Kayla’s POV I couldn’t move. Adrian's brother was stunning. Ingrid had previously told me that his name was Hector. He had the same powerful presence as Adrian, but there was something more… polished about him. His sharp jawline and piercing blue eyes made it impossible to look away. But it wasn’t just his looks that shocked me—it was the way he carried himself. Confident. Effortless. Like he already knew he owned the room. it stunned me. Then, another figure emerged from the car behind him. A woman. And not just any woman—a stunningly beautiful older woman. Her golden-blonde hair was styled in perfect waves, and her soft features were enhanced by flawless makeup. She moved with the grace of royalty, her long emerald-green dress flowing behind her like liquid silk. She stepped up beside Adrian's brother, her hand rested lightly on his arm. It soon became clear that this was Hector’s mother. Lady Elizabeth. “Oh, how lovely,” Lady Catherine sneered, her voice drip
Kayla’s POVI was fucking PISSED!.Not at Adrian.Not at his brother Hector of course.Not even at Candice and her annoying, manipulative ways.I was furious at myself!I couldn't believe that I fainted in front of Adrian's family! what is wrong with me?!!I don't want to be weak. I don't want to be seen as some fragile girl who needed to be carried around and protected. But here I was, waking up in a soft bed, feeling lightheaded and drained, because my own body had betrayed me.The worst part?I had passed out and woken up in Adrian’s arms... Again!I groaned and pressed a hand over my face. “I hate this.”A low chuckle rumbled beside me.“You hate that you’re injured? That's understandable but not your fault.” Adrian’s deep voice was laced with amusement.I turned my head to glare at him.He was sitting beside the bed, one arm resting on the chair, his sharp eyes watching me closely. His dark hair was slightly messy, like he had been running his fingers through it too much.“No,” I
Kayla’s POV "Kayla right?" A voice suddenly said behind me. I turned around to see Hector's handsome face beaming at me.That was the first time we bumped into each other. After that, I turned around and walked back to my room, still fuming about seeing Adrian and Candice. But after that day, I still kept bumping into him.like right now, This was the third time but I was getting really tired of bumping into Hector. It was like the universe had some sick sense of humor, forcing me into these run-ins with Adrian’s insufferably charming brother. And worse? Hector took full advantage of it. Like right now. I had just stepped out of the pack’s administrative office after helping Ingrid with some paperwork when I turned a corner— And smacked straight into a firm, muscular chest. A familiar chuckle rumbled in front of me. “Well, well. If it isn’t my favorite little distraction.” I knew that voice. I didn’t even have to look up. Hector. Of course. I took a deep breath, schooli
Adrian’s POVI didn’t like the way Hector was looking at Kayla.And I hated the way she didn’t immediately pull away.It made something sharp twist in my chest, something dark and possessive.And then Hector had the audacity to grin at her and say, “We should continue this conversation later, Kayla. Maybe over dinner?”Absolutely not.Before she could respond, I stepped forward, putting myself directly between them. “She’s busy.”Hector’s smirk widened. “Oh? I don’t recall you being her schedule manager, brother.”I clenched my jaw. “She’s busy,” I repeated, my voice leaving no room for argument.Kayla blinked, clearly startled by my tone.Hector, on the other hand, looked amused. He glanced at Kayla. “Well, if you ever find yourself not busy, you know where to find me.”I exhaled sharply, my patience thinning. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”Hector chuckled. “Fine, fine. I’ll back off… for now.”I didn’t respond. I just turned to Kayla. “Come with me.”She hesitated for a seco
Adrian’s POV The knock at the door was like a slap to the face.I almost kissed her.I almost had her in my arms.And then—this.I clenched my jaw, my hands tightening at my sides as I forced myself to take a deep breath. Stay calm. Don’t snap.But I wanted to snap.Because for the first time in a long time, I had felt something—something real, something undeniable. And now it was gone.Kayla took a small step back, her face flushing as she turned toward the door.I didn’t move.Didn’t even breathe for a second.The knock came again.I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to step away before I did something reckless like rip the damn door off its hinges.Then the door opened, and Connor stepped inside, his expression tense.“Alpha sir, Sorry to interrupt but I have urgent news.” His voice was all business, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced with concern. “The council is holding an emergency meeting. They’ve requested your presence immediately.”I sighed, already knowing exactly who was
Author's note: Hii, If you are enjoying this story so far, please leave a comment so I can keep it up. Thanks in advance.Kayla’s POVThe second Adrian left, I slumped against the nearest surface and covered my face with my hands.My heart was still pounding.I could still feel his touch.His fingers had barely grazed my skin, but it was enough to send shivers down my spine. And it wasn’t just his hands.It was the way he looked at me—like I was something precious, something worth protecting. No one had ever looked at me like that before, not even Xavier who had pretended to love me.My face burned as I slowly lowered my hands.I almost couldn't believe that just happened.I had almost kissed Adrian. Or he had almost kissed me. Either way, Connor had ruined it.I let out a frustrated breath, my mind replaying the moment over and over. If Connor hadn’t knocked on that door, would Adrian have actually done it?Would I have let him? I swallowed hard when I realized the answer.Yes.The
