Defying the Lycan King (Kira and Derek) novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Fire and Ice

How is this even possible? she wondered as she walked into her father’s huge living room, her eyes still on the Lycan King.

Most werewolves, especially the younger ones like her, had never seen a photo of King Derek Wolfe. Rumours, yes. Terrifying stories, definitely. But never his actual face. And yet here he was... the same terrifying man who had watched her from the rocks by the river two nights ago. Had he already been sneaking around their territory before he even sent the message that he was coming?

The moment the double doors opened, Derek’s long fingers stopped their slow, impatient tapping on the arm of the leather chair. He watched as Rolf’s Luna entered, sobbing dramatically, followed by some nervous Omegas. But Derek only had eyes for the girl in the middle. He noticed three things about her instantly.

She really was as beautiful as the reports had said. She was the exact girl he had seen swimming alone under the moonlight. And she had no wolf scent at all.

No wolf? That made his eyes narrow slightly. How was the heir of Moonfang supposed to rule without a wolf?

Actually, this made his plan even sweeter. He didn’t need a fortune-teller to know Rolf would have picked the strongest, most impressive werewolf son-in-law to protect his position as Alpha. Taking away his heir apparent would not just hurt him emotionally. It would weaken his hold on the pack and open the door for rival Alphas to challenge him.

And that was just the beginning. Derek had sworn a long time ago that Rolf Thornclaw would suffer.

Still, something felt off. Why was she alone by the river during her own birthday party? Was she just upset about being wolfless? Something smelled fishy.

"Your Majesty," Rolf said quickly, pulling Derek out of his thoughts. "This is my daughter, Chloe Thornclaw. The bride you asked for."

Derek let his gaze slide slowly to the girl standing beside her father. She wasn’t crying or trembling like the Luna still was. No. She was glaring at him with enough heat to melt a glacier. He almost smirked. She could glare all she wanted. She was going back with him as his bride.

Rolf gave Kira a sharp nudge when she refused to drop her head or look away, silently commanding her to show some respect, but Kira stayed as still as a statue. Inside, Rolf was screaming. If this idiot girl ruined his play now, he would strangle her himself the second they were alone. He had expected everything else from her but never the next thing that came out of her mouth.

"I would like to have a word with my husband-to-be," Kira said clearly, her eyes still fixed on Derek. "In private."

Her heart was slamming against her ribs so hard she thought it might crack them open. This was the ruthless King she’d heard nightmare stories about, yet she had to know—why on earth was he choosing to wreck her life like this? It was the twenty-first century. Who forces arranged marriages anymore? Apparently, this ruthless King did.

"Have you lost your mind, girl?" her father hissed in her ear, his fingers digging painfully into her arm. He turned to Derek with a fake, shaky smile. "Forgive her, Your Majesty. She’s just overwhelmed. This is a lot for a young girl. Give me a moment to... talk some sense into her."

"No need," Derek’s voice cut through the room. It was deep, smooth, and colder than a winter grave. He watched Rolf trying to drag Kira toward the door. "If she wants to speak, I’ll listen. Alone."

Declan, his beta, pulled closer to him and leaned towards his ear. "Are you serious right now, Derek? This could be a trap."

Derek didn’t look away from Kira. "No, Declan. She is just a spoilt little princess. I can handle myself. Everyone out. Now."

The room cleared out in a blur of hushed whispers and shuffling feet. Both Lycans and werewolves alike rose without a word, some glancing curiously, others avoiding eye contact altogether, leaving a heavy silence behind. Kira stood her ground, trying her best not to shrink under the King’s intense stare.

She quickly crossed her arms over her chest. It was a shield, partly to look tough, but mostly to hide the fact that her hands were shaking. Up close, he was even more intimidating, tall, broad, and radiating danger in a way that made the air feel thicker. He didn’t just take up space; he owned it. He looked dangerous, and for a second, Kira wondered if she had overplayed her hand. Her heart was thumping against her ribs like a trapped bird, but she took a deep breath. She was Kira. She had survived worse than a cold stare. She could handle him.

Derek didn’t move. He lounged back in the chair like a big cat watching his next meal, waiting for the door to click shut.

Kira cleared her throat. She wanted to sound firm and bossy, but when she finally spoke, her voice came out in a tiny, annoying squeak. "I’ll start by letting you know that I’m not scared of you."

"You’re not?" Derek asked. He didn’t look convinced. He pinned her with those glowing amber eyes, and she knew he could probably hear her heart racing from across the room. "Because it definitely doesn’t feel that way to me."

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