Defying the Lycan King (Kira and Derek) novel Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Meeting Maya

In the kitchen, Alistar and Flora were already there. Flora darted between counter and stove, humming softly while she prepared breakfast. The sun was peeking through the clouds now, as though last night’s storm had never happened.

"Good morning, Your Grace," the couple said in unison.

"Mhmm," Derek grunted in acknowledgement as he crossed straight to the fridge, pulled out a bottle of water, and twisted the cap off.

"How’s Maya doing today?" he asked.

"She is better, Your Grace," Flora replied with a warm smile. "She is with Alistar’s sister."

Derek only gave a nod of acknowledgement.

Kira burst into the kitchen a moment later like a beam of sunshine breaking through the window. "Good morning, everyone!" she sang. "Did you sleep well?"

The couple’s faces instantly lightened with joy as they saw her.

"Good morning, Your Highness!" they chorused.

Derek watched with growing irritation as she exchanged warm hellos and quick hugs with the couple, chatting as though they had known each other for years.

"How’s your granddaughter?" she asked.

The replied that she was better, going into better details than they had shared with him, yet he had known them for the longest.

"I’ll like to see her if that’s fine," Kira offered.

"Of course, Your Highness," Alistar replied. "Any time."

He reached inside his pocket and removed a cream envelope sealed with a Snow Crest wax.

"This arrived for you last night from Alpha Lucas, Your Grace. He’s inviting you and Her Highness to a dinner party tomorrow night."

Derek took it, tore the flap open, and scanned the contents. The Alpha expressed his apologies for the short notice but wished to be graced by the presence of the King and Queen while they were in his territory.

"Send him a reply. Tell him we’ll come." He glanced at Flora. "Could you take the Queen shopping and arrange a suitable outfit for tomorrow?"

"Of course, Your Grace," Flora replied with a pleased smile.

Derek gave a curt nod, turned, and walked out.

After breakfast, Flora took Kira into town. The town of Snow Crest was nothing like the stone-cold fortresses Kira had expected from a smaller pack. As Flora drove them in Alistar’s old truck, Kira found herself pressed against the car window, her eyes wide.

"It’s like a fairy tale," she breathed.

Flora chuckled lightly. "We like to think so, Your Highness. Alpha Lucas has a soft heart for greenery. He says a pack that breathes together, stays together."

They didn’t just head for the shops. Flora took her on a winding route through wide, tree-lined avenues where the leaves shimmered like emeralds in the morning sun.

They passed public parks so vast they looked like small forests and stumbled upon hidden gardens tucked between sleek, modern glass buildings.

Everywhere she looked, people moved with easy smiles, children chased each other through flower beds, and the salty sea breeze mixed with the sweet scent of fresh bread from the bakeries.

"People travel for miles just to see the spring bloom here," Flora explained with a touch of pride. "It’s a tourist attraction, truly."

For a few hours, Kira felt the weight of everything else slip off her shoulders. She laughed until her sides ached as Flora told her stories about the pack and it’s people.

They spent far too long in the boutique where she tried on dress after dress, twirling in front of the mirrors while Flora clapped and offered gentle opinions. They stopped for ice cream at a little stall by the park, and Kira insisted on buying Flora a cone too.

"Come," Flora said, her eyes twinkling. "Maya will be awake by now. It’s only a stone’s throw to our cottage from here."

As they turned the corner into Flora’s quiet, sun-drenched neighbourhood, they saw a group of people huddled outside a small, blue-shingled house. A young man was pacing the porch, his head in his hands.

"Oh no," Flora said softly. "That’s Ellen’s husband. The pup must have come early."

It was me, she thought, I did this to him. I was the reason he lost his light.

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