Chapter 57: Chapter 57
Kyra’s POV
The weight of Nathan’s final words still clung to me. Letting go. That was all I had ever wanted from him – to finally release me from the tangled web of guilt and misplaced affection. But seeing the pain in his eyes tonight hurt me more than I cared to admit.
He’s not our mate anymore, Sylvia reminded me sharply, her mental voice edged with impatience. Our true mate is waiting for us in the car.
I clenched my fists, anger simmering beneath my skin. Why had it taken Nathan so long to realize his feelings? Why had he broken our bond only to come crawling back when it was too late? The thought of him chasing me while he was still tied to Sophia made my wolf snarl in disgust. He’s still a coward. He never learns. And now, he finally let me go. But what if I give Kieran a chance and he hurts me? Will Nathan come chasing me again? What if he’s already married to Sophia when that day comes?
Even if Kieran hurts us, Sylvia growled, we will never return to a male who couldn’t choose us.
"Are you okay?" Kieran’s deep voice pulled me from my thoughts as he parked outside my apartment. His blue eyes glowed softly in the dim light, searching my face with an Alpha’s protective intensity.
I had been silent the whole ride and he misunderstood my silence.
"I’m fine," I murmured, though my fingers trembled slightly on the seatbelt.
Kieran’s jaw tightened. "I didn’t know they’d be there either. I’m sorry for failing you on our first date."
His words struck me. In my turmoil over Nathan, I’d forgotten how this night must have felt for Kieran – a proud Alpha unable to fully claim his chosen female in front of her former mate.
"Kieran..." I reached out, my fingers trailing over the corded muscles of his forearm. His skin burned beneath my touch.
"The dinner was perfect. You took me to my favorite restaurant, ordered the best dishes... You made me happier tonight than Nathan ever did in all our years together."
The change in him was instant. His shoulders relaxed, and that light I loved so much returned. "Since our first date was a success," he purred, leaning closer until his cedar and musk scent enveloped me, "will you go on another date with me?"
I was taken aback. There was hope lingering in his eyes and my heart skipped a beat because of it. He looked so happy and hopeful that I felt he would take my breath away if I didn’t put some distance between us.
My breath hitched as Sylvia howled in approval. "Say yes! Our mate wants to court us properly!"
Instead of answering, I unbuckled my seatbelt and slipped from the car, my wolf-heightened hearing catching his quiet chuckle as he followed.
"Come on, little wolf," Kieran teased, his long strides easily matching mine through the apartment lobby. "Tell me about our second date. When will it be?"
I couldn’t suppress my smile as I unlocked my door. Turning, I found him closer than expected, his massive frame blocking out the hallway light.
"Why don’t you surprise me on our second date?"
His lips parted and his eyes widened. I was surprised; I didn’t know he was capable of showing such cute expressions. I was used to seeing him so serious. It stunned me to realize his blue eyes could also reveal excitement and shock.
"Oh, I will," he promised, his voice dropping to that rough Alpha timbre that always made my knees weak. "Next time, I’m taking you somewhere no other male can interrupt us."
I bit my bottom lip and nodded. He was so happy that he punched the air before looking at me again, brushing his messy hair back. I was stunned. Why does he look so sexy doing that?
Kieran’s blue eyes widened, his usually composed Alpha demeanor crumbling into something beautifully vulnerable.
"Kyra..." He held my hands, staring intently into my eyes. "I want to give you the best dates. I want to make you happy every time you’re with me. I’m willing to do everything. But this is my first time courting a woman, so I’m not going to be a perfect suitor. I won’t be perfect but I’ll try to learn. For you."
His words reached my heart. His sincere eyes were so intense I felt as if I could drown in them. Who would have thought the coldest, most ruthless man I know could be this soft and caring?
He lifted his right arm, and his palm gently caressed my cheek. I slowly closed my eyes when he leaned down and planted a soft kiss on my forehead. His gentle gestures were sweet. He’s caring and loving. I wouldn’t regret it if I gave him a chance, right?
