(Katriona)“FORGIVE us, honey. As much as we want to take you to the gathering with us, we are worried that facing a big crowd like that might be too soon for you. Besides, your doctor suggested that you stay in your room to rest. You don’t mind me and your sister going on your behalf, right?”The Order had organized a party and wanted to invite me and dad. Of course, these two wouldn’t lose this golden opportunity to mingle with the royals.When I coughed a couple of times, I saw Dominique and Chantal exchange a quick glance at each other. I caught the spark in their eyes before both of them assisted me in lying on the bed.“No, it’s alright,” I said in a frail voice. “Please don’t mind me and just go. I’d hate to spoil your fun just for my sake.”Chantal rolled her eyes. “Have you forgotten, mom? Katie’s not a big fan of parties. She’d been a wallflower almost half her life. Attending might only trigger some ugly memories. No offense meant, little sis. I just really hate it when peo

(Alexander)SOMETIMES, when I look at them, I see nothing of the happy family everyone was talking about. I look at the Aldanas and I see bridges burning.Dominique and Chantal were very attentive to Katriona. They could easily bag the best mother and sister awards as they fill her plate with food. For outsiders, the two would appear very sweet. Someone had to look closely to see that their gestures were meant to embarrass Katriona, to make her look unstable and very dependent in front of other people which seemed to be their motive anyway.But Katriona just took whatever they offered with that alluring smile of hers. In fact, she sounded bubbly when she thanked them.The Katriona in the North was very transparent. But the Katriona in the city was an enchanting puzzle. I could no longer guess what she was thinking. She was smiling so beautifully but gone was the usual warmth I would feel within whenever she smiles.She was sitting between me and Bradley. Why was this bastard even here

WITH every step I took away from Alexander, my wolf howled. I could feel her clawing out of my chest, desperate to reach out to him. I had to stop moving for a minute when the clawing got too much that I almost couldn’t breathe.This was a hundred times worse than burning inside that barn house, than being pushed in the stairs, or getting struck by Chantal’s arrows. It felt like the pain was stealing my breath away.When my memories returned, I didn’t cry. When I realized I was betrayed or when I remembered my family’s lies, my eyes remained dry. Even when I shed blood last night and saw the monster I needed to become, no tear had slipped from my eyes.I wouldn’t break that now.I wouldn’t cry this time either.

“STOP trying to recruit me in your miserable club. I’m already happy with my own life. I can pick my own woman. I don’t need your help. Pair me up with Charmaine or another woman again and you’ll all see what happens next. Those are Alpha Alexander’s exact lines when he barged into the castle and announced that to the ministers there.”Lauren giggled. “You should have seen everyone’s reaction, Katie. They were so shocked. But what they found more shocking was about Charmaine. They didn’t know who she was. I didn’t know either. Until he told them that he’s referring to your sister. Finally. That bitch has found someone who wouldn’t fall for her trap. It’s time for her to get off her high horse. Have I told you how much I dislike her?”She did. Many times, actually.She said it was hate at first sight. She hated Chantal even if she didn’t do anything to her. She said it had something to do with her gut feeling. She used to warn me not to trust her too much but of course, I didn’t listen

KATRIONA remembered me and she was out to hurt me back. To deny me. And worse, to erase me from her system and from her life.I wanted to push it and tell her that what she heard in the basement was not real. She must have been thinking that just like everyone else, I tricked her. But after seeing how she broke down, after remembering how she looked at me with those dead eyes, I had to restrain myself.She had been too broken that whatever I say now would not help with her pain. I don’t think she would believe me either. And she had every right not to believe in me. She was protecting herself… from me. I was relieved that she had learned how to value herself more.Still, it hurt like hell. But I will take all the pain she would throw my way as long as she was alive and I get to see her safe and sound. I would rather we fight like this than not have anything at all with her.Clyde was right. Katriona was taking her revenge. She wanted to break me. That was my intention, too, when I to