Chapter 293

The few days we spent in that quiet mountain town healed something inside me. The air there was clean, the nights were calm, and for once my heart did not feel like it was under attack. Riley laughed freely. I slept without waking up from memories. It felt like we had stepped outside the reach of pack politics and old grudges.

But peace never lasts long in our world.

The moment we landed back in Jaford, Lewis slipped into his usual act. He lowered himself into the wheelchair, masking his strength, hiding the dominance that rolled off him naturally. Only those of us bound to him could feel the truth beneath the performance.

Riley was still glowing from the trip. She walked ahead of us, typing quickly on her phone to update Grant and her mother about our arrival. When she looked up, her expression froze.

Harlan.

His presence carried that sharp, metallic tension that always made my instincts stir. He stood there with a cold face, eyes fixed on her like a challenge. Riley muttered under her breath, clearly annoyed.

He walked toward her slowly, jaw tight. “Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked.

“Anywhere is paradise without you and that woman around,” Riley shot back.

For a second, I felt the air shift. Two strong bloodlines facing each other always felt like that like the ground might crack open. I expected a fight. But Harlan held himself back.

“Grandma wants us at the family house tonight,” he said stiffly.

Riley’s anger softened just a little. Grace Pearson had always treated her kindly. When Riley had nearly drowned months ago and her body had grown weak, Grace had rushed to her side and called in healers from across the territory. No matter how much Riley despised Harlan, she still respected the elders.

“Fine,” she replied. “I’ll visit them. And I’ll tell them about the separation p>

She turned to me. “Sis, we’ll talk later p>

“Call me if you need anything,” I said.

She lifted her chin. “He won’t overpower me p>

I believed her. Grant had already claimed her publicly as his daughter. And the Gardners were not a family anyone dared to provoke. Even from afar, his influence wrapped around Jaford like a silent warning. If Harlan pushed too far, Grant would cross territories without hesitation.

We split up. Lewis and I got into the car.

As the city lights rushed past the window, my chest felt heavy. The mountains already felt far away.

“How long do we need to stay in Jaford?” I asked.

“About a week,” Lewis replied, brushing his fingers through my hair. That simple touch made the bond between us hum softly under my skin. “There’s unfinished business p>

“If I get bored p>

“Spend time with Riley. Go shopping. And He paused. “The Whites are hosting a banquet tomorrow night. Do you want to attend p>

“The Whites we’re investigating?” I asked.

“Yes p>

“Then we should go p>

I smiled faintly. “Since we formed our bond, I’ve never stood beside you at a public gathering p>

His gaze softened. “Then tomorrow we’ll announce it properly p>

My heart skipped.

The past few months had felt like living in shadows. Since the night by the river when I was attacked and nearly lost everything I had shut myself away. I forgot that winter had ended. I forgot that spring had returned.

Riley was starting over.

Maybe it was time I did too.

This city was Lewis’s territory. His allies. His rivals. His world. If I was his mate, I needed to stand in it with him, not hide behind him.

So I prepared carefully. I applied a mask to my face, trimmed my nails, polished them. It wasn’t vanity. It was armor.

When Lewis walked into the room, I was rubbing lotion onto my shoulders, struggling to reach my back.

“I’ll help,” he said quietly.

His warm palm slid over my lower back. My breath caught instantly. My body has always been sensitive to him. The bond makes every touch feel deeper, sharper.

His hand moved slowly upward.

“Lewis,” I whispered, my voice already unsteady. “Not tonight. I have to wear a dress tomorrow p>

“I’ll be careful,” he murmured. “No marks p>

He turned me gently and pressed me against the counter. His mouth found mine, firm and claiming, but not rough. Heat spread through me, not just from desire, but from the way his presence wrapped around mine protective, possessive, undeniable.

The next morning he left early for the office. I received a message from Riley asking if I was attending the banquet. When I told her yes, she immediately said she would come with me.

I was relieved. I knew no one here. And she would never attend with Harlan willingly.

Three years of marriage, and he had never once taken her to a public event. Most people didn’t even know what his wife looked like.

This would be their first appearance as a couple.

Riley arrived at my place in the afternoon for styling. She rushed into my arms the moment she walked in.

“Elena, I missed you,” she said dramatically.

I laughed softly. “Did you finalize the separation p>

Her face fell. “Grace had a heart attack. She’s still in the hospital. I can’t bring it up now. So I signed a one-year agreement with him. After a year, we’ll end it p>

“He agreed p>

“For Grace. But we have to pretend to be happily bonded in front of them. It’s disgusting p>

I didn’t judge. Pack ties were complicated.

“Show me your dress,” I said.

She revealed a silver gown with a daring open back, held together by thin chains that shimmered like moonlight. There was a high slit along one leg.

“You’ll have everyone staring,” I told her honestly.

Her eyes sparkled. “Dad said I shouldn’t limit myself to one man. I should choose someone who treats me well. After a year, I’ll move on smoothly p>

That sounded exactly like something Grant would say. He would rather the world be hurt than see his daughter suffer again.

My own gown was much simpler. Ivory, fitted, flaring softly at the bottom with subtle crystal details. It covered most of me, leaving only my neck and arms bare. Lewis had chosen it.

He didn’t like others seeing too much.

And strangely, I didn’t mind.

Riley looked breathtaking when she finished dressing. Her smooth back, her narrow waist, her long legs it was impossible not to notice. Yet she looked slightly uncomfortable.

“Is it too revealing?” she asked. “I feel like cold air is everywhere p>

“It’s perfect,” I assured her.

When Harlan learned she was with me, he arrived with Lewis to pick her up.

The moment Riley stepped outside, Harlan’s impatience vanished. His eyes widened slightly. He just stood there, staring at her as if seeing her for the first time.

And for a brief second, the air between them shifted again.

Not anger this time.

Something far more dangerous.