๋ก๊ทธ์ธ๊ณต์
I have a question.
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๋ฐ์ดํธ:
2024-11-30 21:34:25
๊ด๋ จ ์ฑํฐ
Desired Mateย ย ย I'm doing what's necessary.
KANEโDamon,โ I growled, low and dangerous, barely recognizable even to myself.Damon didnโt flinch. His hand remained in place, with the dagger gleaming ominously in the dim light.โKane,โ he said, calmly as though we were discussing some trivial matter instead of him holding a blade to my mateโs throat.โWhat the hell are you doing?โ I demanded, stepping further into the room, fists clenched. My beast clawed at the surface, begging for control, but I held it backโfor now.โIโm doing whatโs necessary,โ Damon replied, his eyes flickering to Catherine before returning to me. โFor her.โโFor her?โ I echoed incredulously, getting more angry. โYou think threatening her life is for her benefit?โโYou donโt understand,โ Damon said. โShe doesnโt belong here, Kane. She deserves more than being trapped with a cursed beast. She deserves freedom.โCatherine whimpered softly, her eyes darting between us. โKaneโฆโ she whispered, trembling.โLet her go, Damon,โ I said, each word a warning. โNow.โD
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-30Desired Mateย ย ย Sound of sorrow.
KANEImmediately Catherine collapsed and I saw her body going limp and cold, something inside me snapped. The world around me turned into a blur of rage and fear as I watched herโmy mate, the one person who could free me from this curseโslowly slip away. I could feel a rush of hormones like a tide within me as my heart hammered violently against my ribs, and before I knew it, I let out a howl.It wasnโt a sound of sorrow, though. It was primal, a desperate cry that came from the deepest part of me, the part that had been caged for too long. It was a warning, a call that resonated through the entire pack, a declaration that something was terribly wrong.The packโs response came quickly, but it didnโt matter. It wasnโt enough to reach me. I could feel the beast clawing at my insides, begging to be freed. I could feel its hunger, its desire for vengeance, and the uncontrollable need to rip everything and everyone to pieces. And I couldnโt stop it.I felt the change in my bones before I
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-30Desired Mateย ย ย Easy there.
CATHERINE The moment I opened my eyes, the dull ache in my head turned into sharp pain. My whole body protested as I tried to sit up. The surface beneath me was hard, like an old wooden bed, and the air smelled faintly of damp earth and dust. Where was I?Everything around me was dim, and as my vision slowly adjusted, I took in the surroundings. It was a small, shabby room with cracked walls and an unkempt floor. It didnโt look like anywhere in the castle. My heart skipped a beat.I swung my legs to the side, trying to get up, but I felt dizzy, and my legs buckled beneath me. Just as I was about to hit the ground, strong arms caught me mid-fall.โEasy there,โ a familiar voice said softly.My gaze snapped upward, and I froze. Damon.He was calm, almost tender, as he steadied me and helped me sit back on the edge of the bed.โHow are you feeling?โ he asked, crouching in front of me so we were eye level.For a moment, I didnโt say anything. My throat felt dry, and my mind was racing, tr
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-30Desired Mateย ย ย Never!
CATHERINE The door creaked open, and I tensed, gripping the crude, rusted sharp hook Iโd found behind the bed. There was no way I was going to sit down comfortably without doing anything. Since he wasn't going to let me go, I might as well do well to escape. Damon walked in, carrying a plate of food and a glass of water. He looked so calm, almost unnervingly so, as he approached. โYou need to eat, Catherine,โ he said, setting the plate on a small, wobbly table near the bed. โYouโve been relying on nothing but those solutions and drugs to keep you alive while you were unconscious. This is real food. You need your strength.โ I didnโt respond. I fixed my eyes on the far wall. My heart was pounding so loudly I was certain he could hear it, but I kept my grip firm on the hook, hidden beneath the loose folds of my dress. โCatherine,โ Damon repeated, almost pleading. โLook at me.โ Slowly, I turned my head, flashing him a cold and unyielding glare as much as I could muster. โI donโt
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-30Desired Mateย ย ย Don't make me regret.
