(Katelyn's POV)I stared at my reflection, adjusting the hem of my dress with a sigh. It was as if the weight of the day had settled into the fabric itself, leaving it as creased and as tired-looking as I felt.Alpha David’s message that The Elders had arrived still echoed in my mind, fueling the anxiety that simmered below the surface. They were here now, close enough that I could almost feel their looming presence... Like an apocalyptic storm in the distance.When Tyler had recited the message to us, panic had clawed its way up, threatening to spill over. But somehow, I’d managed to push it down, accepting that there was no changing what was about to happen. Now that they were here, the dread had dulled, only to be replaced by a heavy feeling of resignation.I couldn’t stop this, couldn’t control this. All I could do was step forward and face it.With a deep breath, I turned back to my closet, figuring I'd have to find something more suitable for dinner. It was a little annoying see
(Katelyn's POV)Tyler held up a couple of shirts against his chest, one a purplish blue and the other a crisp white. "Which one?" he asked, giving me a questioning look."That one," I said, pointing to the blue one. I felt like it suited him better and I'm obviously a sucker for purple.Smiling, he nodded in agreement and slipped the shirt on.I tried to steady my breathing, to keep the anxiety at bay. But the thoughts kept creeping in, thoughts of questions I wouldn’t know how to answer, or worse, questions I hadn’t even thought to consider.I had to make a good first impression. I couldn’t let them see my fear, couldn’t let them doubt me. And I had to remind myself, over and over, that I wasn’t lying to them. I hadn’t done anything wrong. All I had to do was be honest and hold it together.Tyler’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. “Kate, it’s going to be okay,” he said, as if sensing my spiraling thoughts. “We’ll all be right there with you. Just... be
(Katelyn's POV)The echo of my footsteps on the stairs seemed louder than it should, amplifying the drumbeat of my heart. The twins each held one of my hands. Their silent support helped, but the truth was, I still felt like I was walking towards my doom. I forced myself to breathe, to push away the chaotic storm of thoughts swirling in my mind, but nothing could fully quiet the underlying dread.Just as we reached the top of the stairs, I gave Tyler’s hand a quick tug, halting him in his tracks.“I just need a second,” I explained, feeling nervous and overwhelmed.He turned, his expression softening as he caught my eye. “It’s going to be fine,” he murmured, squeezing my hand gently and bringing it to his lips. His reassuring smile helped anchor me, though only a little.I closed my eyes, letting a deep breath fill my lungs as I did my best to push down the anxiety that clawed at me.“Okay,” I whispered, exhaling slowly and opening my eyes.I did my best to put on a mask of calm. Of
(Katelyn's POV)I wrapped my arm around Tyler’s waist, holding him close as I glanced up at him. “It was a long time coming,” I replied, my tone steady as I gave Tyler a sweet smile.I wasn’t going to let Simon sow any seeds of doubt in anyone's mind. Sure, I had maybe dragged it out a bit and taken my time, but it was complicated and I wanted to be sure. I had two mates! This wasn't exactly standard!Just then, Ryder returned, handing Tyler a drink and taking a sip of his own. I looked at him, raising an eyebrow as if to silently ask, “Where’s mine?” Ryder raised his eyebrows right back, feigning innocence as he leaned in closer.“How old are you again?” he teased, his voice low. I scoffed, firing right back at him without missing a beat. “How old are YOU?” “Old enough,” he replied, a mischievous smirk on his lips as he took another sip of his drink, clearly taunting me. Leaning even closer, he whispered in my ear, “Not a fuck I’m doing this sober. But you’re doing great,” he added
(Katelyn's POV)Of course, when dessert was served, Simon’s voice sliced through the calm. “So, Tyler,” he said, his tone almost friendly. “How are your studies coming along?”The question seemed so innocent and Tyler nodded, his tone warm and eager. “They’re going well, actually. It’s hard work, but I’m really enjoying it. Having Kate around has helped me find a good balance,” he added, glancing at me affectionately.Simon nodded, then turned his gaze towards Ryder, his eyes narrowing slightly. “And you, Ryder?”Ryder shrugged, looking entirely unfazed. “I’m busy with other things right now. Not sure that the Alpha life is for me.”Simon’s thin smile stretched into something more sinister. “Not for you? But your father is Alpha.”Ryder met Simon’s gaze without flinching. “Yeah, and my OLDER brother will be Alpha after him.”“But you’re twins,” Simon pressed, his tone hinting at some agenda I couldn’t figure out. “Shouldn’t you share the role?”Ryder’s response was nonchalant. “We cou
(Katelyn's POV)The Elders had left for the evening and David, Liz, Tyler, Ryder, and I retreated back into the upstairs lounge, reflecting on the evening.It hadn't gone great, but to be perfectly honest, I had anticipated that it might have been worse.Ryder didn't seem to be in agreement though, which I suppose was fair, based on the fact that Simon seemed to have honed onto him as his target for most of the evening.His anger exploded the second he stormed into the room after the guests had left. He’d been containing it since the moment Simon had probed him about his position in the pack, but now he let it loose in full force.“How fucking DARE he! He acts like he’s entitled to pry into every fucking detail of our lives, like we’re some kind of science experiment or something! Who the fuck does he think he is?” Ryder spat, pacing the room furiously.I stood nearby, wanting to comfort him, but also wanting to give him a moment to express himself and get it all out.I couldn’t blame
(Katelyn's POV)“Do you not want to have kids?” I asked carefully, unsure of what Ryder's answer might be.Ryder looked down, conflicted. "That's not..." he hesitated, shaking his head as if he wasn't sure what to say now that I had put him on the spot. "I... I don't know," he admitted. "Maybe? I just... This is not something I want to have to think about now."I saw disappointment flash across Liz’s face, but she masked it quickly. "I don't want to either... but there's no way Simon is going to let this go," I said, my voice filled with hopelessness.Ryder shook his head, his frustration flaring up again. “Well, I think we should just tell Simon to go fuck himself.” I let out a small laugh at the unexpected comment. “Trust me, I think we’d all like to tell him that, but he's still going to want an answer.”“He’s just one Council Member!” Ryder insisted. “No one else seemed to give a fuck! In fact, they agreed that it was our business!" he snapped, his frustration mounting.He was r
(Ryder's POV)The cold water beat against my skin, hammering against me relentlessly as I tried to ground myself in the moment. To face all the questions and fears that had been building up inside me all night.It hadn’t just been Simon’s endless prodding and accusations, though that had definitely been where it all started, rather, it was the weight of everything he’d stirred up. And now that the dust was starting to settle, I couldn’t shake the uncomfortable thoughts that kept circling around my head.Kate’s words from earlier echoed in my mind, her gentle question digging deeper than I’d let on... "Do you not want to have kids?"I’d brushed her off. Not because I didn’t want kids, but because facing that question meant facing so much more. It meant facing the role I’d been avoiding for almost as long as I could remember.I leaned against the cool tiles, letting the water run down my face as I stared at the floor, my thoughts racing even faster now.It was so much easier to think th