CHAPTER 1

Katherine Kenbly

“Run!”

My father’s voice tore through the noise, rough and desperate. I froze, the air burning in my lungs as I turned back and saw him fighting through the flames. The ground shook, the smell of blood was thick, and I could barely see through the smoke. He yelled again, this time louder, “Katherine, go!”

I took a step back, wanting to move, but my legs wouldn’t obey. I watched him swing his sword, watched blood spill from his chest, and then he fell. Everything stopped. My heart, my breathing, the screaming around me—everything.

“Father?” My voice cracked, barely coming out.

Before I could run to him, fire roared through the trees. I saw my sister, Mira, trapped near the burning hut. She looked at me for a second, and then the fire swallowed her. I screamed her name until my throat hurt, until all I could hear was my own voice breaking apart.

And then I woke up.

Sweat ran down my neck, my chest rising fast as I sat up. It took a few seconds before I realized I was in my room, not back there. My heart was still racing, and the dream clung to me like it always did. The same screams, the same loss, every night for two years.

I rubbed my face, trying to calm myself, but my hands were shaking. The room felt too small, the walls closing in, so I forced myself up and went straight to the bathroom. Cold water hit my skin, and I focused on the sound instead of my thoughts. I didn’t want to remember, but I couldn’t forget either.

When I was done, I tied my hair back and stepped out, ignoring the few wolves who nodded as I walked past. Their eyes followed me like always. Pity. Fear. Guilt. I hated all of it.

By the time I reached the gathering hall, everyone was already there. The elders stood in a line, faces stiff and unreadable. I could feel it — the tension, the whispers, the way everyone felt uncomfortable when I walked in. I didn’t like it.

“Katherine Kenbly,” Elder Thorne said, his tone flat but heavy. “The Royal Council has sent word. The Alpha King has requested your presence at the capital. You will leave tomorrow at dawn.”

For a second, I thought I heard him wrong. My stomach tightened as the words sank in. “What?” I asked quietly.

He didn’t even look at me. “You’ll go as a peace offering, to restore the alliance between your pack and the crown.”

The room went silent. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me again, some avoiding mine, some looking curious. I felt my chest tighten. My father’s killer wanted peace now?

“I’m not going,” I said. My voice came out low but firm.

Elder Thorne’s gaze met mine finally. “You don’t have a choice, Katherine. This is the Council’s order. You’ll represent what remains of Silverveil.”

My hands clenched at my sides. I could still see my father falling, Mira screaming, everything burning. Peace offering. The words made me sick.

I turned around before anyone could see the anger on my face. I walked out, ignoring the whispers, ignoring the pity. The air outside was colder, cleaner, but I still couldn’t breathe right.

I made it to the woods and kept walking until the noise from the hall faded. The quiet was worse, but I needed it. I leaned against a tree and closed my eyes, trying to stop my heart from pounding.

“Why him?” I whispered. “Why not anyone else?”

The only answer was the wind. I dug my nails into my palms and looked up at the sky, fighting the tears that burned my eyes.

“I hate him,” I said louder this time. My voice shook. “I hate you, Stephen Magnus.”

A tear slipped down before I could stop it. I wiped it away quickly and breathed hard, remembering my father’s voice one last time — Run, Katherine, no matter what happens, run.

But there was nowhere left to run now.

*

The sound of branches cracking behind me made my heart jump. I turned, my breath stuck in my throat as a dark shadow moved fast between the trees. My pulse hammered. I could hear the heavy growl echo through the woods. It wasn’t just any wolf. It was stronger and more dangerous.

“Shit,” I muttered, turning and running deeper into the forest. My feet hit the ground hard, leaves snapping under me, my lungs burning. I hadn’t even had time to shift. The air felt thick, my body shaking as the growls got closer. I pushed harder, trying to reach the clearing before it caught up.

Then I heard it — a loud snarl right behind me. I spun fast, claws half-formed on my fingers, ready to fight, but froze. The wolf’s eyes weren’t wild. They were gold, sharp, and too familiar.

The wolf’s body shifted, bones cracking, fur disappearing until he stood before me, tall and cold, eyes locked on me like he owned the ground I stood on.

“Running already?” Stephen’s voice came out low, deep, like it was meant to taunt me. “Are you that scared of me?”

I glared at him, forcing the fear back. “Stay the hell away from me,” I said, my chest heaving.

He took a slow step forward, and I stepped back. My heel hit a rock and I stumbled, falling hard. He reached for me on instinct, his hand catching mine. The moment our skin touched, a jolt ran through me. It burned through every nerve, sharp and fast. My wolf stirred inside me, fighting for air.

Stephen froze too. His eyes widened slightly as the bond snapped into place. “Mate,” he breathed.

The word hit me like a slap. I yanked my hand free, anger flooding in. “Don’t you dare call me that,” I hissed. “You’re a bastard, Stephen. You destroyed my family.”

He wanted to say something but didn't.

“I don’t care what you wanted. I’d rather die than be tied to you.”

He stepped forward again, his expression unreadable. “You don’t have a choice. You were summoned for a reason.”

“I wasn’t summoned,” I snapped, standing. “I was offered. Like a damn gift to the man who ruined everything.”

He didn’t respond. Instead, he grabbed my arm roughly and started walking, dragging me with him. “Let go of me!” I yelled, struggling against his grip.

“Stop fighting, Katherine,” he said sharply. “You think you can run from this? From me?”

I tried pulling away again, but he was stronger. My body ached from the pull, my anger boiling. “You’ll regret this,” I muttered, but he didn’t even flinch.

By the time we reached the capital gates, my feet were sore and my throat dry. The guards opened the doors without question. Everyone stared as he marched me into the council hall. The air was heavy, whispers spreading like fire.

The council elders looked confused, some standing from their seats. “Alpha Stephen,” one of them started, “what is this?”

“She tried to run,” he said coldly, his eyes fixed on me. “And she’s my mate.”

The hall went silent. I felt every stare burning into me. My stomach twisted, anger building again.

Before anyone could speak, I looked straight at him and said, loud enough for everyone to hear, “I reject you.”

Gasps filled the hall. Stephen’s eyes darkened. “You don’t know what you’re doing,” he said.

“Oh, I do,” I shot back. “I’ll never be yours.”