Chapter 80: The other side of him
The car tore through the night, its engine roaring as Kaden pressed harder on the accelerator. The headlights carved through the winding mountain road while the Obsidian Palace disappeared farther behind him with every passing second.
His hands gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. His mind refused to quiet. One thought kept circling back no matter how fast he drove
Yuki was his mate.
The words felt like a curse branded into his skull.
The bond was undeniable now. The trial had erased every excuse he had clung to. The Moon Goddess herself had declared the truth before the entire pack
He hated it.
He hated that a part of him had never been surprised.
He had seen the signs long before tonight. Every argument with her escalated too quickly. Every glance lingered longer than it should have. Every time she challenged him something inside him came alive. He had convinced himself it was because she irritated him.
Now he knew better, his jaw tightened.
Kaden wanted nothing more than to shift into his wolf and disappear into the endless forests surrounding the territory. Running had always cleared his head.
Tonight he did not trust himself..His emotions were too unstable. If he surrendered control to his wolf now there was no telling where instinct would drag him.
The speedometer climbed higher.
Trees blurred past the windows.
The cold wind whistled through the slightly opened window carrying the scent of rain. Dark clouds rolled across the sky and another flash of lightning briefly illuminated the mountains.
Eventually, the bright lights of a petrol station appeared ahead. Kaden eased off the accelerator. The sports car rolled beneath the canopy before coming to a stop beside a pump
.
He climbed out without a word. The cool air hit him immediately.
He had already removed his ceremonial jacket sometime during the drive. It lay crumpled on the passenger seat with the Ravencourt crest stitched proudly across the chest.
Now only his white dress shirt and white trousers shielded him from the chilly spring night. He picked up the fuel nozzle and began filling the tank.
The sharp scent of petrol filled the air. His thoughts drifted again. His eyes stared blankly at the numbers climbing on the pump while his mind replayed Yuki crashing into Kieran after the threads of fate had wrapped around all four of them.
Her frightened expression, Killian’s silence, Kieran’s disbelief and his own anger..The machine clicked.
The tank was full. Kaden returned the nozzle before releasing a long breath.
A convenience store stood beside the station. Warm light spilt through the glass windows.
Without thinking much about it, he headed inside. A cheerful chime rang above the automatic doors.
Warm air replaced the night’s chill. The shop was quiet. Only a handful of customers wandered between the aisles pushing shopping baskets. Several of them instinctively looked up the moment Kaden entered.
Even without introducing himself, his Alpha aura filled the room. Regular wolves naturally recognised stronger bloodlines.
Kaden strode into the quiet store, he grabbed a basket by the entrance and made his way inside, there were a couple of people inside busy shopping most of them sensed Kaden the moment he stepped inside. That strong Ravencourt alpha aura was hard to ignore for regular shifters and Kaden didn’t bother masking his presence either.
He started searching the stores, grabbing a couple of snacks from the shelf. His attention was focused on examining packs subconsciously searching if they contained almonds because Eloise hates them
His hands dropped as he placed back a pack of snacks he clearly liked because it had almonds. Then it dawned on him what he was doing. Instantly he felt like a joke, he always considered Eloise’s preferences it was inbuilt in him now
His dry sarcastic laugh rang as his shoulders shook. "You are really pathetic.." he scoffed to himself about to drop the pack into his basket when a soft voice spoke beside me.
"Sir, can you pass me the pack.." Kaden froze, feeling a small tug on his sleeve. He glanced down and his gaze met a pair of clear honey brown eyes. A little boy around 6 was staring up at Kaden tugging his sleeve.
He was completely oblivious to how terrifying the tall man’s presence was. All he knew was that this man was tall enough to reach the top shelves.. a small frown etched between his brows as he raised his hand higher. "Please, Sir." He said softly.
Kaden was never used to being asked around but his hand still moved giving the boy the pack. The moment he held the pack the brightest smile lit his face. "Thank you." He beamed and ran down the aisle to a couple comparing prices.
"Mummy please can I have them?" he requested. The lady didn’t even glance up from her cart.
"No, Sammy. Mummy doesn’t have the money." She said then continued pushing her cart down her aisle. The boy stood there like a sad puppy.
His father didn’t follow immediately. Instead, he squatted down to the boy’s level and ruffled his hair. "Don’t be sad Sammy. I will get it for you by the end of the month. " he coaxed the boy.
The boy blinked, clearly disappointed. "But I want them tonight," he whined. The man sighed looking exasperated.
"Listen to your mother Sammy." He said in a firm tone. The boy reluctantly nodded then handed back the pack to his father. The man smiled then placed the pack back on the shelf where it belonged.
His gaze met Kaden, recognition reflected in his eyes but his mouth instantly clamped together reading through Kaden. He could tell Kaden didn’t want attention drawn to him. Still, he gave a polite nod then grabbed his son’s hand walking away.
Sammy glanced back, staring at the packs with reluctance in his gaze. Kaden turned back to the shelf and grabbed a couple of the same snacks with a few other snacks and drinks before heading to the counter
By a stroke of luck, the same family was ahead of him. Sammy looked completely deflated standing by his parents. They got checked and left. Kaden reached the counter, and the cashier recognised him immediately.
"Lord...ka.." Kaden gave her a stiff smile. "No need," he cut her and she immediately understood. She smiled at him and quickly checked everything.
Her hand was trembling from excitement. It was rare to be able to see the Ravenscourt family in person. It was like randomly seeing the British Prince of Wales.
After handling the payment she gave Kaden his bags. "Please have a great night sir." Kaden nodded and left with his things. He rushed outside his eyes frantically searching for the family. He spotted them loading their bags into their car boot.
"Hey.. " he called out. His deep voice cut through the night. The couple immediately glanced up. The mother’s eyes went wide immediately. She was beyond stunned to have Lord Kaden approach her. People like that were only seen behind screens.
"Lord Kaden," she said quickly about to bow. Kaden raised his hand stopping her. "There is no need for those formalities. " he said then gave her the bag. "I was hoping Sammy could have this."..
The lady’s gaze flickered to the bag and immediately recognised the snacks. They were pretty expensive. "No I couldn’t.." she instantly rejected. "Sorry if Sammy..."
"I insist. " Kaden cut her with a gentle smile. She was stunned for a moment. Kaden seemed different from what she saw on TV and the media. He was seen as a cold general but he felt like a regular guy and was pretty young too. Like her younger brother.
"If you insist, thank you my lord." She chimed in, accepting the bag. She turned to Sammy and shot him the look. "Sammy, thank the lord for the gift, he bought these for you."
Sammy’s mouth slowly fell open. "They’re... mine?"
Kaden nodded. "They’re yours." The little boy hugged the bag tightly before flashing him the brightest grin.
The little boy slowly understood the situation and gave Kaden the brightest smile ever. "Thank you, my Lord. " he beamed. Kaden gave him a soft smile that reached his eyes..
"You’re welcome." The parents thanked him once more before helping Sammy into the car. The little boy waved enthusiastically through the window as they drove away.
Kaden lifted a hand in return.
He nodded at the family then turned around as soon as they were out of sight his eyes changed. The warm feeling disappeared as he was reminded of his family..