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
KatarinaI sit in the pavilion, watching students pass by, nervously twisting my hands in my lap. I can’t stop my mind from spinning with endless thoughts. After everything he’s done, I still feel this strange happiness that Zane didn’t die. Why do I feel this guilt? Why do I regret wanting to take his life when that’s the very reason I’m here? The plan was simple: kill the Alpha and find a cure. Yet, the thought that I could have killed him scares me more than death. I don’t understand why I feel this way. He stormed into my room yesterday to threaten me like he always does. He’s mean most of the time, and when he’s not, I’m scared it won’t last. My mind flashes back to moments when we kissed and how excited I felt afterward. Then, I remember our time at Glando, Zane’s family’s private lake. That was a different Alpha Zane—one my heart opened up to. My mind reminisces about how we kissed in the water, how he opened up to me, the words he said. I felt like I was talking to the real Za
Katarina“I hate how he gets into my head,” I blurt out, slamming a book shut in frustration. The words come out before I can stop them. “It’s like he’s always there, no matter what I do. It’s not just the bond, it’s him. He’s inside my mind, and I don’t know how to get him out.”Cassandra watches me with interest. “You’re his mate, Katarina,” she says again. “That means you have the same power over him that he has over you. Get into his head the way he gets into yours.”Her words hit me. I’ve never thought of it like that before.“But how?” I ask, curious. Zane is always so dominant, so in control. I never considered that I might have any power over him. But if Cassandra is right… maybe I’m not as helpless as I thought.Before she can reply, I see Cyprian approaching us. Cassandra and I exchange a glance, both knowing it’s time to keep quiet. Cyprian can’t know what we’re up to.“Hey, Cassandra,” he greets her, and she smiles back, responding, “Hi, Cyprian.”He shifts his gaze to me.
KatarinaHis body is solid, strong, and the heat radiating off him spreads through me instantly. His lips are hot on mine, sending sparks of electricity through my entire body. The kiss is deep, hungry, like he’s trying to consume me, to make me feel every ounce of the pain and desire he feels inside. His lips taste like whiskey, rich and bitter at the same time. Beneath the alcohol, his lips are so sweet that kissing him makes my head spin.I let go in the kiss, not holding back, my fingers clutching at his shirt, pulling him even closer. His mouth moves over mine with such intensity, and it’s like his lips are saying everything his words never could. It’s more than just a kiss—it’s like he’s trying to tell me something, something he’s too proud to admit. Somehow, my body understands. It’s like my skin responds to his touch, like it’s always been waiting for him.His lips press harder against mine, and I can feel the desperation in them, the need. He doesn’t let go, like he can’t hel
ZaneI turn on the shower, letting the water wash through my hair and down my skin, rinsing away the blood. It’s smeared on my knuckles, across my body. None of it is mine. Most of it belongs to Augustine, the rest to the other wolf hunters.Coming out of the shower, I spot Katarina by the window, curled up on the floor with her hands resting on her knees, lost in thought. I dry off quickly, put on a polo and shorts, then kneel beside her.“My Katarina,” I whisper, planting a kiss on her shoulder. She pulls away, shrugging me off.“Don’t touch me,” she says coldly. She stands and heads for the door, but I speed there before she can open it.“What’s this about, Katarina? Is it Augustine?” I ask, assuming her father is the reason for her sudden coldness. “I’ve never hidden my plans from you. You know how I feel about him. Augustine will die, Katarina.”“I thought…” She trails off but I know what she thought. “You thought what, Katarina?” I press, wanting her to say what I already know.
ZaneWe scatter through the woods, hiding in the darkness, waiting for our prey. We hear the sound of their footsteps, the rustling of leaves, and my wolves spring into action. They attack with rage, claws slashing at our enemies. Some sink their teeth into the wolf hunters’ flesh. My fully transformed wolves pounce, ripping at their throats. I hear the cocking of guns loaded with silver bullets, being shot at the wolves, and I swoop in to protect them. I follow the sound of the bullets and claw at the hunters responsible, snatching guns from their hands one by one, defending my wolves. I strike them with the butts of their own weapons. I’m faster and stronger, even against their firearms. I send them crashing to the ground as I take their weapons.The battle rages on, and I gather up all the guns, placing them in an open space before me. It’s my way of ensuring they can’t be used while my wolves finish the fight. Then I see him—Augustine—cocking his gun and pointing it directly at me
KatarinaI’ve been increasingly suspicious of Zane since he started making secret calls. Earlier, he snuck out of the room to answer a call from Adam, thinking I was asleep and wouldn’t notice. But I’ve been onto him. The werewolves are planning an attack, and Zane didn’t want me to know. I couldn’t risk him knowing that I overheard, so I played along. I can’t be mad at him. Of course, he doesn’t trust me. And he’s right—he shouldn’t.We just got back home, and our honeymoon is over. I wish we could have stayed longer than we did. Being alone with him in his beautiful lake house was an escape, one that made me forget about all the mountains between us. Now that we’re back, I don’t know what’s going to happen between us. The entire journey home was cold. He couldn’t even look at me, knowing he was lying to me.Zane strides off into his study and shuts the door without saying a word to me. I bet he’s off planning his attack. He still thinks I’m lost in the bliss of our honeymoon. Well,
ZaneI wake to the sound of my phone vibrating on the nightstand. It’s Adam. And, It’s past midnight. I grab the phone and sneak out of bed, careful not to wake Katarina. She shifts in her sleep, her blonde hair spilling over the pillow, but she doesn’t wake up. Good.As I shut the door behind me, I press the phone to my ear. “What is it?” I whisper, walking toward the living room.“We’re moving forward with the attack. The wolf hunters will be in the woods by dawn,” Adam replies. “We’ll be ready.”“Good,” I say, anticipation surging through me. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity to get Augustine within my grasp, outside of his safe haven. My every instinct sharpens, knowing the fight is near.“And Zane…” Adam pauses on the call.“Uncle,” I whisper, waiting for him to continue.“You know what this means. Keep your slave mate out of it.”“She’s Luna now,” I correct him sternly. “And I know, Uncle. She doesn’t need to know.”“Is she with you now?”“No. I’m in the living room.”He ch
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