Jack's POV Later the day, Mike my Beta, -- who I didn't always carry around because of his devote loyalty to Tamara -- plus Richard, and I approached the mansion Adrian has bought in my pack.I immediately noticed that he had designed the place to be a Beautiful fortress. There were Warriors and mercenaries standing guard at every corner, with their eyes sharp and weapons within easy reach. The mansion was beautiful and imposing, and it seemed Adrian intended to make it his stronghold here in my pack, like he was preparing to come and stay in my pack very frequently. Mike whistled in surprise beside me, "Looks like he’s not just here for a short friendly visit. With all these weapons and warriors, it's obvious that the guy’s gearing up for something serious." "Yeah," I said, glancing around. "If I had any doubts about Adrian’s intentions for war against the north, they’re definitely gone now." I grumbled.It's true that I'd always wanted Dante out of my way, but I’d never imagined
Jack's POV The room felt colder as his words sank in. "Then who are you talking about?" I asked in confusion. Adrian’s eyes suddenly darkened even more, but somehow still managed to flash a dangerous glint. "Tamara." Adrian finally said. "I was talking about Tamara." I stared at him, completely stunned and confused.What was he talking about?. "You’re joking right?. Are you saying you want to go to war because of my fiance?" i gasped and Adrian frowned."Ex," He corrected. "She's your Ex fiancé.'"Whatever!" i snapped. "When you and I first got into this partnership, you told me it was supposed to be about revenge. You wanted Dante taken down for stealing Amanda from you, and you blamed him for your father’s death. That was the deal. Now you're suddenly saying it's because of Tamara?" I was completely confused. "Yes, you're right about all the reasons I told you, but that’s how it started," he admitted, voice low. "I wanted Dante gone but I wasn't planning to go to war over those
Dante's POV As I waited in the suite with Tamara, I tried to keep the proud grin off my face. Despite everything—the accusations from the corrupt elders, the ridiculous summons to court trying to accuse Tamara of attempting to hurt my mother—nothing could tear down the happiness I felt. Every time I looked at Tamara with my ring on her finger, it was like a shock of joy surged through me. She was mine. Not because she had to be, but because she wanted to be. Proposing to her had been the right decision. I’d never felt this way, not even with Amanda. I’d always thought Amanda was it for me, and when she disappeared, I’d shut down, closed myself off to the idea of ever wanting anyone else. But Tamara had broken through, had shown me that it was possible to love again—and even stronger this time. I was hers, and she was mine, and no one could take that from us. We’d been getting… well, creative, to say the least, in coping with the fact that we couldn’t properly claim each other unt
Dante's POV That was all the permission my wolf needed. My hands roamed over her body, cupping her round ass, feeling the warmth of her skin, the softness under my fingertips. Her own hands traced down my chest, over my nipples, her touch sending a jolt through me. I kissed her harder, unable to hold back any longer, and felt her respond just as fervently.I backed her up against the wall, my hands slipping under the fabric of her dress as she wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me closer. Her clothed pussy pressed against my dick, making me growl with need."You feel so good baby girl" I moan as I begin to hump her, pressing my hips against her until she gasps in pleasure.The urgency in our movements made every touch, every kiss, feel more intense, more electric. I could feel her heart racing, matching my own, as we lost ourselves in each other.But just as we were both getting lost in the moment, she pulled back, her breath ragged, a teasing smile on her lips. “Dante,” sh
Dante's POV "Ah, so I finally meet the woman responsible for all this trouble." My mother said in a very unimpressed tone and I immediately feel Tamara stiffen against me. As my mother stared at Tamara, her expression as hard as stone, I could feel Tamara’s tension building beside me. I decided to quickly step in before things could get any more uncomfortable for her. “Mother,” I began, moving closer to Tamara and resting my hand on her shoulder. “I’d like to introduce you to Luna Tamara.” I lifted my chin slightly, pride swelling in my chest. “She’s the Luna of the Winter Pack…and my fiancée, i know people have been telling you a lot of lies about her, but I wanted you to meet her yourself and realize that she's an amazing woman who would never raise a finger against you.” My mother’s eyes flickered with surprise, but she quickly masked it, her face as cool as ever. She looked Tamara up and down before fixing me with a pointed gaze. “You're right son, I’ve heard rumors,” s
Dante's POV My mother suddenly turned to Reuben, her voice ice-cold. “Reuben,” she said sharply, “that’s enough. Stop behaving like a fucking child.” His jaw clenched, and I could see the frustration simmering beneath the surface, but he stayed silent. My mother turned to Tamara, her tone softer now. “I don’t hold you responsible, Tamara. It was a war…and it was my son who started it.” Her words held a weight of sorrow that filled the room. “And your father wasn’t directly responsible for his death, anyway.” I saw Tamara exhale, visibly relieved, her shoulders loosening. She met my mother’s gaze with a soft smile. “Thank you,” she said quietly, genuine gratitude in her voice. My mother’s eyes drifted down to Tamara’s hand, her gaze catching on the ring I’d placed there. She reached for Tamara’s hand, turning it slightly to admire the way the gem caught the light, sparkling with a deep, brilliant hue. “This ring suits you, Tamara,” she murmured, studying the way it matched Tam
