Katie's POV
Morning came too quickly.
I hadn't meant to wake up early. My body just… did.
For a moment, I lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to remember why my chest felt so tight.
Then it all came rushing back.
Liam.
The forest.
His hand around Marissa's throat.
The way his voice had dropped when he said it.
She insulted my mate.
I groaned and rolled onto my side, burying my face in my pillow.
"This is a nightmare," I muttered.
But the memory of his kiss made my stomach twist in a way that definitely wasn't a nightmare.
I pushed the thought away and forced myself to get up.
Maybe if I acted normal, everything would go back to normal.
Maybe yesterday had just been… a weird moment.
Maybe no one saw.
Maybe—
The second I stepped outside, I knew that was a lie.
Conversations slowed.
Heads turned.
Two warriors near the training grounds stopped talking entirely as I passed. One of them smirked.
My skin prickled.
"What?" I muttered under my breath.
No one answered.
They just watched.
The looks followed me all the way to the dining hall.
Usually, mornings were loud. Comfortable. Busy.
Today, the noise felt sharp.
Every whisper sounded like it was about me.
I grabbed a cup and turned toward the water basin.
Someone bumped into my shoulder hard enough to make me stumble.
"Watch where you're going," he said.
I frowned. "You ran into me."
He laughed under his breath. "Didn't know omegas could climb ranks that fast."
My stomach dropped.
"What does that mean?"
Another voice spoke behind me.
"It means we know."
I turned.
Three warriors stood near one of the tables, watching me like they had been waiting.
"Know what?"
The first one leaned back in his chair.
"That you think you're special now."
My pulse pounded. "I don't—"
"You think spreading your legs for the Lycan King makes you important?" the second one cut in.
Heat rushed to my face.
"I didn't—"
A girl nearby snorted. "Marissa saw everything."
The room was quiet now.
Everyone listening.
Everyone watching.
The third warrior smirked. "You really thought no one would find out?"
My hands shook, but I clenched them at my sides.
"You don't know what you're talking about."
He leaned forward. "Oh, we do. You seduced him so you could rise in the ranks. Pathetic."
The word hit harder than the rest.
Pathetic.
Disgusting.
Shame burned in my chest, but I forced my back straight.
"I didn't seduce anyone."
"Sure," the girl said. "That's why he almost killed Marissa for you."
The memory flashed again.
Fear.
The way Liam had looked ready to kill everythingin sight.
My throat tightened.
Before I could respond, the room went silent.
The Alpha had entered.
His gaze found me instantly.
And instead of anger… he smiled.
"Katie," he said smoothly. "Walk with me."
My pulse spiked.
I followed him outside, ignoring the stares burning into my back.
The moment we were alone, he spoke.
"I hear you've grown close to our guest."
"I haven't," I said immediately.
He chuckled softly. "There's no need to be modest. If the Lycan King favors you, it benefits the entire pack."
Something cold settled in my stomach.
"I didn't seduce him."
"However it happened," he said lightly, "it happened. The important thing is that you remain… cooperative."
"Cooperative?" I repeated.
"With him," he clarified. "We may need your influence."
Influence.
Like I was a tool.
Like I wasn't even a person.
"I'm not a bargaining chip," I said quietly.
His smile thinned.
"Be mindful of your tone, Katie."
For a moment, something in his gaze sharpened, like he was trying to see something beneath the surface.
Then he stepped back.
"Get some rest," he said. "You look overwhelmed."
And just like that, he walked away.
The rest of the day blurred.
Whispers.
Stares.
People moving away from me like I carried something contagious.
By the time night came, I felt hollow.
Empty.
I couldn't stay in my room.
So I went to the forest.
...