Bought by the Beast King (Katerina and hunter) novel Chapter 103

**Leaves Falling Like Promises**
**By Amara Grant**
**Chapter 103**

**KAT**

The atmosphere in the castle was nothing short of pandemonium.

With the bridge drawn up high, we had lingered far too long, anxiously awaiting the moment someone would lower it to allow us passage over the vast, murky moat. Just as we began to make our way across, the guards, clad in the distinctive uniforms of the Bureau, started pulling it back up. I recognized them immediately; their presence was an unsettling reminder of the authority they wielded.

Was Hunter among them? I took a deep breath, straining to catch a hint of his scent in the air, but all I found was an unsettling void. That thin thread of awareness, the one that always connected me to him, hummed faintly, then faded. It was clear he had already slipped away.

Once I was finally ushered inside, I found myself in a hallway teeming with people. The noise was overwhelming, a cacophony of voices overlapping as everyone seemed to speak at once. Bureau agents were busy herding servants and guards, ushering them into a private room one by one for questioning. I was all too familiar with their methods. Despite the surrounding chaos, they would soon have everything organized and under control.

Nathan staggered in behind me, a bloody mess. It was evident the guards had taken liberties during our ride back, but I could see that he was already starting to heal. My lips twitched with the effort to suppress my wolf, who was itching to snarl and defend our territory. First things first; we needed to deal with the killer.

The moment we entered, the hall fell silent as everyone turned their attention toward us.

“I can’t believe she returned after what she did,” one voice hissed.

“So irresponsible,” another chimed in.

“Didn’t the queen teach her about going into seclusion?” a third voice added, dripping with disdain.

I rolled my eyes, my heart heavy as I scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar face, someone I could confide in. Loneliness had always been my companion, even within the walls of my own home.

“Take her in first,” a guard behind me commanded, giving me a nudge forward. “Beta Kostas is already in the great hall.”

My fists clenched at my sides. Before I had left, no one would have dared to put a hand on me. I wanted to attribute this shift in treatment to the chaos of the moment, but deep down, I knew the truth. To them, I was merely a burden, just as I had always been.

“I can walk on my own,” I replied through gritted teeth. “Release Mr. Rivers.”

“We have orders, Your Highness,” he replied, his tone dismissive.

“Now you have orders from me,” I snapped, spinning around to face him. He towered over me, his presence imposing, a testament to his beta blood, like so many of my father’s elite guards.

He showed no surprise at my defiance; to him, I was likely just an annoying fly buzzing around. But I was still a princess. Would he dare to openly defy me?

“The situation is critical now. Please cooperate,” he said, his voice steady as he signaled to the guard who was supposed to take me.

Instead of releasing Nathan, they dragged him into a side room. My simmering anger flared to life, and I turned on my heel, determined to weave my way through the throng of people. As I pushed past them, a distinct and unsettling scent invaded my nostrils.

Blood.

Agents were stationed in the hallway leading to the servants’ quarters, some donned in forensic suits, busy at work. I had read snippets about this case, but never the full details, as my clearance was limited. The killer was meticulous, leaving no clues behind. But why had he chosen to return to the wolf kingdom?

That chilling visage flashed through my mind once more. Was this a personal vendetta? Had he followed me? That monster had the audacity to take another life in my presence. First at the gym, and now here.

I recalled the girl from the gym, a fellow wolf on suppressants, just like me. The memory of her haunted me, invading my dreams and leaving me restless at night. Had he targeted someone here in the same manner? But we wouldn’t know anything until the Bureau completed their investigation, so I pressed on toward the hall.

Inside, the chaos felt more contained. Groups of people sat together, whispering in hushed tones while others moved about, distributing drinks and sandwiches. Not just anyone—Omegas. Even after one of their own had been murdered, they were still being forced to serve. These were the ones who likely knew her best—her friends, perhaps even her family. The sorrow etched on their faces was palpable.

Yet, they continued to cater to those who gossiped about the poor girl, bowing to a king and queen who barely acknowledged their presence. Mother sat alone on the stage, impeccably made up as always, staring blankly at the wall. Father was positioned behind her, facing in the opposite direction, lost in his thoughts. And there was Kostas, pacing at the far end of the room, his fists clenched, his aura radiating tension as if he were oblivious to the suffering surrounding him.

This was my family. How had I never noticed this darker side of them before?

Father was the first to sense my presence. He shot to his feet, his eyes locking onto me through the crowd.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify