Katarina “I’m right here.” I step out the door, holding back the tears that want to spill. Here he is, threatening to hurt us, and I feel powerless to stop him. His eyes meet mine, and my heart skips a beat—I don’t know why. My pulse quickens, like I’ve just met the man of my dreams. Our gazes lock, and I don’t even realize I’ve been walking until I’m inches away from him. He inhales my scent and my head tilts back, my eyes closing as an unexpected wave of pleasure washes over me. Dad and Francis are probably watching, but I can’t help myself. He grabs my chin, his eyes burning into mine. I stare back, feeling like this is a reunion we were destined for. A wolf killed my mother. Wolves have wanted me dead. Alpha Zane wants to kill my dad and take me to humiliate him. But all the anger, hate, and pain swirling inside me melt in this moment, and all I want is to keep looking at him, like my life depends on it. I think he feels it too. When he looks at me, I feel like his woman, his lo
KatarinaWe arrive at the wolf zone, and my skin crawls. I’m scared out of my mind. My thoughts flash back to the last time I was here—wolves attacked me, and I ended up injuring two of them just to defend myself. What will happen now that I’m in the lion’s den—or, in this case, the wolf’s den? When they find out my dad is Augustine, my life will be in danger.Back home, Zane didn’t let me leave with anything, not even my clothes. If he had, I would’ve smuggled a weapon with me. Now, I have no way of defending myself except by trusting my life to a dangerous Alpha who only keeps me alive for his revenge plans. It sounds like a terrible plan. Alpha Zane will probably let them attack me just for his amusement. He hates me—he’s made that clear. I can’t let myself feel safe just because he hasn’t killed me yet, because once he’s done with me, he won’t hesitate to take my life. When he’s not looking at me with those seductive eyes of his, he’s looking at me with deadly ones. Either way, I
KatarinaI watch him walk away, and everything comes flooding back. He bit me and left this dreadful mark on my neck. He wants Dad dead. He stormed into my home, furious, and forced me to leave with him. He hurt Francis and Dad. He’s a wolf, just like the beast that killed Mom. And he’s the Alpha—my enemy. He’s just given me another reminder of that.Katarina, you can’t get carried away. I tell myself. You hate him. Sing it like an anthem every day.His home is undeniably beautiful, but I have to see it as a prison. I’m in enemy territory, and I’m here on a mission. I need to find a cure, something that will stop me from turning into a wolf. And I swear, I’ll kill Alpha Zane for deceiving me, for taking advantage of me, and for making everyone think I’m a fool. I just need to figure out a way to get close enough to take him down. First, I have to find the cure, and he’s the only link I have to it right now. He’s the one who bit me, after all.The elderly woman grins at me. “Come, swee
ZaneMy eyes devour her body with an intense hunger to taste her, a battle raging within me. I have two choices: take her now and consummate our bond, or walk away. The second choice is the one I should make, but I can’t bring myself to do it. My arms wrap around her waist possessively, pulling her body flush against mine. Her eyes lock with mine, and I can see the fear lurking in them, wondering what I’m about to do.My gaze falls to her lips, and I claim them, kissing her desperately, over and over. I don’t want to stop. She stirs a fierce, primal desire in me.Shit. I want to fuck her!Kris, my wolf, has been waiting long enough. Claim her! Fuck her! he roars inside me.“Stop,” she whispers.Kris pulls back, and I abruptly pull away. Doesn’t she want me? I stare at her, confused. I can smell the desire on her. So, why did she stop me?Control yourself, Zane, my mind warns me.I haven’t touched another woman since Lina. I don’t need to do this with Katarina. Mate or not, I can have