Alpha Adrian’s POVThe moment I stepped into the council hall, I knew something was wrong.The air was thick with tension.The entire council was present, plus some noblemen were seated in their usual spots, their faces grim and unreadable. But the person who made my stomach tighten in unease was the man positioned in the entrance of the room—Alpha Brandon, my father-in-law to be that showed up without notice.He smiled at me and said it was time we spoke but I brushed him off. I had bigger issues waiting inside the council hall.Because this obviously wasn’t a normal council meeting.This was an ambush.“Alpha Adrian,” one of the elder councilmen, Augustine, spoke first. “We’ve called you here because a concerning matter has come to our attention.”I stiffened. “What matter?”Augustine folded his hands on the table. “We’ve been informed that you intentionally do not wish to marry and continue the succession, thereby forfeiting your rights as Alpha. Is that true?I blinked, momentaril
Kayla's POV I could barely keep up with the guards as they led me down a long, dimly lit corridor. My hands were clammy, my stomach a tangled mess of knots, and my heart pounded so hard I could feel it in my throat.I had no idea why I was being brought to the council hall, but the way the guards flanked me on either side, their expressions blank and unreadable, made my nerves skyrocket.Something was wrong.Terribly wrong.When the large double doors at the end of the hall finally loomed ahead, my steps faltered. The guards didn’t stop, and before I knew it, they pushed open the doors, revealing the council hall in all its intimidating glory.I froze.The room was huge—far bigger than I could have ever imagined a pack would have. Grand marble pillars stretched high up to the domed ceiling, the intricate golden chandeliers casting a regal glow over the long, crescent-shaped table where more than a few dozen councilmen were seated.And every single one of them was staring directly at
Kayla's POV I hadn’t realized how empty my heart would feel until the silence settled in.Days had passed—or maybe just hours—I couldn’t tell anymore. Time didn’t move the same without Adrian. Every second felt heavier, like it dragged its feet just to remind me that I was far away from him.I sat curled up on the cold cot in the far corner of the cave, arms wrapped around my knees, heart aching in a way I didn’t think was possible. I hadn’t spoken much since Hector and Ingrid brought me here. The girls were kind, but I was distant. Lost.I missed him.Goddess, I missed him.His scent. His voice. The way his arms wrapped around me like I was something precious. The way he said my name like it was his favorite word.Sleep didn’t come easily, but when it did, I dreamed of him. Always him. His voice in my ears, his lips brushing my skin, his arms holding me while the world fell apart around us.I woke up with tears on my cheeks more often than not.“You’re dreaming of him again, aren’t
Adrian's POV The torture chamber reeked of Xavier's blood, rust, and secrets. Xavier sat in the middle of it, chained to the chair like he had no care in the world. But his bloodied nose from where I punched him multiple times told a different story.His head was tilted back lazily against the wall to stop the blood flow.He had one leg bouncing, and that same smug smile plastered across his face like he wasn’t moments away from being torn apart again. “I’d ask if you’re comfortable,” I muttered, my voice low and venom-laced, “but I honestly don’t give a damn.” Xavier’s eyes flicked toward me, amusement dancing in them. “Adrian,” he said with mock warmth. “So tense. You really should relax. It’s not good for the heart. Or the woman you're sleeping with.” I nearly lost it right then. His casual mention of Kayla lit a fuse inside me, one I was desperately trying to smother before i personally drove out to burn down his entire pack house. “I’ll ask one more time,” I growled, step
Adrian’s POVSuddenly The battlefield is silent.Too silent.My chest rises and falls rapidly as I stand in the middle of the destruction, blood staining my hands, my claws still extended, my wolf barely caged beneath my skin. Around me, my warriors are shaken but alive, their eyes darting between the few bodies of the fallen rogue like creatures—if they could even be called that.The battle field is quiet not because we were winning, but Because the moment Kayla was taken… they suddenly vanished into thin air before our eyes.Not a trace of them left.My fists clench, rage surging inside me like wildfire.Kayla was gone too though.My woman had been taken by my stepbrother and Kayla's former assistant.“Hector,” I snarl, snapping my head toward Logan. “Where the hell is Hector?”Logan’s face is grim, his body tense as he watches me carefully. “We don’t know.”A growl rips from my throat, sharp and deadly. “Find them. Now!”“We tried.” Logan’s expression hardens. “The second she was t
