KatarinaI sink into the bed, trying to catch my breath. I was so scared they were coming up after me to confront me for eavesdropping on their conversation. It doesn’t matter. Everyone here hates me. They want me dead. But I could never let that happen. I’d never let them kill me like my mother. Now, more than ever, I need to find a way to actualize my plan. They are all beasts and deserve whatever the hunters are preparing for them. Think, Katarina, you’re the enemy; of course, they wouldn’t want you here. Although, my friends at the academy seem to be different. What if they’re not? I can’t see them as different. All werewolves are the same—creatures I have to hate. There’s no good in them. And my new friends aren’t any different. Still, I can’t help but think that my friendship with them could be beneficial. I’m going to get as much information as I can from them. Zane wouldn’t know what hit him. I’d never, ever let myself fall for him like I almost did. He’s the man I have to des
KatarinaI’m in the bathtub. Two out of the rest of the women scrub my body while the others watch. I stay quiet as they rub some oil on my body—I’m not sure what. I feel myself drifting away, lost in thought. I should stop them from touching me, I think. Yet, I don’t stop them. The next thing, they grip my arms and pull me up from the water.I’m out, with a robe on my body. I watch them sift through the clothes in my wardrobe until they arrive at one—a royal blue gown. I have no choice but to raise my hand as the gown drops over my body and flows down to my legs. Amira guides me, and I sit on the chair facing the mirror. One of the women pulls out a makeup box that I hadn’t noticed she was holding earlier, and they start to powder my face. They apply lipstick, run a brush through my hair, and let it flow down my shoulders. Amira looks at me with an expression that says she’s pleased with their handiwork, and I hate it. How could they just come in here and take charge of my life like
Katarina“You have no idea, Katarina,” I hear his voice in my head. His words are so frightening, I don’t even realize when I fall to my knees.“I take no offense,” Zane’s voice echoes, and the murmuring stops. “I have chosen a brave, brave mate.” He looks at me, flashing a wicked smile as I stare at him, terrified and ashamed. Why did I get on my knees? Why do his words make my heart race? I watch him as he continues.“Katarina here is a wolf hunter.” I hear whispers spread across the room again. “She’s not just here by chance. I’ve brought her as a sign to the wolf hunters faction that the werewolves are in charge of Wolf Creek.”“Yes!” the crowd screams.“If Augustine wants his daughter back, he’ll have to surrender himself and watch her die. And he’ll die right after.”The wolves growl, “Yes, yes, yes!”I hold back a sob as I lower my head.“The wolf hunters are weak humans, just like her. We shouldn’t fear them. This is war. And we’re going to win!”And the crowd cheers for him a
ZaneMy eyes gaze at the half moon up in the sky. I’m lost in my conflicting thoughts as it casts its light across the woods, reminding me of what’s about to happen.I stand, my hands in my pockets, watching, waiting. My wolf, Kris, paces inside me, restless. He can feel Katarina’s fear, her anxiety about to burst out of her chest. I feel it too. I want to go to her and tell her she’s going to be okay, even though I know I can’t. I’m the Grand Alpha; I must uphold the laws that have kept us for generations. Katarina has to pass through this to be a worthy Luna. I can’t shake the thought, though—what if she doesn’t survive? No. She will survive. She has to. Katarina is brave, and she’s a fighter.They’ve locked her up in a dark room since morning. The sun has set, and it’s time. The wolves have assembled, all waiting to witness Katarina’s fate. My Beta, Magdalena, and some other werewolves carry her out. Her head is down, her wrists bound. She’s scared, but she doesn’t put up a fight.
ZaneThe scent of herbs and warm water in the air hits my nostrils as I approach Katarina’s room. I pause at the doorway, my hand on the frame, watching them silently. Roselyn stands by the tub, her hands gentle as she helps Katarina out of her dress. The fabric falls easily to the floor, revealing the bruises scattered across her skin. Katarina’s only wearing her underwear, so the marks are exposed. My brows furrow in displeasure. I hate that she’s hurt. The marks are still fresh, some darker than others, evidence of the fight that took place earlier. She’s in pain, but she doesn’t say a word. She’s just quiet, not her usual self. She only gets this way when she’s both mad and terrified of me. I’m usually the reason for her tamed demeanor. It doesn’t last long though before she’s back to her defiant self.“This will make you feel better, Katty,” I hear Roselyn say in a low voice, urging her to step into the tub. Katarina obeys, her movement is slow and careful. She lowers herself int
KatarinaI step into the kitchen, inhaling the sweet scent of spices and sizzling vegetables. Roselyn is at the counter, her hands chopping them fast, like an expert, as she prepares to make dinner. The whole day has felt like a blur, and I’m still trying to pull myself out of the fog from last night’s chaos. I barely left my room. Part of me still can’t believe I made it out alive.“Hi, Roselyn,” I say, my voice quiet, not as bright as usual.She looks up from her work, her eyes soft as they meet mine. “Hi, Miss Katarina,” she greets me formally at first, but then notices the smile playing on my lips. She corrects herself with a warm grin, “Hi, Katty.”I can’t help but smile back. The sound of my nickname, ‘Katty,’ is oddly comforting after everything that happened. It reminds me of home. It’s a small moment of normalcy that I desperately need.“It’s good to see you,” Roselyn says as she stirs a pot on the stove. “I was so afraid for you yesterday.”“Yeah, I was afraid for myself too
KatarinaThe next morning, I stand in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. I shake my head, trying to push the memory of that awful dinner yesterday away from my mind. I shouldn’t have let myself believe, even for a second, that Zane might be a good person. After everything he’s done, especially what he did last night at dinner, I can’t afford to let my guard down.Katarina, you can’t trust Zane, I remind myself. His actions, his words—they’re all part of the sick game he’s playing, and I’m just a piece on the board. I can’t forget that. I won’t forget that.I need to stay focused. There’s something more important I need to do today. I have to find a way to get the weapons bag from my Dad. That’s all that matters right now. It’s the key to my plan, to everything I have to do from now on. I can’t let anything, or anyone, distract me anymore.I’ve already started finding out information from my friends, but today, I’ll push harder. I need them to open up, to tell me everything
KatarinaWe gather for the hunting lesson in the woods. I look around at the tall trees rising above, their branches moving in the light breeze. The sounds of nature are all around us—the rustling of leaves, the far-off chirping of birds, and the soft sound of the wind. I try to concentrate on the training, but my mind keeps drifting back to the mission I have in mind. I need to stay focused today, not just on the class, but on the bigger picture.We walk deeper into the woods. Cassandra starts walking next to me, bringing me out of my thoughts.“So, have you seen the ranks yet?” she asks excitedly, glancing over at me.I shake my head. “Nope. I don’t even know what that is.”“The ranks are for the physicals. It grades how well we perform on each exercise and ultimately leads to whether we graduate or not.”“Huh…I didn’t know that,” I pull back a strand of hair the wind has blown to my face. “What are physicals?”“Every physical training we’ll be doing in the academy. It usually invol
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