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đđI bought him for the night.He took it as permission to ruin me.The moment the door closed, he chained my wrists above my head.
âLittle redhead,â he whispered,
âwhy does a delicate human tremble like an omega in heat?â
I shouldâve been terrified.
But his scent, his voice, the way he scraped his fangs along my throatâ
it lit something feral inside me.
He promised to drag the truth out of me,
one sinful sound at a time.
What he doesnât know is the truth heâs huntingâ
the runaway princessâ
is already moaning beneath him.
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Chapter 1
KAT
âYou look perfect, Princess Katerina.â
My fists clenched tightly in my lap. I had to make a conscious effort to breathe and calm myself.
Perfect. I looked like a doll. The kind meant for display, pristine and never touched. The useless kind. Pale porcelain skin with the finest makeup applied so expertly that it looked seamless. Big blue eyes with lashes that didnât need extensions. Plump red lips with the usual polite smile.
âThank you,â I answered, nodding at the makeup artist.
âTheyâre waiting for you downstairs. Should I call your brother to accompany you?â
My fists balled again. Lordswood Castle was more secure than any fortress. Bugs couldnât get in without stringent vetting and permission, but even that wouldnât be enough to get them into the inner keep.
Yet they still accompanied me everywhere like a child.
Still, all of this was for a good reason. Every sacrifice would be worth it in the end.
âThat wonât be necessary. Thank you, Alanna,â I said as I stood.
âBut the Alpha saidââ
âIâm sure Iâll be fine,â I interrupted, maintaining the smile so deeply ingrained in me it felt fused to my face.
I straightened the long skirt of my dress and adjusted my posture, although this was easy to do thanks to the corset. It was as stiff as a board; I couldnât slouch even if I wanted to.
Only sparing a glance in the mirror, I nodded at the team of women whoâd dressed me and headed out of my dressing room. I did look perfect, I had to give them that. Not a single strand of blonde hair out of place, shoulders straight, head held high. And every piece of clothing on my body was worth more than most people made in a year.
I was the prize.
The one raised to be envied. To complete my true mateâs life. To be a trophy.
A prisoner.
My smile slipped, and my steps faltered at the door to my bedroom. I was being unfair. My life was a privilege; I had to be grateful. My parents loved me and gave me everything, and my dear brother, Kostas, would burn the world down for me if I asked.
âWhy do they even bother? Sheâll be eighteen soon; I doubt a true mate will fall in her lap anytime soon. Theyâve set their expectations too high; sheâs just an omega.â
My shoulders stiffened. They must have thought I left already.
Omega. Weak. Doomed to submit to every wolf, a burden to the one Iâd mate, yet the most treasured in my pack. The irony wasnât lost on me.
âQuiet! If you want to survive here, keep such thoughts to yourself.â
âBut everyone saysââ
âYouâll be out of the castle before lunchtime if you finish that sentence. Prince Kostas will make sure you never step foot through the complex gates again.â
There was silence after that, but I wanted that woman to finish what she was about to say. Everyone said what? I was stuck in the inner castle most of the time, and no one dared say a word out of place. Gossip hardly ever reached my ears, but when it did, it was the boring type.
I bit back a huff. It was unladylike. Mother would have a fit if she heard me.
Squaring my shoulders again, I stepped out into the wide hallway alone. There was still a chill in the air outside as we welcomed the spring, but all the rooms in my wing were nice and toasty. My father hated it if I so much as sniffled. He hardly let me out in the winter.
But spring was here. The flowers were starting to bloom. And that meant long walks in the gardens, and the Spring Ball. Some excitement after a long winter. Anything was better than sitting alone with my thoughts.
My steps were steady as I approached the two guards in all black combat uniforms at the end of the hallway, and I almost laughed when they turned to me and stiffened. The panic on their faces was priceless.
âYour Royal Highness, please wait here to be accompanied,â one of them said with a small bow.
I knew they would mindlink my brother the second they saw me, but I was prepared. I quickened my steps past them and turned into the next hallway, where several other guards waited. It was overkill, but what was a girl to do? I was assigned more guards than the king and queen. How far could I go this time? The entry hall, perhaps?
I half jogged past the guards, and was almost at the staircase when my brother's head appeared as he jogged to the top.
Damn. Iâd almost made it.
Sighing, I slowed my steps and met my brotherâs scowling face.
âYou didnât wait for me, Katerina,â he said.
âI walked down two hallways by myself, Kostas. If I canât even do that, how will I ever take care of my mate?â
Predictably, the scowl deepened, and I almost giggled. My brother was a handsome man. He was the complete opposite of me. Towering height, brown-eyes, curly brunette hair, and there was nothing delicate about him. He was a warrior, the Lordswood Pack beta, second only to my father with his intimidating aura. Iâd been told that was true even if he stood in a room full of alphas.
âHe will have to take care of you,â Kostas said firmly. âAnd donât forget, this castle will be your home.â
Of course. How could I forget that even after the mating ceremony, I would live within the same walls? Maybe a new face would change things. Shake me out of the monotony. There were only so many languages and musical instruments I could learn, and I was growing tired of all the law, financial, and economics books. Perhaps once I was mated, they would allow me to apply my studies in practice.
Or even learn something else, like training with the rest of the pack. Now that was a dream worth holding onto.
Kostas linked our arms and started walking.
âRemember what I told you about today,â he said. âThere are others on the list, but this one is a good candidate.â
Theyâd said that about all of them. Iâd been meeting âcandidatesâ since I was five, first under the guise of playdates, and then openly as my potential future mates. Over the past few weeks, I had a date every day, sometimes twice a day.
Mother was in panic mode. My parents were ready to seal my fate.
Resisting the urge to sigh again, I smiled up at my big brother.
âIf you say heâs right for me, then he must be,â I said.
âOf course he is. He has a bright future ahead of him. Currently top of his class and excels in his training. Only someone like that could be your true mate,â Kostas said, his scowl vanishing.
He beamed down at me, and I felt the warmth of his love and protection. Every misgiving I had about these dates deflated as I squeezed his arm.
