“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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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
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