Kira sat propped up on the hospital bed, her left leg stuck out in a bulky white cast like an annoying decoration. She was flipping through a magazine without really reading it when the door opened.

It had been over twenty-four hours since she’d refused to see Derek or let him anywhere near her room. Part of her kept wondering if she was being too harsh or too dramatic.

But every time she closed her eyes, she saw it again — Ruby on his lap, their mouths locked together. The image refused to leave her alone.

She turned a page she had not read.

It was an open marriage. She knew that going in. She had signed the same contract he had, and nowhere in that contract had either of them used the word love or made any promises about forever.

She had no claim on him that the world would recognise as real.

Except that they had promised each other fidelity. That specific thing, just that one thing, and she had believed it meant something. She had let herself believe it.

The breaking of that promise was what actually hurt. At least that was what she told herself.

A light knock sounded at the door, and a gamma walked in carrying a beautiful bouquet of white lilies.

"These were delivered for you this morning, Your Highness," he said, bowing slightly as he handed them over.

Kira accepted the flowers with a small smile. "Thank you."

The gamma bowed again and left. She brought the bouquet closer, inhaling the sweet scent, and spotted a small note tucked between the stems. Her lips curled up as she opened it.

Hope you’re resting well, my Queen. I counted every stair you fell down. I will make sure every single one of them means something.

Kira’s smile widened. So Derek had decided to be romantic about it, she thought, placing the bouquet on the bedside table, and looked at the note again, softer this time, turning it over in her fingers.

Then she read it again, and her brows drew together slowly.

I counted every stair you fell down.

Something about the wording felt... off.

That was not Derek. He wouldn’t write like he was planning revenge. Ruby was definitely going to face consequences, and he didn’t need to promise her that.

Before she could think about it more, the door burst open again. Kira startled and shoved the note under her thigh just as Jessica walked through.

"Kira!" Jessica squealed, rushing across the room like a ginger hurricane.

Kira screamed with pure joy, arms already open. Jessica threw herself onto the bed, carefully avoiding the cast, and wrapped her in a tight hug. Kira hugged her back just as fiercely, laughing even as tears pricked her eyes.

"I’ve been losing my mind since you called me," Jessica said into her shoulder.

"You crazy girl! How did you even get into Dravengard?" Kira asked, pulling back to look at her best friend.

"She had help." Kai strolled in behind Jessica, hands in his pockets, wearing his usual cocky smirk. "I rescued her from four very confused gammas who thought she was a spy."

Jessica rolled her eyes dramatically. "He didn’t rescue me. He just showed up and acted like he owned the place."

Kira grinned, looking between them. "I’m so happy you’re both here."

They settled into easy conversation, the three of them, catching up on everything. Kai and Kira fell into their usual playful banter, teasing each other about everything from her cast to his dramatic entrance while Jessica stayed sharp with Kai, shooting back every flirty comment with dry sarcasm that only made him laugh harder.

Then Kai’s phone buzzed. He checked the screen and stood up. "I have to take this. Be right back." He winked at Jessica before stepping out.

The moment the door closed, Kira turned to her friend with a mischievous grin. "He likes you."

Jessica rolled her eyes so hard it looked painful. "He is not my type."

"Oh really?" Kira teased, raising an eyebrow. "Because he looks exactly like one of those book boyfriends you drool over. Tall, charming, annoying smile... come on, admit it. You’re into him."

Jessica tried to hold a straight face but failed, a reluctant laugh bubbling out. "Shut up. He is a Casanova, and I’m not playing around. My wolf is the one who can be stupid, not me."

Kira giggled. "Your wolf has excellent taste."

Jessica looked at the window. "I’m not having—"

The door opened and Kai came back in, pocketing his phone. He noticed how they had suddenly gone quiet.

"Everything alright?" he asked looking suspiciously at both of them.

"Perfect," Kira said.

Jessica examined her nails.

Kira clapped her hands together. "Since the both of you are here, let’s take a walk outside in the gardens. Dr Adah cleared me, but I need someone to help me with this stupid cast."

Kai and Jessica helped her up, handing her the crutch propped on the wall. The three of them made their way down the long corridor of the medical centre.

Pack members stepped aside and bowed their heads as they passed, first to Kira and then to Kai, some whispering excitedly when they saw the Queen.

Jessica looked around at the soaring ceilings and the polished floors and the sheer scale of the place with wide eyes.

"I can’t believe I’m actually here," she said. "I used to think Dravengard was basically a myth. I feel like I’m in one of those fancy movies."

Kai smirked. "We can make your stay permanent, you know. You just have to say yes to marrying me."

Jessica shot him a look. "Permanent? With you? I’d rather live in a cave."

"A cave sounds romantic," Kai replied smoothly. "We could decorate it together. You bring the attitude, I’ll bring the charm."

Jessica groaned. "Your charm is about as useful as a chocolate teapot."

Kira walked between them, laughing so hard her stomach hurt.

"You two are going to make a great pair. I can already see the wedding invitations. Wait." Kira looked between them.

"Are you sure you both aren’t mates? I know lycans don’t recognise their mates at first sight, but Jessica, Ginger must have said something."

Jessica’s face flushed and she opened her mouth to deny, but was interrupted as a door suddenly swung open.

Someone came out fast, head down, not looking where they were going.

The collision was immediate. Kira lurched sideways and both Kai and Jessica caught her simultaneously, one hand each, pulling her upright before the cast hit the floor.

Sasha muttered a quick, distracted "Sorry" and hurried away without even looking up.

Jessica’s eyes narrowed. "Who the hell was that bitch? You guys, command the gammas to drag her back here to apologise properly!"

Kai smiled and shook his head in amusement.

Kira shook her head. "It’s fine. She looked really upset about something."

Curious, Kira glanced into the room Sasha had come from. The door was slightly ajar. Inside, a small boy of about four lay in a bed surrounded by machines.

Kai noticed her looking and spoke quietly as they continued walking. "That’s Sasha’s son, Jerry. He must be critically ill. I think that’s why she’s so upset."

Kira was genuinely surprised. "I never knew she had a child."

Kai nodded. "She’s a young widow. Her gamma husband died during one of Derek’s wars against the werewolves."

Kira felt a pang of pity for Sasha despite the way Sasha had treated her. As Kai and Jessica helped her down the hallway, she stayed quiet, thinking about the other woman’s pain.