“It’s not what it looks like, Cara. Please. Just hear me out.”“I’m not sure what else it could be,” she says. “It’s very clear what was happening, even from this distance.”“This is a misunderstanding,” I say, very aware of how closely Colin is observing the scene. He looks ready to intervene at a
Alaric’s POVFury, regret, and guilt all filling me at once, I turn on Melinda. She’s looking at the door, where Cara just disappeared through, and smirking like this has all worked out for her in the best possible way.My anger intensifies. Who is she to show up and interfere in my life like this?
Alaric’s POVComing off the elevator, I walk briskly down to the room I use as an office. As I open the door, John stands from behind his makeshift desk.“Welcome back, Alpha,” he says, his eyes filled with curiosity, though he startles when he gazes at the woman following along behind me.The woman
“DuskWood needs heirs, Alpha,” says another elder. “You were attacked recently. We could have lost you. Without an heir, the entire pack would have been thrust into chaos. Surely you can understand that.”“Cara is the mate I want,” I say. “I will not be pushed into choosing another.”“Melinda is a g
Alaric’s POVThe first thing I do, after hanging up with the elders, is tell John, “Book a flight for Melinda and get her to the airport.”I don’t acknowledge her at all, even when she stands from the couch and attempts to approach me.“We should talk about this,” she says. “The elders agree making
Cara’s POVMelinda seems stricken by Alaric’s words.“The elders prefer me for you,” she says. “You heard it from them yourself. How can you continue to be so stubborn?”“The elders will not be making my life choices for me, especially not in board rooms without me even being present. And for you to
“Go, Melinda,” Alaric says. “Now.”Melinda looks like she wants to argue, but in the end, with a huff, she spins and storms away. “You’ll regret this, Alaric!” she calls back over her shoulder. “I would have given you everything!”“I didn’t ask for it,” he replies.I linger too long in my indecision
Alaric’s POVI stare at Cara, simultaneously blindsided and stunned by her words. How can this be?Our children are alive? Ethan and Mia are our children?“But they seem so much younger,” I say. “Mia is so small…”“They were premature,” Cara explains. “Some of the trauma from the accident affected t
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
Cara’s POVI moved without even realizing it. One minute, I was on the stage. The next, I was down near the exit, standing beside Alaric. My hand clutched Lilia’s by the wrist, as I pried her touch away from his chest.Both Alaric and Lilia seemed surprised by my sudden appearance. A few breaths lat
Alaric’s POVTrue to my word, I stuck to Cara’s side as much as I could. It was no great ask to keep my arm slung around her waist, her torso pressed into my side.The kids looked at us strangely, but seemed otherwise pleased with themselves, like they had somehow facilitated this. I didn’t know how
Cara’s POVWhen we arrived back at my house, I knew it was only a matter of time before Alaric started talking me out of my desire to stay in the competition. His protective instincts were fierce, even though he clearly had been trying to fight them lately. I knew he wouldn’t be able to hold back at
Cara’s POV“There’s no need to be a bitch, Cara,” said one of the nearby wolves.“She’s learning. You didn’t pick up positioning on your first time either,” said another.“I’m starting to think you are just jealous,” said a third.Those wolves, the ones who had come to hate me anyway for reasons I d
“He’s not worth the trouble you could get into,” he said.I didn’t know if that was true, but for Cara’s sake, and the sake of the kids, I’d keep myself from getting locked away in jail.For now.With Lilia on the loose, I couldn’t afford to be away from them for even a day. Not even an afternoon.“
Alaric’s POVCara wasn’t at her desk and no one knew where she’d gone. Worry flooded through me until, after sending her a text, I received one back.At rehearsal. Will talk after.I didn’t know if that meant she had seen Lilia, but I hoped not. I wanted to be the one to break the news gently, after