Missed Opportunity (Part 1)

Kane’s POV

I never planned on falling in love with her. That wasn’t supposed to be part of the equation. I sat in my prison cell, staring at the cold wall, thoughts racing through my mind. In my original plan, it was simple—make her fall in love with me, eliminate her, and the Alpha position of our Pack would be mine. I’d worked too damn hard to deserve it, and this plan wouldn’t be harder than anything else I’d done. Except reality turned out to be the complete opposite.

Thea had crashed through all my defenses. She wasn’t someone I could neatly compartmentalize. She had this quality that made it impossible to ignore her, impossible to stay rational. She was the kind of woman who made me want to be a better man.

I remembered the exact moment I realized I’d fallen for her. I’d postponed my plan to kill her, using the excuse that I needed “more information.” But then that fucking hunter lost contact with me, and by the time I heard from him again, he’d already taken her. I tried to fix things, but it was too late. The damage was done, and I knew it was only a matter of time before the truth came out. So instead of running, I went to see her, desperate to hold onto the little time I knew we had left. The truth is, even if Sebastian hadn’t shown up, I couldn’t have pulled that trigger when facing her. Still, I had no one to blame but myself for how things turned out.

When her heart broke, mine shattered right along with it. I’d destroyed any future we might have had, all because of greed. If she never forgave me, I’d understand.

“Kincaid, you have a visitor,” a prison guard said outside my cell.

Since my sentencing, I’d refused to see anyone, especially Seraphina and Maximus. These incredibly forgiving adoptive parents had taken in a child with no blood relation, given me dignity, given me their family name. And how had I repaid them? By trying to kill their biological daughter. My wolf howled in agony at the thought. I couldn’t understand why they’d still want to see me or be near me. If I were them, I wouldn’t be so forgiving.

“I don’t want to see anyone,” I said softly, my voice hoarse.

The guard didn’t move. “They said this time is different. You’d better see them.”

I hesitated, then eventually nodded, extending my hands for the cuffs. Despite being new here, nobody dared mess with me. Partly because I was a badass, and partly because my Alpha bloodline made even the guards cautious.

The handcuffs were specially designed to weaken both me and my wolf—standard procedure for inmates like us.

As I approached the visitation room door, I already knew who was sitting inside. The scent of meadow sage and wild mint, just like the day I first saw her and saved her.

I froze at the doorway. The one person I’d hoped would visit was sitting in the farthest corner. Thea’s head was bowed, and she looked paler and more fragile than before. But there was some strange glow surrounding her, making her shine in this dull room.

I walked slowly toward her like I was sleepwalking, unable to believe she was really here.

“Thea?” I choked out as I sat down across from her.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I wanted to memorize every detail. This might be the last time I’d see her, as she was probably here seeking closure. Most women wanted that before moving on.

“I’m not sure why I came, or if you even care, but there’s something you need to know,” she began, her voice small and controlled.

Her fingers fidgeted nervously on the table, a habit she had when anxious. I used to find it cute; now it only broke my heart.

“Anything, Thea,” I said, fighting the urge to grab her hand.

She took a deep breath and finally raised her head to look directly into my eyes. “I’m pregnant.”