Tamara's POV With one last glare, Reuben turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him. The moment he was gone, the tension in the room seemed to lift, but Dante was still visibly shaken, his fists trembling. He turned to me, his face softening. “I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have had to hear any of that. I never wanted him to treat you this way.” I managed a smile, reaching up to cup his face. “It’s okay, Dante. I’m fine. I know he doesn’t believe me, but that’s his problem, not ours.” Dante pulled me close, his arms wrapping around me as he buried his face in my hair, breathing in deeply. I felt the tension draining from him, slowly being replaced by the calm I hoped he’d find in my presence. We stood there in silence for a long moment, letting the weight of Reuben’s words dissipate, piece by piece.“You don’t deserve any of this,” he murmured finally, his voice thick with regret. “Reuben’s wrong, and he has no right to speak to you like that.” He pulled back just enough to loo
Tamara’s POV After Reuben stormed out, the air felt different, lighter somehow, but the tension still hung around us like a thick fog. Dante and I exchanged weary glances, both of us still processing the confrontation. I could see the resolve in his eyes, and it made me feel a little safer, even in the midst of all this chaos. That evening, we gathered in the hotel’s garden for what felt like our first real meeting since everything had blown up. The soft glow of lanterns illuminated the space, casting flickering shadows on the neatly trimmed hedges. The scent of blooming flowers filled the air, a stark contrast to the tumultuous emotions we were all grappling with. As I settled onto a bench, I couldn’t help but notice how much more relaxed Sophie and Violet seemed. Their cheeks had a healthy glow, and there was a brightness in their eyes that hadn’t been there before. I exchanged a glance with Dante, who raised an eyebrow, mirroring my surprise. “Looks like they’ve been pampered a
Tamara's POV The night wrapped around me like a heavy shroud, an uneasy silence that settled deep within my bones. I tossed and turned in bed, the sheets tangling around my legs as my mind raced through a thousand thoughts, each more troubling than the last. Just as I thought I might finally slip into sleep, I was plunged into a nightmare that felt all too real. Flames engulfed the world around me, the sky an angry red. The ground cracked beneath my feet as I stumbled through the chaos, desperately calling out for Dante. “Dante? Where are you?” My voice was swallowed by the roar of the fire, panic rising like bile in my throat. I needed him; I needed my friends. “Violet? Casper? George?” My calls echoed through the inferno, but all I could hear was the ominous crackling of burning wood and distant cries of despair. I pressed forward, heart pounding, feeling the heat of the flames licking at my skin. The air was thick with smoke, making it hard to breathe. Then, as if summoned by m
Tamara's POV The morning sun peeked through the curtains, but I felt anything but rested. The remnants of my nightmare clung to me like a heavy blanket, suffocating in their familiarity. I lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to shake off the unease that had settled in my chest.Just then, I felt the bed shift beside me, and I turned to see Dante, still groggy from sleep, pushing back the sheets. His hair was tousled, and for a moment, I couldn't help but smile at how effortlessly handsome he looked, even in his sleepiness.“Good morning, baby girl,” he murmured, voice deep and slightly rough from sleep. He blinked a few times, focusing on me, his brow furrowing slightly. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. What’s wrong?”“Nothing,” I replied, a bit too quickly. I turned my gaze back to the ceiling, not wanting to burden him with my worries.Dante wasn’t fooled. “Liar. I can see it on your face. Did that nightmare come back again?”I sighed, remembering I had told him I had a ni
Tamara's POV “Dante…” I hesitated, the uncertainty swirling around me. My instincts screamed at me to be cautious, but I couldn’t bring myself to step away. What the hell was going on?? “This isn’t funny, Dante. You’re scaring me.” I stepped back instinctively, feeling the chill of uncertainty wash over me. “Seriously, where are you taking me?” He paused, taking a deliberate step toward me, his expression unreadable. The way he looked at me made my stomach twist. “Remember when you accused me of manipulating you into our marriage?” His voice was low, almost conspiratorial, as if we were sharing a secret, and my breath hitched. I forced a laugh, trying to lighten the mood despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach. “That was in the past. I was wrong about you. You’re not... that kind of man.” His smile faded slightly, replaced by an intensity that made me uneasy. “You weren’t very wrong about me, Tamara.” “Wait, what are you talking about?” My heart raced even faster now
Tamara's POV As the ring sparkled on my finger, it felt surreal. I barely had time to process what had just happened when Sophie and Violet rushed over, their eyes wide with excitement. “Oh my God, Tamara! You said yes!" Sophie exclaimed, her voice a mix of disbelief and joy. I nodded, still a bit dazed. “Yeah, I did.” Violet practically squealed, “Let me see the ring!” She grabbed my hand, pulling it closer to her face. “It’s beautiful! The color is just like your eyes!” I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. “Thanks! But you guys saw all of that?” “Of course, we did! We were here the whole time!” Sophie chimed in, her grin wide enough to light up the dark room. “Dante didn’t want you to see us, so he made sure it was dark enough. But he got us these artificially enhanced goggles so we could see everything!” I couldn’t help but laugh at Dante’s overdramatic behavior. “Only Dante would think of something like that.” My heart swelled with affection. “It was a pretty romanti
Tamara's POV We made love until I passed out, and by the next morning, I wwas lost in the delicious warmth of Dante’s touch, the softness of the sheets wrapping us as the morning light began to seep through the curtains. The events of the previous day felt like a dream—full of surprises, revelations, and the promise of a future. But as I lay there, nestled against his chest, all I could think about was the way he looked at me and how he made me feel.Dante stirred beside me, his breath warm against my skin. I tilted my head up to meet his gaze, a smile creeping onto my lips. “Good morning,” I whispered, my heart fluttering at the sight of him.“Good morning, baby girl,” he replied, a teasing grin forming on his face. He leaned down, pressing his lips against mine in a soft, lingering kiss that quickly deepened.With a groan, he pulled me closer, his hands roaming my sides, igniting a fire within me. The world around us faded, and it was just us—wrapped up in each other, lost in the
Jack's POV"Damn it!" I groaned as the faint buzz of my phone jolted me awake in the early morning light, casting long shadows across the dark room.I blinked, trying to shake off the grogginess, but the persistent notification light blinked continuously. I reached over, snatched my phone off the nightstand and looked at it.When I read the contents, my eyes widened immediately and all trace of sleep disappeared.It was a message marked "EXTREMELY URGENT!! An emergency meeting… for all the alphas in the East?" I read our loud.What the hell?!That couldn't be good. They never gathered us together this suddenly unless something serious had happened. And that serious thing was never ever any good news.Worry ate at me, and a hint of suspicion crept in. I really wasn't in the mood for any more problems, but experience told me that this had to be more than just another minor skirmish or territory dispute. Whatever it was, it was big.I slid out of bed, took a shower and dressed up quick
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