Karl's POV
The moment Alpha Joseph's voice crackled through the phone with orders to attack, I made two immediate decisions. First, I was going to kiss Adaline properly before leaving. Second, I needed to get Lincoln up to speed immediately.
Adaline had been sharing my room since her arrival, though she'd barely gotten any real sleep. I loved having her curled up next to me, feeling her warmth against my side. I wanted to give her time to know me, to feel safe with me before we completed our mating bond. Now I truly understood Joseph's agony waiting to mark Dorothy. The urge was driving Curtis absolutely wild, but we both knew Adaline was exhausted from everything she'd been through.
But now I was heading into battle, and I couldn't leave without kissing my mate goodbye.
"What's happening?" Adaline asked as I finished rousing Lincoln and telling him I needed to talk.
