Bought by the Beast King (Katerina and hunter) novel Chapter 6

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

**Chapter 6**

**KAT**

The mirror hanging crookedly on the wall was hardly adequate, its cracked surface barely reflecting my image. Yet, the green-eyed woman with the fiery red hair staring back at me didn’t need a complete reflection to recognize that she looked absolutely stunning. My emerald eyes shimmered beneath the uneven bangs of my pixie cut, and a grin spread wide across my face, radiating a sense of pride and excitement.

Turning away from the mirror, I cast a glance at the chaos that filled my small room. Clothes were carelessly strewn across one side of the bed, textbooks and disorganized files cluttered the other, and somewhere in that mess lay my kitchen—if you could even call it that.

But none of it mattered anymore. Today marked a turning point; I was finally escaping this miserable place.

With a squeal of delight, I flopped down onto the only clear spot on my mattress, clutching the envelope in my hands for what felt like the hundredth time.

My bonus.

My glorious, life-altering bonus.

After pouring in eighty hours a week, enduring blood, sweat, and tears for nearly two years, the higher-ups at the Bureau of Non-Human Affairs had finally taken notice of my hard work. I might not have been named on the case file, but I was the one who cracked it wide open. I was their unsung hero, and I deserved every bit of this reward.

I hadn’t sacrificed so much just to scribble my name on a piece of paper. I had achieved the impossible. A permanent position before graduation? Check. Youngest recruit in the Bureau? Double check.

All those years of homeschooling had finally paid off.

But as my smile began to wane, a tightness gripped my chest, and tears threatened to spill over. I quickly shoved those thoughts aside. Today was a day for celebration, not for dwelling on the past. I was done merely surviving; it was time for me to truly live.

Snatching my keys, bag, and helmet, I kicked a pile of dirty clothes out of my path and made my way to the door. I’d have to confront the mess eventually, especially before starting my new job on Monday. After all, I was down to my last decent office outfit.

Or maybe I’d just splurge on new clothes.

My laughter echoed in the hallway as I bounded down the stairs, still riding the high of my impending freedom. By the time I reached the basement parking lot, I was still chuckling. I envisioned a wardrobe filled with fresh outfits, enough to avoid repeating the same look week after week. An apartment spacious enough to swing a cat! A double bed, no more thin, lumpy mattress!

Kat Munroe was on the rise.

“Looking good, Kitty Kat.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t turn back as I secured my crossbody bag and slipped on my helmet. Dressed in leather booty shorts, a matching jacket, thigh-high boots, and a top that could easily be mistaken for a bra, I felt fierce and confident. No corset in sight; I was embracing my own style.

“Where are we off to tonight?”

The voice sounded closer now, prompting me to glance over my shoulder. I had come too far to be foolish.

Two familiar faces emerged from behind the concrete pillars, their long hair flowing like cheap wigs in a low-budget film. Jock types, the kind of human refuse the Bureau generally handed off to local agencies. It was a shame they couldn’t handle their own kind; otherwise, I would have reported them for their obnoxious behavior.

“Todd. Sam,” I greeted, giving them a curt nod. “Just heading out for some groceries. What are you two doing lurking in a dark basement?”

The two miscreants exchanged smirks as they approached.

“You promised we’d hang out, Kat,” Todd drawled, his voice dripping with false charm. “You’re not going to back out on us now, are you?”

“Forget about your groceries,” Sam chimed in, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “We’ve got something better to offer.”

Creepy. Did that line ever actually work on anyone?

“Maybe tomorrow night,” I said, turning my back on them and swinging my leg over the seat of my beloved bike.

Before I could grip the throttle, they flanked me on either side.

“You keep brushing us off, Kitty Kat,” Todd said, his grip tightening on the handlebars. “You think that’s going to work forever?”

My motorbike was my pride and joy—a gleaming red and black beauty with polished chrome, its engine purring like a contented beast. I had sacrificed meals and rent money for her. How dare this jerk lay a hand on her?

“We promise you’ll enjoy it,” Sam added, grabbing the other handle.

That was it. I had enough.

Removing my helmet, I raked my fingers through my hair, flashing a smile at each of them. Television had proven to be more educational than the mountains of books in my father’s library. Over the past three years, I had learned that brute strength wasn’t the only way to win a battle.

But it sure did help.

With a swift motion, I swung my helmet and cracked it hard against Todd’s head. The satisfaction of hearing him yelp was priceless. A quick punch to Sam’s ribs sent him staggering back, swearing. The engine roared to life beneath me, and I peeled out of the parking lot before they could even process what had happened. My laughter echoed in the dimly lit space, rising in harmony with the growl of my bike.

Three years ago, someone would have emerged from the shadows to deal with those two.

But I was no longer that girl.

I couldn’t afford to be.

As I cut through the Friday night traffic, the familiar ache in my chest returned. Guilt gnawed at me, as it always did. Had they stopped searching for me? Were they okay? Did they resent me for leaving?

If I returned now, would they accept the new version of me?

The bright lights of the city flickered around me as I parked my bike and removed my helmet. I couldn’t afford to dwell on those thoughts. I was on the brink of finally claiming the life I had envisioned for myself. Now was not the time to waver.

Pulse stood like a beacon in downtown Greenville, a line already forming at the wide entrance. A crowd spilled onto the sidewalk, and I could feel the bass thumping in my chest from outside. When it was finally my turn, I proudly presented my ID before they could even ask for it, flashing a grin at the bouncers.

Twenty-one. My birthday. In the human world, I was now officially old enough to drink.

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