Defying the Lycan King (Kira and Derek) novel Chapter 215

Chapter 215: Lovesick Puppy

Angelica walked into the living room to find her old friend, Valerie, the former Beta’s wife, already seated with her daughter, Alicia.

"Valerie!" Angelica’s face brightened as she walked in.

"Angelica, darling!" Valerie cried out, rising to her feet.

The two women embraced warmly before Angelica settled into the seat across from them.

They exchanged pleasantries, the easy back and forth of two women who had known each other for decades, asking after this relative and that, this old acquaintance and another.

"And how is Kai?" Valerie asked, leaning forward, her face creasing with concern. "Has he healed completely from those terrible wounds? We heard he was at death’s door."

"He has, thank the goddess," Angelica said with a shrug. "He’s doing fine now. Back to his usual menace of a self, if I’m honest." She turned and called to a passing servant. "Some tea for our guests, please."

The servant bowed and hurried off.

Before Valerie could launch into her next pre-planned conversational trap, Alicia suddenly stood up from the sofa. She smoothed down her vibrant pink designer dress, her eyes darting eagerly toward the staircase.

"I think I’ll pop upstairs and check on Kai," she announced.

Angelica’s smile thinned just slightly. "Oh. I’m not sure that’s wise, dear. I don’t think Kai is quite up to receiving visitors yet. He’s still resting."

She knew her son’s current explosive, heartbroken mood, and the last thing Kai wanted right now was a bubbly Beta’s daughter bouncing around his private quarters.

Valerie waved a dismissive hand and laughed. "Oh, come now, my friend. Alicia isn’t just anyone, is she? She and Kai have been sweethearts since the cradle, the two of them. If anything, the boy will be delighted to see her face. It’ll do him good."

Angelica’s smile stayed fixed in place. "Yes. Yes, of course..." she murmured, her mind desperately scrambling for a polite way to block the young girl.

But before she could finish the thought, Alicia was already moving.

"I’ll see you both later, then," the girl chirped, turning on her heel and running up the staircase before anyone could stop her.

The two older women watched her disappear around the landing.

A maid came in carrying a tray of steaming cups, handing one carefully to each of them before slipping quietly away.

Valerie turned back to Angelica, lifted her cup, and took a delicate sip.

"You remember, don’t you," she said fondly, "how these two brought us together in the first place? When they were small. We used to sit and make wishes that they’d grow up and marry one day. Do you remember?"

Angelica smiled politely, but it didn’t come anywhere near reaching her eyes.

"I remember all of it," she said carefully. "But the children are grown now, Valerie. And grown children have a way of changing. Their preferences, their hearts. They don’t always want what we wanted for them when they were small."

Valerie laughed, light and certain. "Oh, not my Alicia. That girl has kept herself. Wouldn’t so much as glance at another man, not even all through college. Turned down every suitor who came knocking, and there were plenty, I assure you. She’s been waiting. For him."

Angelica took a slow sip of her own tea, weighing her words. "And what if," she said gently, "Alicia and Kai aren’t soulbonds after all? What then?"

Valerie tilted her head, unbothered. "Well, the next Red Moon Festival will sort that out clearly enough, won’t it? But honestly, Angelica."

She set down her cup. "Since when has a soulbond ever stopped any of us from loving exactly who we choose to love? Most of us don’t even find our soul bonds throughout our lives."

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