Defying the Lycan King (Kira and Derek) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Hated One

"Kira!"

Luna Lydia’s voice rang out in the grand hall. Kira quickly set the heavy tray of cutlery down on the nearest side table and hurried over. The Luna stood with both hands planted firmly on her hips, glaring at her as if Kira’s very existence was an insult.

"Have you brought Chloe’s dress from the laundry?"

"Yes, ma," Kira answered, keeping her voice as flat and emotionless as possible. Experience had taught her that any spark in her tone was treated as ’attitude’.

The older woman’s eyes narrowed, raking over her from head to toe. "Stop dawdling then. Get the bowls of fried meat from the kitchen and start arranging the buffet. Move!"

Kira nodded and turned on her heel. The pack house buzzed with noise as everyone hurried from one place to another, preparing for Chloe’s eighteenth birthday celebration. Every muscle in Kira’s body still ached from the endless chores she had done since the day before for Chloe’s special day. Her stomach growled, loud and insistent, reminding her she had barely eaten anything since yesterday morning. All she wanted was to escape to the river, swim in the cool water, and then sleep for a very long time.

When she reached the kitchen, one of the omegas thrust a steaming bowl of fried dried meat into her hands. "Take this to the hall. Hurry."

Kira nodded, cradling the bowl carefully. The rich, savoury aroma rose up and hit her like a wave. Her stomach rumbled again, louder this time, and her mouth watered so much she had to swallow hard. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been given meat to eat. She glanced around. The kitchen staff were distracted by a flaming dessert. Just one, she told herself. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she snatched a small piece and stuffed it into her mouth.

She closed her eyes for half a second, savouring it. Suddenly Chloe appeared in the doorway. Kira froze mid-chew. Chloe glared suspiciously at her.

"What have you done?" Chloe asked, eyes narrowing on the bowl in Kira’s hands.

Kira sighed, swallowed the last of the meat, and tried to step past her. Chloe moved faster, grabbing a fistful of Kira’s hair from behind and yanking hard.

"I’m speaking to you. You’re eating the guests’ food, aren’t you?"

"Let go of me," Kira warned, voice low.

"Or what? You thief. You’re going to fight me with no wolf?" Chloe’s voice rose to a shrill pitch. "Spit it out. Show me what you stole!"

Kira winced as pain lanced across her scalp. She tried to twist and pry Chloe’s hands away, but Chloe suddenly released her hair, making Kira stumble forward. She shot her younger stepsister a fiery glare and turned, only to collide hard with a group of omegas carrying trays of crystal glasses. One tray tipped violently. Glasses shattered on the marble floor like tiny explosions.

The omegas froze.

Kira froze, dread pooling in her stomach. She knew exactly what was coming.

"What have you done now, you clumsy rat?" Lydia’s voice thundered as she charged down the hall.

Kira’s heart gave a sharp jump when she saw the woman charging towards her.

"Mum! She was stealing meat," Chloe cried, voice high and accusing. "When I caught her, she got violent. She said she’d ruin my face so I wouldn’t be the prettiest girl at my own party!"

Before Kira could open her mouth, Luna Lydia closed the distance in two furious strides and slapped her hard across the face. The sting exploded over Kira’s cheek. Tears instantly gathered in her eyes. She pressed her palm to the burning skin and glared at the Luna.

Luna Lydia grabbed her hair again, forcing her to look up. "You little thief," she hissed. "You think you can ruin Chloe’s day just by existing?"

"I didn’t—" Kira started.

Another slap. Then another. The sharp sounds rang in the quiet hallway. The omegas who had been picking up the broken glass quickly took the bowl of meat from Kira’s hands and hurried away, leaving only Kira, her stepmother, and Chloe.

"Don’t lie to me! I can smell the grease on your breath, you pathetic creature!" Lydia shouted. She grabbed another thick handful of Kira’s hair and yanked again. "Admit it!" She shoved Kira’s head down roughly. Kira couldn’t hold back a small whimper of pain. "Admit that you’re jealous of her because you didn’t shift! Admit that you did this because you never had a grand birthday like hers! Admit that you are a disgrace to this pack!"

Anger rose hot in Kira’s chest, but she knew better than to let it spill out. She had learned long ago to hold herself back. If she dared to strike Luna Lydia or even Chloe, her father—the Alpha—would punish her severely. He would never believe her side.

"I’m taking you to your father," Lydia snarled, dragging Kira by the hair out of the hallway.

Chloe stood watching, arms crossed, smirking. "Told you she’d be trouble."

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