Chapter 20 An anguished roar.
CATHERINE
“So rude!” I seethed as I left the restaurant, my heels clicking against the pavement with each furious step.
How could Kane just walk away from me like that, without a backward glance? I was angry at him, thinking about it.
As I made my way home, I couldn’t help but curse him.
“What kind of man just leaves a woman like that?” I muttered to myself, shaking my head in disbelief. Even though he wasn’t there to hear me, I continued to chastise him, imagining his face as I unleashed my frustration.
“You think you’re such a gentleman, Kane? What a joke.”
Had he been playing me this whole time? Maybe this was all just an act, a facade he wore to charm me into lowering my guard.
My heart raced with confusion and betrayal. I had agreed to going out with him, hoping to connect, to see the man behind the brooding exterior.
Instead, I was left standing in the wake of his arrogance.
Fine! He had an emergency to attend to, but we could as well leave together.
I slammed my hand against my thigh, trying to shake off the anger that bubbled up with each thought of him.
“He doesn’t get to treat me like this,” I growled. But deep down, I couldn't help but ask myself severally. Was I falling for a man who only pretended to care?
As I continued my furious march home, I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice the shadow that passed beside me.
It was only when I caught sight of a sudden of movement out of the corner of my eye that I turned, just in time to see a massive beast rushing past. My heart raced as I spun around to get a better look.
But before I could fully comprehend what I was seeing, the beast was right behind me, so big and formidable.
The beast looked so familiar to me, and suddenly, memories began to flood my mind, unbidden and overwhelming. I recalled the night filled with chaos, the same beast weaving through the darkness as my heart thudded in my chest.
A headache throbbed in my temples, sharp and insistent, but the details pushed through the pain
“Mate!” I recalled that word clearly if not anything else. The headache in my head intensified and I winced at the sharp stinging pain.
I could feel the connection, the pull between us, but the throbbing in my skull hurt at that moment, threatening to drown out everything else.
Before I could fully process the reality of the beast behind me, it lunged forward, and my heart leaped into my throat. Instinctively, I stood my ground, refusing to flinch, refusing to be scared.
As it came closer, a strange calm washed over me, and instead of backing away, I reached out.
“Come here,” I whispered softly, as if speaking to a frightened animal. The beast paused, its massive frame towering over me, and for a moment, we simply locked eyes. I could see the wildness in it's eyes, but I also sensed a vulnerability that made my heart ache.
When it edged even closer, I wrapped my arms around its neck, feeling the warmth radiating from its powerful body.
“It’s okay,” I murmured, sinking my fingers into its fur as I held on tightly. “You’re safe. I’m here.”
To my surprise, the beast relaxed against me, its growls fading into a low rumble, almost like a purr.
I closed my eyes, breathing in the rich scent of the night and the creature in my embrace. It was a surreal moment, a connection forged in instinct and understanding.
“See? We’re together now,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I could feel the tension in its muscles ease, and I gently stroked its fur, losing myself in the soothing rhythm.
“You don’t have to fight. I won’t let you hurt anyone.”
Just as I felt a profound sense of peace wash over us, a loud groan ripped through beside me, followed by the jarring sound of metal clanking against metal.
I jolted back, my eyes snapping open, and the world came rushing back.
“What the...?” I blinked, disoriented, realizing the beast was in pains, struggling right before my eyes. My heart raced, caught between confusion and the remnants of our connection.
“What’s happening?” I gasped, backing away slightly as I watched the creature in front of me.
The beast was now bound in shimmering silver chains that gleamed ominously in the dim light of the castle corridor.
“What the hell is happening?” I gasped, my eyes darting between the beast and Damon, who stood firmly, holding on to the other end of the chains.
“Catherine!” Damon shouted urgently. “You need to run! Get out of here while you still can!”
“Run?” I echoed, disbelief flooding my veins. “I’m not leaving! You think I’m just going to abandon him?”
Damon shook his head, his eyes darting between me and the beast, which was thrashing against the chains, growling low and deep, a sound that resonated with primal fury.
“This isn’t just about you anymore! The beast is unstable. If you stay, you could get hurt!”
“No! I won’t leave him!” I shouted back. The thought of turning my back on my mate felt like a betrayal, a betrayal I wasn’t willing to commit. “He needs me! He's my mate!”
Damon’s expression changed the moment I mentioned the word, “mate”, but it was only for a while.
“Catherine, listen to me! I know you care about the beast, but right now, he’s a danger to everyone, including you. I have to contain it before it gets out of control!”
“Contain it?” I snapped, getting angry. “And you think throwing more chains at him is going to help? You’re just making it worse!”
“You don’t understand!” Damon barked, his patience wearing thin. “This isn’t just about him; it’s about the lives at stake! If he breaks free—”
“Then I’ll help him!” I insisted, stepping closer despite the growing tension. “I can help him fight this! I know I can!”
Damon’s eyes narrowed. “Catherine, you don’t know what you’re asking for. You’re putting yourself in danger, and I won’t let that happen.”
“Damon!” I took a step toward him desperately. “You can’t just decide what’s best for me! I want to be here. I want to stand by my mate!”
At that moment, the beast howled in fury, straining against the bonds, its eyes flashing with wild energy.
I could feel the tension radiating from it as a powerful force threatened to unleash chaos.
“Hey!” I called out, reaching out my hand toward it. “I’m right here! You’re not alone!”
But Damon stepped forward, his body blocking my view.
“Catherine, I won’t let you do this. I won’t let you put yourself in harm’s way.”
“Get out of my way!” I shouted. “You’re not listening to me! I know him! I can reach him!”
“Catherine...” Damon began, but I could see the conflict in his eyes.
Before he could finish, the beast lunged forward again, its growls echoing in the corridor, and I felt my heart race.
“Please!” I begged, desperation spilling over. “Let me stay with him!”
“I can’t let you stay. It’s too dangerous!” He reached for me, but I sidestepped him, refusing to back down.
“I won’t let you do this! You can’t just control everything!” I shouted.
“Then I’m sorry, Catherine.” Before I could react, Damon moved toward me, and I felt a sudden force against my body. “I can’t let you get hurt!”
“Damon, no...” I started, but the world around me began to blur, my vision fading as darkness enveloped me.
The last thing I heard was the echo of metal clanking, the sound of chains tightening, and the beast’s anguished roar before everything went black.