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 Zelda gave me a sharp look and her smile was tinged with something different too. That look didn't pass me by obviously.“You have to understand, my dear. Kane has lost others before you.”The words struck me, and I froze. "Lost? What do you mean, 'lost as in they died'? They're gone?"She waved a hand dismissively."It's nothing you need to concern yourself with. What I'll just say is that he’s just being cautious now. Afraid, even.""Afraid of what, exactly?" I pressed, not letting her brush it off.Zelda’s lips tightened, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something in her eyes, a glimpse of darkness that she quickly masked. “Catherine, my dear, it would do you well to focus on the present, not dig up the past.”“But if this is going to affect my life, I deserve to know,” I argued.She smiled coldly. “Life is full of risks. You married a man like Kane; you must have known that when you agreed to it.” She paused, studying me."Well, if my memory serves me right? I did
CATHERINE Walking back to my room, my fingers brushed over the crumpled note in my pocket. “It’s not too late to run.” The words sat heavy on my mind, making me all the more nervous. When I stepped inside, Mia was already waiting for my evening clean up. Her hands were folded neatly and she had a soft, worried look clouding her gaze.Without a word, she led me toward the wash basin and her hands were gentle as she started to undo the pins in my hair. I kept silent for a moment, letting her work. The only sound in the room was the soft splash of water. Then I decided to ask her about Kane."Mia," I began carefully, watching her expression in the mirror, "has he had other mates before me?""By 'he', who do you mean, my lady?""I meant Kane. Did he have other mates before me?"Her hands stilled, just for a heartbeat. I felt the slight tremor in her fingers before she resumed what she was doing with a blank expression on her face. “My lady, you should be resting. Tonight has been t
KANEThe hallway leading to her chambers seemed longer than usual. The night had grown colder, the kind of chill that seeps into your bones and leaves you restless, unwilling to stay still. I tried to reason with myself, to avoid this impulsive decision, but the thought of Catherine alone was enough to set my nerves alight.When I reached her door, I hesitated. She had enough reason to keep me at arm's length, and perhaps knocking on her door at this hour wouldn’t help. With a clenched jaw, I raised my fist and tapped on the door, softly at first, then with more force when there was no answer.Silence.I tried again, waiting, but still, nothing. Anxiety filled my chest, and before I could stop myself, I pushed the door open, stepping inside.Her scent engulfed me immediately. It was woven into the air, clinging to the fabric of her blankets, curling around every corner of the room. I closed my eyes, breathing it in, feeling the beast within me settle, growling in reluctant contentm
CATHERINE“So, what’s your plan, Catherine? Do you intend to stay here with him?” Damon’s voice was a whisper in the stillness as he turned to me.I took a step back, surprised by the question. “Why would you ask that?” I managed to voice out. “Whatever I decide isn’t any of your business, Damon.”His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he’d simply drop the subject. But then he leaned closer.“Because if you stay, you’re only putting yourself in harm’s way. I’ve seen what happens to those close to him—”“Stop,” I cut him off, a tremor in my voice. I didn’t want to hear this, didn’t want his warnings clouding my already tangled feelings. “I said it’s not your concern.”His eyes hardened, and his expression twisted into something almost bitter. “You’re so stubborn,” he hissed. “You really think you can handle being his mate? Do you think you’re safe here, Catherine?”I lifted my chin, refusing to give ground. “I’m not afraid of him.”“Then you’re a fool. Besides, that's all lie
CATHERINE Kane’s presence filled the dining room before I even saw him the next morning. He was sitting at the head of the table, looking like he had been waiting. I could already feel the tension brewing as I approached him.“Good morning,” he said, trying for a smile, though it looked strained.I nodded, taking a seat across from him. He cleared his throat, making an awkward attempt at conversation after minutes of silence between us.“Did you sleep well?”I shrugged, focusing on my food, not wanting to engage. It was hard to forget the way he’d cornered me last night, demanded things of me like I had no say. Even if part of me had reacted… well, I was determined not to let him think that gave him any sort of power over me.He tried again. “The staff mentioned that you seem to like the roses in the garden. I had them arrange more roses if that’s what you liked.”I raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, taking a deliberate sip of my tea. His attempt at small talk felt strange, almost
