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 POV The memory of yesterday was still heavy on my mind as I stood in Dante’s office, waiting for the time to be upNathan had been arrested at Dante’s command, and while it was the right decision, I couldn’t ignore the fact that Sophie could be killed if that asshole refused to tell the truth.The good for nothing man who Sophie had called her husband—the man she had begged me to spare the last time —had turned out to be as selfish and deceitful as I had feared. For now, Sophie, was still locked in the dungeon. She was technically still under arrest until we had proven in court that she was not a criminal, but a victim who had yet to see the truth. If we didn’t act quickly and decisively, the council might succeed in their plan to execute her for treason. Dante entered the room, breaking me from my thoughts. “He’s ready,” he said with a frown and I knew that Dante hated his guts as much as I did. I nodded and followed him out of the office. The plan I had come up with wa
Tamara’s POVThe morning sun filtered through the curtains, and woke me up. Today was the day. Dante had set the court hearing for today, and soon, everything would come to light. I couldn’t shake the knot in my stomach as I sat in front of my mirror, and let Violet fuss over me.She was unusually quiet, her movements slow and deliberate. I caught her reflection, noting the pale tint to her skin and the dark circles under her eyes.“Violet,” I said softly, breaking the silence, “are you feeling alright?”She hesitated, brushing my hair back with trembling fingers. “I’m fine, Luna.”I raised a brow, unconvinced. “You don’t look fine. You’re pale, and your hands are shaking. When’s the last time you ate?”She couldn't answer me and I whirled around to face her, "you need to see a doctor!" I screamed at her Violet sighed and placed the brush down, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “yes, yes, I’ll go to the doctor after this, I promise. Right now, you’re the priority.”I frowned but decide
Tamara’s POV The world was dark, silent, and suffocatingly still. I floated in an endless void, weightless and confusingThe last thing I remembered was the now familiar cold, sharp sting of the dagger piercing my chest and Dante’s voice, desperate and broken, calling my name. Was I dead? again??? Before I could dwell on that terrifying thought, a silver light pierced the darkness, illuminating the space around me. The light grew brighter, almost blinding, before taking the form of a familiar woman. Her presence radiated power and serenity. Her long, flowing hair shimmered like moonlight, and her piercing eyes seemed to see through my very soul. “The Moon Goddess,” I breathed, my voice trembling. She nodded, her expression soft but unreadable. “Yes, child. It is I.” My heart—or whatever was left of it—stammered. “Am I… Am I dead? again” Her smile faltered slightly, and she stepped closer. “No, Tamara. luckily for you, It is not your time yet.” Relief flooded through me, but c
Tamara’s POV Sunlight streamed through the wide windows, warming my skin as I sat up to gaze at my lover in bed, my body still feeling the aftereffects of everything I’d endured. My Dante was by my side, as always, his arm resting protectively around my waist. “You’ve been staring at me for ten minutes,” he said, his voice rough with sleep but teasing. I smiled, brushing a hand through his dark hair. “I can’t help it. I still can’t believe we’re here, together, and… alive.” Dante turned to face me fully, cupping my cheek. “I made you a promise, Tamara. Nothing and no one will ever separate us again.” The sincerity in his golden eyes warmed me, but a lingering unease crept in. My thoughts drifted back to Lord Jarek’s escape. But I remembered Dante’s promise to capture him, to end the threat he posed to us and the pack. “Do you really believe that?” I asked softly. “That no one can come between us?” His gaze darkened, his jaw tightening. “Jarek is being hunted as we sp
Tamara’s POV The sunlight streamed through my bedroom window, bathing everything in a warm, golden glow. Violet tightened the last pin in my hair, stepping back with a satisfied smile. "There. You look perfect." Sophie, who had been carefully arranging the jewelry on the vanity, turned and gasped. "Luna Tamara, you’re glowing. Alpha going to lose his mind when he sees you." I looked at my reflection in the mirror, my breath hitching. My dress was everything I’d dreamed of—delicate embroidery, flowing fabric, and just the right amount of shimmer. But it wasn’t the dress that made me emotional. It was the realization that this day, my wedding day, had finally arrived. Tears welled up in my eyes. “I can’t believe this is happening. After everything… I never thought I’d finally get here.” “Don’t you dare cry,” Violet teased, but her own eyes looked glassy. “You’ll ruin my masterpiece!” Sophie rolled her eyes and handed me a tissue. “Let her cry. It’s her day. But just a little—don’t
