Tamara’s POV I blinked, not fully processing what he had just said. “What?” I gaped Jack gave me that practiced, fake sympathetic look that begged me to be understanding. “Please Tamara, as a good Luna, you should try to show compassion and kindness to your people, especially your sister. Katie is still healing,” he explained, as if that somehow justified what he was asking. “And since you’ve been so kind to her, I thought… maybe you could allow her to go with me instead of with you? She’s never attended a glamorous event like this before, and maybe it could help cheer her up.” I stared at him in disbelief. In our previous life, he had allowed me to attend the festival, but he also brought Kate with us—that day turned out to be nothing short of a nightmare. I was humiliated in front of the other alphas and forced to stand in the background, while Jack paraded Kate around like she was his fiancée instead of me. It gained him a lot of support among the Alphas. But this time
Tamara’s POV As soon as I finally stepped away from the crowd, Violet came up beside me, with a look of concern. “Tamara, Are you okay?” she asked, her voice soft and sympathetic and I realized she had overheard the drama between Jack, Kate and I. I smiled, trying to push down the irritation I felt for Jack and his mistress. “I’m okay. Why do you ask?” Violet glanced around, making sure no one was within earshot before leaning closer. “I have something important to tell you.” My interest piqued, and I turned fully toward her. “What is it?” Violet hesitated, “I think you need to sit down first,” she said and pulled me into a chair, before sitting with me. “So what is it?” I asked, genuinely curious. Violet nervously bit her lip before finally blurting out, “Jack and Kate… I think, no, I know they’re having an affair.” She said and tensed up, waiting for my reaction. A loud laugh burst out of me before I could stop it. I was actually expecting to hear something worse that
Tamara's POV I went to bed that night fully expecting to be drugged again. It was strange, this feeling of déjà vu that had been creeping over me ever since I was reborn into this life. I always knew exactly what was going to happen. Jack was going to offer me that same warm milk he always did, the one that I’d once thought was a simple gesture of his love. But now, after everything I had discovered, I knew better. The cup of milk he gave me every night was laced with sleeping tablets that would knock me out and allow him to go and fuck her as loud as he wanted. As I lay there, pretending to be engrossed in a book, I noticed Jack out of the corner of my eye. He was standing near the door, holding the glass of the milk as usual, but something was strange. There was a hesitation in his eyes that wasn’t usually there. In fact, his eyes seemed to linger on my breasts and my curves more than usual, like he was weighing his options on who he wanted to sleep with tonight, or maybe he
I refused to repeat my sentence and just quietly watched her panic. "Er, uh." She stammered and her face reddened slightly, but she quickly covered it with a bright smile. “He just wants me to be well prepared. After all, it’s a big event and I'll be representing you sister since you unfortunately can't come." “Yes, it is,” I agreed, moving closer to her until I was standing right in front of her. “And you want to make a good impression In front of all those important Alphas, don’t you?” Kate nodded eagerly. “Of course! I want to show them that my sister and my boyfri-- I mean Alpha Jack are treating me well despite the fact that I'm the daughter of a common mistress. I just want to please you sister." She said and I smiled at her. Was I really that foolish in my past life that I didn't see past all her dumb ass lies? it seems I was. But not anymore. I knew Kate well enough now to know how to trick her. I knew what she really wanted. She wanted the most valuable things I owned, a
Tamara’s POV The evening of the festival arrived, and I was walking down the hallway leading to our room, when I heard Kate and Jack's giggling voices. They were getting ready for the festival. I could hear their flirtatious murmurs floating up to me before I reached the door. Curios to see whatever wicked plans they were cooking up, I slowed my steps and peered through the slightly ajar door. There they were— The two back stabbers. Jack was standing tall and I must admit looking handsome, in his crisp black suit and Kate was in that stunning yellow dress I had so kindly “gifted” her. They were leaning too close, almost kissing, and I felt a surge of disgust rise in me as I watched Kate touch Jack’s arm, leaning in to whisper something in his ear. Her hand caressed his chest, and Jack didn’t pull away. Just as Kate tilted her head up, clearly asking for a kiss, I decided it was time to fuck things up for them. I pushed the door open fully, stepping inside with deliberate co
