Mated To The Crippled Alpha-Chapter 265: Missing Girl

"Missing?" My voice came out thinner than I meant it to. "Lewis, can you send me her details?"

"Of course."

A second later, the file came through.

Because Alice had been gone for so long, there wasn’t much inside. Just a few cold lines and an old first-grade ID photo. The picture was blurry, the kind that only shows the shape of a child’s face and the shadow of her eyes.

Still... something about it tightened my chest.

Her record was bare. No achievements. No proud family posts. No big search effort. She fit the pattern people liked to pretend didn’t exist an illegitimate child. A side story.

I stared at the family section and slowed when I saw the names Tyler and James White.

My fingers went cold.

Tyler’s face especially the eyes looked too familiar. The same sharp outline. The same stare.

It hit me like a slap.

Vicky.

It wasn’t just resemblance. It was like looking at the same bloodline, the same bone structure, the same kind of gaze that never warmed.

The surname was the same as Vicky’s maiden name too.

But as I scrolled faster, there was no mention of Vicky anywhere. No "Vicky White." No branch of the family that led to her.

It didn’t make sense.

If Vicky truly came from a strong line like the Whites, the Hales wouldn’t have treated her like trash. A powerful family name changes how people act. It buys respect before a person even opens their mouth.

So why was her name missing?

It felt like I was standing at the edge of the truth... then Whitney appeared in my mind like a stone tossed into still water.

Everything rippled.

The calm surface broke.

And whatever was hiding underneath started moving.

I was so deep in it that I didn’t notice someone come up behind me.

"Riley," Yael’s voice cut in, gentle. "What’s got you so captivated?"

My screen had already gone dark from being idle. Thank God.

I slid my phone into my pocket like it was nothing. "Oh. Nothing. Just... a lot has been going on at home. Sometimes I get stuck in my head."

He leaned a little closer, concern softening his face. "What’s been going on?"

I let out a slow breath and chose my words carefully.

"A friend of mine," I said, "Vicky... she passed away not long ago. It was sudden. The whole thing was ugly, and it still shakes me when I think about it."

Yael’s eyes softened. "I understand. The dead can’t return. Try not to torture yourself thinking about it."

He sounded sincere. So sincere it made me unsure whether he truly knew nothing... or whether he was simply better at wearing warmth than Vito was.

I hesitated on purpose, just a little.

Yael took it as a sign to step closer emotionally. "Riley, I might not know what’s happening in your home, but as your classmate... I’m here if you need support."

I gave him a light smile. "Thanks. I’ll be counting on you at school. I’m still new here, and I’m clueless about a lot."

His face brightened. "You’re really talented on the violin."

"Appreciate it," I said.

He glanced at the time. "It’s getting late. You haven’t been to the cafeteria yet, right? I’ll show you."

I didn’t avoid him. I did the opposite.

I stayed close enough to observe him. I asked small, harmless questions about campus life, classes, instructors normal student talk. Yael answered easily, never pushing into anything too personal, never stepping on a line.

He was warm. Smooth. Easy to be around.

Too easy.

We walked side by side through the corridor, and I caught him watching me again.

"Riley," he asked with a curious smile, "why are you staring at me like that?"

I kept my tone casual. "I’ve met your brother a few times. You two are... very different."

Yael chuckled softly. "Vito is older. And we didn’t grow up together. It’s normal we turned out different."

I let my steps slow, then decided to drop a truth just not the whole truth.

"Yael," I said, "there’s something I wasn’t completely honest about."

He stopped walking. "What is it?"

"On your birthday night," I admitted, "I went up to the fourth floor to check on Whitney."

His eyes widened. "You met Ms. White?"

"I saw her once outside the funeral home," I said carefully. "She looked distressed. Like she wanted to run. And when you and your brother showed up... I couldn’t shake the feeling she might be getting mistreated. She’s young. She looked trapped. So I... checked."

I didn’t say everything.

I didn’t say wardrobe.

I didn’t say fear in her voice.

I didn’t say what Vito did.

I mixed truth with just enough softness to make it hard to read me like hiding scent under perfume.

Yael’s face eased. "Riley, you don’t need to worry. My brother genuinely cares for Ms. White. He buys her gifts, takes care of her, watches her health closely. She’s fragile. Every time she tries to go out alone, her heart condition flares up. If Vito hadn’t acted fast more than once... she might not even be alive."

He said it like it was romantic.

Like "keeping her inside" was love.

My stomach turned, but I kept my expression calm.

"I’m glad she’s alive," I said slowly. "I just... want her to have someone to talk to. She’s alone up there."

Yael nodded quickly, almost relieved. "Of course. Vito worries she’ll get stressed, but if you’re okay with it... you can come to my place and keep her company. We’d both be happy to have you."

His eyes lit up after he said it, like the offer wasn’t just kindness.

Like it was something he’d wanted.

"I’d love for you to visit," he added quickly. "How about today?"

I didn’t expect that. Not that fast.

But now that the door was open, it would look strange to slam it shut.

So I smiled. "Alright. But do you know what Whitney likes to eat? Our last meeting was awkward. I’d like to visit properly this time."

Yael’s expression turned apologetic. "I’m sorry. Vito handles everything for Ms. White. I don’t really know her preferences."

Of course he didn’t.

That told me something too.

After school, the Hale car pulled up like clockwork. Lewis and I had already agreed on extra protection, but I still blinked when I saw who was driving.

Theo.

He stepped out, opened the door for me, and greeted me calmly. "Mrs. Riley."

As soon as I got in, he handed me a small device.

"Keep this on you," he said. "If anything feels wrong, press it. We’ll reach you immediately."

I curled my fingers around it. It was small, but it felt heavy.

"Got it," I said. "And while you’re at it... take a look around their villa. Last time it was too dark. I want details."

"Understood."

Theo had also prepared gifts simple, appropriate things to carry so I wouldn’t look suspicious. I took them and stepped out.

When we reached the Blackwell Residence, I slowed.

In daylight, the gate looked different.

Tall iron. Detailed carving.

And right in the center was a relief I hadn’t noticed before a figure with horns and a grin too wide, like it was mocking anyone who entered.

Last time, the darkness hid it.

Now, in the fading light, it looked... hungry.

The air tasted wrong too. Clean, but sharp. Like the space had rules.

Like I was stepping onto someone else’s territory, and they knew it.

The gate creaked as it opened, slow and loud, like it wanted me to hear every second of my choice.

My instincts rose, pressing against my skin.

This wasn’t fear.

It was warning.

And then I saw him.

Vito stood on the other side, already waiting.

Suit. Straight posture. Pale face that didn’t match the warmth of the evening. His smile sat on his mouth like a blade pretending to be pretty.

His eyes landed on me, and my body went still.

Not because I wanted to.

Because something in me recognized dominance the way a throat recognizes teeth.

"Ms. Ashbourne," he said smoothly, like we were old friends. "I’ve been waiting for you."