Chapter 23: Chapter 23
Kyra’s POV
The antiseptic smell of the hospital burned my nose as I struggled to sit up.
Sylvia paced anxiously in my mind. "Something’s wrong. That voice outside... it seems to be Nathan’s."
My breath hitched.
But before I could dwell on it, the door swung open and Kieran strode in, his broad shoulders blocking the light. Even in human form, he carried the predatory grace of an Alpha—every movement calculated and dangerous. The scent of cedar and musk wrapped around me like a physical presence, making my pulse stutter.
"What’s going on?" My voice came out weaker than I intended.
Kieran’s ice-blue eyes flickered with something unreadable as he settled into the chair beside my bed. "Nothing concerning you. Just dealing with some... disobedient pack members."
I clenched the thin hospital blanket in my fists. Liar. Sylvia growled low in my mind, "He’s hiding something. That was Nathan’s scent outside."
"Why are you really here, Kieran?" I stared at him. "We haven’t spoken in years, and now you suddenly care about my safety?"
I didn’t know why he came back. Whatever the reason, I didn’t want to be involved with him.
A muscle twitched in his jaw. In the bright light, the scar on his shoulder stood out starkly—a reminder of the brutal world he ruled.
My stepbrother wasn’t just any werewolf. As Alpha of the Raven Shadow Pack and leader of the largest rogue faction, which his biological father once belonged to, Kieran Carver was feared by Alphas twice his age.
However, I couldn’t deny that he was the one who could protect me when the critical moment came.
I was afraid of him. I had always been afraid of my stepbrother. Not just because he had a position in that dangerous rogue faction, but because he showed no mercy to anyone. He was evil, and grew even more ruthless when his biological mother died.
He became colder and trusted no one. However, when I was kidnapped before, aside from my father, he saved me too.
The memories came unbidden. When rogues had ambushed me, I was only twelve, not yet bonded to my wolf. They dragged me into the forest, their rancid breath hot on my neck as they debated whether to ransom or kill me.
My father and Kieran saved me from the kidnapper, who had stripped naked and attempted to violate me.
I still remembered the way Kieran’s claws had glinted in the moonlight as he tore through my attackers, the way his enraged snarls had shaken the trees.
When it was over, Kieran came and wrapped his arms around me, holding me against his chest, his heartbeat thundering against my ear like war drums.
That’s when I realized that no matter how evil he was, he was one of the few people who could protect me.
Ever since that night, I trusted Kieran more than I trusted my own father. Just as I was starting to accept him as my brother and wanted to get closer, he began avoiding me. The more I tried, the crueler he became—mocking words, petty tricks. Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore. With my father’s help, I transferred schools and left home for good.
That’s when I met Nathan. Kieran was the reason I met Nathan and now, he was taking me away from him.
"You’re forbidden from using the pack mind-link or contacting anyone, Kyra," Kieran announced, his voice leaving no room for argument.
I pressed my lips together as I looked at him with hatred. He knew that I didn’t want anyone dictating to me, but he was doing it. However, my fear was consuming me. I knew I couldn’t disobey him. Aside from the fact that he was a dangerous man, my life was in danger and he was powerful enough to protect me.
"You can’t just—"
He crossed his legs and stared at me blankly. "I can. I’m protecting you and that life inside you."
I gasped in shock as I hugged myself. He knew! I didn’t know if this was a good thing or not. With him knowing, he would protect my pup too. But I was scared of what he would do now that he knew I was carrying Nathan’s pup.
"How—?"
"I asked the doctor." His thumb brushed over my racing pulse. "Did you really think you could hide it from me?"
I wrenched my hand free. "This doesn’t concern you."
"Everything about you concerns me." The words came out sharper than he intended, and for a heartbeat, something raw flickered in his glacial eyes. Then it was gone, replaced by that impenetrable mask. "Your meal will be here any minute. Eat. You’ll need your strength."
I shook my head. "Why did you come back?"
"I’ve already told you the reason."
"No!" I shook my head again. "I know you wouldn’t come back just to protect me."
He was always the mysterious man I never wanted to get involved with.
"You will find out soon. For now, I don’t want you to disobey me. Your meal will be here any minute."
I swallowed hard. I should at least contact Nathan and tell him that I was okay. I knew he was worried about me, but I also knew Kieran wouldn’t let me have my phone, not even for a minute.
"W-When can I go home?"
"I’ll take you home once I’m sure you’re okay."
I nodded. He was too uptight. Never mind. I could just find a way to contact Nathan once I got discharged. For now, I should be glad that my baby was okay.
I spent a week in the hospital. Each morning, I woke hoping to find Nathan’s minty scent lingering in the doorway. Each night, I fell asleep to the sound of Kieran’s men patrolling the hall—their low growls warning away visitors.
Sylvia paced restlessly. "Our mate should have come for us by now."
I bit my lip. Where was he? Did he even care about me?
On the eighth day, Kieran strode in with my discharge papers. "We’re leaving."
"I’m going home," I insisted, clutching the bag I’d already packed.
"You are." His smile didn’t reach his eyes. "To my house."
I let out a violent gasp as I stared at his emotionless eyes. "Kieran, I don’t agree with that!"
"I don’t need your agreement on that, Kyra. I am older than you. You should obey me."
"Your condo was compromised." He cut me off with a slash of his hand. "Rogues were casing it this morning."
Sylvia snarled, "Lies!"
I pressed my lips together and balled my fists. He stared at me for a second before he walked toward me and grabbed my clenched fists. I was shocked when he caressed my hands as if calming me down.
"You probably won’t understand, but I’m doing all of this for your sake."
"No, you’re not!"
"I am the only one who can protect you, Kyra. I know you know that."
I shook my head as I fought to keep my tears from falling. I felt like a bird being kept in a cage, robbed of freedom.
"Don’t worry, I won’t bother you while we’re living together. I just want you to obey me and try not to see Nathan Anderson again."
"Kieran!"
"I will ruin him, Kyra. And you know I don’t joke."
The armored convoy that escorted us would have suited a president.
From the backseat of Kieran’s blacked-out Range Rover, I counted six identical SUVs ahead and behind us. Each carried at least four armed wolves—Kieran’s personal guard.
"You’re being ridiculous," I muttered, watching the city blur past.
Kieran didn’t look up from his laptop. "And you’re still breathing. Coincidence?"
I lazily nodded and moved to where he was sitting as he got out of the car.
"Welcome home," he murmured, offering his hand.
I ignored it—and promptly stumbled on the curb. Kieran moved faster than humanly possible, his arm banding around my waist as he steadied me.
I felt him wrap his arm around my waist as his other hand held my wrist. My heart almost stopped beating after I felt something soft, wet, and warm press against my lips.
I was dazed. I couldn’t move and neither could he. We kissed accidentally and that was beyond my imagination.
Sylvia howled in shock.
I jerked back, my heart hammering against my ribs. Kieran’s eyes glowed molten gold—Ronan, his wolf, rising to the surface.
"That," he said hoarsely, his voice rougher than I’d ever heard it, "wasn’t part of the plan."
