Chapter 47 Hunting
Today felt different . It was bubbly, loud, and alive. The annual hunting game of the Richards, the quiet estate had transformed into a world of controlled chaos.
Stable boys rushed past with saddles slung over their shoulders, brushing horses until their coats shone like polished marble. Servants darted around carrying rifle cases and hunting gear. The security team secured the perimeter of the vast hunting forest.
The Richard hunting ground stretched so far it could be mistaken for a protected reserve, towering trees and wild undergrowth.
From the reinforced iron cages came restless soundtracks from the animals pacing to be set free.
By midmorning, the Edwards had arrived, this year's hunting was to commemorate the union of their children, Eva and Maverick.
It was a display of unity.
“Mum! Dad!” Eva called, practically glowing as she hurried toward them.
Kiara swept her daughter into a tight hug, pinching her cheeks before pressing a dramatic kiss to her face.
“Mum!” Eva groaned, mortified. “I’m not a baby!”
“Oh? Because you’re married now?” Kiara sniffed exaggeratedly. “How dare you not visit us once? Eleanor has stolen my daughter from me!”
As if summoned, Eleanor descended the grand staircase, already dressed in sharp hunting gear.
“Oh please, Kiara, don’t be dramatic,” she teased with a warm smile. “The newlyweds simply enjoy each other’s company.”
Eva wished that was true.
She hugged her father next, her voice softening. “Welcome, Daddy…”
General Edward smiled and brushed a hand through her blonde hair.
“I brought your rifle. The one you’ve always preferred. Unless you want to try something new today?”
Before she could answer, movement at the staircase drew their attention.
Maverick appeared at the top step beside General Richard, both men dressed in commanding hunting attire, the weight of power practically echoing off them, discussing in low breath.
Eva’s breath caught. She couldn’t help it.
Her eyes drank in her husband’s broad shoulders, sharp jaw, calm authority.
When Maverick reached the bottom of the stairs, he offered Kiara and General Edward a slight nod.
Eva, beaming, immediately linked her arm with his.
General Edward laughed. “One of my goals today was to convince this girl to come back home with us… but with the way she clings to you, I fear I’d lose the battle before it even starts!”
Laughter rippled through everyone. Eva blushed. Maverick’s expression didn’t shift , unreadable as always but he didn’t pull his hand away from hers.
General Richard clapped his old friend on the back.
“Come on, Edward. Let’s inspect the arrangements.”
The two patriarchs walked off with purpose, their steps echoed off with authority.
Kiara and Eleanor followed after, their steps light as they headed toward the hunting grounds.
Kiara glanced back over her shoulder.
Eva was still glued to Maverick’s side, holding his hand, speaking softly to him with the kind of bright, hopeful smile only a woman deeply in love could wear.
Kiara’s heart melted.
“Should we be expecting grandkids soon?” she teased.
Eleanor laughed.
“I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Kiara’s smile dimmed slightly, her concern surfaced.
“To be honest… I worried about Eva. She loves him so much. But Maverick..” she hesitated “..he’s so cold with her.”
Eleanor let out a knowing chuckle.
“Maverick has always been cold. That’s his nature.”
Then, softer, “But he’s not heartless. He has warmth… only very few get to see it.”
Kiara raised a brow, intrigued.
Eleanor leaned a little closer, whispering like she was sharing a precious secret.
“Would you believe… On their wedding night, he went to the kitchen personally and brought Eva hot chocolate and a warm cloth.”
Kiara gasped dramatically.
“You don’t mean it! Oh, that’s so romantic!”
Eleanor laughed.
“Exactly, the servants were whispering about it the next morning.”
Kiara beamed, her worries momentarily soothed.
Maverick’s eyes were restless as they all exited the mansion toward the hunting ground, scanning everywhere.
For Heaven.
After what had happened last night after he lost control and then took it out on her again, his chest had been tight with a strange feeling he couldn’t name.
“Killian!! You came!” Eva’s delighted voice cut sharply through his thoughts.
Maverick blinked, pulled out of the storm in his head.
Killian stepped forward, stiff and formal. “Young Master. Young Miss,” he greeted with a respectful bow of his head.
Eva rolled her eyes with a familiar pout.
“Killian, must you always be like this? You can just call me Eva,” she scolded gently, though she was smiling.
Killian didn’t answer. His gaze flicked just for a second to Maverick and Eva’s linked hands.
Something darkened in his eyes.
Maverick gave only a curt nod in return, then quietly, deliberately removed Eva’s hand from his arm and walked away.
Eva’s smile faltered, barely a heartbeat long before she forced it back into place.
Killian saw it.
And it cut deeper than he expected.
Was this truly the man she chose? A man who didn’t see her, didn’t feel her warmth, didn’t even pretend for her sake?
He hadn’t meant to stumble into them. He was moving the boxes of gifts Edwards brought. But the moment he entered the mansion, he witnessed the way Eva clung to Maverick… and how Maverick barely acknowledged her at all.
Killian’s jaw tightened.
He swallowed whatever emotion rose in his chest.
“You’ll be joining the hunt, right?” Eva asked quickly, trying to patch the awkwardness, her voice a little too bright.
Killian looked at her at the forced smile, the desperation, the hope.
He nodded slowly.
“If you wish, Young Miss.”
But his eyes didn’t hide what he had witnessed.
Heaven had lost all interest in the hunt.
After last night…
After what Maverick did…
She didn’t even want to breathe the same air as him.
Her chest burned with anger.
How could he do that to her, especially in front of Boyle’s portrait?
It was heartless.
It was cruel.
It felt like an insult to the dead.
But Butler Rose had come knocking gently on her door. “Young miss… it’s almost time. Everyone is gathered.”
So she came out.
Even when every part of her wanted to hide.
It was time for the animals to be released. The servants had created a wide barricade, and everyone stood behind the wooden posts, waiting.
The cages were pulled open. The trapped animals scattered into the woods, hooves and paws thundering on the earth. Gasps and cheers rose.
Until a massive bull, with horns like knives suddenly turned back.
It didn’t run into the woods.
It charged toward the barricade, a small, loose opening in the barricade no one noticed until now.
Chaos erupted.
The bull lowered its head.
And broke through the space with a violent shove.
Screams erupted everywhere.
Heaven had just stepped out of the house, adjusting her coat, when she heard the terrified cries. She lifted her head.
And froze.
The bull was racing straight toward her, dust exploding behind its hooves.
Her breath died in her throat.
People shouted, panicked, desperate:
“YOUNG MISS!!”
The ground shook beneath her feet as the beast closed the distance
And she couldn’t move.