Amaya’s POV The moment he let go of me, I took my chance and ran. I didn’t look back. I didn’t even care to know who had interrupted so I could thank them later. I just ran until I was back in my hotel room. Slamming the door shut, I pressed my back against it, my chest rising and falling as I let out quick, uneven breaths, clutching the wet fabric of my nightgown. Why was he so keen on making this so much harder than it already was? I squeezed my eyes shut, pressing my palm against my forehead as if that could stop the memories from replaying. The entire purpose I had stepped out was to forget. How the hell was I supposed to do that now? I let out a shaky breath and forced myself to stand up, making my way into the bathroom and changing into a more comfortable outfit. This time, an oversized t-shirt and shorts, before stepping back into the bedroom. That’s when I noticed Ryder wasn’t on the bed. I assumed he had returned to his room, and I felt guilty knowing I was the one who
Dante’s POV That night, she slipped away. I searched for her, only to find out the next morning that she was no longer at the hotel. My stay became useless after that. I left instantly, returned to my pack, and paid a spy to investigate that idiot, Ryder. That was how I found out Amaya had been secretly living in his pack this whole time—while I thought she was dead. And the worst part? She was actually married to him. Then who the hell had I buried? I had her grave secretly dug up and ran a DNA test on the remains. The results confirmed what I already knew. It wasn’t Amaya. It was a nurse. The same nurse who had gone missing. I had only mistaken her for Amaya because of the damn necklace around her neck. I chuckled to myself, laughing at the absurdity of it all. A simple mistake—because of a necklace—I had mourned a stranger, thinking I was saying goodbye to my mate. It felt like the universe was mocking me, playing some sick, twisted game. But at least it had given me
Amaya’s POVI tried to ignore him. I really did. But it was hard—especially since he was everywhere. I couldn’t even turn a corner without catching a glimpse of his face.He wasn’t saying or doing anything—thank the Moon Goddess for that. But still…I couldn’t stand being around him.“Is it true you were married to Alpha Dante’s?” Brielle suddenly asked.We were at the training ground that evening since our practice had been interrupted the day before.I blinked, caught off guard by the question.“What?” I said, lowering my sword.“There’ve been rumors flying around about Alpha Dante, and how he came back to get you,” she replied casually, wiping the sweat from her brow.Right. Only a few people knew about my marriage to Dante. I had spent most of my time within the walls of the packhouse, only stepping out on rare occasions. And since coming to Ryder’s pack, there had never been a reason to mention it.“Only the first half is true,” I said, raising my sword again as she prepared to s
Amaya POV“Are you crazy?” I hissed, struggling against him. “There are guards everywhere.”Although it was a little dark and the training grounds were usually deserted at this time of night, I knew it was only a matter of time before someone stumbled upon us. And that would cause a lot of issues.“So?” he said, unbothered. “It’s not like I’m doing anything wrong. You’re still my wife.”“Ex-wife!” I snapped instantly. “I am happily married, thank you very much. To Ryder. Who, in case you forgot, is the soon-to-be Alpha of this pack and doesn’t need you breathing down my neck like some jealous wolf who can’t take a hint.”His jaw tightened, but I didn’t stop. If anything, I spoke louder. “We are over, Dante. I moved on. I am healed.”Of course, that was a lie. I wasn’t anywhere close to being healed. How does one even heal from that?“And now you’re here, messing everything up like you always do…”“Enough,” he growled, and I flinched at the raw sound of it. The kind of growl that made
Amaya POV “I volunteer,” I said with no hesitation. The room suddenly went quiet. Alpha Beckett furrowed his brow, Ryder’s eyes widened, and I could feel the tension shift. “You?” Dante asked, rising halfway from his seat. “Amaya—” “I said what I said.” I cut him off calmly. “This is my pack too. And if there’s danger near our borders, I’m not sitting here twiddling my thumbs while the rest of you bleed.” Ryder stepped away from the wall and was now fully focused on me. His jaw ticked, but he didn’t say anything. Beckett exchanged a look with one of the council members, then nodded slowly. “Fine. You’ll be briefed in twenty minutes.” I nodded and turned around before anyone could protest further, ignoring the burning gaze of Dante behind me. I barely made it past the hallway before I heard footsteps behind me. “Amaya,” Ryder called, and I stopped. My lips curled into a small smile, but as I turned, I was met with a blank stare that made it falter. “What is it?” I as
