Bought by the Beast King (Katerina and hunter) novel Chapter 158

Chapter 158

KAT

My wolf reacted before I could stop her.

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She slammed into my chest, snapping the leash so easily, like it hadn’t existed. Her revulsion was so violent it stole the air from my lungs. Rage followed it, extreme rage that was raw, feral, and unfiltered. I tasted blood where my teeth cut into my lip as the urge to lunge flooded my body.

I wanted to kill him.

Not to wound, but to actually end him. To leap across the table and tear his throat out with my teeth. Rip him apart limb by limb. I barely recognised myself.

Nathan cocked his head, studying me like my reaction was interesting rather than scary. There wasn’t a flicker of fear across his face, and that was the worst part. That calm certainty of an alpha who knew he could command me to heel if he so chose.

My wolf snarled, rattling my skull. Heat flared along my jaw, pressure building as my canines lengthened. I fought for control, but every attempt to restrain my wolf slid right off. It was completely useless. I’d lost control.

And Nathan didn’t even flinch.

I shoved back against the chair, gripping the armrest tightly as my claws punched through the fabric and wood. My muscles coiled tight, and every instinct screamed for me to fight even as dread crawled up my spine.

I was about to challenge an alpha.

Goddess help me.

“Say that again, Nathan.” My voice came out low and rough. My wolf’s voice. I held Nathan’s gaze without blinking, daring him.

Inside my head, panic clawed at my thoughts. I didn’t want him to say it again. I didn’t want him to push me when I was in this state. Because I didn’t stand a chance against him if this turned violent.

Nathan leaned back slowly, his expression unreadable. His wolf stirred beneath the surface, just watching like he was curious to see how far an omega could

My claws dug in deeper.

My wolf had once been timid, hesitant to confront anyone stronger. But since bonding with Hunter, she’d been reckless, trusting that his power would shield us.

But where the hell was Hunter now?

“It would be in everyone’s best interests,” Nathan said calmly, “if you stopped clinging to a monster. That magic will claim him sooner or later. Even if it doesn’t take him during the full moon, it will come for him after. It’s already tried a few times.

“I won’t break our bond,” I growled. “He’s mine.”

Even as I said it, Nathan’s words twisted something in my stomach. I’d been clinging to the idea that it would end in a couple more nights, that I only had to survive past the full moon, and the torment and uncertainty would stop. But now, that doubt gnawed at me again.

What if it didn’t?

14:27 Tue, Jan 20

Chapter 158

Sweat prickled along my hairline. The thought of this dragging made my chest feel tight.

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“He’s going to kill you!” Nathan snapped, teeth flashing. “That prophecy is real. And Hunter Sterling is the embodiment of death. The monster who makes even the king of hell tremble.”

My wolf surged. I was on my feet in an instant, my fighting instincts screaming. My vision narrowed on him.

“I will not take anyone else’s bite,” I snarled. “You claim to be the solution, but you’re just like the rest of them, trying to use your power to decide my fate. What makes you, the man who makes his living exploiting weaker people, think you’re better than Hunter?”

“I don’t leave piles of limbs in the street,” he shot back.

My momentum faltered. The image of Elijah flashed in my head, and the old terror tried to creep back in. But my bond with Hunter still swelled with life, burning brightly and steadily. It anchored me. His emotions were still wide open. It was true, he had some darkness in him, but I’d accepted him. I’d accepted our bond. I’d chosen it.

And I’d be damned if I let anyone else make such an important decision for me.

I straightened.

“I’ve spent too long letting other people decide what’s best for me. I’m done.”

My wolf settled, leaving my head a little clearer.

“Kathrine,” Nathan said carefully, “we could end this. We can get back to Malcolm tonight. Back to our normal lives. This place isn’t for people like us.”

That was what I wanted. To live my life, but with Hunter, not Nathan.

N

“No.”

“He’s Lycan. He was never meant for you,” Nathan said.

“And you were?” I asked coldly.

“You and I are the same. I know what

you

need.”

A

“And what do I need, Nathan?”

“You need someone who can match you,” he pressed. “Who understands magic. Who won’t cage you or drown you with hierarchy and politics.”

He stood, but I didn’t back away.

“I don’t need any of that,” I said. “You sound just like Zachary, convinged your magic makes you untouchable.”

I turned towards the door, fury tightening my chest. Why did they all think they could tell me what to do?

I spun around to him again.

“I’m already mated. If somehow the stupid prophecy comes true, then that’s my burden to bear. My death wouldn’t bring about some catastrophic event.”

Unless the Lycan King intervened. My fingers twitched.

Nathan chuckled and slipped his hands into his pockets.

“Really? Then perhaps you’d like to know where your mate is,” he said. “Do you want me to explain the number of

14:27 Tue, Jan 20.

Chapter 158

‘catastrophic events’ he’s about to trigger?”

“Stop talking in riddles,” I snapped. “Where is Hunter?”

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I’d assumed he’d gone out into the ancient forest to patrol and clear his head. But the smirk on Nathan’s face told me otherwise. Dread coiled in my stomach again.

“Your brother came by.”

I stilled. How the hell had he found us?

“Your mate kindly took him home.”

The way he said it made me believe there had been nothing kind about that interaction. I imagined Kostas bloodied and broken. I’d stopped Hunter before, but there was no one to restrain him now.

“Kostas wants you,” Nathan continued. “And Hunter’s losing control.”

The coils in my stomach tightened. The fact that Hunter had left the protection of the wards was bad enough, but his presence at the castle would only provoke my father. And it would reach the Lycan King’s ears.

With so many hours left before the full moon, Hunter could easily trigger another clash between Lycans and werewolves.

“We’re out of time, Kathrine,” Nathan said. “The coven will make a move at any moment. We have to protect ourselves. Say the words, princess. Reject him before he brings death to our doorstep.”

“Never-”

Pain exploded through my chest. I cried out as it tore through the bond, slamming into me relentlessly, suffocating me. My knees hit the floor with a loud crack, and I clutched at my heart as if I could tear the agony out.

What was happening?

Nathan was suddenly beside me, hauling me up as panic creased his face.

“H-Hunter,” I gasped. “Someone’s hurting him.”

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