All Chapters of Desired Mate: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

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

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

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 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

KANEEvery muscle in my body felt like it was drawn taut, straining to hold back the relentless pressure of my beast. The scent of my mother’s blood didn't leave my head for a minute. It taunted me, teasing me at that fragile line of control I fought to keep. It was slipping. I was slipping, inch by inch, like sand through my fingers, and the creature within me was ravenous, clawing to break free.A hand gripped my shoulder all of a sudden. I snapped my head to the side, and i saw Damon., He was assessing me and in no time, he had an idea of what was happening.“Kane, are you alright?” he asked.A bitter chuckle slipped out before I could hold it back. I shot him a sidelong glance, my voice thick and rough, barely mine. “Do I look okay to you, Damon?”He narrowed his eyes, tightening his hold on my shoulder. “How close are you?” he asked, understanding without needing an explanation. “I mean, how close is he?”My jaw clenched, muscles straining against the pull of my beast. “Clos