Defying the Lycan King (Kira and Derek) novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Why Did You Do It?

They stared at Kira for one long, frozen heartbeat. For a moment, nobody moved. It was as if Kira were a ghost haunting her own home.

"Kira!" Nana gasped. The elderly woman’s face transformed from a mask of weary grief to one of pure, unadulterated relief. She scrambled to her feet, her grey robes fluttering as she rushed toward the door. She didn’t wait for an explanation; she threw her arms around Kira, pulling the girl into a fierce hug. "Oh, thank the goddess! You’re safe. You’re home."

Kira stood stiffly for a second, then her arms came up slowly and returned the embrace. She felt Nana’s hands patting her back in gentle, soothing circles, the way a grandmother might comfort a frightened child. The scent of lavender clung to Nana’s robes. For a moment, Kira let herself lean into it.

Nana pulled back just enough to fuss over her, her hands hovering over Kira’s shoulders and face. "We were so worried. We thought—well, it doesn’t matter what we thought. You’re fine. That’s all that matters."

But Derek did not move. He stood by the window, arms still crossed, eyes locked on Kira with an intensity that made the air feel thinner. No relief or softening. Only a slow, burning anger that turned his amber gaze almost red.

When Nana finally released her, Derek spoke. "Who do you think you are?"

The words were quiet, but they cut through the room like a blade.

Kira lifted her head. Her heart gave one hard thud.

Derek stepped forward, each footfall heavy enough to shake the floorboards. "You left the palace without telling a soul," he continued. "You missed a sacred ceremony that this pack has honoured for centuries. And for what? A tantrum? Because you didn’t like the shade of a dress?"

Kira stared at him, her mind reeling. The nausea from the hospital was gone, replaced by a cold, sharp confusion. "Derek, I didn’t—what are you talking about?"

"Don’t play the innocent with me," he spat, stopping just inches from her, his pheromones hitting her instantly. "The entire pack was waiting. The farmers were standing in the sun with their harvests, waiting for a Queen who never showed up because she was too busy being petty."

Kira’s anger rose fast and hot. She stared at him, confusion warring with fury. She wanted to lash out at him. Who did he think he was, yelling at her? "A tantrum over a—" But she saw the faces around her, Nana’s worried frown, Declan’s tight jaw, Kai’s quiet focus on his laptop, Ruby’s stillness, and the words died in her throat. This wasn’t the time to get furious. She needed to explain.

She swallowed. "I’m sorry," she said quietly. "I’m sorry for leaving without telling anyone. I got a text from my best friend, Jessica. She said she was in danger. I had to go."

Derek’s laugh was short and bitter. "A text."

"Yes."

"You expect us to believe that?"

Kira’s hands clenched at her sides. "I don’t expect anything. I’m telling you what happened."

"Oh, really?"

Nana stepped forward, her voice gentle. "Drek, let her finish—"

Derek raised a hand, silencing her without looking away from Kira. "No. I want to hear the end of this story."

He turned his head slightly. "Ruby."

Ruby straightened at once. "Your Grace?"

"Bring the maids who attended her this morning."

Ruby nodded and slipped out of the room, heels clicking quickly on the marble.

The silence stretched, heavy and uncomfortable. Kira stood very still, feeling every pair of eyes on her. Derek didn’t move. He watched her like she was a puzzle he was trying to decide whether to solve or destroy.

Ruby returned with the two young maids. They curtsied, looking like they wanted the floor to swallow them whole.

Derek didn’t soften his tone. "Repeat what you told me."

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