CATHERINE I sat there, bound and helpless with my wrists sore from Damonโs unrelenting restraint. The ache in my shoulders was nothing compared to the frustration boiling within me. Damon would come in like clockwork, bringing me food and hovering over me as though I were some priceless artifact. His eyes would watch my every move, ensuring I didnโt try anything reckless.It was maddening.Every attempt I made to escape had been futile. Once, Iโd faked needing to use the bathroom, thinking I could slip past him when his guard was down. But heโd caught me, dragging me back with a smug look that made my skin crawl.Now, I was out of ideas, out of strength. My body ached, but my mind raced. I couldnโt give up. Not yet.I leaned my head back against the wall, my thoughts swirling. If brute strength and wit wouldnโt get me out of here, maybe I needed a different approach. Something subtle.Think, Catherine. What does Damon want?It was clear he wanted me to believe he was my protector, th
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-30Desired Mateย ย ย I've always known.
CATHERINE Words. Hushed whispers. Pleas? I couldn't tell as it all filtered into my subconscious, pulling me from the depths of sleep. For a moment, I lay still, disoriented, before realizing the words werenโt part of a dream. They were real. Someone was speaking, just a few inches from my ear.โIโve always known,โ the voice murmured, and a chill ran down my spine the instant I recognized who was speaking up close. It was Damon. His proximity had a way of making my stomach churn as usual.โI knew youโd come around eventually,โ he continued, his breath warm against my skin. โYouโve always been meant for me, Catherine. Even when you didnโt realize it.โI resisted the urge to open my eyes or flinch away. I knew better than to react now. Instead, I kept my breathing steady, feigning the deep rhythm of sleep, even though I was awake.โYou donโt have to pretend anymore,โ Damon went on. โYouโre safe with me. Iโll make you see that, no matter how long it takes. Iโll give you the life you de
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-30Desired Mateย ย ย The opportunity.
CATHERINE The opportunity to act presented itself sooner than I had anticipated.The maid appeared at my door, polite yet wary, as though unsure of how to approach me. โGood morning, my lady,โ she greeted tentatively. โWhat would you like to eat?โI sat up on the edge of the bed, clasping my hands in front of me as if I had nothing but breakfast on my mind. โSomething simple,โ I replied. โPerhaps eggs with herbs and some fresh bread.โThe maid nodded, bowing slightly before leaving the room. The moment she stepped out, I stood and began pacing. Minutes later, the maid returned, wringing her hands nervously. โMy lady, Iโm afraid there are no herbs available,โ she said apologetically. โWould you like something else?โI narrowed my eyes, letting my shoulders droop as though in disappointment. โI really donโt feel like eating anything else,โ I said softly. โIโve had a craving for that dish for days now.โHer face fell. She turned and hurried back to the guard stationed outside, expl
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-30Desired Mateย ย ย Something simple.
CATHERINE The opportunity to act presented itself sooner than I had anticipated.The maid appeared at my door, polite yet wary, as though unsure of how to approach me. โGood morning, my lady,โ she greeted tentatively. โWhat would you like to eat?โI sat up on the edge of the bed, clasping my hands in front of me as if I had nothing but breakfast on my mind. โSomething simple,โ I replied. โPerhaps eggs with herbs and some fresh bread.โThe maid nodded, bowing slightly before leaving the room. The moment she stepped out, I stood and began pacing. Minutes later, the maid returned, wringing her hands nervously. โMy lady, Iโm afraid there are no herbs available,โ she said apologetically. โWould you like something else?โI narrowed my eyes, letting my shoulders droop as though in disappointment. โI really donโt feel like eating anything else,โ I said softly. โIโve had a craving for that dish for days now.โHer face fell. She turned and hurried back to the guard stationed outside, expl
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-11-30
์ต์ ์ฑํฐ
Desired Mateย ย ย There's a message.
