Chapter 25: Chapter 25
Kyra’s POV
Nathan’s painful betrayal drove me to rage.
The scent of burnt toast and freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen as I stormed in, my bare feet slapping against the cold marble tiles. Sylvia howled in my mind, her claws raking against my consciousness as the image of Nathan and Sophia burned behind my eyelids.
"We should tear her throat out!" Sylvia snarled, her voice thick with the promise of violence. "She’s dancing on our territory!"
I ignored her, my trembling hands opening the liquor cabinet.
I needed to numb myself. It was so painful I couldn’t endure it. I needed to at least forget what I saw by drawing my attention elsewhere.
I found alcohol. I quickly opened it, but Kieran suddenly snatched the bottle from me and replaced it with a glass of milk.
I looked at him angrily. "Give that back!"
He clenched his jaw. "No."
"Give that back, Kieran!"
"Are you trying to harm the pup inside you?" The cedar-and-musk scent of him enveloped me, so different from Nathan’s minty scent that used to calm me.
That made me pause. I stared at him as I started sobbing. My hands instinctively flew to my still-flat stomach, where Nathan’s pup—our last connection—grew.
My heart ached so much. I had waited for him to visit me in the hospital. I had been thinking about contacting him, worried that he might be worrying about me, but everything I thought was wrong.
He wasn’t even worried about me. He was sleeping with his woman while I was thinking about him. He had changed. So much.
"Kyra..."
I burst into tears and almost fell to my knees. Luckily, Kieran caught me by the waist and supported my weight. He wrapped his arms around me while I cried helplessly against his chest. I couldn’t stop the tears. I couldn’t suppress my sobs. My heart felt so heavy and I didn’t know what to do to ease the pain.
I balled my trembling fists and punched Kieran’s chest. He didn’t move an inch even as I continued punching him. He just stood in front of me, accepting my punches as if he wanted me to release all of my pain and frustration.
It wasn’t long before I grew tired of throwing punches. I just rested my exhausted body against his chest and he silently supported my weight, holding me by my waist.
"Let me handle this," he murmured into my hair, his lips brushing my temple in a gesture that felt dangerously close to affection. "No one hurts what’s mine."
That unbearable pain and betrayal forced me to do something I knew I couldn’t undo. I sent a resignation letter to Nathan’s company and agreed to do things on Kieran’s terms. I had already accepted that my relationship with Nathan had ended. I fought hard enough. The battle was over.
For two months, I traveled around Europe with Kieran. He was taking care of my father’s businesses while I kept myself occupied with different things. I didn’t want to think about Nathan or our past anymore. I wanted to live my life without him by my side. Although I knew our pup would be a living reminder of him.
"You still want to go shopping tomorrow before we leave?"
I looked at Kieran and glanced at the paper bags his men were carrying. Kieran had been by my side. He promised not to leave me and, for two months, he never abandoned me in any way. He even took care of the people who tried to harm me before, and he was still protecting me now. His men were always around, and even though it was sometimes annoying, I felt safe.
I smiled at him. "No, I’m good."
We had been staying in Europe since last week because of his business trip. He had brought me with him and, instead of letting myself rot in the villa, I went abroad with him.
"Your father wants to see you once we come back."
I paused because of what he said. I hadn’t forgiven my father for betraying me and my mom. He had begged for forgiveness for choosing his fated mate over my mother.
I knew he was having a hard time, but I wasn’t ready to forgive him. He cared. For two months, he showed me that by always checking on me. He never missed a single day to call Kieran and ask about me. I appreciated that.
"I want to open a business, Kieran," I blurted out, changing the subject.
He opened the door of the restaurant where we agreed to eat, and he let me enter first. I walked straight to the nearest table and a server immediately assisted me. Kieran just silently followed me. He had already made a reservation, so the server started serving our food.
"What business?"
I sat on the chair comfortably and looked at him. "I want to open a flower shop."
He stared into my eyes. "A flower shop?"
I smiled. "Yes."
His gold-flecked eyes narrowed. "There’s a position waiting for you at Monroe Enterprises. Why would you prefer a flower shop?"
"I want to live a simple life, Kieran. No pack drama. No pack benefits. No family alliance. Just... peace."
"You’re living a simple life already, Kyra," he paused and pushed the cup of hot tea in front of me after it was served. "Whatever! Just tell me everything you need. I’ll make it work for you."
"Thank you, Kieran."
He didn’t say anything. He just sat in front of me and sipped his coffee. I turned my cellphone on but I was shocked when a news article popped up in my notifications. It was an article about Nathan and Sophia’s engagement, and the public was so excited about it.
"BREAKING: ADE Fashion CEO Nathan Anderson Engaged to Sophia Gilbert!"
"Kyra."
"Ah!" I hurt myself when I accidentally spilled the hot tea on my hand.
Scalding tea seared my skin as the cup slipped from my fingers. Kieran moved faster than humanly possible, hauling me to the restroom sink before blisters could form.
My heart instantly clenched as my mind replayed the article I had seen. I was staring at my hand under the running water when my vision started getting blurry.
My lips trembled. I—I had moved on! I knew I had moved on, but why did it still hurt? Why did I feel like I would die just because he was about to get engaged to another woman?
Kieran’s hands framed my face, his thumbs wiping away tears. "Look at me." When I didn’t respond, he growled, "Kyra. Look. At. Me."
His eyes burned molten gold—Ronan, his wolf, snarled. "That bastard doesn’t get to destroy you. Not while I’m breathing."
I immediately pulled my hand from Kieran and wiped my tears. "I—I’ll treat this in the restroom. I’m sure they have a first aid box there."
When I entered the restroom, I pressed my palms on the sink and bowed my head in front of the mirror. My heavy heart couldn’t take it anymore. I burst into tears as I bit my lips hard, trying not to sob.
For two months, I had been full of hope that I could face Nathan one day without pain... but one painful news about him shattered all the courage I’d built. This was pathetic!