âI bet he will make an excellent addition to our pack.â
Maybe mating wouldnât be so bad, after all. I knew my parents wouldnât pressure me to have children too soon. They just wanted to make sure I was settled in any eventuality. The whole pack would respect someone they approved of, and a true mate would never hurt me.
We descended the grand staircase slowly, into the entrance hall. It was almost noon, so the servants should have been busy preparing lunch or cleaning the hundreds of rooms within the great stone structure. But there was silence. Too quiet. A âmoodâ, no doubt orchestrated by my mother. This new date must have been very important to bring things to a halt like that.
Or mum was just desperate.
âThe sunâs out today. Weâll meet him in the courtyard,â Kostas said.
I gasped and stopped walking, gripping my brotherâs arm.
âReally?â I asked, holding my breath.
âItâs a beautiful day,â Kostas said gently with an indulgent smile. âYou should see the first blooms with your future mate. I already told them to prepare your cloak.â
I ignored the optimism in his words and half-dragged him through the halls on the lower floor. The courtyard. How Iâd missed that. Even if the date didnât go as planned, sitting in the open with the sun on my face would make up for it.
âMum and Dad have official business, so they will meet him later for tea. Your chaperones are already waiting,â Kostas said, then added with a chuckle, âSlow your steps. Donât be so eager.â
Right.
I had to be proper. I was Her Royal Highness Princess Katerina Lordswood of Kingsland. There should be nothing to criticise about me.
âSorry, brother.â
I lowered my head as my chaperones approached, and one of them draped my warm cloak over my shoulders.
âIâll be close, so donât be afraid,â Kostas whispered, kissing my forehead before he stepped back.
His words sent a chill down my back, but I brushed them off. I was going outside!
My first genuine smile since I woke stretched across my face as the doors were opened, and I finally felt the sun directly for the first time in months. I didnât mind the slight bite on my cheeks as we stepped out into the cold. I was eager to meet the next man on my parentsâ dating list, just to walk around the gardens.
My step remained surprisingly steady, and I kept my hands together in front of me and my head lowered. A lady walked with grace. An Omega with humility.
We walked along the paved path by the pond towards the main seating area until we reached my favourite cherry blossom tree right in the middle of the yard. My smile widened. The tree was blooming. Soon, the whole courtyard would be filled with the lovely scent of the flowers.
A little boy stood beside it, admiring the tree, hands in his pockets. He was dressed in a suit, as most visitors did. I wondered who his parents were. Perhaps they were the ones the King and Queen were entertaining.
I stopped beside him and breathed deeply.
âYour Highness,â the boy said, stepping back from me and bowing.
âNo need to be so formal,â I said, smiling at him.
He was curly-haired and pimply, his face suggesting he was no older than twelve or thirteen. He probably hadnât shifted yet, but his alpha blood was undeniable. In a few years, my wolf would submit to his, despite my royal bloodline.
I looked away from him and suppressed that thought.
Happy thoughts only. Today was a good day.
âWhatâs your name, little boy? Are you here with your parents?â I asked.
Did my tone change to that annoying one adults used on babies? I cringed slightly when I saw the tick in his jaw and the way his fists balled up. Even his grey eyes grew colder. His anger was almost like a slap on my cold cheeks. Weird. He must have been too young to start learning how to control himself. It was more important for alphas, considering how much damage even their auras could do to weaker wolves.
âIâm not a little boy, Your Highness. Iâm fifteen. My name is Justin.â
He looked at me expectantly. Was I supposed to know him? Were his family members of the court? My fatherâs business allies? Iâd been memorising names and faces for so long that sometimes they just blurred together.
Still, I couldnât be rude.
âNice to meet you, Justin. Perhaps we will see each other again soon. Iâm here to meet someone. My brother wonât be pleased if he finds you here.â
I almost giggled at the thought of Kostasâ reaction once he found out someone had slipped past him. The inner courtyard was sacred. My gaze darted across the manicured space, eager to meet my millionth date and take him for a tour. Despite Kostas allowing me outside so soon, my time would be limited. Iâd make the most of it.
âIâm who youâre meeting, Your Highness. Iâm your date.â
My smile dropped.
My face twisted before I could stop it, my eyes widening as I looked at the boy who probably still had his nose wiped by his mother.
What. The. Actual. Fuck?
Chapter 2
KAT
No. No, no, no. This couldnât be real. This had to be a prank. A test. Iâd gone through so many dates that the pool must have shrunk to almost nothing, but there was no way my parents thought this snotty little boy was suitable for me. Goddess forbid if there was actually a spark of a bond with him.
What the hell were they thinking?
Iâd be eighteen in a few days. This wasnât just a bad match; it was illegal!
âPrincess Katerina?â
His babyish voice cut through the horror spiralling in my head, and I quickly smoothed my expression, forcing it back into something polite. Something practised.
âMâmy apologies, Justin,â I said, looking back at the two chaperones nearby.
One of them looked away, her mouth twitching. They knew. They knew Iâd been buffed and fluffed for a mere little boy.
Was I a joke?
âPlease,â I said, remembering my manners. âLetâs sit.â
One of Motherâs best tea sets was already laid out on the table, and a servant waited at a respectable distance, ready to serve. As if the day wasnât cursed enough, the sun slipped behind a cloud, taking its warmth with it.
Justin smirked as he dropped into a chair across from me, his eyes drifting lazily around the courtyard. His earlier tantrum seemed forgotten as he slouched in his seat and chuckled to himself. Obviously, he knew nothing about etiquette. Nothing about him stood out besides his alpha aura.
There was no way this kid excelled at anything.
âThis place is really cool,â Justin said, lifting the delicate teacup like it was a soda can. âI thought youâd be mated before my turn came around.â
My cheek burned as embarrassment rolled through me. His turn? Anyone who made it on my parentsâ list was privileged. Saying they were taking turns sounded too vulgar. It was as if I were some box to tick off. Like he was doing me a favour.
I looked away and sipped my tea, too. There was a whole meal coming after that, but Iâd lost my appetite, and I suddenly didnât feel like walking with this boy.
âYouâre only a child. It was obviously a mistake,â I said calmly, keeping my voice even.
