Tamara's POV As we arrived back at the hotel, my nerves were in overdrive. Tomorrow was the hearing, and it was like a weight pressing down on me. The whole trip back, Dante held my hand, his thumb stroking across my knuckles, but I could feel his tension too, like he was bracing himself for battle.That night, we met up with our friends for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Dante, George, Violet, and Casper and my girls were all there, but the usual banter was replaced with a heavy silence. Even Violet, who could make anyone laugh on the darkest days, seemed subdued. They all knew what tomorrow meant for me—and for Dante. Tomorrow could go fine, or it could be our death sentence, for me and my pack.His whole demeanor was protective, and I could tell he was trying to keep a calm exterior for my sake.As we ate, I tried to distract myself by asking George and Casper about the city, but every attempt at conversation quickly fizzled out. Eventually, we all gave up and ate in silence,
Tamara's POV The ride to the court was quiet. I watched the city pass by through the window, my mind racing with everything that was about to go down. When we arrived, I was struck by the sheer grandeur of the court building in Negaria. It was massive, with tall, arched windows and intricate stone carvings, almost like a cathedral. I couldn’t help but admire it, even if I was stepping into it as the person accused of attempted murder. We were led into a waiting room filled with luxurious, padded seats and a long, mahogany table in the center. The attendants directed each of us to a small seating box near the front, designed to keep the accused separated from the observers but still visible. Dante stayed close, his hand on my back as he helped me settle into my designated seat. A few moments later, a group of servants entered with trays balanced expertly in their hands. I noticed right away that they were dressed in form-fitting uniforms, the fabric clinging to their curve
Tamara's POV I stood in the grand court hall, trying to steady my breathing. My heart raced, but I forced myself to keep my chin high, my expression neutral. I would not let anyone here think I was intimidated. My mind tried to calm me down with reminders that Dante, my friends and his mother had prepared me for this day, and that I had nothing to fear. But standing alone in front of the assembled council, I could feel the weight of every gaze pressing down on me.Then, I noticed Lord Jarek’s gaze. He was standing across from me, dressed in rich, dark robes, his expression twisted into a sinister smile that made my skin crawl. His eyes sparkled with a dark delight, as though he was savoring this moment, this opportunity to tear me down.“Tamara,” he began, his voice smooth but cold, his tone very degrading and mocking.I snapped my gaze to meet his, narrowing my eyes. “It’s Luna Tamara to you,” I corrected him, my voice sharp and unwavering.A flicker of irritation flashed across hi
Tamara's POV The moment my eyes fell on the vial, I felt my stomach drop. The small, dark vial, held up for everyone to see, seemed to glow with a spotlight on my worst nightmare. I couldn’t speak. How the hell did they get it? How did they know?I swallowed hard, my voice caught somewhere between my chest and my throat. “I... I don’t know what that is. I mean, I... it’s not mine,” I managed to stammer, forcing my words out, hoping that somehow they’d sound convincing even though I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks.I couldn’t look at Dante. I knew if I did, I’d see the questions in his eyes, the suspicion, the confusion. And I wasn’t ready to explain this—especially not here, in front of everyone, with Lord Jarek smirking as though he had just unraveled the secrets of the universe.But before I could say anything more, Dante’s voice echoed through the hall, startling everyone into silence. “Enough!” he roared, his voice as hard as steel, filled with fury. “We are here to inves
Tamara's POV Dante’s hand was like iron around my wrist as he dragged me out of the courtroom, his fury radiating off him in waves and everyone around us backed away immediately. I barely had time to process what had just happened before Reuben stormed after us, his face twisted with anger. “You have no right to disrupt the court like that, Dante!” Reuben’s voice echoed through the empty hallway. “What the hell are you doing?” Dante spun on his heel, his grip on my wrist loosening but his fury growing. “What am I doing? What the fuck are you doing, Reuben? That wasn’t a court hearing—it was an illegal setup against my fiancée!” Reuben’s eyes narrowed. “That’s just ridiculous. We were simply following protocol. Tamara has questions to answer. You can’t just storm in and stop the process.” “Questions based on fabricated evidence!” Dante’s voice was a growl now, sharp enough to make me flinch. “Lord Jarek couldn’t even explain how he got that vial, and you expect me to belie
Tamara’s POV For the first time since I’d met Dante, this waacthe first time i saw something crack in his armor. This was the first time that he showed he could feel really shitty too. As we sat in the car, his posture stiff, his face grim, there was a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes that struck me harder than any harsh word or glare he’d ever thrown my way. It was raw, unguarded, and it made my chest tighten. He looked like a young boy in so much pain. Dante had always been so strong, so unshakable. Seeing him like this, like the weight of the world had finally pressed too hard on his shoulders, made my heart ache. The drive to the hotel was quiet, the air heavy with unspoken words. I didn’t push him. I just held his hand, tracing my thumb over his knuckles. When we finally arrived, Dante got out without a word, his shoulders tense, his jaw clenched. As soon as we entered the room, I turned to him. “Come on,” I said softly, taking his hand and leading him toward the bath
