Kara's POV "Theo, where is Sam?" Worry laced my voice as we halted, glancing back to find Sam conspicuously absent. She had been behind us a moment ago.Theo's eyes darted around in a panic, his gaze searching for her among the shadows."Stay in the car. I'll go get her," he commanded abruptly, releasing my hand."No," I asserted, my voice tinged with determination as I followed his every move. I didn't want him to go back there alone. What if those psychos attacked him?"Damn it, Kara! Listen to me. Stay in the car and wait. This is not your fight." His frustration boiled over, his anger cutting through the night air.I recoiled at the venom in his words, but my resolve remained unshaken. "I'm not backing down. I'm going with you."He sighed in exasperation, his eyes revealing a mix of concern and warning. "You have no idea what you're up against. This battle is not meant for someone like you. Don't follow me."Confusion swirled within me, my mind reeling. What did he mean by "someon
Caden's POVThe air was thick with tension, suffocating and dizzying. A slight headache crept up, making it even harder to bear the voices that argued in the room. They irritated me, pushed me to the edge. Every fiber of my being screamed for me to leave, to escape this stifling atmosphere. But I was trapped; I couldn't go."The rogue could have easily come from the community of rogues residing on the opposite side of the city, beyond the pack's boundaries," Roman, the chairperson of the council, asserted while eying me with determination. "Have you dispatched your men there to investigate? Or are you merely dismissing this because you failed at your work?"I couldn't help but scoff. I saw through his intentions clearly. He never missed an opportunity to undermine my authority or question my decisions in the past and it made me loathe the man. It was evident that he conveniently disregarded my explicit statement that this rogue was different and nothing like the rogues who lived just b
Kara's POV I stood by my car, my eyes fixed on the old cabin that was meant to be my new home. The sight of its deteriorated state sent a wave of anxiety sweeping through me, making me more nervous than I already was.The once vibrant paint on the exterior was now peeling off in huge chunks, revealing the worn-out wood beneath. It was evident that the cabin had been abandoned for a long time.With cautious steps, I approached the front door, clutching my sweater tightly. I reached out and grasped the corroded doorknob, half-expecting it to crumble in my hand but to my surprise,it was still steady. I pushed the door open and a gust of dust whooshed past me.The dusty air assaulted my lungs as I stepped into the cabin, triggering a fit of coughing that echoed through the empty rooms. I hastily covered my mouth with my sleeve, trying to shield myself from the suffocating air that wafted around.Casting a weary glance around, I realized the task at hand was more intimidating than I had a
Caden's POV The night was serene. Just how I liked it. No howling winds or the night animals; just the calmness.The tranquility always helped me think clearly; or maybe it offered the peace that had proved hard to come by. Denise watched me with hooded eyes as her long fingers glided over my bare chest, drawing lazy circles on my torso. My muscles flexed and rippled with her touch and my desire grew immensely. I closed the distance and pinned her on the bed kissing her until she lay beneath me. Her erratic pulse emboldened me as our lips moved in sync and she arched her hips rubbing her front against mine encouraging me further. I didn't want to hold back. I wanted to devour her. Ravage her. But I knew exactly what I had to do. I begrudgingly broke the kiss and nuzzled my lips in her neck heart pounding hard in my chest. My canines extended and I sank my teeth on her neck earning a soft gasp from her. And just like before I failed to mark her. "Are you alright?" she whispered, her
Kara's POV I drove down the deserted street, the rain pounding against the windshield and making it difficult to see. It was eerily quiet. The only sound was the hum of the engine and the swish of the wipers as they cleared the raindrops from the glass. I felt a sense of unease as I looked around, taking in the empty buildings and darkened storefronts. Where was everyone? Seeking refuge from the rain, I hurriedly parked my car and rushed towards the store. As I stepped inside, the soothing warmth enveloped me, providing solace from the tempest outside. The quietness of the store was a stark contrast to the raging storm, and I found myself instinctively humming along to the soft background music that floated through the aisles. Grocery shopping alone felt peculiar, as it was something Aurora had always taken charge of. I had longed for these simple outings, but she had adamantly refused each time, causing me to eventually abandon my requests. Filling my shopping cart with the nece
Caden's POV The day couldn't get any worse.Restless and overwhelmed, I found myself pacing incessantly in my study, my mind teetering on the brink of madness. The weight of responsibilities pressed down on me, squeezing the life out of my sanity. It was as if I were trapped in an ever-tightening vice, unable to escape the suffocating grip of my obligations.A million tasks called for attention, yet I couldn't seem to concentrate on any of them. The more I tried to focus, the more my thoughts scattered, further fueling my frustration.Taking a deep breath, I attempted to steady myself, to reclaim control over my racing thoughts and emotions. But the respite was short-lived, as anger and disgust at my own perceived inadequacy surged through my veins. How had I allowed myself to become ensnared in this web of stress and despair?With clenched fists, I abruptly rose from my chair and strode toward the window, peering out into the darkness that shrouded the world. The night, a deep velvet
Kara's POV Life had never been an easy journey for me; that much I knew all too well.Ever since I could remember, Aurora had shouldered the responsibility of raising me alone, after my mother's death. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for her, watching her struggle to fill a role she believed she didn't deserve. She often reminded me that she was only doing what her dear friend had asked of her. Yet, her actions spoke louder than words, as she poured her heart and soul into raising me, always putting my needs before her own. But as the years went by, a lingering feeling of unease settled within me. There was an underlying mystery to my existence, something that Aurora seemed determined to shield me from. Her unwavering protectiveness became increasingly apparent as I hit puberty, keeping me away from the outside world, depriving me of friendships and experiences that were deemed normal to others. It left me wondering why she insisted on this seclusion. Were we running
Kara's POV Standing in the doorway of the old cabin, I couldn't believe how different it looked.The once dirty and cluttered space now exuded an inviting and cozy atmosphere. Though not yet perfect, the improvements were remarkable, and it was a far cry from the state in which I had found it. It had become a home for me and I was grateful for that simple fact.With a quick motion, I gathered my long black hair and tied it up into a loose ponytail. My gaze shifted from the interior of the cabin to the window beside me. A small, weathered mirror was attached to the windowsill, reflecting my image. I couldn't help but be confronted by the reflection staring back at me—a mere shadow of the person I used to be. The toll of recent events had left its mark, draining the vibrancy from my once-bright blue eyes and leaving behind prominent dark circles that spoke of sleepless nights and inner struggles. Taking a deep breath, I slipped on my trusty old shoes, their familiar shape reminding me