Mated To The Crippled Alpha-Chapter 285: Before the Storm Breaks

I looked at him and frowned on purpose. "It hurts. It really hurts."

His expression changed instantly. The strong, composed Alpha disappeared, replaced by a worried man. He pulled me into his chest and held me tight.

"I’m sorry," he said softly. "It won’t happen again."

I shook my head and lifted my hand to cup his face. His skin was warm beneath my fingers, his scent calm but still carrying that faint possessive edge.

"No, Lewis. You don’t have to hold yourself back for me all the time. Last night made me realize something. You’ve always been the one accommodating me. We’re bonded. We’re one. You don’t have to suppress your instincts for my sake. I love you. I want you happy too."

His throat moved as he swallowed. His eyes darkened, something deep flickering inside them.

"Elena..."

I leaned forward shyly and kissed the side of his neck, just below his jaw where his pulse beat strong and steady. Then I whispered near his ear, "Actually... last night felt really good for me too."

He lowered his head and kissed me deeply, like he had been waiting for permission.

The air thickened again.

Before things could spiral out of control, I pushed lightly against his chest. "I don’t mind. But I can’t handle it every day. If it’s not too often, I think I can survive."

His eyes softened, amused and tender at the same time. "Are you trying to kill me?"

I curled closer and rested my head against him. "Are you still mad at me?"

"How could I stay mad at you?" he murmured. "Lie down. I’ll apply the medicine. I won’t do anything."

I lay back.

The moment his fingers touched my skin, my body reacted. Not because it hurt badly, but because everything was still too sensitive. We both tried to stay calm. The bond between us hummed quietly under the surface, like heat waiting to rise.

"I always thought I had strong self-control," he said softly. "But when it comes to you, I lose it. Elena... you’re the only one who can make me lose control. I love you."

Every time he said those words, my heart still fluttered.

"I love you too," I whispered.

He kissed my forehead gently. "Rest. I have to go to the office. If I stay, I won’t leave."

"Okay. Come back and pick me up later."

When he loved me like this, even in a strange territory far from home, I felt safe. As long as I could sense him nearby, I wasn’t afraid.

For a long time, I thought I was the unluckiest person alive.

Now, I felt chosen.

I touched the small stone hanging near my collarbone. It was warm from my skin. Ever since Lewis gave it to me—sealed with a quiet promise from his pack’s elders—I hadn’t had nightmares. Whenever I held it, peace washed over me, like he was standing guard.

I fell into deep sleep.

When I woke up, it was already dark outside.

Lewis was sitting at the desk, working quietly. The lamp was turned down low so it wouldn’t disturb me. His back was straight, shoulders strong, presence steady.

I got out of bed and wrapped my arms around him from behind.

"Why didn’t you wake me?"

He reached back effortlessly and pulled me onto his lap. "You were sleeping so peacefully. I couldn’t wake you. I moved our flight to tomorrow morning."

"Why are you so good to me, honey?" I teased.

He blushed faintly.

In private, he liked when I called him that. Outside of bed, he turned shy about it.

"Are you hungry?" he asked instead. "I kept your food warm."

"I want you to feed me, honey," I said playfully.

He sighed, tapping my nose. "You’re impossible."

But he did it anyway.

Something had changed between us after last night. The distance we didn’t even realize was there had melted away. Our bond felt deeper. Sweeter.

After he left the room, Riley peeked inside.

"Elena, are you feeling better?"

"Much better."

"Lewis is seriously too good to you. He brought back so much food, made soup himself, even changed the flight just so you could rest. How did you two get this close in only a few months?"

I smiled softly. "It hasn’t just been months. It’s been twenty years. That idiot has loved me for a very long time."

She blinked. "Oh. I see."

Seeing her smile made me happy.

"What about you?" I asked gently. "Do you like Harlan?"

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "That arrogant Alpha? Even if he offered himself for free, I wouldn’t take him. I just want him to sign the dissolution papers. I want to be single and fabulous. Stay away from scum if you want a peaceful life."

I laughed. "If you meet someone like Lewis, though?"

She paused. "If someone loved me like that... maybe I’d reconsider."

I looked at her seriously. "Don’t give up on love because of one wrong man. I thought Julian was my forever once. I was wrong. When the right mate appears, you’ll know. And if you choose to stay single, I’ll support you too. We’re sisters. Always."

Her eyes softened. "Elena, you’re amazing. Let’s sleep together tonight."

"No," Lewis’s voice interrupted from the doorway as he carried in a tray. "If she sleeps with you, she won’t fall asleep."

Riley blinked. "Oh. Right."

Lewis sat beside me and began feeding me again. Riley stared at us in disbelief.

"Are you two always like this?"

"No," Lewis replied calmly. "At home, I chew it for her first."

Riley’s eyes widened. "Really?"

I burst into laughter. "He’s joking!"

He kept a straight face the entire time.

After he left, Riley shook her head. "Your love is so cheesy. Why haven’t I met a man like that?"

"You will," I said firmly.

The next morning, we headed to the airport. From there, it would be a long drive to the small town where Mom lived.

Riley held my hand tightly in the car. Her palm was sweaty.

"Don’t tell her it’s me," she whispered.

"I won’t."

The car rolled into the countryside. Green fields stretched wide under a bright blue sky. Sheep dotted the hills like soft white clouds on grass.

And then I saw her.

She was sitting in the field, sketchbook on her lap, sunlight falling gently over her hair.

Riley froze beside me.

"M–mom..." she whispered.

Her voice broke.