Fated To Not Just One But Three novel Chapter 598

Chapter 598: What is he up to

Olivia’s POV

The question hung in the air like a blade.

"What," Louis repeated, slower now, angrier, "is going on here?"

My hand dropped from Kaine’s face as if burned... like a kid caught stealing candy. I took a step back instantly, putting space between us before Louis could say another word. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might tear free of my chest—but my face stayed calm.

"This," I said evenly, turning to face him fully, "is none of your concern."

Louis’s eyes darkened. "I beg to differ." His gaze flicked to Kaine’s bare chest, then to the bed, then back to my face. "You’re alone in a room with a guard. A half-naked guard. Care to explain?"

Kaine stiffened beside me. I felt it—the instinct to shield, to submit, to disappear—but he didn’t move. He kept his head lowered, posture respectful, playing the role perfectly.

I lifted my chin. "He was injured. I healed him."

Louis scoffed. "By closing the door and standing that close?"

"Yes," I snapped. "Because he was flogged within an inch of his life under our authority. Or did you miss that part?"

That gave him pause.

"Levi went too far," I continued coldly. "And I will not apologize for fixing what he broke."

Louis studied my face for a long moment, searching for something—guilt, hesitation, a crack. He found none. I made sure of it.

Then his eyes shifted back to Kaine.

"You," Louis said, voice hard. "Get dressed."

Kaine inclined his head. "Yes, Alpha."

The word twisted something in my chest.

He reached for his shirt, pulling it on quickly, efficiently. No hesitation. No defiance. Every movement screamed discipline. Control.

Louis didn’t stop watching him.

"You’re dismissed," Louis added. "Leave. Now."

Kaine paused—just for a second—then nodded again. "As you wish."

As he passed Louis, I felt it.

That strange pull.

That silent recognition.

Louis’s brows furrowed briefly, his gaze sharpening—but then Kaine was gone, the door closing softly behind him.

The room felt colder without him.

Louis turned back to me immediately. "You’re going to explain this."

I crossed my arms. "There’s nothing to explain."

"That guard," he said slowly, "has been at the center of far too many... situations lately. You defend him. Levi punishes him. And now I find you alone with him, touching his face."

"He is under my protection," I said firmly. "And that is all you need to know."

Louis’s jaw clenched. "You’re grieving, Olivia."

"I am aware."

"You’re vulnerable."

I laughed. "So what are you trying to say?"

Silence stretched between us.

Finally, he exhaled. "I don’t like this."

"I don’t need you to," I replied. "I need you to trust me."

He searched my eyes again, then nodded once—reluctantly. "Fine. But if Levi is right about this guard—"

"He isn’t," I cut in. Too fast.

Louis noticed.

His gaze narrowed, but he didn’t push. "I’ll be watching."

"I expect nothing less."

He turned and left, the door closing behind him with a quiet finality.

The moment I was alone, my strength nearly gave out.

I pressed a hand to my chest, breathing hard.

That was too close.

Too close.

And yet—my gaze drifted to the door Kaine had just passed through.

Whatever game he thought he was playing, it was getting harder to keep everyone else from noticing.

My wolf stirred, tense and alert.

What now? she asked.

I swallowed hard.

Now?

I have no idea.

The rest of the day passed without incident—or at least, without anything openly said to my face.

Council meetings went on as scheduled. Servants bowed, guards saluted, and the pack moved as it always did. On the surface, everything looked normal.

But I felt it.

An unease that clung to the halls of the mansion like smoke. Too many pauses when I walked past. Too many lowered voices that stopped just a heartbeat too late. Too many eyes flicking away when they realized I was near.

The staff were whispering.

They hadn’t said anything outright. No one dared. But I didn’t need to hear the words to know they were there. Rumors always moved faster than the wind, and today, the packhouse felt tight with them.

I kept my head high. A Luna does not react to shadows.

By evening, the weight of it all pressed too hard against my chest. I told the servants I wanted some air and left the mansion alone, pulling my cloak around me.

The courtyard was quieter now. Torches flickered to life. The pack grounds hummed softly with the sounds of people settling in for the night.

I walked without a destination, letting my thoughts drift—until something made me stop.

Voices.

Soft laughter.

I turned my head—and froze.

Kaine.

Because it’s him, I answered silently. And because I don’t know why he’s doing this.

Minutes dragged into an hour. I turned onto my side. Then my back. Then sat up again.

Enough.

I pushed myself off the bed and slipped out of my room, my steps quiet as I retraced the path to where I had seen them.

They were gone.

The garden was empty.

That made it worse.

My imagination ran wild—too wild. A hundred ugly thoughts crowded my head, each more painful than the last. I didn’t stop walking.

I went straight to his room.

The door was locked.

My heart pounded.

I knocked.

Once.

Then again.

Footsteps sounded, and the door opened.

Kaine stood there, fully dressed, expression guarded. "Luna—"

I didn’t let him finish.

I pushed past him and stormed inside. "Where is she?"

He blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Who?"

"The maid," I snapped, turning to face him. "Where is she?"

Silence.

I inhaled sharply, instinctively, my senses flaring.

Nothing.

No trace of her scent.

No lingering warmth.

Just him.

Alone.

My anger faltered, confusion rushing in behind it. I turned slowly, my voice quieter now but no less intense.

"There’s no smell of her here," I said, trying my best to hide my jealousy, but it was so obvious.

His jaw tightened. "Because she was never here."

I stared at him, my emotions colliding—relief, frustration, suspicion, anger, and pain.

"Then why," I demanded softly, "were you walking with her?"

He looked away for a brief second, then looked at me straight in the eyes.

"Luna," he said quietly, "are you jealous?"