Mated To The Crippled Alpha-Chapter 278: Ashes Under the Magnolia Tree

"The DNA under her nails and that tattoo," I said quietly, "those are our leads. If we follow them, we might find where Camilla is hiding."

Nelson nodded. "Yes. And if you discover anything, Mrs. Hale, contact us immediately."

"I will. Take care, Captain Tucker."

After he left, the door closed softly behind him.

Only then did I realize I had been holding my breath the entire time.

My shoulders dropped. My body felt heavy, like I had been standing on edge for days.

Lewis shifted from his wheelchair to sit beside me on the sofa. I curled up without thinking and rested my head on his lap. His scent wrapped around me warm, steady, grounding. My instincts calmed the moment his hand touched my hair.

"It’s late," he murmured, fingers combing gently through the strands. "You should eat something."

I thought I had grown used to blood and death.

But the photos... and Lincy’s swollen face this morning... they kept flashing in my mind.

"I can’t eat," I whispered.

"You’ve lost weight," he said softly.

"Well, blame them," I replied with a bitter smile. "They never leave a body whole."

He exhaled slowly. "Elena, I’ve thought about sending you to stay with your mom for a while. The past few months... it’s been too much. And we don’t know what’s coming next."

Even if Camilla couldn’t touch me directly, her games were exhausting. Every move felt like walking through fog, knowing something sharp waited inside it.

"I can’t hide forever," I said. "And neither can they. Camilla is leaving traces now. It’s only a matter of time before we catch her. The Blackwell brothers, though... they’re patient. Too patient."

"This can’t be rushed," Lewis said. "I have a business trip to Zorya. Come with me. Staying here isn’t just dangerous it’s draining you. I can feel it."

He wasn’t wrong.

The bond between us was more than emotion. He could sense when my spirit thinned. When my strength dipped.

I hesitated, then nodded. "Mom’s pregnancy is almost full term. I can visit her while we’re there."

"Whatever you want," he said with a faint smile, brushing the tip of my nose lightly. "And don’t you want to see the life I built over there?"

"I do," I admitted. "I also want to meet your friends."

His eyes softened at that.

"Can you eat now?" he asked gently.

I smiled at him. "Alright."

As long as I was with him, the unanswered questions didn’t feel as heavy.

The next day, in the first-class cabin, I ran into someone familiar.

Yenick.

He froze when he saw me. "Mrs. Hale?"

"What a coincidence," I said coolly. "You’re flying too?"

He sighed dramatically. "When I went to Snowville, I thought Grant would give me an important role. That’s why I followed him."

I let out a quiet scoff. "Important role? You mean you wanted control of his branch."

Grant had no son. Yenick had thought marrying into the pack would give him power over the entire empire.

When Grant expanded his territory, Yenick jumped at the chance.

Now he had nothing.

The Hudsons no longer trusted him. Snowville wasn’t safe for him. Camilla was out there.

Cowards always know when to run.

"Riley," he said with forced warmth, "I’m in a bit of a financial situation right now. Could you lend me some money? For old times’ sake?"

Before I could answer, a cold voice cut through the cabin.

"Do you think I’m dead?"

Yenick visibly flinched.

He hadn’t noticed Lewis seated behind the divider.

Panic crossed his face. He retreated to his seat and quickly pulled the divider closed as if that thin panel could protect him.

Lewis’s eyes narrowed slightly. "If he bothers you again, I’ll break his legs."

I couldn’t help but smile. "That sounds reasonable."

"You didn’t sleep well," he said more softly. "Rest. It’s a long flight."

I nodded and put on my eye mask and headphones.

For once, I let Snowville fade.

For the next few days, I just wanted to exist beside him.

Jaford was nothing like Snowville.

Snowville carried long winters that bit into the bones. Jaford lived in permanent spring. Flowers bloomed along the streets. The sea breeze carried warmth and salt.

I had been here before but only for rushed negotiations and contracts. Never like this.

Knowing Lewis had lived here for years made everything feel different. Familiar in a way I couldn’t explain.

When we stepped out of the airport, rows of tulips in bright colors greeted us. My mood lifted instantly.

"This evening, a friend is hosting us for dinner," Lewis said.

"You rarely talk about your friends. Who is he?" I asked.

"Harlan Pearson. He helped me a lot in the early years. The others aren’t in the country right now. I’ll introduce you someday."

"Will his mate be there?" I asked lightly. "Should I bring a gift?"

Lewis hesitated.

"What?" I raised a brow. "Trouble?"

"I’m not sure where they stand," he admitted. "It’s... complicated."

I didn’t press.

When we reached the private dining room, voices were already rising inside.

"Janice, haven’t you caused enough trouble?" a deep male voice said sharply. "The guests are about to arrive. Where do you think you’re going? Is this how you behave as my mate?"

"I don’t care," a woman replied firmly. "The divorce papers are on your desk. Sign them. I’m not playing games with your other women."

Another woman chimed in sweetly, "Harlan, she’s overreacting. I just brought wine. I’ll leave soon."

Then a lazy female voice followed, almost mocking. "If I knew you were coming, I wouldn’t have bothered."

The door opened.

A woman stepped out.

Black gown. Hair pinned up with a pearl clip. Skin pale. Lips soft pink. A red mark between her brows made her look almost unreal.

Our eyes met.

Time stopped.

Her gaze moved to Lewis. Tears filled her eyes.

"You... it’s you two."

Her appearance had changed. But those eyes tired, defiant, alive I would recognize them anywhere.

We closed the distance and embraced tightly.

Memories crashed over me.

"I don’t know what waits after this life," she had once told me. "But Riley, no matter what happens, live brightly. Just this once, for yourself."

"I will," I had promised.

"Goodbye, Elena," she had said as she chose death.

While I chose to live.

We took different paths.

For months, I wondered if she had truly vanished. Or if fate had given her another chance.

Now she stood in front of me.

Alive.

"Long time no see Riley," I whispered. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Her voice trembled as she answered, "Long time no see, Elena."