Free Web NovelChapter 12: Chapter 12
Kyra’s POV
I sipped water from the glass, perched on the edge of my couch while Nathan stood in front of me, still scolding Luke in a low, furious growl. His Alpha aura thickened the air, making even the walls feel like they were pressing in. We were in my condo—Nathan had wanted to drag me back to his house, but I had refused.
"You can’t do this again, Luke. What if I wasn’t there? What could’ve happened to her?"
"Nathan, enough." My voice cut through his tirade. "Luke not only has to be my driver, but also my bodyguard. It’s hard for him to watch over me twenty-four hours a day alone."
"Then I’m assigning you one," he snapped, his brown eyes flashing gold—Alaric surfacing just beneath his skin.
I pulled myself upright and stared into his eyes. "It’s my decision to make, Nathan."
Nathan exhaled through his nose, his minty scent filled the air and instantly calmed Sylvia.
"Do you even realize what happened, Kyra? A dangerous rogue stalked you. That’s not some human creep—that’s a wolf who knows how to hide his scent and trace."
Sylvia bristled in my mind. "He’s right. This wasn’t random." freёwebnovel.com
I pressed my palms to my face and took a deep breath. "You think I’m not terrified?"
Nathan’s hands held mine, calloused and warm. He pulled me closer until his forehead nearly touched mine. "I’ll rip him apart before he even breathes near you again."
For a heartbeat, I let myself sink into his heat. It was too easy to pretend we were still bound, still one.
The next week blurred into a haze of Nathan’s overbearing vigilance. He mind-linked me hourly, shadowed me through ADE’s halls, and showed up at my door every night. Sometimes, I couldn’t help but have the illusion that we had never separated and were still a couple.
Tonight was no different. He appeared at my doorstep, clad in a black suit that clung to his broad shoulders like a second pelt. Every inch the Alpha heir, every bit the man who still haunted my dreams. His lips were rosy and his brown eyes were so beautiful. God! If only I could keep him for myself forever.
"Nathan..." I called, letting out a deep sigh.
He looked at me and straightened up. He walked towards me and held my arm. "Are you okay? What’s wrong?"
He stepped inside without invitation, his gaze sweeping over me. "You’re pale. Are you—"
I pulled my hand away from him and looked into his eyes. "I know you’re worried, but you can’t come here whenever you want, Nathan. We’re not mates anymore."
His jaw tightened. "Does that mean I should stop caring?"
"It means you should respect the line." My voice cracked.
I understood what he wanted. He wanted to keep me safe, but he couldn’t keep doing this. I was trying to move on. Yes, I needed his help, but that’s what a friend should do, right? But this—what he was doing now—it wasn’t a best friend’s duty. It was a mate’s responsibility.
He slowly shook his head. "Kyra, I just want to keep you safe."
"I know, but what you’re doing right now is a mate’s responsibility, and you’re no longer my mate, Nathan."
He was rendered speechless. He stared at me for God knows how long, pain and confusion in his eyes. After a few seconds, he looked away and took a step back. He shook his head and palmed his face as if the truth hurt him.
He sucked in a breath and looked at me again. "Are you... kicking me out of your life?"
"I can’t get on with my life because you keep making me want to depend on you. We can’t do this forever, Nathan. What would Sophia think if she knew you were here every night?"
"Sophia and I aren’t together."
The words hit like a physical blow. "What?"
Nathan turned away, his posture rigid. "Luke will take you to the party. I’ll... be waiting."
The door clicked shut behind him. Sylvia whined softly. "Liar. He still smells like her."
Luke came to pick me up, and when we reached the venue, a sea of pack elites and human investors filled the place.
My eyes automatically settled on two people standing next to each other, talking. Sophia was whispering something to Nathan and laughing, but he was not. His face was serious, and I was shocked when he found me. Our eyes locked and, even while talking to someone else, he didn’t take his eyes off me.
I tore my gaze away. Fool. She’s his by fate, not choice.
I spotted Nathan’s parents, and Alpha Richard didn’t look happy. His face was dark, and his Luna kept caressing his arm as if trying to calm him down.
"Kyra!" A bubbly voice behind me called.
When I looked, it was Chris. He lifted my hand to his lips. "Gorgeous as always."
My instincts prickled—someone’s gaze was locked on me. I didn’t need to look to know whose brown eyes had darkened with fury.
Sylvia bared her teeth. "Let him watch."
