The Alpha's Fierce Luna Kyra

The Triggering Wordd Episode

Instinctively, I crouched down low beneath the windowsill, hoping to keep out of sight.

Of course, a physical barrier wouldn't hide my presence from an Alpha. He had undoubtedly caught my scent the second he stepped onto the path. Why on earth had Kade come all the way out to this remote cottage of all places?

"Well, aren’t you going to open the door?" his deep voice called out, laced with amused authority.

Ugh. He knew I was in here. Scanning the room, I couldn't spot a single exit I could use without him spotting me.

Ms Williams looked at me in sheer panic. Her hands trembled violently, making my heart twist with guilt and sympathy. She had trusted me enough to disclose information about her past, and now she was forced to face the Alpha she feared.

Sighing inwardly, I mouthed reassuringly to her, Don’t worry. Let me talk.

Stepping toward the heavy timber entrance, I racked my brain, desperately searching for a plausible excuse for my presence. I swung the cottage door open, revealing Kade in all his dark, commanding presence. He still wore his tailored suit, though he had rolled his sleeves back down and buttoned his cuffs.

His perfect, stone-cold expression told me he had fully expected me to open the door. He didn't look the least bit surprised.

Trying to downplay my shock at his sudden appearance, I leaned against the doorframe and crossed my arms. "What brings you all the way out here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you asking me what I’m doing on my own territory?" he countered, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly.

Touché.

"Is it a crime to ask?" I asked, affecting offence. I placed a hand over my heart for dramatic effect. "I’m afraid I’m not entirely familiar with your pack’s security protocols."

He c****d his head slightly, as though trying to decipher a complex puzzle. I used the beat of silence to refine my cover story.

"Very funny," he said dryly. "The Alpha does the interrogating here."

His icy blue eyes pierced through me. "What are you doing here, Kyra?"

Ah, there it was. The million-dollar question. Time for an Oscar-worthy performance. Though his accusing tone was frankly insulting—I hadn't done anything wrong.

I shrugged casually before answering. "I’ve helped her with some light housework before. When I saw her pulling weeds by the side of the manor, I went out to say hello," I explained, maintaining steady eye contact. "She wanted to thank me with cookies and tea, so here we are."

I forced myself not to let my pride show. I had weighed my options carefully. Initially, I considered saying I had been out for a walk and ran into her, but if Kade had seen us leave the manor together, that lie would have unravelled instantly.

Kade scrutinised my expression for a long moment before giving a single, tight nod. He seemed satisfied. I thanked the heavens that we hadn't made direct skin-to-skin contact—without the full mate bond active, he couldn't read my pulse or catch the slight hesitation in my heart rate.

"I’m here to see Ms. Williams," he announced, taking a deliberate step across the threshold.

I moved aside to let him pass; looking up at his massive frame was getting tiring. He ducked slightly to clear the low entryway, stepping into the rustic living room.

Ms Williams snapped out of her frozen trance the moment Kade entered.

"Alpha," she greeted, dipping her head in a respectful bow. "It’s a pleasure to have you here. What can I do for you?"

Alpha.

I had heard the title thousands of times throughout my life, yet when she uttered it in Kade's presence, an inexplicable burst of energy rippled through my core. A sudden, burning pressure built inside my chest, like a fire I couldn't extinguish. My lungs constricted sharply, forcing a harsh hiss of pain from my throat.

Both Ms Williams and Kade turned to look at me in surprise. I shook my head, waving a hand to indicate I was fine, but the pressure spiked again. The chest pain became so unbearable that I started to wheeze. Grey spots danced across my vision as I fought for oxygen. My hands clenched into tight fists, shaking from the agony radiating through my ribs.

Ms Williams rushed to my side, frantically asking what was wrong. I opened my mouth to respond, but only managed a ragged gasp. Panic surged through me—what was happening to my body?

My knees buckled, and I sagged heavily against her for support.

"Kyra?" Kade's deep voice carried a rare note of genuine confusion.

I used the last of my failing strength to look up at him. He shifted forward, then hesitated, his body rigid as if torn between maintaining his distance and helping me.

He must really hate me if he’s having second thoughts about helping me breathe, I thought bitterly.

The grey spots expanded, blurring my vision into a hazy fog. My eyelids grew impossibly heavy. Ms Williams became increasingly hysterical, begging me to stay conscious.

"Alpha! Do something!" she snapped at Kade.

Alpha. Hearing the word again sent a violent spasm through my ribcage. I let out an agonising cry as tear tracks burned down my cheeks. My knees gave out completely, and I plummeted toward the floorboards.

I threw my arms out to brace for the impact, but before I hit the ground, a powerful, warm arm wrapped securely around my waist, catching my weight and lifting me effortlessly.

Recognising the scent of dark chocolate and cinnamon, I kept my eyes squeezed shut. The sheer intensity of the pain was overwhelming.

"What’s wrong with her, Alpha?" Ms Williams cried out.

Hearing that word again made my lungs feel like they were engulfed in flames. I couldn't form words; I could only sob against the agonising pressure in my chest.

Kade held me firmly against his torso, his voice tight near my ear. "Listen to me—do you have an underlying medical condition I don't know about?"

I couldn't answer.

"Just shake or nod your head, Kyra!"

I shook my head frantically.

Another violent wave of pain hit my chest, and for a brief second, the room went completely dark. My pain tolerance had always been exceptionally high, but this internal burning was unbearable. I began to shiver violently as shock set in.

Kade shook me gently. "Kyra, stay with me. Please—keep your eyes open."

He shifted his grip, scooping his other arm beneath my knees to lift me into a bridal carry. I was in no condition to fight him; staying conscious was taking every ounce of my energy.

He burst through the cottage door and took off at full wolf speed. The wind whipped harshly across my face, and despite the agonising chest pain, I forced myself to lean my head away from his neck. I couldn't risk accidental skin-to-skin contact triggering a full mate bond-link right now.

I wept against the front of his white shirt, soaking the fabric. Kade abruptly slowed his pace, prompting me to open my tear-filled eyes. He had carried me into a quiet clearing in the woods along the path back to the town centre.

He gently laid me down on the soft grass and dropped to his knees beside me.

Through a blur of tears, I looked up at him. His brow was deeply furrowed, his jaw set as he struggled to maintain his composure. He looked strangely heartbroken.

His right hand hovered over my face for a heartbeat before descending. I took a sharp, shallow breath as his warm palm made direct contact with my skin.