21

Katarina’s POV
Heaven wasn’t at all what I’d imagined. There were no family members waiting with open arms, no pearly gates, no sense of peace or happiness. It was just darkness, an endless void where I floated aimlessly, haunted by memories and the mistakes I couldn’t escape.
The worst part, though, was the beeping. That incessant sound that seemed to come from everywhere, piercing through the darkness.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
A steady, relentless noise that clawed its way into my consciousness. And then, something strange happened-a sensation I never thought I’d feel again. Sparks. Tiny, electric sparks that jolted through me, dragging me back from the void, back into a reality I didn’t want to face.
Memories flooded my mind, each one like a shard of glass embedding itself in my skin as I hurtled back through the darkness, plummeting until I finally landed-hard.
It felt like slamming into a brick wall, the impact jarring me back to life. My fingers twitched, and a dull ache spread up my arm. My toes followed, and the reality of my situation hit me like a freight train.
I had failed.
The one chance I had to escape, and I had messed it up. I clung to the hope that my hazy memory of being marked by Alpha Dominic was just a nightmare. If it wasn’t, if he had marked me, there would be no more chances. I could never end my life without taking his along with mine.
As much as I was willing to throw my own life away, I couldn’t do that to him.
I lay on the soft surface beneath me, my eyes tightly shut, letting my other senses take over. The room was quiet except for that damn beeping. The scent in the air was familiar, comforting in a way I didn’t want to acknowledge.
“I know you’re awake, Katarina.” Alpha Dominic’s deep voice was a low rumble, sending shivers down my spine and stirring something deep inside me. Rose, my wolf, responded to the sound of her mate, but she kept her distance, wrapped in her own guilt and sorrow.
Reluctantly, I opened my eyes, immediately regretting it as the light in the room stabbed at my senses, sending a sharp pain through my skull. I blinked against the brightness, my gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar room. We were still in Alpha Dominic’s house, but this wasn’t the bedroom I had been in before. The layout was different-one of the many guest rooms, no doubt.
My eyes drifted to Alpha Dominic. He was sitting in an armchair, his arms crossed over his chest, one leg casually resting over the other. He looked like the same god-like figure I had come to expect, but something was off. His hair was greasy and tangled, dark circles were etched beneath his eyes, and his clothes were crumpled, as if he hadn’t changed in days.
How long had I been out?
“A week. Seven days.” His deep voice pulled my attention to his chapped lips. How had he known I was wondering that? I hadn’t asked the question aloud. Could he read my mind?
A slight twitch of his lips was the only sign of amusement as he answered my unspoken thought. “I can’t read your mind, Katarina. But the mark lets us pick up on each other’s thoughts if we’re not careful. You’re practically throwing yours at me.”
He tried to sound amused, but there was no humor in his tired eyes.
Alpha Dominic leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs, his gaze never leaving mine. The intensity of his stare made my blood simmer with anger and frustration, my fingers itching with the urge to lash out. The stupid mark had done its job-our bond was stronger than ever, whether I wanted it or not. But it didn’t mean I had to like him, or that he had to like me.
We sat there in silence for what felt like an eternity, his silver eyes locked on my face, while I waited for the inevitable questions.
“Do you know how deep you would have to cut to end a werewolf’s life?” His voice was flat, the amusement long gone, replaced by a simmering anger.
I squirmed under his gaze, chewing on my chapped lip. He wasn’t expecting an answer, but the weight of his question hung in the air between us.
“Why?” His voice was softer now, almost pleading. He didn’t just want an answer-he needed one.
“I just…” My voice cracked, the sound grating on my nerves. Alpha Dominic handed me a glass of water, his eyes never leaving mine as I drained it in one gulp.
“I couldn’t take it anymore,” I whispered, the shame curling in my chest like a living thing. “I had it all buried deep inside, and the closer you got, the more it came back. Everything, Dominic. It all came back.”
He didn’t say anything, but I could see the turmoil in his eyes, the storm of emotions he was trying so hard to keep hidden.
“You know you can’t try that again, right?” His voice was firm, the authority of an Alpha clear in his tone, sending a shiver down my spine.
“I know.” My voice was barely audible as I stared at my hands.
“We’re going to get you help, Katarina. Whether you like it or not.” The command in his voice left no room for argument, and I slumped in defeat, a tired sigh escaping my lips.
What were my options? I couldn’t end my life now, not without risking Alpha Dominic’s. But what hope did I have for happiness? Even if I somehow managed to heal, why would the strongest, most powerful Alpha want a broken, suicidal mate?
My self-loathing hung in the air, a question I didn’t dare voice. I wondered how much of my thoughts he could pick up through the bond, but his expression remained unreadable.
“Seraphina wants to speak with you when you’re up for it. Just a heads-up-she’s furious.” His voice was as emotionless as his face, but I could sense the lingering emotions in the room, mixing with my own.
“There’s someone else who needs to talk to you,” he added, his expression darkening with reluctance. “I won’t be far. I’ll be back as soon as she leaves.”
Confusion knit my brows together. Who would need to talk to me? I was sure he hadn’t told my family what had happened.
As Alpha Dominic opened the door to leave, he turned back one last time. “I like it when you call me Dominic, little mate,” he said softly, his voice sending a flutter through my stomach before he left the room.
The butterflies stirred in my empty stomach, and I heard Rose whimper in the back of my mind.
My breath caught in my throat as Alpha Dominic left, and a familiar face stepped into the room.
