CATHERINE The grand hall of the castle was bathed in the golden glow of candlelight, the scent of fresh roses and burning incense filling the air. Tonight was the night of my mating ceremony with Kane—the night that would bind us together forever. The night that ought to have happened for a long time.A week had passed since I had woken up, and though my body was still recovering, I felt stronger than ever. Not just physically, but emotionally. This was right. Kane and I were meant to be.As I stood before the mirror in my chambers, I took a deep breath, smoothing down the material of my ceremonial gown. The dress was a masterpiece—deep crimson, embroidered with golden threads that mimicked the fierce glow of a Lycan’s eyes. It draped over my form elegantly, shining and beautiful.Behind me, Camille smiled, stepping forward to adjust the delicate chain around my neck. "You look like a true queen," she murmured in admiration.I turned to her, a lump forming in my throat. Camille had
CATHERINE The first thing I felt was warmth. Not the suffocating kind, nor the burning heat of fever, but a gentle, comforting warmth that wrapped around me like a soft embrace. It was unfamiliar, yet soothing.My eyelids felt heavy, as if being pressed down by heavy stones, but after a moment of struggle, I forced them open.A ceiling. That was the first thing I saw.Not the damp, cracked one from the dungeon I last remembered. Not the endless darkness that had swallowed me when Zelda stabbed me.I inhaled sharply, feeling breathless and a bit scared as memories flooded back.Pain. Kane’s roar. Blood soaking my clothes.And then…nothing.I blinked, trying to sit up, but a sharp ache radiated through my body, making me groan softly.“You're awake, my lady.” someone flew to my beside in no time. “Careful, please! You don't want to hurt yourself.”The familiar voice made me turn my head slightly. Mia.She was seated beside my bed, eyes wide with worry yet glistening with joy.I frowned
KANEDamon called Zelda Mother. What happened to Queen Zelda? What happened to your highness?The words echoed in my head, drowning out everything else. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe.Zelda cackled behind him. “Oh, Kane,” she mocked, “surely you didn’t think you were my only heir?”Damon growled, his eyes flashing.“He's your brother, Kane.” Zelda announced with pride. “Well...you can call him your step brother since I birthed him for your father's beta, my true mate.”What? I nearly went crazy. What was she saying? How did that happen and I never suspected for even a moment?Damon, my Beta, my right-hand man, the only person I had trusted all along was Zelda’s son.My mother’s illegitimate son.“Surprised, brother?” Damon sneered, his lip curling into a smirk. “You thought I was just some devoted Beta, didn’t you? A loyal servant to the mighty Lycan King.”He scoffed. “I was never your subordinate, Kane. I was always her son first. You were the first, but I was the best.”Zelda
KANEThe Bastard. The betrayer. When I saw Damon standing in the doorway, I smirked.The fool still had the audacity to walk into my throne room like he had any power left.His stance was confident, but I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his fists curled at his sides. He was trying to put on a show, but I knew better.Damon’s gaze locked onto mine, his lips curling in a smirk that mirrored my own. “Not in my lifetime will that happen.” He repeated,stopping just a few feet away from me.I leaned back against the throne, tilting my head as I studied him. “It’s already happening, Damon,” I said, calmly with finality. “Zelda is finished. Her rule is over. And you...” I let my gaze sweep over him, “...you have no choice but to succumb.”His smirk wavered for a split second before he scoffed. “You think you’ve won? Just because you locked Zelda away?”I gave him a slow nod. “That’s exactly what I know.”Damon let out a dry chuckle and shook his head. “You don’t understand, d
KANEStill in the dungeon, the air was filled with mildew and despair. The chains around my wrists bit into my skin, but pain was nothing new to me. I sat there, staring at the cracks in the stone wall, waiting.Footsteps echoed down the corridor. The guards had been coming and going all night, bringing their pathetic threats, but I remained unmoved. This time, the steps were lighter, more deliberate.Durmas.The old priest entered the cell, his dark eyes sharp as he observes me. He knelt beside me, pretending to check the chains while his voice lowered to a whisper.“It’s done.”I exhaled slowly. “She drank it?”Durmas smirked. “Zelda never could resist flaunting her power. When I offered her a victory drink to celebrate your imprisonment, she took it without question.”Good.Zelda had spent years scheming, manipulating, destroying lives in the name of her own ambition. But she had one fatal flaw—her arrogance. She thought herself untouchable.Not anymore. I had instructed Durmas to
CATHERINE The night had been restless. Sleep was a distant memory, chased away by the lingering ache of Kane’s absence. Every rustle of the wind, every crackling of the fire outside the tent, made me wonder where he was and if he was safe.I sat on the edge of the cot, staring at my hands when Camille suddenly rushed in, looking all antsy like something terrible had just happened. In her hand was the small, battered phone Kane had left behind, the phone which was used to communicate with us. It chimed again and I noticed a faint glow of the screen illuminating her fingers.“Catherine,” she called out to me, looking so serious. “There’s a message.”My heart leaped into my throat. “From Kane?”She nodded and handed me the phone. My fingers trembled as I swiped at the screen, revealing a simple yet piercing message:“Meet me at the quiet garden just outside the town’s border. I miss you so much. Kane.”My stomach twisted. K