Dante’s Pov if she couldn't help us, what were we supposed to do now? I just stood there, grappling with the consequences and disappointment of what my mother had just said. I had really hoped she could find a way around the council, a way to protect Tamara without throwing her into the very fire she was meant to escape. But now I could see it in her face—she was bound by the council’s rules as much as I was. Just as I was about to resign myself to this disappointment, my mother surprised me with a look that held a flash of hope. "Dante wait," she said as an idea formed in her mind . "There is still a way to save her, a way to make the elders submit to what you want them to do." My head snapped up as a spark of hope lit in my chest. "What are you saying?" Her gaze shifted to Tamara, standing silently at my side with worry and tension clear in her face. “The investigation against Tamara is still ongoing,” my mother began carefully. “And if they find her guilty, the
Dante’s POV My mother’s expression hardened, and she raised an eyebrow. “Are you seriously saying that you’d try to keep your own brother out of the palace? The very home he grew up in?” I forced myself to keep my tone steady as I shook my head. “It’s not about that. It’s about Tamara’s safety. I don’t trust Reuben around her.” “Oh, come on, Dante,” Reuben scoffed with an annoying smirk tugging at his lips. “Afraid I might actually hurt your precious Luna? That’s flattering, really.” His tone was mocking, and he cast a knowing look at his girlfriend, who snickered beside him. I glared at him, ignoring his bait, and turned to my mother instead. “This isn’t about being paranoid. There are real risks here. Bringing Reuben back into the palace could endanger Tamara, he’s already tried to hurt her once, I don’t plan to give him another fucking chance.” My mother’s face softened, but there was a trace of impatience. “Dante, you’re both adults. I can’t stand to see my sons fighting l
Kayla’s POVAdrian’s entire body was tense as we stepped out of the room. His grip on my hand was firm, his usual confident posture stiff with barely concealed irritation. I knew him well enough to recognize that he was already prepared for a fight.Hector stood at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, wearing a smirk that immediately set Adrian on edge. He was too relaxed, too amused, like he was waiting to provoke a reaction.“Kayla,” Hector greeted smoothly, his eyes flickering to me before shifting to Adrian with a knowing glint. “You’re looking lovely tonight.”Adrian’s grip on my waist tightened instantly, and I swore I could feel the heat of his glare. “Watch it Hector,” he snapped, voice low and full of warning. "She's Lady Kayla to you."Hector chuckled. “Relax, brother. It was just a greeting.”“That’s not how you greet her when I’m standing right here,” Adrian growled.I sighed, placing a calming hand on Adrian’s chest before this spiraled into another heated argument. “A
Kayla’s POVAfter my conversation with Candice, I felt a strange mix of emotions. A part of me was still frustrated with her, but another part couldn’t shake off the pity I felt. Her father treated her like she was nothing more than a disposable pawn, and I couldn’t imagine how that must have shaped her into the person she had become.I sighed, pushing the thoughts aside as I made my way to Adrian’s quarters. I didn't know if he was back but I needed to see him. Not just because he had a way of grounding me, but because I wanted to be near him after such a long, exhausting day.When I reached the door and opened it, I froze in surprise.The room was bathed in soft, golden light from several candles placed strategically around. A small dining table sat in the center, elegantly set for two, with a delicious-looking meal arranged neatly on the plates. A bottle of wine rested beside the dishes, and the scent of roasted meat, herbs, and something sweet filled the air.Adrian was waiting
Kayla’s POV I blinked, trying to process what she had just said. She took my funds? On purpose? Candice was the first to react, gasping loudly. “But why?” Lady Catherine didn’t look the least bit guilty. If anything, she seemed pleased with herself. “I needed to see how Kayla would handle a crisis. Unlike you, I already knew she had the skills to manage the funds well, given her past experience as Luna. So, I upped the challenge.” My mouth opened slightly in shock. “You knew about my work in my former Pack?” Lady Catherine smirked. “Of course. You think I wouldn’t do my research? I needed to test whether you could handle unexpected setbacks. And you outperformed my expectations. A test is not just about what you can accomplish with plenty of resources—but how you handle things when they are taken away." I swallowed, still processing what she had done. I had been thrown into that situation with no resources, and instead of crumbling, I found a way to help the orphanage. My frust
