Chapter 157: Chapter 157
Kieran’s POV
"Why don’t you use your father’s resources to get the woman you want, Alpha Kieran? If you order your men to capture her, she’ll be here in a day."
I shook my head and sighed, the weight of leadership pressing down on my shoulders. Ronan paced restlessly inside me, his possessive instincts battling with my rational mind.
"She’s no ordinary woman, Felix. Kyra is..." I paused, her scent of orange blossoms haunting me even now. "She’s very important to me, and I don’t want to hurt her more than I already have. All I want is for her to accept me again."
Felix, my loyal Beta since we left the Raven Shadow Pack, frowned at my hesitation. His devotion to me had never wavered, even when I’d made decisions others questioned.
"The faction is willing to do everything, Alpha. Just give the order and we’ll eliminate the person who’s stealing your mate."
I slammed my fist against the desk. "Do you want her to hate me for the rest of my life? I want her forgiveness, and you’re suggesting I kill someone important to her?"
My men lowered their gazes and muttered apologies.
I never wanted this—to return to my father’s headquarters after I’d successfully dethroned and killed him. But here I was, inheriting all his properties and his rogue faction. I’d rejected this legacy before, but now I understood the power such a faction provided. Not just protection for myself, but leverage to uncover the truth.
The door swung open as one of my guards entered and bowed his head. "Alpha Kieran, the private investigator arrived. We already examined the package for possible threats."
I snatched the brown envelope from his hands and dismissed him with a wave, returning to the leather couch across the room. I tore it open and let the envelope fall to the floor, my heart pounding with anticipation.
I’d used my father’s resources and connections to investigate Kyra’s father. I needed to prove to her that Darian Monroe killed my mother, to justify my rage and my quest for vengeance. To prove I wasn’t simply a monster.
My forehead creased as I realized the package contained investigation reports from two different parties—one conducted by Darian Monroe himself, and another by my biological father.
"What the fuck is this?" I growled, comparing the two reports side by side.
The investigation led by my biological father concluded that the bullet which killed my mother was fired from Darian’s gun.
However, Darian’s own investigation insisted that an unknown silver bullet was actually responsible for her death.
"Felix," I called. "Bring me the sample of the bullet that our faction has kept."
My heart raced while I stared at these conflicting reports. One had obviously been tampered with—and I had a sickening feeling it was my father’s.
I remembered the day I killed him, the moment before he drew his last breath. He’d looked me in the eyes and told me Darian Monroe killed my mother out of jealousy, that he couldn’t bear to let her go when she decided to return to my father.
Felix placed a small evidence bag in my palm, containing the preserved bullet. With trembling hands, I compared it to the photograph in Darian’s investigation file.
They matched perfectly.
The truth crashed down on me like an avalanche. My biological father had murdered my mother. Not Darian Monroe. Not Kyra’s dad.
I’d blamed the wrong man.
"BULLSHIT!" I roared, my wolf howling in anguish as I began throwing everything within reach.
Rage consumed me, but this time it was directed inward. I’d tormented an innocent man. I’d hurt Kyra for nothing. She had every right to hate me. I was wrong. So terribly wrong.
I continued shouting and destroying my office until I collapsed to my knees, grabbing handfuls of my hair in frustration.
"FUCK!" I screamed, shaking my head. "Kyra... Kyra, I’m s-sorry..."
Felix approached cautiously. "Alpha Kieran, you need to pull yourself together. Alpha Liam is gravely ill, and his rogue faction is falling apart. This is your chance to unite all the rogue wolf organizations under your leadership. Become the true Rogue King."
I stared up at him, my vision blurred with unshed tears.
"The Alpha Council’s warrants against you won’t matter then," Felix continued. "They might even fear you’ll attack their packs. Your position would be untouchable."
But I couldn’t focus on power plays. Not now. Not when my entire foundation had crumbled. I remembered how kind Alpha Darian had been to me and my mother when we first arrived at his pack, how he’d welcomed us.
My world was collapsing around me. The man I’d hated hadn’t died by my hand. And the woman I loved would never forgive me for what I’d done in the name of false vengeance.
How could I possibly face Kyra now?
***
Kyra’s POV
I was eating a bowl of fresh fruit when Emily entered the condo.
Her eyes immediately found me, and she walked over, sitting beside me on the couch. She picked a slice of apple from my bowl as I glanced at the wall clock before returning my attention to her.
"You seem busy. Where were you?" I asked, noting her slightly disheveled appearance.
She shrugged and munched on the apple slice. "Dad’s company."
I nodded, feeling Sylvia stir within me at Emily’s scent.
"She carries the scent of that foolish cousin of yours, Matt. Is he bothering her?" Sylvia said.
I replied, "If anything, Matt’s the one in trouble now that he’s crossed paths with Emily."
Sylvia chuckled. "True. Emily never backs down."
Sylvia was close to Emily; she liked her just as much as I did. That’s why she was concerned. But I figured now wasn’t the time to ask Emily about it.
I handed Emily another piece of apple and asked, "How’s your father?"
She shook her head, her expression hardening. "I don’t think he can recover now."
I studied her face, concerned about the coldness I saw there. "Will you be okay?"
A smirk twisted her lips. "Why wouldn’t I be? The root of my hardships is finally suffering, Kyra. I’m happier than I’ve been in years."
"He’s still your father," I reminded her gently.
Rage flickered in her eyes as her jaw clenched. "He was never a father to me. I was his possession. A puppet he wanted to control, and because he couldn’t, he branded me a rebel and tormented me."
I pressed my lips together, sensing the pain behind her words. I didn’t know her entire story, but I suspected hearing it would break my heart.
Emily sighed and crossed her legs, leaning back against the couch and staring at the ceiling.
"What’s your plan?" I asked.
The corner of her lips lifted in a small smile. "Your cousin is easier to manipulate than I expected, Kyra. He’s investigating now."
My lips formed an ’o’ of surprise. I had actually meant to ask about her plans regarding her father, but getting some information about Matt wasn’t a bad consolation.
It couldn’t be easy for Matt to investigate his own family, yet Emily had somehow convinced him to do it. I found myself wondering just how she had pulled that off.
"How did you do it?"
She looked at me, a devilish smirk playing on her lips. "I don’t want to spoil my plans. I want everything to feel authentic, Kyra. So he won’t suspect it was all orchestrated."
My forehead creased with concern. "I feel like you’re taking a huge risk."
She chuckled. "Sort of. But of course, I won’t lose this game. You know me."
I smirked back at her. "Certainly! Just make sure you don’t get hurt, or I’ll never forgive myself."
She smiled faintly and slowly closed her eyes. I studied her face, thinking about how she’d been tormented by her own father. Her hatred toward him ran deep—the roots of her anger firmly embedded in her past. She’d clearly been through hell, which explained her fierce determination to protect herself and my daughter.
"Kyra..." she murmured, just when I thought she’d fallen asleep.
"Yes?" I replied, startled.
A sad smile crept onto her lips. "Do you think I could kill someone?"
I froze, shocked by the question. "What do you mean?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"I want to put my father to sleep... permanently."
