Katrina stood tall, her gaze unwavering as she faced Glenn. He was trying to console Clara, his voice calm yet firm. But Katrina had seen enough. A smirk curled on her lips as she spoke, her voice laced with disdain.

“You used to be so smart, Glenn. But now, you can’t even tell who’s lying and who isn’t.”

Glenn’s head snapped toward her, his glare sharp. His jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Katrina shifted her gaze to Clara.

“You don’t have to wait for Glenn to throw me away,” Katrina said, her smirk fading. “I’m leaving willingly.”

Clara’s eyes widened, but Katrina didn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing her falter. "You're joking..."

“It’s already been five years. Why should I wait to be discarded when I can walk away with my dignity intact?” Katrina continued. She turned back to Glenn, her voice steady despite the storm raging within her. “I’m done. I’m severing my ties with you and the pack.”

A heavy silence filled the room. Glenn’s breath hitched, his expression momentarily stunned. Then, without warning, he groaned, clutching his chest as if in pain. Katrina felt it too—a deep, piercing ache that tore through her soul—but she refused to let it show. She masked the pain behind an indifferent expression, refusing to crumble before them.

When the sharp agony subsided, she looked at Clara again. The woman’s lips parted in shock, disbelief evident in her eyes. Katrina knew what she wanted—to see her broken, begging, suffering. But she wouldn’t give Clara that satisfaction.

Without another word, Katrina turned on her heel and walked out of the office. The corridor outside was filled with pack members. Their eyes bore into her, some filled with contempt, others with curiosity. But she didn’t care. She kept walking, her chin high, ignoring the whispers and the silent glares.

When she reached the pack’s border, two familiar figures stood in her way—Beta Eunice and Beta Klarence. Her parents who only showed their favor to her elder sister, Clara.

Eunice’s voice was cold. “Once you leave, you can never come back. You will be disowned, I will disown you.”

Katrina’s gaze shifted to them—her parents. Her heart ached, but she steeled herself.

“You can disown me now because I’m never coming back,” she said with finality. “Even if you beg me.”

Without hesitation, she shifted into her wolf form. Her sleek, dark fur shimmered under the moonlight before she bolted forward, leaving the pack behind.

She ran.

She ran until her lungs burned, until the night swallowed her whole.

For the first time in years, she felt free. But that freedom was laced with loneliness. The weight of her past clung to her, whispering bitter reminders of the pain she endured. She wouldn’t forget. And if she ever returned, she would be stronger—better.

Days passed in a blur. Hunger gnawed at her, but she ignored it. Hera, her wolf, urged her to eat, to rest, but Katrina pushed herself to the limit. Until her body gave in.

She collapsed.

Hera whimpered in protest. "I told you to rest and you're not even listening to me!"

Before Katrina could even gather herself, rustling sounds reached her ears. Low growls followed, surrounding her.

Wolves.

Slowly, Katrina shifted back into her human form, raising her hands in submission. Her voice was hoarse as she spoke.

“I apologize for trespassing. I mean no harm. I’m just a rogue.”

The five wolves surrounding her hesitated before shifting into their human forms. Their expressions were wary.

“How do we know you’re alone?” one of them, a Beta, asked suspiciously.

“I left my pack recently,” Katrina admitted.

Another Beta scoffed. “That means you’re disobedient. Wolves who leave their packs are nothing but trouble.”

Katrina let out a bitter chuckle. “I left because no one wanted me there.”

Before another word could be said, a sudden wave of heat washed over her.

Her body trembled.

Her heart pounded wildly, an unfamiliar excitement flooding her senses. Strength drained from her limbs as she collapsed onto her knees, gasping for breath.

Then, she realized—

She was in heat. Damn it, she's in heat! Why?

Katrina cursed under her breath. The scent she emitted was unmistakable. The two male Betas tensed, their eyes darkening with instinct.

Panic gripped her.

Before they could step closer, a deep, dangerous voice cut through the air.

“Don’t move an inch or you're both dead.”

The authority in the voice was undeniable. The two male Betas immediately stiffened, their heads bowing in submission.

Then, a large gray wolf emerged from the shadows.

His golden eyes locked onto her, piercing through every defense she had left. Katrina felt frozen, unable to look away.

Her breath hitched as he approached.

He was mesmerizing.

The gray wolf lowered his head, brushing his nose against her cheek before whispering one single word.

“Mine.”

Katrina’s eyes fluttered open as the morning sunlight streamed through the window, momentarily blinding her. She groaned softly, turning her head away from the brightness. Her mind felt foggy, and an unsettling emptiness gnawed at her thoughts.

She didn’t remember what happened.

