40

Katarina’s POV
I clung to the soft comforter beneath my fingers, a small smile playing on my lips as I relished the memory of my recent dream. In it, Dominic had found me, sweeping me into his arms, and with his touch, the horrors of the past week had melted away. The bad memories that had plagued me were burned from my mind as his lips met mine, making me feel as though I had never left his side.
Suddenly, my body jolted upright as reality rushed back in, memories flooding my mind. My heart raced with excitement as I realized it hadn’t been a dream. I scanned the room, recognizing it instantly-the room Dominic and I had shared for so long. It was the room where I had given him my heart, my mark, and my body. His scent filled my senses, and the frantic beating of my heart began to calm. As I took in my surroundings, I jumped when I noticed two familiar faces beaming at me.
Seraphina and Leona stood by my bedside, their smiles so wide I wondered if their faces hurt. A third girl, one I hadn’t met before, stood beside them, a relieved smile gracing her delicate features.
“Welcome back!” Seraphina half-laughed, half-sobbed as she launched herself at me.
I winced at the pain that rocked my body, but I wrapped my arms around her anyway. Leona quickly followed, pulling me into a tight hug. The unfamiliar girl stepped forward, extending her hand.
“I’m Tori. Welcome back; it’s great to finally meet you, Luna,” she said, her brown eyes twinkling with warmth.
I smiled at her, “It’s great to finally be back,” I chuckled softly, but my eyes couldn’t help but search the room for the face I longed to see most. When I didn’t find Dominic, a frown tugged at my lips.
“He’s on his way,” Seraphina assured me, noticing my unease. “There was a lead on Oliver, and Dominic wanted to chase it down himself.”
Although I already missed Dominic, I knew that capturing Oliver was crucial. He had caused too much pain, and I longed for the day he would pay for his sins.
“That’s what he gets for messing with our mate,” Rose’s voice echoed smugly in my mind.
“You’re back!” I exclaimed, feeling a surge of gratitude. “Thank you so much, Rose. I couldn’t have done it without your strength.”
“He’ll never hurt us again, Katarina,” Rose assured me. “We’re much stronger now.”
“How long have I been out?” I asked, turning my attention back to the three women.
Leona shrugged, “About two days. You were completely exhausted when Dominic brought you back.”
My stomach growled, and Seraphina laughed. “That reminds me. I’m supposed to give you this.” She handed me a large bowl of spaghetti, and I eagerly dug in. After being starved for over a week, I couldn’t eat much, but I savored every bite I could manage.
“Dominic made it just for you,” Seraphina smirked, as though she knew something I didn’t.
I thought back to the time I had tried to make Dominic spaghetti. The noodles had been tough, and the sauce had tasted slightly burnt. Dominic’s version was nothing like mine, and I stifled a giggle as I realized he had lied when he said it tasted good.
“So that’s what real spaghetti tastes like,” I snickered to myself.
Seraphina giggled, “Dominic said you’d figure it out.”
“So,” I sighed, ready to confront the harsh reality I had been avoiding, “what’s been going on in the pack?”
A vague memory surfaced of our return home, and I recalled noticing some changes. For one, there seemed to be far more people in our town than before. The town square, usually busy, was now absolutely packed.
Seraphina’s expression turned serious as she exchanged glances with Leona and Tori. “Well, Dominic is preparing for war,” she finally said.
“War?” I nearly choked on the word.
Leona nodded sadly. “Dominic got some information from Gabriel. The hunters are planning an attack on the pack.”
I frowned, “There aren’t enough hunters to cause significant damage to a pack this size.”
“Gabriel said they have rogues on their side,” Seraphina explained. “Oliver promised them our land if they helped him.”
I rolled my eyes, “And the rogues believed that?”
“They’re not very smart, and the offer was too tempting to refuse,” Seraphina grimaced.
“The hunters are just going to kill the rogues once they’re done with them,” I groaned.
