Bought by the Beast King (Katerina and hunter) novel Chapter 90

**Leaves Falling Like Promises**
**By Amara Grant**
**Chapter 90**

**HUNTER**

I adjusted my cravat with meticulous care, ensuring it sat perfectly against my collar, and studied my reflection in the mirror. After days of neglect, I had finally taken the time to shave and luxuriate in a warm bath. The grey suit Tanner had procured for me felt foreign yet oddly comforting against my skin.

As I turned my gaze toward the royal mantle in the corner, I was struck by its opulence. The heavy fabrics shimmered under the light, threads of gold woven intricately into the design. Resting on a plush velvet cushion were the crown and ring, symbols of a legacy I had inherited but felt unworthy to bear. A wave of nostalgia washed over me, and I could vividly recall my father, resplendent in his own finery, laughing heartily at the last grand event we had attended as a family. That was before the fire had consumed everything, leaving only ashes and memories in its wake.

I tore my eyes away from the mantle, unwilling to linger on the past, and stepped out of the room. Tanner, along with a few trusted associates, stood lined against the wall, their expressions a mix of anticipation and apprehension. In truth, I felt isolated; there was no one else I could rely on, no one I could trust completely. Kitty was the sole exception, and even that bond was fraught with its own complexities.

“Let’s go,” I muttered, my voice low but resolute.

They followed me down the stairs, and as we descended, the air thickened with an acrid stench that clung to my senses—fear. I paused at the doorway, my eyes landing on my uncle and his entourage, still prostrate on the ground. Their discomfort was palpable, etched across their faces, yet it was the fear that truly struck me. Anger simmered just beneath the surface of my uncle’s demeanor, a volatile force waiting to be unleashed.

I understood that this was merely the beginning; the tension was far from resolved.

Leaving them to wallow in their humiliation, I stepped outside the guesthouse where a car was idling patiently just beyond the gates.

“Everyone is already in position. The security at the gate is airtight, so I’m not convinced your uncle’s intel is worth much,” Tanner communicated through our mindlink, his tone laced with skepticism.

Inside the castle, security was impeccable, a stark contrast to the rest of the pack territory that lay vulnerable, leaving it open for my uncle and his ilk to wreak havoc. The imbalance gnawed at my instincts, yet a flicker of gratitude surged within me because Kitty was safe within those castle walls.

The thought of seeing her again filled me with a mix of longing and dread. Humans were typically barred from events like this due to the inherent risks they faced. They were fragile, easily shattered. I had to rely on Rivers to keep her tucked away in a secure room while I hunted for Elijah in the shadowed corridors of the castle.

But Katerina would be at the center of it all, drawing attention like a moth to a flame.

My fists clenched involuntarily. My beast stirred within me, still nursing its wounds, still in the process of healing. I would search swiftly, make my presence known, and leave the castle before my pride completely unraveled. If Elijah had dared to enter, even cloaked in disguise, I would catch his scent.

The car ride felt fleeting, each moment stretching and contracting with anxiety. Was I making a grave error? The image of Elijah lurking behind those walls while Kitty remained trapped somewhere, helpless, constricted my chest painfully.

I would confront any hell for her.

Our bond flickered to life, more vibrant than it had been in days, sending adrenaline coursing through my veins. My muscles coiled with tension. I had to resist the urge to rush to her side, just as I had fought against dragging her away from that cabin. Three long days had passed. I would put an end to this madness tonight and whisk her away from this place.

As we approached the gate, other vehicles arrived, their occupants disembarking and making their way toward the entrance. When my car rolled forward, the guards exchanged a brief glance before swinging the gate open, allowing me entry.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify