Chapter 27 — Katina

I awake with a sense of dread that tightens my chest, even as my eyes try adjust to the dim light filtering in through the curtains.

I can hear the soft breathing of Rhys, next to me, and a sense of calm washes over me, until I realize that Marco isn’t in bed with me.

I begin to panic as I frantically search for him through our link, my mind instantly calming when I feel that he’s alive and well.

I take a deep breath, trying to shake the eerie feeling that courses through my veins.

With a yawn, I stretch, eager to begin my day and shake off the odd sensation I felt while waking up; yet it lingers like a dark cloud and my stomach twists in nervous anticipation. I cannot shake the foreboding haze enveloping me. As I get dressed, my mind is preoccupied with worry. The world seems too quiet, the anticipation of something ominous looming in the background. I know how silly it sounds, but I cannot help the overwhelming feeling.

After tending to Rhys, I decide to take a walk with him outside, the fresh air always does me some good. The sun is low in the sky, casting orange-red illuminations that dance over the landscape in majestic patterns. Everything is eerily calm except for the periodic chirps of birds from nearby trees.

Then it begins to sink in, the unfounded worry I felt earlier meant something. I can hear the whispers of voiceless spirits in the wind, their warnings of trouble. My blood runs heavy with the premonitions of impending doom.

I try to push the feeling aside as I return to our den with Rhys in arms, burrowing deep into my thoughts. I can feel a sense of turmoil in the air with each passing moment. What could it be, a pack of predators lurking in the distance, an invasion by hunters, or another attack by rogue wolves?

The answer presents Itself soon enough, as I sit in the den with Rhys clutched to my chest, his little nose twitching as he suckles at my breast. Peaceful moments like these are rare in a pack’s life full of harsh realities. But such moments are ones to be cherished, and I sink into the lullaby of the rhythmic sounds of his soft suckling.

It's then that Marco enters the den, causing me to look up from Rhys and turn to him, the sense of tranquility dissipating as worry creeps in.

“Katina, we have visitors,” Marco says, his voice low and serious. “The scouts have spotted their trail, and they’ll be here soon.”

I immediately become alert, the wisp of dread creeping in once again. “Who are they?” I ask, my thoughts bouncing between worry and hope.

“I don’t know,” he replies. “That’s why I need you to keep your guard up. They could be friends, or foes. I don’t want you there, though. It’s not safe.”

I stiffen, the moment turning serious and tense. “What? No, Marco, I want to be here with you. As the Luna, I need to be here with you. We need to face this together.” I protest.

“Katina, I can’t risk your safety like that. Trust me, I’ll handle it. As the Alpha, I need to be there to receive them,” Marco insists.

I shake my head stubbornly. “You can’t protect every member of the pack. I need to be there to help you. You know how important you are to me.”

Marco grabs my hand, planting a gentle kiss on my forehead. Our eyes lock, and the warmth of his lips impart a sense of safety, even in the face of an unknown danger.

“Everything will be fine,” he promises, and I know that he means it.

I bite my lip, the determination in his voice assuaging my fears a little bit. “Okay,” I concede, “I’ll stay put, but please be careful.”

He leans forward, his hands cupping my face as I feel a rush of heat shoot through me. “I’ll be okay, Katina,” he says, his black eyes peering into mine, “I promise.”

We share a kiss, brief but meaningful, before he pulls away, his face serious once more, his mind already preoccupied with the impending visitors.

As he makes his way out of the den, I am left with Rhys once more, the surge of emotions churning within me. I know that Marco will do everything in his power to keep everyone safe. But what if things don’t go as planned? What if these visitors are dangerous and pose a threat to our pack?

I spend the day in anticipation, constantly on edge and waiting, my heart beating in my throat. Every sound and every movement makes me jump, and I think of Marco constantly, hoping that he’s doing well and that he’s safe. The visitors must be greeted, lest there be a chance of a fight or misunderstanding. My mind races with the possibilities of who they might be.

It Is only when I peer through the window of Marco’s den that my heart drops. I see him immediately, my ex-mate Ezra, standing among the visitors; a treacherous wolf who has cheated on me.

I freeze, my mind and heart in chaos. With his back turned to me, I shut the curtains and hide before he gets the chance to see me too.

My emotions boil as I struggle to control my thoughts. The grief, anger, and betrayal that I have long buried within me resurface. Why is he here, and what does he want? I shudder at the thought of what horrors he might have planned.

I spend the rest of the day holed up in my den, nursing Rhys while the fear and dread continue to gnaw away my insides. Every sound, every movement is amplified; I am constantly on high alert, as I wait for Marco’s return.

As night falls, my mind is abuzz with the implications of the visitors; I feel restless; I cannot sleep, haunted by intrusive thoughts. A plan starts to form in my head on how we will act if there is trouble to come.

As I turn to gaze at Rhys, my heart clenches, he can sense the apprehension in the air. I vow to protect him and the pack at all costs, taking comfort in the determination that blazes within me. I am not just a mother protecting her pup, I am also a warrior, and I will fight tooth and nail for my pack.