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
Adrian's POV: I stared at my phone, the message from Xavier glaring at me from the screen. "We need to talk. I have something to tell you about Kayla and the enemy hunting her. Meet me at the old clearing by the edge of the forest. Midnight. Alone." I rolled my eyes, the familiar sense of irritation crawling under my skin. Why would he want to help me now? What the hell does he want? And why the hell did he want me alone? I could feel my anger simmering, but I also knew this could be important. Kayla was all that had been on my mind nonstop lately, and if Xavier thought he could help ... or use her against me… well, I wasn’t about to sit back and do nothing. But the thought of meeting him alone? That didn’t sit well with me. “You want me to go alone?” I muttered under my breath, more to myself than anyone else. I didn’t trust Xavier for a second, and I certainly wasn’t about to walk into a trap with just me and him. My first instinct was to call in my men, get backup, but some
Xavier’s POV The night in the South was cool and dark, the perfect cover for secret meetings. I pressed through the dim corridors of the guest quarters until I reached the far end of the pack's border, where I knew I’d arranged to meet my “partner in crime.” According to the plan, it was to be here—hidden by shadows and far from Adrian's eyes. I waited near the edge of the pack, my fingers drumming on the wall. Finally, a lean figure emerged from the darkness. He moved with the casual air of someone who knew he wasn’t liked and yet didn’t care. I smirked. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite southern traitor,” I called lightly, as he approached. He chuckled low and gave a crooked smile. “i told you to Call me Desmond,” he said, leaning against the stone wall. His tone was casual, as if the meeting were nothing more than a chat at a pub. I snorted. “Desmond? Please. I know that name is as fake as your loyalty.” I crossed my arms, letting my eyes roam over him—dark hair, a few silver st
Kayla's POV 'The burning tree was my fault' that was the thought in my head as I jolted awake. I woke up to the same emptiness that had filled my chest for the past few days. My fingers ran across the cold, stone floor as I sat up in bed. I wasn’t sure why I even bothered getting up today. My body felt heavy, like every breath was a burden. My powers. I couldn’t even think about them without feeling the sharp sting of shame. The accident with the tree felt like it was haunting me every second. That when I accidentally let my emotions take control and set a tree on fire. I could easily have hurt someone, and I didn’t even know how I did it. I was terrified that if I tried to practice again, I might ACTUALLY hurt someone this time. I couldn’t even talk to anyone about it. How could I? They’d all blame me for it. They’d see me as the danger I am. The worst part was, I believed it. I believed I would always bring trouble to everyone I loved. Everyone who cared about me woul
Xavier's POV The walls of this new room were too quiet. The kind of quiet that gnawed at your head after a while. I leaned back in the expensive leather chair the council had set me up with, staring at the ceiling fan as it spun lazy, slow circles above me. I’d always thought the South would feel like freedom — like escape — but instead, it felt like a cage, just padded with better furniture. My phone vibrated on the table. I didn’t need to check the screen. Only one man had the nerve to call me this early. “Councilman Augustine,” I answered, straightening in my chair. “Well, well, Xavier. I trust the new accommodations are acceptable? it's our way of apologizing for Adrian's foolishness in arresting you." His voice practically purred through the line, smug and self-satisfied. “It’s fine.” I rubbed my jaw, the phantom sting of Adrian’s fists still fresh in my muscles even though it had been days since his little torture session. “You pulled me out just in time. Any longer and h
