The Triplet Alphas' Forbidden Temptation

Kieran stared at her for another moment before his gaze dropped towards the coffee. "I see," he muttered.

Yuki rubbed the back of her neck. "I didn’t know how you took your coffee, so I assumed you liked it black."

Kieran closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Killian is the one with the defective tongue who likes black coffee," he said tiredly. "I don’t."

Yuki’s brows rose. "Then how do you like it?" she asked out of curiosity.

"How someone with normal taste buds does," Kieran replied without hesitation. "As long as it’s creamed."

Yuki almost smiled. Of course. She had suspected as much. Kieran reached for the cup and took a cautious sip. His expression immediately tightened. Yuki noticed.

"You haven’t eaten anything today, have you?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I’m fine," Kieran replied dismissively.

"That’s not what I asked." Yuki’s brows pulled together as she stared at the workaholic.

"I’m busy," he tried to shrug it off.

"It’s almost two," Yuki deadpanned. No wonder he looked pale as a corpse.

"13:30. That’s 1:30 p.m.," he corrected, his voice flat as he glanced at his wristwatch.

Yuki stared at him. Kieran stared back. She slowly crossed her arms. "That doesn’t make it better," she hissed at him.

His brows lifted slightly. "I was going to eat," Kieran defended, clearly unsettled by the look in her eyes.

"When?" she asked, arms still crossed.

Kieran didn’t answer. Yuki sighed, opened her tote bag and pulled out a packet of biscuits. She placed them firmly on his desk. "Just eat something. You look like a corpse."

Kieran looked at the biscuits, then slowly lifted his gaze to her. "I’m not a child," he said dryly.

"Then stop behaving like one," Yuki shot back. Her eyebrows rose as she pointed at the biscuits. "Who does research work on an empty stomach? Your brain needs calories."

Kieran looked genuinely taken aback. Apparently, being lectured by an eighteen-year-old wasn’t something he had anticipated today.

"You’ve become very bossy," he remarked, the faintest amusement touching his exhausted voice.

"I’m not bossy," Yuki argued, folding her arms. "You’re stubborn. Not that I care if you die from hunger, but I don’t want anything affecting my placement and grades."

That wiped the amusement from his face. "So that’s why you’re here?" he asked, reaching for one of the biscuits. He took a sip of the black coffee, and his face changed for a moment. Yuki confirmed that this man was a sweet tooth.

Out of the generosity of her heart, she pulled out a bottle of sweetened evaporated milk and poured some into the cup. Kieran just stared at her.

"You look like you might faint from the bitterness," she explained, and a faint red appeared on the tips of his ears. He cleared his throat, changing the subject as he reached for a biscuit.

Kieran took a small bite before speaking again. "Things are currently tight. There aren’t many available mentors, and you weren’t here when the other students were assigned."

Yuki’s expression fell slightly. "Oh."

Kieran noticed immediately. "I don’t have time to restructure the current placements either," he continued, his tone becoming more businesslike. "But I discovered that you studied medical research at Xyrus University."

"I did," she replied. That was the course she had used as an excuse to get close to him.

"Then you’ll temporarily work here until we find an appropriate placement," Kieran said like a verdict she didn’t like.

Yuki blinked. "Here?" she blurted in disbelief.

"Here," Kieran repeated, finding the range of expressions going through her face amusing.

"With you?" she hesitantly asked.

He had been planning on assigning her to someone else, but seeing the look on her face, he changed his mind instantly.

Kieran’s expression tightened. "Is that a problem?"

"No." Yuki immediately waved her hands. "Not at all."

"Then what is it?"

She opened her mouth. Nothing came out. Kieran waited. Yuki looked away. "It’s just..."

"What?" Kieran raised his brow at her.

"I didn’t expect it."

Kieran released a tired sigh before opening one of the drawers. "Neither did I." He pulled out a temporary identification card and slid it across the desk towards her. "You can use this to access the laboratory," he explained. "The private locker room is down the corridor. Change into your scrubs and leave your things there. I’ll ask Clara to familiarise you with the facility, then I’ll join you later."

