Chapter 33

**Kataleya’s POV**

Wow…I never saw that coming. I did not think that they would all submit to me without a fight. I figured my dad and brothers would at least put up a fight. I knew this was not going to go over well with the Elders. They were very cautionary and they did not enjoy people finding “ways” around their schemes and that was what just happened. They had found a loophole that did not involve fighting me, which, if we are being honest, I am kind of glad. My body was tired and screaming at me for not allowing it to rest. Maybe it was an actual blessing in disguise that they decided not to fight me.

“There you have it! Kataleya will be the next Alpha—“ my father began.

“Wait a minute!” Christopher yelled. “She did not fulfill her end of the challenges. She was to defeat each of you, but instead she did not. You yielded to her without a fight, which disqualifies her.”

“First, do not interrupt your Alpha. You may be a pack Elder, but that is a rank that I can immediately strip from you at any point of time. I have only put up with your bullshit because you were one of my father’s most trusted advisors. However, you are not going to continue fucking with my daughter because she does not have a penis and isn’t filled with testosterone.” The crowd cheered when he said that. “You never said how she had to get us to submit. Only that she needed to either render us incapable of fighting or we had to submit to her. Every single one of us submitted to her. We see her as the future Alpha of this pack and you will do good to remember that! I will not continue to put up with you attacking her because of choices that are out of her control.” My father yelled.

Christopher started to walk towards me, as if he was going to attack me. I glanced over at Justin and saw him stand up in the crowd as if he was about to come and intervene if he felt that I was in danger.

“You do not have the authority to deem her the next Alpha, only the Elders can approve that. She may be your heir, but you still have to have a majority vote within the Elders in order for her to become Alpha.”

“Actually, he may have to have your approval for the next Alpha to be named, but I can override the Elders of any pack,” King Lucas stood from his seat and walked towards us with his Luna.

I bowed my head to them when they walked closer.

“Kataleya has shown great promise today. I believe that she will make a splendid Alpha for her pack. If the pack Elders will not grant her that right, then I will grant her that right as the Lycan King of this district.”

I looked over at the King. Well, I did not see that coming. Typically, the Lycan Kings’, in any of the districts, don’t get involved with trivial pack matters and this was something that I had considered to be a trivial pack matter.

My father grabbed my hand and yelled, “Here is your next Alpha heir.” The crowd erupted in cheers. I could tell most were happy I was going to be their next Alpha; however, there were a few that were looking at me with disdain.

*****************************

Several hours had past and I finally got the chance to relax. I decided to stay in the packhouse again tonight. My house was too noisy and I wanted to be alone to think, without my brothers and parents hovering.

I know my father wanted me to give Justin a chance and give him the benefit of the doubt. However, it is hard. After my attack, I closed myself off from everyone and I did not look back. I did not want to be close to anyone. I wanted to be alone. I had accepted the fact that I would die alone and that I would never have a family of my own. I was okay with that. At least, I thought I was okay with that. For the most part, people had respected my wishes…then Justin walked into my life and turned it completely upside down.

I decided to take a shower to help myself relax. Once I finished my shower, I pulled out a pair of thin sleep shorts and a black tank top. I laid down in bed, but I still couldn’t bring myself to shut my brain off.

I was constantly thinking. I wanted Justin. I can admit that to myself, right? But I don’t want to be a disappointment. I don’t want to see the disappointment when he realizes what I have been through or what I am going through. The more I think about him, the more I realize that he is what I wanted. He made me laugh, which was something that I hadn’t done freely in a while. I smiled when I was with him. I was relaxed in his presence. Fuck, last night proved that. That was the best night's sleep I have had in months!

I lay tossing and turning for another couple of hours without sleep taking me. Fuck, I know the solution…I know what my body and mind are craving. This bond sees to it.

I want him to lie with me. I want to be in his arms. I want him to hold me and kiss my head. I want to wake up with him curled next to me. I want to be happy with him.

So, what’s holding me back?

Trauma?

Depression?

Fear?

Fuck it. I have never let fear hold me back before. I am going to go for it. I am going to get to know him. Let him see the real me. Let him love me…and maybe fall in love with him.

I tested the mind-link between Justin and I realized that he wasn’t asleep either, he seemed alert…’Hey, Justin. You busy?’ I hesitantly asked over the link.

‘Yeah, I am finishing up my patrol duty. Shift change is about to happen and your brother is the one replacing me. When he gets here, I am free. What’s up?’

‘I was wondering if we could talk…if you would mind coming to my room at the packhouse?’ I thought for a second before finishing. ‘I promise I will not reject you or even think about rejecting you. I want you to hold me…please?’

‘Sure. I will do anything you want me to do, love. Give me about ten minutes for Michael to take my spot and then I will be there.

I let out a breath that I did not realize I was holding. I guess it is a good sign that he is at least willing to be in the same room as me.

About fifteen minutes later, I heard a knock on my door. “Come in,” I yelled.

Justin opened the door and hesitantly walked in.

“Thank you for coming tonight. It means a lot that you came here for me, even after our conversation earlier…I know our conversation we had earlier was…rough, but just know I had the best intentions. I don’t want to lead you on, only for me to hurt you later…or for you to realize that I am too broken for you. Too damaged. Too destroyed. I want you to be happy and to have everything you deserve, even if that something is not with me.”

Justin walked towards me and gripped my face with his hands, “Kataleya, I will never leave you despite the fact that you feel you are unworthy of love. You are not too broken. You are not too damaged. You are just Kataleya Frost to me. You are my mate and I will stand by your side until the day that I die. I meant what I said earlier. I am in love with you and that won’t change with whatever dark secrets you are hiding from me.”

I felt the tears building in my eyes as I nodded my head at him. I noticed the bag that he was carrying and I raised my eyebrows at him.

“I have every intention of staying here with you all night. I am not letting anyone distract me. No one is going to pull me from you tonight. I will wake by your side in the morning.”

I giggled at him. I guess when he puts it like that, I can’t say no.

I walked to my bed, pulled down the comforter, and laid underneath the sheets. I motioned for him to come over to bed with me.

“Do you mind if I take a quick shower? I am sweaty and gross and I am not sure that you want me lying in your bed all sweaty.” I nodded my head at him and Justin pulled his shirt off and then ran to the bathroom. He was in the bathroom for no longer than eight minutes. Yes, I counted. He walked out of the bathroom with no shirt on and a pair of athletic shorts. I couldn’t help but drool at the sight of his bare chest. He moved to the bed and crawled beneath the sheets with me. He pulled the blankets up and then he patted his chest, inviting me to cuddle with him. I hesitantly moved towards him and I let his arm wrap around my torso as I laid on his chest.

I felt the comforting feel of the sparks running along my face, where I was touching his bare skin.

“I promise we will talk in the morning, Justin. Thank you.” With that, I lay there and let sleep take me.

The last thing I felt before falling asleep was Justin’s lips on my forehead. Skye purred at the feeling of her mate’s lips on my forehead and then I fell asleep.