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17. Ruslan
Last Updated:
2024-09-20 00:23:32
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Between Hate and Fate 18. Katya
I wake up feeling… different. Better, maybe. It’s a strange sensation, waking up without the anger or tension pressing down on me. Last night’s conversation with Ruslan still lingers in my mind, and though it wasn’t easy, it was civil. We talked. For once, we weren’t at each other’s throats, and the bond seems almost... satisfied. It’s still there, of course, but quieter now, less oppressive.I stretch, my muscles still stiff from sleep, and pull on my robe before padding out to the kitchen. The house is quiet, the morning sun just beginning to filter through the windows, casting a soft light across the room. Coffee first. I need the caffeine, the warmth. I fill the kettle, set it on the stove, and lean against the counter as it heats up. It’s quiet, peaceful even, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I can breathe.Once the coffee’s made, I wrap my robe a little tighter around myself and take my cup out onto the porch. The cool morning air greets me, crisp and refresh
Last Updated : 2024-09-20Between Hate and Fate 19. Ruslan
Things between Katya and I have shifted lately, and I can’t deny that I’m aware of it. The tension that used to choke the air between us has eased, replaced by something different. Something more dangerous. I know she’s attracted to me. I can feel it in the way her gaze lingers just a little too long when she thinks I’m not looking, the way her pulse quickens when I’m near. I’ve caught her more than once, eyes flicking to my chest, or the way she shifts uncomfortably when I get too close.And I’m not above using it to my advantage.I push her attraction because I can. It’s easy, almost too easy, and part of me enjoys watching her squirm, watching her try to fight it, knowing she can’t. The bond won’t let her, just like it won’t let me stay away from her for long. It’s a twisted game we’re both caught in, and for once, I’m not angry about it. Not completely, at least.This afternoon is hot, the sun high in the sky, the air thick with heat that sticks to my skin. I think about going f
Last Updated : 2024-09-20Between Hate and Fate 20. Katya
How could I have forgotten?I sit on the floor of my room, my knees pulled up to my chest, my fingers trembling as they grip the fabric of my robe. The sun is beginning to set, casting shadows across the walls, but I don’t move. I can’t. My heart is racing, my thoughts spiralling out of control. I feel disgusted with myself—sick to my core—because for a moment, just a fleeting, shameful moment, I forgot what Ruslan did.I forgot that he killed Andrei.How did I let that slip away? How did a few lingering stares and awkward, almost playful conversations make me lose sight of the fact that this man—the same man who’s been circling my thoughts, pulling me in with the bond—destroyed my world?My body trembles as I try to catch my breath, but it’s no use. The panic is rising, swallowing me whole. The bond, this cursed bond, is making me weak. It’s clouding everything. Making me forget that the man I’m starting to look at differently is a killer. A murderer.How could I be so stupid?I’ve
Last Updated : 2024-09-21Between Hate and Fate 21. Ruslan
Since the kiss, I’ve been avoiding Katya like the damn plague. Every time I see her, every time I feel the bond pull between us, all I can think about is her screaming at me, blaming me for destroying her life.I can feel the tension between us every time we’re in the same room, but I don’t make eye contact, don’t give her any reason to start another conversation.The bond between us is still there, humming in the background, but I’ve gotten good at ignoring it. At least, I try to. After that kiss, though? It’s been harder. The way she kissed me back, like she was just as lost in the pull of it as I was—it’s all I can think about. And I hate it.Because I shouldn’t be feeling anything for her.She forgot. She forgot that I killed Andrei. She blamed me for ruining her life, for tearing it apart, and the worst part is she doesn’t even know the whole truth.She doesn’t know what Andrei did to my life. Doesn’t know that her beloved husband shattered my world before I ever laid a hand on h
