Kyra’s POV
The mall shooting made national news within hours. Even worse, soone had captured footage of Kieran and fleeing together, and now it was viral everywhere. Social dia buzzed with wild theories about my "secret relationship" with my stepbrother. The sa old gossip resurfaced, claiming that Snow was actually Kieran’s daughter, not Nathan’s. People clung to this rumor, especially since Nathan and I had lost contact for years.
I should have been focused on who tried to kill and why. Instead, I couldn’t stop worrying about these rumors.
The questions kept multiplying. Who would want dead? The investigation into my mother’s murder remained unsolved. Then there was Luke’s mysterious death and whatever was happening with the Raven Shadow Pack. My father’s pack had no territorial disputes with other packs that I knew of. Sothing else was at play, and I needed answers.
Sylvia growled inside . "Whoever is after us threatens our family."
"I know," I whispered back. "We’ll figure it out."
"Don’t let this affect your relationship," Nathan’s mom said gently, interrupting my thoughts. She was rubbing my back as we sat on the lanai. Nathan and Snow splashed in the pool nearby with his father and Phoebe.
"I don’t know what to do," I admitted.
She shook her head. "Don’t let this affect you. My son loves you and knows what happened. That’s what matters."
I looked at her, clearly worried."Can I really ignore this? Nathan says it’s okay and he’s just glad I’m safe, but I know him. He feels useless because he wasn’t the one who protected ."
"Talk to him again," she advised with a soft sigh. "Don’t let this damage what you have. You’re a mother now. Protect your family."
I nodded and watched my daughter giggling as Nathan tossed her into the air and caught her in the water. Tonight, I would talk to him again about the incident. He’d said he understood, but I needed to reassure him.
After dinner, Emily called. I excused myself and walked to the pool area to answer.
"Hello, Emily?"
"Are you coming ho tonight?" she asked.
"No—"
"Why did you order food? I said I’m cooking!" A male voice interrupted in the background.
My eyebrows shot up. That was definitely Matt’s voice.
"You’re with Matt?" I asked, unable to hide my surprise.
"Kyra, why do you have such an annoying cousin?" Emily groaned.
I laughed. "Are you two together? You and...him?"
"We’re not—" Emily started.
"She’s my girlfriend now, Kyra," Matt’s voice cut in.
"What girlfriend are you talking about?" Emily protested.
Smiling, I shook my head. "Goodnight, Emily."
"Wait... Wait, Kyra—"
I ended the call and felt strong arms wrap around my waist from behind. Nathan’s lips brushed against my neck, sending pleasant shivers down my spine. His minty scent enveloped , instantly calming my nerves.
"Staying tonight?" he murmured against my skin.
I turned to face him, keeping his arms around . "Yes, of course."
He kissed softly, his eyes full of tenderness. The way he looked at made my heart swell.
"Nathan..."
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Hmm?"
"About what happened at the mall..."
He shook his head quickly. "You don’t need to worry. I told you I understand."
"No," I whispered, touching his jaw. "That’s not okay. Tell what you’re thinking. What did you feel when you saw that clip? I want the truth."
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, I could see the anger he was trying to contain, and strangely, that relieved .
"I’m angry, jealous, insecure... scared," he admitted. "But I understand he can protect you in ways I couldn’t. I’ll endure all those feelings as long as you’re safe. Even if you run with him a million tis, as long as you co ho to , I can handle it."
I pulled him closer until our foreheads touched. "I refused his help, Nathan. He offered, but I can’t trust him again. Being near him just causes pain."
His hand slid to my lower back. "When I saw that clip, I could barely breathe. Seeing you with another man was torture."
"He’s not ’another man,’" I insisted. "What we had is long gone. I have no feelings for him anymore."
His expression softened with relief as he nodded. "Thank you for that reassurance."
I wrapped my arms around his neck. "You always reassure . Now it’s my turn. I won’t leave you. You won’t lose again. I’ll stay until my final breath. We’re still getting married, right?"
A smile spread across his face. "I want to marry you two weeks from now."
My heart skipped. "Two weeks?"
"I don’t want to waste any more ti," he said, his voice low and intense. "We’ve already lost years because of my stupidity. I can’t let another year pass without my na marked on yours again."
I smiled and nodded. "Next week, then."
His eyes widened. "Really? That works for you?"
"Can you pull off a grand wedding in two weeks?" I teased.
He chuckled and kissed my forehead. "Anything’s possible for you."
Just as he leaned in to kiss , his phone rang. He checked the screen, his forehead imdiately creasing with concern. He glanced at before answering and putting it on speaker.
"Hello?" His tone was cautious.
"Nathan, we need to talk." It was Sophia’s voice.
Nathan’s jaw clenched. "There’s nothing to discuss—"
"Yes there is! I’m pregnant!"
My body went rigid. I snatched the phone from Nathan’s hand and stared at the screen. "Say that again?"
A pause, then, "Kyra... You heard . I’m pregnant with Nathan’s baby."
Rage exploded through like wildfire. Sylvia snarled viciously inside my mind.
I laughed coldly. "You forced yourself on him and now you’re pregnant? I don’t care. Raise your child alone. Stop ssing with our lives."
I hung up and looked at Nathan. He looked just as angry and worried as I felt. My hands were shaking with rage.
"That bitch is trying to tear us apart again," I hissed.
He nodded firmly. "I know. I don’t believe her either."
I exhaled shakily, trying to calm myself as Nathan wrapped his arms around and kissed the top of my head. The comfort of his embrace did little to soothe the storm brewing inside .
"We need to handle this," he whispered against my hair. "Together."
I closed my eyes and swallowed hard. My fists remained balled at my sides, knuckles white. If Sophia thought she could waltz back into our lives and destroy everything we’d rebuilt, she was severely mistaken.
"I’m going to destroy her if she keeps this up," I whispered, and I ant every word.
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