Caterina
Your wedding day should be the happiest day of your life, shouldn't it? As I look at myself in the floor-length mirror, the picture of a blushing bride, beautiful in every way possible. My long raven curls were hanging freely down my back, and my make-up accentuated my green eyes and full lips. I should be happy, excited and even ecstatic, right?
Today I will be marrying the man I loved, the man I fell in love with when I first saw him, the man who I thought was my fated mate.
Only for me to find out that he didn’t particularly feel the same way about me and saw me more as a nuisance.
How do you think I felt when I heard him say these words? The man who I thought was my mate turned out to be nothing of the sort. It was more infatuation on my side than an actual mate bond. Of course, he doesn’t know that I heard him say this; I happened to overhear him while he was in a meeting with my father.
So here I was in a wedding dress, feeling completely miserable and sorry for myself with not even a friend to cheer me up. I would much rather be on a stage right now, dancing my heart out to Tchaikovsky or Prokofiev, but honour decrees that I be here.
I suppose that I should feel happier. Sergio Andretti is the Alpha of the blue-blooded Onyx Myst Pack, the most well-respected werewolf pack in New York. Not only was he the alpha, but he was Capo and leader of the Andretti mafia family. In other words, I should be happier because my fiance was a powerful man.
But here I was, wishing I could be someplace else.
As much as I loved Sergio, and I had loved him with all my heart, I knew that I would never be happily married to him. He was always distant, cold and treated me like an annoyance instead of a lover. I would be nothing but a baby-making machine, churning out heirs for the Andretti family and doomed to be miserable.
Caterina, stop your nonsense and pretend you're in a play! I gently pat my cheeks and force a smile on my face. Today was my wedding day! I needed to smile and feel happier than what I did now. If I believe that I am happy, surely it will come to pass, yes?
My family would expect me to see this through with a smile on my face, especially my father, who was looking forward to this union to better his own connections in the mafia underworld. I think back to my family, how none of them was even in this room to help me prepare for my big day, and let out a sad sigh.
At least the Andretti family wouldn’t be worse than my own. Would they?
I sent up a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess, asking her for guidance and to help see me through today. I would be Mrs Sergio Andretti, the perfect bride and mafia wife, by the end of the morning.
A knock sounded at the door and caused me to turn around. When I do, I spot my little sister, Carlotta, as she peeks in with her eyes closed. Oh, boy, now I had to deal with this fake little puppet as well. “Are you decent?” she asks, and I let out a perfectly timed chuckle. “I am,” I answer her, and she opens her eyes before walking inside.
The unmistakable glint of jealousy flared in her green eyes, but it was gone just as quickly. “You look beautiful, Caterina - ever the virginal Mafia bride,” she gushes with a hint of envy to her voice and accentuates the word ‘virginal’.
I contain the roll of my eyes and only smile at her as she stares at me in the mirror, wondering why she was even here.
“Sergio is lucky to have someone like you by his side, and you’re lucky to have such a powerful man as your mate. Not to mention this gorgeous Spring wedding! Your babies will be beautiful, Caterina. I am so envious.”
Carlotta’s words cause me to do a double-take; why is she being so nice to me? She didn’t like me at all, even though we were blood sisters. Our mother favoured her over me for some reason. They all basically treated me like I was an Omega instead of the firstborn Beta.
“You will meet your mate one day, little sister, and when you do, it will feel like the entire world comes to a stop at the sight of them,” I say, explaining how I felt when I saw Sergio for the first time. It still hurts to know that the feeling was entirely one-sided.
I turn to look at Carlotta and notice the bruises and poorly covered hickeys on her neck and the top of her breasts. What has this perfect princess been up to, I wonder? I raise my eyebrows and I meet her gaze.
“Unless you’ve already met him?” I say with a giggle, and she grins at me.
“You never know, sister,” she says with a devious glint that I did not like.
