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47. Katya
Last Updated:
2024-10-22 22:47:12
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Between Hate and Fate 48. Ruslan
The low hum of conversation grows louder as I guide Katya down the staircase toward the banquet hall. Her hand is tucked into the crook of my arm, her grip firm but not tense. She’s composed, regal even, though I can feel the nervous energy rolling off her. I can’t blame her. It’s not every day you get introduced to an entire pack, especially one that isn’t yours.We step onto the main floor, and the scent of roasted meat, spices, and freshly baked bread hits me. The hall is alive with chatter and laughter, the long tables already filling with pack members. It’s warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the icy tension that’s been shadowing us for weeks. But the reality is still there: these people aren’t just here for dinner. They’re here to see us, to size us up, to decide if we belong.Katya’s grip tightens slightly as Anatoly strides toward us, his grin as wide as ever. He’s in his element, his booming laugh cutting through the noise as he claps a few shoulders on his way over. Hi
Last Updated : 2024-11-25Between Hate and Fate 49. Ruslan
The air in Anatoly’s office feels heavy, the tension palpable as we sit around the large wooden table. Anatoly is at the head, leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest. Ivan, Mikhail, and Roman are seated beside me, their expressions grim. None of us are in the mood for small talk.I sit forward, my elbows on the table, my hands clasped tightly as I replay the events of the attack in my mind. The bounty hunters came for Katya, and we still don’t know who sent them. The not knowing is the worst part, the way it gnaws at me like a wound that won’t heal.“I’ve left three warriors at the cabin,” Anatoly says, breaking the silence. “They’re keeping an eye out for anyone who might come back. But so far, it’s been quiet.”“Too quiet,” Mikhail mutters, his jaw tight. “If they were determined enough to send bounty hunters, they won’t stop at one failed attempt.”I nod, my hands tightening into fists. “Whoever it is, they wanted her alive. That means they have a specific plan
Last Updated : 2024-11-25Between Hate and Fate 50. Katya
The pup center is alive with chaos, the kind that comes with a room full of energetic children. Laughter and shrieks bounce off the walls as little ones chase each other, their tiny feet thudding against the wooden floors. I’m sitting cross-legged on the carpet, helping one of the pups stack blocks into a wobbly tower. The smile on her face when we manage to balance the final block is worth the ache in my knees.“Good job, Sofia,” I say, clapping lightly. Her face lights up, and she giggles, clapping along with me.For a moment, I forget everything else. The tension, the stares, the whispers. It’s just me and Sofia and her towering creation. But then a voice cuts through the noise, sharp and pointed.“Must be strange for you,” one of the women says, her tone dripping with fake sweetness. “Helping out here, I mean. Not exactly the Luna anymore, are you?”I glance up to see Marissa, one of the pack’s more outspoken women, standing with her arms crossed. Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes
Last Updated : 2024-12-08Between Hate and Fate 51. Katya
Lunch is simple, just a meal shared at one of the long communal tables in the dining hall. Ruslan grabs a tray and loads it up with food before steering me toward a quieter corner of the room. The place is packed, voices and laughter filling the air as pack members enjoy their break, but Ruslan keeps his focus solely on me.“You’re eating all of that?” I tease, eyeing the mountain of food on his tray.He smirks, sitting down and pulling out a chair for me. “I’m not sharing if that’s what you’re asking.”I laugh softly, sitting beside him and picking at my own plate of roasted chicken and vegetables. “Good thing I’m not hungry enough to fight you for it.”“You’d lose,” he says, taking a huge bite of bread, his grin cheeky as he chews.“Oh, I don’t doubt it,” I reply, rolling my eyes but smiling. It’s easy, this banter, and for a moment, I forget the tension of the morning. Ruslan has that effect on me, pulling me into his world, making me feel grounded.We eat in comfortable silence f
Last Updated : 2024-12-08Between Hate and Fate 52. Ruslan