He smiled at me after he pulled away. "Good night, Kyra."
He was about to leave, but I grabbed the wrist of his long-sleeved polo. I swallowed hard when he faced me again.
Without saying anything, I stood on tiptoes and pressed a soft, swift kiss to his cheek. He was stunned, staring at me for God knows how long as I held tighter onto his shirt.
"I-it’s a yes, Kieran," I whispered nervously.
His brow furrowed in confusion. "Yes what?"
I couldn’t look at him. "I—I mean, we’re together now."
"Huh?"
I sucked in a breath, my cheeks burning. God! Why do I feel this way? I’m not a teenager. I felt so shy even though we’d already slept together. And this was the first time I said yes to being someone’s girlfriend.
He moved closer, so close I felt his hard chest press against my clothed bosom.
"What is it, babe?" he whispered, lifting my chin with his finger.
When our eyes met, I felt scorched by the desire in his gaze.
"Tell me again," he whispered, brushing his nose against my cheek. "Let me hear it again, babe."
I squeezed my eyes closed and helplessly clung to his neck. "I’m your... mate now, Kieran."
I heard him chuckle happily and before I knew it, his lips claimed mine in a hot, deep kiss.
"There’s no turning back, babe. You’re mine now," he said between burning kisses.
He nibbled my lips and sucked my tongue. He drove me wild in ways only he could, igniting flames of desire inside me. I wanted him. I wanted to feel him again, touching me, kissing my body, moving inside me.
Just as I was about to pull him closer, he broke the kiss and pressed our foreheads together.
"I gotta go," he said.
I slowly opened my eyes and swallowed hard, meeting his intense gaze.
"Stay..." I said, lips trembling.
He shook his head. "No, babe. I don’t want to scare you—"
"I want you, Kieran. I want you so, so bad I’m going crazy."
He swallowed hard, his eyes burning with lust. "I don’t want you to think that I only want your body—"
For the second time, I cut him off. I wound my arms around his neck and kissed him, full on the lips. Instantly, he responded. He lifted me from the floor and carried me inside my apartment. He kicked the door closed, still kissing me with urgent, scorching intensity. His lips were hot and demanding against mine.
"Hmmm..." I moaned as his left palm gently cupped my left breast.
He set me down, and I realized we were in the bathroom. He held my gaze, his eyes black with need, jaw clenched tight as he started undressing me.
I felt so hot watching him remove my clothes. When he leaned in and began kissing my neck, I hugged him close, biting my bottom lip as he nipped the side of my throat.
"Ohh! Kieran!" A needy moan escaped me when he cupped my aching sex and turned me around.
My cheeks flamed as I saw myself reflected in the mirror. He stood behind me, watching me in the glass, his eyes dark with desire, his jaw set as his hand moved between my legs.
I didn’t know when he stripped off all my clothes, but while he teased my most sensitive spot, he was shedding his own.
"Say you won’t regret this, babe," he whispered, biting my earlobe.
I shook my head hard, tossing my head back as his finger thrust inside me. He was so skilled it didn’t take long until I shattered on his hand.
"Ah!" I cried out with pleasure as the tip of his length pressed against my entrance from behind. My wolf howled in ecstasy.
"More!" Coral demanded. "We need our mate’s knot!"
He wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting my chin so I saw his gaze through the mirror. Knowing how needy I looked made me even more aroused.
"G-gently, Kieran," I whispered as I felt him slowly push inside me.
"I know, babe," he whispered through gritted teeth. "I know..."
My eyes rolled back and I screamed as he filled me in one smooth, deep thrust. It was slow and gentle, but so deep I felt tears slip down my cheeks from sheer pleasure.
God! It’s killing me. I needed him desperately.
He completely dominated me, and I felt like I could never escape this carnal desire he awoke in me. With him, I could show this side of myself. With him, I could express what I felt. I could scream at the top of my lungs, shout how much I wanted this. I could be wild, lewd, and free. Something I only ever felt with him.
