Chapter 248

At the Wolf Council in Aethelwulf Centralis p>

Kira’s heart pounded against her ribs like a trapped bird as Kai’s car pulled into the Council grounds. She pressed her face slightly against the glass, her eyes scanning the sprawling car park.

The lot was already crowded with dozens of luxury vehicles and heavily armoured SUVs, and Kira could make out the pack symbols emblazoned on each one, crest after crest, sigil after sigil. So many werewolf Alphas. So many powerful men, gathered in one place, most of whom would sooner see the earth swallow her whole than watch a woman claim a pack.

L

Jessica twisted around in her seat and grabbed Kira’s hand, squeezing it tightly. “You’ve got this,” she said firmly. “You hear me? You can do this. You’re the rightful heir. Don’t let these old dogs intimidate you p>

Kira managed a small nod, exhaling a long, shaky breath. “Thanks, Jess,” she whispered.

I really wish Derek was here, she thought.

It was ridiculous, really. They were barely even together anymore, hurtling toward a divorce and a rejection. And yet Derek had always had this strange effect on her. A steadying one. He always seemed to know the exact right thing to say when her nerves were fraying, and somehow, infuriatingly, it worked like magic every single time.

That’s because he’s our soulbond, dummy, Lux whined from inside her. You’re sitting here sighing like a lovesick teenager when we could be basking in his glorious, muscular presence. I miss his amber eyes. I miss his scent. Why did we tell him we needed space again? We’re idiots.

Shut up, you very horny bitch, Kira told her beast. Can you stop thinking about his chest for five minutes? We’re about to face the council!

Lux purred. Well, what can I say, I’m your very primal side, and I only get raw. But you know what to do when push comes to shove, she said sweetly. Just hand me the wheel. One little relinquishment of control, and I’ll handle the whole room.

Kai climbed out and opened the doors for both women, while Connor, Gavin, and the rest of Derek’s security team fanned out across the grounds, scouting the entryways and checking the perimeters for any hidden threats. When they returned to where Kai, Kira, and Jessica stood, Connor began issuing instructions.

“Alright, listen up,” Connor said, pointing at a few royal gammas. “You three are coming inside with the Queen and me. The rest of you form a defensive perimeter out here in the lot. Nobody gets near the vehicles.” He turned his sharp gaze toward Gavin. “You, stay outside and watch the rear exit p>

Gavin didn’t move. “My Alpha instructed me to remain at the Queen’s side at all times p>

“And I’m instructing you to do as you’re told,” Connor said. “I’m the Head Gamma here. My word is final p>

“I’m a Head Gamma too,” Gavin shot back, stepping right into Connor’s personal space. “And in case your royal brain forgot, this is neutral territory. I don’t have to follow a single one of your orders. I’m going inside p>

Kira exchanged a long, weary glance with Kai and Jessica.

Kai leaned down toward her. “Well, since the two macho men are busy measuring their titles, I think I’ll have to be the one to actually accompany you inside, Your Highness p>

Kira chuckled softly. “Please do, Kai. Before they start wrestling on the bonnet p>

She walked right past the bickering gammas, heading straight for the entrance of the Council building with Jessica and Kai flanking her.

Realising the Queen was moving without them, Connor and Gavin instantly stopped arguing, and quickly scrambled to follow suit, marching right behind her and still radiating quiet hostility at one another p>

The moment they stepped into the corridor, the temperature seemed to drop. A few yards ahead, standing right before the double doors of the main hearing room, was a group of familiar faces.

Rolf Thornclaw was standing there, gesturing wildly as he talked animatedly with his Beta, Jake, and the arrogant Scott.

Kira stopped walking, making everyone around her stop too. Hearing the sudden quiet in the hall, Rolf and his companions stopped talking. And slowly, one by one, they turned to look at her.

Rolf’s lip curled into a sneer. “Well, well. Look who’s found her nerve.” He looked her up and down, contempt dripping from every word. “You really are too bold for your own good, aren’t you? Thinking you can waltz in here with some ridiculous made-up claim and take my pack from me p>

He shook his head. “I always knew you were stupidly greedy, girl. Even as a child. And now you imagine that having the Lycan King panting after you means you can win this?” His voice hardened. “Let me be very clear to you useless girl. I will crush you this time. And I’ll hand the pack to whom I deem fit p>

Scott let out a low, mocking chuckle from the background, looking very pleased with himself.

Connor and Gavin let out warning growls and made to lunge, but Kira held up her hand, stopping them. She stared at Rolf for a moment and then burst into laughter.

Rolf and his men frowned, exchanging confused glances.

“What’s funny?” Rolf asked.

“Rolf,” she finally said, calm as still water, “I’m not afraid of you. Not of you, and not of anything you think you can do to me. You couldn’t manage to kill me for twenty whole years while I lived right under your nose. So what on earth makes you believe you could crush me now p>

She took a step closer. And the whole corridor seemed to still.

“You murdered my mother,” she said, her voice low and clear and carrying. “You wiped out her family, her name, her whole bloodline. You stole her ancestral land and crowned yourself the great and ultimate Alpha of it. And now you have the sheer audacity to want to hand my birthright over to this incompetent stranger.” She pointed at Scott, who stiffened. “All while calling me a useless, wolfless runt every single day of my childhood p>

Rolf opened his mouth.

“But guess what, Rolf?” Kira went on, and her smile turned to something colder, something almost pitying. “You couldn’t kill me all those years, no matter how hard you tried. And do you know why?” She let the silence stretch. “Because I am your karma. And karma doesn’t die. It just waits p>

Rolf’s eyes widened in bewildered fury. “How dare you accuse me of such a thing?” he barked, raising his hand.

But Kira moved, walking past him as if he wasn’t even there. Kai let out a snort of laughter as he followed right behind her, pushing the double doors open for his Queen while Connor and Gavin surged forward, invading Rolf’s space, glaring at him, and daring him to bring down his hand on Kira.

Rolf lowered his hand to his side, glaring at the men as they walked past too.

“She had always been an arrogant bitch,” Scott fumed, Where did she get such audacity p>

Rolf was almost foaming at the mouth. “I will kill that girl with my bare hands p>