(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
(Katelyn's POV)Gray morning light began to creep its way up the dark sky and I found myself tiptoeing my way to Ryder’s room, the air still cool and quiet in the house.He was still asleep, curled up under the blankets, his face softened by dreams. For a moment, I just watched him, the rise and fall of his chest, the slight furrow of his brow even in sleep. I climbed onto the bed beside him, lying on my side and snuggling close, just savoring the quiet stillness around us.Gently, I reached up and brushed a lock of hair away from his eyes, feeling the familiar ache in my heart as I studied him. Even in sleep, he seemed troubled, as if the weight of everything was impossible for him to fully shake, even in his dreams.My fingers traced gently across his cheek and his eyes fluttered open.“Hey,” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. “What’re you doing here so early?”I gave him a small smile. “I could ask you the same thing. I thought you were going to come back to my room last nigh
(Katelyn's POV)The Fortress loomed ahead as we drove through the early morning mist, its walls stark against the gray sky. It was only 9AM, but I already felt like I'd lived an entire day, the pressure of this moment having weighed on me since the second I opened my eyes. I was so eager to just get this done and behind me now. To wake up every day feeling this stressed was a living nightmare.Tyler was at the wheel, Ryder in the passenger seat, and I was huddled in the back, watching the scenery blur past as we approached the imposing structure. My heart thudded dully in my chest as we got closer, the reality of what lay ahead settling heavily over me.I was trying to stay calm, trying to remind myself of all the things I could control rather than the things I couldn't. And I’d have Tyler and Ryder nearby if I needed them.I'd told them that they didn't have to stay. Today seemed to be all about me, anyway. So there wasn't much point sticking around if they didn't need to.Of course
(Katelyn's POV)As I glanced up, I saw Ryder straighten from his casual perch on the table, his jaw clenched as he watched Simon with a hardened expression. I nudged his leg, looking at him with wide eyes and a slight shake of my head, urging him to keep his cool.With a sigh and a dramatic roll of his eyes, he relaxed a little, though I could still feel the tension radiating off of him.Simon took his seat directly opposite me, setting out a few papers with deliberate precision. “You boys are welcome to go now,” he suggested with a dismissive tone. “The others will be here shortly.”Tyler, unfazed, replied, “No, it’s fine. We’ve got nowhere else to be.”The statement hung in the air, a subtle reminder that I wasn’t alone here and wasn’t about to be. Simon’s expression didn’t change, but a faint sigh escaped him as he settled back in his chair.Silence fell over the room, thick and uncomfortable. No one seemed to want to speak, not even about something as trivial as the weather.I was
(Katelyn's POV)The tension in the room was thick, and I could feel it pressing down on me as I took a deep breath. Helen glanced down at her notes and then back up, giving me a patient, almost gentle look.“We’d like to start by addressing the matter of Harlan and your alleged abduction,” she said, her tone professional but not unkind. “That is, after all, one of the main reasons for our visit.”I shook my head, feeling a sudden urge to redirect them. “That… that isn’t really the beginning,” I murmured, my voice quiet but firm.Helen’s eyebrows lifted slightly, clearly interested. “Alright then,” she said, folding her hands on the table. “Where would you like to start, Katelyn?”I breathed in, steeling myself, feeling the weight of her question settle over me.“I guess... I guess the real beginning was at the Lunar Eclipse Celebration,” I explained, the memory of that first experience flooding my mind. “That... That was the first time that I 'saw' something.”Helen’s eyes lit with cu