Alaric’s POVNow that I know the scent to search for, I patrol with a fresh enthusiasm. Pushing back my mental and physical fatigue, I send the photo to everyone on my security team, as well as Cara’s brothers, Noel, and Cara herself.They should all know who we are dealing with. I also let them kno
The elders are a tradition carried down through the generations only out of respect. They have no real authority. It’s only by my kindness do they continue to have respect in the pack at all.If I shared what they were doing, secretly harboring an exiled wolf – what would the pack have to say about
Alaric’s POV“Why,” I say through gritted teeth, while trying to maintain some sense of my composure which was quickly slipping away, “would you ever do that?”With the secret out, the other elders seem more willing to speak openly with me. Some stay to the back, looking embarrassed and ashamed. The
Mia’s POV“Then what is your plan, Lilia?” George insists, “Because I can’t understand how kidnapping the Alpha King’s daughter isn’t going to land us in more hot water.”“Don’t you hate him too? And Cara?” Lilia asks.“Of course I do, but I also have this thing called self-preservation, that you se
Alaric’s POVAs I watch Noel hug Cara, and Cara melt into the hug, a flash of jealousy rushes through me. Immediately, I push down on it. Now isn’t the time to be concerned with my personal feelings, especially when we finally have a lead to act on.Yet, the apparent closeness between Cara and Noel
Cara’s POV“Mia?!” I call out, hoping she can hear me – hoping she knows I’m coming to save her.“Shut that brat up already,” Lilia snaps, making my blood boil. No one talks about my daughter like that. No one treats her like this!Lilia will pay for everything that she’s done. One way or the other,
Slowing down and eventually stopping, the brothers and Noel look at me in confusion, tipping their wolf heads to the side. They don’t know what I do, that there’s reason enough to be alarmed to warrant a quick stop.I quickly shift back to human form and answer the phone. “I’m in the middle of a hun
Alaric’s POVI look at Noel in confusion. Of anyone I expected to give me this kind of advice, it wasn’t him. If anything, wouldn’t he want to run to the rescue?I must be giving him a strange look, because he answers quickly.“You are Alpha,” Noel says. “Your speed is superior to any of ours. If a
Cara’s POVThe night of the opening ceremony came much quicker than anyone would have liked. Even me. I’d been preparing as best I could for the events, and spending as much time with Alaric whenever possible to help revitalize Lucy.So far, I mostly just felt tired, not prepared, and Lucy remained
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.“