Kyra’s POV
Today was a rare weekend off from my relentless schedule of managing both my father’s company affairs and the Raven Shadow Pack responsibilities. I brought Snow to the shopping mall for so much-needed mother-daughter ti.
Between balancing pack politics, business etings, and the endless stream of emails, I had barely had a mont to breathe. And, of course, Caleb’s unexpected confession had been lingering in my mind since that day in the office. I had been completely blindsided when he declared his feelings in front of Nathan, of all people. He left after receiving an ergency call but made it clear he’d return for my answer about his courtship.
"Daddy, look!"
My attention was drawn to a family seated at a nearby table. A little girl bead at her father with unbridled joy as he pretended to make her french fry dance before eating it.
I felt Sylvia, my wolf, stir with a mixture of longing and protectiveness. I looked at Snow and caught her watching the family with wistful eyes. They were complete: mother, father, child. The very thing I had wanted to give my daughter but had been too afraid to risk after everything that happened.
I gently caressed Snow’s arm to regain her attention. When she turned those innocent doe eyes toward , sothing in my chest tightened.
"Mommy, I have a daddy, right?" she asked quietly.
My heart constricted painfully, but I managed a slow nod. This was the first ti she’d directly asked about her father. I wasn’t sure if she’d simply been content without that presence in her life or if she’d been afraid to broach the subject.
"Is he kind like Nathan? Is he handso? Is he tall?" Her eyes sparkled with sudden animation. "Nathan is so tall and handso. I want my daddy to be like him. He’s also so kind. He’s always calling ."
The last sentence jolted to alertness. "He’s always calling you? How?"
She giggled mischievously, covering her mouth with her small hands. "I always borrow your phone when you’re asleep, mommy. I always send Nathan pictures of , and he always calls every morning."
My eyes widened in shock. Between managing pack affairs, the company leadership transition after my father’s death, and Kieran’s escape, I barely had ti to check my personal ssages, let alone social accounts.
With slightly trembling fingers, I pulled out my phone, keeping one eye on Snow as she happily munched on her chicken nuggets. I opened my conversation history with Nathan and felt my breath catch. There they were—dozens of photos Snow had apparently sent to Nathan, so even capturing asleep.
"Are you angry, mommy?" Snow’s voice was small and uncertain.
I quickly set the phone aside and looked at my sweet, innocent daughter. Despite the complexity of emotions churning inside , I smiled reassuringly. "No, baby. Why would I be?"
"Really? You’re not angry that I’ve been borrowing your phone?"
I shook my head. "Of course not."
Her face brightened imdiately. "Then..." She trailed off, grinning innocently up at . "Can I call Nathan daddy?"
The question hit like a physical blow. "Huh?"
"Mommy, I want him to be my daddy. He’s so nice." Her eyes were pleading, hopeful. "Please, marry him."
"Baby, I can’t just marry him. We have to be in love with each other to get married," I said.
Her innocent eyes studied my face intently. "What is ’in love,’ mommy? If you do that to Nathan, will you marry him?"
I bit my bottom lip, fighting back the truth that threatened to spill out. I’ve been in love with him ever since, sweetheart. He just doesn’t have any idea. Or maybe he does now, and that’s what scares most.
"Can I join you?"
"NATHAN!" Snow squealed, launching herself from her seat toward the tall figure behind . The familiar minty scent of him washed over .
When Nathan moved to my side, he was already carrying Snow effortlessly in his strong arms. They were both smiling down at , and the sight of Alpha and child together made my heart ache with longing.
"Sorry," Nathan said. "I know this is your bonding ti, but I couldn’t help myself."
I managed what I hoped was a casual smile. "I-It’s okay."
Nathan sat in the chair beside , settling Snow comfortably on his lap. The easy way they interacted, the natural bond forming between them despite the years apart, made sothing fierce and protective surge inside .
Moon Goddess, please, Snow, sweetie. Don’t say anything about him being your daddy...
"Nathan, can I call you daddy?"
***
Phoebe’s POV
"Where’s Nathan?" Mom asked, scanning the crowded mall. We had just finished watching a movie when Nathan spotted Kyra and Snow in a fast food restaurant and practically abandoned us without a second thought.
"Phoebe, where’s your brother?" Mom demanded as she rejoined after a quick bathroom break. "I just went to the ladies’ room for a mont. Why did you let him leave? He’s just going to drown himself in work again."
I couldn’t help the smirk that ford on my lips. "He’s not at work, Mom."
"Then where is he? He promised to spend the weekend with us."
"He just saw soone he knows."
Mom’s forehead creased with suspicion. She clearly didn’t believe , but I had no intention of revealing Nathan’s whereabouts.
Kyra never confird who Snow’s father was, but my wolf instincts told clearly that little girl was my niece. It was only my thick-headed brother who couldn’t or wouldn’t see the truth that had been staring him in the face for years. So Alpha he was.
I smiled at Mom and steered her toward the nearest boutique. We spent the next hour shopping for clothes and accessories. As we exited the last store, Mom suddenly froze.
"Is that your brother?"
I followed her line of sight and felt my eyes widen. Nathan stood inside the arcade entrance, Snow perched comfortably on his hip as if she belonged there. At the counter, exchanging dollars for tokens, was Kyra.
"Who’s that child?" Mom asked, unable to see Snow’s face clearly from this distance.
"Mom, let’s go."
"Phoebe, that’s your brother. Whose child is he holding?"
"Let him be, Mom. He’s old enough to make his own decisions."
Mom looked at in shock. "Make his own decisions? I thought he was pursuing Kyra—" Her eyes widened in sudden recognition. "Oh my God! Is that Kyra?"
I bit my bottom lip when Kyra walked toward Nathan, and Snow turned slightly, giving my mother a clearer view of her face. Mom gasped audibly, covering her mouth with her hand.
"They’re together?" she whispered. "Co on, let’s—"
"Mom." I grabbed her hand firmly before she could march over and interfere.
I watched as Kyra, Nathan, and Snow disappeared into the arcade together, looking every bit like the family they should have been. I turned back to Mom with determination.
"Phoebe, I need to know about that child. That’s Kyra’s daughter, right? Is she Kieran Carvers’? But..."
"Mom, just leave them alone."
"No! I won’t be able to sleep peacefully now..."
"Mom," I said firmly, halting her anxious pacing. "Nathan is trying to fix his relationship with Kyra." I sighed deeply, my gaze drifting toward the arcade. "Nathan has been suffering ever since they separated. Let him handle this. If you ddle, it might scare Kyra away, and Nathan will suffer all over again."
When I looked back at Mom, her expression was shocked. "W-Why would I scare her off?"
I t her gaze steadily. "You think I don’t know what you did years ago? When you had that little ’talk’ with Kyra?"
Her guilty expression confird everything.
I pursed my lips. "You and Dad keep secrets from us, but you can’t hide everything. Don’t interfere with Nathan and Kyra this ti. If you do, I’ll tell Nathan exactly what you said to Kyra before. Let’s trust Nathan. He’s your son. He can handle this on his own."
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