Chapter 132

• I noticed my parents and Aria emerging from the house as the black sedan pulled into the driveway. My excitement grew at the thought of my brother finally returning home. Maybe, just maybe, Valen would help me avoid this dreadful ball. He was the only one who truly understood my aversion to the idea of finding a mate.
• The thought brought a mix of happiness and unease, making my wolf, Rose, growl softly within me. Rose always had my best interests at heart, even when we didn't always agree. She believed that finding a mate could change my life for the better, and while I understood her point, I couldn't shake the feeling that it would only strip away the parts of me I had carefully preserved. The idea of being reduced to someone’s plaything or merely a vessel for children filled me with dread.
• "You alright, Katarina?" Gideon asked, running a hand through his sandy blonde hair, his expression full of concern.