Dante's POV I woke up with the morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a beautiful halo around Tamara’s face as she slept beside me. I smiled before giving into temptation and leaning over to press a kiss on her lips. Her eyes fluttered open with a smile, but then she paused and there was a hesitation in her gaze that was unmistakable. It was like she didn’t want to kiss me back right away, and it made my heart sink a little.“Good morning,” I whispered, trying to keep my voice light.“Morning,” she murmured, but there was a tightness to her smile.I leaned back, studying her for a moment. Ever since yesterday, when she accidentally bit me, something had shifted between us. I hadn’t thought much of it at the time—maybe she had just gotten a little too excited at the time and it didn’t bother me—but now, I could tell it must have been a problem to her. She kept withdrawing, pulling away whenever I tried to get close until I finally sighed.“You’re still thinking about
Tamara’s POV This morning, as I watched Dante drive away, the sudden pang of heartache that hit me hard, caught me off guard.I mean, I knew he was only supposed to be gone for two days, but the way the thought of him being away made my chest tighten, you would have thought he had dumped me. This wasn’t the first time we’d been apart, because it was not so long ago that I was giving him the silent treatment over Ana, but this separation felt different today. It felt much much worse.I returned to our room and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the door he had just walked through, realizing how much I had grown attached to him. Wasn’t it a little too much? Like, it was just a few weeks ago that I was vowing off men for good, and now it felt like I was addicted to his presence. Was this just a reaction from the mating bond, or something more?It has to be the bond, I told myself, frowning slightly.But my wolf stirred within me, her voice brushing against my mind with disb
Dante’s POV I stood on one side of the room, fuming, while Reuben sat across from me, his eyes still burning with that same arrogant glare. He had always been like this, stubborn, competitive —testing my patience, pushing buttons he knew would set me off. But this time, it wasn’t just about him getting under my skin. It was about Tamara. And no one dares disrespects her in my presence, not even my own brother.“Enough!” Our mother’s sharp voice cut through the tension like a knife. “You two are acting like rotten children! Is this how an Alpha and a nobleman behave? Even your sister Ciri is more matured than both of you knuckle heads!”I glanced at her. My mother, Lady Regina was standing tall, her eyes narrowed with disappointment, the regal air around her commanding attention. Even Reuben’s glare faltered under her gaze. She never had to raise her voice, but when she was angry, you felt it deep in your bones.“Reuben,” she said sharply, turning her attention to him, “how dare y
Tamara’s POV I walked out of the hospital with Violet by my side, the annoying confusion from Dr. Laura’s was words still bugging me. She said the person who could help me understand all these was My anchor. Now Who could that be? The thought ate at me, making my steps feel heavier.“Don’t overthink it,” Violet said, her voice soft, sensing my inner turmoil. “You’ll find out who your anchor is soon. Dr. Laura said you’ll definitely meet them.”I sighed, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. “No, she said I should have already met them, But who is it then? Jack, Kate, Richard? It can’t be them. If they knew I was reborn and I remembered their plans to kill me, they’d have already tried something. They’re still acting out the same old routines from before... like they haven’t changed at all.”Violet frowned. “That’s a good point. If one of them were your anchor, they wouldn’t be playing the same roles they did last time.”I let out a frustrated breath. “Darn it! I h
Tamara's POV After the delicious, knee curling, intimate night with Dante, I lay cuddled against him, listening to the slow rhythm of his heartbeat. His warm muscular body pressed against me, his strong arm pulling me closer as I rested my head on his chest. A sweet feeling of peace settled over me, something I really hadn’t felt in a long time. It was like being in his arms could chase away all the uncertainties I had swirling in my mind.I looked up at him, smiling softly. "How did your meeting with your mom go?"Dante shifted slightly, the faintest shadow crossing his face before he replied. “It went well enough, I suppose. My mother is always one for lectures, but we came to an understanding. She’s just... concerned about the future.”I raised an eyebrow, catching the subtle way he danced around something. There was always more to the story with Dante, but I didn’t push. “I can imagine. I’m a little nervous to meet her,” I admitted.His expression softened. “You’ll be fine. She’