KANEI moved through the castle, hurrying to where my mother was. Damon's message had stirred something uneasy within me. I’d learned long ago that nothing Zelda did was without purpose, and I would not underestimate her now.Her scent led me straight to her sitting room. And immediately I entered, I saw her in there, lounging on a chaise, her arm wrapped in a bandage, arranged as if she’d been gravely injured.“Mother.” My voice was clipped. “What happened?”She turned her head slowly, looking surprised, as if she hadn’t expected me to come. A thin smile played at her lips before she sighed and shifted, resting her hand delicately over her bandaged arm.“Oh, Kane,” she said in that soft, lilting tone she used when she wanted sympathy. “It’s nothing, truly. A maid, a careless, thoughtless girl, nearly poured scalding water on me.” She paused, letting the statement linger as her eyes went wide with mock horror. “I slipped, trying to avoid the burn, and hurt my arm.”I leaned back agai
CATHERINE Kane walked forward, towards the men, and I couldn’t help but notice the way his presence instantly drew the attention of the two men.“I’m sorry, but I have a proposition for you both” he began calmly, the kind of tone that didn’t invite much argument.The men exchanged glances before the older one spoke. “Do I know you from somewhere?”My heart skipped a beat. Could it be that they recognized Kane? No! That mustn't happen. “I doubt you do.” Kane replied but the man's eyes remained squinted, trying to recall if he has seen Kane before.“But you do look familiar.” the second man supported but Kane shrugged his words off, not bothering to respond to him.“I would like it if you can assist us out of the borders, please.”“We’re already pushing our luck with these two,” the man gestured toward the woman and her daughter, “so whatever you’re proposing—”Kane cut him off, pulling something from his cloak with a deliberate motion. The glint of gold caught the dim light, and I ga
CATHERINE The sun was beginning to set when Kane and I finally emerged from the forest. My legs ached from the relentless pace, and every breath felt heavier than the last. We were now in the city and I was obviously relieved.We were closer to safety. But that relief evaporated as soon as we spotted the guards stationed near the border, inspecting every traveler with unnerving scrutiny.Kane tensed beside me, scanning the checkpoint. He grabbed my hand gently, pulling me toward a shaded alleyway where we wouldn’t be spotted. “We can’t go any further, I guess” he said, clearly frustrated.I leaned against the wall, taking a moment to catch my breath. “What now?” I asked, keeping my voice equally hushed. “Aren’t the people you wanted to contact nearby?”He shook his head. “No. They’re outside the city. Far beyond the borders.”“So, what do we do?” I pressed, though I knew he didn’t have an answer yet.Kane didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back against the wall.“Give m
CATHERINE “What now?” I whispered with urgency as my mind raced.Kane’s eyes flicked toward the entrance. “We have to leave,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument. “If Damon’s nearby, it’s only a matter of time before he finds us.”I frowned, glancing toward the entrance as though I might catch a glimpse of the man who had caused us so much pain. “Are you sure he didn’t trail you here?”Kane shook his head firmly. “No. I would’ve smelled him on the way.” He paused. “But it doesn’t matter how he found us. His scent is getting stronger, Catherine. We can’t stay here.”His words hit me like a punch to the gut. My mind raced with a million questions, but the one that came out was the most immediate. “Where are we going?”His lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze scanning the cave as though answers might materialize from the stone walls. “I don’t know yet,” he admitted. “But if we want to live, we have to leave.”My stomach twisted at his words. The raw seriousness in his voic
KANEThe moment I walked into the cave, Catherine’s eyes lit up. She sat up from the makeshift bed she had put together, her body language already radiating curiosity.“Kane,” she began with urgency, “what happened? What’s the outcome of your trip?”I shrugged my shoulders and sat down opposite her, trying to gather my thoughts. “I made it to the castle,” I said. “I encountered Durmas. He was the only one there, and he filled me in on everything.”Her brows knitted in confusion. “Durmas? What was he doing there? And what did he tell you?”I recounted the entire encounter in detail: Durmas's revelations about the council’s schemes, the kill order on my head, and the council’s plans to name Damon as Alpha Regent. As I spoke, Catherine listened intently, her gaze never leaving mine. She absorbed every word, her lips pressed into a thin line.When I finished, she sat back slightly, her eyes narrowing in thought. Then, after a long pause, she tilted her head and asked, “Do you trust Durma