I wanted to storm back into the castle and demand answers, but Mother had drilled it into meâpoise, no matter what. I had a guest, so I had to entertain him, even if he was fresh out of nappies.
I almost snorted, but swallowed it back. I had to endure this. So much for going for a walk. It would be like babysitting, and I really wasnât in the mood for that. Still, this was better than the dates Iâd endured the past week.
A shiver rippled down my spine, and my hand trembled. The teacup clattered softly as I set it down, the uneven sound echoing across the courtyard.
No. Not now. There was no point in dwelling on the past.
âIâm not a child,â Justin said through his teeth, the earlier temper peeking through.
Something about the flash in his eyes tugged at my memory. Why did that look so familiar? That thought brought me out of my head as I studied the kid again. Had I seen him at a ball? In the background, at a pack gathering Iâd spied on from one of my windows?
âBut at least Iâm getting this out of the way quickly,â Justin continued. âGives me better odds of finding my mate when I shift.â
Frowning, I met the bratâs gaze head-on, breaking another of my parentsâ rules.
âWhat do you mean by that?â
âYou know,â the boy shrugged.
I didnât. Wasnât he there to see if he was a match? Then why was he still thinking of finding a mate when he shifted?
Not that I would even entertain that thought, but what the hell?
âWhich pack are you from?â I asked, fingers curling in my lap.
He was clearly uncultured to act like I wasnât good enough for him. I was a princess! What could he possibly object to?
âIronbridge,â Justin answered, glancing around again before reaching into his pocket and pulling his cell phone out. He pointed the camera towards the cherry blossom tree as if it were a sightseeing tour.
Unbelievable.
The scenery was more fascinating to him than I was! At least he didnât try to take a picture of me. How heâd snuck that thing into the castle was beyond me. Kostas banned recording devices because, in his words, ânot everyone deserves to gaze upon your beauty.â I used to roll my eyes at that, but now I was grateful.
Iâd studied enough cases to know exactly how wrong it could get when someone captured the wrong kind of image.
A guard materialised from some hidden place behind me and snapped the phone out of the kidâs hand.
âAw, come on,â Justin whined. âItâs just a tree.â
The guard thumbed through something on the phone, frowning, and then slipped it into his own pocket. Guess the brat was shit out of luck.
âTell him to give me back my phone. I donât know why they treat you like you hung the sun in the sky. Iâm just like you, Iâm a prince, too. My dad wonât let it slide if I say you stole from me.â
âYouâre an alphaâs son?â I asked, even though comparing any other alpha in the kingdom to Father was treasonous.
But Mother branched into the farther territories years ago. This brat could very well have been a real prince, a son of one of the neighbouring three kings.
Justin leaned back, folding his arms as if he owned the world.
âYeah. Alpha Carter. You donât want to piss him off.â
A sharp noise cracked the air. I blinked. The handle of my cup had snapped in my hand.
I loosened my grip and let the pieces fall onto the table while my eyes widened at the boy before me. My pulse pounded in my ears. I couldnât breathe past the lump forming in my throat.
A memory flared. A different date. Hair pulling. Greasy hand on my thigh. Rising further. That laugh when he told me what he would do to me.
Twisting my hands together, I looked back at the guard. Of course this kid was a Carter. Not a real prince, not even close. Alpha Carter would never be an alpha king in any lifetime. No wonder this kid looked familiar.
âYou should have followed the rules,â I said. I was surprised that my voice remained steady. âTheyâll check it and give it back to you at the end of our... meeting.â
No way was I calling this a date. Especially now that I knew who he was. Anyone from that vile cesspit of a pack wasnât worthy of setting foot through our complex gates, never mind sitting across from me. Didnât Kostas think so? Had I really been reduced to this? Having him there felt like a betrayal.
âMy brother Aaron said youâre insane. I see it now,â Justin sneered. âSaid you smiled like a robot no matter what he said to you.â
My hands twitched. Aaron had said a lot.
âAnd Samuel said thereâs not much between your ears,â he continued.
Pot. Kettle. Black.
Samuel had the body of an alpha and the brain of a potato. He didnât look or talk like heâd ever read a book in his life. Perfect gentleman when he wasnât leering, but I struggled to keep my eyes open.
âAnd Jake...â
The smile dropped off my face completely. My skin crawled like a hundred baby spiders had just hatched on me. Justin saw it and laughed, glancing behind me, obviously calculating how much he could get away with.
âJake said youâd only be good for one thing.â
My gaze snapped back to his. Blood rushed in my ears, and my vision sharpened. Only a few weeks until my first shift, and already the beast within me was stirring. If I lost control now and shifted, I could tear this degenerate pup apart. Because he was unshifted, heâd be defenceless. It would be like toying with a human.
âIf your brothers said all that, why are you here?â I asked.
Behind me, I sensed my chaperones edging closer. Did they hear him?
âYou really donât know?â Justin laughed, clapping his hands as if this was entertaining. âThereâs a saying. Life isnât complete until youâve dated the princess. If you want to find your true mate, you have to dump her first.â
Behind me, one of my chaperonesâthe one whoâd struggled not to laugh when I met Justinâgiggled. She knew!
My cheeks flamed again. Humiliation rose in my chest. I dated these boys for a reason, for the good of the kingdom, but this was what they thought of me? My chest compressed, and I felt my heart shatter.
Did my parents know?
Did Kostas?
The fury Iâd been swallowing all morning while my maids wrapped me up for this boy returned a hundredfold, forcing me to my feet.
âMr Carter, weâre done here.â
Justin stood, still laughing, and gave a mocking bow. Every part of me called out to slap that smug look off his face, but my hands remained clasped in front of me.
Proper.
Still perfect.
Even as an inferno burned within me.
âI wasnât staying here long anyway. Weâre obviously, thankfully, not true mates,â he said. âHand me my phone back and wish me luck for my future, Princess.â
âGood luck, Mr Carter,â I said, a smile still on my face. âYouâll need it to find anyone whoâll put up with that stench of manure coming from your mouth. You talk a lot for a child whoâs mediocre at best. Unsurprising considering who your father is. Iâll remember your name fondly the next time Alpha Carter bows at my feet. Goodbye, little boy.â
Chapter 3
KAT
âKaterina, open this door.â
I glanced up from my textbook, waiting. Was today the day Kostas finally lost his patience and broke it down? Iâd avoided him for a week, hiding behind Motherâs endless matchmaking. Sheâd ramped it up again, so much so that it felt like that was all I did. Wake up. Dress. Date. Get humiliated. Start again.