*
“Leona.” My voice faltered as my eyes locked onto the girl I once called a friend. She hadn’t changed much-still stunning with her long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. But I could see her struggling to maintain an emotionless facade, one that only slipped away once Alpha Dominic had left the room.
“Katarina.” Leona’s smile was sad as she sank into the armchair that Dominic had just vacated. My mind raced at the sight of her, replaying memories I had buried deep. After everything that happened, I assumed the worst. She hadn’t returned to school that year-neither had Oliver or Gabriel.
“Katarina?” Leona’s soft voice pulled me back, concern lacing her tone as she leaned forward.
“Oh, u-uh, sorry,” I stammered, guilt tightening its grip around my heart. “I just… I didn’t know what happened to you. I should’ve made sure you were okay.” My words came out in a rush, each one a reminder of the regret I had been carrying.
Dominic’s voice echoed in my mind, startling me. “Do I need to come in there?”
“No-everything’s fine. Just… surprised,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, even in my thoughts.
“She was there, wasn’t she? When it happened.” I felt his reluctance to ask, the pain threading through his words.
“Yes,” I whispered back, my voice small, weighed down by the memories that surged within me. The silence that followed was thick with unspoken apologies.
Leona’s expression softened, and she gave me another sad smile. “I don’t blame you, Katarina.”
“Y-You don’t?” My voice trembled with uncertainty. I had never gone back for her, never even tried to call for help. I had been so consumed with my own survival that I hadn’t considered what had happened to her.
“Not at all.” Leona’s voice grew quiet, her gaze dropping as she took a deep breath. “I saw what they were doing to you… You couldn’t have come back without getting caught again.” There was an edge to her voice, an understanding that came from pain, even though we were the same age.
“Did they… did they hurt you too?” The words tasted bitter on my tongue, and my voice was so quiet I was surprised she even heard me.
“No, they didn’t.” Her eyes twinkled softly, offering a glimmer of hope that her story had a happier ending than mine. “I didn’t know it at the time, but I stumbled onto a pack’s land. Being human, I had no idea. I was surrounded by wolves… and then they all started shifting into these ridiculously attractive, naked men.” Leona giggled, and despite everything, I couldn’t help but smile. “That’s how I met Dante. He’s my mate.” Her face lit up at the mention of him, and a small part of me envied her happiness.
“How are you here then?” I frowned, knowing the Silver Moon Pack was nowhere near the swimming hole where everything had gone wrong.
“Dante’s from this pack. He was visiting the Alpha.” Leona’s cheeks flushed as she mentioned him. While it was unusual for a werewolf to have a human mate, it wasn’t unheard of.
“I’m really glad you were safe, Leona.” My smile was tinged with sadness, but it was genuine. Relief washed over me knowing she hadn’t been harmed.
“When I ran into the wolves, I screamed for help. I told them about you. But by the time they got there, you were gone.” Her frown deepened, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“I got away,” I whispered, trying to offer her a reassuring smile, one that said, “I’m alright.” But we both knew the truth-I wasn’t alright, and she knew what I had tried to do to myself.
“You did, Katarina. You got away.” She reached out and took my hand, squeezing it gently.
Before she left, she hesitated, as if gathering her courage. “I just wanted to say… I know I can’t fully understand what they did to you, but you can’t give up. They were going to kill you, weren’t they? Don’t do their job for them. You have people here who care about you.” Her voice was soft yet firm, each word carrying a weight of truth and concern.
“And it may not always seem like it, but the Alpha does care for you. He saved your life.” Leona smirked playfully, her eyes sparkling as she noticed the blush creeping up my face.
“I’m not sure he had a choice in the matter. His wolf would’ve never forgiven him for letting me die,” I huffed, trying to laugh, but the sound caught in my throat. I was caught in a game of tug-of-war-pulled one way by the mate bond, and the other by my pride, trauma, and ego.
“Mm, I don’t believe that.” Leona’s smirk widened. “If you couldn’t tell, he’s been sitting by your side for a week straight. He’s hardly eaten, hasn’t slept, and definitely hasn’t changed his clothes.” She crinkled her nose in mock disgust, though her eyes twinkled with amusement.
“I’ll come visit again soon, I promise. I live right in town.” She patted my hand gingerly before rising from the chair and heading to the door.
“Oh, and I’ll send your mate in,” she teased with a wink as she left the room.
Almost immediately, Dominic returned. I had a sneaking suspicion he had been listening in, but I didn’t care enough to ask. My focus was on the exhaustion etched into his features, the dark circles under his eyes, and the guilt gnawing at my conscience.
“He helped you… let’s help him for a change,” Rose’s quiet voice urged from within my mind.
“I’m not helping him in that way,” I growled back, feeling like the emotional wolf while she sounded like the rational human.
“I didn’t mean it like that. He sat with us for an entire week. You can see he hasn’t slept or changed his clothes…” Rose’s voice trailed off, but I could feel her desperation, her need to thank her mate for saving our life. As much as I wanted to deny it, I felt terrible for causing him so much distress.
The sight of his weary face filled me with guilt. I had a lot of healing to do, but I knew I would never forget how he looked when I first woke up.
“Fine,” I sighed, feeling a pang of loneliness as Rose retreated back into the depths of my mind. I knew I needed to talk to her before bed. While I didn’t blame her, I knew she was blaming herself. Always quick to help others; reluctant to accept any help.