Bought by the Beast King (Katerina and hunter) novel Chapter 184

Chapter 184

KAT

The fragile shoots now covered the ground. They were growing quicker than they should have. Leaves untuuled along branches that had been dead weeks ago, and I could hear little cters rustling across the forest Bloor. The air smelled of ancient magic.

And Hunter.

His scent clung to everything. I’d walked further beyond the castle gates than I usually did, but I couldn’t escape it. Mainly because I couldn’t escape him.

1 felt him behind me without turning

The awareness was constant now, threaded beneath my skin. I was so attuned to him that it made my chest tighten. ‘The mate mark was gone, so I could lie, I could pretend. I could reassure my parents every day that thunter meant nothing to

But how could I still feel him? How had we fought the magic together like that? Like we were still bonded?

Without a word, I turned and walked past him as I headed back pack, but wolves from other territories request to join. Part of n happened in the Lycan kingdom. If they knew what I had becom

Or maybe they had just come to watch the spectacle.

town. The streets were livelier now. Not just our own wondered if they’d come because they heard what

I stepped out of the forest onto the main street, Shops that had been shuttered were now open, and market stalls lined the road, the vendors calling out prices to the thin crowd drifting though. Each time I walked here, something else had changed. Something new had taken root.

I found myself imagining what it would look like fully restored. What it would feel like to finally walk among them freely, eating, drinking, laughing, instead of imagining them from the castle like a caged ornament.

Would any of it matter if this restless ache inside me didn’t quiet

I took a seat outside one of the taverns. From the corner of my e, I watched Hunter slip into the chair at the table beside mine. I wanted him gone, but I couldn’t deny that since he walked into my courtyard, the chaos in my head was dulled. The edges were softer. I was no longer numb.

If there had still been a mate bond between us, I would have been terrified that it was settling again.

“The steak looks good today,” Hunter said casually, nodding towards another table.

I didn’t look at him. How could he sit there and talk about foods if this were normal? As if he hadn’t detonated my life?

The tavern owner approached with two menus, as he had done every afternoon that week.

“Fine day today,” he said cheerfully.

He didn’t know who I was. I’d realised that the first day I’d eaten here. He assumed I was one of the new arrivals seeking refuge in the Alpha King’s territory. He’d spoken fondly about the good old days and the better days ahead now that the king had found his missing daughter. He was one of the few who didnt blame me for everything.

He handed Hunter his menu, careful but polite. Hunter’s aura was completely masked, but there was something about him that people sensed anyway. That sharp edge beneath the surface that he could never hide.

I should have noticed that before I became entangled with him. Or maybe that had been the dangerous edge that had drawTh me in.

I chose something that wasn’t steak and ate it without looking at him. Still, it felt like we were sharing a meal. I loved that and hated it at the same time.

When I stood to leave, three familiar SUV’s rolled past us slowly Bureau vehicles. Had they finally come to retrieve their king? I could only imagine the responsibilities he’d abandoned to follow me around Lordswood.

Hunter walked a few steps behind me, matching my slow pace instead of rushing to meet his people. Like we were a couple out on a leisurely walk. I clenched my teeth and walked faster, that unstable heat curling in my veins. In the week since Hunter’s presence had steadied me-mostly-I’d learned that warmth meant something was about to go wrong.

While I breathed to calm myself, the shadows crept into the edges of my vision. The people around us stiffened, glancing over their shoulders, sensing danger they couldn’t see. I walked faster.

At some point, I would have to figure out what the hell this magic was. Maybe even find that bastard Zachary and force him to undo whatever I’d done.

When we walked through the castle gates, the vehicles were parked near the castle, and the agents surrounded them. Had they buried their fallen colleague already?

Mr Tanner bowed to Hunter and then to me. I stiffened, glancing around at the curious people who’d gathered nearby. pretending not to watch.

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