My fury still simmered inside me.
My skin itched, ready to burst from the unfamiliar emotions Iâd been struggling with, yet I knew what they meant. It was almost time.
I wanted answers, a reason for this humiliation, but I couldnât bring myself to ask. My omega wolf was already cowering. Hiding. Submitting to my familyâs will, like Iâd been taught my whole life.
Kostas knew what the Carter boys had said and done. I was under no illusion that those guards who appeared out of thin air to save me during my date with Jake hadnât reported everything.
But heâd still set me up with another boy who had Carter blood running through his veins.
My head was a jumbled mess. I'd never once doubted my family's love for me until my date with Justin; those questions kept circling my mind. All week, Iâd caught the glances from the servants. Saw them whisper. I couldnât hear them, my wolf hadnât surfaced yet, but I felt their words.
My humiliation was constant. I felt naked.
âKaterina!â Kostas growled, louder now.
Swallowing, I stood slowly, smoothed down my dress, and pasted my smile back on my face.
âIâm sorry, Kostas. I had my music on,â I lied, pulling my earbuds out for show.
My brother frowned, silent for a while, before he stepped into my room. He didnât buy it. I'm sure he already knew I was avoiding him.
âItâs the Spring Ball tonight. Mother prepared your dress and mask.â
He sounded anxious. Uneasy. Why? Iâd been attending for years, secretly at first, when I hid behind the curtains in the grand hall. When I turned fifteen, I was officially presentedâfully maskedâand finally allowed to accompany my parents and brother.
Behind the anonymity of the masks, I gained a little freedom.
âI know,â I said. âI'll be ready on time, you don't need to worry.â
âYour birthday is in a few days. Are you feeling... anything?â
âNo,â I lied again.
Did he see through that? His gaze didnât linger on my face. Kostas sighed and walked over to my pile of textbooks. Even on such a day, my work had to be completed.
âEverything I do is to protect you, Katerina,â he said, running his hands through his hair.
âI know.â
I just wasnât sure anymore what they were protecting me from.
âYou didn't meet anyone you liked this week?â
No. No stirrings of a true mate bond. They had all dumped me, the same as the ones whoâd come before them. The same as the Carter boys.
âNo, but Iâll tell you the moment I like someone,â I said, smiling as I reached for his hand. âI'm sure I'll find my mate soon. Don't worry, Kostas.â
âI would prefer it if we found him now. Before your wolf presents herself,â Kostas said.
So that was the reason for the overkill with the dates? My birthday? Had I run out of time? Would they choose any wolf, rather than my true mate? Anyone would be forgiven to think some great calamity was going to fall on me if I didnât get marked and mated before then. But what greater calamity was there than mating a wolf who would not respect my boundaries or look past the limitations of my wolf?
âIâll try,â I smiled, âbut could we forget about that for tonight? Can we just have fun?â
His smile returned, faint and wistful.
âSometimes I forget how young you are. Of course, Princess. Let your hair down tonight,â he said. âBut be careful. Things outside our walls arenât as settled as Iâd want.â
Kostas never talked about anything outside our walls. Could this be what had my family anxious? Lordswood was, after all, the largest pack in fatherâs kingdom, and our kingdom was the largest of the four. Our complex was like a city; we were self-sufficient. It wouldnât be the first time another kingdom thought they could help themselves to what we had. Was I too arrogant to assume they were all anxious because of me?
âFinish your homework. Theyâll come to help you soon.â
After he kissed my forehead, he left, and my burning questions remained unasked. I was almost afraid to hear the answers.
An hour later, several maids came into my room, my new dress and accessories in tow. Usually, I loved this part, but this time, lead settled on the centre of my chest. I was too anxious. I didnât care about the layers of sapphire silk, the delicate silver-threaded mask, or the jewels for my hair.
My chest still hurt. But I didnât dare ask the stupid questions.
Did everyone attending the ball know about this saying? Did they all secretly laugh at me?
I had no idea how I got from my dressing room to meet my parents at the top of the main staircase.
âYou look beautiful, Katerina,â Queen Maria said, taking my hands in hers.
I couldnât see her face behind her mask, only her red curls piled on top of her head, but tears shimmered in her green eyes just as they had all week. My head switched from my simmering fury to concern for her. But it switched back just as quickly when I remembered the Carters and all the other recent dates. Theyâd all been carefully selected by my motherâs own hand.
âThank you, Mother,â I smiled. âSo do you.â
Both my parents did. Father was a typical alpha, towering over all us, even Kostas. He looked more dignified with his blue royal mantle draped over his shoulders.
âDonât forget yourself tonight, darling. There are too many eyes watching.â
Her words fed the dread that had been brewing in the pit of my stomach. All those eyes would indeed be on me, just as they had since I was presented. But would they be laughing behind their masks?
âYes, Mother.â
âIf you get into any trouble, return to your room. Kostas will take care of it,â Father said, his voice low but commanding.
King Christos didnât need to raise his tone to make people obey his command. His aura could silence armies; which was how heâd earned the right to rule all the packs in the north. Iâd yet to meet anyone who was as strong as he was.
Or as gentle.
As if heâd known that he scared me, he gently patted my shoulder.
This was why my parents wanted a true mate for me. So he could soothe me when I was in distress. So he could protect me.
So he could keep me caged within these walls with the servants whispering behind my back.
âLetâs go,â Father said softly. âOur guests are all here.â
We descended together, my father leading, Kostas behind us. Perfect. Regal. I was sandwiched like the fragile princess I was.
This was my life. Privileged. Beautiful. Like a colourful bird in a cage.
My chest welled, almost unable to push this thought back down. Behind the mask, the smile was gone.
I was a prisoner.
I had to leave.
The music swelled in the great hall, and couples twirled in the middle. But the colours blurred around me. I forgot all the things I loved about the Spring Ball as that decision echoed in my mind.