Katya stands in front of the dresser, wrapping a towel around her damp body as she talks about her day. Her voice is light, carrying the small details of life that she loves sharing—how the pups at the center are getting more comfortable with her, how one of the older women baked cookies for everyone and insisted she take some home.But I barely hear her words.Her movements are unhurried as she talks, the towel gliding over her skin, revealing just enough to make my pulse race. She’s radiant, more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her, and the soft glow of the lamplight only makes it worse. The sight of her—this strong, vibrant woman, carrying my mate mark—makes my chest ache. She’s glowing, her skin warm and flushed from the bath, and I can’t stop staring at the curve of her belly, round and perfect. It’s mesmerizing, and every time I look at her, I feel it again—the overwhelming, almost painful love I have for her.I never thought I could love someone like this. It takes my breath aw
Last Updated : 2024-12-08Between Hate and Fate 53. Ruslan
The tension in Anatoly’s office is thick enough to choke on as he reads the letter aloud. My jaw tightens with every word. The weight of Tomas’s demands settling heavily over the room like a storm cloud.“...propose a meeting on neutral ground,” Anatoly says, his sharp eyes scanning the last few lines before he folds the letter and sets it down on the table. “He wants to meet in St. Petersburg.”I lean forward, elbows on my knees, my hands clenched into fists. “And you’re even considering this?”Anatoly looks at me, his expression tense. “What do you want me to do, Ruslan? Reject the meeting outright and risk open war?”“Yes,” I say immediately, my voice hard. “Tomas doesn’t want a meeting. He wants an opportunity. You think he’s going to come to neutral ground and have a polite conversation? He’ll have something up his sleeve.”Anatoly leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. “I don’t trust him either, but rejecting this could send the message that we’re the ones unwilling to nego
Last Updated : 2024-12-10Between Hate and Fate 54. Katya
The morning air is crisp as I stand near the packhouse steps watching Ruslan check his gear one last time. The leather straps of his bag creak as he adjusts it over his shoulder, his broad shoulders tense, his jaw tight. He hasn’t said much, and I know it’s because he doesn’t want to make this harder than it already is.I don’t want to cry. I’ve been telling myself that since I woke up, trying to steel myself against the weight of his absence. But the truth is, I’ve never been without him since we were forced to live together in that cabin, and the thought of it feels like a hole is being carved into my chest.“You’ll be okay,” he says finally, breaking the silence. His voice is rough, and I can tell he’s trying to convince himself as much as me.I nod and force a smile. “Of course. I’ll be fine.”He steps closer, his grey eyes scanning my face like he’s trying to memorize every detail. “I don’t like this,” he admits and shakes his head. “I don’t like leaving you.”“Ruslan,” I say so
Last Updated : 2024-12-10Between Hate and Fate 55. Ruslan
The meeting place is an old, abandoned mansion on neutral ground, far enough from both packs to avoid accusations of favoritism. It’s quiet as hell, eerie even, with the kind of stillness that makes my skin crawl. As Anatoly and I approach the double doors, I feel my jaw tighten, the memory of Tomas’ bullshit letter simmering in the back of my mind.When we step inside, the air is tense. Tomas is already there, flanked by members of his pack, their postures rigid and their expressions hostile. It’s clear they don’t want us here. Good—I don’t want to be here either.The second Tomas’ gaze lands on me, his face twists in shock, and then rage. “What the fuck is he doing here?” he spits, pointing at me like I’m a goddamn pest.Anatoly’s growl is immediate, low and threatening, reverberating through the room. “If that’s how you’re going to speak about my Beta, this meeting will end before it even begins.”Tomas freezes, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “Beta?” he fi
Last Updated : 2024-12-11
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Between Hate and Fate 72 - Katya