KANEThe quiet steps of Durmas echoed faintly against the stone walls as I followed him deeper into the castle’s underbelly. My senses were on high alert, eyes scanning for anything out of place, but my focus was split. Why was he here? And why hadn’t he sounded the alarm to the guards or Damon’s minions? As we rounded another corner, I couldn’t hold my tongue any longer. "Durmas," I uttered. "What’s going on? Why are you here, and why aren’t you turning me in?"He stopped abruptly, his robes swaying slightly with the motion. Turning to face me, his expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with intensity. "After the events of the mating ceremony," he began, carrying a voice that demanded attention, "a great many things unraveled in the aftermath."I crossed my arms and arched an eyebrow. "Such as?"Durmas let out a slow breath, his gaze drifting for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. Then, he began to recount everything that had transpired. "The council convened almo
KANEThe early morning air was crisp, the kind that bit at your skin and made every breath sharp in your lungs. I moved swiftly through the forest, the damp leaves crunching beneath my boots.I knew I shouldn’t have left so early, not in the state I was in, but I couldn’t stay idle any longer. Every fiber of my being demanded answers, even if it meant risking my life to get them. My destination was clear: the castle.As I made my way through the dense woods, my heightened senses picked up everything—the distant chirping of birds, the rustle of leaves in the breeze, even the faint sound of water flowing from a nearby stream. It was all background noise compared to the one sound I dreaded most: footsteps.The first sign of trouble came when I crossed the old stone bridge leading to the outskirts of the castle grounds. The scent hit me first, a group of Lycans. I took a moment to observe them and found out they were Damon’s minions.I crouched low, keeping to the shadows as I scanned the
KANEThe makeshift bed Catherine had arranged from the clothes she’d brought was a far cry from the luxury I was used to, but it served its purpose. She’d done what she could to make it comfortable, but the cramped space meant we had no choice but to share it. It wasn’t my type of thing, but I wasn’t going to complain—not when I knew how much she’d already sacrificed for me.We lay there, shoulder to shoulder and for a while, neither of us spoke. Finally, she broke the quiet. “Don’t you think I should call the doctor to check on you again?”I turned my head toward her, meeting her worried eyes. “I’m fine, Catherine,” I replied. “Now that I’m conscious and in a better state of mind, my healing abilities are kicking in. You don’t need to worry.”She frowned, her lips pressing into a thin line. “That doesn’t mean you’re completely okay,” she countered. “Just because you’re awake doesn’t mean the poison’s effects are gone. You might need—”I cut her off gently but firmly. “Catherine,
KANERoaming through the endless expanse of the forest, my legs felt like lead, dragging with every step. The ground beneath me was damp and uneven, but I hardly noticed anymore. My body was running on pure instinct, driven by a hollow ache in my chest that refused to subside. The world around me had become a blur of greens and browns.And then I caught it, a faint trace of her scent. Catherine.The smell was so faint, so fleeting, that for a moment I thought I’d imagined it. My breath hitched as the familiar odour sent different emotions crashing over me: longing, anger, and that deep, gut-wrenching hurt that seemed to have taken permanent residence inside me. But the scent was too weak, diluted with something unfamiliar. Someone else.I clenched my fists, claws digging into my palms. It wasn’t her. It couldn’t be. She wouldn’t be here, not after everything. And if she was... if she was, then why did her scent carry traces of someone else? The thought alone was enough to make my bl
CATHERINE Kane's face remained stoic, his piercing gaze fixed on me, but I could see the doubt in his eyes. He didn’t outright dismiss what I had said, yet I could tell he wasn’t ready to fully accept it either.When I opened my mouth to speak again, to plead with him to understand, he cut me off with a sharp shake of his head."I need to see it for myself," he said flatly, devoid of emotion."Kane, you can’t—"He raised a hand, silencing me. "I’m going to check things out," he stated firmly, leaving little room for argument.But he had underestimated me. I was no longer the timid woman afraid to speak her mind. My voice rose, tinged with frustration and desperation. "You’re not going anywhere, Kane!"His eyes widened slightly, more in surprise than anger. I didn’t care."Do you think I’ve been running around, risking my life for you to just throw it all away with your stubbornness?" I yelled, stepping closer to him, my chest heaving. "You’re not well! The doctor said you need time