ZaneThere’s something so intoxicating about her courage, even when it’s aimed at destroying me. I find her defiance sexy. But, she betrayed me. For that, I can never trust her. She’s nothing like Lina.“A cure,” I say, grasping the answer I was searching for. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? To kill me and get a cure to get rid of my blood in you.”She looks away, saying nothing.I let out a cruel laugh. “I had to see how far you’d go,” I say, staring into her eyes darkly. “And you were going to go all the way, weren’t you? You were ready to kill me.” The reality of it all pains me more than it should. I thought I had her, thought she was wrapped around my finger. But tonight, I see the truth. All this time, it has always been about revenge for her.“You’re lucky I didn’t end up killing you,” she mutters under her breath.“No, Katarina,” I say, leaning closer, my lips brushing her ear. “You’ve got it all wrong. I knew you had a plan the second you walked in. I knew your words were
KatarinaI don’t know what to do. My mind races as I stare at Zane lying there. I think he’s unconscious. Oh my God, what do I do?“Zane!” I shout, my voice trembling as I rush to him. My knees hit the floor hard, but I don’t care. I grab his shoulders, shaking him, praying in my mind that he’ll open his eyes.“Zane!” I whisper this time, my voice breaking as tears roll down my cheeks. I can’t stop them; they fall uncontrollably.“You can’t die. Please don’t die.” My breath hitches, my hands trembling as I hold him tighter. I swipe at the tears, trying to clear my vision, but they just keep coming. The fear grips me so tightly, I feel like I can’t breathe. I don’t want him to die. But why? I should want this. I poisoned him. I should want him dead.But now, staring at him like this, I can’t bear the thought. It feels like a part of me would die too. I don’t know if I’m more afraid of becoming a wolf or losing him. My heart races, and I panic. I have to do something.“Oh God, Zane!” I
KatarinaI wake up feeling my body move slowly. As my eyes open, the first thing I remember is Zane. I look over at him, still lying there. He’s not awake yet. He seems to be in a deep sleep, and I can’t help but stare at him. My eyes trace over his face. How could someone so good-looking be so wicked?I try to resist the temptation to touch him, but not for long. My hand reaches out, almost of its own accord, and I gently caress his cheek, feeling the smoothness of his skin, his chiseled cheekbones, and his straight nose. My fingers outline the shape of his lips, tender yet resilient. Gosh, I want to kiss him.My hand slides down his chest, moving under his shirt to feel the hard muscles of his body. His chest is perfectly sculpted, every inch of him is firm and strong. I can feel the outline of his abs, and my hand keeps trailing lower. My curiosity grows, and my hand moves toward his belt, my fingers brushing against the leather.Then, I stop. My eyes catch on the bulge in his pant
ZaneRoselyn’s concerned gaze shifts between I and Katarina. But, she knows better than to interfere in my business uninvited. She reads the room and scurries out, leaving us alone again. I rest on the bed, unsure of what to do next. Katarina has to pay for what she’s done but I don’t know how. I can’t kill her. I won’t.“So what now?” She asks terrified after a moment of silence.“Now, you help me out of these clothes and into the bathroom,” I say, struggling to sit up.She hesitates. “You want me to—”“I can handle myself. Just help me get to the bathroom,” I snap.She sighs but helps me up, supporting my weight as I make my way to the bathroom. I shut the door as I get inside, leaving her standing out there.I let the shower run down my hair to clear my head. My thoughts are a mess, and I need some space to think.I get out of the shower and run a towel over my body. Then, I hear voices through my sharp wolf ears.“What’s wrong with Alpha Zane?” I hear Roselyn ask; it sounds like s
ZaneRoselyn comes into the room, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern. She knows something is wrong. She always does.“What really happened, Alpha Zane?” she asks, her tone probing.“You know me too well, don’t you?” I ask rhetorically.“Alpha Zane, I’ve taken care of you since you were just a boy. You might be a man now but…you’re still my sweet boy,” she says, her hand gripping my chin as she lets out a faint, wrinkled smile. Roselyn went from being just my nanny to being family when my parents died. She never left or got married, she stood by me.I let out a deep breath, knowing I can’t hide the truth anymore. “Katarina laced my water with wolfsbane,” I admit.Roselyn’s eyes widen in shock, her mouth dropping open. “I thought she was doing better. She seemed calm last night,” she says, struggling to believe what she’s hearing.“Well, calm isn’t exactly the word I’d use. She almost drove a silver dagger into my chest. It’s probably still lying on the floor somewhere,” I reply
