Defying the Lycan King

Chapter 247: Shame is a Human Invasion

The next morning of the hearing, Kira woke to find herself tucked into her own bed, the covers drawn neatly up to her chest.

She stared at the ceiling for a moment, blinking the sleep away, and last night in the study came drifting back to her. The food, the feeding, their discussions.

She clearly remembered leaning against Derek’s broad shoulder, but she couldn’t remember actually walking back to her room. He must’ve carried her. Her lips curved without her permission.

Isn’t our soul bond so adorable? Lux purred lazily in the back of her mind.

Don’t start, Kira warned.

But Lux was already starting. The beast happily shoved an image forward: Derek last night, sleeves rolled up, spoon in hand, that rare unguarded smile on his face.

Did you see his arms when he rolled up his sleeves to feed you? It was so mouth-watering. We could just—

We could just nothing, Kira cut in.

Lux nudged another image forward. This one had Derek completely shirtless and sparring on the training grounds, his muscles flexing.

LUX. Kira bolted upright. It is seven o’clock in the morning. Have some shame.

I have no shame, Lux said serenely. Shame is a human invention, and I can’t feel it, especially when it involves our very capable, very sexy soul bond. Girl, I don’t know about you, but how do you let him get away after he carried you up into a private bedroom...

I was asleep, you horny bitch.

Excuses. Lux stretched luxuriously. I don’t know about you humans, but I want to rut my soul bond, Leo, so badly, and I can’t wait for him to knot inside me.

Kira pressed her hands over her face. We are getting a divorce and rejecting the bond, remember? Any of this ringing a bell?

Rejecting, Lux repeated and sighed dramatically. I truly don’t understand why humans enjoy being miserable. From all indications, you like him, even without my influence. But you want to get a divorce instead of acknowledging your feelings?

Kira remained silent for a while and then said, I can’t deny that I fell in love with him, Lux. But he hurt me so badly, and it really broke me. I’m just being guarded. What if it happens again in the future? What if he hurts me again? Isn’t it better to let this whole thing go and protect my heart?

Lux was quiet for a moment, then hummed. Well, your feelings are valid too, but maybe you should just learn to start trusting him again. She paused. While you’re at it, could you get drunk and end up in bed together for me, so I can connect with Leo? You can put the blame on alcohol later.

Get the fuck out of my head, you silly little bitch, Kira giggled. You’re a lost case.

Lux went silent, but Kira could feel her beast smiling. She flopped back against the pillows, groaned, and finally dragged herself up to freshen up before her own beast could stage another ambush.

Once she was washed and wrapped in a robe, she went to her dresser and began rummaging through the top drawer, hunting for a particular bracelet she wanted to wear for the day, but her fingers brushed something glossy instead.

She pulled it out and felt her heart skip a beat. It was the strip of photo booth photographs she and Derek had taken during their market tour.

A smile spread slowly across her face as she lifted them to the light. Derek’s expressions were hilarious. In the first square, he looked like he wanted to execute the camera; in the second, he looked confused, he was mid-frown in the third and in the fourth she was kissing his cheek and he was caught off guard.

She couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle, her thumb grazing over his grumpy face. "How you’ve changed, grumpy King," she murmured.

But as she stared at his face, she suddenly remembered a specific moment from last night. She’d looked him dead in the eye and asked what he’d do with a Nexus if he ever found one.

Derek had gone quiet for a moment. Then he’d shrugged and said simply, "I suppose I’d keep them out of the wrong hands. A Nexus is the very last thing you’d want to see corrupted." Then he’d looked at her, curious. "Why do you ask?"

And Kira had smiled and told him, "It’s nothing. I always knew you were a true King."

She stood there now, holding the photographs, the memory fading, and let out a slow breath. "I’ll reveal myself to you soon," she whispered to his paper face. "I promise. Soon."

She tucked the photos away, got dressed in a smart, elegant outfit suitable for the Wolf Council and headed downstairs. But there was no sign of Derek around the mansion. Not on the landing, the halls, or at the breakfast table. She had half expected him to hover around.

When she stepped out into the courtyard, Connor and Gavin were both standing outside, leaning against the sides of two different, black cars. The moment they spotted her, they both snapped to attention and bowed deeply.

Kira walked down the stone steps, looking around the empty driveway. She looked at Connor, her brow furrowing. "Where’s Derek? I haven’t seen him this morning?"

