CATHERINE The next day arrived faster than I anticipated, and despite the exhaustion in me, I found myself heading back to the market.When I reached the woman’s stall, she greeted me with a cautious smile. Her son stood beside her, a tall, lean man with sharp features and intelligent eyes.“You must be Catherine,” he said politely but guarded. “Mother told me about your... situation.”I nodded quickly. “Yes, thank you for agreeing to come with me. It’s urgent.”He glanced at his mother, who gave him a reassuring nod. “Lead the way,” he said, picking up a small bag that presumably held his medical supplies.As we walked through the woods, I kept the conversation light at first, asking him about his experience and how long they’d been in the area.“Not long,” he admitted. “We migrated here a few weeks ago. My family wanted a fresh start. The city we came from... let’s just say it wasn’t safe anymore.”I nodded, feigning casual interest while relief flooded me. If they were new here,
CATHERINE Kane’s body remained heavy against mine as he adjusted to his surroundings. His breaths were shallow, his every movement deliberate and slow, as though he were testing the limits of his strength. The silence was thick, broken only by the occasional crackle of the dying fire.Finally, his hoarse voice broke the quiet. “Where... are we?”His question was raspy, barely audible, but it showed how much confused he was. I shifted, adjusting his position so he could lean more comfortably against the rocky wall of the cave.“We’re in the woods,” I replied softly. “In a cave, far from the castle.”He grunted, his brows furrowing in clear dissatisfaction. His piercing gaze fixed on mine, and the intensity in his eyes reminded me, even in his weakened state, that Kane was still Kane.“Why aren’t we at the castle?” he demanded.I dropped my head, unable to meet his gaze. How could I explain everything without reopening his wounds, both physical and emotional?He caught my hesitation an
CATHERINE Kane's face remained stoic, his piercing gaze fixed on me, but I could see the doubt in his eyes. He didn’t outright dismiss what I had said, yet I could tell he wasn’t ready to fully accept it either.When I opened my mouth to speak again, to plead with him to understand, he cut me off with a sharp shake of his head."I need to see it for myself," he said flatly, devoid of emotion."Kane, you can’t—"He raised a hand, silencing me. "I’m going to check things out," he stated firmly, leaving little room for argument.But he had underestimated me. I was no longer the timid woman afraid to speak her mind. My voice rose, tinged with frustration and desperation. "You’re not going anywhere, Kane!"His eyes widened slightly, more in surprise than anger. I didn’t care."Do you think I’ve been running around, risking my life for you to just throw it all away with your stubbornness?" I yelled, stepping closer to him, my chest heaving. "You’re not well! The doctor said you need time
KANERoaming through the endless expanse of the forest, my legs felt like lead, dragging with every step. The ground beneath me was damp and uneven, but I hardly noticed anymore. My body was running on pure instinct, driven by a hollow ache in my chest that refused to subside. The world around me had become a blur of greens and browns.And then I caught it, a faint trace of her scent. Catherine.The smell was so faint, so fleeting, that for a moment I thought I’d imagined it. My breath hitched as the familiar odour sent different emotions crashing over me: longing, anger, and that deep, gut-wrenching hurt that seemed to have taken permanent residence inside me. But the scent was too weak, diluted with something unfamiliar. Someone else.I clenched my fists, claws digging into my palms. It wasn’t her. It couldn’t be. She wouldn’t be here, not after everything. And if she was... if she was, then why did her scent carry traces of someone else? The thought alone was enough to make my bl
KANEThe makeshift bed Catherine had arranged from the clothes she’d brought was a far cry from the luxury I was used to, but it served its purpose. She’d done what she could to make it comfortable, but the cramped space meant we had no choice but to share it. It wasn’t my type of thing, but I wasn’t going to complain—not when I knew how much she’d already sacrificed for me.We lay there, shoulder to shoulder and for a while, neither of us spoke. Finally, she broke the quiet. “Don’t you think I should call the doctor to check on you again?”I turned my head toward her, meeting her worried eyes. “I’m fine, Catherine,” I replied. “Now that I’m conscious and in a better state of mind, my healing abilities are kicking in. You don’t need to worry.”She frowned, her lips pressing into a thin line. “That doesn’t mean you’re completely okay,” she countered. “Just because you’re awake doesn’t mean the poison’s effects are gone. You might need—”I cut her off gently but firmly. “Catherine,
KANEThe early morning air was crisp, the kind that bit at your skin and made every breath sharp in your lungs. I moved swiftly through the forest, the damp leaves crunching beneath my boots.I knew I shouldn’t have left so early, not in the state I was in, but I couldn’t stay idle any longer. Every fiber of my being demanded answers, even if it meant risking my life to get them. My destination was clear: the castle.As I made my way through the dense woods, my heightened senses picked up everything—the distant chirping of birds, the rustle of leaves in the breeze, even the faint sound of water flowing from a nearby stream. It was all background noise compared to the one sound I dreaded most: footsteps.The first sign of trouble came when I crossed the old stone bridge leading to the outskirts of the castle grounds. The scent hit me first, a group of Lycans. I took a moment to observe them and found out they were Damon’s minions.I crouched low, keeping to the shadows as I scanned the
