Jack’s POVI stood frozen, Adrian’s words echoing in my head. Tamara…his mate? It didn’t make any sense. It couldn’t make sense.“You’re lying,” I said, my voice colder than I intended. “You have to be lying.”Adrian didn’t flinch. Instead, he met my gaze with an intensity that made my stomach twist. “Why would I lie about something like this, Jack? Tamara is my mate.”“That’s impossible!” I snapped. “If she was your mate, she would have known. She would have felt it!”Adrian sighed, his frustration showing. “She didn’t sense it because something’s wrong. That day, when I saw her, she couldn’t feel the bond. That’s why I didn’t tell her.”I frowned, his words tugging at something in the back of my mind. “But Why couldn’t she sense it? That's not normal, all mates can sense each other” I argued.“I’ve been asking myself the same question,” Adrian said, his voice low. “At first, I thought it was just me—maybe I was mistaken. But I kept digging, and I found out it’s because of her…rebirt
Tamara's POV Morning came too quickly, dragging with it a heavy sense of unease. As I paced the room, my thoughts circled like vultures around one persistent worry: how was I supposed to serve Lady Regina? She wasn’t just Dante’s mother—she was a woman of power, experience, and sharp wit. One wrong move, one misstep, and she’d see right through me. I sighed, pulling my hair back into a loose braid as Violet sat on the couch, watching me with a bemused expression. “You’re going to wear a hole in the floor,” she teased. “Maybe I’ll disappear into the hole and save myself from whatever disaster today holds,” I muttered, earning a small chuckle from her. “You’re overthinking it. Sophie always knew how to handle these kinds of situations. She was raised with all the proper etiquette,” Violet said offhandedly. I froze mid-step. “Sophie. Why hasn’t she returned yet?” Violet’s smile faltered. “I don’t know. She’s not answering my calls.” “Have you spoken to anyone else who’s seen her?
Tamara's POV The moment Lady Regina uttered the words “in front of noblewomen of the north,” my stomach plummeted. My mind raced with the implications. This wasn’t just a game—it was a spectacle, a test designed to humiliate me. Lucy’s smug grin confirmed my fears. I could already imagine her scheming ways to make me look like a fool. As soon as I excused myself from Lady Regina’s presence, I rushed to find Dante. My heart pounded with urgency, and my feet barely touched the ground as I navigated the corridors of the palace. When I burst into his office, I didn’t even bother with pleasantries. “Dante, Dante! you have to help me,” I blurted, barely catching my breath. “Lady Regina wants me to participate in some... ridiculous game in front of the noblewomen of the north. And Lucy’s involved! You know she’ll do everything to humiliate me! help me get out of it” Dante looked up from his paperwork, his expression amused. “Oh, that. Mother and Lucy tricked you into agreeing, didn’t
Tamara's POV I looked between them, my concern growing. “Sophie, is he… is he hurting you?” “No!” Sophie said quickly, though her voice wavered. “He’s just… frustrated. I don’t blame him. I should’ve communicated better.” I wasn’t convinced, I knew signs of abuse from my experience with Jack and Sophie was clearly being abused and manipulated. “Sophie, you don’t have to defend him. If he’s treating you badly, we’ll protect you.” She shook her head again, her tears starting anew. “It’s not that simple, Tamara. He’s my husband. I made a vow to be with him through thick and thin, I can't just let it go because he has some flaws.” "Flaws?" Casper gaped. "Flaws could be him forgetting to say I love you, not telling you that you're a piece of shit that is better off dead!" Casper yelled and my eyes widened. "He said that to her?" I asked and Casper nodded, "that was one of the nicer things actually, I can't repeat the rest or I might go back there and kill him." Sophie sobb
Tamara's POV Sophie finally sobered slightly, though her eyes still sparkled with amusement. “Tamara, do you know why all the northern Lunas learn archery?” I blinked at her, thrown off by the sudden change in topic. “Uh… no?” “It’s because there might come a time when we can’t rely on our wolves in battle. Archery is a skill that doesn’t require shifting—it’s about precision, patience, and focus. Every Luna in the north usually learns it as part of her training.” I groaned and buried my face in my hands. “Well, I liked to skip those lessons back in my pack. Now I’m doomed.” “You’re not doomed,” Sophie said firmly. "The point of my story is this, A Luna must know how to win her challenge or defeat her enemy despite not having her preferred weapons, so the key isn't being great at archery, the key is finding a way to win."I arched my brows at that.Sophie smiled. “I’ll teach you. We still have time, and I’ll make sure you’re ready.” I peeked at her through my fingers. “You
Tamara's POV Morning came far too quickly, and I woke with my heart pounding in my chest. Anxiety wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket as the sunlight streamed through the windows. My mind replayed every possible scenario of failure, each more mortifying than the last. Before I could spiral any further, a warm hand slid over my waist, and I turned to see Dante’s sleepy but concerned expression. “Tamara,” he murmured, his voice still husky from sleep. “You’re trembling. What’s wrong?” “What’s wrong?” I whispered incredulously. “The game, Dante! Today’s the day I make a complete fool of myself in front of every noblewoman in the North. That’s what’s wrong.” He chuckled softly and leaned in to kiss me, his lips lingering on mine until I momentarily forgot how to breathe. When he pulled back, his golden eyes were calm and reassuring. “You won’t embarrass yourself. You’re Tamara, my Luna. You’re stronger than you think.” “Dante,” I mumbled, my voice shaky. “You’re biased.” “
