Chapter 28
Derek met his uncle’s eyes without flinching. “Are you finished p>
Crane straightened, exhaling through his nose. “For now.” He turned on his heel and left.
The silence lasted exactly seven seconds before the door opened again. Declan and Kai walked in together. Declan looked grim; Kai looked like he would rather be anywhere else.
Declan spoke first. “As much as I hate to say it, your uncle’s right. You can’t afford a family war right now. Half the council is already looking for a reason to hand your crown to Brian because you brought a Moonfang bride into the palace. If you keep giving them ’ undeniable evidence ’ of your instability, you’re handing him the throne on a silver platter p>
Derek pinched the bridge of his nose. “There is no war. There was a spar. End of discussion p>
Declan crossed his arms. “I’ve known you since we were in the cradle, Derek. I’ve watched you spar a thousand times. I have never seen that much rage in you. Who spars with so much venom anyway? Brian was bleeding p>
“How is that my problem p>
“It was so unlike you. It got everyone talking, Derek p>
Derek said nothing. He didn’t need to justify his actions to anyone, not even to himself.
Declan remained silent for a moment. “This is about her, isn’t it? Your new bride p>
Derek’s eyes narrowed as he glanced up at his beta. “Why did you assume my new bride is the problem p>
Declan didn’t blink. “I’m just worried about you. I just hope you’re being careful enough with the whole charade. Because if you start feeling something real, you’re walking into a danger zone p>
Kai, who had been leaning against the doorframe watching them both, finally cleared his throat, stepping forward. “What we should be more concerned about is getting that crown in six months p>
Kai flopped down on the chair opposite Derek and flashed him a smirk which Derek returned with a deep scowl.
“I get your whole point, Declan, but If he need to convince Nana and the council this marriage is legitimate, he might actually have to… act like it p>
Derek’s brow lifted. “Act like what p>
“Like you’re in love with your wife,” Kai said bluntly. “Nana’s already smelling a rat. That’s why she’s moving in with you two. She wants to see proof. Musk. Bonding scent. Something that says this isn’t a paper alliance. You know that’s what everyone is whispering about, not about Brian.” He eyed Declan.
Declan’s jaw ticked. “I’m not saying he shouldn’t act like he loves his bride. I’m just saying he should be careful not to catch the real feelings. She might be a Moonfang spy p>
Kai nodded.”That’s fair. But for now, you need to be more convincing, Your Grace. Until Nana smells your scent all over the queen, on her skin, in her hair, everywhere, she’s going to keep poking. And if she decides the marriage is fake, she can give the crown to whoever she deems fit. You’ve got six months, Derek. Six months until your regency ends. You need Nana on your side. You need her to believe p>
Derek stared at the desk for a long moment. The truth of it settled like lead in his chest. “I can’t mark her now,” he said finally. “That would be a big risk to take. If Declan is right, you know what marking her can do to me p>
“You don’t need to mark her yet,” replied Kai. “Just mark her with your scent first and show everyone that she is yours alone p>
Derek stared at his tablet, jaw tight. For the first time in weeks, he let himself wonder whether taking a werewolf bride had been the catastrophic miscalculation everyone kept warning him it was. They were right. If he wanted the lie to hold until the official coronation, he was going to have to act like he gave a damn about her, even if the mere thought made his skin crawl.
He pulled out his phone to send a quick text to his ” bride,” only to realise he didn’t even have her number.
’Perfect bloody couple p>
Dusk had already bled across the estate by the time Kira stepped out of Connor’s SUV. Campus had been a small oasis, laughter with Jessica, actual conversation that didn’t feel like walking through a minefield. After a day of freedom at university, the mansion felt more like a gilded cage than ever. Connor had not interfered for once, offering only the occasional encouraging nod when she glanced back at him.
Still, the sight of a six-foot-four Lycan bodyguard trailing a werewolf student hadn’t gone down well. Especially with the Lycan girls. They had glared daggers at her. The few werewolves on campus had looked at her like she had personally sold their pack out for a crown and a credit card.
She turned to Connor outside the main entrance, reaching for the handbag he’d insisted on carrying. “Thank you, Connor. I can take it from here p>
He flashed a quick, surprisingly warm smile, handed the bag over, and dipped his head. “Goodnight, Your Highness. See you tomorrow p>
“Goodnight, Connor,” she said, and meant it. She actually liked him.
The moment she crossed the threshold into the mansion, bright female laughter floated out from the direction of the kitchen. Frowning, she followed the sound, curiosity tugging her forward before caution could stop her.
She paused in the wide doorway.
Derek sat at the island, sleeves rolled to his elbows, while Ruby stood at his back, hands resting lightly on his shoulders, laughing at something he had said. The domestic picture was so cosy it made Kira’s stomach turn over.
“I promise you’ll like it,” Ruby was saying. “I can still do this, you know p>
Derek sensed the shift in the room and turned, his eyes locking onto Kira. She immediately stiffened, tilting her chin up in defiance. Ruby followed his gaze, her expression shifting into a bright, sickeningly fake smile. Kira willed herself not to care as she stepped into the kitchen, making sure not to apologise for her presence.
“Oh, Your Highness. You’re back,” Ruby chirped, moving forward and extending a hand. “We weren’t properly introduced earlier. I think we might have got off on the wrong foot this morning p>
Kira looked at the offered hand for two full seconds, then let her gaze slide away. “I see you’re still… working p>
Ruby’s smile didn’t falter, but her fingers curled back into her palm. “Uh… yes. The King keeps very long hours. We work way into the night. Someone has to keep the pack running smoothly while he handles the international side of things p>
Kira pressed her lips together and nodded once. “I see. Please, don’t let me interrupt. I only came for water p>
She brushed past them, heading for the fridge without another word. Ruby’s eyes narrowed, clearly miffed. She had laid the “we spend so much time together” bait, but Kira hadn’t bitten. The girl didn’t even look jealous. She looked bored. Ruby sank back into the chair next to Derek, who had already gone back to his tablet, ignoring his wife entirely.
Kira grabbed a bottle of water and left the kitchen without another word or glance.