Dante's POV That was all the permission my wolf needed. My hands roamed over her body, cupping her round ass, feeling the warmth of her skin, the softness under my fingertips. Her own hands traced down my chest, over my nipples, her touch sending a jolt through me. I kissed her harder, unable to hold back any longer, and felt her respond just as fervently.I backed her up against the wall, my hands slipping under the fabric of her dress as she wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me closer. Her clothed pussy pressed against my dick, making me growl with need."You feel so good baby girl" I moan as I begin to hump her, pressing my hips against her until she gasps in pleasure.The urgency in our movements made every touch, every kiss, feel more intense, more electric. I could feel her heart racing, matching my own, as we lost ourselves in each other.But just as we were both getting lost in the moment, she pulled back, her breath ragged, a teasing smile on her lips. “Dante,” sh
Dante's POV "Ah, so I finally meet the woman responsible for all this trouble." My mother said in a very unimpressed tone and I immediately feel Tamara stiffen against me. As my mother stared at Tamara, her expression as hard as stone, I could feel Tamara’s tension building beside me. I decided to quickly step in before things could get any more uncomfortable for her. “Mother,” I began, moving closer to Tamara and resting my hand on her shoulder. “I’d like to introduce you to Luna Tamara.” I lifted my chin slightly, pride swelling in my chest. “She’s the Luna of the Winter Pack…and my fiancée, i know people have been telling you a lot of lies about her, but I wanted you to meet her yourself and realize that she's an amazing woman who would never raise a finger against you.” My mother’s eyes flickered with surprise, but she quickly masked it, her face as cool as ever. She looked Tamara up and down before fixing me with a pointed gaze. “You're right son, I’ve heard rumors,” s
Dante's POV My mother suddenly turned to Reuben, her voice ice-cold. “Reuben,” she said sharply, “that’s enough. Stop behaving like a fucking child.” His jaw clenched, and I could see the frustration simmering beneath the surface, but he stayed silent. My mother turned to Tamara, her tone softer now. “I don’t hold you responsible, Tamara. It was a war…and it was my son who started it.” Her words held a weight of sorrow that filled the room. “And your father wasn’t directly responsible for his death, anyway.” I saw Tamara exhale, visibly relieved, her shoulders loosening. She met my mother’s gaze with a soft smile. “Thank you,” she said quietly, genuine gratitude in her voice. My mother’s eyes drifted down to Tamara’s hand, her gaze catching on the ring I’d placed there. She reached for Tamara’s hand, turning it slightly to admire the way the gem caught the light, sparkling with a deep, brilliant hue. “This ring suits you, Tamara,” she murmured, studying the way it matched Tam
Dante’s Pov if she couldn't help us, what were we supposed to do now? I just stood there, grappling with the consequences and disappointment of what my mother had just said. I had really hoped she could find a way around the council, a way to protect Tamara without throwing her into the very fire she was meant to escape. But now I could see it in her face—she was bound by the council’s rules as much as I was. Just as I was about to resign myself to this disappointment, my mother surprised me with a look that held a flash of hope. "Dante wait," she said as an idea formed in her mind . "There is still a way to save her, a way to make the elders submit to what you want them to do." My head snapped up as a spark of hope lit in my chest. "What are you saying?" Her gaze shifted to Tamara, standing silently at my side with worry and tension clear in her face. “The investigation against Tamara is still ongoing,” my mother began carefully. “And if they find her guilty, the
Dante’s POV My mother’s expression hardened, and she raised an eyebrow. “Are you seriously saying that you’d try to keep your own brother out of the palace? The very home he grew up in?” I forced myself to keep my tone steady as I shook my head. “It’s not about that. It’s about Tamara’s safety. I don’t trust Reuben around her.” “Oh, come on, Dante,” Reuben scoffed with an annoying smirk tugging at his lips. “Afraid I might actually hurt your precious Luna? That’s flattering, really.” His tone was mocking, and he cast a knowing look at his girlfriend, who snickered beside him. I glared at him, ignoring his bait, and turned to my mother instead. “This isn’t about being paranoid. There are real risks here. Bringing Reuben back into the palace could endanger Tamara, he’s already tried to hurt her once, I don’t plan to give him another fucking chance.” My mother’s face softened, but there was a trace of impatience. “Dante, you’re both adults. I can’t stand to see my sons fighting l
