Tamara’s POV
As soon as Jack was out of sight, I rushed to my room, and went straight to the closet. It was time to begin the first phase of my plan. I shoved aside the soft, delicate dresses Jack liked me to wear and reached for the boldest, most daring outfit I had. It was a leather warrior set, black and fierce, with intricate gold and silver designs that gleamed in the light. The material hugged my body in all the right places, showcasing both my curves but still making me look powerful. It was a piece specifically made for a Luna. It commanded attention, and respect, so Jack hated it when I wore it. He didn’t like the fact that whenever I wore it, every single pair of eyes always ignored him to focus on me. It was perfect. I turned to the mirror and started applying a little makeup. That was another thing Jack had never allowed me to do in my past life. He used to say that he didn’t want me looking too good, because he was afraid that someone would realize how beautiful I was, and take me away from him. I used to think he was joking, but after our marriage, when he started locking me up at home, I soon realized he was very serious. He was scared someone would steal me away before he could claim my pack completely, and that was the very same fear I would use against him. For the final touch to my outfit, i picked up the Alpha’s chest pin my parents gave me before they retired. It was designed as a golden Phoenix, it was meant to signify the transition from a child to the pack’s leader, and since a Phoenix was also the symbol of death and rebirth, I thought it was the perfect jewelry for me. Suddenly a soft voice sounded behind me making me freeze. “Tamara?” I spun around to see Violet, my best friend standing at the doorway. I stared at her, unable to believe my eyes. She was alive. “Violet?” I whispered, shakily. In my past life, I was forced to to watch as Jack and Katie cruelly beheaded her right in front of me, claiming that she had been plotting with King Dante to kill me. I hadn’t believed them of course, and I even fought to save her. But then, Violet’s own husband, Richard, had provided some evidence that proved she helped Dante to kill my parents and I was heartbroken. Violet had crawled on her knees, begging, crying and telling me that Alpha Dante wasn’t our true enemy but I didn't understand her then. I still tried to save her, but Jack cruelly killed her right in front of me. I was devastated. Later, I found out that her so called husband Richard had fabricated everything, just so that he could inherit all her property and marry his younger mistress. Richard was our Gamma and Jack's closest friend, so they planned everything together. They had successfully gotten rid of both of their wives and had replaced us with their mistresses. But here was Violet now, my beautiful best friend standing in front of me. Alive and healthy. I rushed forward to hug her tighter than I had ever held anyone in my life. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered to her. “I should have listened to you, I’m so, so sorry.” I cried and she was stunned . Violet awkwardly patted my back, clearly confused about why I was acting like this. “Tamara? … are you okay? What’s going on?” I pulled back to look at her innocent face and smiled. “I’m fine now that you’re here,” I said honestly, “And i promise I’ll protect you this time, Violet. I won’t let anything happen to you. Not this time.” She frowned and placed her palm on my forehead to feel my temperature. “Are you sure you’re alright? Are you feeling feverish?” She asked and I shook my head with a laugh. She frowned more. “Then what are you talking about?” She asked before suddenly noticing my warrior outfit. “And… why are you dressed like that?” “I’m going to the warriors’ meeting,” I told her. Violet’s face immediately tensed, and her eyes widened in alarm. “No, Tamara, no,” she suddenly whispered urgently, grabbing my hands. “You don’t have to go to that meeting. Please, you have to trust me. Stay out of this.” Her sudden fear startled me. Why didn’t she want me to go? I knew that she was constantly trying to protect me, she was the only one who ever dared to tell me the truth about Jack and Kate, and that was probably why they had her killed. But what was the problem now? Why didn’t she want me to go to the meeting when it could help me save my pack? “Violet, what’s wrong? What aren’t you telling me?” I asked, but she refused to say anything else, just insisting that I shouldn’t go to the meeting. Whatever she was hiding, it only made me more determined to go to the meeting and find out. I grabbed her wrist and began walking to the meeting. Violet tried to protest, but I didn’t give her the chance as I dragged her with me down the hallway, to the meeting room. When we arrived at the meeting hall, I heard voices talking, so I pushed open the doors with force, and all eyes immediately turned to me, then the hall immediately fell deadly silent. I felt Violet stiffen beside me, and my eyes followed her line of sight until it landed at the top of the table where Jack was sitting. But that wasn’t what made her freeze, what made her freeze was the fact that Kate was sitting right beside him, on the Luna’s chair, right were I was supposed to be sitting. I gritted my teeth as my blood began to boil. That fucking bitch! So this was why Jack didn’t want me to come to the meeting. He was already trying to replace me with Kate. Already giving her my position as Luna, even though I was still alive. He said this meeting wasn't a place for a woman, but that rule clearly didn't apply to my sister. So he had been stopping from attending important meetings, just so he could parade his slut in my place? My fists clenched at my sides, How dare they?!Tamara’s POV I felt rage bubbling inside me, but I forced myself to remain calm. This wasn’t the time to lose control. I needed to keep my head clear so I could act well. Kate wasn’t just sitting in the Luna’s chair, she was sitting very intimately with Jack, her hands were on his chest and her body was practically draped over him, making my blood boil even more. She was in my seat, With my warriors, and my fiancé and she was acting like she owned the place. My vision turned red. But as soon as Kate saw me standing at the door, she yanked herself away from Jack as if she’d been burned. But the damage was already done. I realized with a sickening clarity that they didn’t even bother to hide their affair in front of everyone else. No, they only pretended in front of me because they thought I was too naïve, too blindly in love with Jack to ever believe anyone else who told me the truth. No wonder my people stopped respecting me, they thought I was a foolish girl who was
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,
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