“The hunters need the rogues,” Seraphina pointed out. “They know they don’t stand a chance against a highly trained pack this size.”
I sighed, “When is this war supposed to start?”
“Soon. Very soon,” Seraphina replied, her voice tinged with worry.
A knot of panic formed in my stomach. “What are we going to do? Are we even prepared?”
Seraphina placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Dominic has called in all of his warriors and anyone else willing to fight. You wouldn’t believe how many people showed up. Our entire town and pack house are full of warriors. Even the next town over is packed with them. They’re all here to fight for us.”
“Hello, my beautiful little mate,” Dominic’s deep voice resonated in my mind, and I nearly shouted with joy.
“Are you that excited to hear from me?” I could practically hear the smirk in his voice. “Now I’m even more eager to come home.”
“I’m beyond excited,” I giggled. “And thank you for the spaghetti,” I added teasingly.
“Anything for you, Katarina,” he replied, his sincerity sending butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
“You’ll have to teach me how to make it,” I teased. “It was very different from the spaghetti I made you.”
I felt his amusement through the mind-link. “Your spaghetti was still very good.”
“Oh, I’m sure,” I smirked. “When will you be back?”
“I’m pulling up to the house in just a moment. I love you, little mate,” his voice sent a shiver down my spine.
“I love you too, Dominic,” I smiled, ending the mind-link.
As the connection faded, I let out a shaky sigh, guilt gnawing at me. Although I knew it was irrational, I couldn’t shake the feeling that all of this had started because of me. Would Oliver still attack Dominic’s pack if he had killed me last year?
“Most likely,” Rose’s voice was gentle, trying to ease my guilt.
I didn’t blame Dominic for my kidnapping, but I couldn’t help feeling responsible. Sometimes, in situations like this, you needed someone to blame, even if that someone was yourself.
“Wipe that look off your face. None of this is your fault,” Leona said firmly, crossing her arms over her chest.
“You’re right,” I sighed. “It’s still a huge mess, though.”
“It definitely is,” Seraphina chuckled, “but once the hunters and rogues are dealt with, everything will go back to normal. Then you and Dominic can focus on giving me a niece or nephew.”
My eyes widened at her words. “Um, excuse me, I could say the same for you.”
Seraphina’s eyes widened, and she shook her head vehemently. “No, no, my older brother is having babies first.”
I burst out laughing, feeling lighter than I had in days. “What kind of logic is that? Have you talked to Dominic about this?”
I heard Tori’s light giggle as Seraphina and I bantered back and forth. “If you told Dominic you wanted a baby, he’d strip down and-”
“Alright, alright!” I interrupted, feeling my cheeks heat up as I glared at the smirk on Seraphina’s face.
Pulling the blanket off my legs, I scooted to the edge of the bed. After two days of sleeping, I was more than ready to get up and stretch. I stood and steadied myself, letting out a yawn as I raised my arms to stretch. My sore muscles ached for a hot bath.
But then, something sharp pierced my torso, and I winced at the sudden pain. I took a step forward, confusion washing over me as I noticed the look of horror on Seraphina’s face.
As my foot touched the ground, excruciating pain shot through my torso. Black spots danced at the edges of my vision, and a thought crossed my mind-had I injured myself when I was last in Oliver’s presence? Maybe I had ripped some stitches?
Instinctively, my hand reached down to where the pain was radiating from. Familiar red liquid stained my fingers, and the metallic smell of blood filled the air.
I had almost convinced myself that I had simply reopened a wound, but the silver knife hilt protruding from my torso told me otherwise. The silver’s presence made Rose retreat to the back of my mind, unable to offer any aid.
I looked up at the person who had stabbed me, my face a mask of confusion and pain.
“W-Why?” I managed to choke out, my voice thick with anger and the loss of blood.
The black spots swarmed my vision like angry hornets, and I felt my legs give way as I plunged into darkness.