Derek’s car pulled up slowly in front of the packhouse. The moment the headlights swept across the driveway, he spotted Connor’s SUV and remembered Kira.

"Shit," he muttered under his breath, the guilt hitting him instantly. He had completely forgotten.

Connor came around to open the door for Kira. She stepped out still in her burgundy gown, her heels in her hand, the night air cool against her bare feet on the driveway. She was already moving toward the front door when she heard the sound of another car.

She glanced back.

Derek’s car had rolled to a stop behind Connor’s. The back door opened, and Derek stepped out, blue shirt slightly rumpled, hair tousled at the edges, looking entirely unhurt and completely fine.

Declan came around from the driver’s side. And then the other back door opened, and Ruby stepped out, smoothing her dress as she straightened up.

Something hot moved through Kira’s chest. She looked at the three of them standing there in the driveway, at Ruby’s composed face and Derek’s tired one, and then she turned around and walked into the house without a word.

The front door banged shut behind her.

Declan looked at the door, then at Derek, and then at Connor, who was standing with his hands clasped and an expression that was carefully neutral. "What’s going on?"

Ruby leaned back against the car, arms folded, the faintest curve at the corner of her mouth that she made no effort to conceal. The flash of hurt and anger on Kira’s face had been so satisfying.

Derek dragged a hand through his hair.

This was a total disaster. After Ruby had brought the Umbra lead, he had called Declan immediately. The three of them had jumped into the car and raced toward the borders.

Hours had slipped away checking reports, securing the area, and learning it was a false alarm from the villager who had sent it. He had not thought about the fundraiser once until he saw Kira standing there.

He looked at Connor. "How did the night go?"

Connor shook his head. "It almost went downhill. The Alphas were ready to walk out. A few of them started calling for a public apology from her."

He paused. "If Nana and Kai hadn’t shown up when they did, it would have been a complete mess." He looked at Derek. "She’s angry. And I won’t pretend she doesn’t have reason to be. You should have at least sent a message."

Derek’s hand went to his trousers pocket automatically. Empty. He checked the other one. Nothing.

He pressed his eyes shut for a brief second and sighed. He must have left it on the centre table in his rush earlier. The guilt twisted deeper.

"Go talk to her now," Connor said quietly.

Ruby opened her mouth. "Surely the queen will understand that the pack’s safety comes first—"

Derek cut her off with a sharp look.

He gave quick instructions to the gammas who had returned with them, then bid Ruby and Declan good night. Without another word, he walked into the mansion.

Upstairs in their bedroom, Kira sat at the vanity table, her back to him, working through her skincare.

Derek stood by the doorway for a moment, watching her.

She knew he was there. He could tell by the slight change in her posture, the way her shoulders held themselves just a fraction more deliberately than usual. But she did not look up.

"How are you?" he asked.

"Fine," she replied without looking at him, her voice flat.

He walked into the room properly, stopping a few feet behind her. "I didn’t plan to miss the event. A lead came in about Umbra activity near the border. It came in at the last minute, and I had to move on it immediately."

"Okay," Kira said.

She capped a small bottle, set it on the vanity, and stood up. She walked to the bed and sat on the edge of it, reaching back to unclip her earrings.

Derek frowned. "Why aren’t you saying anything?"

Kira finally looked at him, her eyes tired and red-rimmed. "I’m tired, Derek. I’m sleepy, and I want to rest.

He stood watching her for a long moment. He didn’t want to stress her further, especially knowing how much she had already endured that night. He nodded slowly, removed his clothes in silence and walked to the bathroom to have a quick bath.

When he came back out, towel around his waist, the lamp on her side was already off. She had already tucked herself under the duvet, but she had created a literal wall between them with that oversized teddy bear.

Derek stared at it.

She was on the far edge, hugging her pillow and facing away from him.

"Kira?" he called her name softly. "Why is the bear between us?"

She didn’t answer, but he could tell from her breathing that she was still awake.

He realised that despite her claim of being ’fine,’ she was still mad. He sighed, pulled on his clothes and got into his side of the bed, staring at the ceiling in the dark with the bear between them.

***

Later that night, long after most of the servants had gone to bed, Ishita moved slowly between the counters, wiping them down one last time.

Suddenly, Ruby glided into the kitchen, her red hair loose around her shoulders and her robe whispering against the floor. Ishita looked up and offered a polite smile.

"Good evening, Miss Ruby."

Ruby did not answer or return the greeting.

"The herb I gave you," Ruby said, without preamble. "For the Queen’s meals. Have you been using it?"

Ishita’s hands stilled on the cloth. She had honestly forgotten about the ’fertility herb’ the very first day Ruby had handed them over. She felt a prickle of guilt.

"Yes, Miss Ruby," Ishita lied, nodding her head quickly. "I have been using it, just as you asked."

Ruby stepped closer, her gaze narrowing with suspicion. Ishita avoided her eyes, focusing instead on the counter she was wiping.

Ruby knew the woman must be lying. If Ishita had been using that herb, Kira would not be pregnant by now.

"Look at me," Ruby said.

Ishita looked up.

"Tell me the truth."

The silence between them lasted for three seconds, then Ishita’s shoulders fell. "I am sorry, My Lady. I forgot all about it," she admitted. "Things have been so busy and—"

"You forgot." Ruby’s voice did not rise, but her face hardened into something ugly. "You forgot to follow a simple instruction. Are you a fool?"

"I’m sorry, I will start immediately—"

"It’s already too late," Ruby said.

Ishita looked up, her brow furrowed in confusion. The intensity of Ruby’s anger seemed far too much for a missed supplement. "Too late? Too late for what, My Lady?"