KatarinaBut, I’m the Alpha. I make the rules. As they growl louder, my eyes turn red, and Kris roars, forcing them to calm down. They all stare at me, stunned.Good. I have their attention.“This is Katarina Penn. She’ll be joining you this semester.”“Alpha Zane,” Miranda, one of the lecturers, greets me. She turns to Katarina. “Welcome, Miss Penn.” She doesn’t hide her displeasure, but she can’t disobey me either. Everyone settles down. They don’t want Katarina here. But I do, and that’s enough.“You can settle down, Miss Penn, with the rest of the class. I’m sure the Alpha has greater responsibilities to take care of,” Miranda says, trying to play nice to Katarina.Katarina shifts her gaze to me, displeased. “Please, don’t leave me with these beasts. I want to go where you go,” she whispers, her eyes pleading.I lean close to her, whispering in her ear. “They can hear you, Katarina.” I watch the shock and fear on her face as she leans closer to me, afraid.“A werewolf’s ears are a
ZaneThere is silence for what feels like a couple of minutes. Then, Adam strides towards me, and I see the anger in his eyes as he faces me.“Alpha Zane, this is not your call to make. She is standing before the Council.” He gestures toward Katarina. My gaze shifts to her—she’s trying to hold herself together, but she looks terrified. I feel the urge to protect her rising in me again.“Yes. And I brought her before the Council,” I say, pointing at my chest. “Do you even know who she is?”“Damn right I do. She’s Katarina Penn, daughter of Augustine Penn, the leader of the wolf hunters. We have two wolves in the clinic, and I’ve been informed she’s the cause.”I’m taken aback. He knows everything. Damn it! I wanted to reveal it myself. He needed to hear it from me. Now, his mind is set—and the rest of the Council’s too. The chances of convincing them otherwise are slim.“So, tell us, Alpha,” he says, his arm sweeping toward the rest of the Council seated at the table. “Why the hell are
ZaneWe both sit silently in the car. My gaze shifts toward her, and I notice a deep frown on her face. Her fists are clenched, like she’s holding onto some intense thought. I sit up straighter, firming my voice. “If you’ve got something to say, then say it.”She turns and meets my eyes briefly before looking away again, tapping her fingers lightly on her lips. For a few moments, it seems like she’s holding herself back, but then she finally speaks.“Slave mate? Is that why you brought me here? To be your slave mate?”My expression hardens. “I didn’t force you to come. You came willingly. I’ll make you whatever I damn well choose.”She scoffs bitterly. “You threatened me. You threatened to hurt my father and my—” She stops, leaving the sentence unfinished.“And your what? Tell me Katarina…Your what?” I lean in, my gaze cold and intense. “You must mean that pathetic bodyguard of yours. What is he to you?”She hesitates before finally muttering, “He’s my… friend.”“Friend,” I repeat the
KatarinaI hold my breath as I hear his leather boots coming down the stairs. He’s coming for breakfast too. A part of me hoped he wouldn’t. Do wicked people really eat? They don’t deserve to. Especially him—not after what he’s done. He reaches the dining table, pulls out the chair at the head of the table, and sits confidently, like a king, though his chivalrous gaze stays on me even as he settles in.“Good morning, Alpha Zane.” Rosaline hurries out of the kitchen with her usual cheer as she places his breakfast in front of him.I glare at him, wishing I could just stick the fork I’m holding into his cold heart.“That for me?” His cold gaze meets my angry stare with amusement as he gestures toward my hand.My eyes follow his to my hand. I’m so lost in thought, I didn’t realize I’m gripping the fork like a weapon. I loosen my hold and drop the fork onto my plate.“Bad morning for you, Katarina, I suppose. You know, it’s bad manners not to greet the owner of the house you live in. Thin
KatarinaZane asked me yesterday to be his lover, whatever that means, but I couldn’t respond. How could I? He sprung the question on me. It kind of feels good to know he’s falling for me too. I giggle to myself, feeling elated.Zane comes into my room and wraps his arms around me from behind. “Katarina, you didn’t give me an answer yesterday.”“Well, I’m not done thinking it over.”“Katarina, you had all night.”“Huh… I thought I’d be seeing a different version of Zane today, so I didn’t take your words seriously.”“I meant every word I said, Katarina. I want more between us. No more fights, no war. We’re going to be bound tomorrow, and I don’t want to be at war with my mate.”“On one condition: you’ll never do anything like that again or try to hurt me.”“Never. From here on out, Katarina, I’m only going to protect you.”It feels like I’m in a dream, but one I don’t want to wake up from. Zane’s so different. I knew there was more to him than he was letting on. I won’t lie—I’m fallin
