Kyra’s POV 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

I was rubbing sleep from my eyes and walking to the kitchen when the door opened. Emily came in looking messy, her hair all tangled. She wore only a man’s dress shirt that barely covered her legs. Obviously, underneath, she was just in her panties.

"What happened to you?" I asked.

She smiled in a way that told me everything. "Matt Foster happened."

"What?" I said, almost dropping my coffee mug.

Emily walked over and sat at the kitchen counter. "Water, please."

I gave her a glass. The big shirt she had on smelled like Matt. I knew exactly what had happened between them.

"Emily..." I started, but didn’t know what to say.

She waved her hand dismissively. "Don’t worry about me, Kyra. I liked it."

I furrowed my brow but held my tongue. Part of me wanted to tell her she didn’t need to go this far for our plan, but I knew better than to question her methods.

As if reading my thoughts, she added, "This wasn’t just for your benefit, by the way. No one forces me to do anything I don’t want to do."

After a moment of silence, Emily continued, "He looked troubled last night, Kyra. I’m guessing he found out something about his family that disturbed him."

I nodded slowly. "Do you think he’ll side with us?"

"If he’s as righteous as he seems, he will," she replied thoughtfully. "But there’s a strong possibility he’ll choose his family in the end. Blood ties run deep, especially in wolf packs."

I sighed, knowing she was right. "Still, I’m thankful you’re helping me. You’ve been invaluable, Emily. I don’t know what would have happened to me if I hadn’t met you."

She smiled and went to her room to sleep. I opened my laptop to look for a lawyer who could help me once I had all the evidence.

***

Later that morning, I visited Snow at Nathan’s house before heading to work. I stood quietly in the doorway of the family room, watching my daughter chat with Nathan’s parents. Alpha Richard seemed completely captivated by her, his usually stern face softened with affection as they discussed plans for a weekend beach trip.

"Grandpa, can Mommy come too?" Snow asked, her little face hopeful.

Alpha Richard chuckled. "Of course, sweetheart. Your mother is always welcome. I hope you can convince her to join us."

My heart ached watching them together. It had been several weeks since I stopped using the scent-blocking spray on Snow. I had taken her to a witch outside town who performed a spell to change her scent for good. The witch told me it would hide any scent that could connect her to Nathan.

I was not ready for Nathan to find out the truth. I was scared of what might happen if he suddenly smelled his own blood in our daughter.

I was thinking so hard that I did not see Nathan coming down the stairs. Then his scent hit me, that fresh minty smell that always made my head spin.

"Kyra..." he said, his voice causing everyone to turn toward me.

I put on a bright smile as Luna Marlene looked at me with kind eyes. Alpha Richard’s face turned serious, but he gave me a nod.

"Mommy!" Snow called out, running to me. I bent down and pulled her into my arms, kissing her cheeks.

"Hello, sweetheart. How are you?"

She smiled big at me. "I’m happy here, Mommy! Why don’t you stay too? I asked Daddy Nathan if you can sleep in my room and he said yes!"

I smiled but it felt weak. I looked at Nathan who stood nearby watching us. His stare was so strong that my wolf felt restless.

Snow put her small hands on my cheeks and made me look at her. "Mommy, you have to answer me. Daddy said you can stay here. I love it here! They have a pool and a big backyard. I can play all day!"

I bit my lip and shook my head softly. "I’m sorry, sweetheart. Mommy can’t stay here." It hurt to say this when I knew how much she wanted us to be a family.

Her face dropped into a sad look. "Why not?"

Luna Marlene came over and knelt next to Snow. "Darling, why don’t you ask your mother to come visit us this weekend instead?"

Snow’s eyes immediately brightened again. "Mommy, we’re going to the beach! Please come with us. I won’t have any fun if you’re not there."

I chuckled and gently stroked her hair. "Of course, sweetheart. I wouldn’t miss it."

"Yes!" Snow ran toward Nathan, who immediately swept her up into his arms.

"Daddy, did you hear? Mommy’s coming to the beach with us! I’m so happy!"

Nathan chuckled. "I’m happy too, princess."

Snow giggled and then asked with innocent curiosity, "Do you like my Mommy, Daddy?"

My heart raced as I slowly stood up. Nathan glanced my way, and when our eyes met, he answered his daughter while holding my gaze steadily.

"I love your Mommy, princess."

"Really?" Snow looked delighted as she turned to me. "Mommy, how about you? Do you love Daddy?"

I bit my bottom lip hard, saved by the sudden ringing of my phone. "Hello?" I answered, nearly gasping with relief.

"Miss Kyra, your meeting will start in an hour," my assistant Yara reminded me.

"Thanks, Yara," I replied before ending the call.

I smiled apologetically at Snow and walked toward her. Nathan was holding her, and his imposing height made it difficult for me to reach her.

"Mommy needs to go to work now, sweetheart."

Snow nodded understandingly. "Okay, Mommy. Be careful! I’ll stay here with Grandma and Grandpa."

I nodded and looked at Nathan, wanting to kiss our daughter goodbye. He got it right away and bent down a little. I stood on my tiptoes to kiss Snow’s cheek, but she suddenly moved away. My lips ended up on Nathan’s instead.

My heart almost stopped when I heard Luna Marlene gasp.

"I-I’m sorry," I said quickly, pulling back and giving Snow a look. She was giggling like she planned it.

"Sweetheart!" I said, my face getting hot.

She grinned at me. "Grandma and Grandpa love each other and they kiss. If you love each other too, why don’t you get married like them?"

My face felt like it was burning. I looked at Nathan, who was trying not to smile.

I glared at him because he was clearly enjoying this. Like father, like daughter, even though Snow didn’t know the truth.

"Did you bring your car? I can drive you to the office if you didn’t," Nathan said, still fighting back a grin.

I rolled my eyes. "I brought my car."

He nodded. "Okay. We can follow each other then."

I looked at Snow and saw she was watching us with a big smile. My daughter was trying to get us together without knowing Nathan was her father and that I still loved him.

Luna Marlene suddenly spoke up. "Nathan, son, your car wouldn’t start this morning."

Nathan looked at his mother, confused. "What? How?"

"I’m not sure," Luna Marlene said with a smile. "And all our other cars have problems too. My car is overheating, and your father’s car won’t shift right."

I bit my lip, knowing something was up. This was too perfect to be real. They were trying to get us together. Coming here was like walking into a trap.