Kayla’s POV The sun dipped below the horizon as Ingrid and I left the orphanage.But the cool evening air doing little to clear the fog in my mind because The old woman’s insistent voice still rang in my ears. "I'm sure I remember you. You stayed at my orphanage once, didn’t you?" I had been too stunned to respond properly at the time. Now, as I replayed the conversation in my head, it still didn’t make sense. I had never lived in an orphanage. I knew that for a fact. After my parents died, I was taken in by Alpha Xavier’s family—not lovingly, not as one of their own, but as a maid. There certainly had been no orphanage. No kind old woman watching over me. So why had she been so sure? Maybe she was just mistaken. I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. The woman was old, and memories could blur with time. That had to be it. "Lady Kayla?" Ingrid’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Hm?" I turned to her, realizing she was staring out the window with a frown. She po
Kayla’s POVMy money was stolen.Only my money.I stood there, my mind racing, my hands shaking as the weight of it settled in. The test had barely started, and someone had already made sure I failed.I looked at the guard, my throat tightening. "It was only mine?"He nodded. "Yeas ma'am. Lady Candice’s money is still safely locked away, plus she has guards safeguarding it."A cold wave of realization hit me. Candice planned this. And now I was furious at myself for not expecting something like this."That snake," I hissed, clenching my fists.Ingrid crossed her arms. "It’s obvious she’s behind this. Who else would want to sabotage you like this?"I barely let her finish before storming off to get my money back.I found her in one of the palace meeting rooms, standing with a few of her followers. She looked up just in time for me to march straight up to her."Where is it?" I demanded.Candice smirked. "Where’s what?""My money!" I snapped. "Don’t play dumb."She tilted her head, feig
Kayla’s POVI woke up before sunrise, my nerves already getting the best of me.Today was the first day of training and The first test.I had no idea what to expect, and the thought of failing in front of Lady Catherine— and worse, having my bad report sent to the council—made my stomach twist uncomfortably.I sat up, rubbing my face, when I felt the bed shift beside me.Strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me back into the warmth of Adrian’s chest."You’re up too early," he murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.I sighed. "I have to be. I don’t exactly want to start my first day with your mother by being late."Adrian hummed, his lips brushing against my shoulder. "You’ll be fine, Kayla."I wasn’t so sure. "What if I mess up?""You won’t," he said, confident as ever. "And I’ll even check in on you later to show my support."That made me pause. "Really?"He nodded. "I want to see how you’re doing."Something warm settled in my chest at that.Adrian kissed my temple before
Kayla’s POVLady Catherine's gaze was sharp, cold, and unwavering.Even without her saying another word, I could already tell—this conversation wasn’t going to be a pleasant one.She wasn’t here for pleasantries.She was here to tackle something that had to do with me."You may have manipulated your way into getting engaged to the Alpha of the South," she said evenly, "but that does not make you an acceptable Luna of my pack yet, so don't go around town parading yourself as one."I swallowed. She must have heard about our outing.Beside me, Adrian’s body tensed. "Mother—"She raised a hand, silencing him effortlessly.I had never seen anyone talk to Adrian in that tone before. He must have a lot of respect for her.Lady Catherine turned back to me, her sharp eyes raking over my form as if she were already judging every flaw I had."Custom demands that all women who wish to become one of the Alpha's wives must undergo training," she continued. "You and Candice will both be instructed,
Kayla’s POVA slow warmth curled around me, pulling me from sleep. The bed was too comfortable, the scent surrounding me too delicious.It was Adrian, cuddling me without shame, and I was letting him.I could feel his gaze before I even opened my eyes."Are you awake, or are you pretending?"His voice was teasing, husky with amusement.I blinked my eyes open, only to be met with his smug expression.Adrian was close—leaning over me, his smoldering eyes full of mischief."You’re staring," I mumbled sleepily.He grinned. "Can you blame me? you're free to stare back."I scoffed and turned my face into the pillow. "You’re annoying.""And yet, you were seeking my touch in your sleep."I froze.My eyes snapped back open, and Adrian’s grin widened as he leaned even closer."Not like that," he added, his voice wicked. "Yet."I smacked his chest, my face burning. "You’re impossible!"Adrian laughed.Then, before I could retaliate, he sat back and stretched. "Come on. Get up. I have plans for u
Kayla’s POVI couldn’t stop thinking about it.Leo’s words echoed in my head like a haunting melody I couldn’t shake."I know your secret.""You’ll go missing, just like all those wolfless girls before you."My stomach twisted.How did he know?Who else knew?How long had they known?And worst of all—how much danger was I really in?I kept my face blank as Adrian led me out of the council hall, but my thoughts were anything but calm.I needed to figure out what to do.Fast.I barely noticed the drive back to the palace. My mind was still tangled in a mess of worry when Adrian’s voice suddenly cut through the haze."You’ve been quiet," he said, his golden eyes flicking to me with a hint of concern.I forced a small smile. "Just thinking about somethings. It's nothing to worry about."Adrian didn’t look convinced. "About what?"I hesitated.Should I tell him?Should I tell him that Leo knew everything—that he had practically threatened to make me disappear?The words were on the tip of