We hear the organ sounding and look towards the door. “It’s starting. See you at the end of the aisle, Caterina.” She then kisses my cheek before leaving. My little sister’s attitude was completely different today; overly kind and showered me with compliments. This makes me feel uneasy, but I push the feeling down and cover my face with my veil. It was time to go.
My father waited for me at the entryway and had a scowl on his face.
“Hurry, Caterina,” he rushes me, and as I reach him, we link our arms. When I stepped into the church, I noticed that Carlotta wasn’t waiting for me as she had said. She is supposed to be my maid of honour, but she was not at her post. I didn’t like this at all.
What was she planning now?
Sergio was waiting for me, looking incredibly bored, but I could not help the happy feeling building in my chest. He looked impeccable in his suit, his muscular body barely containing it, with his raven hair slicked back and icy blue eyes blinking lazily.
Today I would be his, forever. My eyes drifted to my mother in the front pew again; she didn’t look happy for me at all but had a fake smile on her face. Her eyes scan the room as if she is looking for someone, then she looks at me again with disgust in her brown eyes.
Would I ever please them or make them feel proud to have me as a daughter? Even though I am eyed to be the next Prima Ballerina in the dance school I am in now and dying to attend Julliard, I doubt that I would ever be good enough.
We reach the end of the aisle, and my father places my hand into Sergio’s. He nods, and I join him on the podium before the priest starts the sermon. As he was going on about being joined in holy matrimony and linked to God, my eyes never left Sergio’s face.
I knew he couldn’t see me because the material my veil was made out of was quite thick, but he looked like he would rather be anywhere else but here. I sigh and resign myself to forever being his arranged bride - once wolves mate, they’re together for life even if the other person was not their mate.
“Since it is your intention to enter into Holy Matrimony, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church.” The priest says, and I knew it was time for us to say our vows. Sergio sighs, then smiles. “I, Sergio Andretti, take you-”
A crackle of microphone feedback cuts him short, and the screen behind the altar that had been blank a few minutes ago now flashed to life with a video. By the sounds the people made on screen, it was evident that they were engaged in sex.
My face burns red with embarrassment, and I look away, uncertain of what to do next, but it is the name that the male whispered that stopped my heart.
“Carlotta…” he breathes out in reverence, and I realise that I knew that voice… I knew it very well. When I looked up at the screen again, only to have my heart shatter further; the sex tape on screen wasn’t just anyone or chosen at random. I stared up at the screen and saw it; he bared his fangs and sinks them deep into the nape of her neck as she let out a wail of ecstasy.
It was a mating ritual between Carlotta and my fiance, Sergio.
Caterina I turned to look at Sergio, but he had an impassive look on his face. “What is this? What’s going on?” I whisper to him and feel the hot tears slipping down my cheeks. This was not what I expected, not at all! I knew my sister hated me, but this was… this was disgusting! “Someone turn this off immediately!” He roars, and the screen goes dead, then he looks at me with a stony expression and sighs. “This is not how I intended for you to find out,” he says, but before he could continue, a scream pierces the air, and we turn our heads to the entryway where the sound had come from. My eyes widened at the sight before me; my sister was in tattered clothes with her makeup running and what looked like a rope around her wrists. “Sergio! That’s not me; it’s my devious sister!” she hollers and stomps towards us. The crowd in the church had now gone deathly quiet. I take a step toward her. “Carlotta, what-” “She tied me up because she was jealous! She wanted you to marry her inste
Caterina The door opens behind me, and I see my parents filing into the room, then closing the door. I turn around to face them, my eyes red from crying, but I see no regret in their faces. My mother walks towards me and grabs my wrist hard. “Don’t ruin this for your sister, Caterina,” She had the same bloodthirsty look in her eyes as my father did - beasts of the same blood. I wonder whose traits I inherited; it definitely was not theirs. My father stepped closer. “Or we will force you to turn rogue and give you to a wolf-fighting colony as bait. Keep quiet, keep your distance and do not disgrace this pack any more than you have.” He spits out his venom, equally as scalding as Segios. “You will have to tie me down to keep me quiet, father. This will be the last time this family abuses me, that I can promise you.” I say through gritted teeth while levelling my gaze at them. My father’s eyes widen at this, and he moves to hit me, but I
