Dante’s POV I pushed open the door to Tamara’s room quietly and my chest immediately clenched at the sight of her still lying unconscious on the bed. But at least color was beginning to return to her cheeks, and her breathing was steadier now which meant that whatever Dr Laura was doing was working, but my Tamara still looked so fragile. It wasn’t like her, my fire cracker to look so fragile. Sophie stepped aside and I sat beside Tamara, brushing a strand of hair off her face. “What’s happening, Tamara?” I whispered. “Why did he do this to you?” She didn’t respond, of course, but I stayed there for a moment longer, listening to the steady rhythm of her breathing. it calmed me, even if the sight of her lying there twisted something deep inside me. The door creaked, and I turned to see Dr. Laura entering. She motioned for me to follow her. I hesitated, glancing back at Tamara, who was now flanked by Violet and Sophie, then I rose and followed Dr Laura into the hallway. She clos
Tamara’s POVI wasn’t sure what was real and what was a dream. My body felt heavy, like it was sinking into an endless void, but faint voices kept pulling me back, calling my name through the fog.It started with a faint memory—the sensation of my knees buckling and the ground rushing toward me. I had felt so sick, my stomach churning and my limbs trembling. There were flashes of frantic movement—people shouting, hands trying to catch me as I fell.“She’s unconscious! Someone get the doctor!” a voice called urgently, echoing through the haze.Sophie’s voice broke through next, high-pitched and frantic. “Tamara, wake up! You’re going to be fine! Please, Tamara, please!”Another voice, calmer but equally distressed, followed. Violet. “It’s wolfsbane poisoning. She’s been ingesting it over time.”Wolfsbane? My thoughts twisted, sluggish and incoherent. How could that have happened? When? Who would do this to me?Another voice, deep and commanding but trembling at the edges, joined the ch
Tamara’s POVWhen I woke up the next time, the room was quiet, but I could feel the faint warmth of sunlight streaming through the window. My body felt heavy but no longer weak, and the faint scent of something earthy—Dante’s scent—comforted me.I turned my head and saw him sitting by the edge of the bed, his brows furrowed in concentration as he peeled an orange. When he noticed I was awake, his face lit up with relief.“Tamara,” he said, setting the orange down and leaning closer. “You’re awake. Thank the moon goddess, I thought you became unconscious again”“I’m fine,” I murmured, my was voice still a little hoarse.“You are not completely fine yet since the poison is still leaving your body,” he said firmly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “But you will be. I’ll make sure of it. I'm just glad you're back home with me where you belong."I couldn’t look at him. His concern, his care—it was too much. The guilt I’d been holding back threatened to spill over. I tried to pu
Tamara’s POVWhen I woke up the next morning, I felt so so much lighter, as if the weight of the previous days’ events had eased just a little. The sound of soft humming caught my attention, and I turned my head to see Dante standing near the window. He was holding a tray of breakfast and looking ridiculously handsome in a simple white shirt rolled up at the sleeves.“Good morning,” he said with a warm smile as our eyes met.“Good morning,” I murmured, sitting up and stretching.“I hope you’re ready,” he said, placing the tray on the table and leaning against the chair with a playful smirk.“Ready for what?” I asked, raising a brow.He crossed his arms. “A day that’s all about us. No politics, no interrogations, no poisonings—just you and me.”I blinked at him. “You’re serious, I mean we still have some work to do?”“Very serious,” he said. “You’ve been through enough, Tamara. Today, I want to remind you how much you mean to me.”Warmth bloomed in my chest. “Dante, you don’t have to
Tamara’s POV The first rays of sunlight poured into the room through the sheer curtains, warming my face. I stirred slightly, feeling the steady beat of Dante’s heart beneath my cheek. He was still asleep, one arm securely wrapped around me while his other hand rested against my waist. I smiled softly, letting myself sink into the peace of the moment. In all the chaos of the past few days, this was the one place I felt safe—Dante’s arms. “Are you staring at me again?” Dante’s voice rumbled, still thick with sleep. I looked up, meeting his sleepy gaze as he cracked one eye open. “Maybe.” “Do you enjoy watching me sleep, Tamara?” he teased, pulling me closer as his lips brushed my temple. I laughed lightly. “Only because you look less like an intimidating Alpha when you’re snoring softly.” “I do not snore,” he shot back, pretending to be offended. “Oh, you do,” I said, grinning at his mock outrage. He pinned me beneath him in one quick movement, his face hovering above
Adrian’s POVThe sun was high in the sky when I stood outside Alpha Jonathan’s estate. I had come here reluctantly after agreeing to his request to review the evidence he claimed to have against Dante. Jonathan had suggested that together, we might be able to stand against Dante, to weaken his hold and reclaim what was rightfully ours.At first, I’d refused. The idea of joining forces with Jonathan didn’t sit well with me because He was a little unpredictable, and his motives always seemed to serve his own interests above all else. But when I reached out to Jack again hoping to pull him into the plan of destroying Dante, he turned me down flat.“I have no interest in fighting Dante. Tamara has made her decision to stay there and I believe she's happy now,” Jack had said. “That’s your obsession, not mine.”His words stung more than I cared to admit. Jack and I had been allies once when he was desperate for power, and now his dismissal felt like a betrayal. In the end, I’d agreed to