KatarinaI come out of one of the restrooms at the academy and turn on the tap to wash my hands. The door swings open, and Magdalena walks in. Of all people, it just had to be her. I quickly grab a tissue to dry my hands.“Look who we have here,” she says sarcastically, her tone filled with disgust.“Hello, Magdalena,” I say, trying to stay calm as I wipe my hands and toss the tissue into the trash. Grabbing my backpack, I start to walk away. If I want any chance of having a good day, avoiding Magdalena is my best bet.“Going somewhere?” she says, grabbing my arm. I look at her hand on me, then back at her, giving her a stare that tells her she’s crossing a line.“Oh, don’t exaggerate,” she says, removing her hand.“What do you want, Magdalena?”“You know exactly what I want, Katarina.”“No, I don’t. Tell me.” I cross my arms, waiting for whatever rubbish she wants to spill. She doesn’t like me, and you know what? The feeling is mutual.“Alpha Zane,” she blurts out, and it hits me. Th
KatarinaI gasp, unable to control myself, my breathing coming in heavy. The ash-colored wolf with red eyes stares at me. There it is again—the draw I feel toward him. Slowly, I close the distance between us, lifting my right hand to his chin. As I touch him, my nerves calm, and my heart rate steadies. Being near him gives me a sense of safety, of protection.I stroke him gently, and his eyes close, feeling my touch.“Zane,” I whisper, staring at his face, and then I piece it together. “Kris.” His red eyes open, locking onto mine, and he lets out a soft, high-pitched whine, recognizing my voice. I lean into him, feeling as though I’ve found my resting place. He nuzzles me, making snuffling sounds with deep, affectionate snorts, his tail thumping against the ground.God, Katarina, you have to stop this. But I’m in awe, gazing at Kris. This is my first time seeing Zane’s wolf, and he’s beautiful. My mate is perfect—if I were someone who wanted a wolf as a mate. This is crazy.He sniffs,
KatarinaThe cold bites into my skin, and I shiver as I lie here, sobbing, feeling like I’m crying from a heartbreak—or one that was almost there. I was starting to open my heart to him today, and he crushed it. Zane has made a fool of me again. How could I have been so naive? He deceived me, made me think he cared, made me feel like I mattered to him. But it was all a lie, just like before. Now, he’s left me here to die, alone and helpless. Aunt Mary was right—I should have listened to her.She always said, “Never trust a man.” I never really believed her until now. Maybe she was speaking from experience. Aunt Mary always blamed my dad—she said he’s the reason Mom is dead. She never missed a chance to talk about how Augustine caused her younger sister’s death. That’s why they aren’t close. That’s why Aunt Mary took me in, happy to drag me away from the life that killed my mother. And now it’s my turn. Zane has left me here, just like Dad left Mom. Just like love has trapped me in thi
ZaneActions always have consequences, and Katarina has to learn that for trying to kill me. I have to punish her. If I don’t, then the council is right—the mate bond is clouding my judgment. And that’s not possible. I am Alpha Zane, and nothing, no one, controls me.I walk into the house and immediately sense her. She’s in her room. I wonder if she’s been waiting for me, as I commanded. God, I want to touch her—now more than ever. Snap out of it, Zane. That’s the mate bond talking. You’re stronger than this. You have to take control, or the council will see you as weak. Handle Katarina, I tell myself as I climb the stairs to her room. If you let her go unpunished, what’s stopping her from trying to kill you again?I open her door and see her sitting on the bed. She looks tired, like she’s been sitting there for hours, waiting for me.“Finally. I’ve been waiting for you,” Katarina says, looking at me with relief.“I’m back now,” I say coldly.“Yeah,” she responds, biting her lower lip
