Chapter 410: What Happened

REBECCA’S POV

I was still staring at the dining room entrance when Kaden returned a few minutes later. He looked thoughtful as he approached the table, and I couldn’t help wondering what Rola had told him. Whatever had happened, it must have been serious because she hadn’t looked like herself at all when she arrived.

Kaden pulled out his chair and sat down before turning toward me.

"Rebecca, there’s something I need to ask you."

I put down my fork. "What is it?"

"I know we agreed that neither of our partners would come here, but Rola is asking if she can stay until tomorrow morning. I wanted to discuss it with you first."

I stared at him, surprised by the request. Under normal circumstances, I probably would have felt uncomfortable with the idea of Rola sleeping under the same roof as Kaden, especially after what had happened between us the previous night. But right now, jealousy was the last thing on my mind. I couldn’t forget how miserable she had looked when she entered the dining room.

"Is something wrong with her? Did she tell you what happened?"

Kaden sighed. "That’s the problem. She doesn’t want to talk about it. I asked her, but she only said she’d had a difficult evening and needed somewhere quiet to rest. Apparently, she considered going to a hotel, but she didn’t feel comfortable staying there alone tonight."

I frowned. "What about her parents? Why didn’t she go home?"

"She doesn’t want to worry her family or have to explain anything to them. She just wants to spend the night here and leave tomorrow morning."

I glanced toward the dining room entrance, wondering what could have happened to leave Rola in such a condition. We had once been friends, and although things between us had changed over the past year, I had never wished her any harm. Seeing her so unhappy genuinely bothered me.

"Of course she can stay," I finally replied. "There’s no reason for her to go to a hotel when we have more than enough rooms here. Besides, it’s already late."

Kaden looked relieved. "Thank you, Rebecca. I appreciate your understanding."

"There’s no need to thank me. Just make sure someone checks on her. She really didn’t look alright."

"I will. I’ve already asked the maids to prepare a guest room for her on the second floor."

I nodded and glanced at my plate. I had barely touched the rest of my dinner, but my appetite was already gone. Between everything that had happened with Kaden and Rola’s unexpected arrival, I had more than enough on my mind.

"I think I’ll go upstairs now. I’m feeling a little tired."

"Alright. You should get some rest."

I pushed my chair back and stood up carefully. Thankfully, the soreness from earlier had reduced considerably, although I still felt uncomfortable whenever I moved too quickly.

Kaden noticed immediately. "Rebecca, are you sure you’re alright?"

I rolled my eyes. "Kaden, if you ask me that question one more time, I’m going to lose my mind."

He chuckled. "Alright, I won’t ask again."

"Goodnight, Kaden."

"Goodnight, Rebecca. Sleep well."

I gave him a small smile before leaving the dining room.

By the time I reached my bedroom, all I wanted was a warm bath and a good night’s sleep. However, when I picked up my phone from the bedside table, I was surprised to find several missed calls from Melvin.

I frowned as I checked the call history. We had spoken that afternoon, and he hadn’t mentioned anything about calling me again. It was unusual for him to call so many times without leaving a message. Had something happened in his kingdom?

I quickly dialed his number, and he answered almost immediately.

"Rebecca?"

"Melvin, I’m sorry I missed your calls. I was downstairs having dinner. Is everything alright?"

There was a brief silence before he answered. "Yes. I’m fine."

Something about his voice made me frown. He sounded distracted, almost worried, which was unusual for him.

"Are you sure? You don’t sound alright."

"I’m fine, Rebecca. Listen, I wanted to ask you something."

"Okay?"

He hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"Is Rola there?"

I sat down on the edge of my bed.

"Rola?"

"Yes. Is she at Kaden’s palace?"

I stared at the wall, suddenly confused. "Yes, she’s here. She arrived not too long ago. Why?"

Melvin didn’t answer immediately, and I could hear what sounded like footsteps in the background.

"Melvin? What’s going on?"

"Did she say anything when she arrived?"

"Say anything about what?"

"Anything at all, Rebecca."

I straightened, becoming increasingly concerned. "Melvin, you’re beginning to worry me. Rola came here looking very upset, and now you’re calling to ask whether she’s here. Did something happen?"

He remained silent.

"Melvin!"

"Rebecca, please. I don’t want to discuss it over the phone."

"Discuss what? You’re not making any sense."

"Nothing serious happened. I just need to speak to her."

"Then why don’t you call her?"

Another silence followed, and I felt my patience beginning to wear thin. Something was clearly wrong, and the fact that he kept avoiding my questions only made me more suspicious.

"Melvin, did you two have an argument?"

He exhaled heavily. "Listen, I’ll come over tomorrow morning, as early as I can."

"Tomorrow morning?"

"Yes. I need to see her."

I stared at my phone in disbelief. Melvin’s kingdom was almost five hours away by flight, possibly even longer, depending on the weather. How on earth was he planning to get here so early in the morning?

"Melvin, why are you so desperate to see her that you can’t even wait until later in the day? What exactly happened between you two?"