Connor straightened his suit jacket. "The King had to leave very early for an important pack meeting regarding the border patrols, Your Highness. He couldn’t wait."

"Oh."

Kira didn’t know quite why, but a small flicker of disappointment moved through her. She’d secretly hoped he’d be there to walk into the Council room with her. But she quickly pushed the silly feeling down at once. He wasn’t obligated to her anymore. And she hadn’t even asked him to come, had she? So she had no right to feel let down.

She took a deep breath. "Right, let’s go then."

Immediately, Connor stepped backward and threw open the back door of his shiny SUV, gesturing politely. "Your ride is ready, Your Highness. If you’ll please get in, we can leave right away."

At the exact same moment, Gavin opened the door of his own saloon car and gestured toward it. "Actually, Your Highness, my car has the premium climate control and better suspension for the baby. Please, enter."

Kira stopped dead in her tracks. She looked at Connor’s open door, then at Gavin’s open door, her eyebrows raising so high they practically disappeared into her hairline.

"What’s going on?"

Connor turned and shot Gavin a look. "The Queen rides with me."

"Alpha Braxton specifically instructed me," Gavin replied smoothly, "to stay by Her Highness’ side every single moment. So she rides with me."

"Alpha Braxton," Connor said, his voice cooling, "is not the authority here in Dravengard. The King is. And the King has charged me, personally, with managing the Queen’s security."

"And Alpha Braxton is her blood," Gavin countered. "Which trumps a job assignment, wouldn’t you say?"

"A job assignment from a king."

"A brother’s word from a whole Alpha."

"You’re not driving anyone with that ridiculous saloon car!" Connor said firmly, gesturing wildly at the vehicle. "My SUV has reinforced armour plating! Your car looks like it’ll dent if a rogue wolf sneezes on it!"

"My car is an imported classic!" Gavin retorted.

Kira stood there staring at the two of them, arms slowly folding, wondering what fresh species of nonsense her security detail had evolved into. Two grown warriors, both armed, both deadly, squabbling over a car door like children fighting over the front seat.

And as they bickered on about tyre tread and engine horsepower, Kira’s eyes caught a sleek spot car pulling up the long driveway. The engine purred smoothly as it stopped right behind the bickering gammas.

The driver’s door swung open, and Kai stepped out. He looked so dapper and sharp in a tailored cream suit, a confident smirk firmly in place. He casually walked around to the passenger side and opened the door, offering his hand to Jessica. Jessica stepped out, looking stunning and powerful in elegant, blue corporate clothing, her hair pinned back perfectly for a legal battle.

Kira let out a breath of pure relief. Without saying a single word to the two still-bickering gammas, she abandoned them and made her way toward her best friends.

Kai spotted her approaching and flashed a bright, charming smile her way. "Morning, K. You look like you’re ready for murder."

Jessica marched straight past her mate and threw her arms around Kira in a tight hug. "You’re going to completely crush Rolf today, K. I’ve got all the law files ready."

Once they pulled away, Kira let out a shaky chuckle, glancing back at the courtyard where Connor and Gavin were still aggressively gesturing at their respective steering wheels.

"Thank goodness you both arrived at exactly this time. Seriously. Do you mind giving me a lift? Because if I stay here, I’m going to lock both of them in the tower."

Connor and Gavin suddenly stopped shouting and whirled around, realising the Queen was no longer listening to them, and saw Kira standing by Kai’s car.

"Your Highness!" they called together, running forward.

Kira turned and gave them a sweet smile. "It’s fine, boys. I’m going with my friends today. See you at the court!"

Kai didn’t waste a second. With a highly amused chuckle, he opened the backseat door for Kira, bowing playfully. "Always a pleasure to rescue the Queen from incompetent transport."

Kira giggled and slid inside as the two gammas stood frozen, watching their charge ditch them both at once.

Kai opened the front passenger door for Jessica, then turned to the pair of them, spreading his hands with all his usual cockiness.

"Well, gentlemen," he said. "The Queen has ridden with neither of you. So I suggest you both get into your respective cars, like the professionals you clearly are, and follow behind." He rounded the car bonnet and looked back at them. "And try not to crash into each other on the way."

He climbed into the driver’s seat, and Connor and Gavin, robbed of their prize, resumed bickering right where they’d left off as they trudged toward their own cars and got in.