chapter ten

Katherine POV

The alpha's idea of being civil was to ignore me, which suited me just fine. I grumbled to myself as I glared at the math teacher, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of my mate. It felt strange to refer to the alpha as my mate - this mate bond was utterly confusing.

"Miss Thompson, what is the answer?" Mr. Nitin, my math teacher, asked, snapping me out of my reverie. I hadn't been paying attention, but my wolf hearing had picked up the whispers of my classmates, so I blurted out the answer: "5 or -4, using the quadratic formula." Mr. Nitin's eyes widened in surprise before he smiled and confirmed my answer was correct. I knew why he was shocked - I usually got Ds or Fs in math. But today, I had relied on my wolf hearing to get the right answer.

The rest of the class passed without incident, and I was relieved when it finally ended. As I walked out of the school building, I saw my mom and Emilia waiting for me outside.

They weren't looking hostile but rather calm, it was quite unsettling for me. I heard some of my classmates whistle lustfully at my mom, ugh I felt like throwing up.

“Let's go home” my mom said firmly leaving no room for argument, I nodded as I followed her. We walked into my mom's car and then we drove for hours, none of us saying any word. Suddenly we stopped in front of our house, I took hesitate steps inside, heck I was unsure how to act with my parents since their outburst on me finding my mate.

“Come in” my mom said as she opened the door and went inside, I looked at Emilia in confusion but Emilia only ignored me and went inside. Okay, seems like we are back to this cold tension between us.

I went upstairs into my room, it was a little empty because I had moved most of my things into the Alpha's house. I freshened up and wore one of the clothes I left in the closet.

My mom broke the silence, her voice firm but measured. "Katherine, come downstairs. We need to talk."

I descended the stairs, my heart racing. The dinner table was set, and my mom began to speak, her words laced with a hint of apology. "Katherine, I know our reaction to you finding your mate hasn't been... ideal."

I scoffed, the understatement hanging in the air. "Ideal?" I thought to myself. It's been the worst..

My mom added, "But we are ready to forgive you, Katherine. On one condition: you must break the bond with Nathaniel."

I felt a surge of frustration, wondering why I was the one who needed forgiveness. "Okay, mom," I muttered, knowing that resisting would be futile. My mom's smile was fake, and her words felt like a threat.

"Good to have you back, omega," she said, her tone condescending. Emilia remained silent, focused on her food. I felt a pang of sadness, realizing that my family saw me only as "omega," not as Katherine.

“Are you okay?” I mindlinked to Emilia, I felt her stiffen through the bond before she abruptly cut it off. I glared at her, trying to send another mindlinked but I felt a barrier between us. Fuck, only Betas and Alphas possessed this type of power. I ignored everyone and continued eating dreading this dinner more than usual.

* * * * *

Nathaniel POV

I sat in my room tossing and turning in my bed, I came back earlier than usual because I was tired but heck I couldn't afford to sleep without any nightmares.

I knew deep down that the thought of my mate could calm me down even though I didn't want to believe it.

I have been civil with the omega so I guess we are friends, and my little knowledge of friends was that they help each other. So if I want to borrow her clothes to calm down, she is obliged to help, I guess.

I took hesitate steps and stood in front of her door, but I couldn't smell her, that means she was here. I felt panic at her sudden disappearance.

“Ask around for the omega” I mindlinked Kilo with urgency, I felt his amusement through the bond, “alpha there are many omega, specify” he mindlinked back to me. I growled immediately, I wasn't in the mood for his games, the only emotion I could feel from that Omega right now was annoyance.

“My…omega” I snorted in anger, after some minutes of silence Kilo informed me that my omega is with her family, I finally relaxed. I turned to see my aunty, Carolina glaring at me, I greeted her and passed to leave but she held my hand halting my steps.

"You're spending too much time with that Omega," Carolina sneered, her voice laced with disdain. I bit back a growl, knowing my uncle wouldn't approve of me snapping at Luna. "Get rid of her soon, or else..." she threatened, leaving the sentence hanging before storming off. I punched her door in anger, the wood splintering under my fist. I retreated to my room, seething.

My aunt Carolina had never liked me since I arrived in this pack. Everyone assumed my uncle and aunt were my parents, but they weren't. My real parents were dead, and I wished they stayed that way. I had come to this pack seeking solace, but instead, I found more anger.

Hours passed, and I paced in my room, my frustration building. Then, my delta's voice echoed in my mind.

"Alpha, rogues have entered our territory." My growl was fierce, and I transformed into my massive wolf, racing towards the boundary.

Three rogues cowered before me, their scent eerily familiar, but I couldn't quite place it. My snarl was menacing, warning them to leave our territory at once.

"Transform back to human form, now!" I growled, my eyes fixed on the rogues.

They shifted back, their human forms standing before me. As they stood up, their faces fully visible, my eyes widened in shock.

I recognized them. I recognized their faces, their eyes... their scent.

My mind raced as I tried to process what I was seeing. It couldn't be. It was impossible.But as I looked into their eyes, I knew. I knew the truth.

And my world came crashing down around me.