Chapter 213: Sleep talk

"Put it on."

Yuki looked at the belt. Then at him. Then back at the belt. She grabbed it and tried to connect it. Her actions were clumsy, and she had drunk way too much to handle the task.

The first attempt failed. The second went into the wrong slot. The third somehow ended with her twisting the belt around herself. Kaden stared at her in silence.

"Give me that," he groaned, unable to watch.

She obediently handed it over. He leaned across, pulled the belt across her body and clicked it securely into place. "There, it’s not that hard."

Yuki lowered her eyes. "Sorry," she said. Kaden was still leaning over her, and he could feel the warmth of her breath carrying the hint of alcohol. Too close for comfort. Kaden pulled back immediately.

Kaden groaned, rubbing his temple. "You’re drunk." Her lips parted to argue.

She immediately closed her mouth. Apparently, his sharp look had finally convinced her not to argue. Kaden started the engine. The Aston Martin purred to life, its low hum filling the quiet car park before he eased onto the road. The mountainside pack house gradually disappeared behind them.

The winding road descended through the dark landscape, bordered by tall trees whose branches formed shadows across the asphalt. Moonlight slipped between the leaves while the headlights carved a bright path through the darkness. Inside the car, everything was unusually quiet.

Yuki rested against the passenger seat, her golden hair spilling over her shoulders. Every few minutes, the passing streetlights swept across her face, illuminating her closed eyes before plunging her features back into shadow. Kaden kept both hands on the steering wheel.

The further they travelled, the more civilisation returned. The quiet mountain roads gave way to wider streets, then to the glowing outskirts of Raven City. Shops and restaurants remained open despite the late hour, their signs casting colourful reflections across the windscreen. Large public screens displayed snippets of the wedding. Cars moved through the streets, their headlights passing over Kaden’s face in quick flashes.

Neither of them spoke. Eventually, Kaden turned away from the busy city centre and drove into a quieter, wealthier neighbourhood. Tall walls surrounded sprawling villas, security lights glowing above electronic gates. The roads were nearly empty, and the noise of the city faded behind them. By the time Kaden pulled into the driveway of his modern villa, Yuki was fast asleep. Soft snores came from the passenger seat.

Kaden switched off the engine and sat in silence. A few seconds later, his mind-link stirred.

’Where did you go?’ Killian’s voice reached him. Kaden leaned back against the seat.

’Got tired. I called it a night,’ he replied.

There was a brief silence. ’Already?’ Killian’s tone was doubtful.

’It’s late. Dawn will be here in a few hours,’ Kaden grumbled.

Killian did not push the matter, but Kaden could sense the hesitation through their bond. His brother seemed to have something else to say, yet held himself back. Finally, Killian sent, ’Rest well.’

’You too.’

The connection faded. Kaden leaned back and released a slow breath before turning his head towards the passenger seat. Yuki was still deeply asleep. Her hair was completely ruined from the night’s events, several strands stuck to her cheek and one stubborn piece resting against her lips.

Her face looked softer without the usual teasing smile or sharp emerald eyes challenging everyone around her. She looked... kind of cute. Kaden immediately frowned.

"What am I thinking?" he muttered.

He pushed the thought away and stepped out of the car, slamming the door behind him. He ran a hand through his hair and stared up at the dark windows of his villa. His mind returned to what Yuki had said earlier.

She had two secrets with Killian. What could they possibly be? And was one of them connected to the reason Killian had helped her with the silver burns? Kaden’s brows drew together. It bothered him more than it should. He scoffed quietly.

"She’s drunk. She’s probably talking nonsense."

That settled it. Or at least, he decided it did. Kaden returned to the passenger side and opened the door. Yuki didn’t move. He sighed and reached inside, carefully unbuckling her seat belt before sliding one arm beneath her knees and the other around her back.

He lifted her from the car. Yuki stirred faintly, but instead of waking, she instinctively curled closer to him. Her face buried itself against his chest, and her warm breath brushed against his shirt. Kaden stiffened for half a second. Then he adjusted his hold.

"You’re really troublesome," he muttered.

He carried her inside. His footsteps echoed through the quiet villa as he crossed the spacious entrance and climbed the stairs. The house was completely silent, the only sound coming from the soft rhythm of Yuki’s breathing.

He reached the upper floor and pushed open the bedroom door. The lights flickered on, revealing a tastefully designed room. Dark furnishings blended with polished surfaces, while an entire glass wall overlooked a blue artificial waterfall outside. Water cascaded down the illuminated stone feature, its gentle sound drifting through the room.

Kaden walked to the bed and carefully lowered Yuki onto the mattress. She barely stirred. He removed her shoes and placed them neatly beside the bed before pulling the covers over her. That was it. He wasn’t going to do anything else. There was a line he would not cross.

Yuki shifted beneath the blanket, turning onto her side. Her long golden hair spread across the pillow, some strands framing her face while others had fallen across her forehead. Kaden stood beside the bed. For some reason, he didn’t immediately leave.

His gaze lingered on her face. Without the alcohol-fuelled expressions and ridiculous accusations, she looked surprisingly peaceful. Her lashes rested against her cheeks, her lips slightly parted as she breathed softly. The faint flush from the wine still coloured her cheeks. His hand lifted before he realised what he was doing.

His fingers stopped inches from her face. Kaden froze. For a moment, he simply stared at his own hand. Then, almost reluctantly, he brushed a loose strand of golden hair away from her forehead. His fingertips barely touched her skin. He immediately pulled his hand back.

"What am I doing?" he whispered.

He straightened and turned away from the bed. Behind him, Yuki curled further into the blankets. Her brows suddenly furrowed. Her lips moved.

"Kieran..." she mumbled sleepily.

Kaden stopped. He slowly turned his head. Yuki’s fingers tightened around the edge of his suit as though she were holding onto something in her dream.

"I..." Her voice was barely audible. "Kieran... I..."

"Don’t go..." she mumbled.