A Hidden Side

Katrina’s Point Of View

I had just returned home after my meeting with the alpha king. I can only imagine what is waiting for me.

Xavier kicked open my room with a snarl. “You went to see Alpha King? You went to beg him to revoke Bianca's Luna ceremony, didn't you?”

I can’t believe the only thing he's worried about is his mistress’s ceremony, when there are other things he should be worried about.

I looked at the outraged man very calmly, denying it. “I did not.” My voice is monotone.

There was no point in denying it since it seemed he already knew what happened. Soon he would see the alpha king in this pack.

Xavier snarled low, "Liar! You said you were going to REJECT me while you were trying to keep me from being with Bianca behind my back, hypocrite!"

It seems that I never really knew this man. I almost want to bust out laughing at how dramatic he is.

I fold my arms, staring him down as he clenches his fists on his sides, approaching where I was standing, his teeth seething as he comes closer, his hands shaking like a possessed man.

“Alpha King didn't promise anything. Bianca's Luna ritual would continue as usual…”

Xavier didn't even let me finish explaining my bit. “I never knew you were so vicious. I can't believe I felt a little guilty about rejecting you tomorrow. I cannot wait to reject you and banish you tomorrow!” He slammed my door and stormed out of the room.

My mouth fell open as everything finally registered about what he just said to me. He was feeling guilt?

I sniffled back, gently rubbing my wrist as I turned to the door where Thelma was standing.

Thelma witnessed it all and began to sob quietly. “Luna, why are they treating you like this? They did not deserve you.” 

She says coming out of the bathroom where she was setting up my bath. I give her a weak smile, taking her hands in my hands. I try to force a smile on my face, but I can feel a sting in my eyes.

I lift my gaze, blinking back my tears.

I comforted her. “Because to them, I am now far less important than the Alpha daughter of the Black Fang Pack. You stay here tomorrow and pack up as soon as possible.” 

Thelma said, sniffling back, “Will you be in danger facing Blackwood's threat alone?”

“Don't worry, no matter what the alpha king decides, we will leave Blackwood tomorrow, one way or another,” I reassured her, giving her hand a little squeeze.

I was only glad that despite everything that was happening; I had someone willing to stand by my side.

It was like the people I had paid so much attention to were willing to turn on me, but she was there by my side.

The next day, Blackwood's Pack House. Everyone is here.

Me, my Beta lawyer, on the other side of the table while Xavier and my mother-in-law sit on the other side...

He brushes his fingers in his hair. I feel my heart race as I see the tattoos covering his chest before he clasps his hands on the table and leans forward, looking between me and Charlie, my lawyer.

“Shall we start?” Xavier asked, leaning forward, his voice cold and arrogant.

When did he turn into this man? Did the war change him into this man? Or was he always so cold towards me?

I try to recollect the times I was with him, but of course, sometimes my memory betrays me, so I can recall some of it.

My Beta lawyer couldn't help but sneer at Xavier: "What kind of animal would cheat on his mate and reject his mate to be with his mistress?”

I inhale sharply, closing my eyes, knowing this is just adding to the fuel. I appreciate he wants to stand up for me, but I can fight my own battles.

My mother-in-law snapped back, "It's Luna Duet! They will be equal. You say that as if we'd bullied her. Katrina? Have we mistreated you in any way?” 

The audacity of her asking me that. They are asking me to be in a tradition that hasn’t existed for centuries.

“Of course you didn't. You just turned your back on me and fell in love with Gamma from the more powerful pack. For the past year, my fortune has kept all the Backwoods covered in sustenance and supplies, and I have spent my funds to pay for my mother-in-law's expensive medical bills. Who would mistreat me? But now you will cast me out of your pack. Because of her?” I retorted, not even able to utter her name.

Just the mere thought of her sends me on edge. I hate her so much, but I also hate the alpha king for allowing this.

I can’t believe he was once a family friend.

