Tamed by Desire

Chapter Two – The Past

Charlotte POV

Day Three of the funeral.

I was already dreading the political pricks that would arrive any moment as I sat in my office. I couldn’t bring myself to sleep in our bed last night—the emptiness of the room, the design I had poured my heart and sweat into, perfectly suited to our needs.

Flashbacks wouldn’t stop coming: nights we’d made love, Adam walking to the walk-in wardrobe, picking out a suit that fit every inch of his body.

Instead of sleeping, I’d stayed hunched over my desk, staring at the new plans due next Thursday.

Moving the papers aside, I picked up our wedding photo and traced my fingers over Adam’s face.

I can’t believe you’re gone.

I longed for his touch one last time. Closing my eyes, I let the memories play until a knock pulled me back.

Richard stood in the doorway, worry in his eyes. I forced the best smile I could.

“Are you okay, Mom?” His voice was soft, but the worry laced through it was impossible to miss.

“I am. Just finishing my plans for work. You okay?”

“Yeah… the guests are arriving. Do you want me to lead everyone in?”

“Yes, please—if you could. Get Aunty Claire to help you out.”

“No problem, Mom. Oh—by the way, there’s an old woman outside in the guesthouse with Aunty Claire. Should I leave her to it?”

Old woman. I knew exactly who he meant.

“That’s okay, I’ll go see what the hold-up is. You go downstairs and greet our guests,” I said, trying not to let my irritation show.

Making my way down, I avoided the guests entirely, heading straight for the guesthouse. I could smell her before I even saw her.

Mother.

“Well, look who’s finally come to see their mother,” she called, sarcasm dripping from every word, her tone sharpened for criticism.

“Hello to you too, Mom. What has it been—twenty-two years since we’ve spoken?” I kept my voice cold.

She gave a thin smile, but her eyes flicked toward the main house—just for a second. Like she’d caught a whiff of something, or someone.

“Well, if I had known you were going to run off with that pathetic outcast of a boy, then—”

I cut her off, chest tightening. She couldn’t speak about Adam—my children’s father—like that.

“You stop right there and rethink your next words about my children’s father…”

Her gaze kept drifting—not nervously, exactly, but with a kind of sharp awareness. Like she was tracking something I couldn’t see.

“How dare you come here after all these years!”

“Enough, Carlota! I’m still your mother.”

There was no warmth in her voice. Just that same old need to prove she would always have the final say, truth be damned.

“Don’t call me that. How dare you think you can walk into my home after all these years and start talking s**t and making demands? I’m not seventeen anymore!”

My voice shook, but I didn’t care. “I got through life without you. I put myself through uni. Adam and I built this home together. And the fact that you never even had the decency to learn his name just shows you’re a cold bitch.”

“Are you done with your tantrum? Because I am. Now, see here—you’ll come back with me and the kids, and you’ll take over the Clan and make arrangements.”

I wanted to scream. How is this woman my mother?

Turning to the liquor cabinet, I poured a stiff drink. She always knew how to get under my skin. Deep breath in. Long exhale. One swallow, and the burn in my throat was almost welcome.

“And what about Father?” I asked quietly, forcing down the ache of the memory.

“No,” she said with a hiss.

Pain struck deep. It had been many moons since I’d broken my father’s heart. The thought of him never forgiving me hollowed my chest. But that was a wound from the past—a wound I wished I could go back and fix.

“Mother, I don’t have time for your judgment right now. I have a room full of guests waiting on me. You can stay here or leave—do as you wish.” My voice sounded defeated, drained. I couldn’t wait to get out of here.

“And what about the children, you don’t want to—”

“You can stop right there. You’ll meet the kids on my terms, and right now is not the right time. Like I said, you’re welcome to stay or leave. I have stinking wolves to attend to.”

Leaving the room without a second thought, I headed to mine for a quick, much-needed hot shower.

The reflection in the mirror didn’t look like me. The woman staring back looked too thin, too pale for my liking. A touch of BB cream, a quick curl of the lashes, and lip balm for my dry lips. I pulled out my hair clip and ran my fingers through my rich, deep brown waves.

I chose a slim-fitting black midi dress in soft rib fabric with gentle stretch—crew neckline, long sleeves, knee length. Black Valentine flats this time. Honestly, I’d rather be barefoot. One last glance in the wall-length mirror, one more deep breath, and I went downstairs with the most convincing fake smile I could manage.

As I reached the doorway to the main room, whispers drifted to me. For a moment, I thought they were about me. I glanced at the clock—I was on time. Then the scent hit me.

Mother.

I scanned the room and found her—front row, with the children. Of course.

“Isn’t that Luna Vivian of the Shadowmoon Pack?” someone whispered.

“Why is Luna Vivian here and sitting up front?” came the voice of the Clan’s slutty Minister of Finance—currently on her fourth husband.

Fuck. Unbelievable. Of course she had decided to stay and make everything about herself. My heart sank straight to my stomach. I’m so sorry, Adam, I thought, eyes lifting to his casket.

