Chapter 52

Kingston

I sat in the private office, the quiet hum of the hushed office chatter barely audible over furious thoughts storming through my mind. The news had spread like wildfire through the company.

Ethan had confessed his feelings for Cora.

Openly. Publicly. Their relationship and engagement were not something that just the three of us knew about anymore.

After the intrusion of the harassing werewolf, Jace, it had become apparent to everyone in the office that Cora and Ethan were something more than mere coworkers. And Ethan had been all too eager to jump on the opportunity to come clean about the big news.

He had told anyone who would listen: “Cora is the love of my life. I can’t wait to start the rest of my years with her and Riley.”

For good measure, Cora had flashed her ring, a tight smile on her beautiful face.

The words echoed in my mind, over and over again, each repetition drilling deeper into my skull. I could almost feel it, the shift in the air, the pressure building around me. I wasn’t sure when it had happened, but I’d lost control of everything that mattered.

That was supposed to be the rest of my life. I was supposed to be spending those years with her and Riley.

I had always suspected that Ethan had feelings for her, especially after he had invited and brought her to my pool party, but hearing him publicly admit it—and to witness the office gossip surrounding the revealed proposal begin to swirl—had shaken me in a way I hadn’t anticipated.

It wasn’t just the words that hit me; it was the overwhelming sense of betrayal that washed over me. It was like the ground beneath my feet had crumbled, and now I was standing on nothing but air.

Everyone knew now.

Everyone could see that she had chosen my second in command over me.

I had been so focused on my responsibilities, on everything else—on the Alpha King mantle, on making sure my pack was secure—that I hadn’t allowed myself to face the truth.

Foolishly, I had assumed that the progress she and I had made and the night we’d spent together had meant more than they had.

But in that moment, I realized the truth in full, raw clarity: I was terrified of losing her even if she was comfortable disregarding me.

But I had stayed calm when I heard the news of Ethan’s announcement. I had kept my composure through the meeting that had followed Ethan’s confession and had buried my feelings deep inside, like I always did.

But I realized that I couldn’t stand it. Not anymore.

That afternoon, an idea struck me, and I stood from my desk, my chair scraping against the floor. I grabbed my jacket, threw it on, and walked out of the office.

My mind was already set. I didn’t care about the politics or the pack at this moment. I certainly didn’t care about Ethan.

I cared only about Cora. I had to prove to her, to myself, that I could be the man she needed—not just an Alpha, not just the leader of the pack, but a man who loved her with everything he had.

No flowers this time. No ring. Just me and my words. Me and my truth.

The drive to her apartment felt like an eternity in the overcast evening, rain threatening to dampen the world. My mind raced, running through all the possibilities, all the scenarios.

What would I say to her? How could I put into words the depth of my feelings?

The moment I arrived, I almost entirely forgot about knocking and had to stop myself from outright opening her door to avoid the impending rain.

I knew Cora. I knew her strength, her independence, and I respected it, but at that moment, I was beyond reason.

I needed to see her. I needed her to understand what she meant to me and what I was willing to do to prove it. I needed to tell her the kind of life we could have together if only she were willing to put Ethan aside.

I knocked. No answer. I rang the doorbell once. No answer. I knocked twice, louder this time. Still nothing.

But her secondhand, beat-up car was parked in the driveway. She had to be home. I would not even consider the possibility that she was out with Ethan.

My frustration grew, but there was no going back. This was it.

“Cora!” I called out, my voice louder than I intended. “Open the door. I need to talk to you.”

I heard the shuffle of footsteps behind the door, and then it opened, just enough for her to peek through.

Her eyes widened when she saw me, clearly not expecting me, especially not after everything that had happened. She didn’t say anything, just stood there, staring at me like she wasn’t sure what to do next.

“Kingston, what are you doing here?” she asked, her voice quiet, cautious. I could hear the edge of uncertainty in her tone, the space that had grown between us, the distance I had allowed.

I swallowed hard, my throat tight with emotion. I wasn’t sure where to start, what to say, but the truth burned too brightly inside me to be ignored any longer.

“I couldn’t stand it anymore,” I admitted, stepping forward, my words tumbling out. “I couldn’t watch him, Ethan, be the man you deserve. I couldn’t watch him confess to you and toe everyone else, knowing I hadn’t done everything in my power to show you that I’m the one who loves you.

I cleared my throat. Outside, a small drizzle was turning into a downpour, the sound so thunderous I needed to almost shout my next words. “I’ve been an idiot, Cora. I’ve been so focused on everything else that I didn’t realize what I was risking.”

She looked at me with those deep, knowing eyes, as if she could see right through me. The silence between us stretched, thick and heavy, and for a moment, I thought she might close the door on me.

But then she didn’t.

She just stood there, waiting for me to continue, like she knew I wasn’t done yet.

“I’m not here as the Alpha. I’m not here to tell you what’s best for Silverfang or to remind you of my position,” I said, my voice softer now, almost desperate.

“I’m here as Kingston. The man who loves you. The man who can’t bear the thought of losing you to anyone, especially not him.”

She opened her mouth, but I wasn’t finished. I wasn’t going to give her the chance to shut me out before I made myself clear.

“I’m an idiot who’s spent so long being controlled by what I think I should do, what I think is right for the pack, for my image, but none of that matters anymore, Cora. What matters is you. And Riley. And me. What we could have, if we just stop pretending that we don’t feel something real between us.”

Her eyes flickered with emotion: surprise, confusion, and something deeper that I couldn’t quite read. She opened the door a little wider, and I stepped inside, feeling the heat of her gaze on me.

“You’re right about one thing,” she said quietly, her voice almost a whisper. “You’ve been an idiot.”

I nodded, unable to argue with that. I had been. “I know. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry for letting fear and pride control me. But I’m here now, Cora. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the racing of my heart.

“Please,” I said, my voice cracking slightly. “Just give me a chance to prove to you that I’m the one who can make you happy. I’m not asking for your forgiveness, and I’m not asking you to forget what’s happened, but I can’t stand the thought of you being with someone else. Not when I know I could give you so much more.”

Cora finally met my gaze, her eyes searching mine. For the first time in a long while, I saw a flicker of something soft in her expression. Something hopeful.

And that was enough.

I stepped closer, cautiously, and reached out for her hand. She didn’t pull away.

“I’m not perfect,” I said softly, “but I’ll spend every damn day proving to you that I’m the man you need. If you’ll let me.”

Cora didn’t answer right away, but she didn’t pull away either. Instead, she simply said, “I don’t know what to say, Kingston.”

But maybe this wasn’t best expressed through words. Maybe it was better expressed through actions.

I moved forward and brought her mouth to mine.