"Rebecca, please don’t worry about it. I’ll explain when I get there."

"But—"

"I have to go now. I’ll see you tomorrow."

Before I could ask another question, the call ended.

I slowly lowered the phone from my ear, wondering what the hell was going on. Rola had arrived at the palace looking miserable, and now Melvin was asking about her as though something terrible had happened.

There was no way those two things were unrelated.

But come to think of it, why had Rola traveled all the way to Kaden’s palace in the first place? Melvin’s kingdom was almost five hours away by flight, possibly even longer. Surely, there were hotels much closer to her, or even friends she could have stayed with. Why would she travel such a long distance just to spend one night here? Whatever had happened must have been serious enough to make her leave Melvin’s kingdom in such a hurry.

"Interesting," my wolf murmured.

I frowned. "What’s interesting?"

"Rola arrives looking upset, and suddenly Melvin is desperate to know where she is."

"Exactly! Something must have happened between them."

"Apparently."

"But what could they possibly have argued about?"

My wolf didn’t answer, and I rubbed my forehead in frustration. I knew Rola and Melvin were acquainted, which wasn’t unusual considering our relationships with Kaden. But Melvin’s reaction was strange. He had sounded genuinely worried about her, and the fact that he was willing to travel to the palace first thing in the morning made the situation even more confusing.

I thought about calling him again, but something told me he wouldn’t answer my questions. Instead, I stood up and headed toward Kaden’s bedroom, hoping that perhaps he might be able to make sense of the situation.

I knocked twice before hearing his voice.

"Come in."

I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Kaden was standing beside his wardrobe, removing his wristwatch. He had already changed into a black T-shirt and gray sweatpants, and he looked surprised to see me.

"Rebecca? Is something wrong?"

I closed the door behind me. "I don’t know, Kaden, but something strange just happened."

He frowned. "What happened?"

"Melvin called me, and he was asking about Rola."

Kaden stopped what he was doing. "Rola?"

"Yes! He wanted to know whether she was here, and when I told him she was, he started asking whether she’d said anything. But he wouldn’t explain what he meant."

Kaden looked confused. "That’s strange. Did he tell you what happened?"

"No. He just said he was coming here tomorrow morning because he needed to speak to her. And you should have heard his voice. He sounded really worried."

Kaden frowned thoughtfully. "Maybe they had some kind of disagreement."

"That’s what I’m thinking, but what could they possibly have argued about?"

"I honestly don’t know, Rebecca. Rola didn’t tell me anything either."

I sighed and folded my arms across my chest. "Well, something definitely happened. I just wish one of them would tell us what it is."

"Perhaps they’ll explain tomorrow when Melvin arrives."

"Maybe."

Kaden approached me and gently placed his hands on my shoulders.

"Rebecca, don’t worry yourself too much about it tonight. Whatever happened between them, I’m sure they’ll sort it out."

I nodded reluctantly. "I suppose you’re right. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you. I’ll go back to my room now."

But before I could move, Kaden caught my hand.

"Rebecca?"

I turned toward him. "What?"

He smiled faintly. "Why don’t you spend the night here?"

I stared at him. "Excuse me?"

"Stay here tonight. We can sleep together."

My eyes widened. "Kaden, have you lost your mind? Rola is downstairs!"

"She’s on the second floor, Rebecca. We’re two floors above her."

"And what does that have to do with anything? What if she comes upstairs looking for you?"

Kaden shook his head, looking amused. "Rebecca, she’s exhausted, and she said she wants to rest. Besides, I’m only asking you to sleep beside me. Nothing else."

I looked at him suspiciously. "Nothing else?"

"Nothing else," he assured me.

For a brief moment, I was tempted. I couldn’t deny that a part of me wanted to stay, especially after how comfortable things had felt between us during dinner. But then I remembered Rola sleeping downstairs, and I immediately shook my head.

"No, Kaden. I don’t think that’s a good idea."

His expression softened. "Alright. I understand."

I blinked, surprised that he wasn’t going to argue. "That’s it?"

"What else do you want me to say?"

"Nothing."

He smiled. "Then goodnight, Rebecca."

"Goodnight."

But instead of releasing my hand immediately, Kaden gently pulled me closer. Before I could ask what he was doing, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.

I froze for a moment, surprised by the unexpected gesture. It was such a simple kiss, yet somehow, it made my heart flutter.

"Sleep well, Rebecca," he murmured before finally releasing my hand.

I looked up at him, suddenly unsure of what to say. "You too, Kaden."

I turned toward the door, but before I could reach it, he called my name again.

"Rebecca?"

I looked back. "What now?"

"Try not to overthink everything tonight."

I rolled my eyes. "I’ll try."

He chuckled, and I left his bedroom.

By the time I returned to my room, I was too tired to think about anything else. I changed into my nightdress, climbed into bed, and pulled the blanket over myself. For a while, I thought about Rola and Melvin, wondering what could have happened between them and why neither of them seemed willing to explain anything. Eventually, exhaustion caught up with me, and I drifted off to sleep.