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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 POVAfter the day I had, I hadn’t wanted to spend the night alone. My bed was far too big, far too empty, and my mind was still reeling, replaying all the terrible events that happened at the rehearsal.Everyone knew my secret now, it seemed. Some would undoubtedly feel pity for me, but the r
Cara’s POVWith the Global Princess Competition drawing near, I was running out of time to be able to shift into my wolf.Alaric’s closeness was helping. When I meditated now, I was so much closer to reaching Lucy. I could feel her so much closer than before. Yet, still, frustratingly, I could never
Cara’s POVWhen I had been Alaric’s lover in the past, back when we had lived together in DuskWood, Alaric as Alpha with me as his Beta, I had naturally been inclined to help take care of him. Partially, this instinct had been to fulfill my role as his Beta, but in other part, I had wanted to prove
Alaric’s POVWhen I left the airport, back in BloodyMoon pack, I anticipated having a run-in with one of Cara’s family. In fact, on the airplane, I guessed about who it would be. Someone, I knew, would want to come and talk to me about not hurting Cara again.Honestly, I’d be disappointed if no one
Cara’s POVEven though Alaric had ultimately agreed with my proposal to live together, his initial hesitation there had given me some pause. I had thought he’d be happy by the prospect of us cohabitating once more. Instead, he seemed reserved about the whole thing.I couldn’t imagine why he would fe
Cara’s POVAs soon as the words left my mouth, I watched Noel, waiting for the moment the pain struck him. I saw it, aching as his face twisted with discomfort.Quickly, he said, “I reject you too.”Then, at once, he exhaled, and the discomfort eased away. He placed his hand to his chest.“Are you a
Noel’s POVWhen Cara invited me over to talk to her, I knew that now was the time to take my shot once and for all. With the strain between Alaric and Cara that I had seen during my brief visit to her house that night, this seemed to be my only opportunity.My plan was to hear out whatever Cara want
Cara’s POVFor the rest of the time at the carnival, I felt like I was in a bliss-filled dream. Alaric, the kids, and I truly acted like a couple, and not just for show. Toward the end of the evening, Alaric even held my hand as we walked through the game stands, the kids taking turns trying their l
Cara’s POVThe longer we are at this carnival, the more I am certain that the kids were up to something. Like right now. I couldn’t prove anything, but it almost seemed like Mia dropped her ice cream cone on purpose.Alaric offered his at once, which Mia accepted. With a grin, she said, “You and Mom