He cupped her face in his hands, mirroring her gesture from less than an hour before. "This gathering may be a formal affair for everyone else, but to me, it is a mere display. If you desire me to feign being one of them, this is the extent of my pretense."
"Can you not exert yourself to pretend with a bit more conviction?" she asked, then leaned closer to whisper, "Elder Rocks and her mother have been observing you since your young."
He unfastened the top two clasps of his tunic again, then undid a third for good measure. "Who is Elder Rocks?"
"He has the only most admired young female in Yunnan.Her name if Jennie Rocks , She excels in ceremonial presentations, possesses an exquisite pelt, and is skilled with the ancient stringed instrument."
Pelt? Ceremonial presentations? Those attributes paled in comparison to a female who knew how to navigate the wilds and share a tent under a storm. "Does she participate in the Great Hunt?"
"The Great Hunt?" His grandmother chuckled. "Females do not typically engage in the Great Hunt, Julian. They observe it. And yes, I am certain Elder Rocks appreciates the tradition and so is his daughter. She is a daughter of Yunnan, born and raised here. The Hunt is in our blood.
She is over there." She subtly indicated the young female in a pale yellow silk robe that revealed her shoulder. The prized blossom of Yunnan.
His grandmother slipped her arm through his and guided him towards Jennie . Julian was aware of many eyes upon him. Clearly, Jennie had been deemed the most desirable female present. As the honored guest, he had the distinct feeling it was customary for him to have the first introduction.
"Elder Rocks, Jennie, may I present my grandson, Julian Zhao Xin," his grandmother announced in a commanding tone.
Jennie was strikingly beautiful. She possessed a delicate nose and bright blue eyes that seemed to illuminate when she smiled. She performed a small, graceful bow. "How are you finding Yunnan thus far, Julian?"
"Do you desire the unvarnished truth?"
His grandmother subtly nudged him with her elbow and offered a forced laugh. "Julian has been most entertaining this entire cycle. You should witness his skill with the swift-stones. We have been practicing every afternoon after the midday meal. He has a natural talent."
Julian had not stepped onto the swift-stone grounds since his arrival.
"I also participate," Jennie said in a melodious voice. "Perhaps we should practice together sometime."
His grandmother nudged him again. "Of course, he will. Won't you, Julian?"
"Indeed."
After some polite conversation, his grandmother excused herself to discuss her new tapestry in the main hall with Elder wolf Rocks, leaving Julian standing beside Jennie. He felt as though he had stepped into a bygone era. Everyone spoke in hushed tones and nibbled on delicacies while soft melodies from a four-stringed ensemble filled the air. It was not long before Jennie took his arm and began introducing him to the other young females and males at the gathering.
Julian found a rest respite when Jennie excused herself. He walked into the dining hall and took a small portion of food. As he found a seat at a table, several young females surrounded him. He would not deny it – the females were alluring. Yunnan held some of the most captivating females he had ever encountered, and he had traveled to many territories. He briefly wondered how they maintained their slender figures when the food here was rich in fats, sweet and heavy. Then he noticed that their plates were full, but they barely touched their food. It was a deception, in his estimation.
Venus would have piled her plate high and enjoyed the meal without concern for the opinions of those present. He had sent her messages every day, but she had not responded. This morning, he had sent a direct communication urging her to reply. She had not.
After eating and briefly speaking with a couple of young males about the Great Hunt, their primary topic of conversation, Jennie reappeared at his side. She recited impressive hunting statistics with ease, but it seemed as though she had been trained to know about the tradition without truly appreciating it.
Julian slipped away and sat on one of the woven loungers in the covered area, hoping for solitude. Reading his mother's letter had shifted his perspective. Her words felt like a message from beyond. She had called him her spirited young wolf. The memory tore open a wound that had been tenuously closed for some time.
His privacy did not last long, as delicate hands covered his eyes, and Jennie's high-pitched voice whispered in his ear, "Guess who?"
As Venus approached the grand entrance of the Zhao estate, intent on confronting Julian, it suddenly struck her that she should have changed her attire. She had simply thrown on a pair of sturdy trousers and her training tunic, which bore the stains of earth and medicinal herbs from the day's practical exercises.
She activated the speaking stone. A tall male with a stern expression answered. "May I assist you, young one?"
Venus peered inside. The multitude of individuals in elegant robes and formal attire underscored her own inappropriate dress. If she cared, she would summon transport and leave. But she did not care. She was on a mission, and no one would deter her. "I need to speak with Julian Zhao Xin."
"And who is calling?"
"Venus." When that did not seem to satisfy him, she added, "Venus Lin Yue."
An older female with striking silver-streaked hair and jade ornaments around her neck approached the entrance and stood beside the male. She wore a flowing blue silk robe with a matching outer garment. When Venus met her sapphire eyes, a jolt of recognition passed through her. Those were Julian's eyes… this was Julian's ailing grandmother.
Except she did not appear ailing.