KANEThe quiet steps of Durmas echoed faintly against the stone walls as I followed him deeper into the castle’s underbelly. My senses were on high alert, eyes scanning for anything out of place, but my focus was split. Why was he here? And why hadn’t he sounded the alarm to the guards or Damon’s minions? As we rounded another corner, I couldn’t hold my tongue any longer. "Durmas," I uttered. "What’s going on? Why are you here, and why aren’t you turning me in?"He stopped abruptly, his robes swaying slightly with the motion. Turning to face me, his expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with intensity. "After the events of the mating ceremony," he began, carrying a voice that demanded attention, "a great many things unraveled in the aftermath."I crossed my arms and arched an eyebrow. "Such as?"Durmas let out a slow breath, his gaze drifting for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. Then, he began to recount everything that had transpired. "The council convened almo
KANEThe moment I walked into the cave, Catherine’s eyes lit up. She sat up from the makeshift bed she had put together, her body language already radiating curiosity.“Kane,” she began with urgency, “what happened? What’s the outcome of your trip?”I shrugged my shoulders and sat down opposite her, trying to gather my thoughts. “I made it to the castle,” I said. “I encountered Durmas. He was the only one there, and he filled me in on everything.”Her brows knitted in confusion. “Durmas? What was he doing there? And what did he tell you?”I recounted the entire encounter in detail: Durmas's revelations about the council’s schemes, the kill order on my head, and the council’s plans to name Damon as Alpha Regent. As I spoke, Catherine listened intently, her gaze never leaving mine. She absorbed every word, her lips pressed into a thin line.When I finished, she sat back slightly, her eyes narrowing in thought. Then, after a long pause, she tilted her head and asked, “Do you trust Durma
CATHERINE The road stretched ahead of us, quiet except for the occasional hum of passing vehicles in the distance. The one big problem that gave us another tough time was where we would stay. I glanced at Kane. His face was stoic, but I could see how stressed and frustrated he was."So," I broke the silence. "What’s the plan for tonight? Where exactly are we supposed to sleep?"Kane looked at me, his brow furrowing. "I was thinking we could take a hotel room. I managed to gather a bit of money when I was at the castle—just enough for something modest."I stopped in my tracks and crossed my arms, my eyes narrowing. "A hotel? Are you serious? That’s the first place Damon or any of his lackeys will check."Kane sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "We can’t just wander the streets all night, Catherine. We need somewhere safe to rest and regroup.""And I agree," I said. "But a hotel? That’s practically handing ourselves over on a silver platter. Damon’s no fool, and he won’t rest ea
CATHERINE The truck jostled lightly as it continued its journey beyond the border, but the tense atmosphere that filled the space earlier had finally started to ease. I shifted slightly to make myself more comfortable, pressing my back against the cold metal walls of the truck.The woman sitting across from me glanced at her daughter, with relief and guilt. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke.“I’m so sorry for what happened back there,” she said softly, her voice carrying an edge of regret. “I didn’t mean for my daughter to… to almost expose us.”Kane, who was leaning back with his arms crossed, immediately waved it off. “It’s fine,” he uttered calmly. “She’s just a kid. She doesn’t fully understand the situation, and that’s not her fault.”The little girl, who had been fiddling with the hem of her dress, suddenly looked up. “I do understand,” she said. “I knew we had to be quiet, but I didn’t mean to make a noise. I’m really sorry.”I couldn’t help but smile at her earne
DAMONThe moment I turned to leave the throne room, Zelda’s voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding.“Damon.”I froze, forcing my face into a mask of indifference before turning to face her. She stood at the entrance, her sharp eyes scanning the room as if she could will Kane to appear. Her presence was as oppressive as ever and her posture rigid.“Do you smell it?” she asked, gawking around her with predator eyes.I hesitated, feigning ignorance. “Smell what, Your Grace?”Her lip curled in annoyance as she stepped closer, her piercing gaze boring into mine. “Don’t play coy with me, Damon. Kane. I smell him.”The accusation was obvious, and I forced myself to remain calm, even as my wolf stirred uneasily.“I don’t smell anything unusual,” I lied through my teeth. “Perhaps the scent you’re picking up is from someone else.”Her eyes narrowed. She was suspicious.“You’re either blind or a fool,” she snapped. “Kane was here, Damon. I know it. And if you can’t confirm it, then you’