Tamara's POV I sat across from Dante, the low flicker of the fireplace casting shadows across his face. His jaw was tight, his eyes distant, as if he were somewhere else entirely. I could feel the weight of what he was about to say before he even opened his mouth.“I want to know everything,” I said, my voice steady. “From the beginning. How did my mother even have any connection with the North?”Dante’s gaze flicked to me, then down to his hands resting on his knees. He hesitated, and I could tell he was choosing his words carefully.“Tamara,” he started, his voice low and cautious, “what I’m about to tell you... some of it might not be fact. A lot of it is based on what I was told or things I pieced together later. There’s no way to confirm everything.”I frowned, leaning forward. “i know You’re trying to protect me again,” I said, my tone more frustrated than I intended. “But I don’t need that, Dante. I need the truth, no matter how ugly it is. I can handle it.”He studied me for
Tamara’s POVI woke up early the next day. Dante was still fast asleep beside me, his arm draped protectively over my waist. His breathing was steady, peaceful, and I smiled to myself as I carefully slipped out of bed. For everything he’d done for me—his patience, his care—I wanted to show him that I could be there for him too.I tiptoed to the kitchen in our suite, determined to make breakfast. It definitely wasn’t my strongest skill, but I was set on doing something special. Pancakes, eggs, and a pot of fresh coffee later, I carefully arranged everything on a tray and carried it back to the bedroom.“Morning,” I said softly, nudging Dante’s shoulder with my free hand. He stirred, his lashes fluttering open, and when his gaze landed on me, his lips curved into a sleepy smile.“What’s this?” he asked, his voice still rough from sleep.“Breakfast,” I said, setting the tray on the bed beside him. “Like you did for me before, remember?”Dante pushed himself up, his eyes crinkling with am
Tamara's POV The palace felt heavy, like a dark shroud of grief had descended and refused to lift. It had been three days since Sophie was locked in the dungeons, yet she hadn’t uttered a single word about why she had betrayed me and worked for Lord Jarek. I was supposed to be celebrating the fact that I could now start planning my marriage now that we practically had the elders in our hands but I could barely sleep these days. Even the staff moved around cautiously, their eyes downcast, afraid to add to the tension. George had taken it the hardest. He barely ate or slept, pacing the halls with a hollow look in his eyes. His usually composed demeanor had completely shattered, and It hurt to see my normally calm like this.I swear I caught him blinking back tears one time. I sat in the drawing room, trying to make sense of the situation. The Sophie I knew would never betray me. But the Sophie I saw through the cameras that night…she had. "Tamara," Lady Regina’s voice broke throu
Tamara's POVI couldn’t breathe as tears clogged my throat. My chest tightened, and my heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst out of my ribcage. Sophie. My Sweet, loyal Sophie. How could she do this to me? My mind swirled with disbelief as I stared at the screen, watching her hooded figure standing under the dim light in front of Reuben. The truth was a sledgehammer, crushing every ounce of trust I’d ever placed in her and that fucking hurt!Dante’s arm wrapped around me firmly, pulling me back from the brink of collapse. His warmth grounded me, even as my world tilted on its axis. "Tamara," he said softly. "Don't worry, We’ll handle this."Tears pricked my eyes, but I blinked them away. "Why would she do this, Dante? After how much I've tried to help her?"Before Dante could answer, George slammed his fist against the table. He looked even more distraught than I felt, his face pale and his eyes wide with shock. "This doesn’t make sense," he muttered, shaking his head. "Sop
Tamara's POVThe soft rustle of movement pulled me from my sleep, followed by the gentle press of Dante’s lips against my temple. I stirred, groaning softly as my eyes fluttered open. His face hovered above mine, illuminated by the faint moonlight seeping through the curtains."Dante?" I murmured, confused. "What time is it?""Midnight, we have to go," he said, his voice low and steady. "It’s time."Sleep instantly evaporated from my mind as his words sank in. I sat up, the weight of what we were about to do settling over me. "Are Casper and George already there?"He nodded, his eyes sharp and focused. "They’ve set everything up. Come on."---When we arrived at Dante’s office, Casper and George were already waiting, their faces grim. A small array of monitors and equipment was spread across the desk, wires snaking in every direction."Everything’s ready," Casper said, gesturing to the setup.George glanced at us, his expression unreadable. "Reuben has no idea about the cameras we pl
