Chapter 214

Evaline:
Crossing the room, I unlocked the door and opened it.
Only to freeze in place.
Kieran was standing in front of me… but he wasn’t alone. Right behind him were Oscar and Draven.
I blinked once. Then again.
My heart gave a wild little jump in my chest as I took them in, all three tall and striking in their own ways, filling the narrow hallway with their sheer presence. Kieran looked like he belonged here – calm, gentle smile and warm eyes meeting mine. Oscar, with his unruly hair and quiet intensity, had his hands buried deep in his pockets. Draven stood with his usual relaxed arrogance, one brow raised as he studied me.
I must have looked like an idiot, just standing there staring.
“Are you going to let us in,” Kieran said lightly, his lips curving into a teasing smile, “or would you rather we camp here all night?”
Heat rushed to my cheeks as I stepped aside. “Sorry-please, come in.”
They walked in without hesitation with Kieran leading the way with his familiar confident stride. Oscar followed with silent grace, while Draven gave me a wink as he passed. And both my mates made sure to brush their hands against mine as they stepped in.
I shut the door behind them and followed after them.
“I hope we are not intruding,” Kieran began as he turned to face me. “Oscar and Draven wanted to check in on you. They insisted on coming with me, and I figured… well, I figured you wouldn’t mind. But I understand if this is too much.”
I gave him a small smile. He didn’t need to explain. He probably thought it was odd for three men to show up at a woman’s door at night just to ’check’ on her. But I knew the truth – Oscar and Draven weren’t here just as the hosts of this place.
They were here because they were my mates.
“No, of course not,” I said, carefully keeping my voice neutral. “You are not intruding. It’s nice of them to come.”
I turned to Oscar and Draven, letting a more genuine smile touch my lips. “I’m feeling much better now. The pain is gone thanks to that potion Professor Kieran gave me, and the ointment is working. The skin’s just red now, but it hasn’t gotten worse.”
I kept my words polite and formal… after all, Kieran didn’t know about the mate bonds, but I let my eyes linger a little longer on the two.
And they understood what I meant – that they didn’t have to worry anymore.
“That’s a relief,” Oscar said softly, his gaze sweeping over me like he needed to confirm it for himself.
Draven tilted his head. “Glad to hear it.”
I caught Kieran glancing between us with a soft smile, but he didn’t appear suspicious about the interaction. Instead, he nodded and gestured toward my leg. “Would you mind if I checked the burn again? Just to be sure.”
“Of course,” I said and moved to sit on the edge of the bed.
The skin was still an angry shade of red, but fortunately, it hadn’t developed any blisters. It looked… manageable now.
Kieran kneeled before me with practiced ease. His fingers were cool and sure as he applied another thin layer of ointment. His brows furrowed as he examined the area.
“This is healing faster than expected,” he said, more to himself than anyone else. “By tomorrow morning, or at the latest by noon, it should be almost gone.”
I nodded, grateful. “Thank you, Professor.”
“You are welcome,” he said with a smile as he got back on his feet.
I looked up to find all three of them studying me – with concern, relief, and something I hadn’t realized I missed – care.
Kieran gave me a brief pat on the shoulder before stepping back. “Alright, you should get some rest. That’s the best thing you can do now.”
Oscar gave me a small nod. Draven was the last to move, and his eyes lingered on me for a moment longer than the others. He didn’t say anything, but his gaze spoke volumes – I’m here. You are safe.
I gave him the tiniest smile.
With that, they turned to leave.
“Good night,” I said quietly as I walked them to the door.
“Good night,” Kieran and Oscar echoed in unison.
Draven’s voice was softer, but warmer. “Night, Eva.”
When the door closed behind them, the silence settled back into the room. Read full story at.net
I locked the door and walked back to bed, muscles already starting to relax. I was tired… more than I realized. The emotional toll of the day, the pain, and everything else had worn me down. But the bed was warm, the mattress soft, and I let myself sink into its comfort.
Sleep claimed me quickly.
* * *
The beeping of my alarm jerked me out of slumber at six on the dot.
I stretched slowly, my body stiff but refreshed. Eight hours of uninterrupted sleep had me feeling refreshed and ready for another Saturday
After a quick trip to the bathroom, I returned to the room and drank a full glass of warm water from the thermos sitting on the bedside table.
I used the rug as the yoga mat and began my morning routine – stretching, breathing exercises, and cardio workout approved by the doctor. My muscles ached a little at first but warmed up quickly. The meditation at the end was the best part. I could almost pretend that I was just an ordinary woman, not someone caught in the middle of powerful alphas, secrets, and wounds deeper than skin.
By seven-thirty, I was showered, dressed, and ready for the day.
I wore a fitted black co-ord suit with sleek trousers and a cropped blazer. A long white coat layered over it added elegance and authority. My favorite boots – soft leather and sturdy soles – clicked softly as I moved. I pulled my hair into a loose bun, slicked on lip balm after completing my five-step skincare routine.
I looked… professional.
And strong.
The way I needed to look.
When I descended the stairs, the scent of breakfast greeted me first – coffee, toasted bread, butter, and something sweet.
I paused at the edge of the living room as I found all four brothers already there.
River was standing near the window, dressed immaculately in his signature black-on-black suit. He had his phone pressed to his ear as he gave curt orders. Kieran was sitting on the couch, flipping through what looked like a book on herbology, back in his casual workwear even though there were no classes for him to teach today. Oscar and Draven were lounging on the other couch in pajamas, both of them looking like they would have loved to stay in their beds longer… if not for me.
I offered them a soft smile. “Good morning.”
All but River returned it. “Morning,” Kieran said cheerfully. Oscar and Draven echoed him with their own soft and warm greetings.
Kieran looked up. “How did you sleep?”
“Better than I expected,” I replied.
Draven was next. “How’s your leg now?”
“It’s fine now. The burn looks even better this morning.”
He nodded, satisfied, while Oscar gave me a small, approving smile.
We moved into the dining room and shared a quiet breakfast. Kieran kept me engaged as he talked about the ingredients of a certain tea. On the other hand, Oscar and Draven were busy arguing half-heartedly about who drank the last of the orange juice.
River didn’t speak to me directly – not that I expected him to. But I noticed he didn’t leave the table until I finished eating. It wasn’t a coincidence.
After breakfast, I walked toward the front entrance with my phone in hand and a growing sense of dread. I had completely forgotten to tell Mr. Wood that I wasn’t at the Academy and he needed to pick me up from the Thorne Estate instead.
I was about to call him when a voice beside me said, “Need a ride?”
I turned to find Draven there, dressed in a black t-shirt and joggers. His car keys were dangling from his fingers and that cocky smirk was playing on his face.
“I wouldn’t mind,” I admitted with a small smile.
Before I could say more, a car horn cut through the air.
We both turned simultaneously.
A sleek black car was already parked at the entrance.
The back window rolled down smoothly, revealing River’s unmistakable side profile. He was staring at a tablet, his brows drawn in concentration. He didn’t even glance in our direction.
“Get in,” he said, his voice clipped. “You will be late if you wait for Mr. Wood to come here from the Academy to pick you up.”
I blinked in surprise. So did Draven.
And before either of us could argue, River added without looking up, “Now, Miss Evaline.”
I didn’t dare make him repeat himself a third time, I knew better than that. Giving Draven a tight smile, I climbed in the seat next to my boss’.