Chapter 281

That night, I told Riley everything.

I told her about Snowville. About Grant handing the Alpha authority of the company to me. About Monica’s lies. About Lincy’s fall. About the pack politics hidden behind business meetings and polite smiles. About how Mom and Grant circled each other for years—love tangled with pride, regret mixed with longing.

I told her how I stepped into the chaos and took control.

When I finished, Riley sat very still for a long time. The bathroom lights were warm, steam still clinging to the mirrors. Her eyes were lowered, thoughtful.

What I had lived through in a few months was more intense than the twenty years she remembered. The betrayals. The hidden alliances. The blood ties and broken bonds.

Finally, she pulled me into a tight hug.

“Elena… you’ve done so much,” she said softly. “I always knew you were capable. But I didn’t think you’d be this… powerful. You’re braver than me. Stronger than me. Thank you p>

Her voice shook a little. “Thank you for giving Mom a new reason to live. A new beginning p>

I smiled and patted her head gently.

“I promised you, didn’t I? When you trusted me with your life, I swore I would settle every score. Even if Lincy hadn’t stirred things up, Monica’s secrets would have come out eventually. As for Lincy I paused. “Her ending was tragic. And part of that chain reaction started with me p>

Riley pulled back and looked at me firmly. “No. That’s who she was. If it wasn’t you, it would’ve been someone else. She made her own choices. Don’t carry guilt that doesn’t belong to you p>

She had changed. The girl who once drowned in self-blame was now steady enough to comfort me.

I smirked faintly. “Guilt? I don’t feel any. I’ve faced death once. It taught me something simple. Life is too precious to waste on regret. As long as I’m breathing, I’ll live the way I choose. I won’t show mercy to enemies who try to destroy me. Good or bad—let fate judge me later. For now, I live for myself p>

I held her gaze. “Even if I could redo everything, I’d make the same decisions p>

Riley laughed softly. “Same here. When I think about how I used to waste energy crying over Yenick and Lincy, I want to shake myself. Now? I’d rather smile and watch my enemies lose their minds p>

There was fire in her eyes. Not reckless fire—controlled heat.

But then her expression dimmed.

“Elena… that organization. They’re dangerous. I’m worried about you p>

I felt it too. That cold wind at my back. The sense of hunters circling in the dark.

“Don’t worry,” I said calmly. “Justice may move slowly. But it always finds its mark. I’ll drag every one of them into the light p>

She nodded. “If you need me, say the word p>

We smiled at each other.

What strange fate. Two souls who met through death, now bound like sisters.

“In a few days, I’m going to see Mom,” I said. “You should come. She’d be so happy to know you’re alive p>

Riley’s fingers tightened in her lap. “I… I can’t face her. Not like that. I’ll go with you. But don’t tell her who I am yet. Please p>

I understood. She had walked away from her mother in her darkest hour. To her, that was unforgivable.

Emotions can cloud instincts. When pain takes over, you stop thinking clearly. She had carried all the blame alone.

Healing doesn’t happen overnight.

“Alright,” I promised. “I won’t tell her p>

“Elena,” she said, smiling faintly, “you’re the best p>

I laughed. “Just remember—outside, you still call me Riley p>

She groaned. “Calling someone else by my own name feels so strange p>

“You’ll get used to it p>

We finally stepped out of the bath, wrapping ourselves in soft towels. We spent forever with lotions and serums, laughing like teenage girls. For a moment, there were no enemies. No Alpha politics. No shadows watching from afar.

Just warmth.

I realized something then. My little sister disappeared when she was five. Riley grew up bullied by someone pretending to be her family. We both lacked real bonds growing up.

And somehow, we found them in each other.

Riley twirled in one of my silk dresses. The fabric flowed around her like moonlight.

She grinned mischievously. “Lewis must be living well. If you dress like this around him, how does he keep control p>

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “What nonsense are you saying? I wore silk before I became his mate. It’s comfortable p>

“Sure,” she said, unconvinced.

I rolled my eyes. “And please. About your old style. Black lipstick every day? Dark eyes like you’re attending your own funeral? You’re from a respected pack. There are ways to express yourself without looking like you’re summoning spirits p>

She flushed. “I was trying to annoy Grant p>

“Mission accomplished,” I muttered. “But today’s dress suits you. You’d look stunning in something fitted p>

Her eyes lit up instantly. “Really? Let’s try p>

For all her growth, she was still twenty.

I led her into the master bedroom. Lewis had prepared everything in advance—my clothes neatly arranged, like he always anticipated my needs before I spoke them.

He was in pajamas, laptop open, speaking in another language during a video call. The moment he saw me, his eyes softened.

“Elena, you’re back p>

Riley cut in immediately. “Don’t even think about it. She’s mine tonight. We’re just grabbing clothes p>

The warmth in his eyes dimmed slightly, but he nodded politely. “Of course. Take whatever you need p>

I glanced at the screen. “Am I interrupting p>

“Not at all.” He lifted the laptop and stood. “I’ll work in the study. Use the bedroom if you like. The sheets are fresh p>

He closed the door quietly behind him.

Riley stared at the door, then looked at me with wide eyes. “Pinch me. His legs are fine p>

“Yes,” I said calmly. “He’s been pretending p>

“What?!” She nearly shrieked. “I built an entire tragic Alpha story in my head. Brooding leader. Injured hero. Devoted mate. And now you’re telling me he’s perfectly capable p>

“You write stories?” I blinked.

“Just for fun p>

“When you publish, I’ll read every word p>

She grabbed a black gown. “I like this one p>

“Then wear it p>

Her figure was breathtaking. Pale skin. Sharp beauty. The red mark between her brows gave her an almost mythical charm.

I brushed my thumb lightly over it. “Did your original body have this p>

“I don’t think so. Why p>

“On you before, it looked cold and distant. On Janice… it looks dangerous p>

She stuck her tongue out. “You’re dramatic p>

I styled her hair into an elegant updo and turned her toward the mirror.

“Look at yourself p>

She spun slowly. “It’s been a month and I still don’t feel like this body is mine. But it’s not bad. Good looks. Good curves. Three years as Harlan’s mate and he never even claimed her properly? Is he blind p>

I laughed. “Want to schedule him a checkup p>

We were still teasing when Theo knocked gently.

“Mrs. Riley,” he said from outside, respectful but firm, “Mr. Pearson has arrived. He’s here to take Ms. Pearson back p>