Chapter 256

I was still thinking about the Blackwells when I felt it.

The shift.

Lewis’s energy changed so fast that the air around us tightened. His expression went still cold and controlled. The warmth in his eyes dimmed, replaced by that sharp, Alpha calm that made even seasoned warriors lower their heads.

It had been a while since I had seen him like that.

I stood immediately and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing close enough to feel his heartbeat under my palm. “I like mature, steady men like you, Lewis,” I said softly. “Whether you’re serious or smiling, it doesn’t change anything. You’re the only one I want p>

His body relaxed a little under my touch.

Lewis grew up without love. In his old pack, affection was weakness and survival came first. Even after becoming Alpha, even after we sealed our bond, a small part of him still feared I would walk away.

That fear lived deep inside him.

He had waited years for me. Years of watching. Protecting. Holding back. I knew how much that cost him.

So I would spend the rest of my life proving something simple.

I chose him.

Not because of duty. Not because of power. Not because the bond demanded it.

But because he moved me in a way no one else ever had.

He pulled me into his arms, his grip firm but careful. “Sorry,” he murmured near my hair. “I shouldn’t have spoken like that p>

I leaned against his chest and smiled. “I like this side of you too. Even when you’re territorial. It’s… attractive p>

He smirked and flicked my nose lightly. “Sweet talk won’t save you. Does your stomach still hurt p>

“It’s terrible,” I said dramatically. “I think my mate should massage me properly p>

His brows lifted. “Your mate p>

I grinned. “Honey. I can call you that. We sealed our bond. You’re mine p>

His hand came to my chin, tilting my face up. His eyes darkened, not angry now just heated.

“Elena,” he warned softly, “you’re playing with fire p>

Then he kissed me.

It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t wild. But it was deep enough to make my knees weaken. Our bond flared, warm and electric. When we finally pulled apart, we were both breathing a little harder.

He stepped back first, though it was clear he didn’t want to. “I’ll make you lemon tea,” he said. “Stay here p>

I touched my warm cheeks and smiled to myself.

In the past, I used to think my cycle was just an inconvenience. Something to endure quietly. Juilan never paid attention to those details. If I didn’t mention it, he wouldn’t notice. I also never expected anyone to fuss over me.

Pain was something I handled alone.

But Lewis was different.

This was my first cycle since reclaiming my place beside him as Luna, and he treated it like something serious. He prepared lemon tea himself. Heated a pack for my cramps. He even told me to take a full week off from the academy.

A whole week.

Truthfully, attending the academy was not a necessity. Lewis had donated an entire building there. If I wanted my certificate, it would not be difficult to obtain. That first day had only been for me to feel normal again.

Since he cared so much, I accepted it without argument.

Two days later, when my strength returned, I went with Lewis to the Hale Group headquarters.

After everything that happened within the Hale pack betrayals, losses, blood ties broken Juilan finally stopped resisting his treatment. Adam, who lost both his mate and son, was shattered. The weight of the entire pack business now rested on Lewis’s shoulders.

I knew how the company operated. I had once lived in that world. So I stayed by his side, helping wherever I could.

Toward the end of the day, my phone buzzed.

Yael.

“Riley, there’s a class gathering tonight. If you’re feeling better, come. I’ll send the location p>

I stared at the message for a moment.

I wasn’t interested in the gathering itself.

I was interested in him.

“Okay,” I replied. “I’ll be there p>

Afterward, I told Lewis, “There’s a class dinner tonight p>

“I’ll pick you up when it’s over,” he said without hesitation.

Later, my driver dropped me at the hotel. Even before I reached the private room, I could hear laughter spilling into the hallway.

When I stepped inside, I immediately saw Lincy at the center of a group of girls.

“Lincy, you’re so lucky! Heiress to a multinational corporation and engaged to a wealthy man? And you donated a building to the academy too p>

“Exactly! Both you and Riley share the same last name, but she’s so arrogant p>

“I heard she came one day and disappeared p>

Lincy smiled in a way that was too smooth. “Riley? She never liked attending classes anyway. Looks like she hasn’t changed p>

Another voice added, “I saw her get out of a luxury car. Maybe someone’s sponsoring her lifestyle p>

Then a male voice laughed. “With a body like hers? If I had money, I’d pay to spend one night with her p>

The room burst into laughter.

My jaw tightened, but my expression stayed calm.

I walked in fully, locking eyes with the guy who made that comment. A slow smile curved my lips.

“So,” I said evenly, “how much would you pay p>

The room fell silent.

A few people looked away. Others stared, curious.

“Riley, are you really selling yourself now?” someone mocked. “What’s your price for a night p>

Before I could respond, Yael stood up.

“What nonsense are you saying?” His voice was firm now, no longer playful. “Riley wasn’t feeling well. She took leave to rest p>

“But she admitted “

“Drop it,” Yael cut in. “We’re classmates. Act like it p>

The tension shifted slightly. Still, I could feel it. Lincy had already turned most of them against me. None of the girls wanted to sit near me.

Yael moved his chair slightly and gestured. I walked over and sat beside him without hesitation.

He handed me the menu. “We already ordered. But you can add anything. We’re splitting the Grant evenly p>

I glanced at Lincy and smiled slowly. “Split evenly? Isn’t Lincy a rich heiress? Surely she wouldn’t mind treating us p>

Lincy stiffened.

Yenick, sitting beside her, looked confused. He clearly had no idea her accounts were frozen. No idea her privileges were gone.

She had bragged too much. Now she was trapped by her own lies.

“O–of course,” she said with a strained smile. “It’s no problem p>

I leaned back and began ordering.

For every classmate, I added premium abalone dishes. Expensive desserts. The numbers climbed quickly. I could see the tension building in Lincy’s face.

In the past, she would have paid without blinking.

Now, every added item tightened her jaw.

“Lincy,” I said lightly, “we can’t forget the wine. How about a bottle of Romanée-Conti? It might not be the oldest vintage, but it suits your status p>

Her face turned pale when she saw the price.

“Maybe white wine is enough “

I didn’t let her finish. “Let’s start with ten bottles of red and two of Chardonnay. If it’s not enough, we’ll order more p>

“Riley “

I rested my chin on my hand and smiled at her calmly. “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me the heiress of a multinational corporation can’t handle a dinner Grant p>