Chapter 88: Seed of doubt

"Are you going somewhere?"

At the sound of her mate’s voice, Roxanne froze.

She drew in a slow breath before turning to face him... and her.

The woman clinging to his arm stayed pressed against him, as if letting go would strip her of meaning. Always close and touching.

Roxanne forced herself to look away. "I’m going to meet a friend. She needs help with her garden."

A lie.

There was no way she could tell him the truth. That she was meeting another man. In broad daylight. A boy younger than their own daughter.

The man narrowed his eyes. "You don’t visit your friends often. Are you hiding something?"

Her expression didn’t change, but irritation coiled inside her.

Now he cared? Now he questioned her movements? Wasn’t he already occupied with the girl hanging off his arm? What did he even see in her?

Roxanne let out a quiet huff. "If you’re so suspicious, come with me and see for yourself."

He opened his mouth to respond, but the woman beside him cut in. "But dear, you promised to take me to Aurelia Fort."

Roxanne watched in silence as the girl pouted, clinging tighter, and the same man who once carried himself with dignity softened, smiling at her childish insistence.

"I understand. We’ll go once we’re done eating."

That was enough.

Roxanne turned and walked out through the front door. The guard stationed nearby moved to follow, but she stopped him with a glance.

She didn’t want anyone with her.

Except one.

The sky hung low, clouds gathering and rumbling faintly. Rain was coming.

She walked toward the place she had mentioned the day before, her mind empty, her steps steady.

This part of the village was quiet, almost deserted. Few lived this close to the chief’s residence. The cost alone kept most people away.

Soon, the familiar tree came into view.

The place where she had stolen those fleeting, beautiful moments.

And just like before...

He was there.

Leaning against the trunk, a faint smile resting on his lips.

She stepped closer without a word.

Luke frowned slightly, noticing the look on her face. Something had happened. That much was obvious.

Before he could ask, Roxanne spoke. "Can you hug me... please?"

He paused for a moment. He didn’t know what had happened, but he had a feeling it involved her mate.

Still, he didn’t ask. If she wanted to tell him, she would.

So instead, he reached out and took her hand.

He guided her down, pulling her gently until she sat on his lap. His arms wrapped around her waist from behind, holding her close.

She smelled faintly sweet, her body warm against his.

But beneath that warmth, he could feel it.

Her heart was cold.

He stayed still, holding her close, his chin resting over her shoulder as her breathing gradually slowed.

Her fingers curled around his forearm, gripping him as if he were the only thing keeping her steady. Little by little, the tension in her body eased.

She looked calmer now.

After a while, Roxanne broke the silence. "Aren’t you going to ask me what happened?"

Luke hummed softly. "Only if you want to talk about it. You don’t have to explain what’s hurting you."

A faint smile touched her lips.

This boy... despite his age, he spoke with a calm that felt older than most men she had known. And she appreciated that.

Roxanne hated being pitied. And every time she spoke about her pain, it felt like she was begging for attention.

Slowly, she shifted on his lap.

Luke drew in a sharp breath as her body pressed against him, her heavy bottom grinding something that was already quite awake due to how good she smelled.

She looked into his deep eyes before asking, "How many women have you comforted like this before? You seem quite experienced in this."

Luke chuckled. "Are you about to get jealous?"

Roxanne smirked. "You really think so? You could just be a toy I’m using for my comfort, someone I’d throw away the moment I get bored."

Luke didn’t look offended in the slightest. He leaned back and wrapped his arms around her waist, his fingers brushing the underside of her dress. The contact made her flinch slightly as their skin touched.

Still grinning, completely at ease, he said, "Try it. But I know one thing, lady. I’m not someone you can forget so easily. I won’t come to you myself, but one day... you’ll be the one knocking on my door."

Roxanne shook her head helplessly. "Look at this smug man. You’re quite full of yourself, you know that, right?"

Luke shrugged. "Isn’t it right for a man to know his worth?"

Roxanne giggled, her red lips finally curving into a smile.

Then, after a brief pause, she asked, "Didn’t you want me to bring you somewhere?"

Luke nodded. "Yes, that’s right. Let’s get going then."

...

"Are you sure you want to let this happen?" Caleb asked with a frown as he stood beside Gustav at the back of the house.

Numerous workers had already begun construction on the bathhouse Luke had requested. They were setting up the perimeter first, preparing the ground before moving on to wooden pillars and the rest of the structure.

Gustav hummed, mildly surprised. "What do you mean?"

Caleb clicked his tongue. "Did he even ask you before getting this built? Last I checked, decisions like these needed approval from the head of the family first."

Gustav let out a slow sigh. "Caleb... I’m not sure what you’re getting at."

Caleb stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Luke is trying to take over everything that used to be yours. Now he’s the one making all the decisions. And not just that... he’s taken your mate from you as well."

Gustav frowned at those words and turned to look at him. "Mind what you say. Whatever happens between me and Luke is between us. There’s no need for you to meddle in our affairs."

Resting a hand on his waist, he glanced at his daughter’s mate and added, "Why don’t you use your time to find a job or something? The more you stay idle, the more your mind fills with nonsense."

Caleb scoffed. "Just admit your son has silenced you under the weight of toras. I mean, who pays his father that much for no reason unless he wants something more than blessings?"

Gustav’s jaw tightened. "Say another word, and I’ll remind you why I was once the most feared hunter in this village."

Caleb fell silent. For all his sharp words, he was still a weak man, easily shaken.

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

However, Caleb was successful in doing what he came for.

When Gustav turned to observe the workers, his eyes drifted afar...his mind falling into thoughts.

Last night...for a few moments, he had actually woken up.

And half asleep he heard voices from behind that gave him a strong sense of something bad happening between his son and mate.

’I believe it’s time to talk to her about it and ask her to maintain her distance.’ With those thoughts, Gustav entered the house and headed to his room.