Tamara's POV Violet and I entered the grand hall of the festival together. The place was alive with activity—people chatting, music playing, drinks being served. At first, no one seemed to notice us. It was as if we were just two more guests blending into the crowd. But then, slowly, heads began to turn. Conversations quieted, and suddenly, the room felt like it was holding its breath for us. Violet stepped forward, holding out our invitation from Alpha Dante to the postman at the door. His eyes widened as he read it, and without hesitation, he loudly announced, “Introducing the Luna of the winter Pack, Tamara!” The murmurs started instantly. I could hear them—whispers of confusion, surprise, and doubt. “Luna of the winter Pack?” someone questioned. “But isn’t Kate the Luna?” “How can there be two Lunas?” another voice chimed in. I scanned the room and found Jack and Kate frozen in place. Jack looked like he’d just seen a ghost, while Kate looked mortified. My gaze met Jac
Tamara's POV The man who handed me my handkerchief stood beside me with a lazy smile playing on his lips. His gaze was warm but mischievous, like he knew more than he was letting on. I couldn’t help but feel a pull toward him, as there was something familiar about him, though I was certain I’d never met him before. He was undeniably handsome, tall with dark, slightly tousled hair, and his scent—God, his scent. It was intoxicating, like a heady mix of cedarwood and something darker, more primal. “You’re enjoying the festival, I hope?” His voice was smooth, like velvet. “I am,” I replied, tilting my head slightly. “Though I have to admit, it’s rare to meet someone I don’t know at events like this.” I gave him a curious look, hoping to uncover more about this mystery man. “And I don’t think we’ve met before, have we?” He chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Not directly, no. But we have more in common than you think.” My brow furrowed in confusion. His scent was familiar,
TAMARA'S POV Adrian led me through the hall, past the murmuring guests and their curious stares, until we reached a beautiful balcony. The air was crisp, and a soft breeze danced around us, carrying the faint scent of jasmine. The moonlight bathed the scene in a soft glow, casting everything in a romantic light. It was the kind of balcony you’d see in an old romance novel—flowers creeping up the stone railing, the stars twinkling above us. I couldn’t deny how perfect it all felt, even though there was a storm of emotions brewing inside me. He leaned against the railing, looking out at the night sky before turning his gaze back to me. His eyes were still filled with that same mix of mischief and something darker, something deeper. “So, how did you find yourself here tonight?” he asked, his tone light but filled with curiosity. I sighed, leaning on the balcony next to him. “I was supposed to meet Alpha Dante here tonight. He sent me an invitation to be his date.” Adrian’s relax
Tamara's POV I stormed into my pack house, slamming the door behind me so hard that the walls shook. My anger coursed through me like wildfire, every thought of Jack claiming me in front of everyone making my blood boil. After everything I was doing to establish myself as the sole leader, the true Luna of the Winter pack, he had the audacity to pull a stunt like that—kissing me in front of all those alphas, declaring me as his like I was some kind of trophy. Not only did it make me look weak, but it undid all the work I had done tonight. They were supposed to see me as the leader, not as some silly mate Jack could claim whenever he felt like it. I paced the living room, the heels of my shoes clicking against the wooden floor. How dare he?! The door opened, and I spun around to see Jack walking in, his face set with a mixture of frustration and concern. “Tamara,” he started, his voice pleading, “we need to talk.” I glared at him, crossing my arms over my chest. “What’s there
Jack's POV "Ah" Tamara gasped in surprise when I pull her closer to me, enjoying the way her soft body fit perfectly against mine. Her breasts pressing into me, her scent—something floral and sweet—flooded my senses. For years, I had tried to ignore how good she felt in my arms, brushing it off as a distraction from what really mattered. But tonight was the first time I really let myself indulge in it, maybe because I’d seen how easily Alpha Adrian could’ve been the one enjoying her touch earlier. That bastard had no fucking right, but seeing him with her had stirred something deep inside me, something I hadn’t allowed myself to feel in a long time. She shifted slightly in her sleep, her head nestling against my chest. A small smile tugged at my lips as I admired her peaceful face. How could I have been so blind to this? A voice cut through my thoughts—Kate, reaching out through the mind link. "Jack? Where are you? You’re supposed to be in my room." I ignored her. Tonight, I w
Jack's POV Tamara stood at the head of the table, her back straight and her voice clear as she carried on the meeting. The warriors and other leaders listened intently to her, their eyes fixed on her as she confidently discussed the latest patrol reports. I leaned back in my seat, watching her closely, admiring how she’d grown into this role over the last few weeks. There was a time when she wouldn’t have been able to control a room like this, but now… now, she freaking owned it! Suddenly, the door swung open, and Kate barged in, looking flustered. “Sorry I’m late!” she said, glancing around at everyone. “I didn’t know there was a meeting scheduled.” Oh, I felt a sharp pang of realization—Tamara intentionally hadn’t told us about the meeting. She must have intentionally left me and Kate out! What the fuck?! My jaw clenched as I wondered why. Was she trying to get back at me for not informing her about the last meeting? This felt personal. Before I could say anything, Tamar
