Kathie POV

After the mating rite, my mum and everyone else insisted I leave with Griffin and spend a few days. Usethe opportunity to get to know each other.

The car ride was quiet, except for the soft hum of the engine and the faint rustle of trees outside. Griffin sat beside me, his posture relaxed yet commanding. The air between us felt charged, though neither of us spoke. My neck still tingled where he had marked me, a reminder of the bond we had just sealed.

I tried not to fidget, clasping my hands tightly in my lap. The silence was growing heavier, so I finally decided to break it.

“Where are we going?” I asked, my voice soft but curious.

Griffin glanced at me briefly, his silver eyes unreadable. “You need a dress,” he said simply, his tone matter-of-fact.

“A dress?”

“For tonight’s banquet,” he elaborated. “It’s tradition for the newly bonded to present themselves formally to the pack.”

Of course. A public display to affirm my place within the Ludwig Pack. My wolf stirred uneasily, the prospect of being under scrutiny daunting. Still, I nodded.

The car pulled to a smooth stop in front of an upscale boutique nestled between towering glass buildings. The shop’s display windows showcased elegant gowns that practically radiated sophistication and wealth.

Griffin exited the car first, moving with a grace that made it impossible not to watch him. He walked around to open my door, a gesture that seemed out of character given his reserved aura.

“Thank you,” I murmured, stepping out.

Inside the boutique, the air was perfumed with the scent of fresh flowers and expensive fabric. A tall, impeccably dressed woman greeted us with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Mr. Ludwig,” she said, her tone deferential. “What an honor. How can we assist you today?”

Griffin gestured toward me. “She needs a dress for tonight.”

The woman’s sharp eyes turned to me, assessing me in a way that made me feel both self-conscious and defiant. “Of course,” she said smoothly. “Right this way, madam.”

I followed her into the main showroom, where racks of gowns in every imaginable shade and style awaited. The woman began pulling dresses that she deemed “appropriate,” each one more extravagant than the last.

Griffin remained near the entrance, his arms crossed as he observed silently. His presence was a constant weight, a reminder that this wasn’t just shopping—it was preparation for stepping into a role I hadn’t asked for but had chosen nonetheless.

I tried on dress after dress, each one more ornate than the last. The boutique staff flitted around me like bees, adjusting hems and draping fabric over my shoulders. But no matter what they brought, nothing felt quite right.

When the woman held up a midnight blue gown with intricate silver embroidery, I hesitated. The color reminded me of Griffin’s eyes, deep and piercing.

“This one,” I said, surprising myself.

The moment I stepped out of the fitting room, Griffin’s gaze flickered to me. His expression didn’t change, but there was a subtle shift in the air around him, as if he’d momentarily forgotten to keep his mask in place.

“That’ll do,” he said after a pause, his voice steady but quieter than before.

The staff quickly packed the gown, and soon we were back in the car. I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window, my thoughts swirling.

Just as I began to relax, Griffin’s voice cut through the quiet.

“Do you still feel uneasy about the bond?” he asked, his tone unexpectedly gentle.

I turned to look at him, startled by the question. “It’s… a lot to process,” I admitted. “But I don’t regret it.”

His lips pressed into a faint line, as if he were weighing my words. “Good,” he said simply.

We got back to the car and got in.

The car pulled into a parking lot outside another boutique, this one catering to bridal wear. My brows furrowed in confusion.

“A dress for the banquet wasn’t enough?” I teased, attempting to lighten the mood.

Griffin gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. “You’ll see.”

We stepped into the store, where rows of white gowns shimmered under the soft lighting. Brides-to-be floated around the showroom, their laughter and excited chatter filling the air.

As we walked further in, something caught my eye—or rather, someone.

Across the room, a woman stood on a small pedestal, surrounded by attendants. Her auburn hair was swept into a loose updo, and the lace of the gown she wore glinted under the lights. She radiated confidence, her smile easy and genuine.

It was Emma.

The blood drained from my face, my wolf growling softly in the back of my mind. I hadn’t seen her for a while, not since the fallout with Jason. Yet here she was, trying on wedding dresses.

She hadn’t noticed me yet, too engrossed in whatever her consultant was saying. But as if sensing my presence, her gaze suddenly lifted, her green eyes locking onto mine.

The air shifted, the lively chatter around us fading into the background. For a moment, neither of us moved, caught in the tension of an unspoken history.

Griffin noticed the change in my posture and followed my gaze. His expression hardened slightly, though he said nothing.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Emma, memories of betrayal and heartbreak flooding back in an instant. My wolf bristled, protective and wary.

Emma’s smile faltered, her confidence replaced by something else—unease, perhaps? Or maybe guilt.

The weight of her gaze pinned me in place, and I suddenly felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. Whatever came next, I knew it wouldn’t be simple.