KatarinaI feel tense as I walk downstairs. Alpha Adam is staring at one of Zane’s paintings in the living room. I walk up behind him, and he turns to face me, like he knew someone was behind him.“Hello, Alpha Adam,” I say, trying to be polite, but he squeezes his face.“You’re not Alpha Zane. Where the hell is he?” Adam shoots impatiently, tilting his head, looking at me like he’s studying me.Looking at him now, I can see the resemblance to Zane. They have the same black hair, dark eyes, the same deadly look in their eyes.“Yeah, I’m not Alpha Zane, but he can’t see you right now. He’s unavailable.”“Excuse me?” he reverberates.I feel the anger oozing from him, but I try to stay calm.“Alpha Zane is unavailable to see you today. He also wants you to cancel all meetings till next week,” I finish.“I see,” he says, walking up to me like he’s about to confront me. “Now you listen, Miss Penn. Either you tell Alpha Zane to come downstairs to meet with me, or I’ll go to him. Your choice
ZaneKatarina leaves the room and I let out a heavy sigh. My mind is still processing everything that just happened. Adam’s visit, Katarina standing up to him, and her ridiculous notion that there’s some good in me. I glance toward the door, half expecting Adam to come charging back in, but I know he won’t. He’ll be waiting for me to come running to him. And if I don’t meet him soon, he’ll think I’ve avoided him on purpose, and his rage will be unbearable.I shift my position on the bed, my body still weak from the wolfsbane, though I can feel my strength slowly returning. My wolf, Kris, has been quiet, but I can sense his restlessness. He never stays down for long. He’s always ready for a fight. The wolfsbane in my body doesn’t stand a chance against him. Kris wouldn’t let it torment him for long.“Good in me,” I mutter to myself, shaking my head. The idea is laughable. I’ve done horrible things even though I’ve only ever destroyed my enemies. I single-handedly wiped out all the wolv
KatarinaI walk into Zane’s room. That’s strange; I don’t see him. I expected to find him resting on the bed.“Zane,” I call. Maybe he’s in the bathroom. No response. I look around the room. If he’s not here, then where could he be?I check the study, the living room, and then the kitchen, but he’s not there. Could something have happened to him?Roselyn passes through the kitchen, and I rush to her.“Have you seen Zane?” I ask, worry creeping into my voice.“Good morning to you, Katty,” Roselyn says, shining her ever-present smile.“Pardon my manners. Good morning, Roselyn. It’s just, I haven’t seen Zane, and I’m worried. Is he okay?”She looks at me, as if searching for an answer on my face.“I know I’m the reason he’s not doing well, but believe me, Roselyn, I want him to get better,” I say, trying to persuade her.She looks at me wryly for a few seconds. “I believe you, Katty,” she finally says, still analyzing me with her eyes. “You should check your room.”I stare at her, puzzle
ZaneGlando is the perfect destination for Katarina and me. I only have fond memories of this place from the time I spent here with my parents. Now, I want to create new memories with her.“Being here reminds me of the first time you brought me,” she says, her eyes sparkling. “I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined I’d come back here, blood-bound to you,” she adds with disbelief in her voice.“Neither did I,” I smile, grasping the surprising turn of events in our lives. I never thought that after naming Katarina my slave mate, she would enslave my heart with her contagious presence.Her brows furrow as if she’s remembering something. “You hated me.”“I forced myself to hate you, Katarina.” Now, I can stop denying the truths about us that I never wanted to accept.She exhales, glancing around the serene environment. “What if Adam shows up again?” she asks, her voice edged with apprehension.“No one will come here. I’ve made sure of it.” My fingers grip her chin, holding her gaze as I
