Nathan’s POV
I paced the hallway, checking my watch again. 6 PM, and still no sign of Phoebe. I really didn’t like her friends who were always dragging her to different parties.
"Where’s Phoebe?" I asked, finding my mother reclining in bed with a novel. She set aside her reading glasses when I entered.
"Swimming practice at school," she replied calmly. "She’ll be ho any minute."
My brow furrowed. "We have a perfectly good pool here, Mom."
She smiled. "Let her spread her wings, Nathan. She’s twenty now—finding her independence."
"She’s still a little girl," I muttered. Alaric growled his agreent inside .
"Instead of worrying about your sister," Mom said, studying my face, "why don’t you tell why you’ve been practically radiating happiness all week? I haven’t seen you this alive in years."
That stopped in my tracks. I glanced around, checking for my father’s presence.
Mom sighed. "Your father is visiting an old pack friend."
I settled beside her on the bed. I’d been wanting to tell her about my encounters with Kyra—Elle, but I definitely knew she was Kyra. She might not have rembered , but I knew it was her. Although I was worried about her condition and everything that had happened to her all these years—and the baby—I couldn’t help but feel happy.
"Mom," I said, unable to keep the excitent from my voice, "I found her."
"Her?"
"Kyra," I whispered. "I found her."
Mom’s eyes widened. "Nathan... are you certain? After last ti—"
"This isn’t like before," I insisted, rembering the false hope I’d clung to a year ago. "I know it’s her. I can feel our bond, even if she doesn’t rember . When she smiled at , Alaric practically howled with recognition."
"Your father said Kyra’s—"
"No! She’s not dead. Kieran Carver has been hiding her all this ti. I know it."
Mom reached out. "If this makes you happy again, then follow your heart. After everything with Sophia, you deserve happiness."
I embraced her, breathing in her familiar scent. Despite her unwavering loyalty to my father, her love for had never faltered.
A glance at my watch showed it was nearly 7 PM. Alaric’s unease returned.
"I should pick up Phoebe," I said, standing. "She’s lost track of ti."
"Drive safely," Mom called as I left.
I tried calling Phoebe repeatedly on the drive to her school, each unanswered ring tightening the knot in my stomach. Arriving at the gates, I honked for the security guard’s attention.
"Alpha Anderson," the guard greeted with a respectful nod. Humans rarely recognized our kind, but pack mbers always did.
"I’m here for my sister."
His expression shifted uncomfortably. "Miss Phoebe left about thirty minutes ago, sir."
"She’s not ho yet."
"Soone picked her up. She seed to know him."
"Him?" The word ca out as a growl. That made even more suspicious. Did she have a boyfriend and not tell us anything?
"I didn’t see his face, sir, but he was driving the sa car as yours. Just a different color."
My blood ran cold. Only one person drove the sa custom vehicle as mine. Kieran fucking Carver. Why did she go with him? I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white.
"If he touches a hair on her head," I growled, Alaric pushing to break free, "I’ll tear his throat out."
***
Kyra’s POV
"Do I look like my daddy, Mommy?" Snow asked, her innocent eyes wide with curiosity. I regretted ever confirming she had a father when she’d first asked.
The delicate scent of orange blossoms filled our cozy kitchen as I stirred the pasta sauce. "You look like , sweetheart," I answered carefully.
"Really?" Snow continued, kneeling on the carpet with her drawing. "What does my daddy look like? Is he a prince like in Martha’s stories?"
A sad smile tugged at my lips. "Yes, he’s definitely a kind prince."
Snow giggled and returned to her artwork, giving a mont to breathe. I knew I couldn’t hide her forever. Sooner or later, I’d have to introduce her to Nathan, let him know he had a daughter. The thought made my stomach twist with anxiety.
I feared his anger—his hatred even—when he discovered I’d hidden his child from him for five years. Yet, despite everything, I knew Nathan wouldn’t take her from . He wasn’t cruel like Kieran.
"Snack is ready," I announced, setting pasta and juice on the coffee table.
Snow abandoned her drawing with delight. I glanced at what she’d created: a mother, father, and child holding hands. A complete family. My heart ached at the sight.
My phone vibrated against the counter. I answered it absently, my eyes still on Snow.
"Hello?"
"It’s been a while. How are you, my beautiful fiancée?" The deep, familiar voice sent ice through my veins.
"Kieran..." I whispered, instinctively moving farther from Snow so she wouldn’t hear.
Sylvia snarled within , her hatred for this man as intense as my own. Five years, and the sound of his voice still made my skin crawl.
He chuckled. "Glad you still rember . Your representative made quite a scene at the eting yesterday. What punishnt should I give her?"
"You’re the one who should be punished," I hissed, keeping my voice low. For five years I’d planned this, setting up the pieces to finally bring him to justice for what he’d done to my father.
"Co now, little one," he sighed, the pet na making my stomach turn. "I didn’t harm your father. It was Amanda. But I figured you wouldn’t be threatened by Emily’s life, so I invited soone else to bridge the gap between us. Want to et her?"
My blood ran cold. "What are you talking about?"
"Don’t you want to hear from my visitor first?" His voice shifted, speaking to soone else. "Hey, little Anderson, co here and greet my fiancée."
The world seed to stop. "Phoebe?" I gasped. "Don’t you dare lay a finger on her, Kieran!"
"I won’t," he promised, his voice sickeningly gentle. "I’m even willing to let her go. Just et . That’s all I need."
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