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~ Chapter Three - Part 2 ~

~ Two Years Later ~

Katalina had just finished dancing for the day. She looked outside and smiled brightly. It looked like a beautiful day to walk in the forest. She took a quick shower and changed into her favorite white dress. She smiled as she looked in the mirror and twirled around. She slipped on her favorite white flats before putting her hair into a half ponytail. She grabbed her favorite satchel and tossed her sketchbook in it, along with a few water bottles and some snacks. She even caught a couple of enormous steaks for Orthrus. Once Katalina was sure she had everything, she went to Ryan and Evelyn's to let them know where she was going. She knocked on the door and waited with a smile. Ryan opened the door and grinned. "Hi there, little one. You look like you're going exploring again," he said as he opened the door wide enough for her to walk inside.

Katalina slipped past him and hugged him. "Yes, I am. I just wanted to let you and Evelyn know so you didn't worry. I also wanted to check up on Evelyn. I know it's getting closer to her due date."

Ryan chuckled. "She'll love to see you. She's in the kitchen."

Katalina laughed. "When is she not in the kitchen?" She asked as she walked toward the kitchen with Ryan right behind her.

"Katalina!" Evelyn exclaimed in joy. "It's so good to see you," she said brightly.

Katalina smiled brightly as she gently hugged Evelyn. "How are you feeling, Evelyn?" She asked as she pulled back to look her over.

Evelyn waved her off with a smile. "I'm as well as I can be with this one causing a storm. Won't let me sleep and is always wanting more food," she said as she affectionately rubbed her swollen belly.

Katalina giggled as she reached over and gently rubbed Evelyn's belly with her. "If you'd like, I could find something to help you sleep at night. Plenty of natural herbs in the forest should help and won't harm the baby."

Evelyn smiled widely. "Oh, that would be wonderful. Thank you so much, Katalina."

Katalina grinned. "I have been doing some studying lately about everything for pregnancies. I'm hoping I can find this herb today. It's supposed to help calm the baby and mother enough for the mother to get a good night's sleep."

Evelyn gently tucked Katalina's hair behind her ear. "You are such a sweetheart. Your parents would be so proud of you."

Katalina gave her a small smile with tears gathering in her eyes. "Thank you, Evelyn."

Evelyn pulled her closer and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Off you go, little one. I can see you have your usual exploring satchel with you."

Katalina pressed a kiss to Evelyn's temple before leaving the house.

Katalina leisurely walked through the forest, taking her time to interact with the animals that came out and look over all the plants and flowers. She smiled when she heard them. Jacques and Orthrus were with her. She turned around as they came up behind her. "Hi, Jacques!" Katalina said as she hugged him. She turned to Orthrus and smiled as she pulled two huge steaks out of her bag. "You want a treat, Orthrus?" She asked happily. Orthrus barked and jumped around in joy before lying in front of her. She giggled as she took the two pieces of steak out of the plastic bags she had put them in and held them up. "You're such a good boy," she said in awe as she tossed a steak to each head. Both heads snapped them up and munched on them. She laughed as she turned back to Jacques.

"How are you, little Katalina?" Jacques asked as he pulled her into his arms and hugged her.

Katalina smiled brightly. "I'm good. I'm looking for an herb for Evelyn. It's to help her sleep. She says that the little one is keeping her up at night."

Jacques grinned. "If I could help, I would, but I'm afraid I have a bit of business to attend to out of the state."

Katalina smiled. "That's alright. I understand that you have to go away. I'll be fine with Orthrus," she said softly.

Jacques pressed a kiss to her temple and gave her another gentle squeeze. "I'm off now. I have to go far, but if you need anything, I'm a phone call away."

Katalina jumped up and kissed his cheek. "Be safe, Jacques. I'll see you when you get back."

"Try not to get into trouble while I'm gone," Jacques said with a knowing smile.

Katalina giggled and stuck her tongue out at him. "I make no promises."

Jacques chuckled as he backed away into the denser part of the forest. "Keep her safe, Orthrus," he said before disappearing into the woods.

Katalina walked happily through the forest, collecting flowers and gems. She grinned when she even found the herb that she had wanted to get for Evelyn. She enjoyed the scenery when she came upon a field full of flowers. She smiled as she sat in the middle of the clearing and took out her sketchbook. She sat in peaceful silence after putting a white lily in her hair with Orthrus close by, keeping an eye on her. She continued drawing until she heard footsteps approaching.

Katalina stood up and dropped her sketchbook as she looked around. A wolf came out of the trees and walked toward her with a growl. She held her hands up to show that she meant no harm. "Please. I promise that I mean you no harm. I didn't realize that I traveled onto someone else's land," she stammered.

The wolf shifted to his human form, which caused her to squeal and cover her eyes. "Um," she mumbled. "Could you put some shorts on, please?" Katalina asked in a small voice.

He quickly put a pair of shorts on before glaring at her with his arms crossed over his chest. "What are you doing on our land?" He demanded.

Katalina licked her lips as she hesitantly bent over to pick up her book and satchel. "I promise that I was just exploring. I didn't realize that I had traveled so far. But, please. He can explain if you call alpha Ryan from the Darkmoon Hunters pack."

The man glared at her before sighing. He walked up to her and grabbed her arm. "Let's go talk to the alpha."

Katalina put her head down as the tears started streaming down her face. She walked as fast as she could to keep up with him. She didn't know what would happen to her, but at least he hadn't simply thrown her in the cells.

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