Nathan’s POV
I took a deep breath and scratched my cheek. I saw Mom sitting in the dining hall, watching sothing on her tablet.
Alaric beca restless inside when I heard a voice I recognized.
Mom looked up at . Worry showed on her face. "Son, how’s Snow?"
"She’s fine," I said.
I walked toward her, kissed her cheek, and sat beside her. "What are you watching?"
"Look at this," Mom said worriedly. "It’s Sophia’s interview. She disappeared before, but now she’s back. She’s telling the dia the rumors about Kyra and Kieran Carver are true. But she’s saying sothing even worse now."
I moved closer to see the screen. Sophia was on it, looking serious and practiced as she talked to the reporter.
"The truth about Kyra Monroe is disgusting! She’s been sleeping with her brother Kieran Carver. They’re committing incest! Their child Snow is the product of this sick relationship. It’s revolting. Who would sleep with their own brother? Kyra Monroe is a complete freak."
My blood went cold. Alaric snarled inside . He was furious at these vicious lies.
"Don’t listen to this garbage, Mom," I said as I turned off the tablet.
"Nathan!" Mom looked at anxiously. "I can’t ignore this! I treated that woman well when you were together. Now she’s spreading these disgusting lies and dragging my granddaughter into it! The pack will hear this!"
"Mom..." I tried to speak, but she wasn’t finished.
"No, Nathan! She’s saying Kyra did one of our most taboo acts and that Snow ca from it! This is beyond immature—it’s malicious!"
I took Mom’s hand to comfort her.
"Mom, Sophia dragging Snow into this is unforgivable. I’ll have soone deal with it. Kieran isn’t Kyra’s real brother—they’re just step-siblings. And while Snow is Kieran’s daughter, there was nothing... wrong about it."
The words tasted bitter in my mouth. Saying Snow was Kieran’s still hurt, but I’d accepted it.
Mom pressed her lips together and looked at with guilt.
"Don’t worry about those people, Mom. They’re just hungry for scandal. I already talked to Sophia."
"You t her?" Mom’s eyes widened. "What if Kyra had seen you?"
"She did see us."
She gasped. "Son, you can’t make the sa mistake as before!"
"Mom, I’m not," I assured her. "I already talked to Kyra, and she listened to my explanation. She’s giving a chance. She wants to fix my life first before we can try again."
"Really?" Hope flashed in Mom’s eyes.
I nodded, feeling my own hope swell in my chest. "Yes, Mom. I felt it—her connection to . She made feel she loves . She fell in love with . It feels... euphoric."
Mom smiled and gently caressed my shoulders, her touch comforting.
"Kyra is my life, and Snow has beco my hope," I continued softly. "Before, I thought there would be no chance for us anymore. But Snow gave hope. She made realize I still have a chance to win Kyra back."
"She’s calling daddy," I whispered happily.
"Son..." Mom’s voice took on a hesitant tone.
"Hmm?"
She held my hand, sucking in a breath as if gathering courage. "What if... Snow is your daughter?"
I stared at her as my heart skipped a beat. Alaric perked up inside , suddenly alert. I knew there was a possibility, but I couldn’t believe Kyra would hide sothing that important.
"Mom, are you afraid my feelings and treatnt of Snow will change just because she’s my rival’s child? I love that little girl like my own. She’s beco one of my treasures."
"No, Nathan. I an... what if Kyra hid the truth because you hurt her and she was afraid of getting hurt again? What if Snow is yours and..."
"Mom!" I gripped her hand tightly. She looked at worriedly, sighing and biting her bottom lip.
I knew my mom very well. She was hiding sothing and trying to make ands for keeping secrets.
I clenched my jaw. "Mom..."
She gasped and let go of my hand. "I’m sorry... I guess I’m just paranoid and scared for Snow. I... I’m trying to find a way to bring Kyra back to us."
I sighed. "I know you feel guilty about the past, but let handle this. This happened because of . I couldn’t figure out my real feelings. I was too stupid to recognize true love when I had it. Now I’m trying to make things right. Kyra will co back to , not because I need her to fix my broken heart, but because I love her and want to take care of her forever."
She nodded, giving a satisfied smile. I caressed her back and kissed her cheek again before heading upstairs. After a shower, I collapsed onto my bed and closed my eyes.
I’d left Kyra at the hospital with Caleb Walter. I hadn’t wanted to leave her with that man, but I didn’t want to suffocate her either. I didn’t want her to feel controlled just because I was courting her. She was still single, but I couldn’t deny my feelings whenever another male was near her.
I fell asleep, and it was already 7 PM when I woke up. Heading downstairs, I spotted Phoebe walking toward the door wearing a short skirt, rubber shoes, and a cropped shirt that showed off her midriff.
"Phoebe!" I called out sternly.
She looked my way as I paused midway down the staircase. I checked my watch.
She sighed dramatically. "I’m just going out with my friends. Dad and Mom already said yes."
I raised an eyebrow. "Be sure to be ho before midnight."
"Nathan, I’m an adult!" she protested.
"I know," I replied, continuing down the stairs. "But you should still be responsible and not break Mom and Dad’s trust."
I sat on the couch as she frowned at . "You won’t stop from going out?"
"Why would I?"
She smirked. "I knew Kyra’s been a good influence on you. Got to go. Bye!"
"Call if you need a ride," I said.
"Got it! Love you, brother!"
I smirked and shook my head. I’d realized she needed freedom too, and I trusted she wouldn’t do anything harmful.
Mom called us for dinner shortly after, and then I went to the company to tackle so paperwork despite it being the weekend. It was already midnight when I got ho. I didn’t check on Phoebe because I trusted her, but when I went downstairs early the next morning, I caught her entering the front door—wearing the sa outfit from the night before.
"Phoebe!"
She jumped in shock, her face imdiately paling when she saw . I rushed toward her as I slled the scent of another wolf on her skin.
My eyes dropped to her neck where several marks stood out against her fair skin.
"Nathan!" Her voice trembled.
My eyes widened as I confird what I was seeing. I clenched my jaw as I looked into her eyes, Alaric growling protectively inside .
"Tell you weren’t forced," I demanded.
She swallowed hard and pressed her trembling lips together. I could see fear in her eyes, and it frustrated . Why was she afraid? I wasn’t like our father.
"Tell , Phoebe!" My voice softened despite my concern.
"I-I wasn’t..." She gasped. "I... I wanted it. I love him, Nathan. I’m not sorry for loving him. I’m sorry for... breaking your trust..."
I closed my eyes and pulled her closer, hugging her and stroking her hair. Relief flooded through as I realized there was no mating bond—she hadn’t been marked. The scent on her was strong but temporary.
"Nathan..."
"I’m your brother, Phoebe," I murmured against her hair. "You can tell anything. I won’t judge. I won’t get mad."
She lifted her face to look at . Tears rolled down her cheeks as she smiled and nodded. I sighed and hugged her again, regret washing over .
"Who is that man?"
"Nathan, I can’t tell you. I don’t know if he really loves . I hope you can respect my privacy."
I felt a pain in my chest, but I knew I had no right to control my sister like I used to. I had been so busy with my own life—with Kyra and Snow and trying to fix my mistakes—that I forgot I had a little sister who needed too.
"Go to your room and cover those marks," I said softly. "Dad will go ballistic if he sees them."
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