Katrina’s POV
A YEAR LATER
"You have until the next full moon, Katrina. If you don’t shift by then, you’ll be demoted to an Omega.” The Alpha’s voice was firm, unwavering. His sharp gaze bore into me as if daring me to argue.
I swallowed hard, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. "I—"
"You’re eighteen already," he continued, his tone laced with disappointment. "It should have happened by now."
I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to hold his gaze. "I know."
The Alpha sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Katrina, you’re running out of time. If your wolf doesn’t surface soon, the council will have no choice but to strip you of your rank. You can't become a Beta like this. Not only will you lose your Gamma title, you will also lose the chance to become a Beta. I hope you know that?"
I nodded.
My stomach twisted. I knew this. I had known this for months. But hearing him say it aloud made the reality of my situation hit harder.
"Do you understand what that means?"
I nodded stiffly. "Yes, Alpha."
"It means no more training with the warriors. No more standing among the Pack’s elite. You can’t be by Cassandra’s side anymore as one of the Princess’ security. You’ll become an Omega. You'll be given Omega duties, cleaning, serving, obeying every command given to you without question. Is that the life you want?"
"No," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath.
"Then do something about it." His words were sharp, cutting through me like a blade. "You have until the next full moon. That’s your deadline."
With that, he waved at me to leave the chambers. I walked out and stood in front of the door, the weight of his warning pressing down on my chest.
I exhaled shakily, blinking rapidly to keep the sting in my eyes from turning into tears. I wouldn’t cry. Not over this.
I turned and walked out, heading toward the river, needing space, needing air.
The Alpha’s words repeated in my mind like a curse, echoing with every step I took toward the riverside.
I'd become an Omega when I was supposed to be fighting for the post of the Beta.
Omega is the lowest rank in the Pack with no respect, no voice, no purpose.
I had trained alongside warriors, fought battles, and yet, none of it mattered because my wolf refused to show herself.
I exhaled sharply, willing my thoughts to settle, but they only grew louder. When I got to the river side, my safe haven, I was about to step forward when I saw him.
Adolphus.
He stood by the river, arms crossed, the setting sun casting a golden hue over his tanned skin. His muscular form was impossible to ignore, broad shoulders, sculpted arms, and a jawline sharp enough to cut glass.
His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he had just come from training, and those piercing eyes of his were locked onto the horizon, cold and distant.
Everything about him screamed power.
And yet, he was still a mystery.
A year had passed since we found him unconscious in the woods. He had no memories of his past, yet somehow, he had risen to become Cassandra’s personal bodyguard and the Pack’s most skilled warrior after me.
A part of me admired him and the other part kind of despised him because he was a bully.
Not the childish kind, but the kind that made you feel small without even trying. He never missed an opportunity to mock me, to push me in training until I nearly collapsed, and to remind me I was a pain in the ass to me.
We haven't been getting along so well and I wonder why.
Despite it all, I was still drawn to him and I hated that about myself.
I stepped forward, clearing my throat. "Didn’t expect to find you here."
Adolphus didn’t even glance my way. "Then don’t look."
I rolled my eyes, already regretting starting this conversation. I took a step closer, my irritation growing. "You know, for someone who doesn’t remember his past, you sure act like you’re better than everyone else."
His expression darkened slightly, but he masked it quickly. "Maybe that’s because I am."
My lips parted, stunned at his arrogance.
God, he was infuriating.
I wanted to walk away. I wanted to ignored him like he ignored me most of the time. But instead, I found myself blurting out the question that had been sitting in my mind for months.
"Do you remember anything now?"
Silence.
His smirk faded, and for the first time, his gaze wasn’t mocking or indifferent, it was unreadable.
I waited but he said nothing soI swallowed. "Adolphus?"
Still nothing.
Then suddenly, he turned. My breath hitched as he started walking toward me.
There was something in his eyes I couldn’t read, something intense, dark. I had seen him fight, I had trained with him, but this was different.
I stepped back instinctively, my bare feet pressing into the cool grass. Without my boots, I felt even smaller.
He kept coming.
My heart pounded wildly in my chest, and before I could even think of what to say, he brushed past me, his shoulder barely grazing mine.
A shiver ran down my spine.
I exhaled sharply, trying to collect myself. "Ever heard of manners? That’s no way to treat a lady," I muttered.
Adolphus paused, glancing back at me over his shoulder. His gaze flicked over my body, slow and assessing, before he smirked.
"Never knew you were one," he said smoothly.
I blinked, my mouth falling open.
Did he just—
Before I could fire back, he took a step closer, his voice lowering. "Yeah, definitely not a woman."
Heat flushed through my body, but it wasn’t just anger, it was something else, something I didn’t want to name.
I straightened, lifting my chin. "Then tread carefully… because in the end, don’t forget that I am a beast worse than any other."
I was also a strong warrior like him and I could beat him if I wanted to.
Adolphus chuckled darkly. "A beast, huh?"
Something flickered in his expression, something predatory. Then, his smirk widened, and his next words made my blood run cold.
"I have two rules; don’t get attached, and don’t expect me to treat you like a princess," he murmured. "Because if you do, I plan to treat you like my little whore."