Chapter 226 Dying For a Man?

Chapter 226 Dying For a Man?
Kira’s POV

Adrian’s scream tore through the corridor like something ripped straight from a nightmare…raw, guttural, filled with pure terror that made my stomach drop. 

It wasn’t the scream of a king. It was the scream of my mate, my husband, the father of my unborn child, watching me step into death for him. 

The sound wrapped around my heart and squeezed so tight I almost couldn’t breathe.

I just couldn’t stand a damn bloodshed on my coronation day!

The thought raced through my mind as chaos swirled around us. Our pleas had fallen on hard ears. My father was bent on separating us, no matter what. 

I had been lost for a moment earlier. For a brief, terrifying second, that totem had yanked me under like a riptide. 

I felt this magnetic pull toward Sebastian, like I needed to be near him just to breathe. That old dream from LA flashed behind my eyes…him, me, some hazy connection…and a strange hunger swallowed me whole. 

Then Adrian’s grip on my arm had grounded me. His warm scent flooded my nostrils, pine and spice and safety, pulling me back to where I belonged.

When I saw my father charging at Adrian, claws out, I didn’t think. I just moved. Leah’s warning screamed in my head not to do anything stupid, but I did it anyway. I stepped in front, shielding Adrian with my body.

I closed my eyes and braced for impact.

But nothing came.

What? Did the universe suddenly freeze like in the movies?

I peered one eye open, then the other. My father stood frozen inches away, his claws hovering right at my neck. 

The sharp tips had grazed my skin…just enough to draw tiny beads of blood that trickled warm down my throat. 

I exhaled shakily, the reality hitting me like a slap. I was about to die for a man? How classic, Kira. Real smooth!

My father staggered back, eyes wide with shock. He stared at his claws, then at the faint smear of my blood on them, then back at the small cuts on my neck. 

The fury on his face cracked, replaced by something broken and horrified.

Adrian rushed forward instantly, cradling my face in his big hands. His touch was gentle but desperate as he tilted my head to examine the side of my neck. 

“Princess…” His voice cracked. He dropped soft, frantic kisses along the tiny wounds, then licked the blood away with his tongue in that instinctive wolf way. A warm, soothing sensation bloomed through my body, easing the sting and calming the bond between us.

Thomas finally released Sebastian, who scurried over and caught my father before he could fully collapse. 

My father looked at me with an unbelievable gaze, voice hoarse. “You would do that? For him?”

I exhaled slowly. 

I didn’t know what the hell I was thinking. I don’t think I’d ever do something like that again. Being alive suited me way better than being dead. 

But I looked him straight in the eyes and said, “Yes, Father. And I will do it again and again without blinking. Because I chose him.”

That was a lie. I am never doing that again.

Sebastian jumped in, voice urgent. “Uncle, we shouldn’t give up! Don’t forget Kira is my compensation…my reward for looking after the pack all these years. She’s the reward for my father’s undying loyalty to you!”

“Fuck that!” I snapped, my wild side flaring up. “There are other ways for my father to repay you. I don’t even know who your father is, and he didn’t do anything for me specifically…just for my father. So maybe my father should be the one marrying you!”

I caught Thomas and Philip stifling laughs behind their hands. 

Adrian, though… he was still cold, his expression filled with concern and hurt. 

He hadn’t gotten over the image of me almost getting my throat clawed out. I smiled to myself. 

I’m definitely using this to keep him in check for the rest of his life. He must be over the moon to have a mate willing to die for him. Although I’m never trying that shit again.

My father still looked pained, shoulders heavy. Then he did something that shocked everyone. 

As Sebastian raised the totem again, my father grabbed it from his hand and crushed it under his boot with a decisive crunch. Pieces scattered across the stone floor.

Sebastian stared in shock. “What have you done?!”

“There is no point fighting a war we’ve already lost,” my father said with heavy resignation. He sighed deeply and looked at me. “Kira… are you sure this is what you want?”

