THE ALPHA’S HUMAN BRIDE

CHAPTER FIFTEEN:CONDITIONS

NEVAEH’S POV;

“I’ll go…” The words slipped out before I could overthink them, my voice low but steady.

Carter’s gaze sharpened immediately.

“…if Kiera comes too,” I added, lifting my chin like it was a non-negotiable clause in some invisible contract.

He nodded almost instantly. “That can be arranged.”

The ease in his tone made something in my chest loosen. “Really?”

“Really,” he said, and for the first time today, a quiet sort of certainty filled the space between us.

Before Carter could respond, there was a very dramatic creak from the kitchen door.

Kiera peeked around it, eyes wide and her expression somewhere between a guilty child and a cat who just got caught with candy. “Did I just hear my name and the words go and realm in the same sentence?”

I don’t know if Carter realized how close Kiera was, but when I glanced over his shoulder and caught her leaning against the kitchen doorway with her lips tugging into a knowing smile, I almost laughed.

I squinted at her. “Were you eavesdropping?”

“Absolutely,” she said without shame. “And for the record….yes. My answer’s yes. I’m in.”

Carter’s gaze followed mine for a second, then returned to me. “I wasn’t sure you’d want to,” he admitted, voice a touch lower. “But if Kiera would make you more comfortable, then we can bring her with us, that’s not a problem.”

Kiera walked over to the booth and took a seat next to me. “I’ll follow Nevvy Pooh to the ends of the earth.”

I grimaced.

Carter gave her a small nod. “Then it’s settled.”

“Wait, wait,” I said, pointing between the two of them.

“We can’t just skip over the part where you explain exactly what I’m agreeing to here. And you….” I looked at Kiera “don’t just say yes to things without knowing the details.”

Kiera sank into the cushion. “Nevaeh, if there’s a ‘werewolf realm’ option on the table, the details are secondary. Do I get to bring my boots? Yes? Then I’m good.”

Carter’s mouth twitched like he was hiding a smile. “Bring whatever you want. We can buy more clothes, if you want.”

I frowned. “How… exactly are we getting there? Is this like a flight? Or a….”

“Not quite,” Carter interrupted. “There’s a crossing point, hidden. Think of it like a border that only certain people can find and open. I’ll get you through.”

Kiera leaned forward. “Will there be other werewolves there?”

“Yes,” Carter said simply.

“Like… a lot?” she pressed, her eyes lighting up with far too much curiosity.

“Enough,” he replied, and somehow that single word carried a weight that made my skin prickle.

I took a slow sip of coffee. “And they’ll… be okay with me just showing up?”

His gaze met mine. “If you’re with me, no one will challenge you.”

Something about the quiet certainty in his voice made my pulse stutter.

“How sexy are the men on a scale of 1-10.” Kiera’s eyes glittered with excitement.

“Kiera.” I gave her a disapproving look.

She clearly caught it and changed the subject with a smile,“Okay fine…. soooooo…… packing list. Nevaeh, you need that cream sweater you never wear, your black jeans, your warmest coat, and I’m definitely going to need your nice boots, because if I meet some tall, dark, and handsome supernatural out there, I’m not going to wear sneakers.”

“Kiera…” I groaned, but she was already mentally sorting outfits like we were going on a weekend spa trip.

She kept going. “Also, snacks. Do werewolves have snacks? Or just, like… raw meat?”

Carter’s lips curved faintly. “We have food. You’ll be fine.”

It went on like that for a while with Kiera rapid-firing questions about clothes, weather, and whether she could bring her phone with her because she didn’t know if people out there were advanced.

While I sat there feeling equal parts exhausted and oddly lighter than I had in weeks.

Eventually, the sky outside the bakery windows deepened into a soft, fading blue. The streetlamps buzzed faintly to life.

Carter stood, and I walked him out into the cool evening air.

He paused by his car, looking down at me. “You’ll be safe tonight?”

I nodded. “I’ll sleep at Kiera’s. Promise.”

His jaw tightened just slightly, like there was something else he wanted to say.

I exhaled and added, “And Carter… please don’t try to hurt Harold. It’s not worth it.”

The muscle in his jaw ticked. “He put his hands on you, Nevaeh.”

“I know,” I said softly. “But if you do something, it won’t undo it. Please. Just let it go…. for me.”

For a moment, he didn’t answer. Then, finally, he gave a grudging nod. “For you.”

I smiled faintly. “Thank you.”

“I’ll pick you both up tomorrow morning,” he said.

“Okay,” I murmured.

He hesitated, then leaned in, brushing a kiss against my cheek. The warmth of it lingered even as he pulled away.

When I slipped back inside, Kiera was leaning on the counter, a knowing smirk plastered across her face.

“Ohhh, we are absolutely packing a good lingerie for you,” she said, and began rattling off half a dozen outfit options like it was the most important mission of our lives.

And even though I groaned and rolled my eyes, I couldn’t help the tiny, secret smile that stayed with me for the rest of the night.