Defying the Lycan King (Kira and Derek) novel Chapter 182

Chapter 182: The Hybrid Queen

Jessica stood alone on the balcony, arms folded tight across her chest, staring out into the dark.

She had tried to reach Kira three times earlier. Each time, the same flat tone told her the phone was switched off. Of course it was.

Her best friend was off at some grand queens’ conference, mingling with the most powerful women in the realm, blissfully unaware that back at the palace, Jessica’s chest felt like someone had reached in and squeezed.

She needed to talk to someone. She needed Kira.

After Angelica had swept into Kai’s room that morning, towing that blonde girl behind her like a prize, Jessica had quietly excused herself and not gone back.

She had learned the girl’s name was Alicia. She had learned the way Angelica looked at Alicia, all warmth and approval, the exact opposite of the way she looked at Jessica. And she had refused, point-blank, to cry about it.

A knock came at her bedroom door, pulling her out of her thoughts. But before she could say a word, the door simply opened, and the sharp click of heels crossed the room.

Jessica glanced through the glass of the balcony door and saw exactly who it was.

Alicia.

She scoffed under her breath and turned back to the night sky.

Alicia stepped out onto the balcony, unhurried, and came to stand beside her.

Jessica did not turn. "What do you want?" she asked.

"I’ve come to speak with you," Alicia said smoothly. "Woman to woman."

She leaned forward against the balcony rail, the picture of ease.

Jessica said nothing.

"Kai and I go a long way back, you understand," Alicia went on. "Years. Our families, our parents, all of it. The bond between us runs very deep. Deeper than you’d know."

Jessica let out a quiet chuckle. "And why exactly are you telling me all this?"

"Because," Alicia said, turning her head to look at her, "Kai and I are going to be married one day. It’s all but settled. So whatever it is you imagine is happening between the two of you, it won’t go anywhere."

Her gaze flicked over Jessica, cool and assessing. "I heard you’re the werewolf queen’s little friend. I suppose that’s where the confidence comes from. You think that because your friend was fortunate enough to marry the king, it makes you something more than you are." Her mouth curved. "Don’t delude yourself, sweetheart."

For a moment, Jessica simply breathed. Then she smiled and finally turned to face Alicia fully.

"You know what? I appreciate your concern. Truly, it’s... touching." She tilted her head. "But until the day Kai himself stands in front of me and tells me otherwise, I’m going to go right on deluding myself. Happily. So you can save the speech."

Alicia’s smile froze on her face.

***

Across the palace, Derek returned to his bedroom after the long war council and found Kira’s reply waiting on his phone.

He read it, and a small smile tugged at his mouth despite the long day. He thought about calling her, then decided against it. It was late. She would be asleep by now, worn out from a hall full of curtsying Lunas.

Instead, he tapped out a quick message, telling her goodnight, and then a second, longer one, carefully explaining how to spot an Umbra. Ask them something only the real person would know. A name. A memory. He pressed send and hoped she would read it before tomorrow.

Then he began peeling off his suit, and as he shrugged out of the jacket, something small dropped from the inner pocket and clattered onto the floor.

The ring box.

Derek stared down at it, and only then remembered. He had promised to take it to the jeweller after work, and the whole day had swallowed him whole, the map, Bruce, Brian’s drowned car, the planning. He had completely forgotten.

He bent and retrieved it, turning the little velvet box over in his fingers, and set it carefully on the dresser.

Tomorrow, he told himself. After they dealt with Rolf and his cohorts. He would take it then, have it sized properly, and it would be ready by the time she came home to him. He liked that thought more than he expected to.

He changed out of his suit and into his war gear, pulling a long dark robe over the top, and left the room. The corridor outside was dim and quiet. He had not gone far when he stopped short, surprised.

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