23. Saku = Scheme

Upon entering his home, Kanae was greeted at the door by his staff. 

"Welcome home young master." They said in unison. 

"Hmm, I'm back." He greeted them back. 

Kanae took off his shoes and proceeded to hang his bag at the entrance. 

"Tsubaki any reports?" He asked his attendant who was in charge of all things related to the Itohara family. 

"Nothing of great importance however, there is talk of the Kazekami family coming back to Japan. I believe the youngest son will be attending Teiho Preparatory School in 2 weeks." Tsubaki reported. 

Kazekami? Why did that name sound familiar? 

"Where were they living before?" 

"I believe they lived in the UK. The youngest son of the Kazekami was actually born in London." 

"If they lived there what reason would they have for coming to Japan?" He asked curiously. 

Tsubaki used his finger to adjust his glasses. His shoulder length hair was been gelled back making his handsome features even more prominent. 

"Unfortunately we don't know why. But I will make sure to inform you once we are aware." He said. 

"Hmm, that's fine. Whatever their reasons are, as long as they don't interfere with our plans, we shouldn't have any problems with them." 

"Yes Kanae-sama." 

"I'm going upstairs to take a bath. Please make sure I am not disturbed." He said before leaving the common area. 

Tsubaki watched his young master go up the stairs and could tell he was in a bad mood.

He ordered the kitchen staff not to bring his food up but to keep it wrapped up in case he changed his mind. 

Kanae got in the bath pushing his hair back and sighed. 

He thought back to his earlier interaction with Megumi's mom and couldn't help but laugh out loud. 

"She truly is a terrifying woman. I didn't do a single thing wrong and yet she directed her intent at me, a young kid." 

He then thought back to his conversation with Megumi. Seeing how sad she looked talking about Rin Hoshimiya darkened his mood. 

He didn't understand why but he felt uncomfortable whenever she showed any affection towards someone else. He didn't know what this feeling was but he knew he didn't like it. He would bury these unknown feelings for now. He had more important things to think about. 

So much had happened within the past week, he still had a hard time believing he was going to a school where he was the only prey. He didn't know what to expect when attending a new school, but so far he hadn't had any bad interactions. 

From what he had researched, predator's had a habit of looking down on species that were lower than them. He thought he would be met with hate and would've been discriminated against but he had been treated fairly well. 

Maybe it was because the school was filled with elite kids who had decent upbringings and believed it was beneath them to bully the weak. 

Still it was an odd sensation. And on top of that, his target Megumi Ahane who was an elite among the elites and part of the wolf family was completely different from what he had imagined. 

Based off of the reports he had received, she had every right to act like a spoiled rich brat. She had high specs, being blessed with dominant wolf genes, intelligence and incredible beauty. 

Even Kanae who was generally indifferent towards everyone found her breathtaking. She was a total mystery to him which intrigued him.She was the complete opposite of his expectations. She was quiet and reserved, even smarter than the reports had mentioned and kept to herself for the most part. 

The only relationship's she had outside of her family was with a boy named Rin Hoshimiya who also came from a nice background. 

Kanae only had one goal. To get closer to Megumi and reignite the union their families had formed so long ago. 

He wasn't doing it for romantic or noble reasons. This was essential for him to succeeded the Itohara empire. Unfortunately like many families, there was a war for succession between him and his three other siblings. Fortunately for him, he had been the one to receive the mark that enabled him to choose a wolf as a partner, giving him a significant edge over his brothers. But that was the only advantage he had. 

If he didn't find his mate soon, all the hard work he'd put into become an heir would be in vain. Especially considering how we was the youngest. 

No one else in his family besides his mother and grandmother knew of the mark. His grandmother had been the one to tell him about it because she wanted her grandson to succeed her son. 

He was surprised when he heard the story and almost didn't believe his grandmother until he had done his own research. 

The question he had now was how he'd be able to find this person. 

Thanks to Tsubaki's thorough investigations, they found out that a bond between deer and wolf in this day and age could only be formed with a pure blooded white wolf. 

Pureblooded white wolves were extremely rare but they managed to make a link with the Ahane family. They were the only family in Japan that were white wolves. So he began his search there and found Megumi Ahane's identity. 

Now there was a large possibility that Megumi might not have been the one. So he decided to go there himself and see if he'd feel anything when he met her. He didn't feel anything at first, but the closer they got with each other, the more certain he felt like she was the one. 

But he still remained uncertain so he decided to test her by handing her a sweater that had his scent on it.