Bought by the Beast King (Katerina and hunter) novel Chapter 9

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

**Chapter 9**

**HUNTER**

Kitty. Kathrine Munroe. How on earth had she managed to earn the coveted security badge that now dangled from her neck, a testament to her identity within this chaotic world? It was a question that gnawed at me, a puzzle I couldn’t seem to solve.

The first time I had laid eyes on her was at the club, where she had effortlessly captured my attention, a siren in a sea of noise and shadows. And then, she had followed me to the Bureau, an unexpected twist that left me both intrigued and wary.

But as I found myself enveloped within her uncharted territory, another woman had vanished from that very club. It was as if the universe was playing a cruel joke on me, sending that enchanting temptress straight into the depths of my own chaos. They thought I would be foolish enough to fall for their ploys again, but I knew better.

“Sir, the meeting is about to commence,” Elijah announced, his voice cutting through my thoughts like a knife.

I glanced up, startled, to find him standing at the door, his posture rigid. How long had he been observing me, waiting for the right moment to interrupt my reverie?

“Do we really need to gather so often just to regurgitate the same information?” I grumbled, irritation lacing my tone. “Lordswood should face reality. The princess is likely dead by now, and we have far more pressing matters to attend to.”

My words were blunt, perhaps too harsh, but they rang true. That delicate woman wouldn’t have survived a single day outside the protective walls of her castle. A pang of regret tightened in my chest as I recalled the princess’s sweet, floral scent. In that moment, my primal instincts had surged, ready to plunge into a world of chaos. I was grateful I had walked away before I crossed a line I couldn’t uncross.

“Prince Kostas has made it clear that if we don’t see any progress soon, he will personally oversee the investigation,” Elijah added, a hint of concern in his voice.

My fists clenched involuntarily at the thought. Even if I chose to overlook Prince Kostas’s obsessive fixation on his sister, who the hell did he think he was, trying to dictate my actions?

“Tell him to come if he dares,” I growled, my voice low and menacing.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that Princess Katerina had been taken by someone who harbored as much animosity towards Kostas and Christos as I did.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment, forcing myself to calm the beast that roared within. I set my coffee cup down with a deliberate motion.

“Let’s get this over with.”

Regardless of my feelings towards the Lordswoods, this was a high-profile case that demanded my attention. My reputation was at stake, and I couldn’t afford to falter.

As I paused at the door, I glanced back at Elijah, contemplating whether I should have brought him along for the investigation into Kitty, or if going solo was the wiser choice this time.

“I might be out for a while. Tanner can handle any loose ends,” I informed him.

Though the Deputy Director was accustomed to stepping in when I was unavailable, I wanted to avoid unnecessary distractions while I was with Kitty. Tracking the serial killer’s next move had become my top priority.

“Yes, sir,” Elijah replied, as always, his loyalty unwavering.

Stepping out of my office, I made my way to the conference room, where the deputy and all my executive directors awaited. They rose in unison, bowing their heads as I entered, a palpable fear hanging in the air, thick as a fog that clung to them.

“Your Majesty,” they intoned together, their voices a chorus of trepidation.

The Bureau of Non-Human Affairs prided itself on hiring the most competent individuals for every role, yet the heads of each department were not human. They understood and acknowledged the power I wielded.

“Any updates?” I inquired, taking my seat at the head of the long, polished table.

“Ah… N-No, sir,” one of them stammered, his gaze fixed on the floor, avoiding my eyes. “All leads have turned into dead ends once more. We’ve been inundated with false sightings. Everyone seems more interested in the reward than the truth.”

“Even the informant who claimed the princess crossed into the human realm has changed his story over a hundred times,” another added, his voice trembling. “She could be hiding right under King Lordswood’s nose.”

It felt as though we were chasing phantoms. I had no time for this nonsense.

“So it’s the same old story again this week,” I summarized, preparing to exit the pointless meeting. “Someone draft a report and send it to Lordswood.”

“Sir,” one man spoke up, rising hesitantly. “I have a suggestion. Perhaps we could enlist the new paralegal to review the case. She’s not fully qualified yet, but I took the liberty of hiring her.”

My gaze sharpened, narrowing on Andrew Watson, the head of the legal department. He had dared to make that decision without consulting me? Despite his alpha status, I could see him trembling, likely aware of the gravity of his error.

But there was no time to deal with him now. I gestured for him to continue.

“She was our intern for nearly two years. Her research and insights consistently exceed the Bureau’s standards. Her last report solved a cold case that had languished in our archives for years,” he explained, a hint of pride in his voice. “She’s a prodigy.”

The Bureau was a sprawling structure, and only a handful of people recognized me, so I felt confident that the glances and whispers had nothing to do with my identity.

“Do you see him? Oh my god!”

“Is he new here? Which department is he in?”

“I’d love to climb that tree. What did his mother feed him?”

The women—and even some men—were still a distance away, but their words reached me clearly. A smirk crept onto my lips as I kept my gaze fixed on my shoes, biding my time.

Then, I caught a whiff of that intoxicatingly sweet perfume, mingled with a hint of vanilla. My eyes flicked up just in time to see her red hair emerge at the top of the stairs. She descended slowly, absorbing the whispers around her, her eyes widening with each step. A flush crept up her cheeks, and her mouth fell open in surprise.

“Is he waiting for someone? Let’s stick around and find out.”

Kitty’s pace slowed momentarily before she quickened her steps, marching past me with purpose. “Follow me,” she whispered, urgency lacing her tone.

I couldn’t help but grin as I let her lead, trailing behind her leisurely until we exited the main gates and joined the bustling crowd on the street. How long would she pretend not to recognize me as the director?

Once she veered into an alleyway, I quickened my pace, finding her leaning against the wall, her expression a mix of determination and uncertainty.

She looked so different from the leather-clad temptress who had ensnared me before, yet this version of her held my gaze just as captive. The tailored trousers and blazer accentuated her curves beautifully, and the heels elongated her legs, making her appear even more alluring. It was clear they had done their research on the type of women I preferred, going above and beyond to ensure she fit the mold.

“What deal do you want to strike?” Kitty hissed, her voice low and fierce.

“I’ll be homeless within a week without this job,” I lied, feigning desperation. “Just give me a place to rest my head until I find something else.”

“That’s it?” she challenged, skepticism evident in her tone.

“Of course not. You still get the pleasure of using me however you wish for a hundred bucks a night. It’s a win-win.”

The rush of arousal that hit me was intoxicating, my beast purring in satisfaction. That small gasp of surprise—yes, I had won. The hunger flickering in her eyes sealed the deal. I would be in her bed tonight, whether she invited me or begged me.