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 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 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
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
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
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 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
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
Kayla's POV "It's not any of your concern Kayla. I suggest you drop it... for your own good."What nonsense was he saying. Xavier was my ex husband and very obvious enemy of Adrian. What did he mean it was non of my concern?I was very confused now. Didn't Hector say he had nothing to do with Xavier? Didn't he say he was going to change his relationship with Adrian for the better? What was he hiding now? I pressed on. “You know meeting with him, especially after everything that happened, is only going to make things worse with Adrian. Do you really want to make things more complicated?” He turned his head toward me, his expression hardening slightly. “I don’t care anymore what Adrian thinks. He’s never cared about what I’ve done, and he never will. Besides, I don’t see the problem with talking to someone who actually listens to me.” I felt my heart twist in my chest. “I know you’re upset, Hector, but you promised me—even before I stopped Adrian from banishing you—that you’d stop w
Kayla's POV I couldn’t get Xavier’s smug face out of my mind as I stormed down the hall. I needed to get away from him. From all of it. Adrian, Candice, Xavier... everything felt like it was crashing down. But I still had something to do. I walked briskly toward the holding cells, tray of food in my hands, trying to ignore the flutter of doubt and anger in my chest. I had come this far. I wasn’t going to let Xavier’s words, or my own jealousy, ruin everything. When I reached Hector’s cell, I paused for a moment. The guards were standing nearby, looking bored as usual. They didn’t even seem to notice me at first, so I took the chance to slip past them. But then one of them suddenly stepped in my path, a scowl forming on his face. “Where do you think you’re going?” he sneered. I blinked. “Excuse me?” “You can’t bring food to him,” the guard snapped, his tone rude and dismissive. I frowned. “Actually, I can. And I will. I’m Lady Kayla the Alpha’s fiancée, and I’ll bring food to
Kayla's POV My heart sank at Adrian's words. He didn't even want to talk to me this morning but he was here laughing his ass off and eating with Candice.I forced a smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “Of course,” I muttered. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Candice beamed at me, clearly in a much better mood than I was. “It’s good to see you again. I’ve really missed you,” she said, taking another bite of her food. I stood there, frozen, trying to ignore the bitterness that crept into my thoughts. Why was she so comfortable here? Why was she eating with him like they did this every day? And why had Adrian invited her to his office when he wouldn't even talk to me?Candice noticed the awkwardness and tried to bridge the tension. "Come sit with us! We have so much to catch up on, but we also have all the time in the world since I'm back living at the palace now!"That made me freeze.“What?” I asked, voice a little higher than I intended.Candice beamed. “Alot happened when you were aw
Kayla's POV Adrian had left so early this morning that I didn’t even get a chance to really talk to him and find out if he was okay. He came back drunk last night so I was really beginning to worry.I calmed myself down by telling myself that maybe he just needed some time to cool off after last night, but when noon came and he still wasn’t back, a sick feeling started growing in my stomach.I paced around our room like a caged animal, glancing at the door every few seconds, hoping to hear his footsteps. Breakfast came and went. Then lunch. Still nothing.He wasn't even bothering to eat. Was he that hurt?Finally, I gave up waiting and tried to mind-link him."Adrian? Have you eaten yet?" I asked softly, sending the thought across our bond.Nothing.I tried again."Please answer me. I'm worried about you."This time, I could feel the block. Solid and cold, like a wall had been thrown up between us. I gasped quietly, clutching my chest. He never blocked me before. Not even during ou
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