The following morning, Nana and Kira stood side by side at the top of the wide steps, watching the staff load the last of the luggage into the boot of the waiting Cullinan Rolls-Royce. Kira held the oversized teddy bear tightly against her chest like a shield, watching silently. Derek stood a little way off, deep in conversation with Connor and Declan.
Nana glanced sideways at Kira and gave a soft, knowing chuckle. "You know, dear," Nana murmured, leaning in just enough so her voice wouldn’t carry to the n, "I suspect that bear is going to be the only one getting any sleep on this trip if my grandson has anything to say about it."
Heat crept up Kira’s neck instantly. "Nana!"
"Oh, don’t ’Nana’ ," the matriarch teased, smoothing the lapel of her own coat. "I saw the way he was looking at you over breakfast. Like a man who hasn’t eaten in a month and just realized he owns the bakery. It’s a terrifying look, I know, but quite effective for a honeymoon."
Kira blushed aggressively before arranging her face. "I just... I hope we don’t argue the whole ti. He can be so stubborn."
"Stubborn? He’s a Wolfe. We invented the concept," Nana said, patting Kira’s hand. "But here is a little secret from a woman who survived fifty years with Lycan n: they are remarkably easy to manage once you realize they are mostly muscle and very little common sense when it cos to a beautiful woman." She leaned in closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a great secret.
"If he gets too grumpy, which he will, it’s his natural state; don’t argue. Just look him dead in the eye, tell him he’s being ridiculous, and then kiss him until he forgets what he was talking about. It works every single ti. It’s like hitting a ’reset’ button on a very large, very hairy computer."
Kira couldn’t help the genuine laugh that bubbled up. "I’ll keep that in mind. I’m not sure I’m brave enough to ’reset’ the King quite yet."
"You’re braver than you think, Kira," Nana said, her expression softening into sothing deeply affectionate. She reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind Kira’s ear. "Just rember, he’s all bark. Deep down, that boy is soft as butter when soone cares enough to see it. You’ve already started cracking that ice, sweetheart. Just keep being you. The real you. That’s what he needs more than anything."
Kira’s cheeks ward. She looked down at the teddy bear and gave it a little pat. "I’ll try."
"Marriage isn’t won in the first week or even month. It’s about making sure you’re the only person he wants to annoy for the rest of his life. And from where I’m standing? You’ve already won that battle."
Derek chose that mont to look over, his amber eyes tracking to Kira with that intense, heavy focus.
Nana smirked. "See? Bakery. Go on now, before he decides to skip the car and just carry you to the island himself."
Kira laughed softly, her nerves easing a little. When the boot finally closed with a thunk, Nana turned to Kira, her smile as warm and bright as sumr.
"Enjoy your trip, sweetheart."
Kira mirrored the smile, even though her pulse had begun racing again. "Thank you, Nana."
"Your private tutor will et you in the evenings," Nana added, patting her arm. "You’ve nothing to worry about on that front."
Kira nodded. It turned out Nana had been planning this for a while. She had been quietly arranging for private lectures so Kira wouldn’t fall behind during the week away.
Nana squeezed Kira’s arm. "Nothing at all to worry about."
Kira gave another small nod just as Derek broke away from the n and strode toward them. He extended his hand to her, palm up.
"Ready, darling?"
The word sounded like it had been dragged over gravel.
Kira forced another smile, brighter and more determined, and placed her hand in his. His fingers closed around hers, firm and cool. His gaze imdiately dropped to the enormous teddy bear still clutched in her other arm.
"Do we really need to bring that... darling?" he asked with exaggerated politeness. His tone was smooth and calm for Nana’s benefit, but Kira could hear the sharp bite underneath.
She lifted her chin and gave him the sweetest, most exaggerated smile she could muster. "Yes, darling."
"I don’t think we do."
"He’ll keep company," she said simply.
Derek’s jaw flexed. "But I’m here. I’ll keep you company."
"Drek," Nana interjected gently, "let her be. Sotis when you’re not around, she can hug the big baby instead."
Derek let out a long exhale through his nose, knowing arguing with Nana was pointless. Without another word, he opened the rear passenger door for her. Kira climbed in, teddy and all, and slid across the butter-soft leather. Derek followed, settling beside her and pulling the door closed.
As the Rolls purred away down the long driveway, Nana, Connor, and Declan stood on the terrace steps and waved. Kira lifted her free hand and waved back. Derek gave a short, perfunctory flick of his fingers.
The mont the car turned onto the main road and the mansion disappeared behind the trees, Kira deliberately placed the giant teddy bear between them, creating a fluffy barricade. Derek turned his head slowly and glared at her.
She glared right back.
He reached across and pressed the button to lower the partition between them and the driver.
"Take us to the pack clinic," he instructed flatly.
Kira’s brows shot up. "Why are we going to the clinic?"
He ignored her completely, raising the partition again, leaning back and closing his eyes.
She scowled at the dark glass, resisting the very strong urge to feint at him.
A short while later, the car glided into the private parking area behind the clinic. Derek finally turned to her. "You can stay here or entertain yourself," he said. "I’ll be a while." He slid his sunglasses on.
"Where are you going?"
"None of your business."
He stepped out as the driver held the door. Kira watched him stride toward the entrance, tall, dark coat swirling around him while nurses and porters bowed frantically as he passed.
Kira opened her door and stepped out, turning to the driver, who was now standing by her side of the car.
"Your Highness, would you like to escort you inside?"
"No, thank you." She offered him a small smile. "But... why is he here?"
The driver looked faintly surprised, then proud. "His Grace is a regular donor. Plasma and platelets every two weeks. He has a very rare blood type. He’s a good man, Your Highness."
Kira blinked. Her gaze drifted back to the entrance where Derek had already disappeared inside. Was this why he didn’t have any tattoos? To keep his blood ’clean’ for regular donation?
’He loves right.’
Nana’s words echoed in her head. She blocked the thought from her head, let out a slow breath and nodded once. She slid back into the car, pulled the teddy bear onto her lap, and gently pinched its little black nose.
"So you do have a human side after all," she murmured. "Who would have thought?"
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