Tamara's POV The second game was a test of agility, speed, and strategy—a kind of obstacle course where we had to navigate various challenges to retrieve a flag and bring it back to the starting point. I wasn’t thrilled about it at first, but as the game went on, I found myself surprising even myself. I dodged swinging logs, climbed walls with more ease than I expected, and managed to stay ahead of most of the women, including Lucy and Miriam. When I crossed the finish line with the flag in hand, a wave of cheers erupted from the crowd. I turned to see Lucy stomping across the line moments later, her face red with fury. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you?” she snapped, storming up to me. I raised an eyebrow, still catching my breath. “No, I think I’m just faster than you. Or is that what’s bothering you?” Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “You got lucky.” “Maybe,” I said with a shrug. “But luck counts too, doesn’t it?” Before Lucy could say anything else, Lady Regina’s voice
Tamara's POV The moment the furious looking man spotted Sophie, his expression shifted into something that was dangerously wild and possessive. He stormed toward her, his voice booming. “Sophie, you stupid woman! Come here, now!” Sophie flinched, shrinking behind me like a frightened child. Without thinking, I stepped in front of her. I wasn't about to let this asshole abuse her in front of me. “Stay where you are,” I said firmly, my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. The man's gaze snapped to me, dark and full of rage. “Who the hell do you think you are?” he growled. “This is between me and my wife. Move.” “I’m her friend, and your future Luna” I shot back. “Plus she doesn’t look like she wants to go with you so I suggest you get lost immediately.” “Tamara, don’t,” Sophie whispered behind me, tugging on my arm. “Please, just let me handle this.” “Handle what? You’re terrified of him, Sophie,” I said, not breaking eye contact with the man. Sop
Kayla's POV Adrian sighed and my heart dropped, then he looked at me."No,” he said firmly. “I swear to you, Kayla. I would never hurt Adrian. Not even with all this… between us. I didn’t plan anything. I didn’t know anything. I had nothing to do with it.”I looked into his eyes for a long moment, then gave a slow nod. “Okay.”Because I believed him. He’d never lied to me before, and I didn’t think he would now. Not about something like this.The doctor came in shortly after, and I stood aside to let them work. Once Hector was bandaged and checked over, I thanked Connor quietly before slipping out.I didn’t go to Adrian’s room right away.I couldn’t.I felt… awful. For threatening to leave. For not telling him about the kiss. For letting things get this far. I hated what this was turning into—how everything good between us was cracking at the edges.So I avoided our room. I wandered the halls, spent time with Ingrid, helped the healer with some supplies, tried to pretend things were
Kayla's POV I didn’t even realize I’d said it until the words had already left my mouth.“If you banish Hector… I’ll leave with him too.”The room went silent.What the hell was I thinking when I said that? I hadn't even actually meant it. I was just desperate to not let Adrian make such a stupid mistake that he'd regret, so I continued talking until I had said my piece.When I was done, even Hector stopped breathing for a second, his face bruised and bloodied, but stunned all the same. Adrian looked like I’d slapped him—like the floor had just crumbled beneath him. His jaw twitched, and the rage in his eyes flickered into something else—something sharp and painful.Goddess, why did I have to say that? It sounded like Hector was more important than my relationship with Adrian.But I truly didn’t mean it like that. I wasn’t threatening him. I just… I needed him to know that he was crossing a line. Hector was his stepbrother who had occasionally fucked up yesterday, but he didn’t des
Adrian's POV "YOU FUCKING BASTARD!” I roared, lunging at him again. But before I could land the hit, two sets of hands grabbed me. “Alpha stop! Alpha Adrian please stop! —fuck, Adrian, stop it!” Logan’s voice was right in my ear, struggling to pull me back.He had forgotten all courtesy and had began to call me by my real name which he and Connor only did when they were either desperate, pissed, frustrated, worried or scared.He sounded like he was all of the above in this moment but I couldn't give a damn about that right now. “Let go of me!” I growled, thrashing against him. “Calm the hell down Adrian!” Connor snapped, shoving me away from Hector. I threw them both off like they were nothing, shoving Logan into the wall and elbowing Connor in the ribs. They tried again, but I was a storm now. Wild. Unraveled. And then I heard her voice. “ADRIAN!” I froze at the familiar feminine voice."What the hell are you doing?!" she screamed with horror in her voice. Everything insid
