Kyra’s POV

"So about the guest list, Luna..." Yara, my assistant, looked up from her tablet with concern. "The Raven Shadow Pack elders confirmed they’re coming. Where should we seat them?"

I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, thinking it over. Marrying Nathan meant I’d become Luna of the Nightfall Pack again. Eventually, my father’s pack and Nathan’s pack might merge. It was a tricky political situation that needed careful planning.

"We’ll deal with the pack merger details after the wedding," I told her firmly. "For now, just make sure they’re seated appropriately based on rank."

The wedding planner, a cheerful woman named Melissa, flipped through her portfolio.

"A black and white themed garden wedding will be absolutely stunning," she gushed. "We’ll make it exceptionally elegant."

I smiled. Our wedding would proceed, Sophia be damned. If she truly was pregnant, that made my marriage to Nathan even more urgent. I refused to let her destroy us again, though she’d already managed to once while I was married to Nathan. And if she was lying about the pregnancy just to tear us apart? She would pay dearly.

"Your daughter as ring bearer will be adorable," Melissa continued, checking her notes. "And the garden venue you’ve chosen has perfect lighting for evening photographs."

I felt Nathan’s warm breath against my hair as he leaned closer, his hand caressing the small of my back. We sat close enough that our thighs touched, and I could feel him subtly scenting me, his nose brushing against my hair.

"I’ll personally contact you about food tasting and gown fittings," Melissa said, closing her portfolio. "If you have any concerns, you have my number, Luna-to-be."

I smiled politely. "Thank you for your help."

After shaking hands, she gathered her materials and left. Nathan immediately turned to face me, his eyes dark with desire as he pressed his lips against mine.

"I can’t wait to mark you with my name again," he whispered, pulling me closer to plant a soft kiss on my neck.

The door opened as I was about to respond, and Phoebe walked in with Emily and Matt behind her. Nathan’s sister had just returned from school, where she’d been researching potential schools for Snow to attend in the upcoming year.

"Kyra, you have visitors," Phoebe announced, gesturing behind her.

I nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Phoebe."

She kissed my cheek and went upstairs. Snow was taking a nap in Nathan’s bed. She said she was tired, but I knew she was just copying her aunt Phoebe. Phoebe always went to sleep whenever she got bored.

"Should I give you privacy?" Nathan murmured, but I shook my head and held his hand firmly.

I looked at the couple standing awkwardly in our living room. "Is something wrong?"

Emily shrugged. "He called out of nowhere and asked me to bring him here. Says he discovered something important."

I turned to Matt. "About my mother’s death?"

"Not her death, Kyra," Matt replied gravely. "Her abduction."

I frowned in confusion. I’d given up on solving that mystery. There was no evidence or witnesses left. All the kidnappers had died in the car crash when their car caught fire. The only thing I still couldn’t figure out was how my mother had survived. She obviously wasn’t in that car.

"Sit down," I gestured to the couch across from us.

Matt grabbed Emily’s hand and pulled her toward the sofa. She rolled her eyes and smacked his hand away. He glared back at her. I watched them and raised an eyebrow. Yesterday morning, Emily had called me about liking Matt more and more. I thought that was good. Matt seemed different from the rest of his family. He had wanted to be a surgeon, but he became a dentist instead.

"What about my mom’s abduction?" I prompted.

Matt sighed heavily. "I was angry when you accused my parents, but after everything I’ve discovered... I understand why you’re doing this."

He stared at the floor, jaw clenched. "I never met your mother, but I can’t accept that my father was involved in her death—and possibly her abduction too."

I frowned. "Matt, my mother was very young when she was kidnapped. I doubt your father was involved in that. Her death, yes, but not the abduction."

He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Kyra, I overheard him on the phone talking about burned documents. The second time, he mentioned the same thing. Then just this morning, he was discussing the son of one of the kidnappers. I think that person was involved in your mother’s death."

My eyes widened. "What?"

"This is getting complicated," he admitted. "Do you know anything about these burned documents? I think they’re connected to the kidnapper’s son."

My lips parted in shock. Burned documents? Could it be the ones Attorney Lee gave me? Or the papers burned by Luke’s sister?

And who was the kidnapper’s son? Luke? But I wasn’t certain. I needed more information about the original kidnappers.

I turned to Nathan. "I need to investigate the kidnappers."

He nodded immediately. "I’ll contact my private investigator."

"Thank you," I squeezed his hand gratefully before facing Matt again. "I need your help with this."

Matt’s jaw tightened. "I’m still struggling to accept my father’s involvement. I’m torn between helping you and my own father." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Emily crossed her legs and placed her hand on Matt’s arm. "You have to choose, Matt. It’s either you do the right thing or bury the truth along with your honor."

"It’s not that simple, Em," he sighed.

"I’m not forcing you," I said gently. "You can walk away now. I won’t hold it against you. I’m grateful you’ve told me this much."

I understood his dilemma. Turning against family was never easy. It had hurt me deeply when my mother’s relatives rejected her.

Matt looked up, his expression troubled. "Just be careful, Kyra. I think Mason is watching me."

I gritted my teeth. "You shouldn’t lose your brother over this. Stop investigating if it’s too dangerous."

Sylvia growled inside my head. "We need his help. The truth about your mother is so close."

"But at what cost?" I argued back silently.

A heavy silence filled the room until Matt finally spoke. "I’ll help you."

"Matt..." I didn’t want him to lose everyone he loved, as had happened to me. Yet I couldn’t ask him to ignore his parents’ wrongdoing either.

"I’m doing this to save my brother," Matt said firmly. "And hopefully my mother too."