Defying the Lycan King (Kira and Derek) novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Act Like You’re in Love

Derek met his uncle’s eyes without flinching. "Are you finished?"

Crane straightened, exhaling through his nose. "For now." He turned on his heel and left.

The silence lasted exactly seven seconds before the door opened again. Declan and Kai walked in together. Declan looked grim; Kai looked like he would rather be anywhere else.

Declan spoke first. "As much as I hate to say it, your uncle’s right. You can’t afford a family war right now. Half the council is already looking for a reason to hand your crown to Brian because you brought a Moonfang bride into the palace. If you keep giving them ’undeniable evidence’ of your instability, you’re handing him the throne on a silver platter."

Derek pinched the bridge of his nose. "There is no war. There was a spar. End of discussion."

Declan crossed his arms. "I’ve known you since we were in the cradle, Derek. I’ve watched you spar a thousand times. I have never seen that much rage in you. Who spars with so much venom anyway? Brian was bleeding."

"How is that my problem?"

"It was so unlike you. It got everyone talking, Derek."

Derek said nothing. He didn’t need to justify his actions to anyone, not even to himself.

Declan remained silent for a moment. "This is about her, isn’t it? Your new bride."

Derek’s eyes narrowed as he glanced up at his beta. "Why did you assume my new bride is the problem?"

Declan didn’t blink. "I’m just worried about you. I just hope you’re being careful enough with the whole charade. Because if you start feeling something real, you’re walking into a danger zone."

Kai, who had been leaning against the doorframe watching them both, finally cleared his throat, stepping forward. "What we should be more concerned about is getting that crown in six months."

Kai flopped down on the chair opposite Derek and flashed him a smirk which Derek returned with a deep scowl.

"I get your whole point, Declan, but If he need to convince Nana and the council this marriage is legitimate, he might actually have to... act like it."

Derek’s brow lifted. "Act like what?"

"Like you’re in love with your wife," Kai said bluntly. "Nana’s already smelling a rat. That’s why she’s moving in with you two. She wants to see proof. Musk. Bonding scent. Something that says this isn’t a paper alliance. You know that’s what everyone is whispering about, not about Brian." He eyed Declan.

Declan’s jaw ticked. "I’m not saying he shouldn’t act like he loves his bride. I’m just saying he should be careful not to catch the real feelings. She might be a Moonfang spy."

Kai nodded."That’s fair. But for now, you need to be more convincing, Your Grace. Until Nana smells your scent all over the queen, on her skin, in her hair, everywhere, she’s going to keep poking. And if she decides the marriage is fake, she can give the crown to whoever she deems fit. You’ve got six months, Derek. Six months until your regency ends. You need Nana on your side. You need her to believe."

Derek stared at the desk for a long moment. The truth of it settled like lead in his chest. "I can’t mark her now," he said finally. "That would be a big risk to take. If Declan is right, you know what marking her can do to me."

He pulled out his phone to send a quick text to his "bride," only to realise he didn’t even have her number.

’Perfect bloody couple.’

***

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