Bought by the Beast King (Katerina and hunter) novel Chapter 109

**Leaves Falling Like Promises**
**By Amara Grant**
**Chapter 109**

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**ΚΑΤ**

A cold, slithering sensation crept across my skin, leaving behind a trail of icy tendrils that sent a shiver down my spine. My eyes flew open, heart racing as I bolted upright in bed. Something was amiss. My pulse thundered in my ears, a frantic rhythm that matched the alertness of my wolf, who was already scanning the dimly lit room for any signs of danger. But there was nothing—just silence.

Was it merely a nightmare? A manifestation of my stress? It had to be. After all, I was nestled in the safest sanctuary within the entire kingdom; nothing could breach these walls.

I cast a glance at my bare skin, a slight chill making me tremble. I was naked, slick with remnants of the night’s events, and the memories crashed over me like a tidal wave.

Hunter had come to deliver a warning about what would unfold if another man dared to claim me. He had come to assert his dominance, to mark his territory. A small, foolish smile tugged at my lips at the thought. His actions were instinctual, primal, devoid of rational thought. No one else could lay claim to me now unless we severed the bond that tethered us together. But I didn’t need that reminder; I already knew.

For the first time since he had left me at the cabin, a wave of confidence surged through me. I believed we could navigate this tangled mess. He wouldn’t turn me away.

I slipped into a robe and made my way out of the bedroom. Hunter was long gone; I could feel it in the bond that connected us, yet the lingering scents of sandalwood and orange blossom clung to the air, remnants of his presence. There were no other signs of what had transpired in this room, not even under my father’s watchful eyes.

They must have known, though. In our castle, secrets rarely stayed hidden. They had certainly heard of all the close calls and unwanted advances I had endured during those so-called ‘dates.’ They knew I had been used as a mere stepping stone for future alphas seeking their true mates. The thought churned in my stomach like a bitter poison.

I pushed those dark thoughts aside and closed my eyes, focusing inward. Mother had sent countless tutors to prepare me for my first shift—lessons on mindlinking, on controlling my wolf when her instincts flared, on channeling the urges that surged within me. But I hadn’t intended to shift, so I never truly focused on those lessons. I just needed to remember.

The distant hum of the castle grated on my nerves once more, and I quickly silenced it. It was the dead of night; why were so many people still awake?

As I turned away from the room, a small bottle and a note on the coffee table caught my eye. Could it be from Hunter? A gift meant for me? A smile crept onto my face at the thought. His thoughtfulness solidified my hope: that everything would be okay once we sorted out this chaos and finally told my family about us.

But as I picked up the note, my heart sank. It wasn’t from Hunter.

The smile faded from my lips as I read the message: “Use the soap. You reek of him.” Nathan’s handwriting was bold and arrogant, just like him.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. Had Nathan seen us? Had he been watching? I couldn’t help but envision Hunter pinning me against the wall, his lips moving over my skin, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment.

I scrubbed my skin until it tingled, even using the soap in my hair, desperate to erase any trace of Hunter. And then, for the first time since I had returned home, I dressed myself. Instead of the elaborate gowns, corsets, and underskirts that adorned my wardrobe, I chose a simple, long white dress that hugged my figure comfortably—no corset necessary. I didn’t even bother with makeup.

Standing at my main door, I took a moment to gather my resolve. Father had explicitly ordered me to remain in my quarters until the mating ceremony. Could I really cross that threshold?

With a deep breath, I opened the door, only to stumble back as a young woman squealed and leapt back on the other side.

“Oh, Goddess, I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed, clutching her chest in surprise. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I just felt so confined in that room; I thought I’d stretch my legs.”

I peered out into the quiet hallway, but I didn’t dare use my wolf senses to probe beyond that. Who was this cheerful blonde girl? She was an omega, yet not one I recognized. Had I been away too long to know everyone? Or perhaps…

My eyes widened as I took a closer look at her. She appeared to be around nineteen, strikingly pretty, with curves that reminded me of that maid from the hotel. Had Rivers brought a girl to his room?

“That slimy…”

The girl’s smile faltered, and she took a step back, clearly intimidated.

“I’m so sorry, Your Highness,” she said, lowering her gaze. “I didn’t mean to overstep. I know it’s late; I’ll head back to my room.”

“Wait,” I said, raising my leg to step outside, but my body froze. My limbs felt heavy, as though they belonged to someone else. A familiar weight pressed down on my chest, heavier than any anger or humiliation I felt—more burdensome than the disappointment that lingered in my heart.

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