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
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