<h4>Chapter 517: In River’s Office</h4>


    <strong>Kieran:</strong>


    The confusion on my mate’s face almost made me smile.


    Almost.


    If I weren’t so practiced at keeping my expression carefully neutral in public spaces, I might have given myself away right then. But years of standing before lecture halls full of sharp-eyed students and council chambers filled with power-hungry Alphas had taught me restraint. So I kept my faceposed, my posture rxed, my tone professional... just as she was doing, despite the clear questions swirling behind her dazzling amber orbs.


    The moment her project senior mentioned the herb records she was working on, I noticed it.


    Her gaze flicked instinctively to the heavy book resting behind her on the desk, fingers twitching faintly as if she wanted to protect it, before she lifted her eyes to meet mine. It was brief... barely a second... but it was there. A silent question filled with curiosity.


    Then she looked away.


    Good.


    Professional Evaline was holding.


    Before anyone else could speak, I stepped in.


    "I would love to take a look through the record book for a moment," I said calmly, letting my gaze settle on the ancient tome. "And thinking about it, I would also like to borrow Miss Evaline for a while, considering she’s already read nearly one-third of it. Considering her interest in Herbs and Potions, I’m sure she has some insight on the record to share. She can also tell me if there’s any other worthy records on herbs and potions here that she might have noticed."


    The wordsnded exactly as intended.


    The senior overseeing the project immediately straightened, clearly pleased. "Of course, Headmaster Thorne. Miss Evaline has been doing exceptional work. She will surely not disappoint you."


    Director Calix, one of the highest-ranking administrative officers in the headquarters... nodded in agreement. "If you require anything at all, Miss Evaline will assist you."


    Evaline turned slightly, surprise flickering across her face before she masked it. "Of course," she said politely.


    As she bent to lift the book and herptop, I stepped forward without hesitation.


    "I have got it."


    She blinked, startled, as I took the heavy tome andptop from her hands with ease. The weight was nothing to me, but I felt the subtle tension in her shoulders ease as she straightened.


    Director Calix gestured toward the hallway. "We have a private office prepared for you on the fourth floor, Headmaster Thorne."


    I followed him out of the archive hall, Evaline walking beside me. Every step was measured. Every movement intentional. I was acutely aware of the eyes still lingering on us, the whispers that would no doubt follow once we were gone.


    Power invited gazes... and whispers - both good and bad.


    At the end of the hallway, just before we reached the designated office, I spoke again.


    "Actually," I said, stopping. "I would prefer to work in my brother’s office."


    Calix paused, surprised for only a fraction of a second before recovering. "Alpha Thorne’s office?"


    "Yes. I won’t be disturbed there." I met his gaze evenly. "At least not for an hour. If I need anything, I’ll let you know."


    There was no arguing with my tone.


    "Of course," he said quickly. "I’ll make sure no one interrupts."


    He turned to Evaline. "You are in charge of assisting the Headmaster."


    She nodded. "Understood, Director."


    Calix left, his footsteps fading down the hall.


    The moment we stepped into the elevator, the doors slid shut with a soft chime... and silence wrapped around us.


    Not ufortable.


    Just... heavy.


    Evaline stood beside me, her hands folded neatly in front of her, her eyes fixed on the glowing numbers as the elevator rose. I could feel her awareness of me like a living thing, humming faintly through the mate bond. She was thinking. Overthinking.


    I said nothing.


    When the doors opened on the seventh floor, we stepped out and she led us to River’s office where she stepped aside withoutment, giving me space to enter the passcode to my brother’s office even though I knew she knew it just as well as I did. But there were cameras watching us in the hallway. And protocol mattered.


    The door slid open.


    I held it for her, waiting until she stepped inside before following and locking it behind us.


    Only then did I move to River’s desk, setting the book andptop down carefully.


    The silence finally broke as she spoke.


    "Kieran," she said, her voice low but controlled, "what are you doing?"


    I turned.


    Really turned this time.


    She stood a few feet away, arms loosely crossed, her eyes sharp with curiosity and something softer beneath it. The tension she had been holding finally cracked just enough to show through.


    I didn’t answer with words.


    I reached out for her, my hands finding her waist as easily as if they belonged there... because they did. Before she could protest or even inhale, I lifted her effortlessly and settled her onto the desk.


    Her breath hitched.


    Good.


    I stepped in close, bracing my hands on either side of her, trapping her gently but decisively. Her knees brushed my hips, warmth radiating between us, the mate bond ring bright and alive.


    Then I kissed her.


    Not rushed.


    Not restrained.


    Just enough to remind her exactly who I was to her.


    Her lips were soft, warm, familiar in the way that sank straight into my bones. She froze for half a heartbeat... surprise, reflex... before melting into me, her fingers curling into the front of my shirt as she kissed me back.


    The world narrowed to the space between us.


    To the quiet hum of the wards around the building.


    To the truth I hadn’t been able to say in front of others.


    When I finally pulled back, just enough to rest my forehead against hers, my voice was low and steady.


    "That," I murmured, "is why I’m here."


    Her breath was unsteady, eyes wide and searching.


    "And the book?" she whispered.


    I smiled then... slow, knowing, unapologetic.


    "The book," I said, brushing my thumb gently along her jaw, "is exactly where everything begins."