Tamara's POV I could feel his tension still lingering in the air from the words I knew he was holding back. I wanted to ignore but I couldn't when It ate at me, like this.Why was distance and silence the first defense he tried to put between us when I mentioned his brother?I pressed my lips to his bare shoulder before sitting up, turning to face him with a serious look."We promised to always tell each other the truth," I reminded him, my voice soft but firm. "No secrets, remember? We’re strong enough to handle anything as long as we’re honest."Dante sighed heavily, his eyes flickering with conflict. He brushed his fingers through his hair, the muscles in his jaw tightening as if he was struggling with what to say. Finally, he looked at me, his gaze filled with both love and something darker—guilt, maybe."Tamara... my brother, Reuben... he hates you. He wants you punished for what your parents did. That’s why I didn’t bring him up earlier."I froze, the weight of his words sinki
We walked into the dining room, the warm scent of breakfast filling the air. Casper and Violet were already there, seated comfortably at the long oak table. They seemed lost in conversation, but as soon as we entered, Violet’s eyes lit up mischievously. ”Wow, you and Dante really took your precious time this morning, I wonder what made you so late,” Violet mind-linked me, her teasing tone making me blush immediately. I could feel my cheeks heat up as I glanced at her. ”Well what can I say, Dante... is very fond of me,” I replied, trying to keep my thoughts calm and composed, but it was hard when Violet was grinning like a cat who just caught a mouse. ”Fond of you? That’s one way to put it,” she teased, her grin widening as she raised an eyebrow suggestively. ”You’re glowing, Tamara.” I bit my lip, trying to suppress a giggle as I took my seat next to Dante. I couldn’t deny it—I was glowing, and it was all thanks to him. But I wasn’t about to admit that to Violet, at least not n
Tamara's POV I just stared at Dante, frozen, with my heart pounding in my chest. I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right. “What... what did you just say?”My voice came out shaky and barely louder than a whisper but he heard me.I watched Dante look hesitant, his jaw tightening as if he really didn’t want to repeat the words. But after a moment, he exhaled deeply, locking his eyes with mine. “Tamara... Your pack members were attacked last night. Some of them were killed.”I froze, the words sinking in like ice water. “What? No...” I gasped, feeling my body go cold with disbelief. My mind immediately raced to my loved ones, my friends, everyone I had left behind. “Who?” I stammered. “Who was attacked? Who—who died?”Dante reached for his phone, pulling up the article before handing it to me. I snatched it quickly, scanning the screen with trembling hands. My breath hitched in my throat as I read the headline: Unknown Invaders Attack Winter-Pack, Several Casualties Reported. The article didn
Adrian’s POV The moment the warrior burst into the room, his face pale with urgency, I knew something was wrong. “The border—” he gasped. “It’s been breached.” I froze immediately. “By who?” The guard hesitated, then spoke. "We aren't sure sir. You need to see this by yourself." For a second, the words didn’t quite register. A breach? In our territory? That wasn’t supposed to happen. We had one of the strongest security systems in place. How the hell did someone get through? 'How did they even find the audacity to get through? And what did they want?' Is what I thought. But then— My mind went to Kayla. I needed to keep her safe at all costs. I didn't remember my pack, I didn't remember my people or any of the things I used to think about, all I remembered was Kayla. From that moment, my mind snapped. I barely remembered giving Logan orders. All I knew was that I needed to keep her safe. I remembered turning to her, grabbing her by the shoulders and saying “Stay her
Kayla’s POV "Did you really think I’d let you go, Kayla?” It growled. That voice. It was familiar. Too familiar. But that wasn’t possible because I couldn't remember hearing it before. Plus the fact that they were bold enough to intrude the south was a problem. I stood frozen, my heart hammering against my ribs as the shadows shifted near the doorway. Adrian was already in front of me, his body tense, it was like he was shielding me from the possible attack coming. His dark eyes burned with a dangerous intensity. “You need to stay hidden here, this palace is the safest place, Kayla,” he ordered. I barely heard him. My mind was racing, trying to place that voice—the one that had sent chills through my spine. It couldn’t be… But before I could think further, a deafening howl rang through the air. Then another. Then— Chaos erupted. --- Preparing for Battle A pack warrior rushed in, panting. “The attack has gotten worse sir!” he gasped. “They’ve broken past the o
Kayla’s POVFor a single, shocking moment, I was frozen.Candice— woman who was addicted to Adrian, the woman who had been fighting tooth and nail to get him —was now lunging at Adrian.This wasn't making any sense to me.Her nails elongated into claws, swiping through the air with deadly precision.And Adrian wasn’t fighting back.He was only dodging her attacks, barely avoiding the vicious way she was trying to end him, but I could see it.Every time she struck, every time he evaded, worry and confusion flickered in his dark eyes.Not because she was hurting him, But because he couldn't understand why she was doing it.Adrian could have ended this fight in an instant.But he wouldn’t. Because he truly cared for Candice and this wasn’t Candice.Not the real Candice anyway, and we all knew it.And yet—My chest tightened as I watched him try to dodge another hit.But this time, he didn't move fast enough and Candice’s claws ripped through his sleeve, drawing blood.A sharp growl lef
