Chapter 16

Chapter 16 - Real and Raw

Ava Pov…

I stared at the man I was supposed to call my husband. Or maybe not. Maybe I shouldn’t even be calling him that anymore. Not after what I just saw.

He wasn’t human. Not fully, at least.

And no matter how many times I told myself that what happened wasn’t real, that I was just tired or dreaming or going crazy—that wolf version of Kieran still played over and over in my head like some weird horror loop.

I backed away slowly, my heart pounding like it was about to explode out of my chest. My legs hit the edge of the couch, and I just let myself drop onto it, staring at him with wide eyes.

He was still standing in the middle of the room, halfway between his human form and that other thing—whatever he was. But I watched as he shifted again, bones cracking in this quiet way that made me flinch. His skin re-formed, fur disappearing, but the damage stayed. His clothes were ripped, blood crusted along his side, scratches all over his chest.

He took a step toward me.

"Stop," I said, holding out my hand without thinking. "Just don’t. Stay back."

He froze. And for the first time since I met his eyes, Kieran actually looked... hurt.

Not physically. Not from the fight or whatever that had been. But in his eyes. It was like he was trying to keep his expression neutral, but I could see it—the way his jaw tensed, the flicker of something vulnerable in his face before he looked away.

He turned slightly, nodding to Lucas, his assistant—or his butler. I didn’t even know what to call him anymore. Were they even human?

“Get me something clean to wear,” Kieran said quietly.

Lucas gave a small nod and walked off without saying anything.

I sat there, still frozen, my arms crossed tightly over my chest like that would protect me from whatever thing might happen next.

Kieran turned back to me, slower this time. His eyes met mine, but he didn’t come closer yet. He waited.

“You’ve been lying to me,” I said. My voice came out sharp. “This whole time.”

“I never lied,” he said, stepping closer again, “I just... didn’t tell you everything. Because I didn’t know how.”

I stood up fast, the couch creaking beneath me as I shoved past him. “That’s the same thing, Kieran. That’s exactly the same thing. I’m out here thinking I’m marrying some rich, mysterious guy who has trust issues, and it turns out you’re not even fully human!”

“I’m still me,” he said.

“No, you’re not!” I snapped. I turned around to face him. “You’re a—what? A werewolf? A monster? What does that make me then? What does that make this? Us?”

Kieran’s shoulders dropped a little. He looked tired. Or maybe he was just done pretending.

“I didn’t want to scare you,” he said. “But I was going to tell you. I swear. I just needed more time.”

I shook my head. “Yeah, well. Too late.”

His hands moved to catch mine as I started to walk away, and I yanked them free.

“I’m done. This whole thing? The marriage? Whatever deal our families made? Count me out.”

I turned to leave, but before I could get far, he caught my arm again—gently this time—and pulled me toward him. I stumbled, and somehow I landed right against his chest. His heartbeat was fast, like he was panicking.

His voice dropped low near my ear. “Please don’t go.”

I didn’t know what to say. Part of me wanted to scream. Another part just wanted to disappear. But before I could even make a decision, Kieran suddenly winced in pain.

He dropped to one knee like someone had punched him in the gut. I stumbled back in shock.

“Are you okay?” I asked, panic replacing my anger for a second. “What’s happening?”

Lucas ran into the room so fast I barely saw the door move.

“I need to get him to the hospital,” I said, kneeling down beside Kieran. “Help me.”

Together, Lucas and I lifted him up, one arm over each of our shoulders. He groaned, barely conscious, but he didn’t fight us. We walked him out to the car—his body heavy and limp like he couldn’t hold himself up anymore.

I climbed into the backseat with him while Lucas drove.

The car ride was quiet. Too quiet.

Kieran rested his head against my shoulder, and I didn’t push him away. I should have. I wanted to. But I couldn’t. Not with the way he looked right now—pale and worn out like he’d just survived something way bigger than anything I could understand.

At the hospital, a nurse met us at the door and helped us get him into a room. The place wasn’t packed—thank God—so we didn’t have to wait. They got him onto a bed, hooked him up to a machine, and told us he’d be okay, but he needed rest.

I stood at the edge of the bed, watching him sleep. He looked... normal again. Calm. Quiet.

Like the man I first met.

Not the wolf. Not the Alpha. Just Kieran.

I sat down beside the bed and leaned forward, brushing his hair back from his face with a slow, shaky hand.

“What even are you?” I whispered. “And what does that make me?”

I didn’t expect an answer. And honestly, I was kind of glad he didn’t wake up just then. I needed a second to breathe.

I got up and slipped out of the room. The hallway was cooler than I expected. I rubbed my arms, trying to shake the weird feeling crawling down my spine.

He saved me. That part I couldn’t forget.

But he also lied. Hide things. Scared me more than anyone ever had.

Still...

Something in me didn’t want to leave him.

I shook my head and made my way down the hallway toward the vending machines. Maybe I’d grab him something in case he woke up hungry. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

I stepped outside for a second, trying to get some air.

And that’s when I saw them.

Richard And Lydia.

Standing there. Right in front of the hospital. Like they’d been waiting for me.

My stomach dropped.

Lydia was wearing that smug little smirk she always had, arms folded, like she was proud of whatever twisted reason she had for showing up here.

Richard? He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. His tie was crooked, his shirt untucked. But his eyes were sharp—watching me like he already knew something I didn’t.

I froze.

Neither of them moved. They just stood there.

Like a storm waiting to happen.

I didn’t know what they were doing here, or how they even knew I’d be at this hospital. But in that moment, something told me this wasn’t just a coincidence.

Not at all.

And just like that, I knew—whatever peace I thought I had left?

It was officially gone.