I smirk, leaning forward to press a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “What’s wrong? Can’t handle me taking the lead for once?”His hands tighten on my hips, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Careful, solnyshka,” he warns, though his voice has a rough edge that betrays how much he likes this.I bite my lip, dragging my nails lightly down his chest as I settle more fully into his lap. His cock hardens beneath me, and I can feel the way his breath catches, his control slipping just a fraction.“Maybe I don’t want to be careful,” I whisper, my lips brushing against his jaw as I kiss a path down to his neck.“Bold,” he mutters, his voice low and gravelly as his hands slide up my back, holding me steady. “Where’s this side of you been hiding?”I pull back just enough to meet his gaze, my lips curving into a mischievous smile. “You bring it out of me.”His smirk softens, his eyes blazing with pride and hunger as he leans back, giving me the space to move. “Go ahead, solnyshka,” he murmurs, his v
Between Hate and Fate 71 - Katya
Later that day, I head to the training grounds, my heart thudding in my chest. I’m nervous, not because I doubt my decision, but because this feels like the first step toward reclaiming something I lost along the way: my strength.The grounds are alive with activity. Warriors spar in pairs, their movements fast and brutal, the sound of fists hitting pads and grunts of exertion filling the crisp air. Roman stands near the edge, his arms crossed as he watches two young wolves spar. He’s sharp-eyed and focused, his posture relaxed but ready, like he could jump in at a moment’s notice.“Roman,” I call, walking toward him.He turns, his brow lifting in surprise when he sees me. “Katya?” His tone carries a mix of curiosity and mild amusement. “What brings you here?”I stop in front of him, squaring my shoulders. “I need your help.”His expression shifts, his easy going demeanor replaced with something more serious. He straightens slightly, his arms dropping to his sides. “What kind of help?
Between Hate and Fate 70. Katya
The cabin feels different in the quiet mornings, as if it knows we’re balanced on the edge of something we can’t yet see. Milanya babbles happily in her bassinet by the window, sunlight catching in her dark hair as she swats at the plush toy hanging above her.And Ruslan? He’s out running patrols again, keeping his sharp eye on the pack’s borders.I sip my tea and glance around the small space we’ve made our home. It’s cozy, warm, and so full of memories that it sometimes feels like we’ve lived here forever. But we haven’t. It’s been months, not years, since my life collided with Ruslan’s.I never imagined loving him. Hell, I never imagined surviving him. But here we are.He’s everywhere now—in every thought, every decision. When he’s gone, the cabin feels like it’s missing its foundation. When he’s here, his presence fills the space, his warmth grounding me in ways I never thought possible.I glance down at Milanya, who giggles at nothing, and my chest tightens. The life we’ve built
Between Hate and Fate 69. Ruslan
Anatoly’s office light glows faintly through the packhouse window, a constant reminder that my oldest friend never really sleeps either. He probably feels the same unease I do.The door creaks softly as I push it open. Anatoly doesn’t look up right away, his focus on the map of our territory spread across his desk. He’s wearing the same weary expression he always does these days, but his sharp, calculating eyes catch me as I step inside.“You’re up late,” he says, leaning back in his chair.“So are you,” I reply, shutting the door behind me.He gestures for me to sit. “What’s on your mind, old friend?”I sink into the chair opposite him, rubbing the back of my neck. “It’s been too quiet, Anatoly. Months without a single move from Tomas or anyone else. It doesn’t feel right.”Anatoly nods, his expression grim. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. Quiet isn’t our normal. Not with all the enemies we’ve made and those rogues sniffing around a few months ago.”“Have you found anything?” I a
Between Hate and Fate 68. Ruslan
(A few months later)The air is cool but not biting, the kind of crispness that wakes you up gently. Milanya’s small, gurgling laugh carries on the breeze, and for once, it feels like the world has slowed down enough for me to breathe.Katya walks a few steps ahead of me, her dark hair glinting in the light as she points out something in the woods to Milanya, who’s perched on my shoulders. My daughter’s tiny hands clutch at my hair, occasionally pulling just hard enough to make me wince, but I can’t bring myself to care.Her laughter is worth it.“How does she still have so much energy?” I ask, grinning as Katya turns to look at me with a raised brow.“She’s your daughter,” she teases. “Does that really surprise you?”I huff out a laugh, adjusting Milanya’s grip as she leans forward to grab at my ear. “Fair point. She’s definitely got my stamina.”Katya snorts. “That’s one way to put it.”“Don’t start,” I warn, though there’s no real heat in my voice. “I’m trying to enjoy this before
