Defying the Lycan King-Chapter 45: Ruby Over Kira

"She is such a snake," Kira muttered under her breath as she paced the length of her bedroom. "How is it that they can’t see it?"

Mara smiled gently while she folded the fresh linens into neat stacks. "I heard some of the other servants talking this morning, Your Highness. They’re saying... well, they’re saying you didn’t show up because of the dress. They say you lied about being sick to cover up a tantrum."

Kira stopped in her tracks, her eyes snapping toward the maid. "That is not true, Mara."

"I believe you," Mara said quickly, her voice low. "I know you don’t like pink dresses, but I also know you aren’t a spoiled, bratty princess as everyone thinks."

Kira let out a disbelieving chuckle. "They think I’m a spoiled princess?"

Mara nodded once. "To be honest, Your Highness, I had that impression of you when you first arrived. But after spending time with you... you’re kind. You’re considerate. You just seem like a normal girl."

"I am a normal girl," Kira said with a smile. She didn’t blame them, really. After all, they all thought she was Chloe, the only spoiled daughter of Alpha Rolf.

"I admire your strength, Your Highness," Mara continued, a bit more boldly. "And your humour. You have a way of making the best of everything."

Kira felt a small warmth bloom in her chest despite everything. "Thank you, Mara. That means a lot."

Mara smoothed out the last sheet, her expression turning serious again. "But you have to understand, not everyone in Dravengard knows you like that. Lycans are very wary of werewolves. We’ve been told stories of your kind’s treachery since we were pups. It will take time before they all adjust and get to know the real you."

Kira sighed, leaning against the wall. She understood the history, the blood feuds, and the deep-seated mistrust. But there was one thing she couldn’t wrap her head around. "Why does Ruby hold so much power here? Why do people trust her so completely? Why would the King let her handle... everything, even the Queen’s own schedule?"

"For one, she is the pack’s welfare manager," Mara explained. "While the king runs the international and political part of things, she handles the domestic part. She is like a bridge between the people and their king."

Kira rubbed her temples. "That’s quite an important position."

"Yes, it is," Mara agreed, stacking the linens neatly. "She is the King’s childhood best friend, and to be honest, she has really earned her place. After she lost her family, she dedicated her entire life to this pack. For a long time, everyone, including the servants, thought she would become the Queen."

That was it, Kira thought. Ruby is mad and threatened by her.

"She’s worked hard, she’s been honest, and she’s the closest female to the King," Mara added. "To the Lycans, she is one of them. You are an outsider. The pack trusts her completely. It’s difficult for them to choose a newcomer’s word over hers."

Mara hesitated, then lowered her voice even further. "Besides... there is a rumour. I shouldn’t tell you, but..."

"Tell me," Kira urged.

"I heard that someone saw you and Master Brian leaving the gallery together the other day. People are saying... well, they’re saying things. Some think that’s why the King pummelled Master Brian in the spar. Maybe he is just taking out that frustration on you."

Kira felt like she had been slapped. The memory of Brian cornering her in the gallery, his oily voice and his hand on her skin, made her skin crawl all over again. Then she remembered Derek’s cold fury last night—the way he wouldn’t even let her finish a sentence.

He thought she was cheating? He thought she was sneaking around with his cousin? Her anger, which had been a simmering coal, suddenly flared into a roaring fire. Her jaw set, and her eyes burned with a new, sharp clarity.

If he heard a rumour about me, why didn’t he have the decency to ask me to my face? she thought, her pulse thundering in her ears.

Well, if he wasn’t going to confront her, she would confront him.

"I need to shower right now," Kira said abruptly. "Run my bath, please."

"Of course, Your Highness," Mara replied and hurried off to do her duty.

***

Kira was just finishing her hair, dressed in a simple but elegant two-piece when a curt knock came at the bedroom door and Derek walked in without waiting for her permission.

He looked impeccable, as always. He smelled of fresh air and that sharp, clean citrus scent that always seemed to scramble her senses. For some reason, her body betrayed her, finding the scent comforting even while her mind screamed in protest. She hated herself for it.

She didn’t offer a greeting, or even as much as glance his way as she began tucking her personal items into her handbag. She had already decided to spend the day away from the palace—anywhere she wouldn’t have to look at the people who made her blood boil.

Derek walked further into the bedroom. "You should move into the master bedroom?" he said calmly.

Kira didn’t pause her packing. "Why?"

Derek folded his arms over his broad chest, watching her every move. "Because this is not a room you should be staying in. You are the Queen of Dravengard, not a guest. It is time you occupied the space intended for you."

Kira stopped what she was doing and turned slowly. She arched an eyebrow, staring at him in flat disbelief. A short, bitter laugh escaped her before she could check it.

"The space intended for me," she repeated, her voice dripping with irony. "Is that what this is? You’ve decided I’m worthy of the floor space again? Or are you just trying to secure your shiny little crown?"

Derek’s jaw tightened, a muscle jumping in his cheek. "This is about the stability of the pack. We cannot afford more rumours, and staying in separate wings only feeds the fire."

"The rumours," Kira said, taking a bold step toward him. "You mean the rumours about your cousin and me?"

The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. It felt as if the air had been sucked out of the space between them.

"This has nothing to do with you or Brian," Derek said, his voice flat. "Whatever you have going on between the two of you is none of my business. But you will uphold your end of our arrangement. And that starts with moving into the royal suite, Kira."

"You really think that’s all it takes?" Kira countered, her eyes flashing. "One cold command and I’ll just... what? Forget that you stood there last night and called me a liar in front of everyone?"

"You are being emotional," Derek said, in a dismissive tone. "I made it clear from the start that there would be no sentiment in this marriage. This is business. You play your part, and I play mine. We don’t need useless emotions getting in the way."

"I don’t need your ’useless emotions’ either," Kira fired back. "But if this charade is ever going to work, I expect a basic level of respect and trust. Humiliating me in front of your people wasn’t part of the bargain, and I won’t stand for it." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Derek took a step closer, his eyes darkening. "You don’t seriously expect me to trust you, do you?"

Kira’s eyes narrowed. She took a slow, deep breath through her nose, forcing her heart rate to steady. "Of course not. That wasn’t part of the deal, was it?"

She grabbed her handbag and made a move to brush past him, but Derek’s hand shot out. His fingers clamped around her wrist, firm but not painful, jerking her back toward him.

"Where are you going?"

"That is none of your business."

"I need to know your whereabouts. You are my wife and—"

"Connor is coming with me," she countered. "I believe that solves the problem. Mind your business while I mind mine."

Derek didn’t let go, he stared at her with blank, unreadable eyes. Just as she tried to wrench her arm free, the door swung open. Nana stood there, her hand still on the handle, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

The change in Derek was so instantaneous that Kira was left dumbfounded. He pulled her flush against his chest, his other arm snaking around her waist to cage her in. His scent overwhelmed her, making her head swim as he leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead.

Nana stopped in the doorway, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. "Oh, Kira dear. I was just coming to check on you. How are you feeling?"

"I’m... I’m great," Kira managed to say, her voice tight as she forced a plastic smile.

Nana glanced at Derek’s protective stance and then back at Kira. "I came to take you down for breakfast."

"We are just in the middle of settling our fallout, Nana," Derek said convincingly. "Could you give us a few more minutes?"

"Actually," Kira blurted. "There is nothing to settle any—"

Her words were cut short abruptly when Derek suddenly leaned down and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

Kira’s lungs seized. She stopped breathing entirely.