Jack's first person POV I rushed toward Tamara, my heart pounding in my chest. The moment I laid eyes on her, I felt like I could breathe again. She stood there, frozen, staring at me with wide, shocked eyes. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.“Tamara,” I said, reaching out to her. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”She didn’t respond immediately. She just blinked at me, clearly rattled by what had just happened. The near-death experience, the gunshots, the danger—it was all written across her face.I remember that a few hours earlier, I had looked for her everywhere but I couldn't find her.And to my shock, that had sent a wave of panic crashing through me in a way that I hadn’t felt in years. This didn't really surprise me, because Lately, her absence made me anxious, like she would disappear one day, and someone would take her away from me. The idea of not being able to find her terrified me.I had searched the house, the pack grounds, even near the forest, but I neve
Jack's POV I let go of Richard, rushing over to her. “Tamara, are you okay? Are you hurt?” My voice was softer now, the concern leaking through despite my best efforts to stay calm. She shook her head, but she still looked confused, her eyes flicking between me and Richard. “Why didn’t you call me?” I asked, more sharply than I intended. “You were in danger. Why didn’t you call?” “I-I…” She stammered, clearly still in shock, unable to form a coherent response. “Shh, it’s okay,” I said, pulling her close, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “You’re fine now. I’ve got you.” I guided her to the car, opening the door and helping her inside. She didn’t say a word, still too stunned by everything that had happened. I could feel her shaking slightly as she settled into the seat. I turned back to Richard, who was slowly coming to, groaning as he tried to sit up. Without a word, I dragged him over to the car and shoved him into the trunk, slamming it shut. “What the hel
Jack's POV I stormed down to the dungeons, my mind spinning with anger. Richard had gone too far this time, and I wasn’t in the mood to play his games. The dungeon was cold and damp, the smell of mildew filling the air as I approached the cell where Richard was being held. He was leaning against the wall, his face bruised from our earlier fight, but the smug expression hadn’t left his face.“About time you showed up,” Richard sneered, standing up as I approached. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about me, old friend.”“I’m not here to listen to your whining,” I said coldly, stopping just outside his cell. “You’re staying here. You’re not getting out.”Richard’s eyes widened in shock. “What the hell are you talking about? Jack, you can’t leave me here! We’re supposed to be on the same side!”I crossed my arms, keeping my face stone-cold. “That was before you threatened to hurt Tamara.”His expression twisted with disbelief and anger. “This is because of that little Luna, isn’
Jack's POV I felt my heart literally drop into my stomach. “Kate, no—” “Oh, it’s true,” Kate cut me off, her voice dripping with spite. “We’ve been fucking for months behind your back and you didn't even know. The only reason I haven’t gotten pregnant before now is because I was using contraceptives. But this time, there’s no mistake. I’m carrying his child.” It was devastating to see the light in Tamara’s eyes dim as the heart wrenching betrayal sank in. She looked at me with a crushed expression her lips trembling. “Jack… is this true?” I wanted to, but I knew I couldn’t deny it. “Y-Yes, I had an affair with Kate. But it’s over, Tamara. I swear, I ended it because I realized I love you. I’ve changed. I wasn’t going to betray you.” Tamara’s face softened, as if she wanted to believe me, but anyone could see the hurt was still there. “Jack… how can you expect me to I trust you now?” Her words felt like a slap to my face but I knew she was right. How was I supposed to make
I cursed under my breath as the sound of battle rumbled in the distance. This was all happening because of me, because I wasn’t alert enough, because I didn’t see what was coming. I should’ve known, should’ve stopped it before it got this far. Now, a war was on the verge of erupting, and my pack — my people — were going to suffer because of it.Panic gripped my chest, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. There wasn’t time for regret. Right now, I had to act.Jack rushed toward me, his face pale and eyes wild. “Tamara, we have to get you out of here. You need to hide.”“Hide?” I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. “You think I’m going to hide while my people are being attacked? Are you out of your mind?”“This isn’t your fight,” Jack insisted, grabbing my arm, trying to pull me toward the back of the house. “I need to keep you safe.”I ripped my arm from his grasp, glaring at him. “This is exactly my fight! I’m not some damsel in distress you can shove into a corner while
Tamara’s POV As I strode away from the crowd, I could hear Jack’s footsteps rushing after me. My heart was pounding from all the adrenaline of almost watching my pack members get slaughtered, so I didn’t even bother to glance back at him. "Tamara!" Jack’s voice was sharp and desperate. "What the hell are you doing?" I ignored him until he grabbed my arm, halting me in my tracks. I whipped around, glaring at him. “What does it look like I’m doing, Jack? I’m handling the mess you created!” Jack’s eyes flared with disbelief. “You’re actually going to marry Alpha Dante? That monster? You can’t be serious.” He exclaimed. “Oh, I’m dead serious,” I snapped, crossing my arms. “He can’t be any worse than you. And Since when do you care anyway? Shouldn’t you be focused on your Kate now? She’s pregnant with your child, after all.” I sneered. "Don’t bring Kate into this, this is about you and me." He stepped closer, his voice lowering as if trying to seduce me. "Or have you
