CATHERINE Damon stood by the door, unmoving, like a shadow cast in the dim light of the corridor. His arms were crossed over his chest and eyes were narrowed as he stared at the floor. I didn’t care for whatever mood he was in, not after the day I had. I heaved a sigh and made to walk past him, determined to ignore whatever drama he was about to start."Are you okay?" His gruff voice broke the silence.I froze for a moment, then shook my head and continued toward the door. "It's none of your business."He stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "I'm not asking for pleasantries. I want to know if you're unhurt."I shot him a cold look, my patience running thin. "And why would you care? Do you usually stand guard for the women your King drags into his chambers?"His jaw tightened. "If you’re trying to provoke me, it’s not going to work." I scoffed, stepping closer, not backing down. "Then stop pretending you care. I can handle myself.""Handle yourself?" he muttered under his bre
CATHERINEThe next morning, I woke to the sound of soft knocking on my door. The nightmare from last night still clung to my mind, but I pushed it aside as Zelda entered my room with a bright smile.“Good morning, darling,” she said warmly, gesturing for me to rise. “It’s time I show you around the castle. You should get familiar with your new home.”I forced a smile and nodded, though the thought of calling this place “home” unsettled me. There was something off here, something I couldn’t quite place. Zelda led me through the long, ornate hallways, pointing out rooms, introducing me to the staff. The castle was larger than I’d imagined. The workers and maids she introduced me to bowed low, their faces carefully neutral.“This is your future Queen Luna,” Zelda announced proudly at every introduction, her hand resting lightly on my back. “You’ll show her the respect she deserves.”Some nodded, others mumbled greetings under their breath, but many simply averted their eyes, too afraid
KANEI stood in the shadows, watching as Catherine sat with my mother. I watched how her delicate fingers scribbled something on parchment. They were outside in the garden, surrounded by vibrant flowers. My mate was here, just within reach, yet something gnawed at me. A primal need to claim her, to keep her close, warred with the fear that I could destroy her.I clenched my fists, willing myself to stay calm. My mother’s voice floated over to me, cheerful and full of excitement as she guided Catherine through the process of sending invitations to dignitaries across the realm. Invitations for a mating ceremony she really wanted to happen.Catherine’s head was bent over her work and the sunlight shined on her golden hair in such a way that it took my breath away. She was so beautiful, so fragile. And yet, here she was, preparing for a ceremony as if everything between us was settled. As if she wasn’t trapped in this.Unable to stay back any longer, I strode toward them, to join in wha
Catherine's POV“Dearly beloved, it is with great pain and sorrow that we are gathered here today, to mourn the death of Alpha Darryl and Luna Alice,” I stared blankly at the priestess who stood on the podium addressing the great crowd. On both sides of her were two coffins. My parents' coffins. “I can't believe they're gone,” Camille, my elder sister, clutched my hand, weeping into my neck. And me, I just stared. There was no explanation for how my parents died. Werewolves were not simple creatures. And my father was not weak. He was an Alpha who had protected his pack for many generations. Yet, three days ago, my sister and I walked in to see them dead on our living room floor. No strangling marks, no silver in their blood, no cut or injuries. Just dead. “You will forever live in our hearts,” the priestess announced, lowering her head in a bow. Everyone else followed suit. I remained standing. Whoever did this, I would find them. I would hunt them down until the last o
Cathy's POVI woke up with a dull headache. My stomach felt queasy and it hurt to open my eyes. I was being carried, I think. Something rumbled in the distance and it took me a while to recognize the sound as thunder. My eyes flashed open when another boom hit the skies. The roof of a car stared down at me. I sat up quickly, gripping the seat with all my strength, so I wouldn't fall off. “What's going on?” I croaked. “And you're awake. Good,” I knew that voice. The Messenger. He sat in the passenger’s seat while the man driving looked ahead. Rain poured down the windshield, and there was the cracking of lightning across the sky in the distance. It revealed a tall huge castle up ahead. “Where's Camille?” I glanced around, trying to find out what was going on. Where was my sister? Why was I in the messenger's car? What had happened last night. Images flashed through my head. Camille giving me a drink. The stranger. I could hear his gravelly voice loud and clear. Hello
Catherine's POV I staggered, stepping back in disbelief, stroking my fingers over the bite marks. I had been marked. That would explain why I could hear the voice in my head. He had marked me. When? What sort of crazy person marked a woman without her consent?! My head throbbed heavily and I clutched at it, trying to breathe easy. None of this made sense. Nothing made sense. Come. My back straightened at the order. It was hard to ignore. I wanted to turn around, dump myself in my bed, but my wolf couldn't ignore the clear command that had been placed in my mind. Come to me. A scent, musky and delicious, pulled at me. It was faint, so faint, almost barely there. I found my legs carrying me towards the door in a trance. I grabbed a robe and shrugged it on , walking out of the room. There were a handful of servants around the hallway. I ignored their bows and followed the scent. I walked past the throne room, up to the north wing and then down a flight of stairs that led
Catherine's POV “I wasn't aware the Lycan King traveled,” I grumbled, trying to get out of bed. “He had those men pick me up in a hurry while he wasn't home. Then he can wait until I've had a good breakfast!” Mia gasped, shaking her head so fast, I almost thought she would have a seizure. “No, please, Luna,” “I am not your Luna!” I yelled, shoving her away from me. “I am Catherine Lionheart! And if I want to eat breakfast, he can wait!” Mia dropped to her knees, rubbing her hands, begging. Her eyes were clouded with tears. “Please, please, Miss. You have to see the King in an hour,” “It's my choice to go, Mia-”“I'll be punished!* She cried, grabbing my night robe. “I'll be punished. I was just punished two days ago when you wandered round the castle, I don't want to get punished again!” My eyes widened as she sobbed at my feet. I leaned down, cupping her face in my hands. “Hey, it's okay. What do you mean by punishment?” “It doesn't matter,” She replied. “Please, my life dep
Kane's POVShe was beautiful. I had hoped she would not. I had also hoped that she would hate me. And judging from the way her blue eyes glared daggers at me, that seemed covered already. “This is ridiculous,” She gasped, taking a step forward then stopped as if catching herself from coming too close. “Your Majesty. This is the first time we've met each other. We can't have a mating ritual yet.” She was afraid. Just like everyone else. But she was the first to look me in the eyes and call me ridiculous. Most people were often too scared to speak or look me in the eye anyways. Mate. Our mate. Beautiful. So beautiful. “The ritual will hold,” I grumbled, trying to block out the beast and his ramblings. It was hard to hear myself think, when he constantly paced around my mind, restless. If it were up to him, he would have her pinned up against the wall, slobbering all over her face. I couldn't allow that. The minute I gave him more control, everything would go awry and Catheri