Nathan’s POV

I couldn’t stop smiling all day because of what happened with Kyra. She was giving me another chance; I could feel her letting me in, slowly, bit by bit. The way she anticipated my kiss last night... damn, what a waste that Snow interrupted us. I missed Kyra’s lips desperately. I wanted to kiss her again, to feel that connection we once shared, but I needed to take it slow. I clearly shocked her last night.

It hadn’t actually been my intention to kiss her. But when I saw her lips up close, something primal inside me ignited. Alaric growled his approval in my mind, urging me forward. I couldn’t control myself; I wanted to feel her soft lips against mine again after all this time.

It’s been a few days since that almost-kiss happened, and I was still floating on cloud nine because of it. Kyra could still affect me like no other woman ever had. I was still madly in love with her, and there was no denying that anymore.

My smile widened even more after receiving a message from Kyra. Well, technically from Snow. She took a selfie with her sleeping mother in the background. Whenever I visited Snow, she always asked me to teach her about using a cellphone. She was too young for that, but I couldn’t say no. I was actually grateful I’d taught her now, because she was messaging me.

After replying to her message with my own photo, smiling at the camera, I set the picture Snow sent me as both my lock screen and home screen wallpaper.

Staring at the photo, I noticed something about Snow’s face. There was something hauntingly familiar about her features that I couldn’t quite place when I looked at her longer. However, while studying her face, my attention drifted to Kyra sleeping behind her in the photo. She still slept like a pup, hugging a pillow, her face peaceful and innocent.

"You look absolutely ridiculous," a voice interrupted my thoughts.

I glanced up at Phoebe and shifted slightly to give her space on the couch. She plopped down beside me and peered at my phone screen.

"Is that Kyra and Snow?" her voice carried a hint of shock and... was that fear? I was too content to pay much attention to whatever she was thinking.

I smirked at her. "Don’t you dare tell Kyra about this."

She pursed her lips. "You’re being creepy, Nathan."

My forehead creased as I stared at her scrunched-up expression. "How is this creepy? I just set their picture as my wallpaper. What’s wrong with that?"

"What’s wrong is you’re not her mate anymore. Not even her boyfriend."

I rolled my eyes. "She’s giving me a chance. I’m courting her."

"What?" Phoebe’s eyes widened.

I raised an eyebrow. "Why is that so shocking?"

"Of course it’s shocking! Why would she give you another chance after everything?"

I frowned, feeling a pinch of hurt at my sister’s lack of support. "Don’t you want me to be happy, Phoebe?"

"That’s not it! I’m just... surprised."

"She married me before even though she claimed not to have feelings for me. Now, I can feel that she’s falling for me. What’s so shocking about that?"

Phoebe frowned and rolled her eyes. "You’re so dense, big brother!"

I gritted my teeth, my Alpha instinct flaring at being challenged, even by my little sister. "Shut up, you brat. Go help Mom prepare for your upcoming birthday celebration. Why are you even bothering me right now?"

She sighed and looked down at her hands. My forehead creased when I noticed an invitation card in her grip.

"Is that for Kyra? I can give it to her," I offered.

"I already gave her an invitation. This is... for... someone else." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

I raised an eyebrow, immediately suspicious. "Do I know this ’someone’?"

She smirked and looked up at me. "Yes. Can you hand it to him?"

"Him?" My Alpha instincts went on high alert. "I’m telling you, Phoebe Anderson, you can’t date anyone yet. You still have to finish college—"

"It’s not like I’m asking him on a date, Nathan," she interrupted with a frown. "I just want to invite him to my birthday party. That’s all. He’s my... idol, anyway."

I let out an exasperated sigh. "Who is it?"

She bit her bottom lip and looked at me, pouting in that way she’d done since childhood when trying to get her way. She handed me the invitation card and my face immediately twisted after seeing the name on the envelope.

"Caleb Walter?"

Alaric snarled inside me, hackles raised. What game was my sister playing?

***

Kyra’s POV

"Caleb, what brings you here?" I greeted Caleb Walter as I entered my office and found him sitting on the couch.

He stood up and smiled warmly when he saw me. My eyes then landed on another person sitting on the opposite end of the couch, and I paused when I realized they were both carrying bouquets of flowers.

What in the Moon Goddess’s name...

"Nathan..." His name escaped my lips in almost a whisper as I stared at his face.

He looked me in the eye and offered a gentle smile. "I brought your... favorite flowers."

Caleb looked at Nathan and then at the flowers in his hand, his face hardening slightly.

I swallowed hard and walked toward them, my heart beating faster with each step. I tried my best to smile normally even though I felt uncomfortable and confused. I understood Nathan bringing me flowers, but Caleb... I didn’t know what to make of that.

"Here," they said in unison, both extending their bouquets toward me.

I smiled awkwardly and accepted both arrangements, my fingers brushing against Nathan’s momentarily. The touch sent a familiar warmth through my skin. "Have a seat."

They glanced at each other, and I could practically feel the tension crackling between them.

"Would either of you like something to drink? Coffee or juice?" I offered, trying to diffuse the situation.

"Just coffee," Nathan replied.

"Juice, please," Caleb said at the exact same moment.

My lips parted as I looked between them. They were now openly glaring at each other.

"Caleb," I called his name to redirect his attention.

He looked at me and smiled as he adjusted his glasses. "I came here to... discuss something with you, Kyra."

I nodded. "What is it?"

He glanced pointedly at Nathan before meeting my eyes again. "I’d prefer... if we could speak alone."

Nathan let out a low hiss. "We arrived here at the same time, and you want me to leave?"

"Nathan..." I called his name softly. When he looked at me, his eyes immediately softened, the Alpha aggression receding slightly.

I took a deep breath and placed both bouquets on the coffee table. "How about... you both return to your respective companies, and I’ll set aside time to meet with each of you separately?"

"I want to court you, Kyra."

I froze at Caleb’s sudden declaration. He was looking at me intently, his eyes showing nothing but sincerity. When I glanced at Nathan, I saw raw fear flash across his brown eyes, followed by possessiveness.

"I know you might not believe me," Caleb continued, "but I really have feelings for you. I... developed these feelings when I witnessed your dedication and hard work. It happened without me even noticing it."

I didn’t know what to say. I was shocked beyond words. I hadn’t believed Mary when she suggested our boss had feelings for me. Had I really not noticed, or had I simply ignored it because someone else already occupied my heart?

"I want to court you properly," Caleb finished. "Please give me a chance."