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 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
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 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
Aria’s POVHow was it, even after all this time, after all this distance, after all the hurt that sat piled up between us – I still so easily fell back into Lucian’s web.I wanted to be stronger, to be harder, and keep up the walls with him, yet every time we’d been around each other, he seemed to s
Alaric’s POVEmbarrassed by my own hesitation, I immediately put aside my own guilt and inched closer to Cara. When she whimpered again, my heart lurched. Unable to hold myself back even a moment longer, I leaned down and scooped her into my arms.Gently, I turned her toward me, cradling her head an
Cara’s POVAfter speaking with the commission’s assistants, I was able to convince them to let me have an audience with the full commission for the next day. The assistant didn’t outright say so, but I felt as if they had been expecting my call. Everything felt very prepared, especially being able t
“How was your day today?” he asked as he casually approached me in the kitchen. I had the fridge open, but I avoided the wine today, grabbing some apple juice instead. When he saw what I was holding, he seemed to relax marginally. “Better, I hope.”“Better,” I told him, though I was still nervous ab
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
Alaric’s POV“Lilia?” Eamon asked with disbelief. “The same Lilia who kidnapped my niece and tried to kill my sister?”I wished I had a different answer for him than the one I had. “Yes. The very same.”“How? How is any of this possible?” Eamon insisted.“She used to be a princess,” I said, the same