Chapter 239: Honeymoon plans

By the time the blue Aston Martin pulled up to the Alpha’s residence, twilight had already settled over the estate, casting long, bruised purple shadows across the immaculate stone driveway. The moment the engine died, Yuki shoved her door open and bolted out of the car, her sneakers slapping against the pavement as she rushed inside without bothering to close the door behind her.

Kieran’s sharp gaze tracked her fleeing figure through the side mirror until her shadow disappeared through the massive front doors. The dark amusement that had danced in his eyes only moments before vanished completely, leaving his face cold, unreadable, and distant.

Yuki pushed through the grand entrance of the Alpha residence, taking a deep breath as the heavy doors shut behind her. For a reason she couldn’t quite explain, the air inside felt lighter, stripped of the suffocating, electric tension that had filled Kieran’s passenger seat. A quiet maid stepped forward with a practiced bow, her hands outstretched.

"Welcome back, Lady Miyuki. Allow me to take your bag. The Alpha and Luna are already waiting for you in the dining hall."

"Thank you," Yuki murmured, handing over her heavy tote—with her scandalous sketchbook still buried safely at the bottom—before heading straight down the polished marble corridor.

She pushed open the heavy mahogany doors to the dining room, but the atmosphere inside was far from warm. A lavish spread of roasted meats, seasoned vegetables, and fine wines lay out across the table, yet the Ravencourts sat in heavy silence, subtly acting as if the others didn’t exist.

Aevia sat beside Alexander, her hand resting near his on the table. They were speaking in low, hushed tones, but the moment the door swung open, Aevia’s eyes darted up, relief softening her features. They had clearly been waiting for her.

Killian was seated to Alexander’s left, his sharp eyes buried in a glowing glass tablet as he swiped through military and financial reports, ignoring the spread entirely. Beside him sat Kaden, a crystal glass already filled to the brim with amber liquor. He took small, slow sips, his gaze rigidly fixed on his glass as he did his absolute best not to look at the matching heirloom rings glinting on Aevia’s and Alexander’s fingers

It was the very ring his mother had once worn. The instant Yuki stepped over the threshold, every head turned toward her.

Aevia offered a gentle, welcoming smile. "Yuki, sweetie. How was your first day at the medical center?" she chimed.

Yuki’s mind immediately flashed through the entire chaotic afternoon—the ICU warrior, the lingering glances, and the mortifying locker room incident with Kieran. She forced a smooth, harmless smile onto her lips. "It was fine. Productive."

She offered a polite nod to Alexander and her sister before taking her seat beside Aevia. Almost immediately, Aevia started fussing over her, adjusting Yuki’s water glass and leaning in close.

"Did you run into any trouble at the hospital? Was the workload too stressful for your first day?"

Yuki picked up her napkin, draping it over her lap. "It was fine, honestly. Aside from the fact that my direct supervisor happens to be an insane workaholic who skips lunch and forgets that normal human beings don’t love to fast like he does."

Killian didn’t look up from his tablet, but the description struck a familiar chord. "And who would that be?" he asked, his voice a calm, deep rumble.

Yuki turned toward him, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Honestly, Killian, if you have any pull around here, I’d love to be reassigned to someone who isn’t a total martyr. Like your dear brother, Kieran."

"Kieran?" Kaden repeated, his voice dropping an octave as his glass paused mid-air.

Killian’s eyes flickered away from his screen for a fraction of a second, a small, dark, amused smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Kieran... the same workaholic who nearly ran himself into the grave synthesising a stabilising drug for her, all while drowning in the raw backlash of a severed mate bond.

It was truly hilarious, though Killian kept the thought entirely to himself. Kaden, however, visibly bristled at the mention. He swirled the liquor in his glass, his brow furrowing deeply. Why the hell was she assigned to Kieran? He barely accepted doctoral researchers with twenty years of qualifications, let alone a first-year academy student. The thought didn’t sit right with him. He looked up, his tone harsh as he questioned the table.

"Who sent her there?"

"She was sent there because there wasn’t anywhere else to place her," a cold, smooth voice cut through the room.

Kieran stepped into the dining hall, his coat draped over his arm, his cashmere sweater immaculate. He walked with effortless grace, taking his assigned seat across from Yuki without so much as looking at her. "Yuki was in a coma when the department rotations were finalized. By the time she woke up, every other ward was full."

Alexander gave an approving nod, leaning back in his tall chair. "It’s fine. Kieran, make sure you look after Yuki while she’s under your supervision."

Kieran’s lips curved into a sharp, polite smile that made Yuki’s skin prickle. "Of course, Alpha. It’s my duty to make sure my... sister... stays in line." He dragged out the word *sister* with heavy, deliberate emphasis.

Yuki cringed internally, taking a quick sip of her water to hide her annoyance. He was doing this entirely on purpose to mock her. Alexander cleared his throat, gathering the table’s attention.

"Now that we’re all here, I have an announcement. Aevia and I will be leaving the territory for a short period. We will be going on a trip just the two of us, and while we’re there, we’ll be handling several pack disputes directly."

Kaden arched a dark eyebrow, setting his glass down with a soft click against the wood. "Did you bring us all here just to announce your honeymoon?"

Alexander’s expression hardened into complete seriousness, ignoring Kaden’s jab. "I brought you here to remind all of you to behave. The Council of Elders and the High Court are watching our house like hawks right now, especially after the recent incident." He paused, his heavy, authoritative gaze shifting directly onto Yuki. "And there is something very important we need to discuss regarding you, Yuki."

Yuki straightened her back instantly, setting her fork down. "Me? What is it?"