Alpha's Regret After the Divorce by Christina novel Chapter 18

Kira’s Perspective

The sudden vibration of my phone interrupted the swirling thoughts in my mind. A message from the werewolf investigator I had engaged illuminated the screen with urgency:

Found crucial details about Derek Silverstone and his connection to Jane (also known as Lyra Blackwood). Let’s meet at the coffee shop on Pine Street at 2 PM today. This is time-sensitive.

My pulse quickened instantly. This might finally be the breakthrough I’d been desperately seeking—the key to unraveling the mystery surrounding my father’s relationship with Rocco’s sister.

I glanced at the clock on the wall; it was just past noon. Less than two hours remained before the meeting, and given how drained I felt lately, that window was tight. Still, a surge of determination pushed me off the sofa and toward the bathroom.

Standing before the mirror, I methodically dabbed concealer beneath my eyes, trying to mask the heavy shadows that had settled there. The reflection staring back was almost unrecognizable—sharp cheekbones protruding too prominently, skin pale and fragile, and eyes that once shimmered with a golden wolfish glow now dull and lifeless.

Bundling up against the biting cold had become essential. Before the syndrome struck, winter’s chill barely fazed me; my wolf’s natural warmth had always been enough. Now, I layered thermal leggings beneath my jeans, slipped on a long-sleeved shirt, added a cozy sweater, and finally wrapped myself in my thickest coat.

The hardest part was my hair. Running my fingers through the thinning strands, I felt clumps break away, evidence of the harsh treatments taking their toll. With a weary sigh, I pulled a black knit beanie down over my head, tucking the remaining hair inside.

“Getting ready to head out somewhere?” Lucas’s voice startled me.

I hadn’t noticed him enter—another sign that my senses were dulling. He stood quietly in the doorway, his face etched with a mixture of concern and understanding.

“The investigator sent a text,” I replied, catching his gaze in the mirror. “He’s got information about my father and Lyra. I’m meeting him at a coffee shop at two.”

Lucas gave a slow nod, this time without argument. “It’s freezing out there. Let me at least drive you.”

I smiled, grateful. After yesterday’s events, resisting him felt futile. He’d seen me at my lowest, and somehow, I was okay with that. “That would actually be great. Thanks.”

Relief flickered across his face, as if he’d expected me to refuse. “I’ll make you some tea before we leave. You should eat something too.”

While Lucas busied himself in the kitchen, I scrolled through my phone, noticing the stack of messages that had arrived since yesterday:

From Harper: Taking a vacation to celebrate my inheritance! Back in two weeks. Call if you need ANYTHING! Love you!

From Vanessa: Kira, please call me. We’re family. We should stick together in times like this.

Then, the messages that tightened my stomach—texts from Rocco:

I know you’re hiding from me.

My people saw you at Dark Moon with some male wolf. Is that why you vanished?

Don’t forget who’s paying for your father’s care. Show yourself or face the consequences.

My fingers clenched around the phone. That controlling bastard—still trying to manipulate me from the shadows. I shoved the phone into my pocket after replying only to Harper with a quick “Have fun.”

“Everything alright?” Lucas asked, handing me a steaming mug of herbal tea.

“Just messages,” I said, accepting the warmth gratefully. “Rocco’s looking for me. He’s threatening my father’s care if I don’t come forward.”

Lucas’s face darkened. “Your father’s in the best hands at the center. Try not to let that worry you right now.”

My heart pounded violently against my ribs as our eyes locked through the windshield. His gaze fell to where Lucas’s hand still steadied my elbow, and the murderous look that crossed his face made my blood run cold.

“You need to leave,” I urged Lucas, voice tense. “Right now.”

“What? Why?” Concern flickered in his eyes.

“That’s Rocco. I pulled away from him.” I took a deep breath. “Please, Lucas. There’s nothing between us, but he won’t believe it. Just go.”

Lucas glanced between me and the SUV, clearly reluctant. “Kira, I’m not afraid of him—”

“But I am afraid for you,” I interrupted firmly. “He’s an Alpha, Lucas. If he suspects anything between us, he won’t hesitate to hurt you.”

Lucas frowned but nodded. “Call me if anything happens. Anything at all.”

“I will,” I promised.

The door of the SUV opened, and Rocco stepped out, his tall figure imposing in a black coat. His cold blue eyes never left us.

Lucas squeezed my hand one last time before heading back to his car, casting a final worried glance over his shoulder.

Turning to face Rocco, my heart hammered in my chest. He advanced with the predatory grace of an Alpha wolf, his gaze as icy as the winter air.

“So this is where you disappear to,” he said, his voice deceptively soft. “With another man?”