Kira was out there on the open deck, sitting all by herself. Her legs were tucked beneath her, and she clutched that oversized, ridiculous teddy bear that he took great pleasure in despising. She was squeezing it like the thing was her only friend in the world.
He didn’t know what to do with her. Ever since she got back that afternoon, she hadn’t said a word beyond that flat "Good afternoon, Derek." She hadn’t eaten anything, either. It was driving him crazy.
He tried to shove the feeling down hard. He was not the type to offer soft words or open arms. He didn’t know how to. Comfort was not his language, and he might end up making it worse.
Go to her. She needs—
The night air wrapped around him, cool and salty, carrying the steady crash of waves against the shore ahead. The wood groaned under his feet, but Kira didn’t turn back or show she could feel his presence.
"Do you drink beer?" he asked, voice low and even, the sa tone he used when giving orders in the boardroom.
Derek popped the tab open for her with his thumb.
"Don’t ntion it," he replied, taking a swig of his own.
Derek took another drink from his own can and kept his gaze on the dark water for a long mont before he spoke again.
Kira’s lips curved into a small smile, but it did not reach her eyes. The usual spark was missing. "It is," she said simply. "The pack is beautiful. The parks... the gardens, the streets. It’s like a different world."
Sothing in his chest tightened, sharp and unwelco. "You don’t seem particularly happy about it," he said. The words ca out bluntly in that way he always spoke.
She wasn’t sure if she wanted to tell him anything. Their contract said they should stay out of each other’s business, and what happened today felt very personal.
So, she took another sip of beer, trying to find her voice. Then, she forced another smile and tried to play it down. "Sothing happened earlier that rattled ," she admitted. "I saw a woman die right after she gave birth. It just... it just ssed with my head a bit, but I’m fine now."
Kira blinked at him in surprise. The words caught her off guard. She had not expected him to make that connection. She slowly nodded.
Derek surprised her then. He let out a short, dry scoff and said, "He would. He isn’t going to bla a child who hadn’t taken its first breath for the death of his mate."
"You are not a curse," Derek said quite firmly.
"Your father is an idiot. Has always been a bloody one."
She tried to look offended, even though she wasn’t. "Hey! That’s my father you’re talking about. He is the Alpha of Alphas in the Eastern Werewolf Packs. He didn’t get there by being an idiot."
’Rolf hasn’t said what is actually biting him.’
Kira turned to him, her expression suddenly very serious. He was looking out into the sea again. Even if this might not be his business, she could still get so answers from him.
He turned. "Yes?"
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