“Obviously not, Uncle!” Sebastian protested. “She’s only this way because of his mark!”

I turned on him with a bratty glare. “Sebastian, don’t answer for me.” Then I faced my father again, softening my voice. “I chose Adrian. But that doesn’t mean I want to lose my family. You’re the only one I have left, Dad. That’s why your blessing is so important to me.”

My father exhaled, his hands falling limply to his sides. He looked toward Adrian, then back at me. 

“I’m only dropping the hatchet because of my daughter,” he said gruffly. “But this kingdom will give me everything my pack lost and restore our honor.”

Adrian’s shoulders sagged with visible relief. “Consider it done.”

My father draped a hand over Sebastian’s shoulder. “Deep down, we both know Kira will never accept you. It’s time to let it go, son.”

Sebastian clenched his fists tight, breathing hard. Finally, his shoulders slumped in defeat. “I can’t be here,” he said quietly. “I’ll meet you back at the pack.” He turned to me, eyes lingering. “You look amazing, by the way. And if Adrian ever makes you cry or hurts you… I’m just a little mile away.”

‘Won’t he get married or something? Why is he waiting around for me to cry so he can have a chance?’ I brooded internally. ‘I’m just a hot piece of cake that everyone wants.’ 

Leah groaned in my head, rolling her eyes. ‘Get over yourself, Kira.’

I grinned anyway. 

Sebastian bowed softly in my direction. “Long live the Queen of Draven.” Then he turned and marched out, two of his men falling in behind him.

I turned to my father, voice soft. “Will you walk me down the aisle to go get my crown now?”

He looked at Adrian, then back at me. After a beat, he addressed Adrian directly. “Promise me you’ll let my daughter visit whenever she wants.”

Adrian asked awkwardly, “Can I tag along?”

My father hesitated longer than necessary and Adrian laughed lightly. “Never mind. I promise.”

“Promise me you’ll always take care of my daughter,” my father continued, eyes serious. “Never hurt her.”

“I give you my word,” Adrian said solemnly, “as the King of Draven and as her mate. I will bleed first before I let anyone…even myself…hurt her.”

My father stepped forward and gently placed the veil back over my head. “I was so consumed with rage I failed to notice how beautiful you look.”

I fawned dramatically. “Isn’t my dress stunning? Adrian picked every single detail himself!”

He smiled at my excitement…the first real smile I’d seen from him in a long time. “Becoming the Queen of Draven suits you. In fact, it works out. Draven owes me… and now my daughter is their queen and indirectly owns it.”

I smiled back as he offered his arm. I linked mine through it, feeling the warmth of reconciliation settle over us.

Adrian dropped casually, “She owns me too, so… just in case that counts.”

We both turned to look at him in sync, like he was interrupting a father-daughter moment. He coughed awkwardly as he turned. “I should get going.”



Now, my father and I stood elbow-linked in front of the heavy double doors leading to the coronation hall as the air buzzed with anticipation. 

Curious, I asked softly, “What made you change your mind? Or are you planning to use this as a guise to kidnap me and run away?”

He laughed heartily, the sound rich and genuine, easing the last tension in my chest. “No. What made you think that?”

“You just changed your mind so quickly. It’s suspicious.”

He exhaled, patting my hand. “I promised your mother…after avenging her…to protect our daughter. To never let her bleed.” His voice thickened. “Just now… you bled. And it was from my claws. It snapped me out of my fury. How else am I supposed to face Angela when I finally meet her in the afterlife?”

I smiled, tears pricking my eyes again. “Thank you.”

He shook his head and patted my hand once more. “Thank you.”

“Shall we?”

He nodded as the guards pulled the heavy doors open. 

Trumpets blared triumphantly as we began walking in together…father and daughter, past and future finally meeting in the middle. The hall stretched before us, filled with lights, flowers, and expectant faces. Adrian would be waiting at the end.

And for the first time since he arrived, everything felt right. Wild, dramatic, and perfectly worth it.