Marissa's voice cut through the noise.
"Well. Isn't this sweet."
Katie's stomach dropped.
Marissa approached with slow, elegant steps, Ivy and Lila close behind her. The conversation around them softened as wolves turned to watch. They always watched.
They always enjoyed this.
Marissa's gaze flicked between Katie and Ashton. "The Beta's son and the pack's little ghost. How romantic."
"It's not like that," Ashton said calmly.
Katie stiffened.
Marissa smiled. "Of course it isn't. Why would someone like you look twice at her?"
The words struck harder than they should have.
But Marissa wasn't finished.
"Tell me, Katie," she said softly, stepping closer. "Do you ever get tired of pretending you belong here? No parents. No wolf. No future. You're just… leftover."
Something in Katie snapped.
Not outwardly.
Inside.
Her hands curled into fists at her sides.
"Leave her alone," Ashton said, his voice colder now.
Marissa ignored him.
"Everyone knows the truth," she continued. "You're an embarrassment to this pack. Even the servants have more purpose."
The room felt too small. Too loud. Too bright.
Katie met Marissa's gaze.
For the first time.
"I'm not the one who needs to put others down to feel powerful."
The silence that followed was sharp.
Marissa's eyes darkened.
For a moment, Katie thought she had gone too far.
Then Marissa laughed.
"Oh, you poor thing. Still dreaming." She leaned closer, her voice dropping. "No one will ever choose you."
The words hit deeper than anything else.
Katie turned and walked away before anyone could see the crack in her control.
She didn't run.
Not until she reached the corridor.
Then she did.
The forest welcomed her like it always did.
Dark. Quiet. Safe.
By the time she reached the clearing, the tears were already falling. She dropped to her knees, breath breaking, hands pressing into the cold earth.
"I'm trying," she whispered. "I'm trying so hard."
Her shoulders shook. Years of pain poured out in silent waves.
"I just want someone to see me. Just once."
The words felt childish.
Weak.
But they were true.
A branch snapped behind her.
Katie wiped her face quickly, standing. "Who's there?"
"It's me."
Ashton stepped into the clearing.
Relief hit first. Then humiliation.
"You shouldn't have followed me."
"I couldn't let you leave like that."
"I'm fine."
"You're not."
The gentleness in his voice broke something inside her.
"I hate them," she said, the words slipping out before she could stop them. "I hate that they're right."
"They're not."
"They are." Her voice cracked. "I don't have anyone. I don't have a wolf. I don't even know who I am."
Ashton moved closer, but slowly, giving her time to pull away.
"You have me."
The words settled between them.
Dangerous. Hopeful.
Katie looked up at him.
"Why?" she asked. "Why do you care so much?"
His jaw tightened slightly. "Because someone should."
The answer wasn't enough.
Not anymore.
Katie stepped closer.
"I don't want someone, Ashton. I want…" She stopped, fear wrapping around her throat.
His eyes softened.
"Katie…"
"I want you," she whispered.
The words felt like jumping off a cliff.
Silence.
For a moment, everything held its breath.
Ashton's expression changed. Pain flickered across his face.
"Katie… you deserve someone stronger. Someone who can give you everything."
Her chest tightened. "I don't want everything."
"You don't understand."
"Then explain."
He looked away.
"I'm engaged."
The world tilted.
"To Marissa."
The words hit harder than anything she had endured inside that hall.
Katie stepped back as if he had struck her.
"You're lying."
"I wish I was."
"Since when?"
"Since we were children."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I didn't want to hurt you."
Tears blurred her vision again.
"You just did."
High above the forest, Liam stood at the edge of the trees, unseen.
Kael's growl rumbled deep in his chest.
He hurts her.
Liam's control snapped tighter.
He had not followed her consciously. Instinct had dragged him here.
The moment she had run, something inside him had demanded it.
Now he watched as she broke apart in front of another man.
Something dark and possessive rose inside him.
Mine, Kael said.
Liam's eyes burned.
And for the first time in years, the calm he had built through battle and loss began to fracture.
© 2026 [J. S.]. All rights reserved.