Last Updated : 2024-09-21Between Hate and Fate 22. Katya
I can’t stop thinking about what Ruslan said.The words keep replaying in my head over and over again: You think I destroyed your life, but you have no idea what your precious husband did to mine. You don’t even know the fucking half of it.What did Andrei do? What could he have done to Ruslan that was so horrible that it shattered his life? Ruslan killed him. My husband is dead because of him, and yet... I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to this story. That maybe I don’t know the truth.But Ruslan won’t tell me. He could have. He should have thrown it in my face, made me pay for every accusation I’ve hurled at him since we’ve been trapped in this cabin together. Instead, he held back, refusing to say anything because he didn’t want to hurt me.Imagine that. He didn’t want to hurt me.I’ve done nothing but accuse him, call him a murderer, accuse him of being heartless, cruel, and everything else I could think of. But now, I can’t help but wonder if what Andrei did to him is
Last Updated : 2024-09-21Between Hate and Fate 23. Ruslan
It’s late — too late, and I haven’t slept. The clock on the wall reads just past 3 a.m. but time hasn’t meant much to me in hours. I’ve been lying here, staring at the ceiling, my mind running in circles since the argument with Katya. It’s all I can think about — her tear-streaked face, the pain in her eyes when she realised the truth about Andrei. I thought telling her might give me some kind of release, some closure, but instead, all I feel is empty.I didn’t want to hurt her. I never wanted this.But I did hurt her, and now I can feel her pain through the bond. It’s a steady, dull ache that won’t go away, and the worst part is knowing that I caused it. I shattered her world, just like mine was shattered all those years ago. I turn over in bed, pressing the heels of my palms against my eyes, trying to block out the memories, the guilt. But it doesn’t help. Nothing does. All I can think about is the look on her face when she heard the truth, how it broke something in her. And the b
Last Updated : 2024-09-21Between Hate and Fate 24. Katya
The first thing I notice when I wake up is the warmth. It’s comforting, steady, and it makes me want to bury myself deeper into it. I wake slowly, my mind groggy, the warmth of sleep still clinging to me. For a moment, I don’t remember where I am, but then I feel it—him. His arm is wrapped around me, his chest rising and falling steadily beneath my cheek. My eyes snap open, and I stiffen, realising I’m still in Ruslan’s arms.What the hell am I doing?The memories from last night come rushing back in a flood — me, walking into his room, crawling into his bed, needing comfort ... and him giving it to me. No questions, no pushing. Just his arms around me, holding me while I broke down. I can’t believe I did this. I can’t believe I wanted his comfort.I stay still for a long moment, hoping he’s still asleep, afraid to move, afraid to face the reality of what this all means. Slowly, I peer up at him. His eyes are closed, his face relaxed in sleep, and for the first time, I see him witho
Last Updated : 2024-09-22Between Hate and Fate 25. Ruslan
As soon as Katya walks out of my bedroom, I let out a long sigh and lay back against the pillows. What the hell is going to happen now? We’ve crossed some line, I’m sure of it, but I have no idea where it leaves us. Am I still the man she wants executed? The one responsible for destroying her world? Or am I something else to her now?The bond between us has shifted. I felt it last night, in the way she came to me, seeking comfort, and I gave in, holding her like she needed. But that doesn’t change the fact that I’m still the man who killed her husband, no matter what he did.I rub my hand over my face, frustrated. I can’t keep thinking like this. There’s no point in trying to figure out where we stand because it’s too messy, too complicated. I get out of bed, throwing on a pair of sweatpants and heading to the kitchen. I need to clear my head, and if there’s one thing that’s always helped me think, it’s cooking. My sisters used to love pancakes—Mina and Mila would beg me to make th
