Cara’s POV“Name it,” Alaric said.“You can’t treat me any differently once you find out the truth,” I told him. “And our current arrangement can’t change. You still need to give DuskWood pack the most attention.”“Those are big requests you are making of me,” he said, “Before I even know what the s
Alaric’s POV“Cara needs a specialist?” I asked, approaching Eamon and Landon at once.Both of them turned to me in surprise. Clearly they had thought they were speaking in private. Had they not heard the elevator open?“Oh. Alaric. It’s you,” Eamon said, recovering first. Landon continued to gape a
Cara’s POVEamon and Landon meet us when we arrive at my house. The maids had been hard at work in my absence, bringing the place back to life. Stepping inside, it felt as if we had never left it, with no sign of dust at all.Eamon came in for a hug from me first, followed quickly by Landon, then bo
I had to do both and prove myself capable. I could do it all, even if I had to stretch myself thin for a time.“Very well,” I said. “I will commute to the capital for the week, and to BloodyMoon for the weekends.”The elders seemed satisfied, but I was anything but.Already, my mind’s eye could see
Alaric’s POV“This isn’t up for debate,” I told the elder council as they all sat around the long meeting table giving me varying kinds of glares – from annoyance to frustration to worry to pity. “I will be working remotely from the BloodyMoon pack lands as I continue my pursuit of Cara.”“And she c
As Colin nodded, I rubbed a hand over my forehead. There was a migraine coming on.“The way everyone is acting with her… it’s unnerving,” I said. “I’m starting to be afraid that if I let her go, I might never see her again.” Holding Colin’s gaze, I asked him, “I will see her again, won’t I?”He didn
Alaric’s POVWatching Cara sit with Noel and Colin sent a shred of ugly jealous straight through my chest. I knew I had no reason to be jealous – not really. Despite Noel and Cara’s closeness, nothing between them indicated that they were anything more than friends.Yet… he knew her secret and I did
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t think he’ll be able to come with us right now, though I’m sure he wants to continue to spend time with all of us.”I spent more time with the kids, right up until bedtime when I tucked them in. Then I discovered that Noel was still here, sitting in the backyard with Col
Cara’s POVI couldn’t stand looking at Alaric anymore, with the hurt in his eyes, so I excused myself and went back upstairs to spend more time with the kids. After all, I’d told Alaric what I needed to say – that I was planning on returning to the BloodyMoon pack. To talk any longer might give him