Adrian's POV I didn’t want anyone to know I was hurt, especially not the council and whoever sent If they caught wind of the attack, they’d twist it into another excuse to strip me of authority—or worse, use it to push that damn marriage alliance again. So I let Logan and Connor sneak me into the palace under the cover of night. No fanfare. No guards. Just quiet footsteps and a trail of pain in my side where the wolfsbane still burned under my skin. “Sit sir,” Logan barked the second we stepped inside my private chamber. “You’re losing more blood than I’m comfortable with.” “I’m fine,” I lied. “You’re not,” Connor muttered, grabbing the medkit. “I said I’m fine,” I snapped, more harshly than I meant. But I hated this—being slowed down, vulnerable. I had to get back to Kayla. If Hector was really behind the attack… Just the thought made my blood run colder than the wind outside. Before Logan could reply, the door burst open and Candice came running in. “Adrian!” Her voice
Adrian's POV I barely slept last night. After the poisoning attempt, my instincts were on edge—every creak of the floorboards, every shift in the wind had me reaching for my blade. The healer I called to investigate the poisoned cup said the poison had been subtle—wolfbane laced with something stronger, a paralyzing agent that would’ve made me collapse tonight or mid-travel. I wasn’t dying. Not yet. But the betrayal from knowing that it was one of my pack members that did this burned hotter than the poison ever could. Morning came with an overcast sky. Fitting, really. Connor and Logan were already waiting for me at the courtyard. Logan checked the straps on one of the horses we would need to search the forest quickly while Connor leaned against a stone pillar, eyes flicking to every movement like a hawk. “You sure you’re up for this?” Connor asked, watching me as I walked toward them. “I have worse problems than the thought of being poisoned,” I muttered, strapping on my sw
Kayla's POV I didn’t expect to find comfort in a place made in the mountains and with strange people, but the sanctuary slowly began to feel like something close to peace. The women here— a lot of them were wolfless like me, had built something beautiful in the ruins of everything that had been taken from them. Some had lost their wolves. Others never had one. But none of them were weak. They moved like a tribe, fiercely protective of each other. They trained, they studied, they guarded the younger girls like sacred flame. I found myself lingering near them more often. Helping with meals. Offering quiet words when someone cried in their sleep. It gave me something to do… something other than sit with the ache in my chest. Hector, of course, kept trying to be everywhere I turned. “You need help with those?” he asked, jogging toward me when he saw me carrying a crate of old books the Oracle had asked for. “I’ve got it,” I said, shifting the weight in my arms. He didn’t move awa
Adrian's POV I stared at the council letter on my desk, barely reading the damn thing before I tossed it aside. Same message as before—. “We urge you to reconsider. Candice is the suitable choice,” “the pack’s stability depends on your union,” “Lady Kayla is an unnecessary liability.” Liability, my ass. I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes, trying to push the pressure out of my head before it split me in two. But a knock at the door shattered the quiet. “Come in,” I growled. The door opened and my mother stepped in. Regal. Cold. Dressed like she hadn’t aged a day since she last manipulated me into something I didn’t want. “I assume you’ve read the council’s latest suggestion?” she said coolly, shutting the door behind her. “You mean their latest threat?” I snapped. “Yeah. I read it.” She moved further in, clasping her hands. “Adrian, don’t make this harder than it needs to be. Marry Candice, have a child, stabilize the power dynamic, and all of this goes away.” I lau
Kayla's POV The Oracle’s sanctuary was unlike anything I’d ever seen. Nestled between jagged cliffs and fog-kissed forest, it looked like something out of a dream—an ancient village carved into the side of the mountain, hidden by thick trees and magic I could feel in the air. The wind here didn’t just whistle—it whispered.Inside the stone structures, warm fires crackled, glowing crystals lined the walls, and soft voices murmured in languages I didn’t understand. The women—so many women—moved with laughter and freedom. Some were young, barely teenagers. Others carried themselves like warriors, scarred and strong.“These women…” I whispered as I helped one of the girls settle into a room with a cot and thick wool blankets. “They’re like a tribe.”“They are,” Ingrid said softly beside me. “They protect those who can’t protect themselves. Most of them were once like the girls we brought in. Broken. Scared. Hunted.”The girl we tucked in—her name was Lyra—clung to my arm as I tried to