Kayla's POVWhen I walked into Adrian’s room and saw all my things neatly arranged—my things on the shelf, my brush in the bathroom, even my favorite pair of slippers already the bed—I stopped in the doorway and just stared.It was overwhelming.The scent of fresh linen mixed with his cologne, so familiar, so grounding. It wrapped around me like a memory I hadn’t dared to hope for again. And now here I was… back.I slowly stepped further in, my fingers brushing over the smooth wood of the dresser.“I’m actually back…” I whispered to myself.My wolf Kira practically purred inside me.Kira: Finally! We get to sleep beside our mate. We get to touch him, kiss him, have sex--"Hey! Hey! Hey! Stop there!" I cut her off with a little smile but kept my voice firm.“Don’t get ahead of yourself. We’re only sleeping. That’s it. No funny business.”Kira: Ugh, you’re such a killjoy. We can still snuggle him at least, right?“Snuggle, fine. But behave.”Kira huffed, but she quieted.Just then, stro
Kayla's POVWe had all moved back to my room now but For a full minute, I couldn’t breathe.I am Adrian's Mate?My ears were ringing, my heart was pounding so fast it felt like it would crash out of my chest. My knees nearly buckled underneath me, and I had to grip the edge of the table just to keep standing.“But--,” I whispered, staring at Adrian. “But how is this possible?”But I could feel it. The pull. The way the bond sang through my veins like wildfire and moonlight. And most of all—Kira.Kira.“I missed you,” I whispered in my mind, blinking back tears.My wolf stirred and stretched inside me like she'd just woken from a long, forced slumber.“I missed you too,” Kira purred, sounding stronger than I remembered. “And I’ve longed to meet him for so long... He’s ours, Kayla.”I looked at Adrian, and he was already moving toward me. His hands cupped my cheeks like he thought I might disappear, his forehead pressing against mine. His eyes were wide and shining.“You’re my mate,” he
Kayla POV The pain was immediate—hot, sharp, and all-consuming. I slumped in Adrians arms, my hands instinctively flying to the wound on my stomach. Warm, wet blood gushed between my fingers. "No… no, no, no…" I whispered, falling to my knees. The sound around me blurred into static. Screams, shouts, footsteps—I couldn’t make anything out clearly. All I could feel was the life draining from me… and from the child growing inside me. My baby. My heart clenched as I cried out, “No! No please!” The tears came fast and hard, blinding me as Adrian and I pressed our shaking hands harder against my stomach. But it wasn’t stopping. I could feel it—the weakening heartbeat of my baby, the slowing, the cold spreading up my spine. “I’m losing him,” I choked. “Goddess, please… please don’t let this happen again…” I rocked slightly, gasping for breath. “Please protect my child… please save them… I don’t care what happens to me. Just not again. Not again…” I was spiraling, slipping further a
Kayla's POV I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t slow down as I stormed through the corridors of the palace. Mia. I had just been informed by Adrian of her snooping around the kitchen this morning. Sneaking around and Whispering to staff. She was up to something devious, just like she had been back in Xaviers pack—right before I lost my child and lost everything. At first, I was furious, then I told myself it couldn’t be. That I was being paranoid. That maybe she was just… being vengeful. But no. I had gone to investigate myself and the way the kitchen staff stuttered when I asked if anyone had seen her that day, the way their eyes darted toward the pantry but no one dared speak—I knew. My fist clenched so hard that I thought I might crack a bone. No. Not again. I won't let her hurt me or my child again. I couldn't wait for Adrian, I would handle this my own damn self! I picked up my pace, the weight of everything crushing down on me. She wanted to take something precious from me
Kayla's pov I had barely managed to get the words “he’s here?” out before I was already walking down the hallway to where he was waiting in the garden.The palace gardens were unusually quiet. The wind rustled through the low trees, carrying with it the faint scent of lavender and earth. My grandfather stood near the fountain, smiling warmly at me.“There she is,” he said when he saw me. “Come, walk with me.”I nodded and stepped beside him. We strolled down the cobblestone path, our footsteps light against the gravel.“I heard you fainted two days ago,” he said after a moment. “I rushed here as soon as I could. I would’ve come sooner, but things at my business…”“I’m okay,” I replied quickly, too quickly. “It wasn’t anything serious.”He didn’t seem convinced. “Still, you don’t just pass out for no reason, Kayla.”I glanced away. “The healers said it could’ve been fatigue.”“Hmm.” He stopped walking and pulled a small basket from the bench beside the path. “I brought food. From the
Kayla's POVI and Adrian were currently on our way to Lady Catherine's quarters. “I really don’t think she wants to see me,” I said quietly, arms folded tightly as we stood in the elegant corridor of the Northern Wing. Adrian glanced sideways at me. “She’ll have to. It’s important, plus you are familiar with her so you have nothing to worry about.” I raised a brow at him. “Says the man who has no idea how much his mother terrifies people.” “She’s not that bad,” he muttered, but I caught the way his jaw tensed as he reached to knock. “Its a little funny how much she hates me now when She once said the goddess herself sent me to you,” I said lightly, trying to tease the edge off my nerves. “I almost thought I was her chosen golden womb but now she looks at me like I'm a viper waiting to strike.” Adrian’s lips twitched, but he didn’t smile. “That was before everything got... complicated.” I didn’t reply. What could I say? That I, too, sometimes wished I was still the girl full of