She looked more vibrant than many dying people she knew. Her gaze fell upon Venus's training tunic, and her lips pursed as if she had tasted a bitter root. "Who are you?" she asked in an imperious tone.
"Venus Lin Yue." She should have brought her identification tag from Elite.
The elder tilted her head, her attention fixed on Venus's bare legs. "Young one, are you aware that you are wearing the attire of a trainee?"
How could she explain to a female so impeccably dressed that she had come directly from her medical training? "I am a healer in training. I had practical exercises all day and did not have time to change before coming here. Julian and I traveled here together from Kunming." When the elder remained unimpressed, she added, "His father is bonded to my sister." That might lend her some credibility.
It did not.
"My grandson is… occupied at the moment, Young Lin Yue," the elder said. "If it is not urgent, you may return at another time."
The elder was attempting to intimidate her. It was having a slight effect, but Venus stood her ground. She needed to know why Julian had deceived her.
"Forgive me," she said. "I intend no disrespect, but I must speak with him now, and I will not leave. It is urgent."
Julian's grandmother finally opened the door wider and gestured for Venus to enter the dwelling. "Follow me," she said, then instructed the male who had answered the door to locate her grandson and escort him to the archive. She led Venus through the throng of young partygoers. The dwelling was vast, like an ancient temple. Some of the young females stared at her and whispered amongst themselves.
Venus stopped abruptly when she caught sight of Julian and another young female through one of the large windows overlooking the expansive grounds.
The female wolf had her arms entwined around him, and Venus's heart felt as though it were being dragged across rough stone. It had not even been a full cycle since they were in the tent, he was acting passionately with her. The realization that he could so quickly become close with another female less than a cycle later made her feel ill.
She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing the female wolf would vanish, it was a figment of her imagination. She should know better than to expect her wishes to be granted; they never had been before. She opened her eyes, and sure enough, the female was still there.
"Young Lin Yue, my dear, do not stare. It is impolite," Julian's grandmother chided, then took Venus's arm and guided her to a room with two large cushions, shelves overflowing with scrolls, and a grand stone hearth.
"I did not intend to interrupt your gathering," Venus said, attempting to convince herself that Julian being with another female wolf did not matter. She had no claim on him. She was here to confront his deception, not to make him her bondmate. The fact that she had developed strong feelings for him was beyond her control and simply unfortunate for her. She looked at his grandmother, hoping the elder could not see through her facade. "It must be taxing for you to host so many in your… condition."
"Condition?"
Venus shifted uncomfortably. "You know, being so unwell and all."
"I am not unwell, my dear."
"You are not?"
"No." The elder settled onto a small cushion in the center of the room, crossing her feet gracefully. She placed her hands neatly in her lap. "Sit, Young Lin Yue."
Venus awkwardly took a seat opposite her. Should she cross her feet? She was in unfamiliar territory. The elder exuded an aura of authority and superiority. She was observing Venus with keen eyes, as if judging her every movement. Venus crossed her worn boots at the ankles, feeling foolish.
"Tell me of the nature of your connection with my grandson."
"My… connection?" The word almost choked her.
"Yes."
"I am… uncertain what you mean."
The elder leaned forward slightly. "I assume, Young Lin Yue, that since you arrived with such 'urgency,' you and Julian are acquainted."
"I would not precisely describe it thus. Much of the time, Julian attempts to irritate me, and I ignore him. That is, of course, when we are not engaged in disagreements, which occurs quite frequently. He is… elusive and manipulative, and possesses a considerable ego. He has this bothersome habit of running his hand through his fur when frustrated. And he practically abducted my companion animal. Did you know he is obsessed with blended concoctions? He refuses to consume preserved fruits or anything with artificial additives, even to save his life. It is… unusual—he is unusual."
"Hmm. Intriguing."
Venus was so agitated, she had not finished her tirade. "And he deceived me. Did you know he was once a highly skilled healer?"
Julian's grandmother nodded slowly. "I am aware of that, yes."
"Aware of what?" Julian said as he entered the room. Venus had not noticed before, but he was wearing a formal robe, as if attending a joining ceremony. Or a farewell ritual. He recoiled slightly in surprise when he realized Venus was present. "Venus, what are you doing here?"
For the past few cycles, she had missed seeing his face each day. When the male aspirants had been making her training difficult this week, she had recalled his words: You possess the strength for this. But the truth had struck her forcefully as soon as she had seen that "Exemplary Healer" plaque… and now he stood before her, fresh from the company of another female.
Her thoughts were in disarray. She wanted to ask about the female, but the mere thought of him with another tightened her chest, preventing the words from forming. Instead, she focused on the reason for her journey. "You were a bloody prodigy!"
Julian's expression hardened. "How did you discover that?"
Venus walked up to him and poked a finger into his chest. "Your image is prominently displayed on the Exemplary Healer wall at Elite Mountain Academy. Have you never heard of a scrying pool search? You are a liar!" Her heart raced as she added, "And I cannot believe you are becoming intimate with another woman wolf after what transpired between us."