Tamara’s POV The temple fell deathly silent, the atmosphere crackling with tension. I could feel hundreds of eyes bouncing between Amanda, her twin boys, and Dante. Whispers rippled through the crowd like waves crashing against a fragile shore. “Is that Amanda? Dante’s ex-mate?” “The one who disappeared years ago?” “Why now? On their wedding day?” “She’s got kids with her. Are those…?” I tried to breathe, but my lungs wouldn’t cooperate. My hand shook in Dante’s, and to my horror, he loosened his grip. I glanced up at him, desperate for reassurance, but his face was unreadable, his jaw clenched tight. Amanda took a small step forward, her twin boys clutching her hands tightly. The boys—dark-haired, golden-eyed —looked up at Dante with wide, curious eyes. They looked too much like their mother, but that didn't mean they weren't fathered by Dante. “I owe everyone an explanation,” Amanda began, her voice soft but steady despite the murmurs that filled the temple. “Years a
Tamara’s POV Adrian didn’t waste a moment. As soon as I stumbled out of the temple, he was at my side, steadying me with his strong arms. His sharp commands to the guards and staff around us were muffled in the whirlwind of emotions surging through me. Everything felt surreal, as though I were trapped in a nightmare I couldn’t escape from. “Get her back to the palace. Now,” Adrian barked, his voice low but commanding. “I’m fine,” I mumbled weakly, though my knees felt like jelly. “No, you’re not,” Adrian replied curtly, practically lifting me into the carriage waiting outside. “Sit. Don’t argue.” The ride back to the palace was eerily quiet except for the sound of my ragged breathing. Adrian sat across from me, his arms crossed and his jaw tight, his golden eyes burning with suppressed anger. “You’re too quiet,” he finally said, his voice breaking the silence. “What do you expect me to say?” I whispered. “That I’m okay? That this isn’t the worst day of my life?” My voic
Kayla's POV I really really didn't want to see Adrian, not because I was still mad at him about Candice, but because it felt like my heart barely survived seeing him yesterday.I thought that I could just turn off my feelings for him but I quickly realized how wrong I was when I laid my eyes on him. And walking away from him felt like a stab to my chest.Ingrid gave me an encouraging look as we left the library. “Luna, are you sure you want to do this alone? I can go in with you if you want.” She offered but I shook my head. “I have to do this myself,” I replied quietly. “Stay close though, just in case.” She nodded silently, worry clearly written in her eyes. Walking through the corridors to Adrian's office felt unbearably slow. Each step echoed through the hall, my anxiety growing with every passing moment. Finally, I stood before the heavy wooden doors. Taking a deep breath, I knocked softly. “Come in,” Adrian's voice called out, muffled slightly behind the thick doors. My s
Kayla's POV "Help me! Please help!" I woke up abruptly, my heart pounding in my chest. Sweat clung to my forehead, and the vivid images from the dream refused to fade away. I had seen Lady Rina’s frightened face flashing in front of me again, her pregnant belly was prominent as she ran frantically toward the familiar orphanage. She glanced over her shoulder with fear consuming her eyes. But who was she running from? I didn't know, and I couldn't see the threat.But lady Rina looked absolutely terrified for her life and I could sense that whoever was chasing her was very dark. I sat up in my bed and took a deep breath, my pulse slowing. The questions about Lady Rina had been haunting my mind for too long now.Ever since I first dreamt of her back in the Oracle's sanctuary, my mind kept replaying the same images over and over, urging me to uncover the truth about her.Whatever had happened back then—it was probably more significant to my life than I could imagine. I clenched th
Kayla's POV Adrian let go of my hand slowly, as if every inch of separation killed him. Every inch of the separation killed me too but I wasn't about to let him see that.I packed everything I had from the room and rushed past him.He barely moves and didn't even blink. it looked like he was in shock.My steps echoed down the corridor as I rushed into the guest wing, leaving Adrian standing frozen in the doorway. My new room felt empty and lifeless.And I knew that it was because it was Missing the warmth Adrian’s presence had always brought me. I slumped on the bed before burying my face in my hands while desperately trying to calm my shaking breaths. “Luna Kayla! You're really back!" The door suddenly burst open, and Ingrid rushed in with relief brightening her eyes. “Oh, thank the Goddess! I was so worried. Where have you been?” “I wasn't far, I just needed some space,” I admitted softly, barely looking up.I felt bad for leaving her in the dark when all she had wanted was fo
Kayla's POV "Dear goddess, please guide me in my endeavors." I prayed as I left the orphanage. My heart pounded violently as I carefully adjusted the hood over my head before pulling it lower over my eyes to hide my face from the palace guards that were patrolling the streets in search of me.I could hear them clearly— with boots crunching gravel, orders being barked urgently to find me, and my picture circulating among the crowd.These people were working day and night to find me.I almost barked out a dry laugh because the irony wasn’t lost on me. It seemed that Adrian had only realized my worth after I had already decided to leave. Just like Xavier had only wanted me after I was gone. Men. They only seemed to appreciate you when they were losing you. Taking a deep breath, I watched the guards carefully. I waited until one of them turned his back, distracted by a loud commotion from the nearby market, and then I quickly slipped past them, holding my breath until I reached the p
