Kyra’s POV

"She was shot and she’s pregnant. Please help her," Nathan begged the hospital staff as they rushed forward with stretchers. His voice cracked with desperation as he gently laid me down.

Doctors swarmed around us immediately. Blood soaked through my sleeve, making Nathan grow even paler. When they told him to remain outside the emergency room, panic flashed across his face. I caught his gaze before they wheeled me away, trying to communicate without words that everything would be alright.

As the doors swung closed between us, I bit my lip hard to stop myself from crying out. The pain was excruciating, but I needed to stay strong. My hand instinctively moved to my stomach.

"We need to protect our cub," Sylvia whispered within me, her presence surprisingly calm despite our situation.

"I will," I promised silently. "We’re not dying today."

The doctor leaned over me, her expression professional but kind. "We’re going to put you under anesthesia now. We need to stop the bleeding and repair the damaged tissue. The bullet needs to be removed immediately."

I nodded, too exhausted to speak as a nurse prepared the injection.

"Your baby will be fine," the doctor added softly. "We’ll make sure of it."

As the medication entered my system, my eyelids grew heavy. My last conscious thought was of Nathan’s face, and then I drifted into dreams of our family together in a sunlit meadow full of wildflowers.

***

Nathan’s POV

"Alpha Nathan!"

I looked up to see Detective Marshall rushing toward me, his eyes widening as he took in my blood-soaked shirt. Kyra’s blood. The sight of it made me nauseated all over again.

Alaric paced restlessly in my mind, his instincts screaming to hunt down whoever had threatened our mate and unborn cub.

"Was Luna Krya shot?" the detective asked, slowing his approach.

"In the arm," I managed, my throat tight. "There was so much blood."

Marshall placed a steady hand on my shoulder. "The shooter was caught on security cameras. My team is in pursuit now."

I straightened, finding my voice again. "Make absolutely certain he doesn’t escape, Detective. My mate is pregnant. Someone just tried to kill the mother of my child. I need the person behind this caught and dealt with."

"We’re using every resource available," he assured me.

"Nathan!"

I turned to see my father striding down the hallway with Emily, Kyra’s closest friend, at his heels.

Emily gasped when she saw my shirt. "Where’s Kyra? Is she okay?"

When I couldn’t find words, I simply nodded toward the emergency room doors.

"Please tell me it’s not serious," Emily pressed, her voice rising with panic. "She’s going to be alright, isn’t she?"

Before I could answer, the emergency room doors swung open and the doctor emerged, pulling down her surgical mask.

I rushed forward. "Doctor, how are they?"

"We’ve successfully removed the bullet from her arm," she said, her expression reassuring. "Your wife is stable, and the baby shows no signs of distress. They’re both going to be fine."

Relief flooded through me, making my knees weak. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

My father approached, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. "You saved them."

Three simple words, but coming from him, they meant everything. My father had never been one for emotional displays, and this small gesture of comfort nearly broke my carefully maintained composure.

I turned back to Detective Marshall, newfound determination hardening my voice. "Update me the moment you have the shooter in custody."

"Of course, Alpha Nathan. I’ll head back to coordinate the search now."

After the detective left, I looked to my father. "Where’s Snow? Is she safe?"

"With your mother and sister," he replied, his expression typically stoic. "They’re well protected."

When the nurses moved Kyra to a private room, I stationed myself beside her bed, refusing to release her hand. Hours passed as I watched her peaceful face, memorizing every detail. I couldn’t bring myself to eat or leave her side even for a moment.

"If you won’t eat, at least drink this."

I looked up to see my father offering me a cup of hot chocolate. I accepted it wordlessly, grateful for his presence despite our complicated relationship.

He stood beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder again. "I know you’re frightened. Use that fear to sharpen your mind, Nathan. You were raised in a powerful family. You have resources at your disposal to solve this problem."

I met his gaze. "Are you suggesting I kill whoever’s responsible?"

He shook his head firmly. "Killing isn’t always the wisest strategy. Attack them where you have the advantage."

"Kyra already secured her father’s company and other assets," I said, clenching my jaw. "She has everything they might use against her."

"Any shrewd businessman always has multiple contingency plans," my father replied. "The alphabet is long. You can’t stop at plan A if you want to spell success."

I studied his impassive face. "You know something, don’t you? You’ve always known things before they happened. You knew Kyra survived that night years ago. You knew Snow was my daughter. You know who’s targeting us." My voice grew desperate. "I need to protect my family, but I can’t do it blindfolded. I need your help."

His expression remained unchanged, those calculating eyes revealing nothing. "The truth has always been right in front of you, Nathan. You’re simply too trusting to question it."

My forehead creased. "What does that mean?"

He squeezed my shoulder. "I’ll take your mother, sister, and daughter abroad. Snow will attend school there where we can keep her safe. After your wedding, we ’ll leave immediately." His voice softened slightly. "Focus on protecting your wife without distraction. Don’t let sentiment cloud your judgment. Not everything that glitters is genuine gold."

I stared at him, trying to decipher his cryptic warning. Something in his tone made Alaric growl with unease.

"Who shouldn’t I trust?" I whispered, but he merely turned away, leaving me alone with my unconscious mate and a growing sense that someone close to us was responsible for today’s attack.

I gently brushed a strand of hair from Kyra’s face, my thumb caressing her cheek. "I’ll find who did this," I promised softly. "And they’ll never get close to you or our child again."