Did you know?

KANE

I was really angry and soon began to feel antsy, kudos to the beast. 

Every ounce of control I had left was burning away and I tore at the curtains in the room, ripping the fabric from its rods with a furious growl. The cloth fell around me in shreds, but it wasn’t enough. Nothing would be enough to quell this anger.

My mother’s interference. Catherine being pulled from me. Everything was spinning out of control. My muscles tensed and my beast clawed at the surface, desperate to be unleashed.

I clenched my fists, trembling as the urge to let go overwhelmed me. The beast wanted blood, wanted destruction, and I was close to giving in. 

My breaths came out in harsh growls as I stormed around the room with my fists aching to hit something or someone.

Then I saw it.

Her shawl.

It had slipped from her shoulders during our kiss and now lying discarded on the floor. 

Without thinking, I reached down and grabbed it, my hands trembling as I lifted it to my face.

Her scent. Sweet, soft and intoxicating.

The beast inside me paused, the fury slowly ebbing as I buried my face in her shawl. 

Catherine.

Even without her here, she was the only thing that could reach me, pull me back from the brink of madness. I clutched the shawl tighter, still inhaling her scent.

I knew I needed her. Not just her scent. Her.

But I had to be careful.

I had to be patient.

I stood there, still clutching Catherine's shawl. Before I could even begin to think about what to do next, the door creaked open behind me.

I turned and my eyes narrowed as Damon stepped in cautiously. His gaze flickered between the torn curtains, the shattered glass, and me.

“Kane… are you alright?” He asked carefully.

I let out a sharp, humorless laugh, throwing the shawl onto the bed. 

“Do I look alright to you?”

Damon shifted uneasily, but didn’t respond.

I took a step toward him, my eyes burning into his. "Did you know?" I asked again.

His brows furrowed. "Know what?"

"That my mother was coming back," I growled, barely holding back the beast that threatened to surge forward again. 

"Did you know she was in town and decided to keep it from me?"

Damon hesitated. His lips pressed into a thin line. The silence that followed was deafening.

“Answer me, Damon!” I snapped, taking another step forward.

Damon sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Yes,” he admitted finally. “I knew.”

My vision went red for a moment and my fists clenched at my sides. 

“You knew, and you didn’t tell me?” My voice was dangerously low, on the verge of breaking into a full-on snarl. “Why?”

Damon remained silent for a heartbeat too long, and I could see the reluctance in his eyes. 

But finally, he spoke. “Because I thought it was for your good.”

I laughed, but it was a bitter, harsh sound. 

“For my good? You think you know what’s ‘good’ for me? You have no idea what’s good for me, Damon! You have no right to make decisions on my behalf!”

Damon winced at the volume of my shout but stood his ground. 

“Kane, I didn’t—”

“Didn’t what?” I cut him off. “Didn’t think I could handle my own mother showing up unannounced? Or didn’t think I should be informed that she was planning to ruin my night?” My fists shook as I stepped closer to him, barely holding back the need to lash out at something, at someone.

Damon looked away, unable to meet my gaze. “It wasn’t like that. I just thought maybe if she was here, things could go smoother.”

“Smooth?” I spat the word. “You thought dragging her into this would make things smooth? You don’t know my mother, Damon. She doesn’t do anything unless there’s something in it for her.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “So don’t you dare think you’re doing me any favors.”

“Kane—”

“No,” I growled, cutting him off. “You’ve overstepped. Right now, you will go find out how long she plans to stay.”

Damon’s face tightened, but he nodded. 

“I’ll take care of it.”

“And don’t ever make decisions like this behind my back again,” I warned. “If you do, I won’t be so forgiving next time.”

 “Understood.”

CATHERINE 

Sitting across from Kane’s mother, Zelda, I felt nothing but different emotions. I hadn’t expected her to be so kind. 

Her reputation preceded her, the stories of cruelty and ambition. But in this moment, she was nothing like that. She smiled warmly at me, her eyes soft as she studied my face.

“You are quite the beauty, Catherine,” she said, reaching over to touch my hand gently. “Such delicate features. It’s no wonder Kane was drawn to you.”

I blushed under her compliment, unsure how to respond. I had been bracing myself for a much colder reception, especially after hearing how she had treated Kane and the power she sought. 

“Thank you, Lady Zelda,” I murmured.

“Zelda is fine, dear. We are family now.” She gave me a soft smile and I found myself wanting to believe in the kindness she was showing.

She sighed, looking a little more serious. 

“I must apologize for the way you were brought here, Catherine. It must have been quite a shock for you, and I truly wish it could have been done differently. But...” She paused, her gaze drifting toward the window, as if gathering her thoughts. 

“It was the only way Kane could secure a bride. You see, many fear him.”

She paused and I felt my heart tug at the mention of Kane. Fear him? Of course, that made sense. Even I had feared him at first and still did in some ways. 

But was it possible that underneath that feral exterior, there was something more?

“I understand,” I said slowly, unsure if I really did. “But it doesn’t make it any easier.”

Zelda nodded sympathetically. 

“Of course not, my dear. But I ask you to be patient with him. He’s complicated. There’s so much more to him than you see now. I know it’s difficult, but please, give him a chance. You may find that he’s not the monster everyone claims he is.”

Her words surprised me. And for the first time since I was taken to this castle, my curiosity was piqued about Kane. 

Could it be possible that he wasn’t the cruel, heartless beast everyone whispered about? Could there be more to him like they say?

“I’ll try,” I said softly, surprising myself with the resolve in my voice. “I’ll give him a chance.”

Zelda’s face lit up with a genuine smile. 

“That’s all I ask, Catherine. He’s been through so much more than you know. Perhaps together, the two of you can find a way through it.”

I nodded, still unsure of how to navigate my own emotions, but willing to see if there was more to Kane than what I had seen so far. 

Zelda’s demeanor changed as she began to tell me stories of her travels. 

“Ah, I love traveling, Catherine. It’s one of my greatest joys,” she said as her eyes lighted up as she spoke. 

“I’ve seen the most marvelous places. There’s this small village in the north, perched on the edge of a cliff. The sunsets there are like nothing you’ve ever seen.”

Her stories flowed easily, each one more colorful than the last. She spoke of faraway lands, exotic foods, and strange customs she had encountered and here I was smiling and laughing more than I had in weeks, forgetting, for a little while, about the strange new reality I had been thrust into.

“You must join me on one of my trips sometime,” Zelda said with a wink. “A bit of adventure is good for the soul, don’t you think?”

“I think I’d like that,” I said, and I meant it. Her stories were so vivid and so full of life that I could almost imagine myself being there with her.

After hours of laughter and conversation, I felt lighter than I had in days. For the first time since coming to this castle, I didn’t feel like a prisoner or a pawn.

“Well, my dear, I think it’s time for me to bid you goodnight,” Zelda said and stood up. “We’ll plan a proper mating ceremony soon. You deserve it, after all.”

“Thank you, Zelda,” I replied, standing as well. “Goodnight.”

Immediately, I made my way back to my chambers.

As I opened the door to my chambers, a faint light flickered from inside, casting soft shadows along the stone walls. 

My heart momentarily skipped a beat when I saw a figure standing near the window. It was definitely a male and he had his back turned to me.

“Damon?”