Chapter Ten: Jealousy
761 Words
Ethan did not sleep.
Katerina noticed that immediately.
Long after midnight, the Immortal Wolf King still stood near the window silently watching the moonlit forest beyond the pack house.
Meanwhile Katerina sat nervously on the edge of the enormous bed, unable to calm her thoughts.
Her wolf’s vision continued replaying inside her mind.
Blood.
Chains.
Darkness surrounding Ethan.
Protect him.
The words made no sense.
How could someone as terrifying as Ethan need protection?
“You’re staring again.”
Katerina quickly looked away after realizing Ethan had noticed.
“Sorry.”
Ethan studied her quietly.
“You apologize too often.”
Katerina lowered her gaze.
That was another habit she could not change easily.
After years of punishment, apologizing became natural.
The silence between them stretched again.
Strangely—
It no longer felt unbearable.
Then suddenly—
A knock echoed through the room.
Before Ethan answered, Damian entered casually carrying a tray of food.
“You two are terrible at eating,” he complained dramatically. “Especially you.”
His eyes narrowed toward Ethan accusingly.
“The mate reveal happened hours ago and somehow nobody remembered the poor girl might be hungry.”
Katerina blinked in surprise.
Hungry.
Now that he mentioned it—
She had not eaten all day.
Damian placed the tray carefully on the table before smiling toward her.
“Eat before you faint dramatically. It’ll create paperwork for me.”
Katerina almost smiled.
Almost.
Ethan noticed immediately.
Interesting.
Damian pulled a chair backward lazily before sitting down.
“So,” he began casually, “the entire kingdom is currently losing its mind.”
Katerina looked nervous again.
Damian sighed.
“See? That face again.”
“What face?” she asked softly.
“The ‘I’m about to run into the forest and disappear’ face.”
Katerina looked away guiltily.
Damian pointed immediately.
“See? I’m right.”
Even Ethan’s lips almost twitched slightly.
Almost.
Then another knock interrupted them.
Kai entered the room.
The atmosphere instantly shifted.
Katerina visibly relaxed the moment she saw him.
And Ethan noticed.
Immediately.
“I brought the reports from the royal guards,” Kai said respectfully before walking closer.
But his eyes quickly moved toward Katerina.
“You should rest.”
The concern in his voice was obvious.
Too obvious.
Something cold flickered inside Ethan’s expression.
Damian noticed instantly.
Oh no.
This was becoming entertaining.
Katerina gave Kai a small grateful smile.
“I’m okay.”
Kai clearly did not believe that.
“You’ve been through too much tonight.”
Ethan’s blue eyes darkened slightly.
“My mate is stronger than she appears.”
The room became quiet.
Kai finally looked toward Ethan directly.
“I know.”
The tension between them became sharp instantly.
Katerina looked confused.
Damian looked delighted.
This was exactly the kind of drama he enjoyed watching.
Kai stepped closer toward Katerina.
Then he noticed Ethan’s coat wrapped around her shoulders.
His expression shifted slightly.
“You’re cold?” Kai asked softly.
Before Katerina could answer—
Ethan spoke first.
“I already handled it.”
The possessiveness in his voice was impossible to miss.
Kai’s jaw tightened slightly.
And suddenly Katerina realized something dangerous.
Ethan did not like Kai being close to her.
At all.
Mine.
Her wolf purred happily.
Katerina internally panicked.
This situation was becoming worse.
Damian quietly moved farther away before someone started growling.
Smart decision.
Then suddenly—
Another scent entered the room.
Sweet.
Elegant.
Cold.
Lady Seraphina stepped gracefully inside without waiting for permission.
The moment her icy blue eyes landed on Katerina—
Displeasure flashed openly across her face.
“There you are, Your Majesty,” Seraphina said softly while completely ignoring Katerina’s existence.
Ethan’s expression became colder instantly.
“You were not invited.”
Damian immediately looked away to hide his amusement.
Brave woman.
Seraphina smiled calmly despite the warning in Ethan’s voice.
“I came because the court is already discussing tonight’s events.”
Her eyes finally shifted toward Katerina again.
“They’re concerned.”
Concerned was not the correct word.
Disgusted was closer.
Katerina instinctively lowered her gaze again.
But suddenly—
Ethan walked toward her.
Then, before everyone—
He gently lifted Katerina’s chin.
“Look at me,” he said quietly.
Katerina obeyed automatically.
His blue eyes locked onto hers intensely.
And then he spoke words that stunned the entire room.
“My mate will never lower her head for anyone again.”
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Kai looked shocked.
Damian looked impressed.
Seraphina’s face finally cracked slightly.
And Katerina…
Katerina forgot how to breathe.
- Writer
