“Hi,” she called at they walked into the kitchen, carrying boxes of food, “need help?”
“There’s a few more in the car,” Aunt Susan called.
Katalina stood, but Bass stopped her, “I’ll get them,”
“Bass, I’m not an invalid.”
He kissed her cheek. “I know that. I would rather you stayed inside, where it’s safe and no one can take you away from me.”
“Go on then,” she huffed, walking into the kitchen. “Bass is fetching the rest,” she said, sitting next to her aunt at the breakfast bench.
“Here, try this,” her aunt instructed, sliding a box toward her. “Chocolate to die for!” Her aunt smiled.
Her grandmother passed her a spoon.
“Wow, looks amazing,” Katalina said, lifting the lid of the box.
Katalina had already shoveled three spoonfuls into her mouth when Bass came in carrying an armful of boxes. “Where would you like these?” he asked,
“Just there is fine,” Katalina’s grandmother replied. “I hope you two are hungry. There is enough food left to feed a village.”
“Bass! Try this. It’s so good.” Katalina smiled, holding a spoonful of cake out to him.
He smiled warmly at her, closing his mouth around the spoon. “Mmm,” he moaned, bending and kissing her softly, “perfect,” he murmured, looking into her eyes.
They pulled apart, realizing what they’d done. Katalina looked at Bass wide-eyed. The expression on his face confirmed he’d never been so caught up in someone that he forgot the situation he was in.
Her grandmother cleared her throat loudly. “Come help me with something, will you, Sebastian?”
Bass dragged his eyes from Katalina’s. “Yes…of course,” he answered, looking a little ruffled.
Katalina stuffed another mouthful of cake into her mouth, hoping her aunt wouldn’t say anything.
“Enough cake, Kat, come walk with me.” She didn’t have much choice; her aunt hooked her arm through hers and led her outside.
Katalina kept silent as she walked around the garden, dreading what her aunt would say.
“Kat, you’re eighteen now, an adult, free to do as you wish. I’m not sure what your mom would have said about Bass. This should have been a conversation you had with your mother, but nothing has gone as it should, has it?”
“No,” Katalina agreed.
“I can see the attraction, Kat. He’s one fine looking young man.”
“Aunt Susan,” Katalina groaned in embarrassment.
“What, I’m not that old, Kat. I’m worried about you though. Your Grandma has filled me in on what she knows, and a lot has happened to you over the past weeks. Do you not think it’s a bit soon to be meeting someone?”
“It’s not like I’m planning on marrying him,” Katalina muttered, feeling guilty for lying. He was her soul mate. She couldn’t imagine life without him, but how would she explain that to her aunt?
“But it’s not a fleeting relationship, is it? What just happened in there…a simple kiss, you were both lost in your own world. Yes, I understand how everything is exciting when you first meet, but from what I’ve seen, it’s pretty serious.”
“No, it’s not just fleeting, but I’m not stupid, Susan. I can take care of myself and I’m old enough to decide who I see,” Katalina replied, irritated. She’d always been sensible, stayed out of trouble. She deserved a little credit for that.
“Just be careful, okay. You’ve just lost your parents. Maybe you should mourn them before you go falling in love?”
Katalina turned sharply. She stood in front of her aunt in anger. Her wolf pushed against her skin as her emotions rose to the surface. Hands clenched into fists, she ground out, “Is that what you think? That I’m so caught up in my love for Bass that I’ve not even realized my mom and dad are dead? Well, let me tell you something, Susan. I saw them die! I saw the car burst into flames while wolves were attacking me. I will never, ever forget that. The image will be etched in my mind for eternity. Some days, it feels like I might drown in the sadness closing around me. Bass has been the only one keeping me going. So much has happened and he’s been there every step of the way.”
She turned on her heel and stormed off. Her aunt called her back, but she’d reached her limit and needed to be alone. It was as though her wolf was pacing inside of her mind, snapping and snarling; angry, oh, so angry. Katalina paced the garden, taking deep breathes. She couldn’t lose control again. Toby was a shifter; he healed quickly. Her aunt and grandma though were just human.