Chapter 34

Katherine POV

I zipped up my jacket against the chill as Bob and I hurried through Portland's East Side, heading toward the city center.

"Where would Bella go?" I asked, scanning the streets ahead.

"Probably Portland High first," he suggested, his expression pained. "If she's not there, she might be downtown with her friends."

We checked the high school grounds first but found no sign of her. The empty buildings stood silent in the drizzling rain, reminding me of the destruction we'd witnessed here just days ago.

"Let's try downtown," I said, turning away from the school. "She likes that coffee shop near the mall."

We moved through the city center, first checking the shopping district, then circling back toward the school area. Finally, as we approached the trendy coffee shop frequented by Portland High students, I spotted Bella through the window with her friends, laughing as if she hadn't just potentially signed her brother's death warrant.

The laughter died instantly when we entered. Bella's eyes narrowed as she saw me with her brother, the background noise of the café suddenly feeling too loud in the awkward silence. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind her, I could see Portland's signature rain intensifying, matching the tension in the air.

"What do you want, trash?" Bella spat.

"I just want to explain something to you. A little family truth, if you're willing to listen," I replied calmly.

She rolled her eyes. "And what would that be?"

"I won't tell the triplets what Bob told you. You should keep it to yourself."

"No need to be so cryptic," Bella sneered. "All my friends already know you were screwing my brother. Probably the whole school knows by now."

I took a deep breath, feeling FIRE stirring beneath my skin. "Fine, I'll be direct. I'm the triplets' destined mate. They won't hurt me. They won't do anything to me. They won't even reject me. They've told me so. They're in too deep. But if they find out about your brother, they'll kill him. Now, I'm guessing you don't want that to happen, so you'd better keep this little secret. Otherwise, you'll never see your brother again. Is that what you want?"

Bella looked at me, then at Bob, whose face had taken on an almost pleading expression. Something in her eyes shifted as she looked at her brother, a profound sadness replacing her usual contempt.

I stood straighter, staring her down, my hands warming slightly as I fought to control my abilities. Then, using my MIND power, I caught a flash of her thoughts and immediately went cold.

"Oh, shit. She already told them," I said.

"What!?" Bob's voice cracked with panic.

He turned to his sister, fury etched on his face. "When did you tell them?"

"About an hour ago when I saw them," Bella admitted. "They were handling something. I don't know what exactly. But you only told me about you two last night, and I just assumed they'd reject her because she's just trash."

"You fucking idiot," Bob snarled before storming out, the café door swinging violently in his wake.

"Wow. I really can't wait to see how you get out of this one," I said coolly to Bella, walking away while anxiety churned inside me.

Outside, I followed Bob as he pushed through the rain-soaked crowds with inhuman speed, his thoughts a chaotic mess of anger, fear, and panic. I winced as his mental turmoil hammered against my consciousness, making my head throb.

"Do you know where they are?" he asked breathlessly.

"They're helping Alpha Griffin with some real estate development and pack business. I don't know how long it will take."

"Can you buy me some time?"

"You're leaving Portland?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

"I have to. They'll kill me. You know the rules."

"I do." I nodded grimly. "Alright. I'll try to buy you some time. But we need to hurry."

We split up at the next intersection. Bob headed home to pack while I made my way to the Griffin estate. After a long bus ride, I entered the empty mansion and settled into the modern living room to wait. Two hours later, I heard cars pulling up outside.

Alpha Griffin entered first, nodding to me before heading to his office with his real estate papers. The triplets followed, their expressions hardening when they saw me.

"Wait here," Samuel commanded. "We need to handle something next door."

"Bob's gone," I said. Samuel's hand froze on the doorknob.

"He knew we were coming?" Edward asked.

"Bella admitted she told you. Bob knew you'd kill him. No one would stop you because it involves your mate." I took a deep breath. "Look, anything that happened between Bob and me was before I ever saw you three. The first time I came to Portland, I knew we were mates. I felt it.

Not like you can feel it, but I knew we were. When I left, I told him it couldn't happen again. It was too dangerous for him. I never told him why. Not until he saw me again and learned the truth."

"How many others?" Samuel demanded.

"What?" I asked, genuinely confused.

"How many other men have you slept with?" he shouted, his eyes flashing golden.

"I don't know. How many women have you slept with?" I shot back, my fingers heating up.

Edward grabbed Samuel's arm as he started advancing toward me. "Fine. We all had histories before we met. Do you want Katherine to kill every girl you've slept with?"

"Would there be any girls left in North Portland if I did?" I asked sarcastically.

"Probably not, given the three of us," Lucius murmured.

"This is exactly why I told you not to get too close!" I exploded. "You're too invested in me. This can't happen.If you don't reject me now, I'll reject you the moment I turn eighteen. That's the only way this works."

I pushed past them and stormed out the front door, slamming it behind me. The rain immediately soaked through my clothes as I made my way back to my home.

Once there, I paced my tiny living room, trying to calm down. I hated everything about my life—how I was conceived, how Mary raised me, how the Peace Accord was using me now. All I wanted was to love my mates normally, but that seemed impossible in Portland's supernatural political climate.

I headed down to my basement training area and began pummeling a punching bag until it broke, my strength far exceeding human capacity. I hung another and continued, rainwater seeping through the basement windows to form small puddles on the floor.

I heard footsteps on the stairs and turned to see Samuel.

"Did someone actually tell you that you would die in the war with the Pure Blood Alliance?" he asked quietly.

"They didn't have to. Remember?" I tapped my temple.

"Right. Because you read minds."

"Everyone in the Peace Accord knows I won't survive. Bob was the only one who argued with Julia about it. He'd think about those arguments. Forgot I could hear his thoughts. He was defending me. Promising to make sure I didn't die in Portland's battle."

Samuel looked down, finally understanding the nature of Bob's relationship with me, and how much I needed him—the only person who believed in me.

"I'm sorry. I guess we should have trusted you," he said.

"Yes. You should have. But I understand why you don't."

Samuel began walking toward me. "Do you really want us to reject you just because other supernatural creatures think you'll die?"

"Isn't that how it works? I get rejected and face everything alone?"

"Have you considered that maybe you're not here to protect us? That maybe we're supposed to protect each other?"

The thought had never occurred to me. None of my trainers in Portland had suggested such a thing. I'd always been trained to believe the triplets should be kept out of danger, and I was the one protecting the Northern Pack werewolves.

Samuel moved closer until he stood directly in front of me, so close I could feel his breath on my face. I looked up at him, and he stared back with a strange expression, as if he was beginning to understand my real situation in Portland.

He reached out to cup my cheek, using his other hand to brush my wet hair away from my face. I could hear his heart beating as frantically as mine. Suddenly, he leaned down and kissed me. The mate bond made the kiss incredibly intense, and instead of pulling away, I wrapped my arms around him, deepening the kiss.

My whole body felt like it was on fire, my FIRE ability growing stronger with my emotions as Samuel wrapped his arms around my waist. Every touch sent sparks through me, increasing my desire for him.