The combined attention from Killian and Kieran pressed down on Yuki like a weight. Kaden’s grip on his fork tightened until his knuckles turned white. He hated this. He hated how both his brothers were focusing on her. He hated the way Killian’s voice softened when he spoke to her. He hated how Kieran kept pressing her with questions, showing clear concern.

Why did they care?

They probably didn’t notice but he did.

The thought burned in his chest. He did not want to care about her. He should not care. Yet seeing his brothers give her this much attention made something ugly twist inside him. His jaw clenched harder. The scent from last night still lingered in his memory, and now this watching them hover over her pushed him to the edge.

With a sudden, loud clank, Kaden dropped his cutlery onto his plate. The sharp sound cut through the room like a whip, drawing every eye to him.

He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping back violently. "I am done," he said curtly, his voice was tight with barely contained frustration and anger. Without another word or glance at anyone, he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him with enough force to make the walls tremble.

The heavy silence that followed was deafening. An awkward atmosphere hung over the dining room after Kaden walked out. Yuki’s brow subconsciously arched.

What was his problem? She wondered if his attitude was worse.

Killian’s frown deepened; he immediately tried to get through to Kaden’s mind but his thoughts kept bouncing back. His eyes went wide and he glanced at Kieran who had a similar bewildered look..

They instantly understood. Kaden blocked off his mind. ’ I should go after him.’ Kieran carefully relayed through their mind link. He knew Kaden’s temper. Even with the block he could still sense the anger.

’ Maybe he needs a bit of space.’ Killian replied. Kieran went silent; he wanted to argue but chose not to.

That’s when Alexander’s voice cut through the room. "The spring festival is close, since you are coming of age Yuki, I assume you are attending," he mentioned and immediately once again Yuki was brought to the centre of attention..

She took a slow sip of her drink before she. Replied carefully. "I’m not a native of Ravencourt, can I just skip it? After all, I doubt my fated mate is in this pack." Yuki nervously applied, the thought of the festival made her stomach twist.

During the spring festival, every werewolf who had turned 18 experiences their wolf bonds completely for the first time and most experience their first shift but that wasn’t the most important part of the festival

But the fact was, under the full moon that night and with the help of their fully awakened wolf they could sense their mates’ bonds too. Some call it the mating festival, rather than just the spring festival.

Every pack has a different tradition for how the spring festival is celebrated although they might have similar attributes but Yuki wasn’t excited about meeting her mate or shifting. She was a weak omega and might just be disappointed and probably humiliated too.

An awkward silence filled the room before Alexander spoke again. "You know the festival isn’t just about finding a mate and even if you do find your fated mate and don’t want it no one would force you." He explained..

"I will arrange a suitable match for you. The important thing is meeting your wolf. Aren’t you excited about it?" He said carefully. Yuki’s head was bowed.

.

"I don’t know, I do want to skip it." She whispered. Aevia sighed and took her hand.

"Don’t be like that, It would be fun. Besides, how certain are you that you won’t find your fated mate and won’t like them?" She said softly. "Fate works in mysterious ways. You were probably brought here by fate. "

Yuki smiled finding the conversation awkward. She noticed the brothers’ discomfort and how ridiculous this was. Aevia speaking of fate when she took someone else’s fated mate.

"Did you ever meet your fated mate Aevia?" She suddenly asked and the look on Aevia’s face stiffened. Alexander’s grip on his cutlery subconsciously tightened

Aevia’s gaze was conflicted, and this didn’t go unnoticed by everyone. Kieran couldn’t sir still sneered. "Is the question that simple but I guess people like you don’t value fated bonds?" He said and Aevia’s jaw tightened.

Alexander should have stepped in for her but he didn’t like the way Aevia took so long to answer the question.

"Aevia you can just.." Alexander sighed, finally deciding to speak up but Aevia spoke up, cutting him off.

"It’s fine. I just find the topic difficult to speak about." She said with a tired smile. "I did have a fated mate but he passed on long ago Yuki." She finally said.

A sharp sting struck Yuki’s heart. She didn’t know who the person was but she could feel the pain Aevia couldn’t hide through their bond. She never knew Aevia once had a mate. They had a large age gap between them even if Aevia didn’t look it, with her flawless skin.

A tear rolled down her cheek and Alexander immediately wiped it away. "Sorry you had to open an old wound. It must have been difficult. "

She shook her head. "No its fine." She forced a smile. "Let’s not ruin the mood. The festival isn’t only important for Yuki. It also means a lot to the boys. We might have a mating ceremony after it. " she said.

The brother’s expression remained the same. It was no secret that the ceremony would officially make Eloise their mate. Alexander’s gaze shifted to Killian and Kieran who were eating like this had nothing to do with them.

"The festival means a lot not just to them and honestly maybe you will find a good mate. There should be someone you are already drawn to Yuki. Bonds act in mysterious ways even before the sparks you might feel something. " Alexander mentioned taking his gaze from Yuki, missing to notice how Kieran had stopped chewing for a moment.

The brothers’ did react obviously but the thought of Yuki finding her fated mate in Ravencourt ticked them off in a way they couldn’t explain like the thought of her belonging to someone else was repulsive

Although they never accept it and just find the entire topic irritating to listen to. Aevia’s eyes lit up immediately. "That reminds me of that boy who stepped up for you at the party. Is there something between you?" She winked at Yuki and her face burned instantly. She bowed her head avoiding her sister’s gaze.

Her bashful reaction only made Aevia giggle. "There is nothing between us." She secretly bit her lips. Aevia’s grin widened and even Alexander smiled.

"You must know him. That’s Xavier, isn’t he?" Alexander mentioned staring at Kieran who froze once more. Someone flickered across Killian’s face, but no one noticed.

Of course, he knew Xavier. Kieran sneered. "There is nothing special about Xavier aside from his attitude to challenge orders during military drill," he said sarcastically wondering what the relationship between Xavier and Yuki was, and most importantly why he was flustered by him

"But he is a hard worker and at the top of his class. He might be an excellent match. " Alexander chirped in totally bought on Xavier. The way he spoke about the topic was grating to certain people.

A deep chuckle filled the room. Killian’s deep laugh echoed off the walls it was truly rare to see him laugh. "The festival isn’t even here and you are already playing matchmaker. That’s rather something. " he sarcastically said placing his cutlery down

He slowly stood up. "I will take my leave now. I have some matters to handle at the company. " his gaze flickered to Kieran. "I would also need your help." He said and didn’t wait for anyone to react before leaving the dining room

Kieran gave Alexander a faint nod and also stood up. He was already finding his stay out welcomed on this table. "Have a great day." He chirped and followed after Killian leaving the dining room.

Kieran walked through the doors and immediately found Killian who was talking to a guard with a serious expression the pressure around him was noticeable from a distance.

Kieran’s frown deepened. "What happened? " he asked with a knot already forming in his stomach.

Killian let the guard leave before he glanced at Kieran. His expression was a bit troubled. "Kaden is missing. " Kieran’s heart skipped a beat.

"Where could he have gone?" He blurted out still disturbed by Kaden’s earlier outburst. He could be anywhere.

Killian shook his head. "I have no idea, he cut off the link even the warriors can’t reach him and there is a security meeting he should be attending soon."

Kieran’s gut twisted. It was completely weird for Kaden to disappear. He had done this before but why did he snap? He wondered. "Maybe he is with Eloise. We should find him." The concern in his tone was certain.

Killian grabbed his shoulders then stopped him. "I don’t know why he is upset but his cutting the mindlink with us obviously means he doesn’t want to see us," Killian said as a matter of fact and it only made Kieran more disturbed

"But we can’t just ignore him," Kieran muttered