CATHERINE The night had been restless. Sleep was a distant memory, chased away by the lingering ache of Kaneโs absence. Every rustle of the wind, every crackling of the fire outside the tent, made me wonder where he was and if he was safe.I sat on the edge of the cot, staring at my hands when Camille suddenly rushed in, looking all antsy like something terrible had just happened. In her hand was the small, battered phone Kane had left behind, the phone which was used to communicate with us. It chimed again and I noticed a faint glow of the screen illuminating her fingers.โCatherine,โ she called out to me, looking so serious. โThereโs a message.โMy heart leaped into my throat. โFrom Kane?โShe nodded and handed me the phone. My fingers trembled as I swiped at the screen, revealing a simple yet piercing message:โMeet me at the quiet garden just outside the townโs border. I miss you so much. Kane.โMy stomach twisted. K
Desired Mateย ย ย Moments like that.
CATHERINE When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the silence. The camp, usually humming with activity, felt oddly subdued. Stretching out on the bed, I instinctively reached for Kane, but the space beside me was cold. My heart sank.I sat up, scanning the room. His cloak was gone, as were his boots. Panic surged through me.โCamille!โ I called out in a bit of a yell.The door creaked open, and Camille appeared, looking all cautious. โYouโre awake.โโWhere is Kane?โ I demanded, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. โDonโt tell me he left.โCamille hesitated, her hands fidgeting. That was all the confirmation I needed.โHe did, didnโt he?โ My voice cracked. Anger bubbled in my chest, together with a sense of betrayal. โAnd he didnโt even have the decency to tell me? To say goodbye?โโCatherineโโI cut her off, pacing the small room. โHow could he do this? After everything, he just leaves? What if something happens to him?โCamille stepped forward, raising g her hand
Desired Mateย ย ย You have a deal.
KANEThe silence in the dungeon stretched, broken only by the occasional drip of water echoing from somewhere in the darkness. I leaned back against the cold, damp wall, thinking about methods and strategies as well as the possibilities that came with them. Zelda might think sheโd won, but she underestimated me.The burglary creaked slightly, catching my attention. I sat up, my senses sharpening. Footsteps echoed down the corridor. The guards wouldnโt be walking down here for no good reason, and Zelda never treaded anywhere without making an announcement of her presence.I focused my ear to listen to whose footstep it was but before I could, the shadow that appeared before my cell brought a faint smirk to my lips.โDurmas,โ I said quietly. โTook you long enough.โDurmas glanced over his shoulder before stepping closer, his face serious. โKane,โ he whispered, his voice barely audible over the burning torches. โI thought they might have beaten the fight out of you, but you look... surp
Desired Mateย ย ย Rest well.
KANEIt didn't take long after I stepped out of Durmasโs chambers when I saw herโZelda. She was standing in the center of the corridor, flanked by her entourage of loyalists. Her posture was regal, but I could see the malice dancing in her eyes. She walked toward me with a disarming smile, her hands folded delicately in front of her.โAh, my son,โ she said in a honey coated voice. โYouโve finally returned home. I was starting to worry about you.โI stopped in my tracks, fixing her with a hard stare. โCut the act, Zelda.โHer smile faltered, the saccharine sweetness fading just slightly. โAct? What do you mean?โI stepped closer, closing the gap between us. โSpare me the pretense. Iโd rather deal with the real youโthe scheming, conniving woman I know you to be. At least then, I know what Iโm up against.โA bit of irritation crossed her face, but she quickly masked it with a soft laugh. Behind her were the people she had brought with her, guards, attendants, and advisors. They bowed th
Desired Mateย ย ย Come out!
KANEThe journey to the castle was grueling. Night had fallen, and the cold wind howled through the space as I drove past. I kept my senses sharp and my ears tuned to every sound around me. It was dark, no doubt creatures lurked around, some more dangerous than others.After a while, I paused my journey when I was about to get to the border. I can't just get in blindly. Suddenly, a snap echoed to my right and I would down the car window. My hand instinctively reached for my dagger, holding it tightly in my palm."Come out," I growled into the darkness.For a moment, there was silence. Then, from the shadows, a man stumbled forward, his clothes torn and his face pale with fear. His hands were raised in surrender."Please," he croaked, collapsing to his knees. "Donโt kill me. I mean no harm."I alighted cautiously, keeping my weapon ready. "Who are you? What are you doing here? It's fucking cold and dry out here.""My nameโs Garret," he said, trembling. "Iโm from the city. I was traveli
Desired Mateย ย ย No goodbye.
