Free Web NovelChapter 176: Chapter 176
Kyra’s POV
The mall shooting made national news within hours. Even worse, someone had captured footage of Kieran and me fleeing together, and now it was viral everywhere. Social media buzzed with wild theories about my "secret relationship" with my stepbrother. The same old gossip resurfaced, claiming that Snow was actually Kieran’s daughter, not Nathan’s. People clung to this rumor, especially since Nathan and I had lost contact for years.
I should have been focused on who tried to kill me and why. Instead, I couldn’t stop worrying about these rumors.
The questions kept multiplying. Who would want me dead? The investigation into my mother’s murder remained unsolved. Then there was Luke’s mysterious death and whatever was happening with the Raven Shadow Pack. My father’s pack had no territorial disputes with other packs that I knew of. Something else was at play, and I needed answers. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Sylvia growled inside me. "Whoever is after us threatens our family."
"I know," I whispered back. "We’ll figure it out."
"Don’t let this affect your relationship," Nathan’s mom said gently, interrupting my thoughts. She was rubbing my back as we sat on the lanai. Nathan and Snow splashed in the pool nearby with his father and Phoebe.
"I don’t know what to do," I admitted.
She shook her head. "Don’t let this affect you. My son loves you and knows what happened. That’s what matters."
I looked at her, clearly worried."Can I really ignore this? Nathan says it’s okay and he’s just glad I’m safe, but I know him. He feels useless because he wasn’t the one who protected me."
"Talk to him again," she advised with a soft sigh. "Don’t let this damage what you have. You’re a mother now. Protect your family."
I nodded and watched my daughter giggling as Nathan tossed her into the air and caught her in the water. Tonight, I would talk to him again about the incident. He’d said he understood, but I needed to reassure him. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
After dinner, Emily called. I excused myself and walked to the pool area to answer.
"Hello, Emily?"
"Are you coming home tonight?" she asked.
"No—"
"Why did you order food? I said I’m cooking!" A male voice interrupted in the background.
My eyebrows shot up. That was definitely Matt’s voice.
"You’re with Matt?" I asked, unable to hide my surprise.
"Kyra, why do you have such an annoying cousin?" Emily groaned.
I laughed. "Are you two together? You and...him?"
"We’re not—" Emily started.
"She’s my girlfriend now, Kyra," Matt’s voice cut in.
"What girlfriend are you talking about?" Emily protested.
Smiling, I shook my head. "Goodnight, Emily."
"Wait... Wait, Kyra—"
I ended the call and felt strong arms wrap around my waist from behind. Nathan’s lips brushed against my neck, sending pleasant shivers down my spine. His minty scent enveloped me, instantly calming my nerves.
"Staying tonight?" he murmured against my skin.
I turned to face him, keeping his arms around me. "Yes, of course."
He kissed me softly, his eyes full of tenderness. The way he looked at me made my heart swell.
"Nathan..."
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Hmm?"
"About what happened at the mall..."
He shook his head quickly. "You don’t need to worry. I told you I understand."
"No," I whispered, touching his jaw. "That’s not okay. Tell me what you’re thinking. What did you feel when you saw that clip? I want the truth."
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, I could see the anger he was trying to contain, and strangely, that relieved me.
"I’m angry, jealous, insecure... scared," he admitted. "But I understand he can protect you in ways I couldn’t. I’ll endure all those feelings as long as you’re safe. Even if you run with him a million times, as long as you come home to me, I can handle it."
I pulled him closer until our foreheads touched. "I refused his help, Nathan. He offered, but I can’t trust him again. Being near him just causes me pain."
His hand slid to my lower back. "When I saw that clip, I could barely breathe. Seeing you with another man was torture."
"He’s not ’another man,’" I insisted. "What we had is long gone. I have no feelings for him anymore."
His expression softened with relief as he nodded. "Thank you for that reassurance."
I wrapped my arms around his neck. "You always reassure me. Now it’s my turn. I won’t leave you. You won’t lose me again. I’ll stay until my final breath. We’re still getting married, right?"
A smile spread across his face. "I want to marry you two weeks from now."
My heart skipped. "Two weeks?"
"I don’t want to waste any more time," he said, his voice low and intense. "We’ve already lost years because of my stupidity. I can’t let another year pass without my name marked on yours again."
I smiled and nodded. "Next week, then."
His eyes widened. "Really? That works for you?"
"Can you pull off a grand wedding in two weeks?" I teased.
He chuckled and kissed my forehead. "Anything’s possible for you."
Just as he leaned in to kiss me, his phone rang. He checked the screen, his forehead immediately creasing with concern. He glanced at me before answering and putting it on speaker.
"Hello?" His tone was cautious.
"Nathan, we need to talk." It was Sophia’s voice.
Nathan’s jaw clenched. "There’s nothing to discuss—"
"Yes there is! I’m pregnant!"
My body went rigid. I snatched the phone from Nathan’s hand and stared at the screen. "Say that again?"
A pause, then, "Kyra... You heard me. I’m pregnant with Nathan’s baby."
Rage exploded through me like wildfire. Sylvia snarled viciously inside my mind.
I laughed coldly. "You forced yourself on him and now you’re pregnant? I don’t care. Raise your child alone. Stop messing with our lives."
I hung up and looked at Nathan. He looked just as angry and worried as I felt. My hands were shaking with rage.
"That bitch is trying to tear us apart again," I hissed.
He nodded firmly. "I know. I don’t believe her either."
I exhaled shakily, trying to calm myself as Nathan wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. The comfort of his embrace did little to soothe the storm brewing inside me.
"We need to handle this," he whispered against my hair. "Together."
I closed my eyes and swallowed hard. My fists remained balled at my sides, knuckles white. If Sophia thought she could waltz back into our lives and destroy everything we’d rebuilt, she was severely mistaken.
"I’m going to destroy her if she keeps this up," I whispered, and I meant every word.
