"I still can't believe you're capable of fighting back now, Kathryn…" He muttered, clearly unsettled.
I smirked, unfazed.
The Kathryn who once obeyed his every command, lowered her head, pleaded, and shed tears for him was gone.
I had killed that part of myself.
Thinking about it now, I could only laugh at how foolishly I had fallen for him.
Back when we were newly mated, Alpha Philip had asked us to live at the Fire Heart Kingdom with him for a while. Of course, under his father's watchful eye, Ashton was forced to show me kindness, a hint of affection, and even the appearance of love.
I remember those days well.
Once, when someone bullied me and shoved me into the rose bushes at the kingdom, Ashton immediately helped me up, his fury aimed at the bully.
"This behavior will reach the Alpha! Apologize to her right now!" He commanded, his voice fierce. The bully, intimidated, dropped to his knees and apologized.
Later that night, Ashton came to me with a medical kit in his hands. "Did the rose thorns hurt you?" He asked softly, reaching for my arm. With tenderness, he dabbed my skin with a damp cotton ball, careful with every touch.