Katrina’s POVThe next day, Liam drove me back to the packhouse. The drive was quiet in the best way. I leaned my head against the cool glass of the car window and watched the trees rush by in a blur of green and brown. The morning sun was gentle, peeking through the leaves and scattering little spots of light across the road.I sneaked a glance at Liam as he drove. One hand was on the steering wheel, the other resting on the gear shift. His jaw was tight, like he was deep in thought, but every now and then his silver eyes flicked toward me, checking on me like he couldn’t help it. When our eyes met for half a second, he reached over and brushed his fingers against mine, his touch warm and reassuring.We didn’t talk much, but I didn’t mind the silence. It felt comfortable, safe. Like we didn’t need words.When we finally drove through the gates of River Moon, my chest tightened a little. The sight of the tall packhouse with its stone walls and wide windows made me feel… complicated. I
Katrina’s POVHe reached the side of the bed and leaned down a little, his hand brushing against my cheek. “I leave you alone for a few hours, and you start a party in here?” he said, his voice low but teasing.I laughed softly, my fingers curling around his wrist. “It wasn’t a party. They just missed me.”“I missed you too,” he murmured, his thumb tracing along my jawline. His eyes softened again, but there was still a flicker of something more serious behind them. “I don’t like other people crowding you when I’m not here.”I blinked up at him, my heart racing. “Liam… they’re my friends.”“I know,” he said quietly. “But you’re mine.”The words sent a shiver all the way through me. I couldn’t even respond right away.He leaned closer, his lips brushing my forehead. “I told you, Kat. I don’t share. Not with anyone.”I bit my lip, feeling heat rise in my cheeks. My fingers tightened on his wrist instinctively. “Are you… jealous?” I whispered, teasing just a little.His silver eyes locke
Katrina’s POVI fiddled with the blanket for a second, trying to find the courage. I could hear Ariana and Blake laughing about some new student who thought he could flirt with the Beta’s daughter, but I barely heard the words. My heart was beating so loudly in my ears.I wanted them to hear it from me first.Liam had told me he would announce it to the pack very soon—that I would officially be his mate and his Luna. I’d be marked. Everyone would know I belonged to him. Just thinking about it made my heart twist with a mix of excitement and fear. But Ariana and Blake were my closest friends. They deserved to know before the whole world did.I took a deep breath. “Um… guys, I have to tell you something,” I said, my voice softer than usual.Both of them turned to look at me immediately.Blake tilted his head, his dark brows furrowing in concern. Ariana leaned forward, her big brown eyes curious and shiny with interest.“What is it?” she asked.I hesitated for a second, staring at my han
Katrina’s POVLiam had insisted I stay in the pack hospital for two whole days so the healers could keep checking my vitals and watch me like a hawk. He didn’t care how many times I told him I was fine. He said, “I’d rather annoy you than risk losing you.” I had rolled my eyes, but deep down, it warmed me to know he cared that much.He had left me in the hospital room to take care of some pack business. Before leaving, he made sure a warrior guard was posted outside my door. It was a little overprotective, but that was just Liam. He couldn’t relax unless he knew I was safe.The hospital room was quiet and smelled faintly of herbs and something clean, like soap and pine. The soft beeping of a machine filled the background, steady and calm. I was sitting up in bed, leaning against the pillows, staring out the window. Outside, I could see the tops of the pine trees swaying in the afternoon breeze. A couple of warriors were sparring in the distance, their movements sharp and fast. Birds f
Katrina’s POVHe finally stopped pacing and turned to face me. His chest was rising and falling like he had been holding in too many emotions all at once. His silver eyes, usually so calm and cold, were now filled with something else—something deeper. Worry. Fear. Love?He took slow steps back toward me, each one measured like he was trying not to scare me. His tall figure blocked the light from the window, casting a shadow across the bed, but somehow I didn’t feel scared. I just felt seen.“I just want you safe, Kat,” he said quietly, his voice rough like it hurt him to say the words out loud. “I can’t protect you if I don’t know what’s going on.”My fingers moved on instinct, reaching out and searching for his hand. When I found it, I held on tight. His palm was warm and strong and familiar, and in that moment, I needed that comfort more than anything.“I know,” I said softly, looking down at our hands. “I’m sorry, Liam. I’ll tell you everything from now on. No more hiding, I promis
Katrina’s POVThe first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the ceiling—white and smooth, with a soft light humming above me. For a few seconds, I just stared at it, blinking slowly as everything came back to me. The rogue attack. The fear. The pain. And then… darkness.But now… I was awake.I didn’t feel weak like I expected. In fact, I felt… stronger. My body didn’t ache. My chest didn’t feel tight. It was like something inside me had changed while I was out. Like I had been charged up with energy instead of drained.I looked around slowly and realized I was in the pack hospital. The room was quiet, except for the low beeping of the machine beside my bed. A soft breeze drifted in through the slightly open window, carrying the scent of herbs and pine trees. The sheets were tucked neatly around me, and there was a slight chill in the air, but I didn’t mind. It grounded me. Reminded me I was still here. Alive.And then my eyes landed on him.Liam.He was sitting on the chair besi