Xavier's pov I stood frozen, watching as Alpha Adrian’s sleek black car disappeared down the road.A sharp, searing pain tore through my chest, like someone had reached inside and ripped my heart out with their bare hands.I wanted to chase after the car.I wanted to pull her out of it.I wanted to take her back.But I couldn’t move.My legs felt like they were made of stone, my chest felt hollow, and my wolf Theo —my furious, howling wolf—was losing his mind.“Go after her!” he roared inside me. “Get our mate back! NOW!”But I just stood there, numb and lifeless, as the car disappeared from sight.And then, she was gone.For the first time since I rejected Kayla, I felt like I had truly lost her.The original rejection had hurt before—more than I had ever imagined it would—but I had been okay because she was still around and within my reach.I had told myself that after Mia gave birth and everything settled down, I would take Kayla back as my mate.That’s why I have not yet married
Kayla’s POV I stood frozen, completely stunned, as the words left Candice’s mouth. “Alpha Adrian’s wife.” My lips parted, but no sound came out. Wife? Alpha Adrian was married? Candice’s glare intensified, her arms crossing over her chest as she took a slow, deliberate step closer to me. “And you,” she said coldly, looking me up and down, “How do you have the audacity to be here when you claim to just work for my husband?” I swallowed hard, but my throat felt dry. “This boutique is meant for the Alpha’s family, not some… mere worker,” she sneered. Before I could find my voice, Ingrid suddenly rushed in, looking panicked. She bowed deeply in front of Candice. “My apologies, Lady Candice,” Ingrid said quickly. “Alpha Adrian personally requested for Kayla to be brought here.” Candice’s eyes flashed with fury. “What?” she snapped. “And why would he do that?” Ingrid hesitated. “I…I don’t know ma'am but he explicitly instructed me to bring her here ma'am." Ca
Kayla’s POV I stared in shock, my hand still gripping the doorknob as I processed the sight in front of me. Alpha Adrian was standing in my doorway. Tall, handsome, imposing, and undeniably intimidating, yet somehow calm and casual, as if there was no place he'd rather be. “I’ve come to take you to dinner,” he said smoothly, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. I blinked. Once. Twice. Had I heard that correctly? “…What?” I finally managed to say. “Ingrid said you didn't want to come to dinner,” Adrian said, stepping into my room as if he owned the place—which, to be fair, he did. “So, I came to get you.” I swallowed hard, my heart pounding for no reason. I quickly stepped back, putting space between us. “I—uh—I’m not hungry,” I lied quickly. At that exact moment, my stomach betrayed me with a loud, humiliating growl. Heat rushed to my face. Adrian arched an eyebrow, his lips twitching. “Not hungry, huh? Wanna try another excuse?" I blushed harder, pressing
Kayla’s POV “What the fuck is she doing here?” Candice spat, her voice laced with venom. The moment Candice walked into the dining hall, I felt my entire body tense. It was like stepping into ice-cold water—shocking, numbing, and sending a wave of dread through me. Of course, she was here. I should have known this dinner wouldn’t go smoothly. A scowl twisted her pretty face, clearly not expecting to see me here. Her gaze flickered to Adrian, as if demanding an explanation. When she didn’t get one, her lips pressed together tightly before she turned her glare back on me. Adrian, who had been relaxed beside me tensed and sighed. He slowly sat down, his expression darkening as he turned his piercing gaze on Candice. “She,” Adrian said smoothly, though there was a dangerous edge to his voice, “is my guest. And you will speak to her with respect.” A stunned silence fell over the room. Candice’s face turned bright red—part embarrassment, part fury. She clenched her fists, her nail
Kayla's POVI watched with a lump in my throat as Candice continued to stroke Alpha Adrian’s arm, her delicate fingers trailing up and down as if she had every right to touch him so intimately in front of everyone. My stomach twisted, and I had no idea why. It wasn’t jealousy—I had no reason to feel that way. But something about the way she clung to him like he was hers made my skin crawl.Candice batted her lashes at him even more. “So… does this mean I’m no longer banned from the boutique?” Her voice was sultry, dripping with fake sweetness. She tilted her head, pressing herself subtly against his side.I expected Adrian to give in, to let this go like most men would when a beautiful woman pouted at them. But instead, he shocked everyone.“No,” Adrian said firmly. “You’re still banned. You must be punished for lying about my guest.”Candice stiffened, her expression twisting from seductive to furious in an instant. Her nails dug into his sleeve before she yanked her hand back like
