Chapter 212: Can’t escape

The area fell silent for a moment. Kaden stared at Yuki, completely dumbfounded as her carefully measured tears rolled down her cheeks.

Her sobs echoed through the car park while Maverick watched the scene with open disbelief. Yuki lowered her head, her shoulders trembling as she continued her performance, but when Declan’s attention shifted away for a brief moment, she peeked at Kaden from beneath her lashes and mouthed, Got ya, a wicked grin spreading across her lips.

Kaden nearly had a heart attack. His eyes flashed gold as his temper finally snapped. For a second, the playful irritation disappeared from his face, replaced by genuine murderous intent. Declan’s grip immediately tightened around his shoulder when he saw the change, his body shifting slightly as though he was prepared to intervene.

"Let her go, Kaden," Declan said calmly. There was no anger in his voice, but the quietness made it more serious.

Kaden’s fingers remained locked around Yuki’s wrist. Then, slowly, the anger in his eyes faded. He knew exactly what she was doing. The little wolf had deliberately pushed him into this situation just to annoy him.

"Let go," Declan repeated, his voice still unnervingly calm.

Yuki’s drunken smile disappeared when she sensed something different in the air. She glanced up at the man beside her, her vision blurred around the edges. She could not properly recognise Declan anymore, but she knew one thing.

He was useful. He was irritating Kaden. That was enough. She blinked, and another perfectly timed tear rolled down her cheek. Her lips trembled as she looked at Declan, appearing every bit like a frightened victim.

Kaden nearly laughed. If she hadn’t kicked him between the legs a few minutes ago, he might have believed her performance. Unfortunately, the dull ache still throbbed painfully, making her innocent expression almost insulting.

"Maybe you should let go of her first," Declan suggested, his voice remaining even.

Kaden finally turned towards him. His expression was calm, but his eyes carried a warning. He found Declan’s presence increasingly irritating.

"You should know your place, Alpha Declan," Kaden said quietly. "This is Ravencourt territory, and Yuki is a Ravencourt. You are in no position to tell me what to do with my sister."

Declan’s jaw tightened. "Your sister?" he repeated, his voice dropping. "She was clearly unwilling to be near you."

Kaden gave a humourless smile. "And she should be with you instead?" His grip loosened slightly, though he did not release her. "We have no relationship," Kaden continued coldly. "She is drunk and incapable of making proper decisions right now. So why exactly should I leave a vulnerable woman with a man she met tonight?"

The tension between them thickened. The music from the reception continued faintly in the distance, but it seemed strangely disconnected from the silence surrounding the three of them. A cold breeze swept through the car park, stirring the leaves overhead. Maverick’s fingers curled into a fist. He was two seconds away from mind-linking Kieran. Declan smiled, though there was nothing friendly about it.

"She is vulnerable," he agreed. "But she was clearly running from you. In what position do you think that gives you the right to take her?"

Kaden’s mouth curved into a small, humourless smirk. "Didn’t you say it yourself?" he asked. "Yuki is legally a Ravencourt and Alexander’s daughter. So tell me, who is more suitable to handle her while she is drunk? Her legal brother, or a man she met tonight?"

The mockery in his voice was unmistakable. Declan’s eyes narrowed, but he knew Kaden had a point. This was Ravencourt territory, and Yuki was now officially part of the family.

Taking her away against the wishes of one of her ’brothers’ could easily become something far more serious than a misunderstanding. After a long moment, Declan released Kaden’s shoulder. Kaden immediately pulled Yuki closer. She looked up at Declan in confusion, her drunken mind struggling to keep up with the conversation.

She blinked at him. Then Kaden’s voice slipped directly into her mind. ’Better behave, or you’ll get payback for that kick earlier than intended.’ That was a threat.

Yuki’s entire body stiffened. Her drunken haze cleared just enough for the threat to register. She slowly looked at Kaden. His expression was perfectly calm. That somehow made it worse. Without another word, Kaden turned and pulled her away. Yuki did not protest this time.

They crossed the car park together while the distant music continued to spill through the open doors of the reception hall. Declan remained where he was, his hair being tossed gently by the night breeze.

Yuki glanced back once. For a fleeting second, something sharp flickered in Declan’s silver eyes. It vanished so quickly that she could not tell whether she had imagined it. A chill crawled over her skin. Without thinking, her fingers tightened around Kaden’s hand. Then she moved closer, burying her face against his back.

Kaden froze. He looked down at the hand gripping his and then glanced over his shoulder. One moment, she had been running away from him. Now she was clinging to him like a frightened kitten.

"What the hell..." he muttered under his breath.

Yuki said nothing. Her face remained pressed against his back. Kaden released a long breath and shook his head. Why was he even trying to understand the actions of a drunk woman? He continued towards his car. It wasn’t his usual armoured, customised SUV. Tonight, he had brought a sleek Aston Martin, its polished body reflecting the pale moonlight. He stopped beside the passenger door and pulled it open.

"Stop clinging to me and get in," he ordered flatly.

Yuki immediately released him. She climbed into the passenger seat with surprising obedience and settled quietly against the leather. Kaden stood there for a second. This was strange. Very strange.

Where had the loud, troublesome woman from a few minutes ago gone? He closed the door, walked around the front of the car and slid into the driver’s seat. After adjusting himself, he buckled his seat belt and reached for the ignition. Then he noticed Yuki’s seat belt was still hanging beside her.

"Put it on," Kaden instructed.