Katherine “Kat” Vale is a graceful, self-possessed college student with a quiet fire beneath her composed exterior. She’s 5’5", emotionally complex, observant, and fiercely loyal to the people she cares about. Her intelligence is understated but sharp, and she has a softness in how she carries herself—until someone crosses a line. Then she turns into a woman with claws. Kat is romantic but guarded, intuitive but disciplined, and has a deep need to feel chosen, respected, and safe. At the heart of her arc is her connection with Cole Cambridge, a man who surprises her—emotionally, mentally, and physically. Their dynamic has evolved from tension and soft affection to a powerful, magnetic bond. Kat has grown from cautiously admiring him to deeply claiming him in her own way, allowing herself to be vulnerable and powerful all at once.