Adrian’s POV My knuckles were bloodied by the time I realized how many times I’d punched him. My chest heaved and my heart was thundering like it was trying to beat its way out of my ribcage, and still Hector just stood there leaning against the wall with his bloody face.He was swaying slightly from the pain but the asshole was still not fighting back and it made me fucking furious! He wasn’t even trying to defend himself like he'd normally do when our father made us wrestle to prove who was better.Hector was often the winner when we were younger and that made me feel like he was just intentionally allowing me to beat him right now. That made it worse. "You love her?" I growled, my voice raw, trembling. "You love my Kayla?" Hector didn’t speak, didn’t meet my eyes—his jaw was bruised, blood trickling from his nose—but he didn’t take it back either. He’d said it. Out loud. Boldly. That he loved her. My fists clenched again. This fucking shameless asshole! It wasn’t just that
Hector's POV I had to keep reminding myself that I truly hadn’t chosen this life. This life of constant competition for love from my father, and now from Kayla too. But I had been thrust into it anyway. Every day, it felt like I had to prove myself that I could be better, stronger, smarter than Adrian for the pack and for Kayla.And what did I get for it? Nothing except being called a Traitor and being imprisoned. Adrian would always get everything without lifting a finger. I see that now Maybe I should just accept it and accept my role as the villain, at least maybe I could get something from it, right?Because the rivalry my father had created between us, made it impossible for Adrian to see me as anything other than his enemy. Even when I tried to help him, tried to offer him something real, he only saw me as a threat.A bang on the door jerked me out of my thoughts.I looked up, my heart sinking as the door opened, and Adrian stormed into the cell, his expression livid."Hec
Hector's POV After Kayla ran after Adrian, I willingly let the guards to put me in chains and shove me in front of themThe chains clinked with every step as I was roughly escorted down the cold stone hallways toward the prison.The guards barely spared me a glance, their eyes hard and judgmental. They treated me like I was already guilty, as if my fate had already been sealed. It stung more than I cared to admit, but I kept my face neutral.I had never felt so disgusted with myself, or with Adrian. Betrayed wasn’t even the word for it. He had accused me—his own brother—of trying to kill him. We were rivals for the position of alpha yes, but we weren't enemies! I didn't hate him. I was a little envious of his life yes, but I would never actually raise my hand against him.Never!So this was my reward for protecting Kayla? For trying to turn over a new leaf? For doing what I thought was right?Adrian was the one who had always preached for us to stop fighting, to stop hating each oth
Kayla's POV I could feel my heart breaking. I couldn’t believe he was accusing me of something so terrible. After everything we’d been through, after everything we’d shared, why was he pushing me away like this? I turned back to Hector, my heart pounding in my chest. "I’m sorry, Hector. I’ll fix this. I swear." Hector gave me a soft, apologetic look. "It’s not your fault, Kayla. We both never wanted this to happen." "I know. But I have to make Adrian understand," I said, my voice shaky. "Can you just go with the guards for now? I’ll talk to him. Please, Hector." Hector hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I’ll go. But make sure you talk to him, Kayla. I'm innocent of all his accusations but he's refusing to see things clearly." I nodded, trying to hold back tears. As Hector followed the guards down the hall, I hurried after Adrian. He couldn’t just do this. He couldn’t throw everything away because of his own insecurities. He had to know I would never leave him. I wasn’
Kayla's POV I stood in the hallway, watching Adrian storm out of the room with his usual intense expression. He was furious—his fists clenched, his jaw set tight, and a fire burning in his eyes that I hadn’t seen in a long time. The moment he’d said the word traitor, my heart dropped into my stomach. I couldn't believe it. Hector, a traitor? No, that wasn’t right. Hector had been nothing but kind to me, helpful to the the wolf less women and then he’d apologized for kissing me and promised me that he’d stop the ridiculous rivalry between him and Adrian. I had just started to thank the goddess for some peace between them, and now Adrian wanted to arrest him? I couldn’t let this happen. I hurried after Adrian, calling his name as I caught up with him in the hallway. "Adrian! Wait please!" I grabbed his arm, trying to slow him down, but he just pulled away from me. "Kayla, stay out of this." His voice was cold, like it always got when he was angry. "I need to deal with this. It’
Adrian's POV I paused and tried to recall the memory of that day. The fight with Xavier was still fresh in my mind, but there was something... something else that happened. “I met someone who said they had information on how to find you,” I said slowly, “we had a fight, but then... something attacked me from behind. I can’t remember much after that.” Kayla looked at me, concern evident in her eyes. “Something attacked you from behind?” “Yeah,” I said, rubbing my temples as I recalled the foggy details. “The memory’s a little unclear. But there was definitely someone else involved. I’m just... not sure who.”I made sure I didn't mention to her that it was probably her ex husband who had intentionally set me up and invited his friends to help him get rid of me.But that didn't make sense. Why would Xavier simply poison me and not just kill me off immediately.How did he even get the audacity to attack me when he knew that I could have defeated him especially when I wake up.Plus