CHAPTER 6: COME TO ME WILLINGLY, OR I’LL MAKE YOU

Katarina

Katarina… Katarina. I hear my name, but it feels distant, like a faint sound in my mind. My eyes are fixed on the door, where Alpha Zane stood moments ago.

“Katarina,” Dad’s harsh voice snaps me out of it. I turn to him, confused. I glance back at the door—Alpha Zane is gone.

“What are you looking at?” Dad demands, his face dark with anger. “The Alpha is dead. What you need to focus on is right here, in front of you.”

Wait. Didn’t they see him? My gaze shifts between the men. They didn’t see him. They didn’t see what I saw. I could swear Alpha Zane was right there. I glance at the door again—nothing. Did I imagine him? But it felt so real, like he was actually here. He’s messing with my mind, somehow. Get a hold of yourself, Katarina.

I look back at the men, my heart beating. They’re all waiting for me to say yes, for me to accept Francis’s proposal. But I can’t. I didn’t kill the Alpha. Francis’s proposal couldn’t have come at a worse time.

“There’s something you should know,” I say immediately.

“Whatever it is, it can wait,” Dad snaps. “Your future husband is kneeling, waiting for an answer.”

“Say yes, Katarina,” Jeremy urges gently, though his eyes are stern.

“Say yes,” Dad repeats, his tone impatient and commanding.

But I can’t hold it in anymore. My heart races, and before I can stop myself, the words burst out: “The Alpha is alive.”

“What?” Dad’s voice cracks with disbelief.

All of them stare at me in shock, their excitement turning to confusion.

“I didn’t kill him,” I admit, my voice trembling. “I couldn’t. He overpowered me. I failed. I’m so sorry.” Tears well up in my eyes.

Francis stands up abruptly, confused.

“What are you saying? How are you still alive then?”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Dad’s voice booms with anger.

“If he’s alive, how did you get away?” Jeremy asks, clearly in disbelief.

I swallow, my throat tight. “He said… there are fates worse than death. That he’s going to tear us apart, bit by bit. He spared my life because he wants revenge.” I pause, my voice cracking. “He’s coming for you, Dad. For killing his mate.”

“That’s impossible,” Dad says, shaking his head, refusing to believe it. “The Alpha hates hunters—he hates me. If he had you, why wouldn’t he kill you?”

“But he didn’t,” I say, my voice trembling. “I tried. I tried everything. But… he knew. He knew who I was from the start. Our plan was flawed, Dad. He saw me coming from miles away.”

“Damn it,” Dad mutters under his breath. “How the hell did he know in just one night? You’ve been away for years. How the hell did he know?” His voice rises in frustration.

“I don’t know,” I mutter, feeling terrible for letting him down. “But he knew.”

I hold out my bruised wrists for them to see. The shock on their faces is immediate.

“This… this happened when he grabbed me,” I explain, my voice already strained. “I tried to fight him, but I couldn’t. He overpowered me.” A sob escapes from my throat, and I struggle to steady my breathing. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to end this way.”

Francis looks completely lost, his eyes bouncing between me, his father, and Dad. They don’t understand. How could they?

I turn and run up the stairs, tears finally spilling over. I slam the door behind me, locking it as I collapse onto the floor.

I can still feel him—Alpha Zane—his presence lingering like he’s here, watching me. The thought sends a chill through me. My hands tremble as I touch the marks on my neck, just before my shoulder. His mark is still there, faint traces of blood where his teeth sank in. My stomach churns with disgust. I need to get rid of it. I need to forget.

I strip off my dress and rush into the shower, turning the water on full blast, hoping it’ll wash away his scent.

“Why can’t I just forget?” I whisper to myself, scrubbing at the mark like it’ll erase him from my skin. But no matter how hard I scrub, it feels like he’s still there, his touch lingering. The more I try, the stronger his presence feels. It’s suffocating. His scent, his touch, all of it—trapped on me.

Finally, I stumble out of the shower and collapse on the bed, exhausted. Sleep doesn’t come easily, but somehow, in the early hours of the morning, I drift into a dream.

It’s him—Alpha Zane—his hands are on me, his lips hot against mine. He trails kisses down my neck, soft at first, then sharp pain rips through me as his teeth sink into my flesh, and I scream in agony—and something deeper. Something I’m afraid to explain: pleasure.

“You’re mine now,” he whispers, his voice sending a shiver through me.

I jolt awake, my chest tightening. My fingers fly to my neck, expecting to feel the Alpha’s teeth—but there’s nothing. My hands trace the bite marks. It was just a dream.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” I mutter, my breath ragged. “Why do I feel so… bound to him? Why do I feel like I belong to him?”

I bury my face in my hands, trying to push the thoughts away. This can’t be real. I can’t be drawn to him.

I hate him.

His pack killed my mom. I won’t let him take control of me. I won’t let them take my dad too. I won’t be his.

