Chapter 49: Conflicted
The rain continued to pour. Kaden stared in the direction Killian had left before he slowly turned to Kieran who was watching quietly.
If Killian was considered the most domineering brother with the sharpest mouth, Kieran was something else. He was loud but his quiet eyes seemed to see through everything and that calm demeanour of his always had a way of putting Kaden on edge.
The water rolled down his face. His eyes hardened. "Haven’t seen enough what are you still staring at?" He hissed at the face that looked very similar to his. All the brothers shared a striking resemblance but Kaden and Kieran could be mistaken for twins if not carefully watched.
Aside from their natural demeanour the most obvious difference between them was their hair. While Kieran has was cut neatly Kaden’s hair was shoulder length which at times he packed into a messy half bun.
.
He started keeping his hair that length as soon as he was allowed to decide his looks. He was tired of people mistaking him for Kieran.
Kieran just watched Kaden with a blank expression. His voice was controlled. "You should work better at controlling your emotions Kaden. It makes it easier to be read through you," he said..
Kaden’s jaw clenched he was sick of them. He stormed inside with his wet clothes. The water dripped on the expensive marble floor. He was pissed off at everyone and everything. At himself the most too.
He continued through the familiar corridor he grew up running through. Lighting flashed outside casting eerie shadows on the walls. Kaden stopped at a huge family portrait. His gaze locked on the frame with conflicted feelings..
Their family of 5 was there all smiling. The picture was taken when they were 10. Their parents were seated in front in official robes while he and his brother stood behind also wearing official clothes. Everyone looked elegant and on his mother’s lap was a small puppy.
That was a distant time when everything was perfect. He didn’t want to be an asshole, he understood relationship cracks with time but he never saw the signs. One day their family was the perfect prestigious alpha family and the next their father declared in front of the pack assembled to dethrone their mother and reject her.
His fist clenched. He remembered the way his mother had broken down how desperately she begged to cling to the man she had been with for over 2 decades.
He didn’t listen and simply said he had someone else in his heart. How was it possible for a man to abandon his fated mate? His clenched fist trembled.
.
"Aevia.." he whispered the name. They were really sisters. With that, he turned and walked away.
**********
The day of the spring festival had finally arrived. Yuki woke up that morning dreading every second as the time got closer. The festival was a serious holiday for werewolves all over..
It wasn’t just a celebration of spring and coming of age. It was also a sacred festival dedicated to the Moon Goddess Nyxoria, symbolising fertility, blessings, and the strengthening of mate bonds.
. The entire pack house was busy with the servants moving to and fro and making sure everything was in place.
Everyone was completely swamped including the triplets, they weren’t only occupied with the final arrangements for the festival tonight. They were also welcoming officials and dignitaries from all the territories under Ravencourt.
Several luxurious vehicles were seen driving into the Ravencourt Palace. The official building used for pack affairs and also where the throne room and Alpha’s main office were located..
The Ravencourt palace was also located within the large pack house territory which covers a large area of the mountain area. Several important structures and residential buildings of some very top officials including the gamma and beta, were within the grounds
Although the Ravencourt Palace which was the most beautiful building within the area also held residential areas and official rooms for the members of the Ravencourt family for privacy reasons the Alpha family mainly resided in the Alpha residence another isolated palace where Yuki was currently living.
Most of the guests welcomed today were given accommodation to rest in the visitors’ wing of the Ravencourt palace.
While the Ravencourt palace was busier than it had been in all the years, the alpha’s residence was pretty slow today. Yuki woke up to literal peace and silence.
Breakfast was quiet because the Ravencourt were having breakfast at the main palace hosting guests. The silence did help but it also made Yuki nervous being alone in such a large building.
The warm sunlight shone through the windows as Yuki strode down the long corridor. Her eyes were casually glancing at her screen as she scrolled through social media.
Everyone was talking about the festival. Some were talking about their lovers, whom they were certain would become their mates officially, but the most trending topic was Eloise and the triplets. Turned out almost everyone in the capital of Ravencourt believed Eloise was going to be the next Luna and they were all talking about the wedding
The more Yuki read about the upcoming wedding the more annoyed she got. But honestly, there was no reason to be annoyed, a scheming bitch like Eloise was the best match for the triplets she said.
If they married Eloise and Aevia had to move out it was a good thing for her but despite looking at all the positive sides of this issue. It still made her annoyed.
Her attention was buried in her phone when a soft voice called her. "Snow." Her shoulder froze because she instantly thought of Kaden.
She slowly glanced up and met a calm gaze. She instantly recognised the person. "Olivine?" She called a bit surprised to see her. Ever since the party incident, they never crossed paths. The Alpha residence was huge.
Olivine smiled at Yuki, she was carrying a large box in her hand dressed in her maid uniform. "I hope it’s fine to call you by name in private. " she cautiously said recognising the difference in status within the alpha’s residence.
"Yes. It’s cool. I haven’t seen you since that night. How were you able to get out?" Yuki asked. Olivine gave her a mischievous smile
"It wasn’t my rodeo although I had to get my dad’s car the next day. He was pissed knowing I snuck out but it still beats being arrested for drug trafficking. " Olivine chuckled and Yuki’s face paled...
"Drug trafficking.." she blurted stunned that it was that serious.
"Yeah, turned out someone snuck in wolfbane. It is a regulated substance because of how dangerous it is to shifters.." Olivia quickly explained. "Worse it was in the bucket. Everyone who drank from it is currently being hospitalised. Ajax was also arrested but he seemed to know nothing, lucky for him the Ashbourne Pack are close business allies of Ravencourt.."
The more Yuki listened the more horrible it seemed. Kaden was mad for a good reason.
Olivine then sighed. "I am glad you got out safely because if anyone had found out I took you to that party. My parents might have lost their jobs." She said relieved.