Between Hate and Fate 67. Ruslan
The dream starts the same way it always does—darkness, heavy and suffocating, settling over the woods like a shroud. I’m standing in the clearing, the smell of blood thick in the air. My heart is pounding, rage curling hot and sharp in my veins as I face him.Andrei.The bastard stands there, breathing hard, his lips curled into that smug, self-satisfied sneer I hated more than anything. He’s cocky, thinking he’s untouchable. Thinking he can take whatever he wants and never face the consequences.My sisters’ screams echo in my head, their pain like a knife carving through my chest. I see them—Mina and Mila—helpless, broken. Dead.And Andrei? He laughed.“You’ll regret this,” he snarls, but even in the dream, I know how this ends. I know what I did.His pack is gone. His warriors scattered. He’s alone. Just me and him in the clearing.“Come on, Rogue,” Andrei spits, blood dribbling from the corner of his mouth. “Is this what you wanted? To die out here, forgotten? Like the nothing you
Between Hate and Fate 66. Ruslan
I wake with a jolt, my eyes snapping open to the darkened room as a sharp, urgent voice echoes through my mind link.“Ruslan! We’ve got movement on the southern border. It’s not a drill!”It’s Anatoly. The edge in his tone cuts through the lingering fog of sleep like a blade. I’m already sitting up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed, instincts kicking in before thought catches up.Katya stirs beside me, her soft breathing breaking with a groggy whisper. “Ruslan? What’s wrong?”“Go back to sleep,” I mutter, my voice low but steady, reaching for the sweats I left on the chair. “It’s nothing.”She doesn’t believe me—of course she doesn’t—but I don’t stick around to argue. I press a kiss to her forehead and head straight for the door, pulling a shirt over my head as I go.By the time I’m outside, the chill of the early morning air slaps me awake completely. The packhouse is still mostly quiet, the sun not yet breaking the horizon, but I can hear it now—distant howls, the sharp bar
Between Hate and Fate 65. Katya
I pause at the front steps of the pup center, staring at the worn wood of the door like it might swing open and swallow me whole. The knot in my stomach twists tighter, and I have to swallow down the anxiety that rises with it.I shouldn’t feel this way. I’m not the one who did anything wrong. And yet, as I stand here, I can already feel the weight of what’s waiting for me on the other side of that door.I take a breath—deep and steady—before pushing it open and stepping inside.The noise hits me first, as it always does: the sound of children laughing, playing, and the faint scurry of tiny footsteps across the floor. It’s the one thing about this place that never changes, no matter how tense the air might be.But it’s different today.The women notice me immediately. Their conversations die mid-sentence. The air shifts, thick and stifling. They don’t stare outright—no, that would take a backbone they clearly don’t have. Instead, they look past me, around me, through me, like I’m noth
Between Hate and Fate 64. Ruslan
I sit on the edge of the coffee table, my elbows resting on my knees, staring at Katya as she holds Milanya close to her chest. It’s quiet, save for the soft crackle of the fire, but the weight of everything I need to say hangs between us.Katya hasn’t pushed me away—not yet—but I see the guarded look in her eyes, the way she holds herself a little too still, like she’s bracing for something. It guts me more than I want to admit.I rub a hand over my face, dragging in a deep breath before I finally speak. “I need to apologize.”Her eyes flick up to meet mine, wary. “For what?”“You know what,” I say, my voice low. “For the other night. For yelling. For losing my damn temper and scaring you—and her.” I nod toward Milanya, who’s still sleeping soundly against her.Katya’s gaze softens just slightly, but she doesn’t let me off that easily. “Ruslan... it wasn’t just yelling. You were angry.”I nod, shame curling in my gut like a fist. “I was. And that’s on me. I shouldn’t have let it happ