Tamara POV I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. The day had been way too long, and wayy too chaotic, not to mention that it was filled with way too many emotions to process. The first case was that My mind kept replaying my expected confrontation with Jack, the stares from the pack members, and the weight of everything I had just agreed to. i was Marrying Alpha Dante for goodness sake!. The same man whose name alone sent shivers down the spine of anyone who heard it. How had it come to this? I had spent years dreaming of the moment I would take control of my destiny, and now I was handing my life over to a man I barely knew. Dear goddess! I sighed, staring up at the ceiling, my fingers twisting in the sheets. Sleep was impossible. A sudden knock on the door made my heart leap into my throat. My first thought was that Jack had come to argue with me again, unable to accept that I was marrying Dante. I was not in the mood for another confrontation. I pulled myself o
Jack's POV As I stood there, watching Tamara clasp the diamond necklace around her neck, it felt like something inside me shattered. My heart was crushed, and I could barely breathe. My throat tightened, and my chest felt like it was caving in. I can't believe she's marrying him!Fucking Alpha Dante! Of all people! How could she do this to me? How could she marry him? My worst enemy, the man responsible for so much pain in my life. She didn’t even flinch when she accepted that diamond necklace. Her face was calm, even pleased. How could she be pleased when she was throwing everything we had away?I stormed to my room, away from the scene that was breaking me apart. I couldn’t stay there. I couldn’t stand to see her like that, wearing something sent by that monster. It made my skin crawl.The room I was walking into wasn’t even my own anymore. Yesterday, Tamara had kicked me out of her room and forced Kate and me to move into one of the smaller rooms downstairs. Pure shame and humili
Kayla's POV After my fight with Hector, My thoughts became so dark that I ended up pacing the edge of the sanctuary for hours.I just wanted to be alone to sort out my depressing thoughts.Depression, anxiety and despair were a horrible mixture to have. I didn't know what I was supposed to do next. To train or not to train, to go to Adrian or stay away from him.It felt like every option I chose would go horribly wrong. I was now more lost than before I even came here.Later that evening, I had to force myself to return to the camp side of the sanctuary.Ingrid was waiting for me in front of my room with worry in her eyes. She had that look on her face, the one she wore when she knew something was off. “Luna Kayla,” she said softly, standing up as I walked into the camp. “Are you okay?” I gave her a small smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She didn’t seem convinced. “Did something happen? You were gone for a while.” I bit my lip, trying to push away the feeling
Kayla's POV I don’t even know how it happened. One second, I was standing there, sobbing into Hector's shirt while standing beside the water cascading down the rocks, and the next, Hector’s lips were pressed against mine with his tongue in my mouth.It took me completely by surprise and I froze. My pause made it seem like I wanted it to happen, but that was absolutely not true!He wasn’t supposed to do that. He wasn't supposed to take advantage of my vulnerability just because I was opening up to him.My heart was already tangled up in my fears of loving Adrian, and I definitely didn’t need this confusion. His lips lingered for a second too long before I shoved him away with both hands, the force of my push making both of us stumble back a step. I glared at him, barely holding my anger in check. “What the hell, Hector?” I snapped, feeling my pulse race with frustration. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” He blinked a couple of times, as though trying to read my face, tryi
Adrian's POV: I stared at my phone, the message from Xavier glaring at me from the screen. "We need to talk. I have something to tell you about Kayla and the enemy hunting her. Meet me at the old clearing by the edge of the forest. Midnight. Alone." I rolled my eyes, the familiar sense of irritation crawling under my skin. Why would he want to help me now? What the hell does he want? And why the hell did he want me alone? I could feel my anger simmering, but I also knew this could be important. Kayla was all that had been on my mind nonstop lately, and if Xavier thought he could help ... or use her against me… well, I wasn’t about to sit back and do nothing. But the thought of meeting him alone? That didn’t sit well with me. “You want me to go alone?” I muttered under my breath, more to myself than anyone else. I didn’t trust Xavier for a second, and I certainly wasn’t about to walk into a trap with just me and him. My first instinct was to call in my men, get backup, but some