Kathie POV

The moment Emma’s eyes locked onto mine, I knew she wouldn’t let this go. I turned my back on her, pretending to inspect a display of fabric swatches near the counter. My heart raced, my wolf pacing with restless energy. This wasn’t the time or place for a confrontation.

“Kathie?” Emma’s voice called out, hesitant yet insistent.

I closed my eyes briefly, willing myself to stay calm. But when I turned around, she was already walking toward me, her white gown billowing slightly with each step.

“I thought it was you,” she said, stopping a few feet away. Her smile was nervous, like she wasn’t sure whether to be happy or apologetic. “It’s been so long. How are you?”

I crossed my arms, my posture stiff. “What do you want, Emma?”

Her smile faltered. “I—I just wanted to talk. I didn’t know you were back in town.”

“That’s because I didn’t tell you,” I said, my tone sharp. “What are you doing here?”

Emma looked down at the dress she was wearing, then back up at me. “I’m… getting married.”

The words hit harder than I expected, but I kept my face neutral. “Good for you,” I said coldly. “Why are you talking to me?”

Her shoulders sagged slightly, and she took a cautious step closer. “Kathie, I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I want to apologize for what happened with Jason . It was a mistake—”

“A mistake?” I snapped, cutting her off. “Sleeping with my mate was a mistake? That’s what you’re calling it now?”

Emma flinched but didn’t back down. “I was wrong. I was selfish, and I hurt you. I’ve regretted it every day since.”

I laughed bitterly, my wolf growling low in the back of my mind. “Regret doesn’t erase betrayal, Emma. You didn’t just hurt me; you destroyed everything we had.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I’m not asking for things to go back to the way they were. I just want to make amends.”

I took a step closer, my fists clenched at my sides. “Amends? Do you even hear yourself? You think an apology will fix this? If I never see you again, it’ll be too soon.”

Emma opened her mouth to say something else, but I wasn’t in the mood to listen. My wolf was clawing at the surface, demanding action.

“Leave,” I said through gritted teeth. “Before I do something we’ll both regret.”

She hesitated, her hands wringing together. “Kathie, please—”

“Is there a problem here?” a deep voice cut in, steady and authoritative.

I turned to see Griffin standing a few feet away, his piercing blue eyes scanning the scene. His presence was like a bucket of cold water over my simmering anger.

“No,” I said quickly, forcing myself to relax. “No problem.”

Griffin didn’t look convinced. He stepped closer, his broad frame exuding quiet strength. “Are you sure? It doesn’t look that way.”

“I said it’s fine,” I replied firmly.

Emma glanced between the two of us, her face pale. She looked like she wanted to say something else, but Griffin’s imposing presence seemed to hold her back.

An awkward silence settled over us, thick and heavy. I could feel Griffin’s gaze on me, steady and assessing, but I kept my eyes on Emma.

Before anyone could speak again, the boutique door opened with a soft chime. I glanced over, and my breath caught in my throat.

Jason walked in.

The room seemed to shrink, the air around me charged with tension. Jason ’s eyes scanned the boutique, landing on Emma first before shifting to me.

My wolf stirred uneasily, the tension in the room thickening with every step. Of all places to run into him, why here?

Jason’s presence was commanding as always, but his proud smile carried the arrogance that I’d learned to despise.

Griffin, standing close to me, shifted slightly. His sharp eyes flicked between Jason and me, his body rigid with silent readiness. It was clear he was prepared to intervene if necessary.

Jason walked straight toward us, his smile unwavering. “Kathie,” he greeted smoothly, as if nothing had happened, as if he hadn’t ripped my heart out and left me in pieces.

I straightened my shoulders, refusing to let him see how unsettled I felt. “What are you doing here?” I asked coldly.

He chuckled, the sound infuriatingly casual. “I could ask you the same thing. But fate seems to have brought us back together.”

“Fate?” I said, my voice laced with disbelief. “You think running into you here is fate? Don’t flatter yourself, Jason.”

He raised his hands in mock surrender. “I’m just saying, it’s good to see you again.”

“I can’t say the same,” I snapped, turning away from him.

Before I could take a step, his hand shot out and grabbed my wrist. The contact sent a jolt through me—not from any lingering affection, but from sheer anger.

“Kathie, wait,” he said firmly, his grip tightening slightly. “We need to talk.”

I whipped my head around to glare at him. “Let go of me.”

Jason’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t release me. “You can’t just walk away like this. We have unfinished business.”

“Unfinished business?” I hissed. “You made your choice, Jason. There’s nothing left to say.”

Before he could respond, Griffin stepped forward, his towering frame casting a shadow over Jason. “You heard her,” Griffin said, his voice calm but dangerously low. “Let go.”