Chapter 111: Conon - Let me love you
Ever since the feral rogues tricked us into believing Caleb was dead, grief like I’ve never felt before threatened to overpower me. Katherine is the only thing that kept me sane. Along with helping Conrad take care of the pack and keeping an eye on Rain and Sky, I was exhausted at the end of the day, and by the time my head hit the pillow, I would fall into a deep sleep, only to start again the next day.
Being apart from Katherine added another level of pain to my grief, but her returning the same day Tatiana let everyone know Caleb was alive still has my heart dancing with joy inside my chest.
Tatiana visited the pack while Katherine and I were preparing for our date and let everyone know what had happened to Caleb. Everyone wanted to come and see with their own eyes that Caleb was alive and well, but it wasn’t possible.
My arm snakes around Katherine’s waist, her slender body molding after mine. Caleb’s joke didn’t sit well with her. It doesn’t really bother me since Caleb and I are used to joking like this all the time, but I have to put my mate’s feelings before Caleb’s. He always insisted that mates come before everything, even the pack or the Alpha. Even a King.
“Condolences? Why? I couldn’t be happier,” I make it clear to everyone. Kitty Kat is different from me but at the same time, she is similar in so many ways. When I learned she was my mate, I had my doubts about her, but I wanted to see who she was as a person before I decided on how to move forward. While she was in Scotland, her messages gave me more insight into her. I push out my chest. “Kitty Kat will be the best Beta female in history.”
My mate elbows me. “My name is Katherine.”
She never had a problem with her nickname until now. Doesn’t she like it? Or is she ashamed to be called endearment names?
**‘She is not used to being loved,’** Taos says.
No, she isn’t. Living in the Cosaci Castle taught Kitty Kat that only those willing to do anything will survive. She sold her body so she could eat. It made her think she’s tainted, unworthy of my love. I don’t care about her past, only about her present and future.
Looking straight into Caleb’s eyes as if challenging him, Kitty Kat asks, “You think Conon deserved better?”
Silence falls in the palace. Are they afraid of his reply? I already know what he will say.
Caleb always thought mates were equals, paired by the Moon Goddess with a purpose. I could be mated to a vampire, but Caleb wouldn’t bat an eye.
Touching Katherine’s arm affectionately, Caleb says, “You deserve better.” It’s not the reply Katherine expected. “I am so happy that you found your other half. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
A quivered breath leaves Katherine. Caleb’s approval means everything to her.
A guard approaches Caleb and quickly whispers something into his ear before stepping away.
Caleb’s expression turns serious. “I’m sorry to cut this reunion short but the Crowning Ceremony has to start. After that, we will run together. It’s a Full Moon tonight.” Caleb has always loved running with the pack, especially during full moons.
Katherine’s heartbeats go up.
Everyone heads over to where the ceremony will take place, but Katherine and I remain behind. No one notices that we do so.
“Since you accepted to be Caleb’s Beta, shouldn’t we join the ceremony?” Katherine huffs.
My palms frame her soft face. “We will after I have a word with you.”
“You had several, now let’s go.”
Just like me, Katherine uses words to prevent others from seeing who she really is. While I took on the role of a jokester, Katherine shielded herself behind her cold demeanor. We really are the perfect pair.
My head dips, my lips touching hers. “I want to mark you tonight.”
We should wait until taking our relationship a step further, but I don’t want my mate running around without my mark on her, letting other males think she is available.
“Don’t you want to run with your pack?” Katherine questions me.
I plant a kiss on her sweet mouth. “Our pack,” I correct her. In time, she will understand that she is no longer alone. “While Taos needs to blow off some steam, we would rather be with you.”
“Conon, I—”
I don’t let her finish. “No. You are my gift from the Moon Goddess, and I plan to treat you as such.”
Katherine allows herself a moment of vulnerability. “Some gift I am.”
“I have my own demons. Together, we can conquer them.”
Her teeth sink into her bottom lip to the point of drawing blood. I use my thumb to pull free her tender flesh from her hard bite. “Why are you so kind to me?”
“It’s easy to be a bully, but it takes courage to stand up for your beliefs. It takes even more courage to be kind to those who lash out because they fear being hurt. Or to allow others to love you the way you are.”
Katherine narrows her eyes. “Are you implying that I’m a coward?”
“Prove me wrong, and let me love you.”
Her chin trembles. It’s the first time I’ve seen her so vulnerable. “I don’t know how.”
“Let’s learn together,” I say before my lips capture hers. If not for the coronation, for Caleb, Rain, and the pack, I would take her to a place where no one will ever hurt her again.
Katherine finally kisses me with passion, her lips melting into mine. Her is body pressed against mine, need like I’ve never felt before surges through me. Maybe I’m more ready for the next step than I thought.
**‘Hell yeah,’** Taos howls. **‘Get that pussy!’**
*‘Don’t ruin this moment!’* I snarl.
**‘What moment? You haven’t even touched her tits. Or seen them.’**
*‘I don’t need to see them to know they are fucking perfect.’*
**‘We need to suck her nipples until they’re red and puffy from all the attention. Same for her pussy. We need to sniff it, kiss it, lick it, fuck it, and fill it with our cum. Put a pup or two in her belly.’**
*‘I would do that if you stopped barking at me!’* I snap at him.
I want to touch more of Katherine. To see more of her. Making her mine would be easy. Her arousal tickles my nose.
Someone clears his throat near us, snapping me out of my haze. I need to control myself for the following hours. “The ceremony can’t start without the Royal Beta Couple.”
Royal Beta? It sounds so…all business.
With great effort, I pull away from her. “Let’s not make Caleb wait,” I say.