Tamara’s POV The courtroom was heavy with tension and the air was full of unspoken accusations. I could already feel that most people here had decided that I was the enemy. fuck! how was I supposed to get out of this?! My hands gripped the edge of the podium, trying to stay calm as Dante stood beside me, his presence grounding me. The elders sat in their ornate chairs, their faces filled with disapproval. The scum, Lord Jarek was at the center of it all, his piercing gaze challenging after they produced the picture. Me standing in Alpha Jonathan’s pack, speaking to Adrian, one of the biggest enemy of the north. My blood ran cold as the image was printed and even handed around the room which caused their whispers to erupt like wildfire. “Explain this, Luna,” Lord Jarek said, his voice laced with mock concern. “Why were you meeting with Alpha Adrian, of all people?” My mind raced. How had they even gotten this picture? I hadn’t seen anyone nearby when I spoke with Adrian
Tamara's POV A few days later-- The soft brush of lips against my shoulder tugged me from the edge of sleep. A gentle hum escaped me as the warmth of Dante's body surrounded mine, his kisses trailing up my neck, slow and deliberate. "Good morning, love," he murmured, his voice husky and laced with affection. I smiled, my eyes fluttering open. "Good morning. You're persistent, aren’t you?" His grin was mischievous. "I couldn’t resist. You look so peaceful when you sleep… but I missed you." He didn’t wait for my reply, capturing my lips with his. The kiss deepened, his hand sliding along my waist, pulling me closer until our bodies were pressed together. I melted into him, losing myself in the way his touch set every nerve alight. Before I knew it, his hands explored familiar paths, his lips igniting flames across my skin. I gasped as his touch left no space for doubt about his intentions. He was slow and thorough, like he wanted to savor every second. "Dante," I whispered, my v
Kayla's POV I didn’t even realize I’d said it until the words had already left my mouth.“If you banish Hector… I’ll leave with him too.”The room went silent.What the hell was I thinking when I said that? I hadn't even actually meant it. I was just desperate to not let Adrian make such a stupid mistake that he'd regret, so I continued talking until I had said my piece.When I was done, even Hector stopped breathing for a second, his face bruised and bloodied, but stunned all the same. Adrian looked like I’d slapped him—like the floor had just crumbled beneath him. His jaw twitched, and the rage in his eyes flickered into something else—something sharp and painful.Goddess, why did I have to say that? It sounded like Hector was more important than my relationship with Adrian.But I truly didn’t mean it like that. I wasn’t threatening him. I just… I needed him to know that he was crossing a line. Hector was his stepbrother who had occasionally fucked up yesterday, but he didn’t des
Adrian's POV "YOU FUCKING BASTARD!” I roared, lunging at him again. But before I could land the hit, two sets of hands grabbed me. “Alpha stop! Alpha Adrian please stop! —fuck, Adrian, stop it!” Logan’s voice was right in my ear, struggling to pull me back.He had forgotten all courtesy and had began to call me by my real name which he and Connor only did when they were either desperate, pissed, frustrated, worried or scared.He sounded like he was all of the above in this moment but I couldn't give a damn about that right now. “Let go of me!” I growled, thrashing against him. “Calm the hell down Adrian!” Connor snapped, shoving me away from Hector. I threw them both off like they were nothing, shoving Logan into the wall and elbowing Connor in the ribs. They tried again, but I was a storm now. Wild. Unraveled. And then I heard her voice. “ADRIAN!” I froze at the familiar feminine voice."What the hell are you doing?!" she screamed with horror in her voice. Everything insid
Adrian’s POV My knuckles were bloodied by the time I realized how many times I’d punched him. My chest heaved and my heart was thundering like it was trying to beat its way out of my ribcage, and still Hector just stood there leaning against the wall with his bloody face.He was swaying slightly from the pain but the asshole was still not fighting back and it made me fucking furious! He wasn’t even trying to defend himself like he'd normally do when our father made us wrestle to prove who was better.Hector was often the winner when we were younger and that made me feel like he was just intentionally allowing me to beat him right now. That made it worse. "You love her?" I growled, my voice raw, trembling. "You love my Kayla?" Hector didn’t speak, didn’t meet my eyes—his jaw was bruised, blood trickling from his nose—but he didn’t take it back either. He’d said it. Out loud. Boldly. That he loved her. My fists clenched again. This fucking shameless asshole! It wasn’t just that
