CHAPTER 4

Katherine

Stephen’s lips were rough on mine, like he was trying to prove a point. I tried pushing him off again, my palms pressed against his chest, but the bond burned through me. It wasn’t gentle, not soft, it was demanding and angry. His grip was tight on my waist, pulling me closer till I could feel the heat of his body against mine. I didn’t want to want him, but my heart wasn’t listening.

His hand slid up my back, pulling me even closer, his mouth moving against mine like he had waited years to do this. My breath hitched when his fingers brushed my skin, every nerve in my body screaming for me to stop yet refusing to move. The air in the room was hot, thick with tension, and I could hear both our breaths heavy and uneven.

“Stephen—” I managed to whisper, but he silenced me with another deep kiss. His tongue slid against mine, and I felt the last bit of fight drain out of me. My hands that had been pushing him now clutched his shirt instead, holding on as if letting go would break something inside me. He tasted like control, like everything I hated but couldn’t resist.

It wasn’t just kissing. It was touch after touch, his hands exploring, my body trembling as if every movement tied me closer to him. His lips trailed down my neck and I gasped, tilting my head back without meaning to. For a moment, everything else disappeared—no anger, no betrayal, no pain. Just us. The bond snapping fully into place, burning through my chest like fire.

Then reality hit. I shoved him away, breathing hard, my lips swollen, my heart racing. He stared at me, his chest rising and falling, his eyes darker than I had ever seen them.

“Don’t ever touch me again,” I said sharply, my voice shaking. I didn’t wait for him to speak. I turned and walked out, slamming the door behind me.

The night air was cold, but it helped. I walked for hours, through the empty garden paths and past the guards who kept their eyes low. I didn’t care where I was going. I just needed to breathe, to stop feeling his touch everywhere on me.

By the time I went back to the quarters, the halls were silent. His scent was gone from the room. I dropped on the bed, too tired to think, and fell asleep almost immediately.

When morning came, I was woken by a loud knock. “Luna Katherine, the council awaits you,” one of the guards said.

I didn’t want to go, but refusing would only make things worse. I dressed quickly and followed them to the council chamber.

The room was filled with older men in long robes, their faces proud and cold. I stood in the middle while they spoke about rules, duties, and obligations, talking like I wasn’t even human. My mind drifted to my father—how he died, how Stephen had stood over his body like he was doing me a favor. My stomach turned as I forced myself to stay still.

Then I saw her—Leona. She sat beside Stephen, her hand on his arm, her eyes fixed on him like she belonged there. She laughed at something one of the councilmen said and leaned closer to whisper in his ear. He didn’t move her hand away. He didn’t even look at me.

The council kept talking about how I was supposed to serve the pack, how I had to prove I was fit to be Luna. Every word made me sicker. Leona kept touching him, acting like I wasn’t there, and he just let her. I couldn’t stand another second of it.

Without saying a word, I stood up and walked out. The room went silent behind me, but I didn’t care.

When I got back to my quarters, I barely had time to breathe before Stephen showed up. He shut the door behind him, his jaw tight.

“You can’t walk out of a council meeting,” he said coldly. “You’re supposed to act like a Luna, not some immature—”

“Immature?” I cut in, laughing bitterly. “You expect me to sit there and let those men talk down to me while your mistress plays Luna in front of everyone?”

His eyes flashed. “Leona is not—”

“Don’t even start,” I snapped. “You think I don’t know what’s going on? She planned that whole scene yesterday. You let her touch you like she owns you, and then you come here to lecture me?”

He took a step closer, his tone low. “You’re making this harder than it needs to be, Katherine. You should know your place.”

“My place?” I stared at him, anger rising so fast it made my hands shake.

*

That night, I was assigned to deliver a file to Stephen again. I didn’t want to go, but the guards made it clear there was no choice. I gripped the folder tightly and marched to his private quarters, dreading what I might find.

When I opened the door, I froze. Leona was there, half dressed, leaning against his desk like she owned the place. Her hand brushed against him as she spoke, her voice soft and teasing. I felt bile rise in my throat.

“What the hell—” I started, but my voice didn’t carry the force I wanted.

Stephen turned at the sound of my voice, giving me a glance that made my stomach twist. “Katherine,” he said, neutral but with a hint of annoyance.

“I’m delivering this,” I said, throwing the file onto the desk in front of him, my fingers trembling slightly.

Leona spun around, smiling as if nothing was wrong. “Oh, Katherine! I didn’t hear you come in. How nice of you to visit.”

I squared my shoulders. “Don’t act clueless. I know exactly what you’re doing.”

Her smile faltered for a second but returned immediately. “I don’t know what you mean.”

I stepped closer, keeping my voice low but firm. “Don’t think I don’t see your game. Trying to seduce him in his own quarters, flaunting yourself like that—it’s not normal, and I won’t let you act like it is.”

Leona blinked, then laughed lightly. “Oh, you’re so serious. Relax. He’s not going anywhere.”

I felt my anger spike. “You need to learn your place.”

I turned to leave, thinking I had made my point, but then Stephen’s voice stopped me.

“Katherine,” he said, sharp and commanding.

I froze. “I—I was just leaving.”

“No. Sit,” he ordered, his eyes piercing mine.

I hesitated, glaring at him, refusing to obey. “I’m not—”

“Sit,” he barked again, louder this time, and I swallowed the defiance in my throat.

Reluctantly, I lowered myself onto the chair across from his desk, my fingers gripping the edge tightly. I refused to look at him. I refused to give him the satisfaction.

But then my eyes caught Leona’s smirk from the corner of the room. She was leaning lazily against the wall, watching me, her lips curved as if she had won. I clenched my jaw, hate rising hotter with every second.