Kayla’s POVPain throbs in my skull as I slowly open my eyes, my body aching like I’ve been tossed around like a rag doll. The last thing I remember is screaming Adrian’s name, reaching for him, only to be pulled away—taken by force. My heart clenches at the memory, and panic floods my veins.I jolt upright, my breaths shallow as I take in my surroundings.The room is dimly lit, the walls made of rough stone. A few small lanterns cast flickering shadows across the space, illuminating the frightened faces of young women who stand huddled together near the far end of the room. Their eyes are wide as they stare at me, like they’ve been expecting me.“Where am I?” My voice comes out hoarse, my throat raw from screaming.A rustling sound to my right makes me turn. My body tenses when I see Hector and Ingrid standing near the doorway. Hector’s arms are crossed, his expression unreadable, while Ingrid looks more hesitant, shifting her weight from foot to foot.I shove the blankets off and t
Adrian’s POV Kayla was trembling in my arms, her fingers gripping my shirt like she was afraid I’d disappear. I tightened my hold on her, pressing my lips against her temple, trying to ground her. "It’s okay," I whispered. "You’re safe." She didn’t respond. Her breathing was shallow, her entire body stiff. Something was wrong. Very wrong. I pulled back slightly to look at her face. Her pupils were dilated, her skin too pale. "Kayla," I murmured, brushing my thumb across her cheek. "Talk to me." She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, a howl ripped through the night. The pack alarm. Again! Shit. I snapped my head up, my instincts immediately on high alert. The howls multiplied, blending with distant shouts. My wolves were already gathering outside. We were under attack. For real this time. Earlier was just a warning from something that looked like Xavier.. but wasn't quite him. Kayla gasped, grabbing my wrist. "Adrian—" I cupped her face, forcing her to focus on
Kayla’s POV I slammed the bedroom door shut, twisting the lock with trembling fingers. My breath came in ragged gasps as I pressed my back against the door, my chest rising and falling in rapid, uneven bursts. What had I done? I had told Adrian I loved him. And worse—I had meant it. The words had slipped past my lips before I could stop them, before I could shove them back down into the deep, dark place where I kept all the things I couldn’t afford to feel. And then—like a coward—I had run as Adrian was forced to leave. But where could I run to? I belonged to him now. And that was the most terrifying part. I squeezed my eyes shut, my nails digging into the skin of my arms. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t afford to need him. Not when I was changing. Not when I didn’t even know what I was anymore. The mark on my arm burned as if it could hear my thoughts, reminding me of what I was trying so desperately to deny. Lady Elizabeth’s words echoed in my head. "You bear their mark,
Adrian’s POVMy heart still pounded from my situation with Kayla, but I pushed the thought aside as I raced toward the border. Logan ran beside me, his jaw tight with frustration. The moment the border guards had sounded the alarm, I knew it couldn’t be anything good."Who the hell would be bold enough to get this close?" Logan muttered, keeping pace."I don't know," I said, my voice sharp. "But if they think they can just waltz into my territory, they're about to learn a painful lesson."The moment we neared the tree line, I caught sight of a figure standing at the edge of our land. My stomach twisted into a knot.Xavier.Or at least… I thought it was Xavier.The stance, the cocky smirk—it was all the same. But something was off. His face seemed… distorted. For a split second, his features blurred, like I was staring at a reflection in rippling water. My wolf bristled, sensing something unnatural."Adrian," Logan said warily, stepping up beside me. "That—" He hesitated. "That doesn’t
Adrian’s POVI didn’t plan on letting her go.Not tonight. Not ever.I held Kayla’s face between my hands, staring into those stormy eyes that I had come to crave more than anything else in this world. I had meant every word—I wasn’t letting her leave this room until she told me the truth.But deep down, I knew I wasn’t just talking about tonight.A dark part of me, the part that had already lost too much, whispered that I would never let her go at all.And I felt guilty for it.Kayla wasn’t some possession to be kept in a cage. But I couldn’t shake the possessiveness curling in my chest, the absolute refusal to lose her too.Not after what I’d already lost.She was shaking now, her breaths coming out in sharp, uneven gasps. Her hands clenched at her sides as if she was fighting some invisible war within herself.And she looked scared.That’s what threw me off the most.What the hell was she so afraid of?"Kayla," I murmured, my fingers tracing over her cheekbone. "Talk to me."Her li
Kayla’s POVI couldn't stop thinking about last night.The way Adrian had held me. The way his hands had traced my skin, setting every nerve in my body on fire.And the way he had stopped.He had looked at me like I was something precious, something he was too scared to take before I was ready.I had never known a man like him before.Adrian was dangerous, feared, and yet with me, he was patient. Protective.I was falling for him. Hard.The realization terrified me. I had spent so long guarding my heart, convincing myself that love—real love—was a luxury I would never have again. And yet, here I was, aching for him in a way that had nothing to do with the mate bond.I needed a distraction, something to clear my mind.Which was why I was now standing outside Lady Elizabeth’s home again, my heart hammering as I raised my hand to knock.She had asked to see me privately, and though I had agreed, I wasn’t sure I was ready for whatever she had to say.But something told me I needed to hear