Was I really doing this? I knew nothing beyond these walls. How would I survive?
I left my motherâs side, picked a drink, and slipped away. I didnât stop walking until I was in the main courtyard. Sighing, I drained the drink in one go and looked up at the sky. For years, Iâd imagined what it would be like to walk out of the castle. To find myself so I could be my own person. Iâd even planned every step of it. I already knew how to get the suppressants from the hospital and which clothes Iâd pack. But I was not capable of anything else beyond that.
I was not my own person.
âIf you sigh any louder, people might think Iâm doing something inappropriate to you.â
I froze.
My breath hitched as I turned to the voice. He sat on one of the chairs along the wall, legs crossed, hidden in the shadows.
A stranger, yet that voice sent a jolt down my spine. It was deep and velvety, the gentle chords almost pulling me in like a rope. Everything else faded into the background as I stepped closer to him.
Who was he?
There was something different about him. Something dangerous. I didnât feel an alpha aura around him, yet I sensed his power.
âThere she is. I wonder if thatâs her next date.â
The familiar voices behind me pulled me back. Carter voices. The laughter that followed sent the fury crashing back into me. My hands clenched as I turned back inside.
That was it.
I was done.
I was leaving.
Chapter 4
HUNTER
That scent.
Molten amber, smoked vanilla, and something unexpected. Chocolate peppermint?
It drifted closer, teasing my senses. Faint, missing the earthiness of a wolf, yet no less intoxicating. I dragged in a lungful before I could stop myself.
But the woman turned from me in a swirl of silk, her chin high and back stiff as she stormed back towards the pretentious castle that the king of the north called home. Golden hair coiled like a crown caught the light, almost matching its brilliance to the jewels adorning it.
I almost growled, the beast within me urging me to go after her. My grip tightened on the chairâs arms hard enough to hear the creak. This wasnât why I was here. I had to focus.
The laughter of some teenagers drifting back inside after the girl trickled past me.
âI canât believe they think anyone will want her,â a boy snorted. âEven with her dowry, sheâs going to weaken any pack she bonds with.â
Was that her? The elusive princess of Lordswood? The one paraded like livestock by that irreverent king? That kid was disrespectful, but he had a point. Her reputation was in ruins. No self-respecting man would sign up for this, whether he was a true mate or chosen.
Sighing, I leaned back. With a flick of my fingers, Elijah stepped from the shadows, silent as ever, and handed me a file. The useless Lordswood shadow guards likely wouldnât even know heâd been there.
âYou were right. Heâs here,â my beta said.
I didnât need to open it. Of course I was right. Only a psychopath would dance beneath the kingâs nose with a target on his back. But was he acting alone? That part wasnât clear yet. The bastard was getting under my skin.
I stood and passed him the file.
âShould I follow you? They are watching you. It seems theyâre expecting you.â
âHe wonât make a move tonight. Heâs taunting me,â I growled, adjusting my suit. âAnd I donât care if theyâre watching me.â
Who would dare move against me?
âWill you take your turn with the princess?â
My head snapped to Elijah as he vanished back into the shadows with a chuckle.
My turn? The fact that King Christos even dared to put my name on that list was insulting.
My mask was a gold skull, and possibly the most ridiculous thing Iâd ever worn. Christos Lordswood had made such things mandatory since he presented his âpreciousâ daughter, and it was another kick in the balls. Iâd ignored the invite for years for that reason. But this time, lives were at stake.
But no one would believe that when they walked through to the grand hall. It was pure decadence. Gold, silver, and royal blues everywhere. Priceless ornaments and jewels displayed like trinkets. A live orchestra played trending renditions, while servers floated by with glasses of wine that most packs couldnât afford in a lifetime. Iâd bet the feast laid out was just as ostentatious. Christos had no respect for the suffering of others, and it seemed neither did the other alphas.
They stood apart, surrounded by their own, the facade of unity glaringly obvious. The Spring Ball meant nothing when their egos filled the entire hall.
Christos was the king of no one.
They all liked to pretend I didnât exist.
Alpha Carterâs gaze flicked to me, and his pasty face turned paler. Smirking, I raised a flute to him, and the spineless alpha looked away.
Sighing, I got back to work. Weaving through the guests, eyes and ears open, I caught nothing but useless conversations. No one would whisper about bloodshed within Christosâs polished walls.
A flash of blue caught my eye, and I stopped moving. It was the princess no one wanted. She glided through the room, accepting the way the crowd parted for her as if it was her right, and stopped beside her brother, another unbearable prick.
The Lordswood pack was full of them.
âAre you alright?â Prince Kostas whispered.
I caught his words even above the music and chatter.
The princess nodded but didnât speak. Still no voice. Her sighs had been soft and breathy, like the start of a moan. I shook that thought loose, but the curiosity didnât let go of me. What did she sound like? Whiny? Arrogant?
âTell me when you have enough. Weâll head back, I can have dinner sent to your room,â Kostas said, resting his hand on the top of hers.
My gaze narrowed at the protective way he touched her hand. They were siblings, right? Kostas had beaten the living shit out of anyone who breathed wrong around the fragile princess. Overkill, for sure, but what did I know? I didnât have any siblings.
âDid you meet anyone... special?â Kostas whispered.
Oh.
Was the ball another meat market? Another chance to find this elusive true mate?
Shaking my head, I set down my drink and prepared to leave. There was nothing for me there. I was better off watching my suspects as they went. Masks concealed everything, and I had no scents to track.
Then she spoke.
âNo. But Iâd like to dance before I go back to my room.â
Fuck me.
The whispered words snapped my head back to the princess. Iâd expected her voice to be soft and shy, but it was low and firm. Measured. Like honey dripping off a silver spoon. A contradiction.
My beast reared up, focusing on the princess again.
âThereâs no one here worthy of a dance with you,â Kostas said. âShall I have this honour?â
No one worthy?
Oh?
Grinning, I stepped forward, ignoring the alphas and lunas who hadnât bothered to greet me, until I stood in front of the siblings.
âYour Highness,â I said with a bow, âmay I have this dance?â
The princess looked at her brother like she was waiting for his permission. Would the great Prince Kostas Lordswood let his baby sister dance with the devil? My aura was buried, but I had no doubt Kostas knew who I was. He knew everyone within a mile of his sister.