Tamara's POV A few days later-- The soft brush of lips against my shoulder tugged me from the edge of sleep. A gentle hum escaped me as the warmth of Dante's body surrounded mine, his kisses trailing up my neck, slow and deliberate. "Good morning, love," he murmured, his voice husky and laced with affection. I smiled, my eyes fluttering open. "Good morning. You're persistent, aren’t you?" His grin was mischievous. "I couldn’t resist. You look so peaceful when you sleep… but I missed you." He didn’t wait for my reply, capturing my lips with his. The kiss deepened, his hand sliding along my waist, pulling me closer until our bodies were pressed together. I melted into him, losing myself in the way his touch set every nerve alight. Before I knew it, his hands explored familiar paths, his lips igniting flames across my skin. I gasped as his touch left no space for doubt about his intentions. He was slow and thorough, like he wanted to savor every second. "Dante," I whispered, my v
Tamara’s POVThe courtroom was heavy with tension, the air was full of with unspoken accusations. I could already feel that most people hear had decided that I was the enemy.fuck! how was I supposed to get out of this?!My hands gripped the edge of the podium, trying to stay calm as Dante stood beside me, his presence grounding me. The elders sat in their ornate chairs, their faces filled with disapproval.The scum, Lord Jarek was at the center of it all, his piercing gaze challenging after they produced the picture.Me standing in Alpha Jonathan’s pack, speaking to Adrian, one of the biggest enemy of the north. My blood ran cold as the image was printed and even handed around the room which caused their whispers to erupt like wildfire.“Explain this, Luna,” Lord Jarek said, his voice laced with mock concern. “Why were you meeting with Alpha Adrian, of all people?”My mind raced. How had they even gotten this picture? I hadn’t seen anyone nearby when I spoke with Adrian.Unless…I g
Adrian’s POVThe sun was high in the sky when I stood outside Alpha Jonathan’s estate. I had come here reluctantly after agreeing to his request to review the evidence he claimed to have against Dante. Jonathan had suggested that together, we might be able to stand against Dante, to weaken his hold and reclaim what was rightfully ours.At first, I’d refused. The idea of joining forces with Jonathan didn’t sit well with me because He was a little unpredictable, and his motives always seemed to serve his own interests above all else. But when I reached out to Jack again hoping to pull him into the plan of destroying Dante, he turned me down flat.“I have no interest in fighting Dante. Tamara has made her decision to stay there and I believe she's happy now,” Jack had said. “That’s your obsession, not mine.”His words stung more than I cared to admit. Jack and I had been allies once when he was desperate for power, and now his dismissal felt like a betrayal. In the end, I’d agreed to
Tamara’s POV The first rays of sunlight poured into the room through the sheer curtains, warming my face. I stirred slightly, feeling the steady beat of Dante’s heart beneath my cheek. He was still asleep, one arm securely wrapped around me while his other hand rested against my waist. I smiled softly, letting myself sink into the peace of the moment. In all the chaos of the past few days, this was the one place I felt safe—Dante’s arms. “Are you staring at me again?” Dante’s voice rumbled, still thick with sleep. I looked up, meeting his sleepy gaze as he cracked one eye open. “Maybe.” “Do you enjoy watching me sleep, Tamara?” he teased, pulling me closer as his lips brushed my temple. I laughed lightly. “Only because you look less like an intimidating Alpha when you’re snoring softly.” “I do not snore,” he shot back, pretending to be offended. “Oh, you do,” I said, grinning at his mock outrage. He pinned me beneath him in one quick movement, his face hovering above
Tamara’s POVWhen I woke up the next morning, I felt so so much lighter, as if the weight of the previous days’ events had eased just a little. The sound of soft humming caught my attention, and I turned my head to see Dante standing near the window. He was holding a tray of breakfast and looking ridiculously handsome in a simple white shirt rolled up at the sleeves.“Good morning,” he said with a warm smile as our eyes met.“Good morning,” I murmured, sitting up and stretching.“I hope you’re ready,” he said, placing the tray on the table and leaning against the chair with a playful smirk.“Ready for what?” I asked, raising a brow.He crossed his arms. “A day that’s all about us. No politics, no interrogations, no poisonings—just you and me.”I blinked at him. “You’re serious, I mean we still have some work to do?”“Very serious,” he said. “You’ve been through enough, Tamara. Today, I want to remind you how much you mean to me.”Warmth bloomed in my chest. “Dante, you don’t have to
Tamara’s POVWhen I woke up the next time, the room was quiet, but I could feel the faint warmth of sunlight streaming through the window. My body felt heavy but no longer weak, and the faint scent of something earthy—Dante’s scent—comforted me.I turned my head and saw him sitting by the edge of the bed, his brows furrowed in concentration as he peeled an orange. When he noticed I was awake, his face lit up with relief.“Tamara,” he said, setting the orange down and leaning closer. “You’re awake. Thank the moon goddess, I thought you became unconscious again”“I’m fine,” I murmured, my was voice still a little hoarse.“You are not completely fine yet since the poison is still leaving your body,” he said firmly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “But you will be. I’ll make sure of it. I'm just glad you're back home with me where you belong."I couldn’t look at him. His concern, his care—it was too much. The guilt I’d been holding back threatened to spill over. I tried to pu