Last Updated : 2024-09-22
Latest chapter
Between Hate and Fate Epilogue - Ruslan
5 Years LaterThe crisp mountain air fills my lungs as I stand at the foot of the cabin, the old wood of the porch creaking softly beneath my weight. The familiar scent of pine and damp earth surrounds me, grounding me in the moment as my eyes follow the scene in front of me.Katya’s laugh echoes across the clearing, light and carefree, the kind of sound that still catches me off guard because of how much it softens everything inside me. She’s running, her long dark hair streaming behind her like a banner as she chases Milanya and Mikhail.Milanya shrieks with laughter, her dark curls bouncing as she sprints ahead, her silver eyes gleaming with mischief. She’s fast, so fast for her age, and every time I see her move with that wild, untamed energy, I see pieces of both Katya and me in her.Mikhail isn’t far behind, his silver hair catching the light as he dodges around his sister, trying to outmaneuver her. He’s quieter, more measured in his movements, but there’s no mistaking the spark
Between Hate and Fate 86 - Katya
I can’t help but smile as I think about the pride in Ruslan’s eyes when he watched Milanya shift for the first time. He looked so overwhelmed, like he couldn’t believe he was witnessing something so incredible. I wonder if he realizes how much of himself she carries. The same raw determination, the same strength—it’s all there in her, as much a part of her as her little hands and feet.The rustling of leaves pulls me out of my thoughts, and I look up to see Ruslan emerging from the trees, his massive wolf form padding silently into the clearing. Milanya trails behind him, her tiny black paws stumbling over roots and rocks but determined to keep up.Ruslan shifts first, his towering frame replacing the wolf in a seamless movement that still leaves me breathless. He slips on his shirt and pants and crouches down to help Milanya with her own shift, his hands steady and gentle as he murmurs soft words of encouragement.When she’s back in her human form, she giggles and throws her arms ar
Between Hate and Fate 85 - Katya
The sun is high in the sky, and a soft breeze carries the earthy scent of the forest, mixed with the faint sweetness of wildflowers. Peace. That’s what this is—pure, uninterrupted peace.Milanya toddles ahead, her tiny hand gripping Ruslan’s much larger one. She’s walking more steadily now, her confidence growing with every day. It’s hard to believe she was just a baby clinging to my hip not so long ago. Now, she’s this curious little explorer at fifteen months, her grey eyes wide with wonder as she glances back at me with a giggle.“She’s fast,” I say with a laugh, watching as she tries to tug Ruslan forward.“She’s got my stamina,” Ruslan replies, smirking over his shoulder. “Lucky you.”“Lucky me,” I echo, rolling my eyes but unable to hide my smile.The past year and a half have changed everything. The shadows that once clung to our lives have finally dissipated, leaving room for something brighter. I feel it in the way Ruslan carries himself now—less guarded, more at ease. He’s
Between Hate and Fate 84 - Ruslan
The silence in Tomas’ abandoned packhouse is suffocating. It’s a shell of what it once was—empty halls, shattered windows, the faint stench of fear and blood lingering in the air. The pack he once commanded with an iron fist has scattered, no doubt fleeing the inevitable after the council finally acted. There’s no one left to stand beside him now. Just like it should be.It’s almost poetic.The council’s letter came two months ago, filled with apologies to Katya. They admitted their mistake, exiling her without understanding the full picture. They’d tried to welcome her back, promising to reinstate her as Luna with me by her side, but she refused.“I already have a home,” she’d said softly.I remember the way my chest swelled with pride, hearing her say that. It didn’t matter how much power or respect the council tried to dangle in front of her—Katya wasn’t interested. She wanted peace, a life with Milanya, and me.I walk through the halls with purpose, my claws itching to end this.
