ZaneThe mate bond pulls at me. I fight it. I should let Magdalena kill her—that’s what she deserves. I save her life from my wolves, and still she does this. The wolves are my responsibility; I have to keep them safe, and if she’s hell-bent on attacking us, then she’ll have to die. Mate or not. But the mate bond overwhelms me. Instinctively, I have to protect her.“Stop,” I command, gripping Magdalena’s wrist and pulling her back down. “I’ll handle her.”Hesitating, she glares at me. “The last time you said you’d handle her, and now look what happened. Maybe I should be the one to handle her.”She sparks the rage in me. “How dare you question me?” I snap.Although she’s right, I should have handled Katarina myself from the first day we met. But fate had a different plan, making her my mate. Even though I know it complicates everything, I should kill her.Am I only making excuses to keep her alive?I could end her right here, right now, and watch Augustine’s pathetic face as he grieve
KatarinaMy eyes dart between Alpha Zane and Francis, watching the tension between them build with each passing second. Zane’s energy is overwhelming, even dangerous, and Francis is no match for him. I can feel the testosterone and dominance rolling off Zane, and if I don’t act quickly, this will end badly. I have to do something, otherwise they could attack each other. I doubt Francis would make it out alive if he enters into a confrontation with Alpha Zane.What do I do?I have to think really fast. The only thing that comes to my mind is to separate them.I throw myself between them just as their faces are inches from each other, barely avoiding a full-blown confrontation. If I walk away with Francis now, without speaking with Alpha Zane, it will only fuel his anger. I don’t know why but I think he hates it when I leave without his permission. He’s always infuriated when I walk out on him. Maybe he finds it weird. For whatever reason, it seems to trigger something primal in him.I
KatarinaI stare at Francis. “What else? To humiliate me, obviously,” I quickly say, trying to deflect.“Don’t worry, Katty. The next time I see him, I’ll take care of him for you,” he says, his thumb gently rubbing my cheek. He leans in to kiss me again, but I pull away.“I’m really exhausted, Francis. I think you should leave now.”“What? You’re asking me to leave your house?”“No… I’m just saying, go home for tonight. I need to get some rest.”He sighs. “Alright then. Good night, Katty.”“Good night, Francis,” I say, watching him leave the room.I lay on my bed reminiscing on the day that I just had. I remember Alpha Zane’s strong hands on mine, his tempting masculine scent, his dark eyes that stared at me and the way he touched me.Why did I let him do that?I turn my body to the other side of the bed. How could I let his hand go under my skirt and only for him to humiliate me afterward? Every time I’m with the Alpha, it’s like I have no control over my body, like it moves on its
KatarinaI can feel Zane’s presence like he is here, watching me.“The young wolf hunter is about to become a wolf,” his mocking voice taunts me, followed by his wicked laugh. I can feel him over my face. My eyes fly open, and I jerk upright, glancing around.There’s no sign of Zane.I exhale heavily. “Was I dreaming? Or was Zane really here, in my room, watching me sleep?”I sluggishly push the sheets off and get out of bed, heading downstairs. The scent of pancakes fills my nostrils. Dad is making breakfast.“Good morning, Dad,” I greet, noticing him at the stove. His eyes shift to me, and I sense something different about his demeanor.“Good morning, Katty,” he replies, his voice gruff as usual. “Sit down. You came at the right time.”I nod and sit as he sets a plate of pancakes in front of me. He pours me a glass of milk, his eyes locking onto mine, as if searching for something. He sits down across from me, hands resting on the table.“So, Francis said something interesting last
