Kai’s smile widened as he stepped a fraction closer, but not invading her space. He tilted his head, his eyes sparkling with that effortless mischief that always seemed to disarm everyone but her. “Ah, Ruby, always straight to the point,” he said. “But surely you know by now that what I want is simply to bask in the glow of the most captivating woman in the room. You make every gathering feel like an event worth attending.”
The other ladies tittered softly, their cheeks flushing again, but Ruby’s expression remained cool, though a faint flicker of irritation crossed her features. She set her champagne flute down on a nearby table with care.
“Ladies,” she said, turning to the group with a gracious smile that did not quite reach her eyes, “why don’t you go and enjoy the dance floor? I’m sure there are plenty of admirers waiting to sweep you off your feet. Kai and I have… old matters to discuss.”
The women exchanged quick glances, murmuring their goodbyes with lingering looks at Kai, before drifting away like petals caught in a gentle breeze. Once they were out of earshot, Ruby crossed her arms, fixing him with a glare that could have frozen wine in its glass.
“Alright, out with it,” she said flatly. “You’ve been circling like a vulture all evening. What clever little taunt have you been saving up this time?”
Kai chuckled, low and rich, leaning casually against the nearby column as though he had all the time in the world. “Taunt? Me? Ruby, you wound me. I’m just here to offer my condolences. It must sting, watching the King walk down the aisle with someone else. And a werewolf, no less. I mean, I really didn’t see that one coming. What happened to all those whispers about you being the perfect match? The one with the right bloodlines, the impeccable poise?”
Ruby’s jaw tightened, but she kept her voice steady, refusing to rise to the bait. “It’s politics, Kai. You of all people should understand that. The King needs alliances, not fairy tales.”
“Politics? Oh, come on, Ruby. We both know you’ve been positioning yourself as queen for years. All those late-night strategy sessions, the way you’ve clawed your way into every council meeting and heading every organisation. And then-poof-he picks a wide-eyed little mutt from Moonfang. Must feel like he slapped you right across that perfect face of yours.”
She huffed. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Kai. Or is this your way of admitting you’re still sore that I never gave you the time of day?” She turned away from him, ready to leave.
Kai pushed off the column and followed her. “Jealous? Of Derek? Please. I’m just enjoying the show. You, the queen bee, dethroned by a girl who looks like she’d faint if someone raised their voice. Tell me, will it keep you up at night, wondering what she has that you don’t? A pulse, perhaps?”
Ruby’s eyes narrowed, but she tilted her chin up, refusing to back down. “I’ll have you know that I’m not bothered by this temporary arrangement.”
Kai laughed outright, and his laughter turned a few heads nearby. “Oh, Ruby, that’s what I love about you, always so sure you’re the inevitable.”
“Laugh all you want Kai, but when the King is done playing house with his little werewolf pet, he’ll remember who truly belongs at his side.” After all, it had happened before.
“Kai raised his hands in mock surrender, still grinning. “Touché. But until then, enjoy the view from the sidelines, Your Almost-Highness. It suits you so perfectly.”
With that, Kai turned and strode away from Ruby, leaving her stewing in rage as she watched his back.
***
When Kira reached the point where she could no longer keep up with the bling, Nana finally came to her rescue by asking a servant to lead her back to the mansion for some rest. She felt nothing but relief as she left the heavy, suffocating air of the wedding reception behind. As the maid led her through the hallways of the mansion, she noticed that the house felt strangely empty and quiet. There were no servants rushing about, no guards standing at every corner like in her father’s pack house.
“Why is it so quiet?” she couldn’t help but ask.
“These are the King’s private quarters,” the girl answered politely.
“He doesn’t have servants?”
“He does. But the King… he likes order, peace, and quiet. That’s why his quarters are kept private. Servants and others come in only when needed.”
Kira nodded and said nothing. They walked the rest of the way in silence. When they reached a large, beautifully furnished master bedroom, the maid went straight into the bathroom to prepare Kira’s bath, while Kira stood in the middle of the room, looking around, not making any move to take off her dress.
“Your bedroom is the next one beside the King’s,” the maid said as she came out of the bathroom. “I can get you something to change into if you feel uncomfortable.”
“I would appreciate that,” Kira replied, though she had no intention of undressing while the girl was still there. She was certain the fabric of her dress was now stuck to the dried blood on her back, and she didn’t want anyone to see the mess.
As soon as the maid disappeared through a side door, Kira’s eyes landed on the bed, where a set of sexy, red lingerie had been laid out. A wave of sickness rose in her throat at the sight, as she wondered how she was supposed to be intimate with a man she barely knew, especially since she had never done it before.
“What is this?” she asked, lifting the tiny scraps of red lace just as the maid reappeared with a soft satin nightdress and a matching robe.
“That is lingerie, Your Highness. Lady Genevieve prepared them specifically for your first night with His Grace.”
Kira’s eyes popped in shock, but she quickly forced herself to stay calm and say nothing. Hoping to change the subject, she asked, “What’s your name?”
“I’m Mara, Your Highness.”
“Mara, thank you for your help.”
Mara shook her head. “It is my job.”
Mara sounded kind and polite, and Kira wanted her to stay a little bit longer, at least to keep her company and distract her from her fears. But she didn’t want to appear weak and pathetic, so she smiled at her. “You can go, Mara. That would be all for now.”
“Are you sure you don’t need me to help you?”
Kira shook her head. “Not at all. But you can stay close. If I need anything, I’ll come find you.”
Mara nodded, gave a small curtsy, and left the room.
Finally alone, Kira let out a long, heavy sigh and began to take off her clothes. Just as she feared, the bandages around her back were soaked with blood, and the dress had stuck to her skin. She almost cried out when she peeled both the dress and the bandages away.
After the most painful bath of her life, she slipped into the satin nightdress and the robe, ignoring the lingerie completely. Then she sat nervously on the edge of the bed. Her heart raced as she thought about what the night might bring. How could she get through this without him seeing the whip marks on her back?
She needed an excuse, something believable, to stop anything from happening until the wounds healed a little. She was still desperately trying to think of one when the bedroom door suddenly flew open.
Derek stepped inside, his tall, solid frame filling the doorway.
Her heart jumped into her throat.
“Strip, get on the bed on all fours, and give me your back,” he grunted, not even bothering to look at her as he walked inside.
“What?” Kira blurted, jumping to her feet.
Derek finally turned to look at her as if she had asked the stupidest question in the world. “Get on the bed, and don’t waste my time.”
Kira nodded but made no move. Derek, who was now getting undressed, sent her an icy glare.
“Um… I… can we do this some other time?” she stammered. “I mean, I’m not ready. I need to be mentally prepared.”
“Your state of mind is not my concern,” he replied coldly, now stripped down to his trousers. “Business doesn’t run on emotions.”
Kira’s breath caught as she looked at him, noticing how his muscles looked like solid stone. She was surprised to see he had no tattoos, which was unusual for a man of his status, but she quickly looked away when he caught her staring.
“I… I… I’m on my period,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Derek took a step toward her, and she instinctively backed away, her heart pounding against her ribs. He knew she was lying; he could hear the erratic beat of her heart.
Kira kept moving back until her heel caught the bedframe, causing her to lose her balance and fall hard onto the mattress.
Pain exploded across her back as the wounds took the impact. She howled and scrambled off the mattress, biting down hard on her lower lip to stop the cry. But it was too late.
Derek’s dark gaze was pinned on her, and she saw a flash of realisation in his eyes.
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