Chapter 6

Katherine’s POV

The moment we arrived at the manor, I wanted to go back. The hall was huge but it looked cheap, the decorations were dull and uneven, the lights flickered like they couldn’t decide if they wanted to stay on or not. There were fewer maids than expected for a High Lord and the ones present looked tired and scared.

Alicia and Jessie, Stephen’s stepsisters, walked beside me with excitement like this place was grand. I kept my face blank because the last thing I wanted was for anyone to see how irritated I was. I couldn’t stop thinking how much better Silverveil looked before Stephen destroyed everything.

We met some other noblewomen, and I tried not to roll my eyes at their fake smiles. Alicia didn’t even notice my mood, she was too busy staring at a young man dressed in a dark suit. The High Lord’s son. She kept whispering about him under her breath.

“That’s him,” she said, staring like she was in love.

Before I could reply, the boy walked past us, his hand wrapped around another woman’s waist. A girl in a bright dress, clearly well-known because everyone turned to stare.

Jessie let out a small sigh. “Don’t be angry, Alicia, it’s an arranged union.”

Alicia’s nose flared. “He doesn’t even like her.”

Jessie tried to calm her down but Alicia just kept glaring in their direction. I moved a little away from them because I was already tired of the drama. I didn’t come here to witness heartbreak, I already had enough of my own.

I walked toward a table and grabbed a drink. It tasted bitter but strong and maybe that was what I needed tonight. For a moment, I stood alone and looked around. Everyone here looked like they were pretending to be happy. Everything looked forced. Too controlled.

Stephen’s control.

I hated the reminder.

When I stepped away from the table, I bumped into someone. He turned and gave a small bow like he wanted to look polite.

“Lady Katherine,” he said.

He knew my name. Of course he did. Everyone did.

“You’re High Lord Von Graye,” I said, not bothering to hide my irritation.

“Yes,” he smiled, “I am glad you’re here. If you need anything, please…”

“I need nothing,” I cut in. “Except maybe a reason why you let Stephen walk into your pack like it was his.”

His smile froze.

I looked him up and down. “Stephen let you keep your packhouse, now you call it a manor like it makes it better, but he owns everything else. Including your budget. That must be why the place looks like… this.”

He stared at me, annoyed. “You’re brave to talk like that.”

“I’m not brave,” I said. “I’m just tired of cowards.”

His expression hardened, “Funny coming from you.”

I didn’t blink. “What did you say?”

“At least I kept some dignity,” he said. “You? You let the conqueror use you. Sex tool of the Alpha King. If anyone should be ashamed, it’s you.”

The words hit like a punch. My throat felt tight instantly but I refused to show it. My fingers curled into fists.

I turned around and walked away before I said something worse. Jessie called my name but I ignored her and headed straight for the drinks. I threw back one, then another. The burn spread through my chest and I wanted more. I wanted to feel anything except the memory of that night. My father’s body. My sister's voice fading.

Just more drinks.

Soon everything spun a little, and the music sounded like noise instead of a melody. I pushed through the crowd and headed outside, nearly tripping. A driver rushed toward me

“My lady…”

“Take me back,” I said, pointing toward anything that looked like a road. “Palace. Now.”

He didn’t argue. Good.

I leaned back in the seat and let the alcohol drag everything down into a dark hole.

Then nothing.

*

When my eyes opened again, my head was pounding. The room smelled clean and new but it wasn’t mine. I pushed myself up slowly. I was still wearing the dress from the party.

On the wall were framed pictures.

Alpha Gauthier. Luna Alma.

I stood frozen. My heart stopped. My stomach twisted.

Where the hell was I?

I took a step back, and then the bathroom door opened.

Rowan walked out, hair wet, towel around his shoulders.

My chest squeezed. “What did you do?!” I shouted without even thinking.

He looked shocked. “Katherine, wait….”

“Stay away from me,” I yelled and grabbed the nearest thing, a small clock, and threw it. He dodged.

“Nothing happened,” he said, hands up. “You were drunk, I found you at the palace entrance, I didn’t touch….”

I didn’t let him finish. I grabbed a pillow and threw it, then a vase. The vase shattered against the wall. He kept avoiding them instead of coming closer.

“Why am I here?!” I demanded, voice shaking.

“Because your room was farther and you were barely conscious,” he said. “This was closer. I put you on the bed and left to shower, that’s all.”

I didn’t trust him. My mind kept flashing with what the High Lord said and how weak I must look to everyone. My hands were trembling and I hated it.

Before Rowan could try anything else, the door burst open and guards rushed in, weapons raised.

Stephen stepped in behind them.

His eyes moved from Rowan to me. For a second, I forgot how to breathe. I didn’t think I would move but my body ran straight to him without waiting for my brain to agree.

I grabbed his arm like it was the only safe place in the room.

Stephen looked down at my hand, then at me. His expression didn’t change, not even a little, but something in his eyes felt different, quiet, like he was holding back a reaction.

Rowan lowered his head quickly. “My King, nothing happened. She misunderstood….”

Stephen didn’t look at him. He didn’t look at anyone except me.