Katarina“Hey, Katty!” Francis says, about to step in. “Are you going out?” he asks, noticing the bag.“Yeah, we’re going out,” I reply.He looks puzzled. “Where are we going?”“I’ll tell you in a moment. Come on,” I say, and we get into the car. He starts the ignition, then turns his gaze to me.“So, Katty, where are we off to?”I smile, unable to hide my idea any longer. “I want to throw a small Christmas party.”He chuckles. “A Christmas party?” He gives me an incredulous look.“Uh-huh,” I nod, grinning.“Since when do the Penns celebrate Christmas?” he asks, clearly shocked.“Well, since now. I know we haven’t celebrated Christmas for years, but that’s about to change,” I say. A wave of sadness washes over me, but I take a deep breath and force a smile. “We’re getting some Christmas decorations for the house.”He shakes his head. “Katty, I don’t know… Wait, does Augustine even know about this?” He sounds anxious, glancing between me and the road.“No, he doesn’t, and you can’t tel
KatarinaI’m so excited. Everything has been going according to my plan. The doorbell rings, and I rush to open it. It’s Francis’ mom and three other women.“Hello, Katty,” Mrs. Baker, Francis’ mom says.“Hi, Mrs. Baker. Thank you for coming.”“Sure,” she giggles “I wouldn't miss an invitation from my future daughter-in-law. I came with some friends. I hope that’s not a problem. I figured we’d need more hands.”“Yes, yes, of course. Mrs. Baker, thank you so much! Welcome, everyone,” I say, greeting the three women she had come with. All hunters’ wives, I’m sure, as they walk in.It takes us a few hours, but the whole place smells amazing with the delicious aroma of food. The kitchen is filled with laughter as we cook, and after all the talking and joking, the food is finally ready. The roasted turkey looks incredible, and the other dishes make my mouth water—green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and, oh my gosh, the prime rib roast tastes amazing. We even have a bake
Katarina“I’m coming for you.” Alpha Zane’s voice whispers in my ear, jolting me awake. My eyes snap open instantly.“She’s awake!” Francis exclaims from beside me, relieved. “Doctor, come quick!”An elderly man rushes toward me, followed closely by my dad.“Katty,” Dad says with concern. The elderly man—who I assume is the doctor—begins to examine me. He opens my eyes wide, checks my temperature, and then steps back. “The worst is over. I believe she’ll be fine,” he says reassuringly.“What happened?” I ask, confused. The last thing I remember is hearing Alpha Zane’s voice.Dad leans closer. “You passed out. Francis found you unconscious on the floor.”I close my eyes and lean my head back, a dull pain throbbing behind my forehead. “Ah,” I groan softly, rubbing my temples.“Are you alright, Katty?” Dad asks, his worry deepening.“It’s the sound,” I mutter. “It’s too loud.”Francis, Dad, and the doctor exchange confused looks. Just then, Jeremy and his wife, Mrs. Baker enter the room.
KatarinaHe’s gone.Why won’t he just leave me alone? I know I didn’t imagine it. He was here by my window. My eyes peer at the empty street where I think he stood before. I saw him, but then he disappeared. I think he’s doing it on purpose, playing mind games with me. It’s driving me crazy. Something’s going on inside my body, and he’s always in my head, torturing me. No matter how hard I try, it’s like I can’t escape him.I go back to lie down on the bed, hoping that if I fall asleep, I’d find some semblance of peace. But I can’t. I can’t sleep.I get up from the bed and walk over to the mirror. My reflection stares back at me, unchanged. I turn to my left, then my right, trying to spot something—anything different. Physically, nothing seems out of place. But I feel different, like something has shifted inside me.My mind replays the Alpha’s bite. I tilt my head, fingers tracing the four distinct bite marks on my neck. Anger wells up inside me. This mark… it’s a constant reminder th
