Defying the Lycan King

When Brian pushed open the door to his study, he found his father already there, standing by the tall window with his back to the room. Crane wore a crisp white shirt tucked into dark denim, the sleeves rolled once at the wrists in that precise way of his that somehow made even casual clothes look strategic.

"The coronation is only a few months away," Crane said without turning around, his voice low and even. "And everything appears to be falling neatly into place for your younger cousin. The Council is ready to crown him now that he has a wife. Do you have any more plans, or are we simply going to watch him take the throne?"

Brian drew in a slow breath. It was getting harder by the day to chip away at Derek’s position. The frustration sat like a stone in his chest. He cleared his throat. "What if we just... remove the wife?"

Crane turned sharply, one eyebrow raised. "And you think he won’t simply marry someone else within six months?" He stepped away from the window. "Getting rid of her now is a waste of a move. It changes nothing."

"Then what?" Brian asked, the words edged with irritation as he shoved the door shut behind him.

"Emotions," Crane snapped. He lowered himself into Brian’s leather chair as though it were his, reached across the desk, and picked up one of the chess pieces from the board. His fingers turned the black knight while he spoke. "Have you learnt nothing from me? Treat this exactly like chess. You let your opponent believe they are winning. You smile, you nod, you wait. Then you strike when they least expect it." He set the knight down. "Emotion is a Lycan’s weakness. We use that to our advantage."

Brian’s brows drew together. His father was shifting the plan again, rewriting the rules mid-game. "What about the coup?"

Crane ignored the question entirely. "Derek does not really love that girl, no matter what he wants everyone to believe." He moved another piece across the board, the white queen this time, sliding it forward with care. "But the other day in the boardroom with the Volkovs... I saw the way he stared at her image on the screen. Distracted. Almost fixated." A cold smile touched his lips. "So we let him fall completely in love with her. Just like his father did. Then—" he flicked the queen over with the tip of his finger, sending it clattering onto its side "—we take her out. That will have far more impact."

The fallen queen rocked once on the polished wood before lying still. Crane leaned back in the chair, eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction.

Brian stared at the board as the new strategy sank in. "And?"

Crane’s smile never wavered. "When he breaks, we stage the coup, and the kingdom will already be ours."

***

Derek stood on the entrance terrace of the main house, a glass of whiskey cradled in one hand. Every so often, his gaze flicked toward the courtyard beyond the long driveway. Once or twice, he checked his watch. He wasn’t agitated, not outwardly. Just slow, measured pacing, the ice in his glass clinking softly with each turn.

His mind kept circling back to his wife and Kai, and how easily Kai had made her laugh. He pulled his phone from his pocket and stared at Kira’s playful video from the other day. She is too easy-going, despite enduring years of abuse. His mind drifted to what his investigator had said about her mother, and how she had emerged unscathed from a fire that claimed half of a pack.

"Who are you, really?" he muttered under his breath, then lifted the glass for a slow sip.

His eyes drifted back to the driveway. His thumb hovered over Kai’s contact. He wasn’t worried, not exactly. But they had left with no security detail. He might not care about the she-wolf, but she was still his wife, and the Queen of Dravengard, and it was his responsibility to make sure she was safe.

And then there was Nana, who had suddenly gone on a suspicious brief trip for a few days. He sighed. She had returned from that trip earlier that evening, looking far too pleased with herself, and had asked about "his wife" approximately ninety-seven times since she walked through the door. He exhaled through his nose and shoved the phone back into his pocket.

He didn’t care.

He tipped the last of the whiskey down his throat just as the front door opened behind him.

"Drek," Nana called sweetly, gliding out onto the terrace in soft grey velour pyjamas that probably cost more than most people’s monthly rent. She lowered herself onto one of the deep outdoor sofas with the grace of someone who had never once doubted her right to every inch of space she occupied. "Where is your wife?"

"Nana," he said without turning. "I already told you. She went out to have some fun with Kai."