Caterina This is a wolf of The Blood Crest pack. The tyrannical and merciless Russian wolf pack who ruled the other half of New York. They were also mafia, Russian Bratva and Sergio’s mortal enemies. I see my father walk towards the man and speak to him. This terrified me; he had already promised me to the Lycans of Vegas. Would he offer me to this man as well? I know my father only wanted power, and the Bratva would be the perfect place to have a foot in the door. The man looked at my father, and his eyes flashed the deepest crimson I had ever seen. “Move,” he growls and steps past my father, whose eyes fell on me, but they held no intimidation against the man who had brushed him off. I step backwards, fear gripping my heart at the sight of this man stalking the room. His eyes were deep red, which signified he was an Alpha, and I have heard a lot about the Alpha of the Blood Crest Pack. Beast, he was every inch of the
Caterina I wanted a new start, and now it seems like I would get it. We exit my father’s mansion and come to a stop in front of a black and green motorcycle. There was a leather jacket lying on top of the seat. “Ever been on a bike, Caterina?” He asks as he gently puts me down next to him. I look up into his eyes, not sure how I’ll get used to the intensity behind his stare, and shake my head. “N-no, not at all,” I say and see the grin spread on his face again. This man terrified and intrigued me simultaneously, and it was making my head spin. “You’re in for a treat, then,” he says, about to place a helmet on my head, but then I remembered something. “Wait, I need to get my things, my clothing and belongings,” I tell him, about to turn around and walk back inside my home, when he pulls me back by my wrist. “I have just marked your entire family as my enemy. Do you really think they will allow you to waltz back in there
Kai I lay her down on the bed we would share from now on, our bed, and gaze down at her. My mate was stunning and had the essence of an Alpha deep inside her; she just didn’t know her worth yet. “We will show her…” my beast rumbles, calming down for the first time since I set my eyes on her. Yes, we will show her - we will make her a Queen. As soon as I lay my eyes on her back in that hall, I knew she was mine. Her scent reminded me of home, fresh Spring rain as it hit the forest surrounding our villa in Russia. The familiarity is what pulled me towards her, but it wasn’t until we made eye contact that I could confirm it. Even as Andretti droned on, all I wanted was her, and I had to kill a Beta pup to do it. The innocence she displayed didn’t match her smart mouth, and I couldn’t wait to see what else she had to show me. When I walk back downstairs, I hear my elevator open and listen to my pack as they stroll i
Caterina “I will ruin you, Caterina,” His words promised violence and so much more. This man was irresistible, his beast so much more so. I wanted him, wanted this Alpha to claim me, but I could see him fighting the desire to do precisely that. So I bring my hands up and cup his face, his crimson eyes closing as I do so while he leans into my palm. When they open again, the clear blue is back, and he smiles down at me. “Thank you, as much as I would love nothing more than to be buried deep inside you; I know you are nowhere near ready for me.” He says, then steps away from me and takes my hand in his, “Let me give you a tour of my home; our home,” I smile at his words, my lust replaced with excitement as he takes me around the massive penthouse. The place was beautiful, every piece of furniture and art painstakingly chosen to complement one another. This penthouse didn’t have the flashy wealth on display like at my parent’s mansion, even though I know that Kai is five times as we
Caterina I lay curled up on the bed, Kai’s warmth and touch slowly leaving my body. I never thought that meeting your mate would make you feel this intense animalistic hunger; like you just couldn’t get enough of the other. Is it because he’s an Alpha? Would it be different with any other wolf? The pull in my chest says different. Lifting up from the bed, I walk over to the walk-in closet that houses Kai’s clothing. His scent was the strongest here; musky and powerful. I close my eyes and drink him in, feeling my inner wolf yearn for him once more. It wanted to submit to Kai, I felt its need deep inside my core and I am afraid that I will not be able to hold it back for much longer. It’s only been day one - we still had a week to go. Taking a deep breath -regretting it afterwards- then I step out of the walk-in. I had nothing here, no cell phone, no clothing, so I decided to go downstairs. The clock on the wall shows 7 pm now;