ZaneI take her to Glando, a beautiful lake and one of my favorite places in the city. She looks around, wondering why we’re here. It’s quiet and secluded, surrounded by rocks. That’s why I like it. I always come here to clear my head and have time alone. Wolves don’t usually come here. It’s off-limits to anyone outside the Christophers family. I remember running here as a kid, my mother chasing after me as we played. My father taught me how to swim here. This place brings back so many good memories. I feel connected to my parents when I’m here, even though they’re gone. And now, I’ve brought Katarina to this special place for me. Why?Her eyes finish scanning the area and land on me. “Why did you bring me here?” she asks, tension in her voice.“I brought you here to relax, Katarina.”She looks at me, clearly puzzled. “Is this another sick game of yours, Alpha Zane?”I chuckle. I deserve that. I’ve been cruel to her one too many times, so she can’t trust me. I lean in closer, gripping
ZaneKatarina freezes, staring at me. She has me questioning myself. Do I really want a baby from her, or is it just an excuse to thrust my length inside her?“You claim to know what’s right. So, what do you say, Katarina?”“No!” she exclaims passionately, as if the thought of having a child with me is the worst thing in the world. “I would never have sex with a monster like you, let alone have a child with you.”I glare at her. “Shut your mouth, or I’ll do it for you.” Who does she think she is? “It would be a privilege to have my child, Katarina. But you know, I can’t bring myself to do that. Otherwise, I’d have to explain to him or her why I killed their mother.”She swallows hard, her fear obvious to me.“I can have any woman I desire in my bed, including you,” I whisper in her ear, and she knows she can’t deny it. My fingers slide down her soft breast, teasing it. She closes her eyes, unable to stop herself. I smirk as my hand slides under her gown, touching her skin, enjoying he
Zane“What am I going to do with you, Katarina?” I whisper into her ear, standing behind her, my hands resting on her arm.“Don’t touch me,” she mutters under her breath.“What did you say?” I ask, wanting her to say it louder.“I said, don’t touch me,” she demands, her voice louder now.“Why? You love it when I touch you,” I say, my fingers sliding slowly down her arm.“No,” she says, pulling away from me. She takes a few steps back, turning to face me. “I’m not an object you can play with as you please.”“Katarina, you’re whatever the hell I say you are.”“I said no!” she yells, her voice shaking with defiance.Damn. Why does she have to be so stubborn? I should kill her and end the chaos of desire she stirs up inside me.Every fiber of my being wants to hold her and tell her how glad I am that she didn’t die, how sorry I am for not being there to save her when she was attacked. That was my responsibility. As her mate, keeping her safe is my sole duty. But I can’t say any of that to
KatarinaI look up and see two werewolves dragging a man forward. I recognize him. He’s one of the hunters who was at the Christmas party at my home. The expression on his face makes me lower my head. He looks at me in disgust. I can’t blame him. I clasp my fists together, trying to hold back tears. I’m a mess, and I don’t know how to save myself. Why does the Alpha have such control over me?“Katarina Penn,” the man says, dragging me out of my thoughts. I gasp and look up at him.“Your father would be disappointed,” he says with disdain.“No, it’s… it’s not… I can explain,” I stammer, but I sound like a broken record. He shakes his head, already making his judgment.“You’re supposed to be a hunter, Katarina. And now, what are you? A wolf fucker?” he sneers.My eyes shift to everyone staring at me. “I’m not… I’m not,” I mutter to myself. But with my actions, how do I defend myself? Alpha planned this on purpose. This is exactly what he wanted. Now, the entire wolf hunter community wil
KatarinaWe arrive, and as we walk through the crowd, I look around, amazed by everything I see. People are drinking and dancing with reckless abandon. Some are playing with fire, either dancing around it or blowing it from their mouths. The field is lit up beautifully with lights everywhere. The beat of the drum is loud, and the rhythm is enjoyable.“Hey, there you are,” Cyprian says as I bump into him.“Hi, Cyprian. Good to see you.”“You look stunning,” he says, his eyes admiring me like he’s in love with my look.“All thanks to Roselyn,” I say, and she beams, taking the credit.“Come on, there are a few exciting things I want to show you,” he says, taking my hand.“Oh no, the Alpha is waiting. Miss Katarina has to go to him,” Roselyn insists firmly.“The night is young. She could run free for a while,” Cyprian counters, and I smile, agreeing with him, as if he knows all I want is freedom.“Miss Katarina, the Alpha hates to be kept waiting, you know this,” Roselyn presses again, he
