13. To Protect

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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
(to protect)

Catherina couldn't help but shiver, though it wasn't due to the cold winter wind—it was a shiver that came from the depths of her soul

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Catherina couldn't help but shiver, though it wasn't due to the cold winter wind—it was a shiver that came from the depths of her soul. She felt an icy dread creeping up her spine, a sense of foreboding that she couldn't quite place.

Catherina swallowed hard, the feeling of ice spreading through her bones and constricting her very nerves. She stood motionless, caught between her son and Garrett—the air around her feeling thick and suffocating, as if it were closing in on her from all sides.

As the snowflakes drifted down, Catherina found herself tracking the movement of each delicate flake in a desperate attempt to calm her nerves. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, the sense of foreboding and agitation persisted, forcing its way into her very being and making her breaths feel laborious.

The intensity of the feeling that overcame her was unlike anything Catherina had ever experienced, even during her encounters with the vengeful witches. It was powerful, almost suffocating, and yet she couldn't quite pin down the source of this overwhelming dread.

A cold realization washed over Catherina—an ominous warning that a conflict was impending, one that she fearfully believed was looming ever closer. Despite her inherent strength and resilience, the thought of the young child facing danger was enough to cause a wave of despair and pessimism to wash over her.

The force of her intuition was undeniable, a clear sign that the Volturi were indeed harboring deep-seated fear. It was a realization that sent a chill up Catherina's spine, confirming the gravity of the situation they were facing.

The implication was clear—should the events unfold differently than expected, the Volturi would make their displeasure known. It was a subtle yet menacing warning, a reminder of the consequences that they could impose if they felt disrespected or defied.

The weight of her pain, anger, and heartache pressed down on Catherina as if a heavy blanket had been laid over her chest. The emotions suffocated her, making it difficult to draw a calming breath, and adding to the already unsettling atmosphere.

Catherina felt the smooth yet soothing sensation of her son's snout nuzzling her hand, drawing her back from the trance she had begun to slip into.

"Thorn..." she whispered, hearing the soft whine that escaped his muzzle.

Her son's voice echoed in her mind, reminding her to calm herself, to control the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overcome her. "Steady yourself, mom. You know what happens when you get overwhelmed."

Catherina chuckled softly, her hand gently patting her son's head with affection. "Thank you, sweetie," she murmured. Thornton nuzzled her palm once more before straightening his stature, his gaze now fixed in the direction from which the Volturi were approaching. Despite the underlying disquiet in his emotions, he found comfort in the presence of the other shapeshifters, a sense of security he had never experienced before.

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