Mated To The Crippled Alpha-Chapter 183: Bad Visitors

Nelson’s face was serious.

"Life is full of uncertainty," he said evenly. "Anything is possible."

Malcom finally snapped.

His voice shook with anger and fear. "Who is it? Who could be this cruel? My son is dead. My daughter is dead. And now someone is trying to wipe out the entire Morrigans pack! Captain Tucker, you have to help us. Find the one behind this!"

The scent of his panic filled the room. Even without raising his voice, his fear was loud.

"Mr. Morrigan, please calm down," Nelson replied. "From what we’ve found so far, the one who killed your daughter is likely the same person controlling everything from the shadows. That’s why we need your full cooperation."

"Yes. Of course," Malcom said quickly. "We’ll cooperate. Whatever you need."

"I’ll need all of you to come to the station and assist in the investigation," Nelson said firmly.

Then his eyes shifted to me.

"Mrs. Hale. Why are you here?"

There was weight in the way he said my title.

"I heard about the accident and came to see if I could offer support," I replied calmly. "But I won’t interfere with the investigation."

I turned to leave.

But before I could take more than two steps, Vivian rushed forward and grabbed my hand.

Her grip was surprisingly strong.

"Elena! Don’t go!" she cried. "Stay here. I’ll protect you! Someone is trying to kill you!"

Her eyes were wild. Unfocused. Her emotions were spilling out without control, like a broken dam.

"Mrs. Morrigan," I said quietly, trying to steady her, "you’re mistaken. Elena is long dead."

"Dead?" she screamed. "Impossible! How could my daughter be dead?"

Her gaze suddenly fell to the red mark on my forehead.

Recognition flickered.

"Oh..." she whispered. "You’re not my daughter... You’re not..."

Her face crumpled.

"Then where is Elena? Where is she?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Before anyone could stop her, she rushed toward the door.

"Elena! My daughter! Where are you? Mommy misses you!"

The nurses chased after her.

"Stop her!"

They caught her before she could get far. A sedative was pressed into her arm. Her body went limp, her voice fading into soft, broken murmurs.

The room fell silent.

I slipped out quietly.

Back in the car, I sat still for a long moment.

Vivian’s current state was the result of her own choices. She had ignored the signs. She had turned against me when I begged for help.

Yet seeing her now gray hair scattered, dignity gone, mind shattered was still sobering.

Fate moves forward whether we are ready or not.

And the next one waiting beneath its wheel is Camilla.

I drove to Lena’s house.

Before I even stepped inside, I could hear laughter and loud conversation.

The Wilchers were there again.

The moment they saw me, their voices rose.

"Riley’s back!"

I didn’t smile.

"What are you all doing here?" I asked coolly.

"What kind of question is that? It’s Christmas! We’re here for family dinner," someone replied quickly. "Where’s Lewis? Why isn’t he here yet?"

Another chimed in, suddenly polite. "Riley, I may have misunderstood you before. I want to apologize."

I almost laughed.

People like them don’t change overnight. When their tone softens, it’s because they want something.

Lena, however, looked better than before.

The sickness that once lingered around her scent had eased. Her skin had more color. Her breathing was steady.

She came over and took my coat gently.

"It’s cold outside, isn’t it?" she asked softly.

"Not too bad," I said, removing my scarf and gloves. I ignored the others completely. "Have you been eating well?"

"I finally can," she said with a small smile. "The nausea has eased."

"That’s good."

Just as I was about to sit, Linette spoke up sweetly.

"Snowville really lives up to its name. I haven’t seen a single sunny day since I arrived! Honestly, why did Grant choose this place to settle? Back home, the weather is perfect all year. It’s much better for pregnancy. Lena, why don’t you move back there and take care of yourself properly?"

Her tone sounded caring.

But beneath it, I could hear the calculation.

They weren’t here for Christmas.

Lena gave Linette a cold look.

"Riley is here. I’m not going anywhere," she said calmly. "And there’s nothing wrong with snow. It melts when spring comes."

Her voice was soft, but there was steel under it.

Linette forced a laugh. "Of course, of course. I was just talking nonsense." Then she leaned closer, lowering her voice. "But seriously, Grant has been treating you well lately, hasn’t he? You should make good use of that. Now that you’re carrying a son, you must hold his heart tightly. Don’t let that woman outside take advantage."

I felt my jaw tighten.

Lena’s smile turned sharp. "You seem very certain it’s a son. I didn’t know the gender yet. Or is it just that you want me to have a son?"

Benjamin finally spoke from his seat, his tone heavy. "What’s wrong with a son? Grant needs an heir. That’s how packs survive. Heaven is clearly favoring you. That woman outside only gave him a daughter. If she had given him a son, you would’ve been chased out long ago."

The air shifted.

Lena’s expression changed completely.

"I would welcome that," she said coolly. "If I could end this bond, I would. This marriage was never my choice."

Benjamin slammed his hand on the table.

"You ungrateful girl!" he barked. "Talking about breaking a bond at a time like this?"

His scent turned sharp, angry.

"Have you forgotten your mother is still under my control?"

The threat was clear.

When he raised his hand toward my mother, something inside me snapped.

I grabbed his wrist mid-air.

"You old bastard," I hissed. "Have you lost your mind? She’s pregnant!"

His eyes flared. "Riley! Is this how you speak to your elder? You two have no respect. Today I’ll teach you a lesson!"

Harper stepped forward immediately, ready to join him.

The bodyguards Lewis had placed outside were guarding the entrance, too far to hear what was happening inside.

The housekeeper panicked. "Stop! What are you doing? Madam is pregnant!"

I shouted, "Auntie, get my mom out of here!"

The moment they realized Lena was the valuable one the future carrier of an heir they shifted their fury onto me.

Linette’s face twisted.

I had embarrassed her earlier. Now she wanted blood.

While I was holding Benjamin back, Harper slapped me hard across the face. My head snapped to the side.

Austin didn’t touch me, but he stood there shouting, "Teach that disrespectful brat a lesson!"

Lena tried to move toward me, but I shook my head.

"Take her away!" I shouted to the housekeeper. "Call someone!"

In the chaos, I knocked over a vase. It shattered loudly against the floor.

I hoped the noise would carry.

Linette used the moment to dig her nails into my arm.

"You little brat," she snarled. "Just because you’re mated now, you think you’re above us?"

Her nails cut into my skin.

"Married or not, you’re still Wilcher blood. You and your mother think you can defy us? Keep dreaming."

Her breath was hot against my ear.

"You’ll never escape our control. Not in this lifetime."

I didn’t hesitate.

I kicked Linette hard in the stomach. She stumbled backward with a gasp.

Harper lunged toward me.

I bent quickly, grabbed a sharp shard from the broken vase, and pressed it against Linette’s cheek.

"Touch me again," I said coldly, "and I won’t miss."

"Riley! That’s your aunt!" Benjamin roared. "If you hurt her, I’ll kill you!"

His words were full of rage.

But before he could move again

The door slammed open with a thunderous crash.

A deep, icy voice filled the room.

"Whose life," Lewis said slowly, "are you planning to take?"

The temperature seemed to drop instantly.

His presence spread through the space like pressure before a storm.

Even without raising his voice, dominance rolled off him, heavy and undeniable.

Benjamin’s hand froze mid-air.

Harper stepped back.

For the first time since this started

They looked afraid.