Amaya’s POV “How about we get married?” “What?” His eyes widened in shock, and I instantly regretted my words. “Forget about it… I wasn’t thinking…” I cursed under my breath, averting my gaze as I felt too embarrassed to look him in the eyes. But he leaned closer, closing the space between us. “What was that? Did you just propose to me?” He teased, and I buried my head lower, wishing the ground would just swallow me whole. “It was a stupid idea,” I mumbled. “Just forget I said it—” But his warm hands cupped my face, forcing me to lock eyes with him while his lips curled into a smirk. “Say…” He traced his thumb across my cheek. “You love me so much you’re turning red. How long have you been thinking about it, huh?” My eyes widened. “W-what?! Shut up!” I pushed his hands away, scowling as my cheeks burned even hotter. “You’re the one who should be thanking me,” I shot back, crossing my arms. “You confessed you liked me, remember? I’m practically doing you a favor by…”
Dante’s POV“Get out!”The maid stumbled back, her hands shaking as the glass she had dropped shattered at her feet. Her eyes widened, filled with tears, as she mumbled a frantic apology before scrambling toward the door.The door slammed shut behind her, the sound cutting through the tense air. I sighed, dragging a hand down my face.“Really?”I didn’t bother looking up at the sound of Cyrus’s voice. His heavy footsteps stopped just in front of the broken glass.“That’s the third maid this morning,” Cyrus said flatly. “You can’t keep terrorizing the staff like that.”I leaned back in my chair, already irritated by his presence. My eyes slid shut as I rubbed my temples. “What do you want?”“I should be asking you that,” Cyrus said, crossing his arms. “What’s up with you? You’ve been grumpier than usual all week. Everyone’s on edge around you.”I groaned, sighing silently. “It’s not my fault everyone seems to be getting on my nerves. Just now that maid couldn’t even bring a damn tray w
Dante’s POVToday was Amaya’s birthday, but I was standing in front of her grave.A bouquet of white lilies—her favorite—was in my hand, the stems damp from the rain that had already started to fall.We were supposed to leave for Vallora three days ago for the concert. We had the plane tickets and everything set, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave without seeing her first.“Happy birthday,” I muttered, crouching down to place the bouquet next to the cold marble. My fingers remained on the petals for a moment before I pulled away.Without anything else to say, I stood there. For how long, I wasn’t sure. Long enough for the rain to soak through my jacket, for my hair to stick to my face, for the chill to settle deep in my bones. But I couldn’t move. It felt wrong to leave her behind—again.Drops slid down my cheeks, mingling with the tears I refused to let fall. My throat burned as I swallowed hard.“I’m sorry,” I whispered, but the words dissolved into the sound of the rain.I return
Amaya’s POV He saw me. I didn’t notice it at first, but by the time I did, it was already too late. He even called my name. I cursed under my breath, my heart pounding as I spun around, pushing through the crowd, not glancing back once. The concert was still in full swing, but all I could hear was the blood rushing in my ears. Shit. Shit. Shit. I shouldn’t have come to the bar alone. I should have sent Ryder instead. Ryder. My eyes darted toward the VIP section where I knew he was waiting for me. When he saw me, he smiled, but then his brow furrowed as he stared at my empty hands. “Where are the drinks?” “We should go,” I said as I got close enough, pulling him by the arm. Ryder’s brow furrowed deeper as I tugged at him. “Why? It’s only the first half. The best part hasn’t even started yet.” “I changed my mind,” I said urgently, pulling him toward the exit. But he didn’t budge. “Why so suddenly? Did something happen?” “I’m fine!” I snapped, a little too harshly. His eye
Amaya’s POV “We have a problem.” I gripped the handle of my suitcase a little tighter as I heard those words. “What… what do you mean?” “There aren’t any flights available. I tried calling, I tried checking online, but everything’s booked solid,” Ryder said in frustration. “Apparently, some huge event is happening in town, and people from all over have taken up all the flights.” “What about another airport?” “I checked. Same issue.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “The only flights available are next week. A full seven days from now.” “What about the bus, the train… anything?” I asked, hoping there would be some kind of alternative, but he shook his head. I exhaled sharply. Seven days? No, I couldn’t stay here. There were a lot of what ifs? going on in my head. “Amaya.” Ryder said in a softer tone, stepping forward. Then, he placed his warm hand around my shoulder. “It’s not all that bad,” he said gently. “We could still continue with the plans I had for your bi
Amaya’s POVHis face went pale, and he stumbled back, his eyes locked on me like I was a ghost.“Amaya?” he choked out my name, his gaze sweeping over me from head to toe. “Wait—what? You’re alive? That… that can’t be possible. How are you alive?”My fists clenched at my sides as my heart pounded faster. My eyes darted around, searching for an escape while praying silently for Ryder to come to my rescue. “What are you doing here?” I asked, trying to change the topic.“What do you mean? This is a resort. And don’t try to change the topic.”Damn it.He took a step closer, but I instinctively moved back, and my body tensed.“You’re supposed to be dead,” he muttered, more to himself than to me. His brows furrowed like he was trying to make sense of something impossible. “I saw it happen, Amaya. I was there.”Of course he was. How they thought I was dead, I didn’t know. I honestly didn’t care, but it was too late now.I swallowed hard, forcing myself to keep my expression unreadable. “Well