Sure enough, when I met the princeâs gaze, there was enough ice in it to burn. And fear? His temple throbbed above the phantom mask covering half his face.
Would he defy me?
âKostas?â the princess asked, pulling his focus.
âItâs up to you, Katerina. I wonât make you do anything you donât want to do.â
She hesitated, and then the princess released her brotherâs arm and held out her lace-covered hand. Kostasâs mouth twitched, and the air around him cracked with unrestrained power.
Until Katerina whimpered and flinched.
Of course. The fragile little omega. She couldnât take any discomfort.
Kostas smiled and masked his aura as he rubbed her back.
âGo on,â he said gently. âDance. I have some people to talk to.â
Katerina half turned, as if she would follow her brother, but I caught her hand in mine. With her full mask, I couldnât see her expression, but her body stiffened. The tempo of her heartbeat jumped. Blue eyes clashed with mine. Fire flared in her eyes briefly. Maybe it was a flash of light, because she lowered her head submissively and allowed me to lead.
Like a good little omega.
I almost snorted at my thoughts as I brought her to the centre of the room and turned to face her.
And then that scent hit me again.
Fuck. Why the hell had I allowed Kostasâ words to provoke me? I didnât give a shit if the prince thought me unworthy. But there I was, drawing the princess closer, inhaling her scent like I would die without it.
I didnât miss the eyes on us. The orchestra played on, but the room went quiet. The dancefloor cleared, and just like that, it was just the two of us in the room.
She was small. Fragile. Barely up to my chest, I could see the top of her head. My hand circled her waist, settling on her lower back, pulling her close. The beast almost purred. Why did she smell so good? Feel so good? Beneath the layers of her dress, the warmth of her body seeped into mine.
The princess gasped and stepped back, head bowed. The music drifted to my ears again, reminding me of where I was. I was being inappropriate. Sullying the precious jewel of Lordswood.
âPardon me, Your Highness," I said, reclaiming her hand.
This time, I kept a respectable distance. We moved through the steps, flowing seamlessly. Goddess, she fit perfectly in my arms. If I just leaned in, if I pressed my mouth to her neck andâ
No.
My grip tightened on her lower back even as I tried to ease away from her. What the hell was this?
She was unshifted. Too young. Inexperienced. Even though I was at least eight years older than her, Iâd shifted way before my time.
Besides, she was that fucker Lordswoodâs spawn.
The music changed, snapping my attention back to the room and the omega who still refused to meet my gaze. I didnât want such a spineless woman in my bed. The packaging was beautiful; no one would doubt that. But the blood in her veins was rotten.
âI suppose I can consider this my turn,â I said, my voice flat.
The princessâs head snapped up. Blue fire spat at me, this time unmistakable. Her shoulders squared, and she clasped her hands in front of her.
âYes, please do. My brother was right, you are not worthy. Enjoy the ball, sir.â
She turned and walked away like she ruled the realm. And fuck if that didnât make my beast howl.
Chapter 5
KAT
I calmed my breathing before stepping into the family dining room. Mother and Father sat together, holding hands and laughing softly. Kostas stood at the window, wine glass in hand, eyes distant. He didnât look like he belonged in the same scene. He was too still. Too serious.
The moment Mother saw me, she rose with practised grace and opened her arms.
âDarling, come here,â she said brightly.
Kostas turned, the frown gone like it never existed. The three of them smiled as if they hadnât seen the way the guests had avoided me at the ball. As if I hadnât been the only royal they all pretended not to see.
I returned Motherâs embrace, letting her subtle scent smother me. She wore an evening gown, dripping in crystals, despite it being a rest day. Iâd gone simpler. No corset and no full face of make-up. Motherâs subtle frown at my dress didnât need words. But I didnât offer an explanation.
Itâs not like theyâd ever given me one.
âYou were the belle of the ball last night,â Mother said, guiding me to a seat beside her. âI have a good feeling about your upcoming appointments.â
My fingers twitched in my lap, but I kept the smile on my face.
âOh? Did you notice anything?â Father asked her before quickly turning his gaze to me. âHas your wolf shown herself, Katerina?â
âNot yet,â I said, too quickly.
âShe doesnât need her wolf now,â Mother said, brushing it off. âSheâs so close to shifting, her true mate would have sensed her already. I wouldnât be surprised if someone comes calling very soon.â
My heart twisted. A true mate. The dream I was raised to chase. Yet...
âYou canât be sure, Mother,â I said, sipping my wine. I was surprised my hand didnât tremble.
âWe had the best of the best from all the territories under one roof. Of course Iâm sure,â Mother said, placing her hand in mine. âTrust me on this.â
For the first time in a long time, Mother wasnât twitchy or close to tears. Could she really have sensed something?
But no. She said the same thing about a dozen times a year. My happiness had depended on the queenâs fluctuating moods for as long as I could remember. We were always either ecstatic or disappointed.
I was tired.
âI trust you,â I lied with a soft smile, just as the servants arrived with dinner.
Across the table, I met Kostasâ gaze. He hadnât said a word since I came in. He hadnât said anything since the man on the dancefloor had humiliated me in front of everyone. In front of all the âbest of the bestâ in the wolf territories.
His turn, heâd said. That bastard was no different from Justin and his brothers.
Kostas looked away from me and picked up his cutlery to start eating.
âWhen your mate reveals himself, weâll throw the grandest wedding,â Father beamed. âIâll walk you down the aisle, just like I always dreamed. Kostas, have you finished overseeing the housing project? Every unit must be furnished.â
My father spoke like it was a done deal. My true mate would live in the castle with me, and his pack would join ours. But what if he chose not to? What if he didnât want my brother as their beta?
My gaze drifted back to Kostas. He didnât look at Father as he said, âYes, everything is under control.â
But Kostas was the smartest person I knew. Hadnât this thought crossed his mind?
Hadnât it crossed any of their minds that no one would want to live with the joke of the kingdom?
