Chapter 9
Kathryn’s Point of View
Though my eyes were shut, I remained aware of everything happening around me.
Someone was carrying me out of my parents‘ house. I could hear the faint murmurs that escaped his lips. “I’ve been wanting to see you again for so long, Kath. But why does it have to be like this?”
It had been ages since I had heard that voice, yet it felt as familiar as if no time had passed. Moreover, there was only one wolf who ever called me Kath.
With effort, I managed to speak. “Jethro? Is that you?”
I heard his sharp intake of breath, followed by a deep, relieved sigh. “Thank the Moon Goddess, you’re alive. Yes, it’s me.”
A soft smile tugged at my lips as his confirmation sank in. Then, I slowly
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opened my eyes. Though my vision was still a bit blurry, I could make out his familiar brown eyes, thick eyebrows, and softly brushed hair. His features were as gentle as I remembered–calm, warm and comforting.
“What were you thinking, Kath? What are you doing here?” He asked, his voice concerned and tender.
The dizziness was too much, so I shut my eyes again.
“All I know is that I want to be as far away from Ashton as possible.” I muttered weakly.
“So it’s because of your mate…” He murmured under his breath.
Not wanting to dwell on Ashton, I turned the question back on him. “And you? What brought you here?”
I heard his quiet chuckle. “We’re currently conducting medicinal research at the pack laboratory, and I was assigned to this area.
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to gather some red tea herbs. That’s when I unexpectedly caught your scent,” He said, pausing briefly. “Don’t you think that’s a bit strange?”
“What’s strange?” I asked.
“Me catching your scent and recognizing it from far away,” He said as I felt him gently settle me into the seat of his car. “Isn’t that something only fated mates can do?”
“You’re right… that is a little strange…” I responded before I completely lost my consciousness.
Jethro Hound came from a very wealthy family, but we had been the closest of childhood friends.
Unlike most wealthy families, the Hounds were remarkably open and welcoming, even to low–ranking pack members like
- me.
Because of that, I often found myself
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spending time with Jethro back in the day. We’d play together for hours, whether at their grand villa or by the riverside near our house.
We caught butterflies and dragonflies, and on warmer days, we’d splash around in the shallow part of the river.
At their villa, his mother was always kind, often letting us play the piano in the parlor or help the maids bake cookies in the kitchen.
ה!
One of Jethro’s favorite hobbies was what
he called “Breakfast Delivery.”
Nearly every morning, as early as five, he’d knock on our door with a basket of bread, a glass of milk in his hands, and a grin on his face as if he were the proudest delivery wolf in the pack.
Our routines carried on for years, until one morning, everything changed. Jethro knocked on our door with his usual basket, but this time, there were tears in his eyes.
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“Why are you crying, Jethro?” I asked softly, wiping the tears from his eyes.
“My family is leaving the town for good,” He sobbed. “I won’t be able to see you again, Kath. I’m so sorry…”
His words hit me hard, and before I knew it, tears were also streaming down my cheeks.
Losing my only friend felt like losing a piece of my heart.
Jethro then looked at me with determination. “Promise me,” He said, holding out his pinky finger. “Promise me that when we turn eighteen, and we’re fated mates, you’ll wait for me to come
back.”
Letting our pinky fingers intertwine, I gave him my word. “I promise.”
But fate had other plans.
When I turned eighteen, I discovered that Jethro wasn’t my fated mate. I wanted to
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reach out to him, but even our mind–links wouldn’t connect.
I assumed he had found his fated mate too.
Years passed, and news of Jethro rarely reached me. The little I knew made my heart joyful. He’d become one of the best healers in our pack–a dream we had both shared as children.
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed when I opened my eyes, but the dim lighting told me it was already evening. Looking around, I realized I was in the infirmary.
In the corner of the room, I saw Jethro sitting quietly.
As soon as he noticed I was awake, he stood and approached me. Gently, he reached for my hand. “How are you feeling now?”
I managed a small smile. “A lot better.”
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Just then, a few other healers entered the room, carrying a tray of food. One of them placed it on the table beside me.
“Here,” Jethro said, nudging the tray closer. “Eat this. I know you’re starving. We’ve already conducted all your checkups, and thankfully, your results are normal. The fainting and nosebleed were caused by fatigue and severe stress.”
“You don’t know how much this means to me, Jethro,” I whispered. “Thank you. Thank you for saving my life.”
He tightened his hold on my hand, his eyes locking with mine. “Kath, promise me you’ll take better care of yourself from now on. I can’t bear the thought of something like this happening to you again.”
I nodded.
“Good,” He said with a soft smile. “Now eat, and make sure you finish everything.”
As he stepped back to give me space, I felt a warmth settle over me, a comfort knowing
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he was here and I was safe.
Ashton’s Point of View
I spent the entire damn night searching for Kathryn, combing through the town, sending her messages, and calling her nonstop. And yet, by the time the sun began to rise, I still hadn’t found her.
I didn’t even understand why I was doing this.
Why was I wasting so much time and effort on someone I supposedly hated?
Frantically searching for the woman I despised wasn’t normal. It made no sense, and I felt like an idiot for it.
But morning came, and I still couldn’t stop myself. Ignoring Tiana’s relentless mind- links, I decided to check their old house. The drive was long, nearly four hours, but as soon as I arrived, I caught the rare almond scent of Kathryn lingering in the air.
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Shaking my head, I stepped out of the car, the familiar scent pulling me closer. What the fuck was that weirdo even doing here?
I quietly roamed around the property, scanning every corner for any sign of her. Eventually, I decided to enter the house, but before I could step inside, I froze.
I saw her.
My eyes darkened.
My expression shifted from determined to furious.
My fists clenched.
My breathing quickened.
There she was–Kathryn. Unconscious.
And in someone else’s arms.
Jethro Hound.
It had to be him. Her childhood friend. The
healer.
What the hell was he doing here too?
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What had he done to her?
Every instinct screamed at me to call him out, to march over and grab Kathryn from his arms. I wanted to beat him to the
ground, to make him let go of my mate and leave her to me.
But I did nothing.
I just stood there, rooted to the spot, watching as he carried her to his car and drove away.
“I should be the one saving her… That should be me…” My voice trembled with
bitterness.
The moment his car disappeared from sight, I snapped. I kicked a huge rock, sending it skidding across the ground. I punched a tree so hard my knuckles bleed, and then I let out a scream, desperate to release whatever emotions were raging inside me.
Fuck. Was this jealousy?
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