Tamara’s POV As we stepped into the hotel lobby, I let out a long sigh. It felt almost like a crazy dream. Dante’s mother had accepted me!This was something I’d been so so worried about. I knew how much her blessing meant to our plan and to Dante, and her approval was something I hadn’t dared to hope for. But even though her acceptance made me feel relieved, there was still a dull disappointment gnawing at me.We had really hoped the former Luna would somehow be able to solidify our marriage, to give us the security we needed in the face of those psychotic elders and Reuben’s interference. Yet, she couldn’t—or perhaps wasn’t able—help. She had her very good reasons, I knew that , but that didn’t make the disappointment any easier. I took one look at Dante’s tense face and kept my thoughts to myself. He was already visibly frustrated, and the last thing I wanted was to add to his burden.On the elevator ride up to our suite, I studied his profile. The clenched jaw, the way he kept
Tamara’s POV I could see the weariness in his eyes, the frustration that rose just under the surface, where he thought I wouldn’t notice it. I reached over and took his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.“It’ll be fine,” I said softly. “I’m ready for whatever she or anyone tries to throws my way. And besides, I have you, don’t I?”He met my gaze, his eyes softening as he nodded. “You do. And I’m not going anywhere.”We sat there in comfortable silence for a moment, just holding each other. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I was absolutely sure we’d kick its ass together.And that was enough for me.The next morning, Dante and I returned to his mother’s home. I was both excited and nervous. Despite everything, she’d welcomed me warmly yesterday, and I could tell how much that meant to Dante. Still, meeting the mother of the man I loved—again—always came with a little anxiety.As soon as we stepped inside, Dante’s mother, greeted us with a big smile, and before I knew it, she had her
Tamara's POV As we arrived back at the hotel, my nerves were in overdrive. Tomorrow was the hearing, and it was like a weight pressing down on me. The whole trip back, Dante held my hand, his thumb stroking across my knuckles, but I could feel his tension too, like he was bracing himself for battle.That night, we met up with our friends for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Dante, George, Violet, and Casper and my girls were all there, but the usual banter was replaced with a heavy silence. Even Violet, who could make anyone laugh on the darkest days, seemed subdued. They all knew what tomorrow meant for me—and for Dante. Tomorrow could go fine, or it could be our death sentence, for me and my pack.His whole demeanor was protective, and I could tell he was trying to keep a calm exterior for my sake.As we ate, I tried to distract myself by asking George and Casper about the city, but every attempt at conversation quickly fizzled out. Eventually, we all gave up and ate in silence,
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
Kayla’s POVThe weight of their stares was suffocating.Every councilman in the room glared at me as if I were their worst enemy. As if I had committed some great sin simply by standing beside Adrian.I clenched my hands at my sides, forcing myself to breathe.I had expected hostility. But this? This was hatred.I turned slightly toward Adrian, seeking reassurance—not that I needed it, but because something about his presence always made things seem less scary.And when I looked at him… I saw growing rage.Not at me—but at them.Adrian’s dark eyes was beginning to burn with undiluted fury as he surveyed the room, his body tense with barely contained aggression.Then, his gaze locked onto Councilman Augustine.And just like that, the storm hit."I won’t be allowing you to preside over this meeting, Augustine," Adrian said, his voice deadly calm.Murmurs broke out instantly. Augustine was head councilman, this was his main duty, Adrian's words must have been a slap to his face.Augustin
Kayla’s POV A soft warmth surrounded me, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly safe and wanted. It took me a moment to register why. it was because I was in Adrian’s arms. His strong, steady breathing tickled the back of my neck, and his body heat wrapped around me like a protective cocoon. His arm was draped over my waist, holding me against him as if he had no intention of letting go. I should have been shy about this—should have been flustered about being this close to him. But I wasn’t. Somewhere between last night’s terrifying attack and the way he had held me afterward—something had changed between us. His touch no longer made me nervous. It made me calm. It made me feel home. I blinked up at the ceiling, my mind drifting back to the way he had touched my face last night, the way his thumb had brushed my cheek so gently. "You’re worth it," he had said. Those words had shaken me. I had spent so long being treated like I was disposable. Unwanted. A bur