“Hey, don’t worry. It’s not that bad. Well, I hope you don’t think it’s that bad. I just, I needed to tell you before this went any further.”
“Okay,” she whispered, feeling even more worried by his rambling. Bass had never rambled before.
“I’m from Dark Shadow. I told you that, and a lot of my pack wants you dead, well, my father...”
“Bass, I already know this and no doubt, your father wants me dead. Your father would have to do as he’s told.”
“No, Kat, you don’t understand. My full name is Sebastian Evernight. My father is the alpha.”
Her heart was racing. If Bass was Dark Shadow’s, alpha’s son, then that meant Jackson had killed his mother. Katalina felt sick. How could he not want her dead?
“Kat, please, I do not care what my father thinks, so it doesn’t matter.”
“How can you say that, when Jackson killed your mother? God, Bass, how can you even look at me?”
Bass ran his finger along her jaw. “Katalina, Dark Shadow is responsible for the death of your parents and the death of Winter, yet you look at me with a warmth in your eyes that makes me feel whole. Both of our packs are responsible for so much blood, but this all started when we had no control over the situation, but now, I can put a stop to the bloodshed. It is time the past is left where it belongs.”
“But why, Bass, why would you go against your father for me?”
Bass smiled at her, taking her face in his hands. “Haven’t you figured it out yet?” He lightly brushed his lips over hers. “There is something between us, Katalina; something not even eighteen years of hatred can destroy.”
He let go of her face, resting his hands on her hips. It was Katalina who closed the distance between them. She wrapped her arms around him tightly, feeling truly happy for the first time since the night of her eighteenth birthday. They kissed with a hunger, a passion that made the rest of the world drop away. For the seconds she held him, Katalina didn’t feel anything but Bass. His heat caressed her as she ran her hands over bare skin. His steady strength and the taste of him on her tongue consumed her every sense.
The feelings Katalina felt for Bass had developed with a speed she didn’t understand. Their intensity frightening at times, yet when she was with him, some of the sadness disappeared. He made her feel as if she could cope with the loss in her life. She may not understand it and it may be rushed, but it was simply right.
Arne barked from somewhere in the distance; Katalina jumped, completely forgetting he’d come with her.
“Arne! Come here,” Katalina called quietly. Moments later, he dashed out of the trees, wrapping himself around her legs.
“Thanks for the interruption, dog,” Bass grumbled.
Katalina laughed at him. “I best be getting back. Cage was asleep on the sofa when I snuck out.”
“This Cage, I do not like the way he watches you.”
“How do you know how he looks at me, hmm? Have you been spying?”
“I did tell you I was good at blending in, didn’t I?”
“Jackson promised me to Cage.”
Bass growled.
“Hey leave Cage alone, okay? He’s a nice guy. It’s not his fault Jackson is an ass.” The look of displeasure left his face as quickly as it arrived. Katalina expected Bass to comment further on the subject of Cage. The hard set of his mouth, telling her he wasn’t happy being told to leave Cage alone. Yet he looked at her intensely. It was as if he could read her soul. A look of satisfaction crossed his face before he moved on.
“Katalina, I won’t be here for the next few days. I need to go back home. If I don’t return soon, my father will send someone looking for me.”
“What are you going to say to him? Will you tell him about us?”
“I’m not sure. My father may not take the news too well and I want to be back before the full moon,” he answered uncertainly, a frown line marking his forehead. “My father can be very difficult,” he continued sadly.
At the mention of the full moon, Katalina felt her stomach turn. She’d been trying very hard not to think about what would happen when that day came.
“Don’t worry, Kat. I won’t let you go through it alone. Being a wolf is the most incredible feeling. You’ll see. I promise.”
He knew exactly what to say to ease her mounting worry. She did not understand the connection they had, yet his reassurance and soothing words were exactly what Katalina needed to hear. With a resigned sigh, she knew it was time to go. “Okay, I best go.” She kissed him again, wishing he didn’t have to hide in the woods. “Come on, Arne. Time to go.” Bass kissed her forehead before she turned to leave.