Kyra's POV
Was it a blessing to marry your best friend?
I was not sure what Nathan thought. But for me, becoming his chosen mate was a dream come true. And now—what was even more miraculous—we were going to have our first pup.
"Congratulations, Luna Kyra," the pack doctor told me cheerfully as she saw the shock in my eyes. "We are about to welcome the first Alpha heir to our pack."
I subconsciously touched my belly, still unable to believe a pup was growing there. Had I heard it right? I was pregnant? I was pregnant with Nathan's pup! After three years as his Luna, I was finally carrying the pup who would be my mate's heir, the future of the Nightfall Pack.
"Sylvia," I whispered to my wolf, "we're going to be mothers."
My wolf stirred within me, her presence warm and protective.
On the way out of the hospital, I couldn't wait to tell Nathan about our pup. I wondered what his reaction would be. Would he howl with happiness? Would he kiss me and everything? Goddess, I could barely contain myself.
I cupped my red face as I fantasized. But the moment I felt the cold from the simple ring on my finger, my wildly beating heart calmed down. I almost forgot that Nathan wasn't the type to be keen on having pups, especially since our marriage was arranged by our families.
Our families had been friends for a long time. So our marriage also strengthened the alliance between the Nightfall Pack and the Raven Shadow Pack.
Nathan was a complete gentleman, both as a friend and a mate. Every time we had sex, he was considerate but cautious—careful not to claim me with his mark. No claiming bite, no permanent tie.
He said there was no need to add shackles when we weren't ready.
This pup, in a way, was out of the plan.
My mind became restless as I sat in my car. Would this be good news for him?
"You're spiraling," Sylvia murmured in my mind. "Stop overthinking. He's your mate. He'll be happy."
"Luna Kyra, is everything okay? Should I send a mind-link to Alpha Nathan?" My private driver, Luke—a loyal warrior from my father's pack—asked. Luke was reliable, like family, but if I chose to share, I still wanted Nathan to be the first to know this news.
"No," I shook my head, giving Luke a reassuring smile. "He's on the flight. I'll talk to him myself later." That way, I could sense his answer directly from his raw expression. I was always good at that.
I closed my eyes, recalling the day I met Nathan.
After my father remarried, I never got along with my stepbrother Kieran Carver. Unlike his gentle and beautiful mother, he looked fierce and brutal. His arms were covered in tattoos, and the scars on his forearms showed he'd been in serious fights. Most importantly, he always acted like he hated me—glaring when I laughed, scoffing at my hobbies. But sometimes I'd catch him staring when he thought I wasn't looking. Weird. To escape that house, I transferred to a new high school.
On my first day at the new school, I saw Nathan in the hallway between classes. His bright smile in the sunlight was dazzling. Long before we became best friends, I fell in love with him at first sight. But it was an unrequited love—I knew it well.
In high school, I was only a boring nerd in everyone's eyes, while Nathan Anderson was the shining quarterback. Everyone was surprised that we could be friends. Though I faced hostility, I enjoyed being around him. I slowly realized I didn't want to be just his friend.
However, right when I was about to confess my feelings, he met his fated mate.
I shook my head, trying to get rid of those sad old memories. I gripped the wedding ring on my finger, reminding myself the past was past. Nathan said they were over and I was his wife now.
I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes and opened the door to our house. My heart calmed down as I breathed in the scent of home. I must have been overthinking. That woman had been out of our lives for a long time, and my marriage with Nathan was as beautiful as a fairy tale.
I glanced at the clock on the wall. At this point, Nathan should have gotten off the plane. He had been traveling for over a month for the sake of the pack's business.