Nana squinted at him. "Did you marry that girl for yourself, or for Kai? You know he’s a terrible charmer, and she’s gorgeous."

Derek huffed, eyes flicking toward the driveway again. He knew how Kai swayed women. "What exactly are you implying?"

"Nothing at all." Nana’s tone was far too innocent. "I’m merely pointing out that she ought to be having more fun with you. This is supposed to be your honeymoon phase." Her gaze softened, drifted somewhere far away, and a wistful smile curved her lips. "I remember when your parents got married. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Maurice wouldn’t even wait for the Red Moon Ceremony to mark her; they were that besotted. Everyone could see it. But I’m not seeing that same spark between you and that lovely girl, Derek."

He rubbed his temple. "Nana, you know how much work—"

"The Western Packs and Dravengard will survive without you for five minutes," she cut in briskly. "Declan, Connor, even Brian, they’re more than capable. You should be on honeymoon now."

Derek opened his mouth, closed it again. Before he could formulate a reply, the low growl of Kai’s sports car rolled up the driveway. The engine cut, and a peal of bright, unguarded laughter spilt across the courtyard. Kai hopped out first, circling round to open Kira’s door with exaggerated gallantry. She climbed out, still laughing, hair wild and wind-tossed into an absolute bird’s nest.

"I haven’t had that much fun in ages!" she said between giggles, pushing strands out of her face.

"If I ever run for office," Kai declared, grabbing her hand, "it’ll be Minister for Enjoyment."

"I’d campaign for you," Kira shot back. "We should make that an actual position. The kingdom needs it."

"Use your queenly powers, then. It’s refreshing to have a queen who isn’t obsessed with being prim and proper." Kai’s grin widened. "What do you say to clubbing next?"

"Yay!" Kira sang, bouncing once on her toes. "I’ve never really been. I’d love to."

They both froze when Derek suddenly materialised in front of them. His gaze moved slowly, over Kai’s hand still holding hers, over her flushed cheeks and messy hair, over the unguarded happiness still clinging to her expression. Then he reached out, snatching Kira’s hand out of Kai’s grip, shooting Kai a death glare.

"You’re back, darling!" he said, his voice a bit too loud, a bit too forced.

Kira, startled by the sudden "affection," tried to yank her hand away, but his grip was iron. He shot her a weird look she couldn’t quite decipher. He released her hand, only to drape a heavy arm around her shoulders, pulling her flush against his side. Kira opened her mouth to protest, but then she spotted Nana watching them from the terrace. She immediately went limp against him, plastering on the fakest, brightest smile she could manage.

Kai coughed into his fist, shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

"Did you enjoy your little... date with Kai?" Derek asked, bending to press a stiff kiss to her forehead.

"It wasn’t a date," she hissed through smiling teeth, then immediately turned the wattage back up for Nana. "It was brilliant, actually."

Nana beamed as they climbed the steps onto the terrace.

"Nana, you’re back!" Kira cried, escaping Derek’s grip and hurried over and fell into the older woman’s warm hug.

"Oh, my sweet girl." Nana squeezed her tight. "I’m so glad you’re enjoying yourself. I was just telling Drek that you ought to be having fun with him."

Kira didn’t know how to respond to that, so she just shot an awkward glance at Derek and forced a laugh.

"You see," Nana went on, patting Kira’s cheek, "our Drek might look cold and distant, but deep down he’s a romantic. He just doesn’t know how to show it. But he loves right."

"Nana—" Derek began.

"I know," Kira cut in smoothly, throwing him a look that could have curdled milk before turning back to Nana with a dazzling smile. "I know he loves me. All the little things he does here and there prove it."

Nana’s face lit up. "Exactly! Which is why I’ve arranged a honeymoon trip for the two of you. Just the two of you. No guards, no maids, no pack politics. Go and get to know each other properly."

"WHAT?!" Derek and Kira barked in unison, staring at her in pure horror.

Nana gave a tiny, elegant shrug. "Come on. It’s only for a week."