Hector's POV I had to keep reminding myself that I truly hadn’t chosen this life. This life of constant competition for love from my father, and now from Kayla too. But I had been thrust into it anyway. Every day, it felt like I had to prove myself that I could be better, stronger, smarter than Adrian for the pack and for Kayla.And what did I get for it? Nothing except being called a Traitor and being imprisoned. Adrian would always get everything without lifting a finger. I see that now Maybe I should just accept it and accept my role as the villain, at least maybe I could get something from it, right?Because the rivalry my father had created between us, made it impossible for Adrian to see me as anything other than his enemy. Even when I tried to help him, tried to offer him something real, he only saw me as a threat.A bang on the door jerked me out of my thoughts.I looked up, my heart sinking as the door opened, and Adrian stormed into the cell, his expression livid."Hec
Hector's POV After Kayla ran after Adrian, I willingly let the guards to put me in chains and shove me in front of themThe chains clinked with every step as I was roughly escorted down the cold stone hallways toward the prison.The guards barely spared me a glance, their eyes hard and judgmental. They treated me like I was already guilty, as if my fate had already been sealed. It stung more than I cared to admit, but I kept my face neutral.I had never felt so disgusted with myself, or with Adrian. Betrayed wasn’t even the word for it. He had accused me—his own brother—of trying to kill him. We were rivals for the position of alpha yes, but we weren't enemies! I didn't hate him. I was a little envious of his life yes, but I would never actually raise my hand against him.Never!So this was my reward for protecting Kayla? For trying to turn over a new leaf? For doing what I thought was right?Adrian was the one who had always preached for us to stop fighting, to stop hating each oth
Kayla's POV I could feel my heart breaking. I couldn’t believe he was accusing me of something so terrible. After everything we’d been through, after everything we’d shared, why was he pushing me away like this? I turned back to Hector, my heart pounding in my chest. "I’m sorry, Hector. I’ll fix this. I swear." Hector gave me a soft, apologetic look. "It’s not your fault, Kayla. We both never wanted this to happen." "I know. But I have to make Adrian understand," I said, my voice shaky. "Can you just go with the guards for now? I’ll talk to him. Please, Hector." Hector hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I’ll go. But make sure you talk to him, Kayla. I'm innocent of all his accusations but he's refusing to see things clearly." I nodded, trying to hold back tears. As Hector followed the guards down the hall, I hurried after Adrian. He couldn’t just do this. He couldn’t throw everything away because of his own insecurities. He had to know I would never leave him. I wasn’
Kayla's POV I stood in the hallway, watching Adrian storm out of the room with his usual intense expression. He was furious—his fists clenched, his jaw set tight, and a fire burning in his eyes that I hadn’t seen in a long time. The moment he’d said the word traitor, my heart dropped into my stomach. I couldn't believe it. Hector, a traitor? No, that wasn’t right. Hector had been nothing but kind to me, helpful to the the wolf less women and then he’d apologized for kissing me and promised me that he’d stop the ridiculous rivalry between him and Adrian. I had just started to thank the goddess for some peace between them, and now Adrian wanted to arrest him? I couldn’t let this happen. I hurried after Adrian, calling his name as I caught up with him in the hallway. "Adrian! Wait please!" I grabbed his arm, trying to slow him down, but he just pulled away from me. "Kayla, stay out of this." His voice was cold, like it always got when he was angry. "I need to deal with this. It’
Adrian's POV I paused and tried to recall the memory of that day. The fight with Xavier was still fresh in my mind, but there was something... something else that happened. “I met someone who said they had information on how to find you,” I said slowly, “we had a fight, but then... something attacked me from behind. I can’t remember much after that.” Kayla looked at me, concern evident in her eyes. “Something attacked you from behind?” “Yeah,” I said, rubbing my temples as I recalled the foggy details. “The memory’s a little unclear. But there was definitely someone else involved. I’m just... not sure who.”I made sure I didn't mention to her that it was probably her ex husband who had intentionally set me up and invited his friends to help him get rid of me.But that didn't make sense. Why would Xavier simply poison me and not just kill me off immediately.How did he even get the audacity to attack me when he knew that I could have defeated him especially when I wake up.Plus
Adrian's POV I couldn’t stop grinning as I stood in front of the mirror, touching the marks on my neck from where Kayla had kissed me earlier. I turned to her.Every time I looked at her, it felt like my heart was about to burst. She was here, she was really here, and no amount of blood or bruises could ever change how happy I was to have her back. I didn’t even care how close I came to dying for it to happen. I was alive. She was alive. We were together. That was all that mattered. “You’re staring,” Kayla teased, her voice soft and full of that playful edge I loved. She stepped up to me, her hands brushing against my shoulders, making me shiver at the warmth of her touch. “I can’t help it. You’re back. You—” I took a deep breath, fighting back the overwhelming wave of emotion that threatened to drown me. “I thought I lost you forever.” Kayla’s hands moved to my chest, and she smiled that smile I’d missed so much. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” Her words were lik