Kai As soon as I left the penthouse, my wolf’s ears went flat, and he released a disapproving growl. “We’ll be back later; there’s work to do,” I tried to appease him, but I could tell he was anxious to get back to her. Her actions while she was on top of me nearly snapped my self-restraint. Her grinding, her hands all over me, her scent and naked pussy against my throbbing cock - it made me want to claim her right then and there. What little self-control I had pulled my beast back in and let her go. We were so close, so damn close… But now, I have to focus on work and step into my role as Pakhan. I got into my Bugatti Veyron and hauled ass out of the penthouse parking lot before I changed my mind. I owned a few clubs on Billionaire’s Row; by a few, I mean all of them. Men with money have different tastes; most of them border on illegal, but I do not care to cater to those types of needs. Money, dominance and women ruled these men, an
Prologue - Lily, 19 Years Old Given to the Russian mafia; my brother truly had no respect for me. How can I consciously describe the anger that I am feeling right now? Sitting on a million-dollar private jet and heading for New York, I feel like nothing more than a slave sold off to appease an Alpha, even if that Alpha looked like he had zero interest in me. How could my brother do this to me? After everything I have done to show him that I am worthy of being his Beta! After all the training I went through, the beatings, the abuse! He promised me that he would consider me for the role if I completed my training, but what did I expect from a beast who has murdered three of his wives? I clench my jaw, then look at the two men in front of me; both imposing and tall with the air of Russian royalty about them. Kai Volkov was everything the rumours said and more; tall, built like a panzer tank, and no emotion evident in his blue eyes. The i
Kai I watch Caterina as she sleeps, and as usual, a smile spreads on my face. This woman has brought me nothing but happiness, and now that she’s pregnant with my child and heir, you can bet your ass that my overprotective nature has doubled. Yes, this does tend to annoy her, but what she doesn’t understand is that even though I am overprotective, my beast is a thousand times worse. It takes a lot of willpower to shut him down when she lets out a sigh or looks worried - I love her deeply, but he… he’s another story altogether. It’s 6 am, and I get up to start my day. Things have calmed down after the deaths of the vampires. I know a new den will start up in the absence of Westcott, but we will be prepared for them when they do arrive. Our new coven of witches arrived last night with nothing but goodwill and blessings; it irks me a bit because these witches hail from Norway, and I despise their evil nature. I make my way downst
Caterina I killed Nikolai; I murdered the youngest Volkov, and as I stand in front of his burning pyre, this is all that runs through my head. No one blames me. Of course, they wouldn’t, but whenever I close my eyes, I can see Nikolai’s face looking up at me with pleading eyes as I tear him in two. This IS my fault, no matter how they look at it or how much they deny it. Kai takes my hand in his and kisses the back. “Let's go home,” he says, leading me back to the car. I’ve been wracked with guilt ever since we came home from the DA Westcott’s place. The brothers set the place on fire and made it look like a disgruntled former caseworker did it. Knowing that I summoned something dark to do my bidding scares the hell out of me, and the fact that it killed every vampire in his lair terrifies me to my core. The Volkov Witches told Kai about their part in everything, which included making sure Kai mated with me and fulfil
Konstantin I’ve felt Fenriz’s eyes on me this entire time; does he know something that I don’t? Ever since he arrived a few hours ago, he’s been shooting me death glares, and I still don’t know why. Well, I think I understand why. Word got to him that I claimed his sister as my second in command, so perhaps he wants to ask me about her. Fuck, I hope he doesn’t because I haven’t exactly told him that she left my side almost three months ago. “Konstantin,” his gruff voice cuts through my thoughts as he walks over to me, shifted back to his human form. “I believe Lilith has been under your care this entire time. How is my little sister?” The question I have been dreading has come, and when I look at him, it is with feigned boredom. “I wish I knew; she left a few months ago after she found her mate-” Fenriz has me pinned against the wall before I can even finish my sentence, and when he looks at me, it is with double crimson Lycan
