Kyra’s POV

I glanced inside the car. Luna Marlene and Alpha Richard were seated behind the second row. In the second row sat Phoebe and Snow, while a pack member was in the driver’s seat. The only empty space was the passenger seat, and I was about to get inside when Luna Marlene cleared her throat.

"Ah, Kyra..."

I looked at her. "Yes, Luna Marlene?"

She smiled, a twinkle in her eye. "Emily will sit there."

Of course! She had invited Emily too. I nodded and looked at Snow. I’d just carry my daughter. I was about to get inside when Ana stepped forward and lifted Snow, who smiled sweetly at me.

"I’ll sit here, ma’am. Snow needs her nanny."

My forehead creased as I surveyed the car again. Phoebe had assured me we’d all fit, but...

"Mom, I told you we should just use the larger SUV," Nathan said, suddenly appearing behind me.

Goddess, they were at it again with their matchmaking!

Luna Marlene gasped with theatrical surprise. "Oh, right! You’re coming with us. Too bad the larger vehicle is in for repairs."

"What?" Nathan looked genuinely shocked. I crossed my arms, studying his reaction. Was he pretending, or did he truly not know what they were planning?

"One seat was broken. I instructed one of the guards to have it fixed," she explained innocently.

Nathan frowned. "Mom..."

"Just use your car, Nathan."

Before he could protest further, I grabbed his arm and looked at Snow. "Sweetie, mommy and daddy will ride in a separate car."

"It’s okay, mommy!" Snow replied, practically bouncing with excitement.

I just shook my head and closed the car door before looking up at Nathan, whose lips were parted in surprise. He was staring down at me, so I chuckled and shook my head again.

"See what they’re doing? They’re setting us up."

He scratched the back of his head and smirked. "You’re right..."

I walked toward his car parked in the garage. I settled into the passenger seat and watched as the other vehicle pulled away. Nathan slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

I couldn’t help studying him. He wore cargo shorts, athletic shoes, and a black t-shirt. With his sunglasses on, he looked devastatingly handsome behind the wheel. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Want some music?" he asked.

"It’s fine."

He smiled and turned on the radio. As he began driving, following the car ahead of us, he hummed along to the song. I found myself thinking about how my friends and even my own daughter seemed to be conspiring against me.

"What are you thinking?" Nathan asked after noticing me shaking my head.

I chuckled. "I just can’t believe how our daughter betrayed us—"

My words hung in the air as I realized what I’d said. Nathan glanced at me, and though his eyes showed happiness, I could see confusion there too.

I cleared my throat. "Um...I mean...Snow treats you as her father."

He clenched his jaw and nodded before giving me a smile. He was starting to question my actions and how I kept referring to him as Snow’s father. Twice now.

He cleared his throat. "How’s Kieran Carver? Is he...still bothering you?"

I bit my bottom lip and shook my head. "He hasn’t contacted me at all. After the fire incident, he just...disappeared."

Looking back, it was weird how Kieran just disappeared from my life. He was gone from Snow’s world and mine like he never existed. His presence used to trouble me, but his sudden disappearance felt just as wrong. Still, with everything else going on, maybe having one less problem was a blessing.

I noticed how Nathan’s eyes sharpened instantly. "Do you think he was behind the fire?"

"I don’t know. I accused him, but he denied it vehemently."

Sylvia stirred within me, growling at the mere mention of Kieran’s name.

"I can help you, Kyra. If you’ll allow me," Nathan offered.

"You don’t need to." I shook my head and sighed. "I already have someone investigating everything."

"Just...tell me if you need anything. Anything at all."

I nodded. The atmosphere had grown awkward, so I closed my eyes and decided to sleep. Nathan gently woke me when we reached our destination.

I gasped in awe as I took in the view. It was absolutely breathtaking.

Amazed, I stepped out of the car and absorbed the scenery before me. The road was elevated, and from where I stood, I could see the stunning expanse of the ocean and the entire resort spread out below.

Nathan came to stand beside me. "Do you like it?"

I glanced at him and smiled as I nodded. "Yes. It’s breathtaking."

"Let’s go. They’re already inside."

"Okay."

"I’ll carry our bags."

I followed Nathan after he retrieved our luggage from the backseat. I led the way down the stairs toward the resort, admiring the beauty of nature until I spotted Emily standing in front of the hotel, talking to someone on her phone.

"Why are you being so sentimental over a one-night stand, Matt? Just thank me for giving you such an amazing experience. And please, if you want to sleep with me again, just tell me straight. No need for the dramatics."

I grimaced and walked past her. Emily sensed my presence and looked at me, smirking. I just shook my head.

"Too much information, Em," Nathan remarked as he walked past Emily.

"Just work on your courting techniques, Alpha Nathan. Your tactics are too old-fashioned; that’s why they’re not working."

I turned to look at them. Nathan had stopped walking and was glaring at Emily, who was smirking triumphantly as she tucked her phone into her bag.

"Funny."

Emily just laughed and walked toward me. She wrapped her arm around mine and pulled me inside the hotel, whispering, "The hotel is nice, isn’t it? Perfect place for all-night sex."

My cheeks immediately burned with embarrassment—not because she was being vulgar, but because she’d said it while Nathan was walking beside me. I saw how he stiffened and slowly looked our way.

I swallowed hard and pinched Emily’s side. She just giggled and looked at us both. "Unfortunately, your mother-in-law reserved one room for you two."

"What?" My eyes nearly bulged out. "One room?"

She winked at me and bit her forefinger suggestively. "The hotel is fully booked, by the way. Good luck!"

My lips parted as I watched Emily saunter away. When I looked at Nathan, he was staring at my face intently, making me feel even more embarrassed and awkward.