Chapter 257: Ring appointment

As the end of her shift arrived, Yuki stripped out of her clinical scrubs in the quiet locker room and changed back into her sage-green dress. She was brushing out her golden-blonde hair in front of the mirror when her phone buzzed softly against the bench. She picked it up, unlocking the screen to find an unread notification.

Xavier: Hey, I’m waiting for you downstairs in the parking lot!

Yuki’s brow furrowed slightly as her fingers flew across the keyboard.

Yuki: You came to pick me up? You didn’t have to do that!

Xavier: I kind of did. We have our ring measurement appointment in an hour, remember? Sorry I forgot to mention it earlier

Yuki froze, her thumb hovering over the screen as the realization hit her. With the engagement set for less than a week away, everything was moving at a dizzying, relentless speed.

Yuki: it’s fine ! Everything is moving so fast. I’m almost done changing and I’ll be right out.

Xavier: Take your time, my lady. I’m already waiting by the car.

Yuki set her phone down with a quiet sigh, staring at her reflection. Everything felt so fast with Xavier, but a practical part of her knew this security blanket was for the best.

She gathered her heavy leather tote bag and stepped out of the locker room she shared with Kieran. His desk was empty, he hadn’t returned from the trauma wing, and she assumed he was still hovering over Eloise’s bedside. She rolled her eyes at the thought, pulling the door shut.

As she traversed the main reception hall, the hushed gossip of nurses and lab scientists drifted toward her ears.

“Did you hear about Lady Eloise?” a nurse whispered, leaning over the counter. “She was so lucky! The blade completely missed her main arteries and vocal cords. No permanent damage at all.”

“Thank the Goddess,” a lab tech replied, shaking his head. “It must have been so traumatic for her!”

Yuki’s lips pressed into a thin line. She almost hissed out loud. She had a very strong gut feeling that the entire bloody spectacle had been nothing more than a calculated performance.

Pushing through the heavy glass doors, she cut off the noise of the lobby and stepped into the crisp evening air.

“Yuki!” a warm voice called out across the driveway.

She glanced toward the parking area and immediately spotted a sleek, cherry-red sports car idling near the entrance. Xavier was leaning casually against the driver’s side door, holding a clear plastic cup filled with warm milk tea. His tall, athletic frame and tailored jacket drew endless glances from passing staff, several young women whispering to one another about which prominent pack family he belonged to.

Yuki walked over, a small smirk playing on her lips. “You really enjoy attracting attention, don’t you?” she teased

Xavier shrugged playfully, his golden-brown eyes crinkling at the corners. “It’s not my fault I’m gorgeous.”

Yuki’s lips twitched as she shook her head. “When did you become such a narcissist?”

“Recently,” Xavier teased, extending the cup toward her. “I discovered confidence is attractive. Here—still warm.”

Yuki paused, accepting the cup as the soothing warmth radiated into her cold hands. “How did you know I prefer my milk tea warm instead of iced?” she gasped.

Xavier offered her a soft, genuine smile, leaning back against his car. “I’ve seen you order it before. I remembered.”

“Thanks,” Yuki chimed softly, taking a slow sip.

“It’s nothing,” Xavier replied, waving his hand dismissively. “I figured you needed something to lift your spirits after surviving a long, chaotic shift at the hospital.”

Yuki smirked, taking another sip. “You’re not bad at this.”

Xavier grinned, stepping forward to pull the passenger door wide open for her with an exaggerated little bow. “Well, now you know, Lady Miyuki. I aim to impress.”

Yuki slid into the comfortable leather seat, setting her tea in the central cup holder and pulling the seat belt across her chest as Xavier shut her door and rounded the hood to slide into the driver’s seat. He started the engine with a low, powerful purr, glancing at her as he pulled out of the medical center driveway.

“So… did anything exciting happen on your shift today?” he asked casually.

Yuki paused, her gaze drifting out the window. “Not really exciting, just dramatic. Eloise was brought into the emergency bay completely covered in blood. It was quite a spectacle.”

Xavier’s hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel, a sudden, heavy frown clouding his face. Yuki caught the abrupt shift in his mood and turned toward him. “Is something wrong?”

Xavier shook his head quickly, smoothing his expression back into an easy smile. “No, nothing at all. Just thinking about traffic.”

He smoothly accelerated onto the main thoroughfare, keeping his thoughts to himself. What Yuki didn’t know was that Xavier’s father had briefed him earlier that morning about a sudden, high-risk tactical operation along the outer border.

Xavier had originally been slated to join the strike team, but because of their mandatory ring appointment, Kaden had stepped up and volunteered to take his place on the mission. And somehow, Xavier couldn’t shake the strange feeling, why Xavier volunteered when Eloise needed him.

Within twenty minutes, the sports car glided into the subterranean parking garage of Raven City’s grandest luxury shopping center—a massive, multi-tiered complex that Yuki had heard endless rumors about but had never actually visited. Xavier switched off the ignition, checking his watch.

“Perfect timing. Our appointment at the jeweler is in a few minutes.”

Yuki finished the last of her tea and tossed the empty cup into a nearby bin as they stepped out into the bright, ambiently lit garage. As they made their way toward the grand entrance, Xavier noticed her emerald eyes sparkling with genuine curiosity as she took in the towering marble pillars and glowing designer storefronts.

“Have you been here before?” Xavier asked softly, matching his long stride to hers.

“Never,” Yuki admitted, glancing around at the massive glass displays. “I’ve heard the girls at the faculty talk about it all the time, but I never had a reason to come.”

Xavier smiled, a warm glint in his eyes. “Tell you what—once we finish with the jeweler, we can check out whatever stores you want.”

Yuki’s mood brightened instantly. “Deal!”

They entered the main concourse and headed toward the central elevator bank. The glass lift was packed with evening shoppers, and the moment they stepped inside, Xavier instinctively shifted his position. He placed himself directly in front of Yuki, using his broad shoulders and commanding frame like a protective wall to shield her from the crowded space.

“You know, I’m not going to disappear,” she pointed out, raising an amused eyebrow.

“I know,” he replied calmly.

“Then why are you standing like a human wall?”

He looked down at her, his expression completely serious. “Security.”

She rolled her eyes, though the corner of her mouth twitched.

The elevator smoothly glided up to the VIP jewelry floor, and Xavier guided her out onto the quiet, carpeted hallway. “The jewelry shop is just around this corner.”

Yuki nodded, following beside him. A subtle, lingering awkwardness hung between them, but Xavier worked effortlessly to smooth it over, pointing out interesting displays as they walked.

“Yuki?” Xavier called out softly.

Yuki blinked, turning her head toward him. “Huh? Sorry, what did you say? I was spacing out.”

Xavier let out a light laugh, reaching out and gently taking her small hand in his, weaving his fingers through hers. “I said you’re going to get lost if you keep staring at the store displays.”