Kira stood beside Kai’s bed and absorbed the hostility radiating off Kai’s mum.

She was shocked by how blunt the woman was. She hadn’t even tried to be diplomatic. No civility. Just a flat, cold instruction to get out, before Kira had managed more than half a sentence.

She was going to need much thicker skin if this was what Derek’s extended family was going to be like.

And the worst part was that she couldn’t even hate these people back anymore. Her understanding made that almost impossible.

She was drawing breath to respond when the balcony door opened.

A young man stepped through, and Kira’s first thought was that someone had made a slightly altered copy of the Wolfe family.

He had his mother’s colouring and sharp features, and the same tall, broad build and natural authority that Derek carried everywhere he went. The only difference was his eyes. Instead of amber, they were a clear, striking blue. Just like Kai’s.

She recognised him from the wedding reception.

Alpha Tan. Kai’s elder brother.

His eyes moved across the room and landed on his mother.

"Mother. Stop it." His voice was firm. "She’s the queen."

His mother rolled her eyes and turned toward the walk-in closet."I don’t care if she is the goddess herself," she called over her shoulder. "I just don’t want her anywhere near my son."

Tan pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly embarrassed.

"She’s Kai’s friend," he said. "She came to see him as a friend. Throwing her out of his room is rude, and Kai wouldn’t be happy about it if he knew."

Angelica said nothing. She simply disappeared into the closet and closed the door behind her firmly.

Tan turned to Kira and lowered his head in a small, respectful gesture. Kira, not knowing what else to do, quickly mirrored the gesture.

His mouth curved into a faint smile. "Don’t take it to heart, Your Highness. Our mother is shaken by what’s happened to Kai. She isn’t usually like this."

Kira returned the smile, brighter than his. "It’s completely fine. I understand. I’ll leave you both to it now."

"You’re welcome to stay with Kai as long as you’d like."

"Thank you, but Derek is waiting for me at the training ground."

She glanced once more at Kai’s still face, then slipped quietly out of the room.

***

The training ground was already busy when she arrived, pack members sparring in pairs across the wide open space, the morning loud with the sounds of impact and instruction.

Derek saw her at once. He broke away from his spar, crossed to her in a few long strides, and held out his hand. She smiled and took it.

He studied her face, the flush of it, the smile that didn’t quite reach all the way up.

"You look upset."

Kira shrugged, trying to play it off. "Kai is in a critical condition," she said. "I’m allowed to look upset."

He didn’t push it. He simply led her toward the centre of the training ground, and as they moved through, the gammas and pack members dipped their heads, bowing to her one after another.

Then they passed Declan.

Kira felt the shift between Declan and Derek immediately. Derek’s posture changed as they drew level with him, going rigid, and Declan’s jaw tightened, and neither man looked directly at the other. The air between them pulled taut for the length of a single breath before they were past it.

She wondered what was going on between them, and hoped it had nothing to do with her.

Derek drew her into the open centre of the ground and turned to face her.

Kira’s eyes were still on Declan as he picked a spar partner.

"The first lesson," Derek began, dragging her attention back to him, "is to remain aware of your surroundings at all times. Always stay vigilant."

Kira began to smile.

"Attacks often happen when you least expect them, like when you’re engrossed in your phone or trying to enter your car. Do you understand this?"

"Yeah," Kira replied, although her mind was still wandering back to what she had just noticed between them.

"What’s going on between you and Declan?" she asked.

Suddenly, Derek seized her wrist, expertly twisting her arm behind her back before slamming her against the floor. He knelt beside her.

"What are you doing?" she nearly cursed in pain.

"See how simple that was?" he whispered, sending shivers down her spine. "You’re not focused." With that, he released her. "I’m releasing you now, but an attacker won’t."

Kira got up and rubbed her throbbing wrist, her face crumpling in a frown. "You should have warned me that you were starting."

"Because your attacker will surely announce, ’Hey, Kira, I’m about to attack you, so brace yourself!’ Derek said, sarcasm lacing his tone. "Now, come to the centre."

Kira sighed, surprised by his sudden seriousness. She had anticipated a lighter, more enjoyable session.

But it seems Derek wasn’t in the mood for anything light. Nevertheless, she squared her shoulders and met him in the centre of the yard.