Between Hate and Fate 83 - Katya
The cabin feels far too quiet without Ruslan’s presence. Milanya is napping in her crib, the soft sound of her tiny breaths the only thing breaking the silence. Normally, I’d find her peacefulness soothing, but today it feels like a cruel reminder of how fragile everything is.I sit by the window, my gaze fixed on the treeline where Ruslan disappeared hours ago. He had to leave to help fortify the border and investigate how Andrei managed to get onto pack lands in the first place. He hadn’t wanted to go, not after everything we’d been through last night, but we both knew he didn’t have a choice.His absence weighs heavily on me, and I can’t stop my thoughts from spiraling. The memory of Andrei in Milanya’s room, his scarred face twisted with obsession and desperation, keeps replaying in my mind. The way he spoke about me, about Milanya, like we were possessions he had lost and deserved to reclaim.I close my eyes, leaning my head against the cool glass of the window. The bond between
Between Hate and Fate 82 - Ruslan
Anatoly and I are standing outside my cabin, but my focus is locked on the sight of Katya and Milanya.Through the large window, I watch as the healers gently examine them, their practiced hands moving over Katya’s arm where a bruise has already started to form. Milanya sits on Katya’s lap, her little hands clutching at her mother’s shirt, her big, stormy eyes darting around the room.My chest tightens at the sight of them, the aftermath of everything that just happened sinking into my bones. They’re safe now, but the thought of how close it came—how close Andrei had gotten—makes me feel like I’m still on the battlefield.Anatoly’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “Ruslan, focus. I need your report.”I tear my eyes away from them, turning to face him. His jaw is tight and his fists clenched as he watches me with concern.“I already told you what happened,” I say, my voice rough. “Andrei got into the cabin. He had Marissa helping him, and she was armed with silver bullets.”Anatoly’s
Between Hate and Fate 81 - Katya
Everything happens at once, a chaotic blur of motion and sound that stretches into an eternity. One moment, Marissa’s voice is ringing in my ears, cruel and taunting, her gun aimed at me and Milanya. The next, the window shatters, glass spraying across the room like frozen rain as the Gammas burst in, their growls tearing through the air.Andrei spins toward the sound, his snarl breaking into a roar as Roman lunges at him, his claws slashing through the space between them. The fight begins in an instant—a savage clash of strength and rage—but my focus is elsewhere.Milanya.My daughter’s soft whimper pulls me back, grounding me in the chaos. She’s still in her crib, her tiny face scrunched with fear. I can’t let her stay there, exposed and vulnerable.I move without thinking, my feet propelling me forward as adrenaline takes over. My arms reach out, desperate to scoop her up and hold her close.“Don’t you fucking dare!” Marissa shrieks, lunging toward me, her gun still aimed at my ch
Between Hate and Fate 80 - Ruslan
My heart pounds in my chest, my instincts kicking into overdrive. My wolf pushes against my skin, snarling and growling, ready to fight. I scan the cabin, my eyes darting to every corner, every shadow.“Ruslan?” Katya’s voice is soft and groggy, coming from the bedroom.I don’t answer, my focus laser-sharp on the scent that refuses to fade.“Ruslan?” she calls again, louder this time.I move toward the door, my bare feet crunching over the broken glass. Every muscle in my body is tense, my senses on high alert.“Stay in the bedroom,” I say over my shoulder, my voice low and commanding.“What’s going on?” she asks, her voice tinged with worry.“Just stay there,” I repeat, my eyes falling to Milanya’s room, and seeing it is cracked open. I walk over and push it open slowly, my hand tightening on the frame as my eyes land on him.Andrei is standing by the crib, his back to me, his hand outstretched. His fingers trace gently along Milanya’s cheek, and bile rises in my throat.“You know,”
Between Hate and Fate 79 - Ruslan
The packhouse is alive tonight. Laughter and chatter echo through the open courtyard, and the scent of roasted meats and spiced desserts fills the air. It’s not my scene. It never has been. But here I am, standing at the edge of it all, scanning the crowd like a hawk while trying not to look like one.Everything is calm, almost unnervingly so. The pack needed this, Anatoly had argued, and watching them laugh and relax after months of tension, I can’t say he was wrong. But I can’t shake the nagging feeling that something might go wrong.“Relax, Ruslan,” Anatoly says from beside me. He’s holding a glass of whiskey, his other hand resting casually on the hilt of his blade. “You’re wound so tight you’re going to snap.”I grunt, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’ll relax when Tomas is six feet under and Katya and Milanya are safe.”Anatoly smirks, sipping his drink. “Fair enough. But you don’t need to look like you’re about to kill someone tonight. This is for them.” He gestures to the p
