Nathan’s POV
Dad left after our short conversation. His words stuck in my mind like a warning bell. I stared out the hospital room window, watching shadows stretch across the parking lot as evening approached. His warning kept replaying, "Not everything that glitters is genuine gold."
I’ve always known I’m different from other Alphas. Most of them lead with iron fists and cold calculation. I’ve relied on compassion and understanding instead. My father handed over the Nightfall Pack years ago, but his shadow still looms over everything. Richard Anderson built our territory and doubled our business holdings. Now he stands back, watching handle things alone.
"Focus on protecting your wife without distraction," he had said. But how could I protect her from an unknown enemy?
Alaric paced restlessly in my mind. My wolf was furious, ready to hunt down whoever had tried to harm our mate. Unlike , he had no hesitation, no gentleness. Only the primal need to protect what was ours.
"You’re too trusting," Dad had said.
Was that true? Had my diplomatic approach beco a weakness? Dad only stepped in when I couldn’t handle sothing myself. This was his way of forcing to beco the Alpha he thought I should be. Calculating, sotis ruthless, always in control.
"Nathan..."
Kyra’s soft voice cut through my thoughts. I rushed to her side, nearly knocking over the chair. Her face looked pale against the white hospital pillows, but her eyes were still bright.
"You’re awake!" I grabbed her hand. "Are you okay? How do you feel? Are you hungry? Thirsty?" The questions poured out as panic hit again. I’d almost lost her today. Almost lost our unborn child.
I shook my head, trying to think straight. "I need to call the doctor."
Her gentle grip on my wrist stopped . "There’s a nurse call button, Nathan." She smiled and pointed to the device near the bed.
I let out a sharp breath, embarrassed.
Before I could press it, she pulled closer and kissed . Her familiar scent washed over . Orange blossoms.
The fear in my chest started to fade.
She pulled back, her hand touching my cheek. "Calm down, my love. I’m safe. The baby’s still here. I feel fine. Don’t worry so much."
I looked at her face, taking in every detail.
I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I still need the nurse to check on you."
"Okay," she nodded. "But breathe first."
I took a deep breath before pressing the call button. I sat beside her on the bed, keeping her hand in mine. A nurse arrived quickly, checking Kyra’s vital signs and changing the bandage on her arm.
"Everything looks good," the nurse said. "The doctor will be by soon. She can eat if she’s hungry."
After the nurse left, I prepared the food my father had ordered. Kyra let feed her, though I could tell she found my hovering amusing.
"What happened to the shooter?" she asked after taking a bite.
"He ran imdiately, but the security caras caught him. Our guards grabbed him right away, and the police showed up after that."
Her eyes narrowed. "Have they questioned him? Did he say anything?"
I sighed, setting down the spoon. "The guy’s not talking yet. I’ve got maximum security on him." My jaw tightened. "I won’t let him die mysteriously like the last one."
Kyra frowned, looking tired. "I’ve always thought that was weird. I’m not questioning Detective Marshall or anything, but isn’t a prison supposed to have tons of security?"
Her question hit my own concerns. I rembered Marshall’s urgent suggestion that we leave the country. What could threaten an Alpha like on my own territory? Even my father had said he’d take my mother and Snow abroad after our wedding.
What was going on? Who had that kind of power?
"Nathan?" Kyra’s voice brought back.
I looked down to find her studying my face with worry. "Sorry. Just thinking."
She squeezed my hand. "We’ll figure this out together."
That simple statent nearly broke . My throat got tight as I rembered her stepping in front of , taking a bullet ant for .
"Why did you do it?" I asked quietly.
"Do what?"
"Jump in front of . Take that bullet." My voice shook. "You could have died, Kyra. Our baby could have died."
She shook her head. "I didn’t think. When I saw him pull the gun, I just knew I had to protect you." Her eyes t mine with fierce determination. "And I know if it was reversed, you’d have done the sa thing."
"But you put your life on the line. I’ve never been so scared."
"I know," she said softly, her fingers tracing the worry lines on my forehead. "And I’m sorry for scaring you."
I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against hers. "Don’t ever leave ," I whispered.
"I won’t." The promise hung between us.
I fed her another spoonful, then gave her water when she was full. As I cleaned up the bed table, she touched my arm.
"Nathan, could you buy sothing sweet?" Her smile still made my heart skip after all these years. "I’m craving chocolate."
I smiled, grateful for sothing normal in all this chaos. "I saw a pastry shop across from the hospital. I’ll be right back."
"Thank you."
I kissed the corner of her mouth before leaving. Outside her room, I nodded to the guards my father had posted. "Don’t let anyone in."
"Got it, Alpha," the senior guard replied.
I headed for the elevator.
I slipped my hands into my pockets as I stepped inside and pulled out my phone, scrolling through ssages from pack mbers.
The elevator was descending smoothly toward the parking garage when it suddenly stopped on the third floor. The doors slid open with a soft ding.
Soone stepped inside, and imdiately I sensed danger. The air shifted.
Alaric stirred restlessly in my mind, picking up on the threat.
I slowly lifted my head from my phone, every muscle in my body tensing as I prepared for whatever was coming.
My head snapped up.My blood ran cold.
Standing in front of was soone I’d hoped never to see again. Soone who had no right to be here, especially not now.
"How is she?"
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