Defying the Lycan King (Kira and Derek) novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Not Chloe After All

"Your name is not Chloe?" Nana asked, her gaze moving slowly from Kira to Derek, confusion knitting her brows.

Derek didn’t even flinch. He lifted his coffee cup to his lips again, slow and unbothered, the picture of a man who hadn’t a single care in the world. Only once did his gaze flick to Ruby. That single glance was enough. Ruby’s face drained of colour; realisation hit her like cold water, and she looked like someone who had suddenly realised she had overplayed her hand.

"I... I overheard her," Ruby said quickly, straightening in her chair. "She was on the phone. She said her name isn’t Chloe. She said it’s Kira." She turned her polished smile on Nana. "I just thought it was strange. I mean, shouldn’t we be sure she’s who she claims to be?"

Kai let out a low, amused chuckle and plucked a fat grape from the fruit tray as his gaze landed on Ruby. "Wow," he drawled, popping it between his teeth. "Just... wow."

Nana shot him a glare, and he went silent.

Kira kept her eyes glued to the steam curling up from her coffee. Don’t look up. Don’t react. Her pulse hammered in her ears. What now? Was Derek about to rip the mask off in front of his entire family? How did Ruby know her name? They had agreed to keep the marriage details locked tight. Had Derek really let it slip to his mistress? The betrayal stung sharper than she expected.

She clenched her hands under the table to stop them shaking. Nana’s gaze narrowed on Derek first, then swung back to Kira.

"What exactly is going on?" Nana demanded. "Is your name Chloe or not?"

Kira gave one slow, reluctant shake of her head, her mind scrambling for an answer. She risked a glance at Derek. He stared straight back, one dark brow lifted in a silent, mocking challenge: Go ahead, liar. Tell them everything.

She drew in a shaky breath and opened her mouth to speak. "Err..."

"That was my mistake," Derek said calmly, beating her to it.

Kira’s heart stuttered. She stared at him, surprised. Every head turned to him.

"I misheard her name the very first day we met," he continued, setting his cup down with deliberate care. "Chloe is a cousin in her family. Her name is Kira." His gaze swept the table. "And that’s what everyone will call her from now on."

Relief crashed over Kira so hard she almost swayed. She hadn’t realised she’d been holding her breath until it whooshed out of her. He had covered for her. Just like that. Thank the goddess. She wasn’t ready to face Nana, or anyone, about her father’s lies. Not yet.

The moment breakfast ended, Kira bolted for the kitchen exit like her tail was on fire. She needed air, distance, anything to shake off Ruby’s words, her sharp eyes, and the way they had bored into her like claws under skin. She pushed through the side door into the open courtyard, gulping fresh air.

"Sweetheart?"

The word stopped her dead. Derek. He had called her sweetheart. She turned slowly, pasting on a smile that felt more like a grimace.

The rest of the men were spilling out of the mansion now, heading for the sleek row of cars parked in the drive. Derek descended the last few steps and stopped right in front of her.

"We’re leaving together," he said simply.

Before she could answer, Ruby sauntered out behind them. Derek reached up and brushed a stray lock of hair from Kira’s cheek. The light touch sent a shiver racing down her spine. She fought to keep her expression neutral, even though her skin still remembered every point his fingers had grazed.

She was still furious with him. He had saved her at breakfast, yes, but the anger hadn’t vanished. It just simmered lower.

"Wait in the car for me," he murmured. "I’ve got something to handle first."

She would have nodded and walked away if he hadn’t leaned in. Her heart turned into a frantic, caged bird as his face drew nearer. Closer. Closer. Mint and citrus filled her lungs. He was going to kiss her.

Was she really about to lose her first kiss like this? Oh goddess, she was going to hiccup. Or faint. Or both.

She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for it.

"You know," he whispered, lips so close his breath feathered across her skin, "for someone who threatened me with public displays of affection, you’re awfully stiff and timid. Why is that?"

Her eyes flew open just in time for his lips to land on her forehead.

It was a kiss in name only, no tenderness, no lingering, no warmth. Just the bare minimum needed to convince any watching eyes that affection existed here.

He pulled away instantly, face blank as ever. "Get into the car and wait."

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