Kayla's POV The door creaked as I pushed it open with a little dust puffing into the air. It was obvious that not a lot of people used this room.The space was small and cluttered.It was more of a glorified storage room than a real Library or archive of history. Shelves sagged under the weight of worn-out books, and loose papers were scattered across tables and floors like autumn leaves.Nothing was arranged or labeled, but I was supposed to somehow be able to magically find the books I was looking for. Great. I rubbed my temples, trying to decide where to even start. Then I heard a rustle. My head snapped to the corner, where a stack of books shifted ever so slightly. I took a cautious step forward. Someone was hiding there.My heart began to race. Was it those shadowed rogues? Had they tracked me here?Had I put the orphans in danger with my presence? “Hello? Who's there?” I called while reaching for my necklace in preparation for a fight. "I know you're there so you bett
Kayla's POV I literally couldn’t stop staring at the photograph. The picture had frayed edges and timeworn colors, but the woman in it, standing close to Adrian's father… she looked like me. No.. she looked a little Too much like me to just be normal. And It wasn’t the kind of resemblance you could shrug off as coincidence. It was the same eyes. The same shape of the mouth. Even the same stubborn, haunted expression. And to make matters even more confusing was the fact that Standing beside her with one hand gently resting on hers, was the man Elara had just told me was Alpha Dominic. Adrian’s father. How was this possible? What did this mean? My legs suddenly felt too heavy to carry me so I sat in the corner of the common room with the photo clutched in my hands, trying to make sense of it. “Elara,” I called quietly. The tall, broad-shouldered woman glanced over from where she was searching through the drawers for other things. She came over and lowered herself be
Kayla's POV After breakfast, I insisted on helping the staff with chores—cleaning the tables, washing dishes, folding laundry. I needed to do something with my hands that would keep my thoughts from spiralling intodark thoughts.Plus I was eager to start helping the children as fast as possible. The funny thing was that the kids followed me around, asking questions about where I came from, if I had a wolf, if I’d ever seen the Alpha in real life. I smiled and answered as vaguely as I could, not ready to explain the chaos I’d run from. But for the first time in days, I felt a strange sense of peace.Like I was right where I should be. I was hanging laundry out back when one of the staff—Elara, a tall woman with sharp gray eyes and a strong build—approached me. “You’re quite the helper Miss Kayla,” she said, nodding with a basket on her hip. “I needed something to keep me busy,” I replied. She glanced around before adding, “You know, Lady Anna swears you’ve been here before.”
Kayla I ended up spending the night at the Orphanage and it was one of the most restful nights I've had in weeks.Sure, I might have had one or two night mares where I saw Adrian kissing Candice in her room while my body wrecked with painful sobs, but hey, it was better than the nightmares I usually had about the darkness that was trying to take control of me.I knew that I would finally be able to get rid of the problem when I finally get to the Oracle's sanctuary, but I just had to wait until the guards weren't searching for me so persistently.To be honest, I'm surprised that Adrian was putting that much effort into finding me now when he had been ignoring me for the last few days.Hadn't Candice satisfied him enough? Or was he so greedy that he wanted the two of us at the same time?Men! I should have known better than to let myself trust them again. Especially after how Xavier treated me.I had stupidly let myself become a fool for love again! How pathetic!I definitely won't le
Kayla's POV I really didn’t know where I was going at first. Not really. My feet just kept moving, dragging me farther away from the palace, from the pack... from Adrian. Every step felt more gut wrenching than the last, like my body wanted to turn back even though my heart refused to. Where do I go? I paused in the shadow of an old bakery, pressing my back to the cold brick wall as I hugged the jacket tighter around me. My breath was beginning to puff visibly in the cold evening air, and the wind cut through my clothes like icy knives.I would go to mountain, I finally decided. It was the only place I knew where I would be accepted by someone.I obviously couldn't go back to Xavier's pack but it was the only other place I knew, so the Oracle's sanctuary was my best vet.Plus If there was any place I could find answers—or strength—it was with her. Maybe I could even finish my training. Maybe I could finally understand why I was… this. Why I couldn’t control my power or trust my