âPerfect,â Mother said, clasping her hands. âOur little butterfly will have everything.â
I tuned them out after that. Motherâs endless plans for the wedding. Fatherâs constant tweaking of the security plans and living arrangements. Iâd participated in the conversations enough times to know them by heart.
By the time dessert plates were cleared and we moved to the lounge, I could barely keep my mask in place. My stomach twitched with nerves, and my pulse echoed in my ears.
This was it. The last supper.
Would I ever see my family again? Would they understand why I had to do this? Would they forgive me?
How disappointed would they be when they learned that I didnât want the life they had so carefully crafted for me?
âAre you alright, Katerina?â
I smiled at my brother over my book.
âI am. But you seem tired, though.â
Was he burning himself out again? When I left, who would remind him to take care of himself?
âThings have just been a little hectic, but Iâm fine.â
Was he lying?
âIf itâs about my birthday, we donât have to make a big deal of it. The Spring Ball was grand enough.â
âNonsense,â Father said. âItâs not every day a wolf turns eighteen.â
As if triggered by my anxiety, my body started to betray me. My skin itched, nerves flaring under the surface like a thousand sparks. The lights pierced my eyes, and every sound stabbed into my skull. The world sharpened until I could make out the silver strands in my fatherâs blond hair. I could smell the blood in the steak weâd just eaten, still clinging to the air.
And then it was gone. Cut off. Silent.
âWhat will you do if this doesnât work out?â I blurted.
The room stilled. I watched that panic return in my motherâs gaze before she forced a smile.
âYou will find one, Katerina,â Father said, voice firm. âEven if I have to knock on every door on the planet.â
I clenched my wine glass until my knuckles ached.
I wanted to scream. To ask why this mattered more than how they let those boys treat me. How they let people whisper about me and turn me into a joke.
Instead, I smiled, as if I were grateful, and sat in silence as the conversation returned to my birthday. When my parents decided to retire to their wing, I held on a little tighter than usual. Kissed their cheeks a little longer. Memorised their warmth.
By the time Kostas walked me to the door, my cheeks were numb, and my tears were seconds from bursting out.
âRest well. Tomorrow will be busy,â Kostas said.
âI will.â
âThat man you danced with last night,â Kostas started.
My fists balled before I could stop myself. That grey-eyed bastard. I shoved my memories back quickly and composed myself.
Now was not the time to remember how he held me. Or the way his scent messed with my head.
âDid you feel anything? Did your wolf stir?â
âThankfully not,â I lied. âHe was insufferable.â
I couldnât quite forget the way his scent tangled with something inside me.
My brother exhaled, and I saw the tension drain from his body. Was that the reason heâd been so quiet all night? He never worried without a good reason, so my assessment of that man must have been right. He was just a scoundrel. Someone not good enough for me. Such a man would never be my mate.
âIf you ever meet him again, walk away,â Kostas said.
Well, that was easy. I didnât even know what he looked like.
âIâll never be in the same room as him,â I promised.
Kostas paused, and I thought he might say more, but instead, he hugged me tight and pressed a kiss to my temple.
âIt will get better. I swear it,â he whispered before he released me.
He didnât linger after that, and my chest ached when I watched him walk away. My dear brother. Would he be okay?
Dragging my feet, I walked into my room without bothering with the light and sank into my couch. The tears came, falling silently as they had done many times before. I sat for hours, unable to stop them, unable to stop the stabbing pain in my chest.
When the castle finally fell asleep and the guards started their change of shift, I rose and crossed to the back of my dressing room. My bag was packed full of suppressants, and Iâd swiped a change of clothes from the laundry room.
There was nothing else left for me to do. There was nothing for me in this castle.
In this kingdom.
My only chance at freedom lay beyond the border, in the human world. With my steps light, I hid in the shadows until I slipped through the cracks of the life they built for me.
I wasnât their butterfly anymore.
Chapter 6
KAT
The mirror was cracked and too small to show much, but the green-eyed redhead woman staring back at me didnât need a full reflection to know she looked damn good. Green eyes sparkled beneath the uneven bangs of my pixie cut and my smile was wide.
I turned back to the mess behind me. Clothes piled on one side of the bed, textbooks and files on the other, and somewhere behind all that was my defunct kitchen.
It didnât matter. I was finally moving out of this shithole.
Squealing, I plopped onto the clear patch of my single mattress and picked up my envelope for the hundredth time.
My bonus.
My big, fat, life-changing bonus.
Eighty hours a week, blood, sweat, and tears for almost two years, and those higher-ups at the Bureau of Non-Human Affairs had finally noticed me. My name wasnât on the case file, but I cracked their case. I was their fucking hero. I deserved this.
Besides, I hadnât worked so hard just to write my name down on some file. Iâd done the impossible. Permanent hire before graduation? Done. Youngest recruit? Also done.
All that homeschooling had come in handy after all.
The smile faltered. My chest tightened. Tears threatened, but I shoved the thoughts away. Today was a good day. I was done surviving, I was ready to live.
Grabbing my keys, bag, and helmet, I kicked dirty clothes out of the way and headed out. I guess Iâd have to deal with the mess before I officially started work on Monday. I was down to my last office outfit.
Or fuck it, Iâd just buy new clothes.
My laughter rang out in the hallway as I walked to the stairs. I was still laughing when I reached the basement parking lot. Iâd buy enough clothes that I didnât have to repeat the same outfits every week. An apartment with enough room to swing a cat. A double bed without a thin, lumpy mattress!
Kat Munroe was moving up.
âLooking good, Kitty Kat.â
Rolling my eyes, I didnât turn back as I secured my crossbody bag across and put my helmet on. Leather booty shorts, matching jacket, thigh-high boots, and a top that could pass for a bra. Not a corset in sight.
âWhere are we going tonight?â
The voice sounded closer, so I had to look. I hadnât made it this far by being stupid.
Two guys, the usual suspects, walked out from behind two pillars like they were villains in a D-list movie. Long-haired jock types. The type of human trash the Bureau usually handed down to the local agencies. It was a pity they couldnât handle humans themselves or Iâd have turned them in for being assholes.
âTodd. Sam,â I greeted with a nod. âJust going for some groceries. Why are you lurking in a dark basement?â
The two delinquents grinned and came closer.