“Before you were married, your mother signed a prenup for you. All your prenuptial assets, after you become Luna, are to be managed by the Blackwood Pack. You will be stripped of everything now that you are no longer a Luna. The cost of your food, your clothing and your accommodation with the Backwoods for this year, we will not be coming to you for that. Count yourself lucky!” She added,

I gently rubbed my knee under the table. It was then that I suddenly understood. Blackwood was bullying me because I was alone and had no one to back me up. They wanted to make Bianca the Luna of their pack, but they also craved the wealth I had brought to the Blackwood pack over the past year. It wasn’t that they wanted me.

I trembled with rage, tapping my leg under the table.

This was why they had approached my seriously ill mother to ask for my hand in marriage back then! This was always their plan.

I felt bile coming up my throat as I stared down at the people before me. To think I would have easily laid down my life for heirs?

Calm down Kitty. I told myself as I narrowed my eyes, staring at Xavier who seemed to be in a hurry to get rid of me.

I asked Xavier “I respect you and Bianca for your bravery in the war. So I have to ask you, do you think it is fair that you took my pre-marriage property and left me penniless?”

I sit back in my chair, staring him down as I wait for another lie to leave his lips.

Xavier was silent and avoided my gaze.

 “Then we'll split the family fortune fifty-fifty. If you don't like it, you can complain to Alpha King. Let's see if what I claim is reasonable.” He offered me as I swallowed hard, glancing at my lawyer, hoping this was a good offer.

I deserved more for what I had to endure. But because he thinks he can treat me like I’m worthless. I was going to demand more.

My lawyer shouted angrily, “How dare you be so arrogant! How did Blackwood get to where it is today if it hadn't been using up the Snow Park wealth? Without the Katrina’s fortune, how would you be able to afford to fund your army?”

I knew that I had done a lot for this pack, but now looking at it. I realised I’m the reason Blackwood Pack is where it is today.

“If you guys disagree, go to Alpha King and sue me for all I care,” Xavier answered arrogantly, ignoring the fact that I was once the woman he promised to move the earth for.

“Stop stalling! Reject this broad, now!” My mother-in-law chimed in. I pursed my lips together, fighting back my tears, and I scoffed, shaking my head as she turned to Xavier.

What was it that Bianca had that I lacked? I inwardly asked myself as I stared her down.

This was the woman we sacrificed so much for so that she could be here today, but she had the nerve to speak to me like this.

She acted like I was the intruder meddling in Xavier’s marriage, yet I was legally his wife.

“I, Xavier Blackwood, reject you, Katrina Snow, as my mate.”

He didn't give me time to prepare, as the drilling pain covered me. I bite my lower lip to bleed and endure the pain. I closed my eyes, holding tight to my dress, trying to stay as strong as possible.

“Accept my rejection! This is an agreement for you to leave the Pack and consent to an equal split of your family fortune. Sign it now, and you and I will be done with it! Otherwise, I will have to banish you as a member of my Pack as an Alpha!” Xavier growled as a smile tugged at my lips.

What kind of monster was this man that he would demand something like this? I fought back my tears while feeling excruciating pain, my insides feeling like they were being turned inside out.

“Xavier,” I said pleadingly in a whisper.

I was in so much pain, but he didn’t even bother to look at me. It was like he just couldn’t wait to get this over with.

I took a deep breath as I looked at the stack of agreements with all the things they were demanding. Is this all they cared about? His eyes held no remorse for me.

Fighting back my tears, while clenching tight to my knee for strength, I arched my back, looking into his eyes.

 ‘’Then make me sign it. I dare you."

My lips turned into a smile, making Xavier glance at his mother briefly before turning to me. He looks like he has seen a ghost.

“Whatever tricks you've got up your sleeve, I have means to get you to sing them." He sneered, leaning over the table as I chuckled softly, looking into his eyes.

 I broke a pen with one hand. “I want to know if Alpha Xavier, who is famous on the battlefield, lives up to his name.” I said, pushing the files away from me.

Xavier turned into a wolf angrily lunging at me. I dodged as fast as I could and kicked the wolf into the wall, fixing up my dress as I tilted my head, watching him shift back into his human form.

Xavier howls in shock. “How the hell did you just do that?”