Chapter 23
When Kira got back to her room, she found Mara and another maid moving her belongings from her bedroom into the next room, which was Derek’s bedroom.
“Excuse me,” Kira said slowly, brows knitting in confusion. “What’s going on p>
The maids bowed. “Your Highness, the King ordered that your belongings be moved into his room,” Mara explained.
“Why p>
Mara shrugged. “He doesn’t usually explain himself p>
Kira watched in disbelief as her things disappeared into Derek’s bedroom. Why on earth would he want her in the same room?
She had just finished bathing in her bedroom, refusing to move into Derek’s room, and pulled on jeans and a tee when the door flew open and Derek strode in, bare-chested and still damp from training but looking way calmer than she had seen him in the training ground. His citrus scent mixed with sweat filled the room instantly, and she quickly looked away.
“Have you ever heard of knocking?” she snapped, trying to sound fearless, even though her heart pounded from the memories of his fury minutes ago.
“It’s my house,” he replied coolly. “I go where I want p>
“What do you want, and why are you shirtless in my room p>
“If my lack of a shirt offends your delicate sensibilities, you’re welcome to leave the room,” he said. “We need to talk p>
“I’ve got nothing to say to you p>
“Too bad. I have a lot to say,” he replied. “In my bedroom p>
“I’m not moving in with you p>
“Yes, you are. You’re my wife p>
“On paper!” she shot back. “Whatever happened to separate lives when we’re alone? How does that work if we share a room p>
“Nana is coming here,” he said flatly. “We need to act p>
Kira looked up at him and blinked. “As in here in this mansion p>
“No, at the Council hall,” he replied sarcastically.
Kira eyed him, her nose scrunched up, wondering why he was so adamant about making Nana believe in this marriage. But whatever this was, it mattered to him.
“Fine,” she muttered. “Lead the way p>
“Follow me. Now p>
It wasn’t a suggestion. It was a command. He opened the adjoining door and walked in without looking back.
The moment Kira stepped inside, Derek shoved a piece of laminated paper towards her. Kira eyed it with a scowl before snatching it from his hand.
“These are rules to follow. Our marriage is official now,” Derek said, his voice low and clipped. “My coronation comes in six months. In the house, we stay out of each other’s way, but in public, I expect you to act affectionate towards me p>
Kira’s eyes narrowed as she skimmed the list on the paper. “Are you sure you can handle my affection for that long, Your Grace p>
He let out a sound that sounded like a scoff. “You are not my type of woman,” he replied without hesitation. “So that won’t be a problem p>
She looked up sharply, her face twisting in irritation. His words didn’t hurt exactly, but a sharp twinge shot through her chest anyway. She chalked it up to a bruised ego. Still, the thought annoyed her. Was he implying she wasn’t attractive?
She opened her mouth to fire back, something sharp and cutting, something that would dent his pride too, but her gaze dropped to his chiselled abs instead. Firm. Ridiculous. Infuriatingly distracting.
She had deliberately avoided looking at him after he handed over his dumb rules. If she wasn’t so pissed off, she might actually find him hot.
She released a small breath before she could stop herself. “I see the feeling is mutual p>
“Read the rules out loud,” he said flatly, brushing her off.
Kira rolled her eyes and started.
“Rule one: we must present a united front in public. Rule two: if we must see anyone else, it should be done in secret and never let the public find out p>
Kira paused, curiosity pulling her eyes up. Derek’s intense amber stare locked onto her, unreadable. She quickly dropped her gaze back to the paper. She wanted to know why he was so hung up on an open marriage. Most of all, she wanted to know why he had chosen a werewolf bride if he wasn’t ready to commit.
“Why did you marry me?” she asked quietly.
“That’s not the topic,” he shot back curtly.
Kira sighed and kept reading. “Rule three: no emotions attached during sexual intercourse. Rule four: the content of the marriage should never be discussed or disclosed to people who have no business. Rule five: no personal or private questions. Mind your business p>
“Do you have your own rules?” Derek asked once she finished.
She exhaled and rubbed the back of her neck. “Honestly, why bother? The contract already says everything p>
“I prefer precision,” he said. “So? Any objections p>
“You already know I’m terrible with rules, Your Grace. But I’ll try.” Kira yawned, her stomach rumbling with sudden hunger. “Also, why do we even need sex when IVF or IUI exists p>
His eyes darkened. “That’s only going to muddle things up p>
“How p>
He glowered. “We’re keeping the terms of this marriage as secret as possible. You signed up for this p>
Kira’s eyes narrowed. “Well, since we’re still laying out written rules, why not add that as a clause p>
“Absolutely not,” he said, his voice dropping into that low, velvet growl. “Artificial means introduce unnecessary variables. We aren’t bringing doctors and lab experiments into my bloodline. It’s a security risk, and quite frankly, it’s beneath me p>
Her mouth fell open. “Beneath you? It’s science! It’s efficient p>
“It’s non-negotiable,” he countered, leaning forward so the morning light from the window highlighted the hard lines of his bare chest. “The contract stands. We do this the traditional way, or the deal’s off and your pack pays the price. Are we clear p>
Heat crawled up Kira’s neck, and not just from anger. The thought of actually being with him, this cold, dangerous man, made her stomach do an annoying, nervous flip.
“Crystal clear,” she muttered, looking back at the rules. The finality in his tone shut down any hope she had. “You forgot one important rule though p>
His brows drew together. “What rule p>
“You should know that you’re a total jerk, and I’m never going to fall in love with you. So, don’t you ever fall in love with me p>
He scoffed. “Is that a threat p>
“Call it whatever you want p>
His face slipped back to its cold mask. “Why would I want to fall in love with you p>
“Because I’m too cute for you to handle,” Kira replied as if it were an obvious fact he should already know. “I’ll break your heart if you do. It’s a warning p>
He shook his head. “Like I said. You are not my type. Don’t flatter yourself p>
“Perfect,” she bit out, raised the plastic sheet and scrawled her signature at the bottom of the sheet beside Derek’s, then shoved the paper to his chest. “If that’s all, I’ll leave for school now p>
He let out a low, non-committal grunt, his focus already back on the sheet in his hands. “Breakfast is ready. We will eat before you leave p>
“Have a nice day p>
Derek did not bother replying as she headed towards the entrance. But just as she twisted the knob, he called, “Kira p>
She froze. Something in her chest did a traitorous little skip at the sound of her name in his deep, gravelly tone. He had never called her by name before.
She turned back slowly. “Yes p>
“If we’re acting like a real couple, we should use each other’s first names,” he said, eyes still on the paper.
She nodded. “I’ll remember that, Derek p>
Without another word, she walked out of the room and headed towards the stairs.
Derek raised his head and stared at the closed door longer than he meant to. Inside him, Leo stirred, restless and alert. That alone startled him. Lycan beasts didn’t react easily. They didn’t even recognise their mates on sight the way werewolves did. And if Derek was being honest, his beast hadn’t reacted to any woman since—
He squashed that thought, tossed the paper onto the dressing table, and turned towards the bathroom.