I left the meeting, my mind swirling with confusion. Jack had been acting strange ever since we started. He was being...clingy. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. He hadn’t even defended Kate when I shut her down. He used to stand by her without a second thought, but now? He was silent, just watching me like he couldn’t take his eyes off me.This was not like him.Was Jack actually changing in this timeline? Could it be that the events of this life were altering him too? My mind raced with the possibilities, but then I shook my head, clearing the thought. No, I reminded myself, he’s still the same. Even though his behavior had softened toward me, he still suggested attacking Alpha Dante. That alone meant he was still trying to start a war, and I couldn’t let that happen.I sighed, feeling the weight of it all pressing down on me. If there was one thing I knew, it was that Jack could never be trusted. He was clever, manipulative, and always thinking ten steps ahead. I had to make sure h
Tamara's POV “Promise me you won’t attack Alpha Dante.” My voice was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. I crossed my arms over my chest, waiting for his response. His face tightened, and I could see the immediate resistance in his eyes. He wanted to protest. “Tamara, you don’t understand. Dante is dangerous. If we don’t act now—” I took a step back, pretending to pull away from him completely. His eyes widened, panic flashing across his face as he realized what was happening. He didn't want to lose control over me, not now. “Okay, okay,” he said quickly, his hands coming up in surrender. “I won’t attack Dante. I promise.” I studied him for a moment, surprised by how easily he’d given in. Jack never gave in this easily. He always fought for what he wanted. Was he really changing, or was this just another trick? Either way, I couldn’t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction. “Good,” I said, stepping closer to him again. Relief washed over his face, and before I cou
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
Adrian’s POVI didn’t plan on letting her go.Not tonight. Not ever.I held Kayla’s face between my hands, staring into those stormy eyes that I had come to crave more than anything else in this world. I had meant every word—I wasn’t letting her leave this room until she told me the truth.But deep down, I knew I wasn’t just talking about tonight.A dark part of me, the part that had already lost too much, whispered that I would never let her go at all.And I felt guilty for it.Kayla wasn’t some possession to be kept in a cage. But I couldn’t shake the possessiveness curling in my chest, the absolute refusal to lose her too.Not after what I’d already lost.She was shaking now, her breaths coming out in sharp, uneven gasps. Her hands clenched at her sides as if she was fighting some invisible war within herself.And she looked scared.That’s what threw me off the most.What the hell was she so afraid of?"Kayla," I murmured, my fingers tracing over her cheekbone. "Talk to me."Her li
Kayla’s POVI couldn't stop thinking about last night.The way Adrian had held me. The way his hands had traced my skin, setting every nerve in my body on fire.And the way he had stopped.He had looked at me like I was something precious, something he was too scared to take before I was ready.I had never known a man like him before.Adrian was dangerous, feared, and yet with me, he was patient. Protective.I was falling for him. Hard.The realization terrified me. I had spent so long guarding my heart, convincing myself that love—real love—was a luxury I would never have again. And yet, here I was, aching for him in a way that had nothing to do with the mate bond.I needed a distraction, something to clear my mind.Which was why I was now standing outside Lady Elizabeth’s home again, my heart hammering as I raised my hand to knock.She had asked to see me privately, and though I had agreed, I wasn’t sure I was ready for whatever she had to say.But something told me I needed to hear
Authors note: Thank you to everyone that left a comment, I read each and every one of them, and it was so uplifting. I'll do my best for you too. ,💕Adrian’s POV My training session the next day was brutal, but I barely felt it. My mind was elsewhere. Xavier. That fucking asshole. Logan had reported earlier that the bastard had been snooping around, and then I actually CAUGHT him talking to a certain pack member. That alone was enough to put me on edge. Xavier wasn’t here for resources—he was here to stir up trouble, I knew that, but I didn't know what to do about it yet. As I wiped sweat from my brow, Logan approached. "You’re distracted Sir," he noted. "I’m fine," I muttered, tossing my towel over my shoulder. Logan didn’t look convinced. "I didn't want to bother you, but You should know—Xavier was seen talking to some more of Hector’s former allies." Not again! Did that asshole ever learn? Did I have to break his neck for him to stop? My entire body went rigid with a
Adrian’s POV Logan entered my office with a grim expression, shutting the door behind him. "We have a problem," he said, his tone clipped. I leaned back in my chair, already feeling the tension coil in my muscles. "Wait, I know, Let me guess. it's Xavier." Logan nodded. "He's been snooping around, talking to certain pack members. And not just any members—Hector’s old allies. The ones on the council who didn’t want you as Alpha." My jaw clenched. Of course, Xavier wouldn’t waste time to piss me off. The bastard was here under the pretense of collecting resources, but I knew better. He was testing boundaries, looking for weaknesses. And now, he was making nice with the same men who had fought against my leadership. I stood, grabbing my jacket. "Where the fuck is he now?" Logan sighed. "In the west courtyard. He’s been real friendly with Councilor Marcus and the others. Too friendly." Rage burned in my chest, but I kept my voice even. "Let’s go." --- The moment I stepped into