Kyra’s POV
I couldn’t ignore him. The fact that he was here without telling him about my plans ant he knew sothing was going on and didn’t tell about it. I felt like he didn’t want to see my father, and it confused . A growl rumbled in the back of my mind as Sylvia, my wolf, bristled at the deception. He’s hiding sothing, Kyra.
It made no sense. As the daughter of the Alpha of Raven Shadow Pack, I deserved honesty—especially from Kieran, who was now not only my stepbrother but also my mate, the one my wolf had submitted to. Why would he keep from seeing my father? Yes, I resented the man, but he was still my blood. No matter how much anger festered between us, he was still my father.
"What are you doing here, Kieran?" My voice was steady, but my fingers curled into fists at my sides.
He t my gaze, his blue eyes unreadable. "I’m here to accompany you."
"To where?"
"To your father."
I looked away, shaking my head. "How did you know I wanted to see him? You told he was away on pack business."
"I lied, Kyra."
The admission hit like a physical blow. He lied to about my father. Why? Sylvia snarled, her presence sharp in my mind.
"I don’t understand why you had to lie, Kieran." My voice dropped low, dangerous. "If sothing happens to him because you kept away, I will never forgive you."
Kieran exhaled roughly, running a hand through his hair. "He didn’t want to tell you, Kyra. I didn’t have a choice."
"Tell what?"
Instead of answering, he stepped closer, his cedar and musk scent wrapping around as he took my hand. My pulse jumped when he pulled against him, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "I’m sorry for hiding the truth. I won’t lie to you again."
Sylvia huffed. Pretty words.
I swallowed hard. "Of all people, Kieran..."
"I’m sorry... I know." His thumb brushed over my knuckles. "Let’s go. Your father needs you."
He kept my hand locked in his as we boarded the plane, his grip tight enough to ground . But my mind raced. What if I was too late? I still hadn’t asked for forgiveness. My father was the only parent left to . I didn’t want to lose him this way. What if my father—
"Babe." Kieran’s voice was soft against my ear.
"I’m worried, Kieran," I admitted.
He cupped my face, his fingers warm against my skin. "You’re not alone. You have ."
Tears burned behind my eyes. "What should I do?"
"You just have to be there for him, Kyra. And I’ll be here for you. I’m on your side. Always."
For the first ti since we’d left, I managed a faint smile. My father needed and I also needed soone to support . Maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as alone as I felt.
I dozed off against Kieran’s shoulder, lulled by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. But when we reached the mansion, the sight of my father’s frail form shattered whatever composure I had left.
My father had a stroke a few days ago. We arrived while a doctor was checking on him in his sleep. One of the maids welcod us and told Kieran about my father’s condition. I felt so devastated and broken hearted after learning what my father had been through without realizing it.
All this ti, while I’d been drowning in my own problems, my father had been fighting for his life—and no one had told .
Sylvia whined softly. We failed him.
Tears spilled over as I reached for my father’s hand. Too late for apologies. But not too late to fight for him.
I sobbed silently beside my father’s bed after the doctor left with Kieran. My wolf, Sylvia, whined softly in my mind, her distress mirroring my own as I clung to my father’s frail hand. When did he get this old? His face was lined with wrinkles, his once-dark hair now streaked with silver. The proud Alpha of Raven Shadow Pack now looked fragile—a shadow of the dominant wolf he’d once been.
Guilt clawed at my throat. I’d been so consud by my anger, so determined to punish him for choosing his fated mate over my mother, that I hadn’t noticed ti stealing his strength. He’d lost his Luna too—his beloved wife—and instead of standing by him, I’d built walls between us. Ignored his calls. Let my pride drown out his silent suffering.
"I-I’m sorry..." My whisper cracked as fresh tears spilled over.
A warm hand settled on my back, the touch, the familiar cedar-and-musk scent.
Kieran pulled against his chest without hesitation, his arms locking around like a shield. "Shh, little wolf," he murmured, his lips brushing my hair as his fingers traced soothing circles along my spine. "Your father’s strong. He’ll fight this."
I shuddered against him, my fists clutching his shirt. "I need to stay, Kieran. He needs ."
His thumb swept over my damp cheeks, his blue eyes holding mine with an intensity that made my pulse stutter. "You’re not doing this alone," he vowed, voice rough. "I’m your mate now. Your pack is mine."
Sylvia perked up at the word mate.
Before I could respond, Kieran’s lips t mine. At first, he just pressed our lips together, but slowly, I felt him moving.
His kisses were so slow, so gentle, so sweet. His lips grazed mine with nothing but tenderness as I closed my eyes and started moving my lips. His lips tasted like apples.
He angled his head, at the sa ti his hand moved to my jaw and he deepened our kiss.
My fingers tangled in his hair as he angled my head back, his tongue sliding against mine in a slow, possessive rhythm.
We were kissing so intensely that I was completely lost in his hungry kisses until we heard soone grunting and shouting words I couldn’t understand.
I pulled away from the kiss and looked back, my heart lurching at the sight of my father’s wide, furious eyes. His lips peeled back in a silent snarl, his weakened body trembling with rage as he glared at Kieran.
"Kieran, what’s happening to him?" I reached for my father, but he recoiled. And when I sent him a mind link, he didn’t seem to receive it.
His gnarled hands clawed at the sheets as if fighting to rise. His gaze burned with unmistakable fury—directed solely at Kieran.
Sylvia bristled. Sothing’s not right.
Why would my father—an Alpha who had always respected strength—hate Kieran so violently?
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