Katrina’s POV
I woke up to the warmth of a strong arm wrapped around my waist, the steady rise and fall of a chest against my back.
For a moment, I was disoriented, caught between the haze of sleep and the unfamiliar comfort surrounding me. Then, I saw the shirt I was wearing and it all came rushing back.
My eyes flew open.
No.
I held my breath, willing my memories to be wrong, but they weren’t. I had spent the night with Adolphus.
I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling my pulse hammer in my throat. How had I let this happen?
Carefully, I shifted, trying to extricate myself from his hold without waking him. His arm tightened for a brief second, making my breath hitch, but then it relaxed. I took the chance, slipping away inch by inch until I was free.
The cold air made my skin prickle as I sat up, my body sore in places that left no doubt about what had happened between us. My dress lay crumpled on the floor, and my heart pounded as I reached for it, quickly slipping it back on.
I had to leave.
Standing on shaky legs, I collected my uniform from the ground, and tiptoed toward the door, barely breathing as I reached for the handle.
"Katrina."
His voice stopped me cold.
I froze, gripping the handle so tightly my knuckles turned white. He sounded groggy, his voice rough with sleep, but there was something else beneath it, something dangerous.
I couldn’t look at him.
Without thinking, I yanked the door open and bolted.
I didn’t stop running until I reached my chambers, slamming the door shut behind me. My heart pounded against my ribs, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
What had I done?
I pressed my hands to my face, my mind a tangled mess.
Cassandra.
Oh, Moon Goddess.
Cassandra had told me she suspected Adolphus was her mate. She liked him. And I, I had betrayed her in the worst way possible.
The guilt clawed at my chest, suffocating me.
A sudden knock at the door made me jump.
"Katrina?"
Cassandra’s voice.
Panic shot through me, but I forced myself to calm down. Taking a deep breath, I ran my fingers through my tangled hair before opening the door.
Cassandra stepped in, her eyes practically glowing with excitement.
"You won’t believe what I just overheard," she said, grabbing my hands. "My father was speaking with the shaman about me!"
I blinked, struggling to focus. "What about you?"
She beamed. "He said I’m the true heir to the Eclipse Moon!
The words sent a jolt through me. "Cassandra, that’s—"
"Incredible!" she finished, practically bouncing on her heels. "I always knew I was meant for something great, Katrina but that's not all. My gift will start to manifest once I turn 18 and shift.”
A gasp left my mouth and I forced a smile, trying to push aside my own turmoil. "I’m happy for you, Cassandra." And I was. Truly.
The Eclipse Moon Bound was sacred, a divine mark of power. It was an honor beyond measure. While her gift, the Lunar Flame was something the late Luna used to have and believed to have passed down to her daughter, Cassandra. That means Cassandra will possess the ability to manipulate a mystical flame that burns with the power of the moon itself.
But then, as suddenly as her excitement came, it shifted.
Her fingers tightened around mine, her gaze sharpening.
"Where were you last night, Katrina?"
I stiffened.
The question sounded so casual, but there was something beneath it that sent warning bells ringing in my head.
"I—"
"You weren’t in your chambers," she said, tilting her head. "I checked. I've been looking to share the news since last night but you weren't in."
My stomach twisted.
I swallowed hard. "I—I went for a walk."
"A walk?" Her brow lifted. "All night?"
I nodded, my mouth dry. "I needed fresh air."
Cassandra studied me for a long moment, and I hated how my palms started to sweat.
"Did you spend the night with someone?"
The air left my lungs. I couldn’t answer.
The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. Her expression shifted from curiosity to realization, her eyes widening.
"You did," she whispered. "You spent the night with a man. Because whoever he is, you’re wearing his shirt."
I felt the world tilt beneath my feet because the truth was written all over my face.