DAMONWhen I was talking to Zelda back in the old house I kept Catherine, I suddenly something felt… off.The silence was wrong. The place was never this quiet. Little sound we're always made, be it footwear scraping the floor, the sound of bare footsteps, something must make a sound."Excuse me for a moment," I said, bowing my head slightly before leaving Zelda to herself. She nodded, waving me off dismissively. “Don’t keep me waiting, Damon. We have much to discuss.”I stepped out into the corridor, my senses immediately on high alert. The quiet was unnatural—ominous, even. The guard I had stationed outside should have been standing alert. But I saw nothing of such.The guard I had assigned to stand watch was slumped against the wall, his weapons discarded on the floor.I rushed to him, crouching beside him. His pulse was faint but steady—alive, though unconscious. A quick inspection of the maid confirmed the same as she was also in the same position as the guard.I clenched my fis
CATHERINE Kane walked forward, towards the men, and I couldn’t help but notice the way his presence instantly drew the attention of the two men.“I’m sorry, but I have a proposition for you both” he began calmly, the kind of tone that didn’t invite much argument.The men exchanged glances before the older one spoke. “Do I know you from somewhere?”My heart skipped a beat. Could it be that they recognized Kane? No! That mustn't happen. “I doubt you do.” Kane replied but the man's eyes remained squinted, trying to recall if he has seen Kane before.“But you do look familiar.” the second man supported but Kane shrugged his words off, not bothering to respond to him.“I would like it if you can assist us out of the borders, please.”“We’re already pushing our luck with these two,” the man gestured toward the woman and her daughter, “so whatever you’re proposing—”Kane cut him off, pulling something from his cloak with a deliberate motion. The glint of gold caught the dim light, and I ga
CATHERINE The sun was beginning to set when Kane and I finally emerged from the forest. My legs ached from the relentless pace, and every breath felt heavier than the last. We were now in the city and I was obviously relieved.We were closer to safety. But that relief evaporated as soon as we spotted the guards stationed near the border, inspecting every traveler with unnerving scrutiny.Kane tensed beside me, scanning the checkpoint. He grabbed my hand gently, pulling me toward a shaded alleyway where we wouldn’t be spotted. “We can’t go any further, I guess” he said, clearly frustrated.I leaned against the wall, taking a moment to catch my breath. “What now?” I asked, keeping my voice equally hushed. “Aren’t the people you wanted to contact nearby?”He shook his head. “No. They’re outside the city. Far beyond the borders.”“So, what do we do?” I pressed, though I knew he didn’t have an answer yet.Kane didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back against the wall.“Give m
CATHERINE “What now?” I whispered with urgency as my mind raced.Kane’s eyes flicked toward the entrance. “We have to leave,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument. “If Damon’s nearby, it’s only a matter of time before he finds us.”I frowned, glancing toward the entrance as though I might catch a glimpse of the man who had caused us so much pain. “Are you sure he didn’t trail you here?”Kane shook his head firmly. “No. I would’ve smelled him on the way.” He paused. “But it doesn’t matter how he found us. His scent is getting stronger, Catherine. We can’t stay here.”His words hit me like a punch to the gut. My mind raced with a million questions, but the one that came out was the most immediate. “Where are we going?”His lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze scanning the cave as though answers might materialize from the stone walls. “I don’t know yet,” he admitted. “But if we want to live, we have to leave.”My stomach twisted at his words. The raw seriousness in his voic
KANEThe moment I walked into the cave, Catherine’s eyes lit up. She sat up from the makeshift bed she had put together, her body language already radiating curiosity.“Kane,” she began with urgency, “what happened? What’s the outcome of your trip?”I shrugged my shoulders and sat down opposite her, trying to gather my thoughts. “I made it to the castle,” I said. “I encountered Durmas. He was the only one there, and he filled me in on everything.”Her brows knitted in confusion. “Durmas? What was he doing there? And what did he tell you?”I recounted the entire encounter in detail: Durmas's revelations about the council’s schemes, the kill order on my head, and the council’s plans to name Damon as Alpha Regent. As I spoke, Catherine listened intently, her gaze never leaving mine. She absorbed every word, her lips pressed into a thin line.When I finished, she sat back slightly, her eyes narrowing in thought. Then, after a long pause, she tilted her head and asked, “Do you trust Durma
KANEThe quiet steps of Durmas echoed faintly against the stone walls as I followed him deeper into the castle’s underbelly. My senses were on high alert, eyes scanning for anything out of place, but my focus was split. Why was he here? And why hadn’t he sounded the alarm to the guards or Damon’s minions? As we rounded another corner, I couldn’t hold my tongue any longer. "Durmas," I uttered. "What’s going on? Why are you here, and why aren’t you turning me in?"He stopped abruptly, his robes swaying slightly with the motion. Turning to face me, his expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with intensity. "After the events of the mating ceremony," he began, carrying a voice that demanded attention, "a great many things unraveled in the aftermath."I crossed my arms and arched an eyebrow. "Such as?"Durmas let out a slow breath, his gaze drifting for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. Then, he began to recount everything that had transpired. "The council convened almo