Chapter 56

Chapter 56

POV Katerine

Jared had left my bed early this morning to deal with Pack matters. It was necessary—after all, we’d barely left the house in recent days. That’s what bonding was like: the more we touched, the more we craved each other.

I smiled, putting my phone down and focusing on the tasks I had scheduled for today as well. Jared hadn’t opened the mental link... Damn it. He had learned to manage and block it faster than I did. He said it was necessary because it distracted him when he was away from me. And I had to admit—it was the truth. It was stronger than me.

I grabbed my bag and left the house. I had to stop by the library today—my vacation was coming to an end, and I needed to check what awaited me next week when I returned to work.

It only took a few seconds for my good mood to vanish completely. As I turned the key in the door lock and turned around, I let out an irritated sigh.

“Oh no. Roxanne,” I growled, glaring at her as I strode past toward my car. “I’m not in the mood to deal with your fantasies.”

“Fantasies?” Roxanne sneered at my contempt, her anger flaring even more from the knowledge that I had Jared. “They’re not fantasies.”

Since I had taken Jared from her, she hadn’t slept, barely ate, and her mind had begun to play tricks on her. She was going mad, and today, no one would stop her from facing the bitch who ruined her life.

Roxanne snarled, baring her fangs.

“Jared was mine, Kat—MINE—before you showed up and ruined everything!”

“No, he wasn’t,” I said, rolling my eyes at the madness in her words. This time, I faced her fully, serious. “Even you can’t deny he was never truly yours. He never could be. We’re soulmates. There’s nothing stronger than that between two wolves.”

Suddenly, I felt Jared’s presence again—his voice reached me through our bond, faint but tense.

Kat... it’s happening. I need you.

A tightness gripped my chest. I locked onto him with my mind, pushing aside the insane woman in front of me. I turned and ran to the car.

Tell me where you are. I’m coming right now! I begged him mentally, desperate to keep the link open.

Jared... just tell me! I insisted, throwing my bag into the car, preparing to let my wolf take over.

Wolf’s Ridge, he answered quickly, but with a warning edge. I don’t know how much longer I can hold it... my thoughts, Kat...

I’m on my way. Don’t worry. I’ll be there in seconds. My heart broke knowing he was trying so hard to fight it alone again. But this time, I wouldn’t let him.

Behind me, Roxanne growled low between her teeth. As always, I ignored her. That made her snap. She ran toward me and yanked my hair back just as I turned my back to her.

“If he’s not mine—” she hissed, her mouth dangerously close to my neck, “—then he won’t be yours either!”

“You can’t seriously be stupid enough to think it’d be that easy.” I felt her hand tighten in my hair. Rage flooded me at her attacking me—again.

I growled and slammed my elbow into her stomach, making her release me with a gasp of pain. I turned swiftly and landed a punch straight to her face. My claws tore her skin, and blood spilled down her neck.

I stared her down, barely holding back my transformation.

“Either stop this once and for all, or next time... one of us won’t walk away from this.” I paused, growling low. “And trust me—it won’t be me.”

Without waiting for a reaction, I bolted into the woods. My white wolf took over, running toward my mate, who was in danger. My heart pounded, my thoughts clouded with dread. Another episode was coming—today we would learn the truth about what happened during his blackouts.

Even though I didn’t believe Jared was the one who killed Magnus that night, the fear of what might happen still haunted me. I shook my head, forcing away any thought that might distract me.

That was when I felt it—something was following me.

I glanced back and caught sight of Roxanne’s wolf, far behind. Growling, I picked up the pace. I didn’t have time for this.

Still mid-run, I shifted into a massive white eagle. Soaring low through the trees, I left her behind, disoriented, unsure whether to look to the woods or the sky. She had no idea where I’d gone—and that was one less thing to worry about for now.

POV Jared

I felt it building—my body burning, muscles twisting, my mind fracturing. I pushed deeper into the woods, needing to get far away from the city… from people.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop the shift this time. Something was coming. Something dangerous. I needed peace in my mind, and only Kat could bring it.

She had to be there. To keep watch. To stop me, if it came to that.

I scanned the forest, trying to find her—but my vision blurred. Everything split in two. My surroundings became a haze.

Jared! I’m here!

Her voice broke through the chaos in my head.

“Where, Kat? I can’t see you!” I shouted, breathing heavily, frustration gripping me.

Up here, my love!

A giant eagle appeared, perched on the branch of a tall tree. She prepared to fly to me, but I cried out first.

“NO! Stay where you are! It’s safer!”

She froze. My voice was firm, laced with panic. I hated this—being watched from afar while I fell apart. My body convulsed. My soul split in two. And she felt every bit of it.

Don’t fight it anymore. Whatever happens... let it. I’m here. I’m safe. I won’t let you hurt anyone.

Her voice was almost a whisper in my mind, full of emotion. My chest heaved as pain took over again.

Please, Jared... I promise everything will be all right.

I dropped to my knees, growling in agony, hidden beneath trees and shrubs. I looked up at her—my eyes meeting hers in anguish.

And then it struck—like lightning ripping through me. My wolf and human sides battled violently, tearing through me inside and out.

I shifted into a towering beast—over two meters tall. A monstrous, primal version of myself. This form only appeared when a wolf completely lost control of his nature.

Don’t fight it, Jared. Her voice trembled in my mind.

I ran, claws tearing into the bark of trees, my body no longer my own. It was a minute, maybe two, but it felt like hours. She followed me from above, always watching, always focused on me—the male she loved and who needed her more than ever.

Then... the impossible happened.

A second transformation.

I gasped, unable to believe what I was seeing. She landed a few meters away, cautious but present.

My eyes—wild, predatory—locked onto her. I didn’t recognize her... and yet, something about her pulled at me. Curious. Unfamiliar.

She changed again.

From eagle to lioness.

A snow-white lioness, stunning and serene—stark against my own new form.

Because now... I wasn’t a massive wolf anymore.

I was a black lion.