âYou promised weâd hang out, Kat,â Todd drawled. âYouâre not going back on your word, are you?â
âForget your groceries,â Sam added. âWeâll feed you something better.â
Creepy. Did that shit ever work on anyone?
âMaybe tomorrow night,â I said, turning back to my bike and swinging my leg over it.
The two were on either side of me before I could grip the throttle.
âYou keep brushing us off, Kitty Kat,â Todd said, grabbing the handlebars. âYou think that will work forever?â
My motorbike was my pride and joy. Gleaming red and black with polished chrome, and an engine that purred like a beast. Iâd skipped meals and rent for her. How dare this bastard put his hand on her?
âWe promise youâll enjoy it,â Sam added, grabbing the other handle.
Iâd had enough.
Removing my helmet, I ran my fingers through my hair and then smiled at one and then the other. Television was a great thing. More educational than the mountains of books in my fatherâs library. In three years, Iâd learned that using brute strength wasnât the only way to win.
But it sure did help.
I swung my helmet and cracked it hard against Toddâs head. Then a punch to Samâs ribs made him swear and stagger back. The engine roared to life beneath me, and I peeled out before the losers could react. My laughter echoed in the parking lot, rising with the growl of the engine.
Three years ago, someone would have come out of the shadows to handle those two.
But I wasnât that girl anymore.
I couldnât be.
I sliced through the Friday night traffic with that ache in my chest. As always, guilt tore at me. Had they stopped looking for me? Were they okay? Did they hate me?
If I went back now, would they accept the new me?
The bright lights of the city flashed around me as I parked my bike and took my helmet off. I couldnât dwell on that. I was finally about to get the life Iâd designed for myself. Now wasnât the time to falter.
Pulse stood like a beacon in downtown Greenville, with a line already forming at the wide doors. A crowd spilt onto the sidewalk, and I could already feel the thumping of the bass from outside. When it was my turn, I proudly took out my ID before they could ask me and grinned at the bouncers.
Twenty-one. My birthday. In the human world, I was now old enough to drink.
The bouncer looked between my ID and my face before he gave a low whistle.
âHappy birthday, Kathrine Munroe.â
âDamn right it is,â I said with a wink.
The velvet rope lifted, and just like that, they let me into the heart of the beast. Bass, bodies, and neon lights hit me all at once. The air was electric, and energy pulsed through the air. It was chaos, and I loved every second of it. I threaded my way through the crowds towards the bar, my body swaying to the music. This was freedom. The opposite of every ball Iâd ever attended.
Except in one way.
So many people, so much laughter, yet I was still very much alone.
Finally leaning against the bar, I waited for the busy bartender to notice me before I slid a twenty across the counter.
âWhiskey. Neat,â I shouted above the music before I leaned back on it to scan the club.
As much as I loved the freedom to drink without restrictions, that wasnât why I was there. Iâd been too busy juggling my degree and my internship, and now I was about to get busier. This weekend was the only time I could let my hair down.
The only time I could feel... something.
Kostas would lose his shit if he knew. Instead of making me panic, a thrill shot down my spine. I was my own person. I could make my own choices.
I scanned the room, my eyes skimming past the boys trying to be hard on the dancefloor, the men leering at the women from the walls, the ones being too loud, attention-seeking.
Until my gaze stopped at him.
He leaned against the far wall, half in the shadow, half under the flickering lights. Dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to hint at the muscles underneath, and pants tight enough to make my heart flutter. No loud colours like most of the men around him. No attention seeking.
He didnât blink often as he watched the crowd. He just stood still. Like he was waiting for something. Like he was hunting.
My body lit up like Iâd finally found the piece Iâd been looking for.
I picked up my whiskey and headed straight for him without hesitating. The closer I got, the more my body reacted to him. It had been so long since Iâd felt anything remotely similar that I almost panicked.
But I shoved those thoughts back. This had nothing to do with my beast. Those suppressants had worked for three years, and they would continue to do so.
The manâs head snapped towards me, and fuck. I couldnât stop the gasp. He was beautiful. Hair cropped short, stormy grey eyes smouldering, and a five oâclock shadow. Older than me, for sure. More experienced. I could tell by the way his gaze dipped slowly, dragging over me, before he met my eyes again. It felt like a caress. The heat that pooled in my stomach was instant. How did a man do that with just his eyes?
I stopped in front of him and tossed back the rest of my drink. Liquid courage.
âSeen something you like?â I purred.
His mouth curved, just barely.
âMaybe.â
His voice was deep and smooth, and it struck something inside me. Had I heard it before? At work? Or in my lectures?
I tilted my head to look up at him. I would have remembered if Iâd ever met someone like him. Despite the chaos of the club around him, he remained composed. Restrained. If this werenât a human club, I would have suspected he was something else. Was he hunting for a little something for the weekend, then?
I was more than ready to be his prey.
Stepping closer, letting my gaze eat him up like heâd done to me. Yes. Yes, heâd do.
âThen what are you going to do about it?â I asked.
âYou tell me,â the man said.
This was my cue. Iâd studied all those smutty television shows just for this moment.
âIâd like to buy you for the night.â
His brow lifted slightly, and his mouth curved again.
âYouâre very blunt.â
I shrugged. âItâs my birthday. Iâm celebrating. If youâre not available, I can find someone else.â
The little smirk fell off his face, and the air shifted. He stepped away from the wall slowly. Deliberately. I felt very much like his prey. My heart slammed against my chest when he stepped into the light.
Goddess. He was even hotter up close. Sharp jawline, tall, broad shoulders. I felt his presence all around me.
âAnd what exactly do you expect from me, birthday girl?â he drawled.
My breath caught. Electric shocks zapped down my spine, and I almost stepped back.
But this was what I wanted.
âSurprise me,â I whispered.
The man licked his lips. Then he reached for my empty glass and set it on a table next to us.
âCome with me.â
And I did. I followed the stranger through the crowd like I hadnât watched hundreds of true-life documentaries about what could happen to me. Not because I was drunk.
This wasnât about rebellion.
This was because, for the first time since I left home, I was going to do something I could never undo.
I was going to give myself to someone other than my true mate.
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