Defying the Lycan King (Kira and Derek) novel Chapter 235

Chapter 235: In Her Brother’s Garden

Braxton sat in his study, buried under a small mountain of pack logistics and financial files. He was rubbing his temples, wondering if he had made a very bad decision, when the door opened.

His Beta, Oliver, walked into the room, holding an envelope.

"This just arrived, Alpha," his Beta said, crossing the room. "It comes from the King."

Braxton’s heart gave a small skip, but he kept his face even as he took the letter. "Do you know what’s in it?"

Oliver shook his head. "No, Alpha. It looked like a personal letter, between you and the King. So I thought it best not to read it."

"Thank you, Oliver." Braxton turned the envelope over in his hands, then broke the seal and unfolded the page.

Braxton,

I know I am likely the last person on this earth you wish to hear from, and I cannot blame you for hiding my wife away from me after the horrific way I treated her. You acted as any true brother and Alpha should, and for that, you have my respect.

But I saw Kira at the Wolf Council, and I understand now what she is to me, what she has always been. I said things to her that I would give anything to take back. I hurt her in ways I am not sure she will ever forgive, and I would not blame her if she never did.

I am not writing to demand her return. She is a grown woman, and after everything, the choice is hers alone. I only ask for one thing, a chance to speak with her.

To apologise properly, to her face, and to say the things I should have said long before I said the cruel ones. If she refuses, I will respect it. But I could not live with myself if I did not at least ask.

I know she is safe with you, and for that, in spite of everything, you have my gratitude. Please, grant me this.

Derek Wolfe

Braxton let out a very deep, slow sigh, leaning his head back against the leather cushion of his chair.

After the very first line, he felt his heart settle slowly back into his chest. He had braced himself for threats, for demands, for the arrogance of a Lycan king used to getting his way. This was not that.

He stared up at the ceiling, feeling a mess of conflicting emotions.

"What does it say, Alpha?" Oliver asked.

"The King wants to meet with Kira," Braxton said.

Oliver exhaled, visibly relieved. "Well. I’m glad it isn’t a declaration of war, at least. That’s something." He shifted. "What do you want to do about it?"

Braxton stayed quiet for a while, turning the letter over in his mind, weighing the man behind the words. Then he said, "I’ll send a reply to the King." He tapped his desk. "We will handle this carefully."

Oliver nodded, then his expression grew more serious.

"Speaking of careful, Alpha... I have some rather troubling news from our border patrols. We have just detected Umbra activity along the borders. It’s my belief they’ve located the Queen. They know she’s here."

Braxton’s jaw tightened. "Then we upgrade security at the borders. Immediately. I want our strongest warriors on patrol, day and night. Nothing gets through."

"I’ll see to it, Alpha." Oliver hesitated, then pressed on carefully. "Although... I have to say it might be better for her to go back to Dravengard. They have more warriors than we do. Stronger defences. If the Umbras are massing for her, she’d be safer there than she is here with us."

Braxton didn’t answer for a long moment. The truth of it sat uncomfortably in his chest, because he knew Oliver was right, and he hated that he knew it.

"Kira isn’t to know about the Umbra activity at the borders," he said at last. "Any of it. I don’t want her worrying about it, not now, not with everything else she’s carrying."

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