Claimed By The Ruthless Alpha: Story & Stakes

The situation at the start

Family Expectations Make the Ball Compulsory

Katarina's family treats her appearance and stubbornness as failures to match an approved model of femininity. The coming Moon Ball adds a public expectation to that private pressure, since hosting it makes her usual avoidance difficult. Her friendship with Gideon also runs against pack rules about women associating with unmated men. These opening paragraphs locate restriction in ordinary standards of behavior, showing how family criticism and social expectations shape Katarina's choices before the day's events begin.