25. The mark has started to hurt

Kathleen's POV

"Ahh, it hurts. I feel like someone has beaten me over and over again. What happened? Did a truck run over me or something?" I said to Caris as I groaned in pain.

"Well, it happened because of that ass*ole Drake. Your mark was hurting," Caris said, and I groaned, gripping my neck in a tight grip as it was paining me a lot, and there was nothing I could do to cure it.

Hearing my phone ringing on the nightstand, I moaned with discomfort before picking it up.

I had called Sylvia a couple of hours ago when I had gained consciousness in between. I am sure it must be her calling me back.

"Hello," I groaned.

"Are you okay, Kath?" She said the first thing, and I smiled at her caring attitude.

"Do you think I call you only when something isn't alright?" I asked her, and she sighed.

"It's not that, Kath. I would’ve called you even if you hadn’t called me. I wanted to ask about your health. Are you hurting somewhere? I am asking about your mark, to be precise," She said, and I squinted my brows.

"How do you know?" I asked, and she sighed.

"So your mark is indeed hurting. I am telling you, I am not forgiving this b*stard in this lifetime. I heard his so-called mate talking to one of the maids. She was describing how the relationship between her and the alpha is improving day by day. That they kissed for the first time yesterday," Sylvia said, and I hummed.

"Well, it took them long enough to get to it. I didn’t know it would hurt like this. However, it doesn't mean I am going to let him go so easily for hurting me like this. I would've rejected this marriage before leaving, but then again, if I won't be related to him, I will lose the title of the Luna of our pack, and that's the last thing I want to happen," I said before groaning.

"Why don't you do me a favor? Ask Cody to keep him busy with some kind of work so that they don't get enough time to recuperate and make out with each other. I know this is a bitchy move on my side, but this pain is making me go crazy. It feels like my mark is burning," I said, and she sighed.

"I will do it right away. However, I am afraid, Kathleen. If a kiss is hurting you so much, what will happen when they do the deed? You know what I am talking about, right?" Sylvia warned me, and I hummed.

"I know, Sylvia. I will have to get on with my work and find these answers as soon as possible so that I can come back stronger and take over the pack. Here, I met the Lycan King, and maybe if I try a bit, I can get him on my side. With his help, I am sure nothing in this world will be able to stop me from taking back my pack. I have seen him in action. He is so cool and focused that for a moment, I couldn't take my eyes - I mean, I am sure with his help, everything will be easy," I said, quickly changing my words when I realized I was fangirling.

"Okay, I'll talk to you later now. Henry is coming, and I am sure he is pissed as hell about what happened," I said, and Sylvia gasped, making me close my eyes as I realized I just made a slip-up.

"What? Are you kidding me? You are in the council chambers? Are you crazy? Kathy, please don't tell me you are thinking about attending that ball," Sylvia said, and I closed my eyes before sighing.

"Kath, don't do it. You know Drake will be coming with his mate, and you might become the laughing stock of the ball if things don’t turn alright. You know how narcissistic all the alphas are. Not to forget Drake's manipulative ways. Everyone knows what happened to you. Besides, what if he misbehaves with you and tries to justify his actions by bad mouthing you? Will you be able to take it? Will your wolf take it lightly? Do you want a blood bath to take place in that ball? You easily get angry when it comes to betrayal and emotions. You know that, right?" Sylvia asked me, and I bit my lips.

"Opposite, Sylvia. I am going to be the star of the ball. It's a ball organized for all the Alphas and their lunas along with the high-ranked betas. The lycans will also be there. Do you think it will look good if I skip just this ball? Everyone will think of me as a coward. As you said, everyone already knows what happened to me. Do you think they'll talk good about me if I don't show up?

How many of them will understand? None. That's why I want to make an appearance and a grand appearance so that everyone knows I am not a coward and am the proud daughter of Alpha and Luna woods. That alpha blood runs through my veins, and I won't bow down to any circumstances," I said before ending the call, closing my eyes to pretend like I was resting.

"Since when has this been happening?" Henry asked, and I opened my eyes as I found him leaning on the door frame.

"Henry, don't overreact, please. You already knew the marriage took place, and according to the contract, he marked me. It was inevitable. I knew I would have to bear this pain once he moved on with his mate. And for your question, this is the first time," I said before looking away as I saw his eyes darkening.

"Kathleen Woods, that guy is practically ruining your life, and you are okay with it? How can you be so calm in a situation like this? He has been destroying you since he met you. He had been doing nothing but lying to you, or you wouldn’t have let this marriage take place. He took you away from your friends, family, and ambitions, and now he is taking away your peace too. Why don't you just end things with him? Reject the marriage. He will come tomorrow, won't he? Do it tomorrow, in front of everyone," Henry said, and I was about to answer him when the Lycan King entered the room.

"Whose marriage do you need to reject?" He asked, and I gulped, feeling like I shouldn't let him know about this matter for some unknown reason.