He spoke quickly enough that Yuki barely had time to argue. She picked up the temporary ID and nodded. "Okay." She turned towards the door.

The door shut behind her.

As she walked down the corridor, she muttered beneath her breath. "Of all the people..." Having Kieran as her supervisor was one thing. Having him as her direct mentor was an entirely different problem.

A few minutes later, Yuki changed into her scrubs and placed her tote bag inside the only available locker. It didn’t have a lock, but she didn’t think much of it. Only a handful of people had access to the private laboratory anyway. When she stepped back into the corridor, she immediately spotted the nurse who had helped her enter. The woman smiled.

"Dr Ravencourt asked me to show you around," she explained, holding out a hand. "I’m Clara, by the way."

"Yuki," she replied, shaking her hand.

"I know." Clara chuckled softly. "Come along."

Clara led her through the private research laboratory, explaining which areas she could access and which were restricted. Yuki listened carefully, though the sheer amount of information eventually made her head spin. They passed several research stations, observation rooms and sealed storage areas before Clara finally stopped in front of another reinforced door.

"This is the controlled botanical room," Clara explained. She entered her access code, and the door released with a soft hiss. Cool, humid air brushed against Yuki’s face. Her eyes widened. Rows of strange plants sat inside carefully controlled glass chambers. Some had translucent leaves, others produced faint glows beneath specialised lights, and several bore flowers unlike anything Yuki had ever seen.

"These are some of the rarest mystical medical herbs in the facility," Clara explained, gesturing towards the chambers. "Most of them were cultivated by Dr Ravencourt himself."

"He grew all of these?" Yuki asked, stepping closer to one of the glass enclosures.

"Yes." Clara smiled before pointing towards several sealed containers. "Don’t let their appearance fool you. Some of these plants can be deadly if handled incorrectly."

Yuki immediately pulled her hand back. Clara laughed softly. "Your primary duty will be studying and documenting their medicinal properties."

Yuki nodded, taking in every detail. Then Clara’s expression changed. "Especially that one." She pointed towards a smaller glass chamber. Yuki followed her gaze. Inside was a delicate plant with pale leaves and tiny luminous flowers.

"What is it?" Yuki asked curiously.

Clara looked at her. "It literally saved your life."

Yuki’s smile disappeared. "What?"

Clara stepped closer to the glass. "This was the primary medium used to create the regenerative drug you received."

Yuki stared at the plant. Her heartbeat gradually quickened. "The drug..."

"Dr Ravencourt developed it specifically for you," Clara explained, her voice softening. Yuki swallowed. Clara continued, "The drug was extremely dangerous to produce. About eighty per cent of the regenerative compound was pure Kieran’s magic. The herb and the other agents acted as the medium and bridge that allowed your body to absorb it."

Yuki’s fingers curled around the edge of her sleeve. "Eighty per cent?" Yuki gasped.

Clara nodded. "He was advised to reduce the concentration."

"Why didn’t he?" She clutched her notepad.

"Because he knew reducing it would significantly increase your recovery time."

Yuki stared through the glass. For a moment, she couldn’t speak. Kieran had made those pills. For her. She had suspected he developed the treatment, but hearing exactly what he had poured into it made the reality feel different.

"He really..." Yuki whispered, her voice trailing off.

Clara studied her face. "Are you two close?"

Yuki blinked and looked towards her. "What?"

Clara glanced down at the academic records in her hand. "You transferred from Xyrus University, right? That’s where Dr Ravencourt recently left."

Before Yuki could answer, a soft knock sounded against the glass door. She turned. Kieran stood on the other side. His dark gaze moved briefly between them before settling on Yuki.

"Come on," he said, his voice calmer now. "It’s time for rounds."

Yuki blinked. He didn’t seem to have heard a single word of their conversation. She glanced once more at the strange little plant inside the glass chamber before following him out. And she found herself wondering just how much of Kieran Ravencourt she had never known.