Jack's POV I stared at Tamara's beautiful picture in my hands, my thumb gently tracing the outline of her face. Tamara. She was smiling in the photo, her eyes shining with that spark that used to light up my entire world. Dear Goddess I love her so much. How did things get so twisted? How did I lose her so fast? The pain of the memory pressed down on my chest, suffocating me as I struggled to breathe. God I fucked up! The sound of the door creaking open barely registered. I didn’t even turn when I heard the sharp intake of breath behind me. “Jack,” Kate’s voice cut through the air, laced with fury. “What the fuck are you doing?” I clenched my jaw, not looking up. “Nothing.” I sneered with a grimace, Damn, how did I let her find me? “Nothing?” She scoffed, storming over and snatching the picture from my hands. “This doesn’t look like fucking nothing! You’re sitting here staring at her again. She’s gone, Jack! Get over it!” My blood boiled at her words, and I shot up from the c
Tamaras POV I’d been here for days now—days of awkward tension between me and Dante. True to his word, that man hadn’t touched me yet. Not even a brush of his hand, and despite everything I should have been grateful for it. But instead, it was beginning to become frustrating. I kept telling myself it was for the best. I didn’t need any more complications in my life, especially not with him. But every time he looked at me with those intense, stormy eyes, something in me shifted. My wolf, Maya, had been teasing me nonstop since I got here, and I was running out of excuses to explain the way my heart skipped whenever he was near. Today, though, was different. Dante had told me we were going out—some sort of picnic to keep up appearances with the pack. He said they needed to see us together, happy, bonded. The word “bonded” had made me tense. it was like having PTSD. But here I was, standing in front of the mirror, smoothing down the pale green dress Sophie had picked out for me
After the picnic, as I sat with Dante under the shade of a large oak tree, I almost forgot why I was uneasy. But then, the nagging thought that had been at the back of my mind all day resurfaced. I had to ask. “So, you have not really spoken to me about your first fated mate,” I said as casually as possible Dante’s expression shifted slightly. The relaxed, flirtatious look he’d been wearing faded. “That’s not something I want to talk about,” he said, his voice low. That wasn’t the response I was hoping for. My stomach twisted. He didn’t trust me enough to talk to me about his ex? “Why not?” I pressed, trying to keep my tone even. Dante ran a hand through his hair, clearly uncomfortable. “It’s complicated.” I frowned, irritation bubbling up. “Complicated? How is it complicated? I’m your new mate, aren’t I? Or is that just another part of this transaction you keep talking about?” He sighed, his jaw tightening. “It’s not about you, Tamara. It’s just something I don’t want to
Tamara's POV I spent most of the day sulking, pacing around my room while replaying that bitch Lucy’s words in my head. “Dante just fucked me so hard, I don’t think I’ll be able to walk tomorrow.” She had said. “Sniveling little bitch.” I sneered under my breath. Just who the fuck did she think she was? I couldn’t stop thinking about her stupid smug smile, and the way she tossed out those hurtful words like she knew they would cut me deep. And the worst part? They fucking had! I glared at the roses sitting on my bedside table. Yea, remember the same ones that had made me smile earlier that morning? They now felt like a reminder of how stupid I had been. Like How had I actually thought Dante might feel something for me? Dear Goddess! I was so foolish. I was so freaking pissed, that Before I knew it, I grabbed the vase of roses and threw it into the trash can with more force than necessary, the glass instantly shattered at the bottom. Then I let out a frustrated scr
I paced back and forth in my room and my heart kept pounding faster and faster with every passing second. Dante had rushed out to confront whatever foolish threat had dared to attack the palace, but the sting of worry kept stabbing at me. I couldn't rest, I couldn't sit, all I could imagine was my Dante out there, fighting bravely for his people. The painful part about all this was that my mind kept spiralling into darker and darker scenarios after that. I'd always have visions of Jack somehow finding a way to hurt him, of blood and violence, and of Dante lying on the ground, injured or worse. “Stop it, Tamara,” I scolded myself, furiously running a hand through my hair. “He can handle himself.” But the goddamn images continued, like a relentless cycle of fear. What if Jack had sent his men after him? That asshole of an ex was known to be ruthless after all, or What if Dante was overwhelmed and got hurt? My hands trembled at the thought. “No,” I whispered, shaking my h
I spent the morning locked in a small, cold cell, the iron bars casting long shadows on the stone walls. Every tick of the clock felt like a countdown to my eventual doom. Even the hard floor was unforgiving, and I couldn’t shake the sense of dread that wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket. “Get up, you traitor!” a guard barked as he swung the cell door open, the harsh light blinding me momentarily. “The council is ready for you.” I glared at him, my anger boiling over. “I’m not a traitor! I fought for this pack! I fought for Dante!” “oh Save it for the council,” he sneered, grabbing my arm roughly and yanking me to my feet. I stumbled, trying to regain my balance, and shot him a defiant look. “You’re making a mistake. You’ll regret this!” “Regret? I doubt that.” He dragged me down the dimly lit corridor, my heart racing as I tried to formulate a plan. What would happen when I faced the elders? Did Dante even know I was here? “Shut up!” the guard barked, sho
For days, Dante had been by my side and i was truly grateful for that because his presence was a comforting balm against the storm that had torn through my life just recently. The ache in my neck from Jack’s cruel release had finally faded, leaving me with an exhilarating feeling of freedom. Since that day Dante saw me in pain, Every morning, I would wake up to the sight of his worried face scanning me for any sign of discomfort. "I already told you I'm fine." I would often argue but he would never listen as he made sure to do everything for me, even going as far as to change my clothes at night like a baby. it was unexpected but very touching to see how he had taken it upon himself to care for me in every way possible. I definitely never expected him to b like that, but I was beginning to like it a little too much. “Are you feeling any better today?” he asked one morning, brushing his fingers against my cheek as I stirred awake. “I am,” I replied, a smile spreading
I'm not kidding when I say that I was still reeling from the council’s ultimatum when the doorbell rang. My heart sank as I glanced at Dante, who had been pacing the living room with a frown etched on his face. “Who could that be?” I asked, glancing toward the door. “I’ll check,” he replied, striding toward the entrance. My stomach knotted as I wondered if the council had sent someone to further torment us. I believe it wasn't an understatement to say that I had had more than enough from those fuckers today. But to our shock, when Dante opened the door, it was a stunning woman stepping inside, her beauty shining from her like a tiara under the moonlight. She had long, flowing hair that framed her face perfectly, and her outfit hugged her curves in all the right places. “Hello, Dante,” she said sweetly, her voice dripping with false charm. “I’m here as your new concubine.” My heart dropped, and I felt the air leave my lungs. I stood frozen in place, my eyes darting between
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