But the pull inside me won’t go away. The connection feels stronger, and I can’t shake it.

There’s a knock at the door. It’s Dad.

“Hello, Katty,” he says, his voice harsh, like he knows something’s wrong.

“Hi, Dad,” I reply, my voice weak and tired.

He gives me a long, probing look, and I quickly avert my gaze, hoping he doesn’t see the truth in my eyes.

“What are you hiding from me?” he asks, his face serious and stern.

My phone rings, saving me from answering Dad’s question, at least for now. I glance at the screen.

“It’s Francis,” I say, forcing the words out. After a quick call, I turn back to Dad, who’s still staring, waiting.

“He wants to meet,” I add.

Dad gives me a cold stare. He knows I’m using Francis as an excuse, but I just need some space. I’m not ready to tell him everything yet.

“There’s a cafe nearby. I’m meeting him there,” I say, trying to sound calm.

“Okay,” Dad agrees, though his voice is tense and reluctant. “We will finish our discussion later, Katty.” He says sternly. I nod as he leaves the room.

I already knew Dad wouldn’t stop me from seeing Francis. His father is Dad’s deputy, and our families are closely aligned. Dad wants our families united, and what better way than marriage? Francis and I have always known we’d end up together—it’s what our families want.

I quickly get dressed, hoping that some fresh air and a walk will help clear my head. I avoid Dad’s watchful gaze and slip out the door. I need to think, to figure out what I’m going to do.

As I walk down the road toward the cafe, an unsettling feeling creeps over me. I stop, glancing around. Something feels wrong. A chill runs through me, and my pulse quickens. I can feel him. I don’t know how, but I just know—Alpha Zane is here, watching me.

My heart beats faster as I scan the area, searching for him. My skin tingles with the sensation of his gaze. It’s not only fear that grips me; there’s a burning desire, too.

No, I whisper to myself. “Katarina, you don’t want him. His pack killed your mom. He nearly killed your dad. He’s dangerous. You don’t want Alpha Zane.”

But deep down, I know the truth. I can’t deny it.

Just then, I hear his voice behind me.

“You want me,” he says, his voice rugged and sure, like he knows every secret I’m hiding.

I spin around, anger bubbling up inside me. “I hate you,” I manage to say, though the words feel forced.

“Do you?” he asks, stepping closer. “Or do you hate that you want me?”

I instinctively step back, trying to keep some distance, but my body betrays me. There’s a pull I can’t resist. I turn and start to run, hoping to escape him, but as I stop, he’s there. I run again, but no matter where I turn, he’s there. Every corner I take, he’s right behind me, like a shadow I can’t shake.

I stop, panting, my heart hammers in my chest. And there he is, again, watching me.

“What do you want from me?” I shout, desperate.

“I want you,” he replies, his voice dark and tempting.

“Why? So you can carry out your stupid revenge?” I spit out, my anger barely masking my fear.

“Oh, but you will be mine,” he says with certainty. “Soon. Very soon.”

I open my mouth to speak, but he presses his finger to my lips, silencing me. He steps closer, his eyes burning with an intensity that makes me freeze.

“You have no choice,” he says, his voice colder now. “What you feel is a mate bond. It’s pulling you to me. I’ll invade your thoughts, your heart, your mind… your soul. I’m already inside you. And you want me. I can smell it on you.”

I freeze as his hand grazes my skin, sending a shock through me. My breath catches. His touch is both spontaneous and deliberate, sweet and dangerous, as his fingers trail down my arms, my body. I hate how much I love it. My body doesn’t reject him—it’s as if I’m drawn to him, helpless against the bond.

“Come to me willingly,” he murmurs, his lips dangerously close to mine. “Or I’ll make you.”

My heart races, fear and uncontrollable desire swirling inside me. His dark eyes hold mine, intense and unyielding, ready to claim me.

“It’s your choice,” he whispers to me.

I stare at him, breathless, unable to move or speak. The bond pulls me toward him, stronger than I ever imagined. My mind screams to run, but my feet stay rooted in place.

His lips pause near mine, and I can feel the heat radiating from his body. The tension between us is unbearable. He leans in closer, his breath warm on my skin and I force myself to speak. "I'll never be yours," I whisper.

“I’ll never be yours,” I scream.

A slow, dangerous smile spreads across his face.

“We’ll see about that,” he says, his tone is deep and threatening. “Soon, you’ll be mine.

A tear trickles down my cheek. “Leave me alone,” I say, hoping my words will make him disappear.

He scoffs, “I’ll be back, Katarina. You can’t escape me.”

I stand there, my legs weak, my body still buzzing from his touch. He’s gone, but I can still feel him—his presence, his mark, his control.

My chest tightens as my pulse speeds up. He’s not done with me. Not even close. There’s no running from what’s coming next.