Nathan’s POV
I was exhausted, dizzy, and sleepy when I got inside Sophia’s condo unit. Mom was the one who greeted , and she looked worried. Alaric wouldn’t settle, trying to pull back to Kyra and Snow, making it hard to think straight.
"Mom," I said, hugging her. My voice was rough. "Where’s Sophia?"
"Still locked in the bathroom." She squeezed my arm. "How’s Kyra? Sorry I had to call you."
I breathed in Mom’s familiar scent, feeling stronger. "Go ho and rest. I’ll handle this."
She looked at my face like she knew what I was thinking. "Whatever you choose, I’m with you."
After she left, I went to the bathroom door, Alaric growling because he was tired of waiting. Every minute here felt wrong, when all we wanted was to be back with Snow.
"Sophia..." I knocked on the door.
"Nathan?" Her voice shook, but she didn’t sound as desperate as I thought she would.
I straightened up. "Co out. We need to talk."
The door opened, and Sophia threw herself at , wrapping her arms around my neck. Her sweet scent didn’t affect Alaric anymore, like our mate bond wasn’t even there. When I pulled away from her, she looked confused.
"Let’s discuss us," I said firmly.
Her face lit up right away. "You’re here because you picked , right? Let’s get married! I already chose my wedding dress and your—"
"Sophia, I’m done."
Her face changed when she heard . "What?"
I set my jaw hard and looked right at her. "I’m tired of all this. I’m sorry."
"What? WHAT?" she scread. "You can’t leave ! I’ll kill myself for real this ti!"
I laughed, but not because it was funny. "So I was right. You were just playing gas."
Her lips trembled when she realized she’d ssed up. She tried to touch my face, but I moved back. My wolf growled, hating how she tried to control .
"No! Nathan, you can’t go!" she cried, tears running down her face, looking like the perfect victim.
I kept my distance. "I’m sorry, but I can’t be with you anymore. My heart..." I stopped before saying Kyra’s na.
"No!" she fell to her knees, crying like she was in a movie. "I’ll die without you!"
I knelt in front of her, speaking softly but firmly. "You need soone who can love you fully. That’s not anymore."
"No! You’re all I want..."
"No, Sophia. I’m not. I’m sorry I hurt you, but staying would only hurt more."
"Nathan, please!"
I stood up, looking at the woman I once thought was ant for . Sophia had rejected back then, leaving alone in pain and darkness. Kyra was the one who helped recover from the pain Sophia caused. Our mate bond had ended long ago, but I was the one who couldn’t let go of the past. But now, I finally understood. Maybe the Moon Goddess had different plans all along—I just couldn’t see it until Kyra left .
"Nathan!" she scread as I left, her yelling following down the hall.
I didn’t look back. I felt bad, but I also felt free, like dropping a heavy weight I’d carried for too long.
After telling my parents what happened, I went straight to the airport. I couldn’t stop thinking about Kyra and Snow. Alaric kept pacing inside , desperate to get back to them. I’d stay just long enough to help Kyra with the baby, then leave if that’s what she wanted.
But when my taxi got to the villa, everything was wrong. Fire trucks were all over the street, their red lights lighting up the darkness. Black smoke poured from the house where I’d left Kyra and Snow just hours before.
"The guard said there’s a woman and baby still inside," I heard soone say. "They’ve been there since the man left last night."
"Oh my God! Those poor things!"
My blood went cold. Alaric howled in terror as I ran toward the burning house, but a firefighter stopped .
"Sir, stay back. It’s not safe."
I pushed him away, panic taking over. "No!"
"The building’s falling apart—"
"I NEED TO GET IN THERE! I HAVE TO FIND THEM!" I scread, my voice cracking.
More firefighters grabbed as I fought to get free. My wolf was so close to losing control, I didn’t care if humans saw my shift.
"KYRA!" I yelled, my heart breaking. "SNOW! I’M BACK! I CA BACK!"
I fell to my knees crying, with firefighters still holding my arms. This couldn’t be real. Not them. Not my... family.
***
Kyra’s POV
I stood by the doorfra, watching Nathan leave. He gripped his car keys tightly as he walked slowly toward his car. He opened the car door, sighed, and looked back at . His eyes seed to beg to let him stay, but I wouldn’t. It was the right choice. Still, I knew him. I knew what he was thinking. I knew what he planned to do. He was my best friend, so I knew him too well.
My eyes never left him as he drove away. After he was gone, I imdiately locked the door and went upstairs to pack clothes. I had to leave. Nathan would be back tomorrow. I was certain of that.
I knew him and his family. I had overheard his phone call with his mother last night at the hospital. I didn’t want them involved in my chaotic life. I knew Kieran. Once he discovered Nathan’s family was helping , he would destroy them. I wasn’t underestimating Nathan’s family. I was just scared because a devil is always a devil. Kieran would stop at nothing to get what he wanted, and he had nothing to lose, so he wouldn’t hesitate to kill. But Nathan had a family he cherished deeply. I didn’t want him to experience the hell I’d been through.
And there was sothing else... I paused, looking at little Snow. I was afraid Nathan would discover he was Snow’s biological father. She looked like , but there were other factors that could reveal the truth. Especially since the thod of masking Snow’s scent was only temporary. I couldn’t take that risk.
I had to make sure we were gone by the ti Nathan returned. Not just because I feared the truth being revealed, but to protect my heart that had grown vulnerable to him again.
After packing just enough clothes for Snow and , I gently cradled her in my arms. Fortunately, I had saved money from my part-ti job while pregnant with Snow. That was another reason I had let Nathan cover all our expenses.
I carefully walked down the stairs with Snow and our small bag on my shoulder. I had to slip past the guard post quietly. Luckily, the guard was asleep, and I managed to escape. I saw the taxi I had booked and quickly got in.
"Where to, ma’am?"
I sighed deeply, took one last look at the villa, then fixed my gaze on my baby.
"The airport," I answered the driver, pressing my lips together.
We need to stay away from you. Goodbye, Nathan.
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