Chapter 11
Kathryn’s Point of View
I spent two days recovering at the infirmary before the healers–and Jethro- finally cleared me to leave.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Jethro,” I said, offering him a smile.
He smiled back warmly. “I’m still your best friend, Kath. As long as I’m assigned to this town and you need help, I’ll always make time for you.”
We exchanged goodbyes and parted ways, his words lingering in my mind as I stepped out of the infirmary.
I sighed deeply, my thoughts immediately turning to what lay ahead. At the top of my list was still severing the mating bond with Ashton. Beyond that, I needed to find a job, renovate my parents‘ house or find an apartment to rent, and rebuild my life from the ground up.
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“I’m going to live my life, not just for me, but for Bryan too,” I murmured, my voice steady with determination.
But just as I took a step forward, a strong arm grabbed me from behind. A hand clamped over my mouth before I could scream, and I felt a sharp punch to my stomach that left me winded and weak. The pain was disorienting, but then came the scent–a powerful aroma that made my head spin.
Darkness consumed me before I could even process what was happening.
The next thing I knew, I was back at the mansion.
Roaming my gaze, I saw Ashton
approaching, a lit cigarette lazily balanced between his fingers. His expression was cold and without warning, his rough hand grabbed my face, forcing me to look up at him. He deliberately blew a cloud of smoke into my face, the bitter scent making my nose sting.
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“Since when did you turn into a slut, Kathryn?” He asked, his tone void of
emotion.
My brows furrowed in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
He chuckled darkly. “What? You think I wouldn’t find out? I saw you parading yourself with another wolf.”
Again, he exhaled smoke into my face, his grip tightening as if to ensure I couldn’t look away.
“I’m not doing anything like that, Ashton,” I said firmly, fighting the urge to flinch. “I will never be like you.”
He then slapped me–rough. “I’m so sick of your lies, so just admit it! You’re using Jethro to get my attention!”
I scoffed.
“Are you really that stupid, Ashton? Or are you just refusing to believe that I don’t need you in my life anymore? Isn’t it obvious.
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how much I fucking hate being around you?” I spat.
His hand hovered in the air for a moment, trembling with anger, but instead of another slap, his fingers caressed my cheek. It was disturbing how quickly his rage softened into something so gentle.
“No–you’re lying. You want me, and you’re using him to win me back,” Ashton said, his piercing gaze locked onto mine. “And even though I hate to admit it…” He leaned closer, his breath brushing against my face. “It’s fucking working, Kathryn.”
My heart dropped.
What does he mean by that?
He inched closer, our noses touching, his eyes flickering with emotions I couldn’t read. “I couldn’t stand seeing you happy with anyone else. It’s suffocating me. I feel like I might die.”
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, his struggle between rage and vulnerability
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evident.
But instead of feeling intimidated, I let out a bitter laugh.
“Damn, Ashton. What you’ve been making me feel for having an affair with my sister is way worse than that. I don’t think you even have the right to complain right now,” I said, my voice steady.
Ashton slapped me again, though weaker this time. He then traced my lips with his fingertip.
“I hate how you’re able to manipulate my emotions, Kathryn,” He murmured. “You’re making me fucking crazy–looking for you, craving you, wanting you back.”
Without warning, he pulled me into a deep, suffocating embrace. His arms were tight around me, his body trembling slightly, and I could feel the erratic pounding of his heart against mine.
“I don’t want you back, Ashton,” I said firmly. “Let me go. Sever our mating bond
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and move on-”
“Fuck, no!” He shouted, his grip tightening as if he feared I would vanish. He then buried his face into my shoulder. After a pause, he spoke again, his voice quieter but no less desperate. “Just
ive me anot
chance, Kathryn. Come back to the
mansion. Be with me, and I promise I’ll make things right. I’ll make it up to you. I swear.”
I pushed him, struggling to break free, but he refused to let me go. “You can’t change my mind, Ashton! I’ve had enough of loving you. We’re done!”
He flinched at my words but still didn’t release me.
“You already have Tiana. So why do you still have to do this with me? Why can’t you just let me go?” I continued.
“I just realized the huge difference between you and your sister, and I fucking hate myself for searching you in her. Maybe my
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wolf is still fucking yearning for his fated mate.” He confessed.
“No, Ashton, I’m sorry-”
But before I could finish, he cut me off with a deep, forceful kiss.
“There’s got to be something I can do to have you back!” He said, pressing his lips deeper against mine. “A pup–right! I could get you pregnant again, Kathryn! We could easily replace Bryan!”
“What the fuck? You’re disgusting-”
But he refused to hear my protests. His strength overpowered mine as he pinned me against the wall, his movements frantic. The next thing I knew, he was already undressing me.
“I know this is what you wanted!” He shouted, his desperation breaking through. “I’ll give you a fucking pup, and we’ll be at happy family!”
“No–stop!” I screamed, my voice breaking
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into sobs.
Miraculously, he did stop.
He stepped back, his chest heaving. Without a word, he grabbed a blanket and threw it at me, his own tears beginning to fall. “I’m so sorry, Kathryn… I didn’t mean to…”
My sobs turned into uncontrollable gasps, my body shaking as I clutched the blanket around me.
“I was wrong,” He said, his tone filled with regret. “I became too desperate to have you back. I don’t know, but maybe… maybe after all this time, I’ve learned how to love you, and I just refused to admit it to myself.”
Tiana’s Point of View
Standing outside the mansion’s door, clutching Ashton’s favorite meal in my hands, ready to offer an apology even though he was the one at fault, I froze in place as his voice reached me through the
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slightly ajar door.
“…maybe after all this time, I’ve learned how to love you, and I just refused to admit it to myself.”
The words hit me hard, stealing the breath from my lungs. Then, my strength disappeared as I peeked inside, seeing Ashton leaning in, his lips meeting Kathryn’s in a kiss so tender.
My heart shattered in an instant.
This couldn’t be happening!