The last thing she could recall was being surrounded by wolves—and then… nothing.

Sitting up, Katrina glanced down at herself. She was dressed in simple, casual clothes, clean and comfortable. But where was she? Her chest tightened at the realization that she had no idea whose territory she had stumbled into.

Katrina sighed, running a hand through her hair. Nothing hurt, which meant she hadn’t been in a fight. That was a relief, but it only deepened her confusion. Shaking off the uneasy feeling, she found the adjoining bathroom and freshened up.

When she stepped outside, her entire body tensed.

Two Betas stood outside the door, standing as if they were guarding her—or worse, keeping her prisoner.

Katrina’s sharp gaze assessed them, noting the way their eyes followed her every movement. Then, her attention landed on a familiar-looking female Beta. The woman was strikingly beautiful, confident in the way she carried herself. It was clear she held a position of importance.

Katrina’s stomach twisted slightly. Was she the Alpha’s lover? A high-ranking Beta?

The female Beta stepped forward, her eyes narrowing.

“Just because the Alpha brought you to our pack and admitted that you are his mate,” she said coldly, “does not mean you are accepted.”

Katrina’s breath hitched. Mate?

Her mind raced as realization struck her. Did she meet the Alpha last night?

‘Hera?’ she called through their bond.

Her wolf responded with a contented sigh. ‘Yes, we met him. But because of the heat and pressure, you lost consciousness.’

Katrina clenched her fists. She had been too weak to remember meeting her mate.

“I need to speak with the Alpha,” she stated firmly.

The Beta scoffed. “You think you can just waltz in and demand his attention? What if you seduce him again?”

Katrina’s brows furrowed, irritation flashing in her eyes.

“Whatever is between me and the Alpha has nothing to do with a Beta like you.”

A deep, warning growl rumbled from the woman’s throat. Rage flickered across her face as she lunged at Katrina, her claws ready to strike.

Katrina reacted instantly.

She sidestepped the attack, grabbing the Beta’s wrist and twisting it. The woman snarled in pain but retaliated just as quickly. She aimed a sharp kick at Katrina’s side, but Katrina blocked it, countering with a strike of her own.

The fight was brutal.

For twenty minutes, they clashed, exchanging blows with equal ferocity. Katrina’s instincts sharpened, her movements precise. The Beta was skilled, but Katrina was stronger. She dodged a final punch, then swept the woman’s legs out from under her, pinning her to the ground with a firm grip.

The Beta panted beneath her, frustration and disbelief filling her eyes.

“Enough.”

The deep, commanding voice echoed through the hall, making Katrina freeze.

She turned her head and saw him.

A man stood at the entrance of the second floor, arms crossed over his chest. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and impossibly handsome. His piercing golden eyes locked onto her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

Hera practically purred in her mind. ‘Mate!’

Katrina released the Beta and ran her fingers through her hair, exhaling sharply. The female Beta quickly scrambled to her feet and rushed to the Alpha’s side.

“She attacked me first,” she accused.

Katrina rolled her eyes and snorted. ‘As usual they will act like a victim when they are the one who attacked first. Nothing new.’

She crossed her arms and watched. If this Alpha—her so-called mate—sided with the Beta without even hearing her side of the story, she wouldn’t hesitate. She had been through this before. She wouldn’t be with a man who wouldn’t listen.

The Alpha’s golden eyes darkened as he turned to the Beta.

“I saw everything.” His voice was cold, authoritative. “The moment she left the room, I was already here.”

The Beta’s face paled. She lowered her head in shame.

Then, the Alpha turned to Katrina, stepping toward her.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, his tone softer now.

Katrina studied him. Her heart pounded faster, but she refused to let herself be swayed by the mate bond.

She crossed her arms. “I’m fine. No one can hurt me unless I allow it.”

The Alpha smirked, his gaze filled with intrigue. “You’re different from when we first found you.”

Katrina scoffed, looking away. “That night, I was at my lowest. I had been running for days without rest. So… ”

Then, she met his gaze again, her expression serious.

“If you feel cheated and would rather have a mate who is easy to deal with, then say it now I will leave immediately,” she challenged.

For a moment, the Alpha was silent. Then, to her surprise, he smiled.

He reached for her hand, lifting it to his lips, and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it.

“I’m not disappointed at all,” he murmured. “I think you suit me just fine.”

Katrina swallowed hard, her pulse racing.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

She hesitated before answering, “Katrina.”

The Alpha’s smirk widened.

“I’m Xander Frost,” he said, his voice smooth yet powerful. “Alpha of the River Claw Pack.”

Katrina stiffened.

Her eyes widened in realization.

She had fled straight into enemy territory