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 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
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
Together, Alaric and I head back to the living room. I feel useless again, and rub my hands together in agitation and worry.Maybe I should make some coffee? But I already feel like I could buzz right out of my skin. I don’t think adding caffeine to the mix would help anything. In fact, it would pro
Cara’s POVI’m going to kiss Alaric. Out of relief, out of gratitude, and because I want to. I’m almost entranced, in a daze with how much I want to press my lips to his.Yet, with only a sliver between us, my phone starts to ring and I pause.The ringer is loud from my pocket, and it works as somet
The wound needs tending anyway. I can’t deny the thought of Cara being the one to nurse me fills me with warmth.“Okay,” I tell her, and let her lead me to the bathroom.Eamon’s POVHearing the report of my sister’s attack, I jump to my feet. How could this be? How could security be so lax around he
Alaric’s POVIn my rush to save Cara, I didn’t see the attacker, only the knife. That is my greatest regret in this situation, especially as I lean up to give Cara a once-over, making sure she is unharmed. She’s healthy, but trembling, likely afraid.Who wouldn’t be, when they just had a knife flyin
Alaric’s POVColin just stares at me, which only adds to my worry, which makes me frustrated as well.“If I need to protect Cara, I’d like to know what from,” I say, pressing.Colin presses his lips hard together. Then, finally, he speaks, “We don’t know. I’ve conferred with Eamon on this already th
What am I going to do? Invite Alaric in? After what happened last time, I don’t trust myself near Alaric, alone, at night. Especially when I’m so nervous. It would be so easy for him to offer me an embrace. It would be even easier for me to fall into it and not want to leave.No. Right now, I need s
Cara’s POVNoel continues to look at me with confusion and growing concern. “Cara, are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost?”“Was anyone at the door when you started to come up the sidewalk?” I ask him.“I don’t know, I’m sorry,” he says. “The flowers are kind of in the way.” He smiles a lit
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