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 POVThe cool morning air streamed through the windows, but instead of feeling refreshed, I felt trapped.Adrian still had his arms wrapped around me, holding me against him as if he was trying to physically keep me from leaving. I hadn’t even tried to get up yet, but judging by the way his grip tightened every time I moved, I knew he was still dreading today.“Adrian,” I murmured, tilting my head up to look at him. His jaw was clenched, his dark eyes stormy with emotions he hadn’t voiced yet. “You’re holding me hostage.”“Good,” he muttered, his voice rough with sleep. “Then stay.”I sighed, lifting a hand to run my fingers through his hair. “You know I can’t. You promised Hector to let us spend the day together.”“You don’t have to go,” he countered, shifting to hover over me slightly. “Just say the word, and I’ll make up some excuse for you.”I smiled at his stubbornness, even if it was a little ridiculous. “You can't be the Alpha who goes back on his words. You know that’s
Kayla’s POVThe afternoon passed in a blur of laughter and easy conversation.Hector, for all his teasing and flirting, had actually behaved himself for the rest of the day.After our serious conversation, he had lightened the mood by joking about the way I eat strawberries—claiming I looked way too elegant for something so simple. I had thrown one at him in response, which only made him laugh harder.The picnic had been nice. No pressure, no drama. Just two people talking, enjoying the sun, and forgetting, for a little while, that there was a whole world waiting for us beyond the little patch of earth we had claimed.By the time Hector led me back to the palace, I felt warm and content—until I spotted Adrian, glaring at us.He was standing at the entrance, arms crossed over his chest, his dark eyes locked onto me with a storm brewing behind them.I swallowed.Yeah. He was mad.Hector must have noticed too because he let out a low whistle. “Oof. He looks like he’s about to rip my head
Adrian’s POVI should have already expected today would be hell the moment Hector showed up at my door with that smug grin on his face.I hadn’t wanted Kayla to go with him. Every part of me had screamed to keep her close, to pull her into my arms and refuse to let her out of my sight. But she had given me those soft, reassuring eyes, promising she’d come back to me.So, against my better judgment, I let her go.And I had hated every second of it.The moment they left, I had stormed back into my room, slamming the door shut like some sulking teenager. Logan and Connor had been waiting for me in the lounge, and of course, they had taken one look at my face and burst into laughter."That bad, huh?" Logan smirked, leaning back on the couch, arms crossed.I shot him a glare. "Shut up."Connor grinned. "You’re sulking.""I am not sulking.""You totally are," Logan added. "It’s hilarious."I scowled, pacing the room. "I just don’t trust Hector. He’s up to something."Logan exchanged a look
Kayla’s POV I had been avoiding Adrian ever since the kiss. It wasn’t easy since we share a room. Plus even though The palace wasn’t exactly small, Adrian had a way of finding me no matter where I tried to hide. I kept making excuses—suddenly feeling too tired for dinner, claiming I had errands to run, or pretending to be deep in conversation with someone whenever he walked into the room. I knew it wouldn’t last forever, but I needed time. Time to process what was happening between us. Time to figure out what I was supposed to do now that I had let myself get closer to him. But that time ran out when his mother—Lady Catherine—decided that Candice and I needed to go to the hospital for pregnancy vitamins. "You’ll both be wives soon," she said over breakfast, her tone firm but polite. "You need to take care of yourselves, and that starts with making sure you’re healthy enough to conceive." I nearly choked on the juice we were served in her quarters. Candice, sitting beside me,
Kayla’s POVThe whole getting pregnant thing was scary, but I had a bigger issue.Avoiding Adrian was getting harder. Every time I saw him, he looked more and more hurt, and it made my chest tighten with guilt. But what was I supposed to do? I didn’t know how to face him after what happened between us. The kiss… the way he held me… the way I ran away like a coward. I knew I shouldn’t keep pushing him away. I knew it wasn’t fair to him. But I didn’t know how to deal with it. So I did the only thing I could—I kept avoiding him. That was until that traumatizing event happened. — I was walking back to our quarters late in the night when I felt it. A prickle at the back of my neck. The unmistakable feeling of being watched. I frowned, glancing around. The hallway was empty, and yet, something felt… off. My instincts were screaming at me that I wasn’t alone. I picked up my pace. I wasn’t supposed to be afraid here. I was in the palace, one of the safest places in the pack. But n
Adrian’s POV The attack on Kayla wasn’t a coincidence. Someone had planned it. Someone had sent those men after her. And I was going to find out who. I sat in my office with Connor and Logan, my fingers drumming against the wooden desk. The air in the room was thick with tension. Neither of them spoke, waiting for me to say something first. "Any leads?" I finally asked, my voice sharp. Logan leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. "Not much. The men who attacked her didn’t have pack symbols or identifying marks. That means they were either rogues or hired mercenaries." "Rogues don’t usually work in such planned groups unless they’re getting paid well with food or something else," Connor added, his expression dark. I clenched my jaw. "So you're saying someone paid them?" "Exactly." There was silence for a moment as I processed the information. "And the only one who’d want to take Kayla instead of just kill her is—" Logan exchanged a look with Connor before finishing, "Alp
Adrian’s POVMy mind couldn't stop racing.Even after leaving Connor and Logan, my anger refused to settle. My wolf was restless, growling in the back of my mind, demanding answers, demanding Kayla."She’s still in love with him.""You don’t know that," I shot back at my wolf."Then why is she avoiding us? Why does she look guilty every time you’re near?"I gritted my teeth, refusing to give in to my own insecurities. It was ridiculous. Kayla was mine. Xavier had abandoned her. Thrown her away. There was no reason for her to still have feelings for him.And yet…The way she had been avoiding me after the kiss, the hesitation in her eyes whenever I got too close—it was driving me insane.I had tried to be patient. Tried to give her space before the attack. But patience wasn’t my strength, especially not when it came to her.I needed answers.I stormed out of my office and headed straight for our room where Kayla had been sleeping since the attack.The guards I had now stationed outside
Kayla's first person POV Suddenly, out of nowhere, There was a strange surge of power, an energy I couldn’t explain, rushing through me. The air crackled with raw force, and suddenly, the ground beneath my feet seemed to pulse. I focused all my energy into a single thought: protect them. Protect my loved ones. A barrier of shimmering light exploded outward from me, knocking the wolves back with a deafening crash. The force of it sent the creatures sprawling, but they began to recover slowly, snarling and trying to get up. My heart pounded in my chest, but I didn’t back down. This energy—it was like I knew how to use it, like it had always been there, waiting for me to tap into it even though I didn't know what it was. Hector and Ingrid stared at me, their eyes wide with disbelief. I couldn’t explain what had just happened, but the sensation of power was overwhelming. “You… You did that?” Hector’s voice was tight, almost fearful. I nodded, still trying to catch my breath. “I d
Kayla's first person POV The journey through the mountains felt like it was never going to end. Ingrid never told me it was going to be this tough, if she did, I wouldn't have been as enthusiastic about coming here as I was last night. Nothing would have stopped me from coming here though. The air grew painfully thinner as we ascended, the crisp wind cutting into my skin like sharp needles. I soon found myself gasping for breath, feeling each step strain my muscles. It was exhausting, but the alternative—staying behind like a coward while Hector, Ingrid, and the others trekked up without me—was unthinkable. Plus I badly needed answers too. So, I pushed through, even though every part of me screamed for rest. “You alright?” Hector’s voice cut through the sharp mountain air, his face creased with concern as he glanced back at me. “I’m fine,” I lied, pushing myself harder, my boots scraping against the rocky ground. But I couldn’t help the way my chest felt tight with each
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