Chapter 238: Caught Him
Rebecca’s POV
I spent the entire day cooped up in my room, staring at the ceiling as the hours dragged on. By late afternoon, my body felt heavy, and my legs were starting to feel swollen from sitting around doing nothing all day.
Stephine had just gone downstairs to take a quick nap, and I didn’t have the heart to wake her up. Craving a bit of movement, I decided to step out and take a slow walk around the packhouse hallways just to stretch my cramped muscles.
I slipped out of my room and walked down the grand staircase. But as I reached the bottom step, I nearly ran right into Kaden.
He was dressed in grey sweatpants and a dark athletic jacket, looking as broad and imposing as ever. It looked like he was heading out for a run.
"What’s up?" Kaden asked, stopping in his tracks and looking down at me with a sharp, perceptive gaze.
"My legs feel a bit swollen," I said, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. "I was just going to take a slow walk around the packhouse."
Kaden raised an eyebrow. "Why just the packhouse? Come with me. Let’s take a walk around the pack. I’m heading out for my evening jog anyway."
I frowned, a sudden flare of hesitation shooting through me. A walk outside? Just the two of us?
That was a terrible idea. Being alone with Kaden was already dangerous enough. The pull between us, the secret of the pregnancy, and the lie I had told him last night were all piling up like dynamite.
"No, it’s fine," I stammered, stepping back. "I’ll just stay inside."
"I insist," Kaden said, his tone leaving very little room for argument. A small, knowing look crossed his dark features. "Let me show you around the territory. I bet you haven’t stepped a foot outside the packhouse since you got here."
I bit my lip. He was right, but refusing him too strongly would only make me look suspicious.
"Fine," I gave in with a quiet sigh. "But I need to change out of this dress first."
Kaden gave a single, approving nod. "I’ll wait for you down here. Take your time."
I turned around and walked back up to my room, mentally scolding myself every step of the way. This is a bad idea, Rebecca. A really bad idea.
I quickly changed into a comfortable tracksuit and a pair of light sandals before heading back downstairs. Kaden was leaning against the wall near the front entrance, waiting patiently.
"Let’s go," he said, opening the heavy front door for me. "If you feel exhausted at any point, just tell me and we’ll stop."
"Okay," I murmured.
We stepped out into the cool evening air, leaving the stifling packhouse behind. We started off at a very slow, easy pace, jogging side by side down the paved trail that circled toward the edge of the nearby human town.
I took a deep, shuddering breath, taking in the fresh scent of pine and rain-dampened earth. It felt amazing to finally be outside. I glanced sideways at Kaden, watching the steady, effortless way he moved beside me, and a heavy weight settled in my chest.
My mind spun as I wondered just how much things had changed between us. This was the same Kaden who had hated me, the Kaden who had tortured me, the possessive Alpha who was actually my second chance mate and the father of my unborn child. And now... now he was the Kaden who didn’t remember any of it, treating me like a fragile guest.
I let out a soft, subconscious sigh. Maybe it’s for the best, I told myself quietly. It’s safer if he never remembers.
"You’re doing well," Kaden said, breaking the silence as he glanced down at me.
A small, genuine smile slipped onto my lips before I could stop it. "Thanks." But the second I realized I was smiling at him, I caught myself, quickly tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear and looking straight ahead.
After about twenty minutes, we slowed down from a light jog to a comfortable walking pace.
"Let’s head over to that small coffee shop near the border line," Kaden suggested, pointing toward a warm, glowing storefront at the edge of the street ahead. "We can grab something warm and then head back."
"Sure," I nodded, keeping my hands tucked deep into my jacket pockets.
As we crossed the street and approached the glass front of the café, my eyes absentmindedly wandered inside. The café was mostly empty, but through the transparent glass, a familiar figure caught my attention.
Sitting in a dimly lit corner booth was Kane.
And he wasn’t alone. Sitting directly across from him was a young, striking woman with long dark hair, laughing intimately at something he had just said.
My heart instantly sank into my stomach—not because of Kane, but because of the disaster I had just walked into.
Beside me, Kaden froze. I could feel the tension instantly radiate off his body as his Alpha gaze locked onto the booth. He slowly turned his head to look down at me, his eyes brimming with deep, burning concern and raw fury on my behalf.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I didn’t care who that woman was. She could have been a lover, an old friend, or a client for all I knew. I felt zero jealousy toward them. But Kaden didn’t know that. Kaden thought I was heartbroken, paranoid, and desperately afraid that Kane was cheating on me. My stupid lie from last night had just slammed right back into my face.
Seeing my pale, frozen reaction, Kaden stepped closer, his voice dropping into a soft, careful tone meant to cushion a blow. "Ruby... look, she might just be a friend or a business partner. Don’t jump to conclusions."
I forced a quick nod, desperately trying to keep my face neutral. "It’s fine. Let me just... let’s just go back home."
"Are you sure?" Kaden asked, his brows pulling together in deep worry.
"Yes, let’s just walk back," I insisted, turning around on my heel and heading back toward the packhouse trail.
I wasn’t bothered by Kane in the slightest, but Kaden was practically vibrating with worry beside me. Every few steps, he kept glancing over at me with an expression of intense, protective guilt. He truly believed he was watching a pregnant woman get her heart shattered in real-time.
I’ve completely screwed up, I panicked internally. He’s going to confront Kane now, and everything is going to blow up.
"Are you okay?" Kaden asked softly as we walked in silence.
"I’m fine, Kaden. Really," I said, trying to sound indifferent.
Kaden suddenly reached out, his broad hand wrapping gently around my upper arm to stop me in my tracks. "You don’t have to pretend you’re okay when you’re not, Ruby."
Realizing that acting completely fine would look fake and unnatural for a woman who supposedly just saw her partner with someone else, I realized I had to put on an act.
I looked down at the ground, forcing a shaky, pained breath to escape my lips. "I... I just don’t want to talk about it right now, okay? It’s fine."
"No," Kaden said fiercely, his thumb lightly stroking the fabric of my sleeve. "It is not fine."
I pulled my arm away gently, ignoring his burning gaze, and began walking quickly again. Shit. This was supposed to be a simple distraction, not a full-blown dramatic mess.
We finally reached the front gates of the mansion, the heavy silence between us tense. As we stepped into the warm foyer, I made a move toward the stairs, desperate to lock myself in my room and escape his crushing focus.
"I’m going to head up now," I murmured, not meeting his eyes.
"You’re covered in sweat from the jog," Kaden said, stepping in front of the staircase to block my path. "Do you want to take a swim in the indoor pool to wash off and loosen up your muscles?"
"No, thank you," I replied quickly. "I’m just really tired. I want to go to my room."
Kaden stared down at me, his jaw setting into a rigid line.
"No, Ruby," Kaden said softly, but with absolute Alpha authority. "I am not letting you go up to your room to sit in the dark and cry alone. We’re going to swim."