Yuki sat on the warm track surface with her legs stretched out in front of her. The world still tilted slightly as she tried to steady her breathing after Kaden disappeared from view.

She felt like an absolute mess inside and out. Her stomach growled loudly enough to make her flinch and she pressed a hand against it feeling completely defeated.

The hunger clawed in her stomach, worse than the throbbing pain in her ankle but the kiss kept flashing back like a broken record in her mind. She touched her lips without thinking the faint sweetness and metallic sting still lingered there.

The memory of his gold eyes and the way her body had reacted for one terrifying second made her cheeks burn with embarrassment and anger at herself. She scrubbed at her mouth harder than necessary as if she could wipe the whole thing away. Disgusting she thought but her heart still beat unevenly and that unsettled her more than anything.

She forced herself up and limped toward the public bathroom near the field. At this hour the campus stayed relatively quiet with most students in lectures. Inside the bathroom, the air carried the sharp scent of cheap soap and faint bleach.

She splashed cold water on her face and changed out of her sweaty clothes into the spare set she had brought. The cool tiles felt good under her bare feet for a moment but the wound on her ankle pulsed continuously.

Thanks to her dormant wolf, her healing was pretty slow and unreliable so she knew she would have to handle the injury later but right now though her empty stomach screamed for attention first.

Yuki changed outfit and left the bathroom and stumbled through the hallway. Her head was spinning from hunger and the pain in her leg was unbearable.

By coincidence a lecture hall opened and the lecturer stepped out. Soon the hallway was flooded with students who all seemed like seniors.

From the sign about the lecture hall, she could tell it was a class for intelligence investigation. Being in the crowded hallway made her head spin as people bumped past her.

The chaotic hallway was overwhelming. The long corridor echoed with the bang of doors and overlapping chatter from students spilling out of a nearby lecture hall.

Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead making her headache sharper while the mixed smells of coffee from takeaway cups sweat and strong perfume swirled around her. Bodies brushed past without much care towering students laughing and gesturing as they moved in a thick flow.

Her head spun from the hunger and the pain shooting up her leg with every step. She closed her eyes briefly against a fresh wave of dizziness and walked forward blindly.

Her shoulder collided hard with someone solid.

"Watch where you are going," the person snapped.

Yuki opened her eyes to face a tall guy with sharp features and a glare that usually sent people scurrying away. He shoved her back and fresh pain exploded through her injured leg. She braced for the fall but steady hands caught her instead.

"Can’t you see she is not well," a calm voice said.

The rude guy went pale at once. "Senior Xavier I did not realise," he muttered before backing away quickly into the crowd with an apology. Students nearby shifted aside without being asked giving the newcomer a respectful space that spoke volumes.

Yuki blinked in surprise as the hands helped her straighten. She turned and recognised Xavier. From this angle, he looked even more striking with his steady gaze. "Xavier," she muttered.

He gave her a warm smile that felt almost foreign after the cold treatment she had grown used to from the brothers. "Yuki," he said casually while stepping back a little as the hallway continued to bustle around them.

She cleared her throat awkwardly. "He seemed scared of you."

Xavier shrugged lightly. "People tend to be careful around combat seniors." His tone stayed easy but the way the crowd parted for him told her there was real weight behind it. "Especially when you are the best combat Student in Dravenhall and can actually take a beating from Kaden."

"Thanks for helping," she said. "I need to head out." She started limping away but his hand caught hers gently. She glanced up meeting his eyes.

"What happened to your leg?" he asked.

Heat rose in her cheeks. "I was on the field track with Kaden. I tripped and injured myself. My healing is slow." On cue, her stomach growled again loud enough for his sharp hearing to catch. Her face burned hotter and he looked momentarily stunned.

Xavier sighed but kept his grip firm. "Come on." He guided her through the remaining crowd without fuss. Her leg protested with every step but she swallowed the discomfort and followed. They reached the car park soon and he stopped beside a sleek black Mercedes. The luxury brand stood out immediately and it fit with how effortlessly he carried himself.

He opened the door for her but paused noticing the sweat still beading on her forehead. "Sorry about your leg. I hope this is not making it worse," he started.

"No it is fine," Yuki said waving off the concern though her chest twisted with embarrassment at needing help like this. He helped her settle inside before sliding into the driver’s seat. The engine purred smoothly and he glanced her way. "I hope you do not mind missing a few classes."

Her curiosity stirred. "Where are we heading?"

Xavier eased the car out of the lot. "I guess you have not had a proper tour of Ravencourt yet. Let us go to the city centre." He replied.

The drive felt refreshing compared to the wild rides she had endured before from Maverick who was a cast member of Fast and Furious for once she could enjoy the scenery. He kept a steady pace on roads lined with tall trees that slowly gave way to towering buildings and bustling streets.

Ravencourt was a large pack with several smaller towns under its territory and the main city where the university and pack house were located.

They pulled up at a large mall in the heart of the city. Xavier parked and turned to her. "Come on. I hope the walking does not hurt too much." He said unbuckling his seat belt.

"It is nothing I cannot handle," she replied though each step sent fresh discomfort up her leg. He helped her out and they entered the busy mall together. The air carried warm scents of fresh pastries and perfume from nearby shops while chatter echoed under the high ceilings. Because of her limp Xavier avoided escalators and led her to a quiet bench near the food court. "Wait here," he said. Before she could protest he had disappeared into the crowd.

Yuki sighed and watched the flow of people. Ravencourt was huge her mind couldn’t help but wonder how wealthy the pack was even further the Ravencourt family themselves. It explained some of Kaden’s arrogance growing up in this kind of power and wealth, she tried not to dwell on him.

Her eyes twitched why was she thinking of him but the more she tried to forget, the more images of that humiliating situation flashed in her mind. Her fingers brushed her lips again and she muttered under her breath annoyed at how the memory refused to fade.

Luckily Xavier returned shortly carrying a paper bag. The rich aroma of takeout food hit her and her stomach twisted with fresh hunger. She reached for it instinctively but he pulled the bag back slightly. "First let us take care of the wound. I heard untreated injuries can become troublesome." He knelt in front of her and lifted her leg with careful hands. She startled at the closeness feeling awkward letting a near stranger tend to her like this especially after everything with Kaden.

"You really do not have to," she muttered her face warming. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"You look like you are two seconds from collapsing," Xavier replied without looking up from his focus. "Did Kaden seriously make you run on an injured ankle?"

"I got injured while jogging," she explained but knowing how much of a jerk he was he probably would have. "Didn’t you ever get injured before your wolf was fully awake?" Yuki curiously asked, finding his earlier statement weird.

He slipped off her shoe and dabbed a cotton swab soaked in antiseptic on the wound. It stung sharply and she hissed trying not to flinch. He held her foot gently. "I have a strong wolf even before it fully awakened. My wounds always healed fast." That only made her more curious about him but she stayed quiet watching him work. She was certain he was from a strong bloodline.

After cleaning the area he pulled out a small vial of healing potion.

"Xavier what is going on?" a familiar voice called out.

They both looked up to see Eloise approaching with a bright smile that did not reach her eyes. Kaden walked beside her his gaze landing on the scene with clear distaste. The air thickened instantly as his eyes narrowed at Xavier kneeling so close tending to Yuki’s leg. Eloise’s expression shifted too taking in the takeout bag and the obvious care in the moment.