Pregnant By My Best Friend Alpha Chapter 23

Kyra’s POV

The antiseptic sll of the hospital burned my nose as I struggled to sit up.

Sylvia paced anxiously in my mind. "Sothing’s wrong. That voice outside... it seems to be Nathan’s."

My breath hitched.

But before I could dwell on it, the door swung open and Kieran strode in, his broad shoulders blocking the light. Even in human form, he carried the predatory grace of an Alpha—every movent calculated and dangerous. The scent of cedar and musk wrapped around like a physical presence, making my pulse stutter.

"What’s going on?" My voice ca out weaker than I intended.

Kieran’s ice-blue eyes flickered with sothing unreadable as he settled into the chair beside my bed. "Nothing concerning you. Just dealing with so... disobedient pack mbers."

I clenched the thin hospital blanket in my fists. Liar. Sylvia growled low in my mind, "He’s hiding sothing. That was Nathan’s scent outside."

"Why are you really here, Kieran?" I stared at him. "We haven’t spoken in years, and now you suddenly care about my safety?"

I didn’t know why he ca back. Whatever the reason, I didn’t want to be involved with him.

A muscle twitched in his jaw. In the bright light, the scar on his shoulder stood out starkly—a reminder of the brutal world he ruled.

My stepbrother wasn’t just any werewolf. As Alpha of the Raven Shadow Pack and leader of the largest rogue faction, which his biological father once belonged to, Kieran Carver was feared by Alphas twice his age.

However, I couldn’t deny that he was the one who could protect when the critical mont ca.

I was afraid of him. I had always been afraid of my stepbrother. Not just because he had a position in that dangerous rogue faction, but because he showed no rcy to anyone. He was evil, and grew even more ruthless when his biological mother died.

He beca colder and trusted no one. However, when I was kidnapped before, aside from my father, he saved too.

The mories ca unbidden. When rogues had ambushed , I was only twelve, not yet bonded to my wolf. They dragged into the forest, their rancid breath hot on my neck as they debated whether to ransom or kill .

My father and Kieran saved from the kidnapper, who had stripped naked and attempted to violate .

I still rembered the way Kieran’s claws had glinted in the moonlight as he tore through my attackers, the way his enraged snarls had shaken the trees.

When it was over, Kieran ca and wrapped his arms around , holding against his chest, his heartbeat thundering against my ear like war drums.

That’s when I realized that no matter how evil he was, he was one of the few people who could protect .

Ever since that night, I trusted Kieran more than I trusted my own father. Just as I was starting to accept him as my brother and wanted to get closer, he began avoiding . The more I tried, the crueler he beca—mocking words, petty tricks. Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore. With my father’s help, I transferred schools and left ho for good.

That’s when I t Nathan. Kieran was the reason I t Nathan and now, he was taking away from him.

"You’re forbidden from using the pack mind-link or contacting anyone, Kyra," Kieran announced, his voice leaving no room for argunt.

I pressed my lips together as I looked at him with hatred. He knew that I didn’t want anyone dictating to , but he was doing it. However, my fear was consuming . I knew I couldn’t disobey him. Aside from the fact that he was a dangerous man, my life was in danger and he was powerful enough to protect .

"You can’t just—"

He crossed his legs and stared at blankly. "I can. I’m protecting you and that life inside you."

I gasped in shock as I hugged myself. He knew! I didn’t know if this was a good thing or not. With him knowing, he would protect my pup too. But I was scared of what he would do now that he knew I was carrying Nathan’s pup.

"How—?"

"I asked the doctor." His thumb brushed over my racing pulse. "Did you really think you could hide it from ?"

I wrenched my hand free. "This doesn’t concern you."

"Everything about you concerns ." The words ca out sharper than he intended, and for a heartbeat, sothing raw flickered in his glacial eyes. Then it was gone, replaced by that impenetrable mask. "Your al will be here any minute. Eat. You’ll need your strength."

I shook my head. "Why did you co back?"

"I’ve already told you the reason."

"No!" I shook my head again. "I know you wouldn’t co back just to protect ."

He was always the mysterious man I never wanted to get involved with.

"You will find out soon. For now, I don’t want you to disobey . Your al will be here any minute."

I swallowed hard. I should at least contact Nathan and tell him that I was okay. I knew he was worried about , but I also knew Kieran wouldn’t let have my phone, not even for a minute.

"W-When can I go ho?"

"I’ll take you ho once I’m sure you’re okay."

I nodded. He was too uptight. Never mind. I could just find a way to contact Nathan once I got discharged. For now, I should be glad that my baby was okay.

I spent a week in the hospital. Each morning, I woke hoping to find Nathan’s minty scent lingering in the doorway. Each night, I fell asleep to the sound of Kieran’s n patrolling the hall—their low growls warning away visitors.

Sylvia paced restlessly. "Our mate should have co for us by now."

I bit my lip. Where was he? Did he even care about ?

On the eighth day, Kieran strode in with my discharge papers. "We’re leaving."

"I’m going ho," I insisted, clutching the bag I’d already packed.

"You are." His smile didn’t reach his eyes. "To my house."

I let out a violent gasp as I stared at his emotionless eyes. "Kieran, I don’t agree with that!"

"I don’t need your agreent on that, Kyra. I am older than you. You should obey ."

"Your condo was compromised." He cut off with a slash of his hand. "Rogues were casing it this morning."

Sylvia snarled, "Lies!"

I pressed my lips together and balled my fists. He stared at for a second before he walked toward and grabbed my clenched fists. I was shocked when he caressed my hands as if calming down.

"You probably won’t understand, but I’m doing all of this for your sake."

"No, you’re not!"

"I am the only one who can protect you, Kyra. I know you know that."

I shook my head as I fought to keep my tears from falling. I felt like a bird being kept in a cage, robbed of freedom.

"Don’t worry, I won’t bother you while we’re living together. I just want you to obey and try not to see Nathan Anderson again."

"Kieran!"

"I will ruin him, Kyra. And you know I don’t joke."

The armored convoy that escorted us would have suited a president.

From the backseat of Kieran’s blacked-out Range Rover, I counted six identical SUVs ahead and behind us. Each carried at least four ard wolves—Kieran’s personal guard.

"You’re being ridiculous," I muttered, watching the city blur past.

Kieran didn’t look up from his laptop. "And you’re still breathing. Coincidence?"

I lazily nodded and moved to where he was sitting as he got out of the car.

"Welco ho," he murmured, offering his hand.

I ignored it—and promptly stumbled on the curb. Kieran moved faster than humanly possible, his arm banding around my waist as he steadied .

I felt him wrap his arm around my waist as his other hand held my wrist. My heart almost stopped beating after I felt sothing soft, wet, and warm press against my lips.

I was dazed. I couldn’t move and neither could he. We kissed accidentally and that was beyond my imagination.

Sylvia howled in shock.

I jerked back, my heart hamring against my ribs. Kieran’s eyes glowed molten gold—Ronan, his wolf, rising to the surface.

"That," he said hoarsely, his voice rougher than I’d ever heard it, "wasn’t part of the plan."