(Katelyn's POV)I looked down at the jagged line running across the table again, my heart pounding as I tried to make sense of it. The crack stretched from the place where my hand had slammed down, all the way across to Simon’s side, the splintered line cutting a stark path across the polished wood.It looked deep. Too deep. “It was probably already cracked,” I muttered dismissively, more to myself than to anyone else, hoping the words might somehow explain the unexpected fracture. For a second, no one in the room responded. They just watched me with unreadable expressions. Still, I could feel the sharp weight of their disbelief.I swallowed, trying to push back my frustration as I clenched my fists at my sides. “I need to take a break from this insanity,” I stated, my voice low and cold. “I actually can’t believe that you’re questioning me on this. I'm the one who was abducted! I'm the one who was snatched from my home! But you come here...” I stopped myself, breathing in a sharp br
(Katelyn's POV)As I walked back down the hall, each step echoed louder than the last and my anger simmered, but I kept pushing it down, trying to stay calm.Tyler and Ryder were right. I needed to keep my cool if I was going to get through this, but I couldn’t help the frustration that tightened in my chest.I came to a halt as voices drifted toward me from the open door of the meeting room. It was Helen, and she was furious.“I am managing this interview, Simon!” she snapped, her voice carrying an edge I hadn’t heard before. “You are making this impossible by antagonizing her at every turn!”A tense silence followed, and then Simon’s voice broke through, defensive. “I’m just trying to do my job! It’s clear she’s hiding something. She—”“If she’s hiding something, we’ll uncover it,” Helen interrupted sharply. “But hurling accusations at her every five seconds isn’t going to get us anywhere. You’re making this process harder, not easier.”Roderick’s voice was softer but firm. “Simon,
(Katelyn's POV)"He brought Jenna in...” I trailed off, my eyes beginning to water as I pictured her sitting on that chair with blood streaming from her nose."Jenna? Your best friend?" Helen probed, seeking confirmation.I nodded, wiping my eyes, trying my best to keep it together. I just wanted to get through this. I just wanted it done and behind me so that I would never have to think about it again.Helen scribbled something down and looked up, her gaze sympathetic. “And how long were you kept there?” she asked, thankfully not pressing me to share more on Jenna at that point.I thought back, estimating. “I... I'm not sure, to be honest. The days all sort of blurred together. I think it was three, maybe four days? I spent the vast majority of it locked up in his room. He would come by occasionally, bringing trays of food or trying to get information out of me, threatening me whenever he got frustrated.”It looked like Simon was about to say something, but before he could, Helen spo
(Katelyn's POV)I waited patiently, certain that they were going to dismiss me, but the silence remained as Helen's pen scratched on the paper in front of her as she made more notes.My eyes wandered over to Simon. His gaze was sharp, like he was determined to cut through and dissect each and every word I’d said.I allowed myself to look over at Roderick, hoping his face might look friendlier. It didn't though. He didn't look hostile, but rather... concerned? Sympathetic?Better than outright hostile though, I figured.Helen cleared her throat and raised her eyes toward me. “Alright,” she began, her voice calm, almost gentle, “you’ve shared quite a lot with us about your time with Harlan. But there are just a few points I’d like to clarify here, just to make sure we have an accurate picture of what transpired from your point of view.”I frowned. I'd thought we were done. I'd thought they were going to tell me I could go now. What more was there to tell them?My hands clenched in my la
I stomped along the deserted pavement, my mood as dark and brooding as the fast approaching storm clouds overhead. The library had been my escape from the overhyped Mating Celebration, but even the quiet rustle of pages and the familiar smell of old books hadn’t been enough to calm my irritation. The pack's obsession with this archaic tradition grated on me more than I cared to explain. That, and the fact that my family had booted me out of my home in Colorado and shipped me off to stay with my aunt here in Oregon almost a week ago now.The distant sounds of laughter and music from the celebration drifted through the air. It annoyed me. I couldn’t understand why everyone put so much stock in finding their 'destined mate.' The whole concept felt oppressive, like we were all just pawns in some preordained plan. The idea of 'mates' meant that there was no room for freewill, and that was something that just never sat well with me.My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me out of my thought
"I guess it's lucky we're in the bathroom then," I mumbled sarcastically, causing him to chuckle."Do you wanna come out?" the voice suggested hopefully.I sighed, pressing my back against the cool wall, and feeling it's chill seep through me. "No. Not yet. I just... I need a minute," I replied before blowing my nose."Fair enough," he conceded, then I was certain I heard him sit down."Um... Are you staying then?" I asked tentatively."Yeah, if that's okay. I mean, you did say it was a good thing we were in the bathroom if we might throw up..." he tried to justify his presence."I mean, I guess..." was all I managed in response, my tears on pause for the moment as I tried to deal with this weird turn of events.I unrolled another length of toilet paper, crumpling it into a ball and dabbing at my nose, which continued to run. Then I took a deep breath as I tried to regain my composure."Shouldn't you be at the Mating Celebration?" I asked, unable to disguise the bitterness in my voice
“So, what kind of music are you into?” he asked, a playful note in his tone.“Metal, mostly,” I replied casually. I could almost hear his eyebrows rising in surprise. “Metal, huh? I’m more of a classic rock guy myself,” he responded seemingly unfazed.The conversation meandered through favourite foods, movies, and hobbies. I found myself divulging details I hadn’t expected to share, drawn in by the anonymity the door provided.“Okay, so random question – are you a virgin?” he asked. His tone came across as if he were trying to deliver the question as a joke, but there was an unmistakable hint of curiosity in his voice.I laughed, caught off guard. “That's a very forward question for a first date, don't you think?” I quipped, evading the question."So this is a date, huh?" he asked, and I could hear the smirk in his voice. I was grateful for the door between us as I felt my cheeks flushing with embarrassment at my blunder."Well... I mean... It sort of feels like one," I admitted as m
My phone suddenly rang, cutting through the charged atmosphere and snapping us both back to reality. Tyler cleared his throat while I patted myself down, finally finding my phone in my back pocket. I checked the screen before answering. There was no chance I was taking a call from that moron, Liam, now. Fortunately, it was my aunt Mara."Hi Aunt Mara," I answered brightly, giving Tyler an apologetic look. He gave me an understanding smile and gestured for me to carry on, but he never took his eyes off me for a moment, as if my presence was somehow captivating.Aunt Mara was calling to find out whether I'd stayed for the Mating Celebration after all. When I'd left for the library this morning, I'd assured her in no uncertain terms that there was no way I'd be attending the celebrations. So, I guess she had every right to be worried that I wasn't home yet. The library had closed hours ago and for all she knew I could have been kidnapped by a wily pack of rogues. I ended the conversatio