Chapter 287: He knows

Kieran’s expression softened hearing the concern in her voice. A small, reassuring smile touched his lips. He stepped closer and reached out, gently patting her head with a warm palm. "Don’t overthink it, Yuki. You should take a shower. Killian brought a fresh change of clothes for you. I’ll be waiting downstairs with the others."

Yuki’s fingers tightened on the edge of the bedsheets. He was hiding something from her, brushing away his own jeopardy to keep her calm. She opened her mouth to press him further, but Kieran turned and quietly walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Left alone in the quiet room, the gentle hiss of the adjoining bathroom’s shower was the only sound breaking the silence. As she stepped under the warm water, Yuki’s mind drifted uncontrollably back to Yuki’s visit

Had her miraculous recovery really happened because of Kieran’s pill, or had Yuki intervention caused it? It was a question she could not answer.

Twenty minutes later, Yuki walked down the polished wooden staircase. At the base of the stairs, the main living area was dead quiet, but the atmosphere was thick with invisible tension. All three brothers were standing near the entrance, completely silent. A dead giveaway that they were locked in an intense private mindlink conversation.

Kaden and Kieran had both changed into fresh, casual attire. Killian stood leaning against a pillar. His posture was calm and unbothered, while Kaden’s blue eyes burned with heated frustration. Beside him, Kieran’s broad shoulders were noticeably tense. Yuki wondered what argument was flying back and forth through their minds.

The moment her foot touched the bottom step, the heavy atmospheric tension vanished instantly. Three pairs of striking sapphire-blue eyes snapped up in perfect unison to look at her.

Kaden was the first to jerk his head away. He crossed his arms and scowled at the wall as if staring at her for a second longer was a punishable offence.

"Let’s get on the road already," Kaden grumbled, pushing open the double doors and stepping out into the morning air.

Yuki’s lips twitched with subtle annoyance. *He just has to be completely insufferable, doesn’t he?*

"Fine. We should be leaving," Killian said smoothly, pushing off the pillar as Yuki reached the final landing. His sharp gaze swept over his two younger brothers. "You both have a lot of questions to answer to Father, anyway." He then turned his gaze directly onto Yuki. "And you will be riding with me."

Neither Kieran nor Kaden voiced any opposition.

They stepped out into the crisp morning air. Kaden was already straddling his heavy black motorcycle. His leather jacket was zipped up, his backpack slung over his shoulders, and his dark helmet securely strapped into place.

Killian led Yuki toward his matte-black SUV parked in the driveway. He pulled open the passenger door for her, and as she stepped close, a rich, sweet aroma washed over her senses. The mouth-watering scent of freshly made warm crepes and hot bubble tea.

He had bought her breakfast.

Yuki blinked in surprise as she sank into the leather seat. Killian walked around to the driver’s side, climbed in, and clicked his seatbelt into place. Without a word, he reached over and handed her the warm cup of bubble tea. Taro-flavoured, with extra boba.

It was her absolute favourite.

Yuki stared at the cup in astonishment. How on earth did he know her specific order, or was this just a wildly accurate coincidence?

"Just don’t spill it in my car," Killian said dryly. His voice was smooth as he ignited the engine.

Yuki glanced out the side window. Kieran was getting into the driver’s seat of his own sedan behind them. Out front, Kaden lowered his dark visor, revved his motorcycle’s engine with a loud, throaty roar, and sped down the driveway, leading the convoy. Killian followed suit, smoothly steering the SUV through the iron gates with Kieran bringing up the rear.

Yuki watched through the side mirror as the coastal villa grew smaller and smaller in the distance until it vanished behind the tree line.

"You liked it there?" Killian noted casually. His eyes flicked to the rearview mirror to catch her lingering gaze.

"The garden was beautiful," Yuki admitted softly, taking a quiet sip of the sweet tea. "Kieran’s gardens are always breathtaking." She paused, swirling the ice in her cup before glancing sideways at Killian’s profile. "Is Kieran... in serious trouble with the Alpha because of what he did for me?"

Killian kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead. His grip on the steering wheel stayed relaxed. "Don’t worry about it," he replied calmly. "It’s nothing he can’t handle."

Despite his steady tone, the words provided little comfort. Yuki pressed her lips together, leaned her head back against the leather headrest, and took another long sip of her drink. It was better not to spiral into anxious thoughts when she had no power over the outcome.

By the time the three vehicles pulled up the long, grand driveway of the Alpha’s sprawling estate, Yuki had finished her food and tea.

The moment they stepped out of their respective vehicles into the grand courtyard, Kaden, who was in the middle of pulling off his motorcycle helmet, suddenly let out a low, venomous curse.

"You’ve got to be fucking kidding me," Kaden spat. His jaw clenched tight as he stared toward the manor’s massive entrance.

Yuki glanced up at Killian. Her brow furrowed. "Why is Kaden so upset?"

She could feel the subtle shift in Killian’s demeanour. His relaxed posture suddenly rigidified. His aura turned cold and guarded.

"The manor has visitors," Killian said briefly, adjusting the cuffs of his hoodie before walking toward the double doors.

They stepped into the high-ceilinged foyer. Kaden immediately turned to march toward his private wing to avoid whatever was happening, but Killian’s voice cut through the hall like a whip.."They are waiting for all of us, Kaden. Get over here."

Kaden hissed under his breath. His knuckles turned white as his grip tightened painfully around his helmet. With an annoyed growl, he fell into step behind Killian and Yuki as they walked toward the main drawing room.

The heavy wooden doors to the drawing room swung open. The moment Yuki crossed the threshold, a tall figure blurred toward her, and she was suddenly pulled into a tight, crushing hug that knocked the breath clean out of her lungs.

A familiar, rich scent of warm chocolate and spiced cedar instantly enveloped her. Yuki froze in shock for a fraction of a second before her eyes softened. Her arms lifted to return the fierce embrace.

"I was losing my absolute mind worrying about you," Xavier said into her hair. His voice was thick with uncharacteristic emotion as his arms tightened around her waist.

From a few paces behind them, Kaden clicked his tongue in deep disgust.

"Tone down the theatrical garbage, Xavier," Kaden snickered coldly, rolling his eyes as he leaned against the doorframe. "You’re acting like star-crossed lovers in a cheap drama, and it’s way too fucking early in the morning for this."