"If your attacker comes from the front, you have an advantage since you can see them," Derek instructed.

"Don’t panic; fight back. There are sensitive areas to target, which would give you a chance to escape." He pointed to her nose. "Aim for the nose, knees, eyes, and most crucially, the groin if it’s a male attacker."

She nodded.

"Also, use your body weight to your advantage. Now, try to push me while maintaining your current stance."

Again, Kira nodded and pushed as hard as she could, but it seemed like Derek had become an immovable wall.

He urged her to try again, and she summoned every ounce of strength, but he barely budged. Swiftly, he wrapped his arms around her waist, lifted her off her feet, and slammed her on the ground, again.

This time, she cried out more from shock than pain. Why was he catching her off guard like this? She shot him a sharp glare, irritation flaring inside her.

Derek smirked. "Don’t be angry," he said, offering her a hand. "It’s for your own benefit."

She reluctantly took it, and he pulled her up. This time, she was more alert than ever. However, he didn’t attempt to sweep her off her feet again.

"Now, position your right foot in front," he instructed, demonstrating.

She followed suit.

"Try pushing me again."

She pushed at his chest, and this time, he stumbled back a few steps. His proud smile mirrored hers, and he came closer, raising his hand for a high-five. She slapped her palm against his with a proud smirk.

"Tell me what you noticed when you pushed me just now," he said.

She shrugged, unable to pinpoint the difference. For all she knew he might have stumbled back to appease her. He moved closer.

"The change was that your base became more stable, allowing you to push harder and make it difficult for me to..."

He attempted to wrap his arm around her waist again, but this time, she was prepared. She pulled away, staying out of his reach. His grin widened.

"Excellent. You’re doing well. Now, let’s move on to the next scenario. When the attacker comes from behind, you have fewer options to fight back." Derek moved behind her. "If they grab you like this..."

His scent suddenly rushed into her nostrils, making her feel dizzy, and she inhaled deeply.

"Stay calm," Derek continued, oblivious to Kira’s predicament.

"Protect your neck by tucking your chin. That would cut off their access to your neck and protect your airway. Establish a strong base by widening your stance for balance."

She nodded.

"Since you’re usually on heels, stomp hard on your attacker’s foot with your heel. It will hurt them and loosen their grip. Try it. Stomp on my foot as hard as you can."

Kira hesitated, not wanting to hurt him, but when he tightened his arms around her neck, her defence instinct took over, and she stomped hard on his foot.

His grip loosened, and she broke free. Derek hopped around on one foot, holding the other and wincing.

"Aw, aw, aw," he whined.

Thinking she had hurt him, she rushed over to him, concern furrowing her brow. "Are you—?"

But before the words fully left her lips, he reversed the situation, and suddenly grabbed her, spun her around, and in an instant, pinned her beneath him with a triumphant grin.

"Gotcha!" he proclaimed, his eyes alight with mischief.

She forgot how to breathe as their eyes locked. His arm cushioned her head from the hard ground.

She didn’t know how long they stayed like that, but his next words broke the spell.

"Staring into your attacker’s eyes isn’t the ideal thing to do, Mrs Wolfe," he whispered, leaning even closer.

"Not when he’s disarmingly handsome," she breathed.

"I win, then," he declared, easing away from her form. "Tiny, Little Kira: 0. Strong Derek: 100."

"No, wait," she said, getting up from the ground. "Win what?"

"You just failed your test. I wasn’t supposed to get you on the ground twice."

"You cheated," she retorted.

"How?" he challenged, a teasing light in his eyes.

"You used your charm," she admitted, making his grin widen.

"All’s fair in love and war," he said, turning to face her, and brushing an errant strand of hair away from her face. "Besides, Mrs Wolfe, you keep blaming me for your distractions."

Well, you are dangerously attractive, she thought but twisted her lips in mock disdain.

"I won’t train with you anymore. I’ll get someone else to do it," she said with a pout.

He grinned. "I’m the sexiest teacher you can get around here."

Just then, a gamma approached and bowed to both of them.

"Your Grace, the council has all arrived and is waiting for you."

Derek discharged the gamma and turned back to Kira.

"And that would be all for today, my Queen. Now, I bet you’re more aware of your surroundings."