KatarinaClass is over for the day, and I’m packing my book into my bag when I glance up and see Cassandra. A thought crosses my mind—I should apologize to her. I was pretty mean the last time we talked. So, I walk up to her.“Hey, C-Cassandra,” I say, a little unsure.“Oh, hi. Katarina, right?”“Yeah, Katarina. But you can call me Katty.”“Hi, Katty.”“Uh, I wanted to apologize for the other day. I was mean, and I didn’t have to be. I’m sorry.”Cassandra’s eyes sparkle with surprise and warmth. “I accept your apology,” she says with a smile.Whew! That wasn’t so hard, was it, Katrina? I think to myself.Just then, Cyprian arrives, followed by Bex. Cyprian stands in front of me, and It feels awkward between us. I’m not sure if Cassandra notices, but a small smile plays on her lips.“Heard what happened to you last night, Katty. I’m sorry,” Cassandra says.“What?” I ask, turning toward Cyprian. “Cyprian, you told her?”He shakes his head, looking genuinely confused. “No, I didn't say a
KatarinaI stare at him, wondering just how much he heard of my conversation with Dad. “What do you mean?”“I was told you had just returned to the house. Why the hell did you go off on your own like that?”I feel a bit more at ease. It’s not about the plan Dad and I have to take him down. “How else was I supposed to get here?”“Magdalena would have brought you back if you hadn’t run off. You should have just gone with her.”I open my mouth, a hiss escaping. “Is that what she told you? I didn’t run off. Your precious Magdalena shoved me into the classroom and left me. I would have called you if I had your number, but I don’t.” I see the way he looks at me when I say I would have called him.“Your phone,” he says, extending his hand, waiting for me to hand it over. I grab it from the bed and give it to him. He punches in some numbers and pulls out his own phone. After a few seconds, he hands my phone back.“Now you have my number, and I have yours.”I glance at my phone screen. He’d sa
KatarinaI take his hand, and Cyprian helps me stand. I stare at him, noticing how he watches me, like he’s wondering why he bothered to save me after I’d been rude in class.“Thank you,” I murmur, our gazes still locked.“You’re welcome,” he replies with a warm smile. His eyes shift to the scattered papers on the ground. “I’ll help you,” he says, moving to gather them.He hands the papers back to me. “You really shouldn’t be walking alone at night, you know.”I reach for the papers, but he holds onto them a moment longer. “Let me carry these for you. So…where are you headed?”I hesitate, my eyes searching his. Why is he being so kind after how I acted at the Academy? “Uh… I don’t know,” I admit.He raises an eyebrow, confused, so I explain further. “I’m lost. I don’t know the way to the Alpha’s house.”He chuckles lightly. “So, you’ve been wandering the streets since we saw you at the Academy gate?”I turn away, but my embarrassed expression gives him the answer he’s looking for.“Wh
KatarinaTheir angry gazes fix on me, making my skin prickle with unease. My eyes dart around the room, spotting an empty seat in the middle of a row. I take a deep breath, glancing back at the door, torn between staying or leaving. Stay, Katarina, you can do this. Another deep breath steadies me, and I walk to the seat, quickly settling in and avoiding anyone’s gaze. The class is awkwardly silent. I don’t look up, but I can feel their stares boring into me. Low wolf growls rumble, making me tense. Are they going to attack me?The door swings open, and a woman walks in, standing confidently at the front of the class. “Hello, everyone. I’m Professor Bennett. Welcome to Wolf 101,” she says with a bright smile.I feel relieved. For now, at least, I don’t have to worry about being bullied by these wolves.“Let’s start with an interesting question,” Professor Bennett says as she uncaps a marker and writes on the whiteboard. “In just one word, who are werewolves?”The room is silent for a b