Holding my head high, I walked down the aisle to take my place.

William tapped my shoulder. Without turning, I leaned back just enough to whisper to him and Richard, “Say hello to your grandma.” No one else could hear.

The priest began the formalities. I sat still, forcing my anger and grief into a tight knot inside me—until Lira stirred.

Lira purred low, then whimpered, pacing restlessly in my mind.

“Control yourself, Lira.”

“No, he’s here, Char. I can smell him.”

Then it hit me—that scent. My pulse spiked, heat blooming in my chest.

Sweet honey. Sandalwood. Vanilla.

It wrapped around me like warm hands, sliding under my skin, catching in my throat. My stomach clenched—not in fear, but in the uneasy way old wounds ached before a storm.

I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing the thought away. No. It couldn’t be.

Fuck sakes, are you serious right now? “Control yourself, or I’ll make sure you don’t come out until the next moon phase!”

Lira went quiet, but the smell didn’t fade. It lingered—taunting me—until I could almost taste it, rich and warm and dangerously close to something I used to crave.

Closing my eyes, I breathed it in like it was the only air I’d had in days. Somewhere, deep in the pit of me, a half-buried memory clawed at the edges.

My senses told me the owner of that scent had left the building and the grounds. Thank f**k for that. And yet… I wasn’t sure if relief was what I really felt.

Turning my attention forward, I caught the next speaker—one of Adam’s co-workers. The Clan Beta, Edward, closed the service in place of the absent Alpha, speaking on his behalf.

I wasn’t surprised Alpha Victor didn’t attend, not after all Adam did for him. Asshole wanker, he is.

I was glad I made arrangements for the reception to be in town. I didn’t need to be there, but I had a lot of explaining to do. Watching the funeral director drive off with Adam, I couldn’t bring myself to close the front door. I stood there, wishing this all would just go away, waiting for any moment he’d come driving around the corner. A tight pull in my chest brought me back to reality.

Leaving the door open, I walked into the main room where, to my surprise, Mother was reading a book to Cordelia, Claire, and the twins, who were arguing over who’d play on the PS5 first. William and Richard stood nearby, frowning at the sight of their unknown grandma. They looked so much like their father, but that look told me I had a lot of explaining—and sucking up—to do.

Then in came my sister-in-law Penelope, carrying a tray of food which she placed next to the teapot. f**k, she looked pissed.

“Grayslen and George, can you please take your sister upstairs?" I need to talk to Mommy.” You couldn’t miss the firm, pissed-off tone in her voice.

Claire jumped up, knowing this was her opening to leave. “Come on, first one to the PS!” The twins looked at me excitedly and raced to the game room. “Come on, Cordelia, you too.”

“But I want to stay with her,” Cordelia said, pointing at Mother. I could swear I just saw a faint smile on Mother’s face.

“You go upstairs. I’ll find you later and we can carry on with the book. Go on,” Mother said softly.

What the f**k did I just witness? No way my mom had a soft side.

Snapping me out of it, Penelope snapped her fingers at me.

“You said your mother died!" But here she is, sitting right there!”

“Carlota, that’s truly low of you to say.”

“Yeah, Mom, when were you going to tell us we have a living GRANDMA?” William sounded pissed and sad at the same time.

“Did my brother Adam know you were hiding your mother all these years?” The heartbreak in Penelope’s voice cut through the room.

“Oh, my condolences to you, my dear,” Mother said, pretending to care.

“Don’t act like you care, Mother,” I said firmly, and everyone looked at me like I was crazy for talking back to her like that.

“Mom, how could you? Why would you hide this from us?” Richard sounded crushed, but you could see the disgust in his eyes.

“So all this time, not a single word about me, Carlota? What about your father… hmm?”

My head was spinning with all the questions—and the guilt of hiding this from my children, especially my two oldest.

“Carlota, why is she calling you that? And we have a grandad too,” William said, disappointment heavy in his voice.

“What else are you not telling us, Carlota? Good thing Father didn’t come today.” She rubbed salt in the wound, making it sting deeper.

“JUST STOP! Everyone—just stop.” I snapped, desperate to silence them so I could gather my thoughts before answering their questions.

Richard walked over to the drinks stand and poured himself a drink.

Look, just let me explain. But first… Mother, you’ve got to leave. I’ll let you know when you can come and visit.

I saw Richard opening his mouth, probably to say something, but whatever words he had seemed to die in his throat. Maybe he changed his mind.

“I have every right to sit in on this conversation, so don’t—”

I cut her off sharply. I was over the day, over the tension, over her endless drama.

“Look, just let me talk to my family.”

“Don’t you mean our family?” She had to have the last word, as always.

“Please, just leave. We’ll make arrangements for you to come around,” I said, my voice tired and defeated.

“I’ll see you tomorrow—for the last day. It’s not all about you now,” she said, turning abruptly. She said her goodbyes to the boys, her guards quietly following behind.