Xavier’s POV The night in the South was cool and dark, the perfect cover for secret meetings. I pressed through the dim corridors of the guest quarters until I reached the far end of the pack's border, where I knew I’d arranged to meet my “partner in crime.” According to the plan, it was to be here—hidden by shadows and far from Adrian's eyes. I waited near the edge of the pack, my fingers drumming on the wall. Finally, a lean figure emerged from the darkness. He moved with the casual air of someone who knew he wasn’t liked and yet didn’t care. I smirked. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite southern traitor,” I called lightly, as he approached. He chuckled low and gave a crooked smile. “i told you to Call me Desmond,” he said, leaning against the stone wall. His tone was casual, as if the meeting were nothing more than a chat at a pub. I snorted. “Desmond? Please. I know that name is as fake as your loyalty.” I crossed my arms, letting my eyes roam over him—dark hair, a few silver st
Kayla's POV 'The burning tree was my fault' that was the thought in my head as I jolted awake. I woke up to the same emptiness that had filled my chest for the past few days. My fingers ran across the cold, stone floor as I sat up in bed. I wasn’t sure why I even bothered getting up today. My body felt heavy, like every breath was a burden. My powers. I couldn’t even think about them without feeling the sharp sting of shame. The accident with the tree felt like it was haunting me every second. That when I accidentally let my emotions take control and set a tree on fire. I could easily have hurt someone, and I didn’t even know how I did it. I was terrified that if I tried to practice again, I might ACTUALLY hurt someone this time. I couldn’t even talk to anyone about it. How could I? They’d all blame me for it. They’d see me as the danger I am. The worst part was, I believed it. I believed I would always bring trouble to everyone I loved. Everyone who cared about me woul
Xavier's POV The walls of this new room were too quiet. The kind of quiet that gnawed at your head after a while. I leaned back in the expensive leather chair the council had set me up with, staring at the ceiling fan as it spun lazy, slow circles above me. I’d always thought the South would feel like freedom — like escape — but instead, it felt like a cage, just padded with better furniture. My phone vibrated on the table. I didn’t need to check the screen. Only one man had the nerve to call me this early. “Councilman Augustine,” I answered, straightening in my chair. “Well, well, Xavier. I trust the new accommodations are acceptable? it's our way of apologizing for Adrian's foolishness in arresting you." His voice practically purred through the line, smug and self-satisfied. “It’s fine.” I rubbed my jaw, the phantom sting of Adrian’s fists still fresh in my muscles even though it had been days since his little torture session. “You pulled me out just in time. Any longer and h
Adrian's POV I didn’t want anyone to know I was hurt, especially not the council and whoever sent If they caught wind of the attack, they’d twist it into another excuse to strip me of authority—or worse, use it to push that damn marriage alliance again. So I let Logan and Connor sneak me into the palace under the cover of night. No fanfare. No guards. Just quiet footsteps and a trail of pain in my side where the wolfsbane still burned under my skin. “Sit sir,” Logan barked the second we stepped inside my private chamber. “You’re losing more blood than I’m comfortable with.” “I’m fine,” I lied. “You’re not,” Connor muttered, grabbing the medkit. “I said I’m fine,” I snapped, more harshly than I meant. But I hated this—being slowed down, vulnerable. I had to get back to Kayla. If Hector was really behind the attack… Just the thought made my blood run colder than the wind outside. Before Logan could reply, the door burst open and Candice came running in. “Adrian!” Her voice
Adrian's POV I barely slept last night. After the poisoning attempt, my instincts were on edge—every creak of the floorboards, every shift in the wind had me reaching for my blade. The healer I called to investigate the poisoned cup said the poison had been subtle—wolfbane laced with something stronger, a paralyzing agent that would’ve made me collapse tonight or mid-travel. I wasn’t dying. Not yet. But the betrayal from knowing that it was one of my pack members that did this burned hotter than the poison ever could. Morning came with an overcast sky. Fitting, really. Connor and Logan were already waiting for me at the courtyard. Logan checked the straps on one of the horses we would need to search the forest quickly while Connor leaned against a stone pillar, eyes flicking to every movement like a hawk. “You sure you’re up for this?” Connor asked, watching me as I walked toward them. “I have worse problems than the thought of being poisoned,” I muttered, strapping on my sw
Kayla's POV I didn’t expect to find comfort in a place made in the mountains and with strange people, but the sanctuary slowly began to feel like something close to peace. The women here— a lot of them were wolfless like me, had built something beautiful in the ruins of everything that had been taken from them. Some had lost their wolves. Others never had one. But none of them were weak. They moved like a tribe, fiercely protective of each other. They trained, they studied, they guarded the younger girls like sacred flame. I found myself lingering near them more often. Helping with meals. Offering quiet words when someone cried in their sleep. It gave me something to do… something other than sit with the ache in my chest. Hector, of course, kept trying to be everywhere I turned. “You need help with those?” he asked, jogging toward me when he saw me carrying a crate of old books the Oracle had asked for. “I’ve got it,” I said, shifting the weight in my arms. He didn’t move awa