Chapter 38: Olivine
Back near the waterfall, Yuki stood on shaky legs. Her heart was still racing and her body was buzzing with leftover heat and shame. She quickly pulled on her muddy clothes, grimacing at the cold, wet fabric clinging to her skin. The roar of the waterfall seemed louder now, almost mocking her as she hurried back toward the mansion path. Her mind spun with confusion and embarrassment.
She had no idea what had just happened. Or why part of her wished Kaden had not stopped.
Smack. Her hand came down hard on her own face, leaving a red print. She must be out of her goddamn mind to think something so repulsive, especially about Kaden, who looked at her like she was dirt.
Still, she knew what she had felt deep down. Why was she reacting this way? Her mind screamed. Why did she feel those sparks? Was it because she had never really been with anyone before?
A dumb virgin like her was truly vulnerable in situations like this. She wished she could talk to someone, but she barely knew anyone here, and she would never dare tell Aevia that she had been making out with Kaden. Kaden, who would become her brother after Alexander adopted her.
Her mind was a complete mess, but one thing was for sure. She could not stay here any longer. Yuki started tracking her way back, but she soon realised something that made her stomach churn.
She had been walking in circles. She thought her mind was playing tricks on her because the woods looked alike, so she tied a blade of grass into a knot.
Five minutes later, she came across the same knot. Her stomach twisted. She was really lost. A bitter laugh slipped out of her lips before she could stop it.
Of course, of course, she just had to be hopelessly lost after leaving the path. Birds called from a distance. The sun was getting hotter, burning her scalp as time passed.
She was covered in mud and looked like a complete mess, but at least no one would easily notice the black pepper and amber scent linked to Kaden. If only that fact would help her now.
The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was that this had been a terrible idea in the first place. She should have stayed put in her room and definitely not gone jogging in a forest she did not know.
She slumped against a thick trunk. Her hands tugged at her hair, and she was seconds away from losing her mind.
"Relax, Yuki. This is not the time to freak out. Try to think. The river is not far. You can still hear the sound." She started thinking out loud. "If I can trace my way back to the river, I can try finding the path again."
The plan seemed feasible. After all, the river was not far from the original path. Maybe she had taken a wrong turn somewhere. In the worst case, she could mind link Aevia. She did not want to upset her sister, but she did not want to be stuck here forever either.
After reorganising her thoughts, she pulled herself up, closed her eyes, and tried to deduce the direction the rushing water was coming from. Soon she started moving toward the river once more. After a while, she realised she was not moving in circles again.
Her mood improved considerably, and she continued.
Snap.
A sharp sound rang out like a twig snapping from beside her, and she froze instantly. It sounded like footsteps. A wave of relief hit Yuki. Someone was nearby. A figure slowly came into view. It was a girl slightly older than Yuki, holding a basket filled with herbs. Yuki recognised them from the scent as medicinal herbs.
She was tall, close to six feet, and had an appearance that was hard to forget. She had golden tanned skin that seemed to glimmer under the sun and long brown wavy hair. At first glance, she did not look like someone from Ravencourt, but Yuki recognised the maid uniform from the Alpha’s residence.
She was stunning in that exotic way..
The newcomer stopped in her tracks the moment she saw Yuki covered in mud. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "What are you doing here? You seem lost."
"I could say the same thing," Yuki muttered, noticing how the girl’s face changed. She gave a wary smile. "I am actually lost. I was jogging down the path before running into a snake and accidentally leaving the path." She explained.
The girl stared at Yuki as if trying to read her. The strong muddy scent masked most of her scent, but there was a familiar amber scent underneath that she could not quite figure out. Yuki continued. "Are you from the Alpha’s residence?"
The girl did not reply immediately before her voice slipped out. "Yes, I work there part-time as a maid. I am trying to gather herbs for a school project."
Yuki’s eyes lit up at the mention of a school project. "Wait, are you in the Dravenhall medical program?" She asked, surprised that a part-time maid could afford the fees.
The girl nodded. "I am in my finals and my parents cover the fees. My mother is the head maid at the Alpha’s residence and my father is one of the Alpha’s personal guards. Their salaries are pretty comfortable."
Yuki’s face went red, embarrassed her thoughts were so obvious. "Sorry, I did not mean it that way."
The girl snorted and then walked past Yuki. "The name is Olivine, and you are the one Eloise has it out for, aren’t you?"
"You can say that," Yuki replied. Olivine stopped and glanced at her. "Aren’t you coming along? It would be more difficult to find your way once it is dark."
Yuki’s gaze flickered. She quickly quickened her pace and caught up with Olivine.
Yuki was a bit curious. She had never seen Olivine before. She was certain she would not forget her. Maybe it was because she was also a student.
Olivine looked like werewolves from the south. It was tropical there and their skin was slightly darker than in the northern territory. At least that was what the textbooks said. She had never met a shifter from the south before. Yuki quietly followed Olivine, watching her pick some familiar herbs on the way back.
After a short walk, they emerged on the path leading back to the Alpha’s residence. The moment they stepped out of the woods and the towering building came into view, a familiar voice immediately called out.
"Yuki!!!"
Her head snapped over and she immediately spotted Aevia running toward her. Her face was filled with concern. Aevia rushed to her in no time and reached out, but her hands froze halfway.
"What the hell happened to you? Why are you covered in mud?!" Aevia shrieked. Before Yuki could reply, more questions followed. "Why did you leave without your phone and leave me worried? There was an intruder and Kaden even got injured. Why are you so reckless, Yuki?"
Yuki’s mouth opened then closed, confused where to start. Something caught her attention. Kaden was injured and there was an intruder. Was that why he suddenly bolted? Her stomach twisted at the thought. It also meant Kaden was back.
While Aevia was questioning her, Olivine had quietly slipped away unnoticed. In the end, Yuki could only give a simple reply. "I got lost while jogging," she said with a careful smile.
Aevia’s smile stiffened, then she shook her head. "The important thing is that you are safe." She sighed. "Come on, go get cleaned up."
******
Back in Kaden’s room, he had just finished bandaging the wound on his arm. It was a deep cut he had not noticed while chasing. Although it looked pretty ugly, with his fast healing abilities it would be gone in no time.
The healer placed the last pin on the bandage and stood up. He bowed politely and carefully exited the room, leaving the father and son alone. The door had barely closed when Alexander started.
"I can’t believe you were outrun by some nobody. A true waste of your bloodline." He sneered.
Kaden’s brows twitched. He glanced up at Alexander. There was not an ounce of fear in his tone. "I already told you the details of the case. You do not have to stay here acting like you care, dear father, or mock me for not being alpha enough. We both know you do not care."
Alexander’s jaw tensed. "Who said I do not care?" he replied. "You had me worried with the way you stormed off, then the sudden intrusion. What kind of father would I be if I did not care?!" He snapped, trying to keep his emotions in check.
Kaden silently watched his father. He was calm, unusually calm for his personality. "If you cared that damn much, you should not have kicked my mother from her home without an explanation. No need to act all caring. It would not change a thing. I will never play happy family with your mistress."
Alexander’s fist clenched. He looked like he had so much to say but could not. "You would not understand. Bonds are not that simple."
Kaden’s shrill laugh followed. "You should have thought of something more convincing. If there is nothing more, please leave." He was tired of this conversation.
Alexander’s eyes dulled, and he smiled. "You will understand one day. A fated mate is not always the best person for you." He said softly before closing the door behind him.
