All Chapters of Protector of the Alpha's cursed heir. : Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

"An excellent question." Candice resumed her pacing, faster now. "Vampires attack people all the time. That's what we do. But the Ravens, attacking someone connected to the Zerok family, while rumours conveniently circulate that I'm planning war?" She shook her head. "That's not a coincidence. That's orchestration.""What are you saying?""I'm saying someone set us up." She stopped abruptly, her eyes widening with realisation. A laugh escaped her—sharp and incredulous. "Oh. Oh, those clever little bastards.""What? Who?""Tommy and Connor."The names hit Killian like a physical blow. "Tommy and Connor? What do they have to do with this?"Candice turned to him, and for the first time since he'd met her, he saw genuine emotion on her face. Not amusement or cruelty—but recognition. Understanding. "Just last week, Tommy and Connor came to me. They were... desperate. Begged me to help them.""Help them with what?""To take down the Zerok family." She said it matter-of-factly, watching his

"A truce?" Annie's voice climbed. "With Candice? The same woman who—""Tommy and Connor are the real enemies. They're the ones who orchestrated all of this."Annie's breath came faster. "You're alive because you made a deal with—""I'm alive because of you." Killian's voice broke. "You came for me. You and Peggy burst in there like angels and saved all of us. If you hadn't—" He couldn't finish. Couldn't even think about what would have happened."But I broke my promise," Annie said, fresh tears spilling. "I promised I'd stay home. I promised I wouldn't do anything. But the baby—our baby spoke to me, Killian. Told me you were in danger. And I couldn't—I couldn't just sit there and let you die—""Hey." Killian cupped her face, tilting it up so their eyes met. "You saved my life. You saved Dante, Kael, Adam, Onika—all of us. You were extraordinary.""But I left you—""You were extraordinary," he repeated firmly. "And I'm so proud of you, Annie."A sob-laugh burst from Annie. "Really?""I

ONE MONTH LATERThe sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of gold.Killian stood at the window of their bedroom, watching the colours bleed across the horizon. Behind him, he could hear Annie moving around, humming softly—a sound that made his chest ache with gratitude. She was here. He was here. They were alive."Close your eyes," Annie said from behind him.Killian turned, eyebrows raised. "What?""Close your eyes." She stood in the doorway, her hand resting on her belly. She was almost five months pregnant now. She wasn't so bald now, she has some tiny strands of hair coming up on her head. Killian obeyed, a smile tugging at his lips. He heard her footsteps approach. Felt her hand slip into his."Keep them closed," she murmured. "I want to show you something."She led him carefully through the room and down the stairs. Cool evening air kissed his skin as she led him outside."Okay," Annie whispered, stopping. Her hand squeezed his. "Open."Killian opened his eyes—and his b

"Wait—how long Mallory? I know we both wanted to hurt the vessel at first until I found out she was with Killian. Mallory, I thought when you found out, that you also accepted her as family. So you've been pretending the whole time? Faking those smiles in front of Annie and Killian? Jeez!Baby, please—" Mallory crawled toward him on her knees. "Please don't send me out. I made a mistake. I was scared. I wasn't thinking clearly—""You were thinking VERY clearly." Kael's voice was ice. "Clear enough to hire vampires. Clear enough to stage an attack. Clear enough to manipulate an entire pack into war. We almost brought in Uncle Deka's pack. Fuckkk!" He slammed his hand on the wall again. "I'll make it right—I'll tell everyone the truth—I'll—""Killian would you. You need to leave before I do it myself. Now." Kael's hands were shaking. "Before I do something I can't take back.""Kael, please look at me—baby it's me" More tears were streaming down her face. "Do you know what I see right

The silence that followed was absolute.Then Belarie continued, his voice calm. "Annie is my wife."His eyes found Killian. Cold. Possessive and Challenging."What do you mean by that?" Killian asked."You're insane." Annie's voice cracked. She looked at Killian, desperate. "He's insane. How did you let a mad person into our home?""Did you say Annitore?" Candice had recovered from being thrown, brushing plaster dust from her dress. "Annitore the legend? That's her?""Ah!" Belarie clapped, "Someone remembers." Belarie's smile widened. "Thank God. I was beginning to think the stories had died with the old world.""The feared legend who gave up her life for her husband?" Candice's eyes were wide, calculating. "The EmberBorn beast who burned down kingdoms trying to—" She stopped, looking between Belarie and Annie. "History texts said you both died. That the ritual failed. That you—""She died." Belarie's voice held centuries of pain. "But I lived because she died saving me. And I found h