KatarinaI open my eyes, and the bed beside me is empty. It’s disappointing not to see Zane there. But before I can get out of bed, he walks in, holding a tray with breakfast. He made breakfast? I sit up, surprised but smiling. I can’t help but feel my heart swell a little. The hardened Grand Alpha Zane made me breakfast.“You made this?” I ask, my voice still groggy from sleep.He smirks, placing the tray on the bed. “Don’t look so surprised. I can do a lot of things.”I smile as I take a sip of tea. “Did you poison it?”He raises an eyebrow, giving me a look that says, Are you serious?“Too soon?” I ask, trying to gauge his thoughts.“Definitely too soon,” he replies, remembering the time I poisoned him with wolfsbane.I shouldn’t have made the joke. Things are different between us now. Zane is sweeter and all is well.I chuckle, reaching for a waffle. I take a bite and offer him the other half, which he accepts with a smile. I can’t stop smiling as I scoop some whipped cream with m
ZaneWe enter the house, and reality dawns on me. It’s done—Katarina is mine for the rest of our lives. I feel something I haven’t felt in years: happiness. The war between my wolf clan and her wolf hunters is just that now—a war between my kind and hers. It’s no longer ours. From now on, I’ll only see Katarina as my mate, even if I never stop until Augustine and all his wolf hunters are dead. When they’re gone, she’ll realize I’m the only family she needs, and by then, I’ll have made her turn into a wolf. Lina was my family, and now… I’ll never let this new one I’ve just started go.Katarina follows closely behind me. I hear her steps—they seem hesitant. I can feel the unease coming off her as we reach the hallway and enter my room.She sees all her things already moved into my space, and she folds her arms. She doesn’t like it. I can tell by the way her brow furrows and her lips press into a thin line.“Why is all my stuff here?” she asks, boldly but still nervous.She has to unders
KatarinaI walk down the Grand Hall toward Zane and Maik, the old seer who set our ceremony date. My heart is pounding in my chest. The sound of the musical instruments only makes me more tense. Is this an appropriate song for a wedding or a war? I feel all eyes on me as I take each step, and I can hear the silent whispers from every corner of the hall. I sense the angry glares from those watching. Weddings are supposed to be joyful, but this… this feels different. The tension is suffocating, but I force myself to keep breathing.I finally reach Zane at the front, and everything else fades. His eyes lock onto mine, and suddenly, the world seems quieter. He stares at me, breathtakingly, and his gaze drops to my chest, as if listening to the beating of my heart.His voice speaks in my head through our mate bond, “Focus on me, Katarina.” The connection between us is electric, like a current running through my veins. I feel grounded in his presence, and for a moment, I forget my fear, los
KatarinaMy eyes flutter open. The morning of my mating ceremony has arrived, and everything feels weighed down with expectation. I lean against the headboard, the sheets still covering my lower body.“Good morning, Miss Katarina,” Amira and the other women who dressed me during the loyalty ceremony enter, their wide smiles greeting me warmly as they bow.This is new. I’m surprised. They’re treating me with a new kind of respect now that I’m about to become Luna. “Good morning,” I respond, matching their warmth.“Please let us help you prepare for the day. When we’re done, you’ll look so beautiful that Alpha Zane won’t be able to take his eyes off you,” Amira says with a smile, and the others nod in agreement, eager to start. It feels as though they’re almost showing me the same reverence they hold for Zane.Mesmerizing Zane sounds good to me. “Okay,” I agree, accepting their help. Zane has planned everything. I didn’t have to arrange my own wedding—no choosing colors, food, cake, or
Katarina“I don’t know if I can go through with it.” I’m scared out of my mind. He turns to me, his eyes warm and empathetic. Cyprian has a soft spot for me. He feels for me. “Then don’t. You don’t have to bind yourself to him, Katarina. Not when you have someone else who likes you.”“What?” I ask, confused. What does he mean?He grips me desperately, his eyes serious and pleading, forcing me to focus on him as I stare at him in shock. “Choose me, Katarina. Zane doesn’t love you. He’ll never treat you the way you want him to. He’s still not over Lina.”I stare at him, stunned, wondering where all of this is coming from.Before I can react, he leans in and kisses me. For a moment, I freeze. But then guilt floods me, and I pull away quickly, shaking my head. This isn’t right. This isn’t what I want. I can’t be kissing someone else when I’m bound to Zane.“I have to go,” I mutter, stepping back. I can’t stay here, not like this.“I’m sorry Katty please,” Cyprian says but I don’t listen
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,