Kyra’s POV

The Raven Shadow Pack house felt unusually quiet as I packed my things, waiting for my father’s beta to drive me to my new high school. I didn’t want to be late on my first day at the new school.

Kieran leaned against the wall nearby, his backpack slung carelessly over one shoulder. It was strange seeing him still at home—he usually left early.

To avoid conversation, I buried my nose in a book, pretending to read. I could feel his intense stare boring into me, but refused to meet his eyes.

Where was that car? I wondered impatiently.

Kieran had changed so much since his mother’s death. Gone was the gentle older brother I once knew, replaced by someone cold and distant. When he started high school, he transformed into the school’s notorious bad boy.

Being at the same school with him meant I was often targeted by jealous girls. Worse, Kieran would intimidate any boy who tried to talk to me. Today I was finally escaping to a new school, away from his shadow.

"Why are you transferring schools?"

His question startled me from my thoughts. I looked up, momentarily burned by the intensity in his eyes.

I pushed my heavy glasses up my nose. "None of your business."

Kieran stepped closer. "Do you hate me that much?"

The directness of his question caught me off guard. If anything, I should be asking him that.

"What about you?" I finally asked. "Do you hate me?"

He remained silent for what felt like forever.

Growing impatient, I pressed, "I’m asking if you hate me."

Before he could answer, my father’s beta pulled up in the driveway. "Miss Kyra, we should get going."

I opened the car door, surprised that Kieran wasn’t moving to join us. What was he even waiting for out here?

Finally, Kieran spoke. "Kyra, if you hate me so much, perhaps I should be the one to go."

A wave of inexplicable panic washed over me 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

’No, please don’t go.’

Kieran’s figure began to fade away.

I jolted awake. It was just a dream.

Tears welled in my eyes as reality crashed back. Kieran was gone forever. Why was I dreaming that particular day? The day I left him behind and met Nathan at my new school.

Perhaps from that moment, Kieran and I were destined for a tragic ending. And now he was gone in the cruelest way possible. The grief was overwhelming, but there was nothing I could do to change it now.

Losing Kieran was both painful and infuriating. I wanted him to face justice, to rot in prison—but despite everything he’d done to me, his death left an unexpected hollow feeling in my chest.

It was over.

"Kyra..."

Nathan entered the room, bandages wrapped around his head.

"What happened to you?" I asked, then remembered the fight with Connor.

He sat beside me on the hospital bed and pressed the call button. Taking my hand, he kissed it gently.

"How are you feeling? Is your head okay? Diane Foster hit you pretty hard."

I touched my forehead, realizing I had bandages too.

"I’m fine," I whispered, then looked at him anxiously. "The baby?"

He smiled warmly. "Our baby’s strong. You protected our little one perfectly."

"And you protected me," I replied, returning his smile.

Nathan pulled me into his arms. The door opened as a nurse entered to check my vitals. I held Nathan’s hand throughout the examination, finding comfort in his touch.

After the nurse left, I asked, "Where are Matt and Mason? And Emily? How is she?"

"Matt’s wound developed complications. He’s in ICU for a few days," Nathan explained. "Mason’s in the next room, and Emily too. The doctors said there’s a possibility her memories might never return."

I took a deep breath and nodded. "And... Kieran?"

Nathan’s jaw tightened. "I had him cremated. His ashes are beside his mother’s now. You can visit when you’re recovered."

I bit my lip and nodded. "I will, once I’m discharged."

"I’ll come with you," he promised.

Silence fell between us. I studied Nathan’s face, thinking about how this nightmare began and ended. I needed reassurance that it was truly over—that we could finally find peace.

"It’s over, right?" I asked quietly.

Nathan squeezed my hand and nodded. "Yes. Finally."

"Finally," I echoed, feeling the weight lifting from my shoulders.

I looked at him and smiled. He leaned closer until our foreheads touched. With his free hand, he caressed my cheek before angling his head for a soft kiss.

"This is the beginning of our peaceful forever," he whispered before kissing me again.

I kissed Nathan back with equal tenderness. This truly was the start of our peaceful forever—with him, our family, and friends.

I knew we couldn’t erase the pain we’d caused each other. The suffering we’d endured would never completely fade from memory. But those painful experiences would help us appreciate the happiness we’d fought so hard to achieve. Even carrying the baggage of our past, we could move forward together.

This was the beginning of our peaceful forever, and I hoped that even in our next life, we’d find each other again. Because for me, Nathan was the only one who could give me the happiness I truly desired.