Chapter 57

Chapter 57


POV – Katerine & Jared

“Jared?” I tried to keep my voice calm, my posture relaxed as his gaze locked on mine. A low growl rumbled from his throat, his eyes burning into me with wild intensity. I wasn’t sure if he recognized me—but our bond was strong, and I hoped it might reach his reason, his memory.

“It’s me, Jared! Do you remember me?”

His eyes flickered, and a spark of hope bloomed in my chest. He shook his head twice, his thick mane of black fur swaying majestically. He was magnificent—just as beautiful in his animal form as in his human one.

“Relax and accept your nature,” I whispered. “That’s how you’ll regain control.”

Jared stepped closer, moving slowly, inhaling deeply.

“It’s easier to find your thoughts in your animal form…”

But my heart sank as he shifted into a more threatening stance.

“Please, Jared… try.”

He bared his massive fangs and roared at me—a dominant display—then began circling slowly, eyes sharp and calculating. I immediately lowered myself in submission—not from fear, but in surrender. I was his. I wagged my tail near his muzzle.

“I’m your mate—the one who loves you more than anything in this world.”

His posture shifted instantly. The black lion looked at me curiously now, his eyes softer, almost affectionate—until a sharp whistle pierced the quiet forest.

Jared snapped his head toward the sound and took off at lightning speed.

We were far from home, in a known hunting zone.

“Oh no…”

The realization struck me. I bolted after him.

“JARED! STOP!”

A hunter—it had to be. Maybe he was tracking deer. Jared couldn’t become a murderer. I refused to believe it. But my chest tightened, panic flaring as I raced after him. Ahead, I saw the dark blur of his predator form disappearing into the trees, heading straight for the human.

“Please, Jared… listen to me!”

I froze for a second, panting, eyes scanning the area. He had vanished.

Where was he?

My panic soared until I glanced upward—an eagle circled silently overhead. Black. Alert. Jared?

I prepared to shift into the skies too, but before I could, a gunshot shattered the silence. Birds scattered from the trees, and the black eagle dove rapidly toward a cluster of trees near the sound. The ground trembled beneath me as Jared shifted again—this time into a ground predator.

“By Lupkan… the hunter!”

Fear clenched my heart. I trusted Jared, but still… something inside me trembled. What if this changed everything?

I shifted into my white wolf form—lighter, faster—and sprinted through the underbrush. In the distance, I saw him. Stalking. Silent. His powerful body crouched low, ready to strike.

“Jared—!” His name died in my throat.

He pounced without mercy, snarling as he attacked, the brutal sounds of flesh tearing and bones snapping filling the air. My body froze. My heart slammed against my ribs.

I couldn’t move.

I should’ve gone to him. I should’ve stopped him. I’d promised to help him… but my legs refused to obey.

I took a step back, then another, ready to flee.

No.

He was everything to me. I couldn’t doubt him now. He wasn’t cruel. He wasn’t evil. His humanity ran deeper than any beast within. I had to believe that.

I took a deep breath and leapt over the bush.

I believed in him.

The moment the black predator sensed me, he turned, blood staining his mouth and chest. He growled, his gaze locked on mine. A strange light flickered in his eyes, and slowly, he backed away from his prey.

My eyes dropped to the body on the forest floor. The deer’s lifeless eyes stared blankly ahead, its neck ripped apart—but that was it. Nothing more. No signs of unnecessary violence.

It had been instinct.

A hunt.

Just a hunt.

I breathed in, relief washing over me. The scent of the human was faint now—distant. He was still alive.

Smiling inwardly, I faced the black lion, who stood still, watching me.

“Jared… it’s okay,” I said softly.

He blinked twice.

“I knew you couldn’t hurt a human—especially not Magnus.”

I stepped forward. He took a cautious step back.

Then I heard his voice in my mind.

Kat!

Jared’s thoughts were disoriented. He couldn’t fully see the scene. He felt wetness, the taste of blood in his mouth. Panic overtook him as he spotted me—the white she-wolf—standing protectively between him and the body.

What have I done, Kat?

“It’s all right, my love,” I reassured him, wagging my tail. I stepped aside to reveal the deer.

I nodded toward the animal.

“Now I understand why our mental bond is so strong…”

Jared looked down, finally seeing the massive paws beneath him—unfamiliar, shocking.

“You’re a shapeshifter,” I said gently. “Like me.”

“These crises will pass once you accept this second nature. You don’t have to repress the other animals within you.”

“But how?” he asked, voice shaking. “Why didn’t my father tell me? Did he know? Was Andrea like me too? Or did it skip generations?”

So many questions—none with immediate answers.

When my wolf rubbed her body affectionately against his neck, Jared let go. He shifted back to his human form, wrapping his arms around me, stroking my fur with trembling hands.

“You don’t know how much I appreciate your trust, Kat… your love, your presence in my life.”

His eyes filled with emotion as he noticed my fur, stained red.

“I’m sorry for the blood… I never meant to hurt you…”

He rubbed my ears gently, eyes full of gratitude.

“I’m truly blessed.”

“I’ll always be here, Jared. Always.”

I began to shift back—but before I could, a sleek black wolf appeared where Jared had stood. He nuzzled me sweetly, licking my muzzle with breathtaking tenderness.

Let’s go to the river, he said in my mind. I want the honor of rinsing you off. I’m your servant, my beautiful, eternal mate.

I let out a soft laugh.

“Careful saying things like that. I might start charging you.”

I returned the lick, then took off into a playful run. He’d have to chase me—something any male wolf would find impossible to resist.

Despite the chaos of the day, I was truly happy.

But something still lingered in my heart.

Magnus.

Who had killed him that night… and why?

Suddenly, I stopped. Jared halted beside me, alert. The scent of another wolf drifted through the air.

We were being watched.

In the distance, I spotted the shadow of a fleeing wolf, disappearing into the trees. Jared met my gaze, and without a word, we reached the same conclusion.

Perhaps the killer had just revealed himself…

And the motive?

Now it was starting to make sense.