Dante’s POVWife?The word echoed in my head over and over again, like a cruel fucking joke.I must have misheard. There was no way. No fucking way.But Amaya didn’t correct him. She didn’t laugh and say it was a mistake.We just stood there.With him.My breathing became ragged, my fists clenched so tight that my nails dug into my palms. The pain barely registered over the storm raging inside me.“What did you say?” I growled, already stepping forward. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to kill him for saying it or beat the truth out of him.His expression didn’t change. He just stared at me blankly with that same arrogant calmness.“You heard me,” he repeated. “Amaya is my wife.”Worse, he wrapped his hand around her waist like he had every fucking right to touch her.She was my mate. She was mine.I saw red. I could barely recognize the sound of my own voice when I let out a low, menacing chuckle.“That’s funny,” I said, tilting my head. “Because last I checked, my mate—” I bit out the word
Amaya’s POV“I can’t believe that bastard. He’s got some nerve. You’ve been gone for almost a year! I thought they said he was in pain over your death. He doesn’t look like someone who’s suffering. He hasn’t changed a bit—still the same arrogant bastard,” Ryder said, looking physically pissed as he paced back and forth.After the incident, the entire dinner was ruined. I had completely lost my appetite, and Ryder even had to cancel the other plans he had for me that night.Now we were back in my hotel room, and Ryder wouldn’t stop ranting about Dante.I had changed into a more comfortable outfit as I sat on the bed, quietly watching him pace. There was a lot I wanted to say, but my mind wouldn’t stop replaying the scene over and over again.“He couldn’t even pretend to care. That’s what pisses me off the most. How did you cope with that idiot all those years?” His question was directed at me, but I just remained silent, unsure of how to respond.I mean, what was I supposed to say? The
I barely had time to react before he began planting hot hungry kisses down my neck and I instinctively tilted my head back, giving him more access — as if I didn't already hate myself for how easily I melted under him."Mine..." he breathed.His lips brushed my throat. "Mine..." he whispered again.I whimpered and my grip tightened around my dress which I could feel slipping. "Mine..." he murmured once more, his mouth now on my collarbone, grazing it lightly with his tongue before he sucked just enough my thigh presses togther and I gasped."Dante..." I breathed, not even sure what I was trying to say. Was I asking him to stop? Or begging him not to?"You have no idea," he growled as his hand moved up my thigh, sliding under my dress until his thumb brushed agsint the thin soaked fabric between my legs. Forcing a moan to escape my lips before I could stop it."Fûck" he muttered. "You are already this wet?"I clutched his shoulder trying to push him back Even when hepreseed his thu
Amaya POV Dante! Of every man I could have walked into. It had to be him. What was he doing here? I thought he wasn’t coming to the festival tonight. I was sure of it, so how the hell…? At this point, it felt like the Moon goddess was playing some twisted game with me, pulling the strings just to see how far she could push me before I snapped. Before I could even process it, his head snapped toward the sound of the toppled crate. Our eyes met, and my heart slipped a beat. He looked stunned seeing me standing there. And I… God… I couldn’t move. I took a shaky step back, then another — but just as I turned to run off, “Amaya… wait!” he said. The next thing I felt was his hand grabbing my wrist, gently pulling me back. His other hand slowly cupped my face, and his eyes searched mine like he needed to feel if I was real. I shivered under his touch. “What are you doing here?” he asked. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my eyes anywhere but on the fact that his pants were still und
Amaya’s POV He tightened his grip like he thought he had some kind of claim over me, like he was testing how far he could push me before I broke—while the other two laughed behind him, clearly enjoying the little show. I slowly turned to him, finally meeting his gaze. My expression was calm, but my eyes told a different story. “Move your hand,” I said calmly. They were clearly drunk, I could smell the alcohol on their breath, but that didn’t excuse their behavior. He chuckled, clearly thinking I was bluffing. “Come on, don’t be like that. We’re just having a little fun.” Wrong again. I watched as his grin widened and he reached out his hand to touch my face. Maybe it was the effect of the full moon because Nyx was growling recklessly inside me, demanding to be let out. Before his hand could touch my face, I grabbed his wrist, twisted it back just enough to make him hiss, then shoved it off me. The bar stool scraped against the floor as I stood up. Without wasting a second, I
Amaya’s POV “How are you feeling?” I finally asked after we were done discussing the major issues. I wasn’t just asking for the sake of it, and judging by the way he moved, he knew exactly what I meant. “Better…” Adam muttered, staring down at his hand. “I’ve been better. Still feel empty inside… but it hurts less now.” I fidgeted with my fingers, not knowing what to say, even though I had been the one to ask. Losing a mate was a kind of pain that never fully went away. It just… settled somewhere deeper, like a scar you learned to live with. It would probably take years for him to fully heal, if he ever learned how to open his heart again. He was still so young, yet he had to endure this much pain. It wasn’t fair. None of it was. “Dante…” I muttered the name before I could stop myself, watching as Adam’s pupils dilated. “Dante is here…” “What!” he growled, his voice louder than I had expected. “What is he doing here? He knows you are alive? How?” “It’s a long story.”
