All Chapters of BITTEN BY THE ALPHA: ALPHA ZANE: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

KatarinaThe mating ceremony is fast approaching, and everyone at the Academy has been staring at me like I’m transforming into someone else. Except there’s something they don’t know: nothing is going to change because of some dumb ceremony. I’m still going to be the same Katarina. My phone vibrates in my bag, and I pull it out. Oh God, it’s Francis. I throw it back into my bag. Our last conversation didn’t go so well, and I’m not eager to talk to him. How can I even bring myself to tell him that I’m about to marry Zane? How do I even explain that? I guess I’ll call him back later.I walk through the halls of the Academy, heading to class. The whispers are endless. Some glance at me with curiosity, others with jealousy thrown in with hate—especially the ladies, as if Zane would have noticed any of them. I know what they’re thinking. I know they can’t understand why someone like me would be bound to someone like Zane. A wolf hunter mated to their Grand Alpha—that’s a wild card. I don’t

ZaneI’m in a meeting with the Wolf Council, discussing the latest attacks by the wolf hunters. There was another one last night in the woods.“Alpha Zane,” Alpha Ethan speaks up, “We need to put an end to those damn wolf hunters permanently.”“I agree,” Alpha Hawthorne nods.“If we let this continue, how long before they’re at our gates, threatening to take our territory? We need to retaliate, Alpha Zane. And we need to act fast,” Alpha Ethan advises.I listen to their reports and advice carefully. “How do you suggest we move forward?” I ask.“I say we show them exactly who we are,” Adam cuts in, preventing Alpha Ethan from continuing, and Ethan leans back in his seat to let Adam, the head of the council, respond.“And how exactly do we do that, Uncle?” My gaze fixes on him, waiting for his grand plan.“Alpha Zane, we need to make an example of someone. And who better than Katarina?”The mention of her name makes me uncomfortable. “What about Katarina?” I ask.“Alpha Zane, you’ve let

KatarinaThe cold bites into my skin, and I shiver as I lie here, sobbing, feeling like I’m crying from a heartbreak—or one that was almost there. I was starting to open my heart to him today, and he crushed it. Zane has made a fool of me again. How could I have been so naive? He deceived me, made me think he cared, made me feel like I mattered to him. But it was all a lie, just like before. Now, he’s left me here to die, alone and helpless. Aunt Mary was right—I should have listened to her.She always said, “Never trust a man.” I never really believed her until now. Maybe she was speaking from experience. Aunt Mary always blamed my dad—she said he’s the reason Mom is dead. She never missed a chance to talk about how Augustine caused her younger sister’s death. That’s why they aren’t close. That’s why Aunt Mary took me in, happy to drag me away from the life that killed my mother. And now it’s my turn. Zane has left me here, just like Dad left Mom. Just like love has trapped me in thi

KatarinaI come out of one of the restrooms at the academy and turn on the tap to wash my hands. The door swings open, and Magdalena walks in. Of all people, it just had to be her. I quickly grab a tissue to dry my hands.“Look who we have here,” she says sarcastically, her tone filled with disgust.“Hello, Magdalena,” I say, trying to stay calm as I wipe my hands and toss the tissue into the trash. Grabbing my backpack, I start to walk away. If I want any chance of having a good day, avoiding Magdalena is my best bet.“Going somewhere?” she says, grabbing my arm. I look at her hand on me, then back at her, giving her a stare that tells her she’s crossing a line.“Oh, don’t exaggerate,” she says, removing her hand.“What do you want, Magdalena?”“You know exactly what I want, Katarina.”“No, I don’t. Tell me.” I cross my arms, waiting for whatever rubbish she wants to spill. She doesn’t like me, and you know what? The feeling is mutual.“Alpha Zane,” she blurts out, and it hits me. Th

Katarina“I don’t know if I can go through with it.” I’m scared out of my mind. He turns to me, his eyes warm and empathetic. Cyprian has a soft spot for me. He feels for me. “Then don’t. You don’t have to bind yourself to him, Katarina. Not when you have someone else who likes you.”“What?” I ask, confused. What does he mean?He grips me desperately, his eyes serious and pleading, forcing me to focus on him as I stare at him in shock. “Choose me, Katarina. Zane doesn’t love you. He’ll never treat you the way you want him to. He’s still not over Lina.”I stare at him, stunned, wondering where all of this is coming from.Before I can react, he leans in and kisses me. For a moment, I freeze. But then guilt floods me, and I pull away quickly, shaking my head. This isn’t right. This isn’t what I want. I can’t be kissing someone else when I’m bound to Zane.“I have to go,” I mutter, stepping back. I can’t stay here, not like this.“I’m sorry Katty please,” Cyprian says but I don’t listen