ZaneI’m in a meeting with the Wolf Council, discussing the latest attacks by the wolf hunters. There was another one last night in the woods.“Alpha Zane,” Alpha Ethan speaks up, “We need to put an end to those damn wolf hunters permanently.”“I agree,” Alpha Hawthorne nods.“If we let this continue, how long before they’re at our gates, threatening to take our territory? We need to retaliate, Alpha Zane. And we need to act fast,” Alpha Ethan advises.I listen to their reports and advice carefully. “How do you suggest we move forward?” I ask.“I say we show them exactly who we are,” Adam cuts in, preventing Alpha Ethan from continuing, and Ethan leans back in his seat to let Adam, the head of the council, respond.“And how exactly do we do that, Uncle?” My gaze fixes on him, waiting for his grand plan.“Alpha Zane, we need to make an example of someone. And who better than Katarina?”The mention of her name makes me uncomfortable. “What about Katarina?” I ask.“Alpha Zane, you’ve let
KatarinaMy eyes are locked on his, dazed.“Why do you think I didn’t let the wolf council kill you?” His dark gaze pierces mine.“I don’t know,” I whisper, clueless. I’ve tried and failed so many times to predict what he’s thinking.“I’ve had every chance to kill you, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. Why?”“I don’t know,” I sob. Zane is a closed book. He hides himself so well, it’s impossible to figure him out.“Wrong answer. You poisoned me and then tried to kill me. Why am I still protecting you, Katarina? Why haven’t I killed you yet?”“I don’t—” I stammer, but he cuts me off. It couldn’t possibly be love, could it?“You know, Katarina. We both know,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist.“There’s a long list of over five hundred prospective mates I could have chosen to be my Luna sitting in my study.”My eyes widen in surprise. Five hundred women? The thought repeats in my head. How is that even possible?“But Kris chose you. I chose you. The most difficult woman I’v
KatarinaThe mating ceremony is fast approaching, and everyone at the Academy has been staring at me like I’m transforming into someone else. Except there’s something they don’t know: nothing is going to change because of some dumb ceremony. I’m still going to be the same Katarina. My phone vibrates in my bag, and I pull it out. Oh God, it’s Francis. I throw it back into my bag. Our last conversation didn’t go so well, and I’m not eager to talk to him. How can I even bring myself to tell him that I’m about to marry Zane? How do I even explain that? I guess I’ll call him back later.I walk through the halls of the Academy, heading to class. The whispers are endless. Some glance at me with curiosity, others with jealousy thrown in with hate—especially the ladies, as if Zane would have noticed any of them. I know what they’re thinking. I know they can’t understand why someone like me would be bound to someone like Zane. A wolf hunter mated to their Grand Alpha—that’s a wild card. I don’t
KatarinaMy heart pounds. I take a deep breath as my back rests on the wall. I can’t let him see me, not after what I just heard him say. But, what If I run and he chases me?The door to the study swings open and Zane steps out, glaring at me. It’s too late. I can’t run off now. My chest tightens as I start to take steps back, praying he doesn’t attack me here.I feel threatened by his presence alone, his cold and intimidating energy.For a moment, everything is calm. I don’t dare to breathe.“I told you to leave Katarina,” his voice calls out, cold, mocking. “Hanging around here won’t do you any good.”“I helped you get better,” I spit, reminding him but from the look on his face, It doesn’t matter to him.“I saved your life,” I begin, and he tilts his head in disagreement.“Right after you tried to take it,” he snarls.I knew it was only a matter of time before he came for revenge. Foolish of me to think for even a second that he’ll let it go.“Don’t come any closer,” I snap, nervou