Amaya POV “You… you’re crying?” he muttered. I quickly wiped my face with the back of my hand, pretending like nothing had happened, and stood up in a rush. “I’m fine,” I muttered even though my voice cracked, and I turned away from him. “Ryder’s probably awake now. He’s probably asking for me.” But before I could take more than two steps, he grabbed my wrist. “Amaya,” he said. “Tell me what’s wrong. Are you hurt?” I bit down hard on my lip, still refusing to meet his eyes. “Let go,” I whispered. “I’m not letting go,” he replied, tugging me back a little. “Not until you tell me what’s wrong.” I squeezed my eyes shut, breathing shakily. I couldn’t do this, my chest was aching so much. Thankfully, the sound of hurried footsteps broke the tense silence. “There you are!” Briella called out, and I felt Dante’s grip loosen slightly. As Briella approached, she frowned, noticing the way Dante was still holding me. When she got close enough to see my face properly, her entire body st
Amaya POV“Get out,” he said without looking back. His voice was hoarse but sharp enough to make me flinch.I froze in the doorway, clutching the first aid kit tighter to my chest.“I came to help you,” I whispered, but he scoffed, still not turning to face me.“I don’t need your help, princess.”Even from where I stood, I could see the way his hands trembled when he tried to reach the deeper lashes on his back.My grip tightened around the kit. “I am not a princess,” I muttered, stepping closer despite the cold warning in his voice. “And you clearly need my help. Your wound is still bleeding.”He didn’t say anything, his shoulders rising and falling with each heavy breath he took. I took another step forward, then another until I was next to him. When he still hadn’t said anything, I slowly knelt beside him and set the first aid kit on the floor.I grabbed a bottle of antiseptic and a clean cotton pad, but when I lifted my hand, I hesitated, hovering just above his ruined back.Up cl
Amaya POVIt was a light peck. Barely even a kiss, if we were being technical.But it was everything to me.He froze for a moment, his body stiffening under my touch, and I could feel his heart hammering just as wildly as mine.Then it all shattered as he shoved me away.Hard enough that I stumbled back a few steps, catching myself on the stone bench behind me.His eyes widened in disbelief and something I couldn’t name. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides, like he was holding himself back.“Amaya…” he said hoarsely, but whatever words he meant to say were swallowed by a much heavier silence.A silence broken a second later by the slow, deliberate sound of footsteps approaching.I turned, and my heart dropped straight into my stomach.Standing at the edge of the garden path, with his arms crossed and an expression like a brewing storm, was my father.The Alpha.I knew immediately that he had seen everything.Dante dropped to his knees in front of him without hesitation, he
Amaya POV “Now your faces! Closer!” she instructed. Was she out of her mind?! I almost choked on air but remembered she was just a child. Dante was already leaning in and I had no choice but to do the same. Our faces were now inches apart, and I could feel his breath brushing lightly across my skin. It was torture. This was torture, and no matter how hard I tried to hold my breath, the scent of him still crept into my nose and clung to all my senses. It was all a cruel reminder. Dante tilted his head a little, and when I dared a quick glance at him, his eyes were already on me. I quickly looked away. The tension was so thick between us, it was a wonder the little girl didn’t notice. Minutes passed. Painful, heavy minutes we stayed like that. “Done!” the girl finally announced, and I sighed in relief. Dante immediately pulled away and I felt my shoulders relax. The girl turned the canvas around proudly, and I braced myself for the masterpiece — but what greeted me were two
Amaya POV It felt like he had made it his life mission to always stick around me like a leech. No matter how much I tried to avoid him, he seemed even more determined, and that pissed me off. Did he really think I would suddenly change my mind just because he was constantly being around and suddenly playing the Mr. Nice Guy? Heck! His presence was only making everything worse. “Here,” he said. His voice was rough, a little like he didn’t know what else to say. “I didn’t even want this,” I muttered under my breath, mostly to myself. But when I saw him shift uncomfortably, like he was bracing for me to shove it back at him, I sighed and reached up to take it anyway. Ryder was the one who had gotten it for me, after all, so it would be rude to just toss it aside. I watched him hesitate for a second, then he asked, “Can I sit?” “Why ask when you’re going to do what you want anyway?” I didn’t even look up at him when I answered, hugging the wolf closer to my chest. And jus