Kayla’s POV Something was about to go wrong. We could all feel it—lingering in the air, creeping in the shadows of my mind. Suspicious activity had just been detected again in the pack’s security system. That was the third time this week. Whoever was doing this was inside the pack. But tracking them led nowhere. It was like chasing a ghost. And that scared me more than I wanted to admit. Because if we couldn’t find them, that meant they were good. Too good. --- Despite the lingering unease, I had to admit—Adrian had changed. The suffocating overprotection was gone. He still worried, still kept guards around, but now he actually let me breathe. And I knew why.It was because he believed in my ability to protect myself now. Because I wasn’t some helpless prisoner anymore. I had fought for my life and I had survived. I wasn’t weak anymore, even though I wasn't sure why. And because of that, we were finally going back to how we used to be before the kiss.Kind of Close and
Adrian’s POV No leads on how the traitor betrayed us. Not even a single damn clue about who the traitor was. Days of searching, interrogating, tearing through every possible lead—and still, nothing. It was infuriating. Someone had let those mercenaries in. Someone inside my palace, under my command, had betrayed me. And yet, whoever it was, they covered their tracks too well. Too carefully. That told me two things. One: They were smart. Two: They probably weren’t working alone or had some level of influence. I wasn’t letting this go. Because if they got in once, they could get in again. And I’d kill anyone who put Kayla in danger. --- I was in my office, pouring over reports, when Connor walked in. One look at his face, and I knew. “We found something?" I asked and he nodded. I stood immediately. “Tell me.” Connor tossed a file onto the desk. I flipped it open, scanning the details—then my body went rigid. A name and finally a familiar connection.
Kayla’s POVAfter that nightmare, I felt like a prisoner.The palace, once a place that had slowly started to feel like home, now felt like a cage with golden bars.Adrian had doubled security after the bloody warning note, and while I understood why… it didn’t make being constantly watched any easier.Guards followed me everywhere, inside and outside. I couldn’t take a walk without someone tailing me. I couldn’t breathe without Adrian knowing exactly where I was.I wanted to scream.Instead, I forced myself to keep my head down and obey—because that was what was expected of me.---"Adrian, please," I tried again.He didn’t even look up from the map spread across his desk. "No."I let out a frustrated breath. "I just want to go outside for five minutes.""You were outside yesterday," he said. "In the training yard. With three guards."I folded my arms. "That’s not the same thing, and you know it."He finally looked at me, his sharp gaze pinning me in place. "I'm not taking chances wi
Adrian’s POVKayla was keeping her distance again.I noticed it in the small things—the way she tried to leave the room whenever I entered, the way she avoided making eye contact, the hesitation in her voice whenever we spoke.And it pissed me off.I understood she had secrets. I understood that she was struggling with something she didn’t fully comprehend. But after everything that had happened, after all the times I had proven I would protect her, she still didn’t trust me enough to tell me the truth.I should have been furious.But instead, all I felt was frustration laced with something I didn’t want to name.Because despite everything, I still couldn’t bring myself to push her away.So, I focused on what I could control—her safety.---I was in my office, reviewing patrol reports when I heard a soft knock on the door.I already sensed who it was before I looked up.Kayla stood in the doorway, her expression uncertain.I set my pen down and leaned back in my chair. “You’re avoidin
Adrian’s POVI stared at Kayla, my back still pressed against the wall where she had thrown me.That wasn’t possible.I was an Alpha. Stronger than anyone in this pack. No one—not even a Beta—should have been able to push me back like that.And yet, she had.Kayla.The same woman who told me she had no wolf.The same woman who had claimed to be powerless.She was standing in front of me, her hands still trembling, her eyes filled with confusion and regret."I… I didn’t mean to do that," she stammered. "I don’t know how that happened."I didn’t say anything.I couldn’t.My mind was spinning, trying to make sense of it.Had she lied to me? Was she trying to manipulate me?Had she made up that whole story about losing her wolf just to gain my pity?"She tricked us," my wolf growled, angry and betrayed."Did you lie to me?" I asked coldly, my voice barely above a whisper.Kayla’s eyes widened. "What?"I took a step toward her, my fists clenched. "You told me you didn’t have a wolf anymore
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