Kayla’s POV Darkness surrounded me, pulling me under like an deadly sea. But faint voices echoed in the distance, breaking through the void. “Kayla! Stay with me, damn it!” That voice. Deep, rough with panic. Alpha Adrian. I felt my body being lifted, strong arms holding me tightly. My head lolled against a firm chest as the sound of hurried footsteps and frantic voices filled the air. “She passed out from pain—get out of my way!” Adrian snarled. “Alpha—” “I don’t want one doctor—I want two! I want the best medical team working on her immediately,” he barked. “I don’t care what it takes. She needs the best treatment possible.” The desperation in his voice sent a dull ache through my chest. The best treatment. A cruel memory suddenly resurfaced—one I had buried deep inside. “Doctor, treat Mia first,” Xavier’s cold voice had rung through the hospital room. “She’s carrying my child.” I had been lying on the hospital bed, barely conscious, blood soaking through my gown. My bod
Kayla’s POVThe hospital air smelled sterile, the walls too white, the bedsheets too stiff. I should have been relieved to be leaving, but instead, my body felt heavier than it had ever been.The moment I stepped outside the hospital doors, the warm afternoon breeze touched my skin, but even that couldn’t lift the weight pressing down on my chest.Then I saw him.Alpha Adrian stood by a sleek black SUV, his sharp golden eyes locked onto me the second I appeared. He wasn’t just here to send someone to pick me up—he had come himself.He was leaning against the car, arms crossed, but as soon as he saw me, he straightened and strode forward. Without a word, he carefully lifted me into his arms.“Adrian, I can walk,” I muttered, my voice weak.“You don’t have to,” he said simply, carrying me as if I weighed nothing.I was too tired to argue.He gently placed me in the passenger seat, buckled my seatbelt himself, and only after making sure I was comfortable did he walk around to the driver’
Kayla’s POVEver since Adrian's mother, who I heard is called Lady Catherine told Adrian about his stepbrother’s visit, something about him had changed.He was still attentive—still the man who carried me to bed, still the man who wiped my face with a warm towel when I was too drained to do it myself. But now, there was an edge to him, a restlessness he couldn’t seem to shake.I caught it in the way his eyes darkened even more when he thought no one was looking, in the way his fingers drummed against the wooden desk when he sat with me during meals.A week had passed, and I had mostly recovered. My body was still adjusting, but I was strong enough to move around on my own now.And yet, Adrian still insisted on tending to me.The only thing he didn’t do was help me in the bathroom. That was the one thing he let Ingrid handle.Which gave me an idea.When Adrian was in the middle of brushing my hair—something he had stubbornly taken upon himself—I cleared my throat. “I need to use the re
Adrian's POV I was waiting for Logan's answer but he was hesitant to look at me."Logan? Why shouldn't I talk to her?"“Because I don’t trust her,” he finally snapped. “You shouldn’t either.” I leaned back in the chair, watching him. “No that's not it... I think You hate her. But I what I want to know is why?” Logan crossed his arms, his whole body tense. “Because I don’t like women who choose power and money over love.” For a second, I just stared at him. That was… personal. Before I could ask more, he shook his head like he regretted saying anything and muttered, “Do what you want, Alpha. Permission to patrol the border sir!" He requested. I waved him off and called for a guard. “Send for Candice. Now.” Logan cursed under his breath but didn’t stop me. Candice arrived not long after, dressed too perfectly for the late hour, her blond hair in place and a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You called for me, Alpha?” she said sweetly, walking in with a little too much sway in
Adrian's POV I stormed down the hall with Logan right behind me, my fists clenching and unclenching at my sides. I didn’t even know where I was going—I just needed to move before I punched a wall or did something even dumber. She said she’d leave. She said she’d leave me for him. The words kept playing on a loop in my head, sharper than any knife. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. “Alpha Adrian, slow down—” Logan called after me, but I ignored him, pushing through the doors into one of the empty meeting rooms and slamming them behind us. I paced like a caged animal, my heart pounding in my ears. The image of Kayla standing there, choosing Hector over me, made my vision blur. “She threatened to leave,” I snapped, whirling on Logan. “For him.” Logan stayed by the door, arms crossed. “That’s not what she meant.” I scoffed. “You heard her. If you banish Hector, I’ll leave too. Sounds pretty fucking clear to me.” “She was trying to protect him,” Logan said calmly. “Because she bel
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’