KANECatherine had finally fallen asleep, her chest heaving as she breathed in slumber. I could feel her worry radiating off her even as she slept with the way she clung so tightly to me. Gently, I shifted her in my arms and laid her down on the couch. I smoothed a strand of hair from her face, leaned down, and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.She might not know it, but I understood her well enough even if she tried her best not to show her worry deeply. She tried masking it not wanting to burden me. I knew her that well at least."Sleep well," I whispered. She stirred for a moment but didnโt wake.Straightening up, I made my way to the door, pausing only briefly to glance back at her peaceful, albeit tear-streaked face. The sight made my chest tighten, but I forced myself to step outside, closing the door quietly behind me. Camille was already waiting. I had nudged her earlier informing her to let us talk outside before laying Catherine off my chest."Whatโs the plan?" she asked
Desired Mateย ย ย I'll come back for you.
CATHERINE Back in the house, Kane paced back and forth, his heavy footsteps echoing against the hardwood floors. His brows were furrowed, as he was thinking. Each time he turned, frustration radiated off him in waves. We had made sure nobody left the camp after the incident, not even Davina and her team."Damn it," Kane muttered under his breath, filled with anguish. "I canโt just stand here while those kids... while more people suffer because of me."I sat at the edge of the couch, thinking too. Camille perched beside me, her gaze bouncing between Kane and me. I knew she was struggling to piece together what sheโd just learned since she had no idea how Kane's relationship with Zelda was or who Esme really was.Finally, Camille broke the silence cautiously. "Catherine, explain this to me again. From the beginning. I need to understand whatโs really happening here."I drew in a deep breath before diving into details. "Esme isnโt who we thought she was. Sheโs one of Zeldaโs pawns, sen
Desired Mateย ย ย Do you know her?
CATHERINE โEsme,โ I muttered. I didn't even know when the word left my lips. She was one of Zeldaโs closest allies, a woman Kane and I both knew too well. Well, Kane knew her more than I did. I only got the chance to know her because of the mating ceremony which was of course, ruined.Seeing Davinaโs face change into Esmeโs was like being struck by lightning. My legs felt weak, and for a moment, I thought Iโd collapse. The world spun as I struggled to reconcile the two faces. How could this have happened?Camilleโs voice broke through my haze of disbelief. โCatherine, whatโs going on? Do you know her?โI turned to my sister, my voice shaky. โSheโsโฆ sheโs Esme. Zeldaโs friend. I saw her when I was preparing for the mating ceremony with Kane. She was there. Iโฆ I canโt believe this.โEsmeโs sly smile only added to the knot of unease in my chest. I pointed a trembling finger at her. โWhat are you doing here? What is the meaning of this?โEsmeโs lips curled into a sly smile. โDelivering
Desired Mateย ย ย A good feat.
KANEThe scent my beast picked up wasn't just a normal odouror something. It was a feeling. But I didn't have the chance to decipher what it was. Fear? Intimidation? I wasn't sure. But it was a very good feat for me nevertheless. It led me to someone because as soon as it disappeared, it returned. My wolf prowled close to the surface, growling with anticipation, urging me to act, to find the truth buried in the fear-stricken crowd. I could feel the lies hanging in the air, the deceit woven among these so-called helpers. And I so much would tear it out, root and stem, no matter the cost.โBring them forward,โ I barked thunderously, pointing to some of the people ahead. If they weren't going to talk willingly, I might as well try another method.The men I gave the orders to dragged the first suspect into the center of the clearing. It was a young medic, pale and trembling, his glasses askew on his nose. I paced in front of him like a predator.โName,โ I demanded.โD-David, sir,โ the ma