Amaya POV“Because he saved my life.”I had expected a thousand excuses to justify his actions. Political reasons. Strategy. Maybe even fear. I mean, a lot of packs were indeed afraid of Dante’s wrath, so it would make a little sense if that was the case. But that—that I didn’t expect.“What?” I said in shock, unsure of how else to respond.“Over fifteen years ago,” he said, staring down at his hands like they held pieces of a past he didn’t want to relive. “Ryder fell gravely ill. The healers and doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with him—he was dying slowly right in front of me. I had already lost my mate… I couldn’t lose my only son too.”His jaw clenched as he relived the memory.“My Beta back then—Harlem—recommended someone. He said there was a powerful healer who lived beyond the northern border, someone who didn’t belong to any pack but had cured impossible cases before. The problem was, he wasn’t reachable. We had to go to him.”He paused, his expression hardened, and
Amaya POV “You cry really loud for someone who just volunteered as tribute.” I gasped with a startled breath. I whipped my head around, tear-streaked cheeks and wide eyes, only to find Briella lounging upside down on my reading chair. One leg dangled over the backrest, a book in her hand and a lollipop in her mouth. She didn’t even look up from the book. “What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, sitting up and aggressively wiping the tears from my face with the back of my hand. “How… how long have you been sitting there?” Briella finally looked up, popping the sweet out of her mouth. “Long enough,” she said, and casually set the book aside. “So… what are you doing here?” I asked. She sat up now, swinging her legs over the side of the chair. Knowing Briella, she never showed up unless she needed something or had something to say. Briella was many things, but silent company wasn’t one of them. “It’s about the mission,” she finally said. I knew it. I crossed my arms.
Amaya POV I took in a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves as I recalled everything I’d learned up till now. “In situations like this, the last thing you want to do is panic,” Ryder had told me once. “The next… is to listen.” So I listened. I focused on the silence, let the cool air fill my lungs. I gripped my sword tighter and started moving forward carefully, step by step. That’s when I heard sudden footsteps heading right in my direction. My ears twitched and my instinct kicked in. The next rule Ryder had drilled into me came rushing back. “Find a safe place to hide. Then wait. Then strike.” I darted behind a thick tree, crouched low, clutching my sword so tight my knuckles turned white. My heart was pounding in my chest, but I kept my breathing steady. Just like I was taught. Then… I saw movement. A shadow passed me, and without wasting a second, I jumped out with a yell, raising my sword—ready to strike. But I didn’t even get the chance. A hand caught my wrist mid-ai
Dante's POV "Amaya!" I screamed and bolted upright in bed. My head spun and my arm burned from the IV a nurse was hurriedly trying to fix. It took only a second to realize I was in a hospital. "Where is she? Where is Amaya?" I growled, which startled the nurse so badly she stumbled back, trembling like a leaf. "I-I don't know..." she stammered. "You were found passed out on the road. Some passersby rushed you here. I-I'll go inform Sir Ryder you're awake," she said quickly and rushed out before I could stop her. Panic gripped me harder. How long had I been out? I glanced out the window. The sun was already high outside, and memories of last night crashed back into me like a nightmare. Amaya had been taken, and she had been missing since last night. Shit! I yanked the IV out of my arm and rushed towards the door, only to almost collide with Ryder, who was storming in. "Where is she?" he demanded, stepping furiously into the room with his eyes filled with rage. "You were with he
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