Defying the Lycan King

The great ballroom of Dravengard Palace was filled up. Kings from all four regions, Alphas from every pack, their Lunas in their house colours and werewolf delegations from the Southern and Western territories, seated among the Lycans rather than behind them, which had never once happened before.

Conversation hummed through the hall until the main doors opened.

Derek entered with Kira at his side. The moment the couple appeared, the entire gathering rose to its feet and broke into sustained applause.

The applause started from the front and spread until it filled every corner of the room. Connor came in behind them with the rest of Derek’s men, and Nana walked in on Kai’s arm, and still the clapping went on.

Word had already spread. The Kings and Alphas had voted. Championed by the Northern King, they had chosen Derek and Kira Wolfe to stand as King and Queen of Kings — the highest authority among them all.

As they made their way up the length of the hall towards the platform, the Northern King’s Beta leaned close to his Alpha and spoke in a low voice.

"Are you truly surrendering to him?"

The Northern King kept his eyes on Derek and Kira. "Even I know when to bow," he answered quietly.

"What does that mean?"

"I’ve fought too many wars, and would like want to spend the rest of my days in peace." He glanced sideways. "So would my people, if anyone thought to ask them."

The Beta nodded and said nothing more.

Derek and Kira stepped onto the platform. An elder came forward carrying two simple but finely worked crowns. With formal words he placed one upon Derek’s head and the other upon Kira’s. One by one the Kings, Alphas, and werewolf leaders stepped forward and pledged their alliance to the new King and Queen of Kings.

When the last pledge had been given, Derek raised a hand for silence.

"One more thing before we all merry."

Laughter went round the room.

"I’ve had a Beta’s chair standing empty since the departure of my brother and friend, Declan." He let that sit for a moment. "I’m not filling it. No one can Declan’s place. But the work still needs doing, and there’s only one man I’d hand it to."

He turned and everyone turned with him.

"Connor."

Connor’s head came up.

"You’ve stood behind me since before I was worth standing behind. You’ve put your life on the line for my queen, way too many times to count." Derek’s voice carried. "If I could trust one man to be at my side for the rest of my life, it’s you. Take the chair."

For a moment Connor did not move at all. He stared at Derek dumbfounded. Derek gave him a subtle nod and a smile.

Then Connor came up the steps, and the hall erupted. He bowed his head in acceptance as Derek wore a medal around his neck.

Kira caught Derek’s eye across the platform, and they smiled at each other.

***

Later, the formalities gave way to music and celebration. Couples moved onto the floor while others stood in groups talking and laughing.

Braxton finally found Derek alone near the window and walked up to him.

"Your Grace."

Derek turned to find Braxton standing there. "Alpha Braxton."

He extended his hand for a shake and Braxton took it in a firm shake.

"I wanted to thank you," Braxton said. "For loving her. Properly, I mean."

He gestured to Kira who was now speaking with a group of Lunas.

Derek followed his gaze, but said nothing.

"I’ve watched you these past weeks. I’ve learned a great deal, most of it about patience." He shrugged. "You have my blessing. For whatever that’s worth."

Derek gave a short nod of acknowledgement, and then pulled him into a firm embrace and clapped him hard on the back.

"It’s worth a good deal," he said.

When Jessica saw Kira finally standing alone, she quickly rushed up and caught Kira by the wrist.

"I finally caught you alone, you elusive queen," she said. "Come with me."

"Oh, thank goodness," Kira drawled. "I needed saving. Where are we off to?"

Jessica’s lip curved mischievously. "Just come with me. Come on."

She guided Kira out of the ballroom and along the corridor to the guest suite that had been assigned to her and Kai.

Once inside, Jessica closed the door only halfway and turned with a bright expression. On the bed lay a magnificent wedding dress of soft ivory silk and delicate lace.

Kira’s eyes widened. "Jessica."

"Go on."

"It’s stunning." Kira crossed the room and touched the skirt carefully. "When did you even find time?"

"I’ve ordered it since three weeks. It just arrived, and I couldn’t be the only one marvelled by the wonder of it." Jessica dropped onto the end of the bed. "Six days, Kira. Six days and I’m actually marrying him."

Kira sat down beside her. "I’m very happy for you, my friend. Who would have thought that the two young girls who hated Lycans the most would end up with two powerful ones?"

"I know, right?"

They both giggled.

The two women sat together examining the gown, talking eagerly about the coming wedding and the lives that waited for them beyond it. Their voices carried lightly through the half-open door — laughter, plans, and shared excitement.

Out in the corridor, Valerie was on her way back from changing her gown. Somebody had knocked wine down the front of it in the ballroom, and she had spent twenty minutes with a maid trying to save the silk before giving up on it entirely.

The sound of the two women’s voices made her slow her steps. She stopped just out of sight and listened.

Anger tightened her expression as she realised they were talking about Jessica’s wedding to Kai, now only days away.

Valerie’s hands curled into fists at her sides.

Jessica seemed so sure of Kai, but Valerie would make sure that wedding must not take place.

She would find a way to spike Kai’s drink at the party, arrange for him and Alicia to be seen together, and make certain Jessica witnessed it.

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