Caterina DA Westcott leaves the basement again after pinning me to the ceiling with chains drenched in wolfsbane. He’s expecting me to perform some sort of miracle and turn him into a hybrid. I think he’s watched too much Vampire Diaries, if you ask me. A Wolf/Vampire hybrid? Is he insane? Not only does that cross taboo, but it is entirely unheard of. I’m the vessel of a Goddess, not a goddamn magician! But if I don’t come up with something in the next two hours, my torture will continue again. He’s placed me in a chamber made out of pure silver, so I can’t even call for help through the link if I wanted to. Who told him about me? About the prophecy? Someone close to us is leaking information, and I don’t think it is only Dominik Volkov. I don’t think Kai can survive another betrayal of someone close to him, and by the looks of things, I might know who it is. It pains me to think of it, but I will remain quiet until I
Kai Someone has taken her, someone who has no scent and left my brother for dead. I will tear this entire fucking town to shreds if it means finding her. They took something that belongs to me, and they will fucking pay with their bloodline. No one touches what is mine and lives - no one. “Kai, we need to regroup and catch her scent before it completely disappears,” Kon says as we put Dimitri into his truck. “Who the fuck knew we were coming here?” He asks, but we both already know the answer to that. We've been planning to get the asshole for days now. “Dominik, who else?” I answer, walking to my car with nothing but murder on my mind. He will pay, and I don’t give a shit if he’s my uncle or not. “I’m coming, Caterina,” I say through the link, hoping it gets through to her, but it remains silent. This has just become personal - real fucking personal. Kon tries to get my attention through the link, but I drown
Kai I look over at Caterina riding shotgun, and pride swells in my chest. She did it; she killed the one who caused her so much pain while growing up, and she did it without even blinking. I heard the gun as Carlotta shot it, but I wanted to see what Caterina would do. Watching her as she held her sister by the throat sent a jolt straight to my cock, and it hardened even more when she ripped out her heart. Fuck, what this woman does to me! “Please stop staring,” she says as a smile tugs at her lips. “You’re making me nervous.” I chuckle then glance at her before looking at the road again. “I can make you feel something else if you want?” I say with a wink. She giggles then shakes her head. “You’re unbelievable!” Glancing at her again, I see that she tries to hide the smile forming on her lips. Caterina had no idea just how strong she could be, that she could command an army if she put her mind to it. I know her
Caterina Could I truly face Carlotta after all this time and keep my cool? She has constantly humiliated me in the worst ways and coveted what I had. I am filled with anger and hatred towards her and what they all put me through in the past. My family loathed me and made me a rogue after I left, knowing full well that it would hurt me. Did Carlotta know that I was not a true member of the family after all? It would explain why she has always hated me. I suppose that I would never truly know her reasons for hating me, and to be honest, I didn’t care anymore. Dressed in jeans, a t-shirt and boots, I head down to join Kai again and prepare for the day ahead. I am pretty surprised at the fact that I do not feel nervous at the thought of facing my family again. I loved them, even while living under their constant abuse and humiliation. Does that make me weak? I can’t help but think of Xamnir’s words while he held me aloft: “Sometimes love
Kai I’ve been up since before the sun came out, just laying next to Caterina and watching her sleep. Last night was incredible; every sexual encounter I have ever had paled in comparison to what I experienced with her. She made me feel…whole. It’s not just that, but she loves me; she loves this fucked up person who murdered both his parents and a coven of witches when he turned 18. How did she not see the filth I saw when I looked in the mirror? Whatever the case may be, I will protect this woman with my entire life and would rather perish before harm comes to her. She stirs in my arms and lets out a small sigh before settling again. I hold her close and breathe out a sigh. Today I will walk into Brooklyn to decimate the Onyx Myst pack. I’ve had enough of their fucked up ways and constantly provoking my pack to violence. To this day, I still don’t know why they had always seen us as a threat when we never had any real issues w