Mated To The Crippled Alpha-Chapter 282: When Grief Turns Into a Weapon

I nudged Riley in the waist and whispered, "Look at that. Your Alpha is here to take you home."

She made a face like she’d tasted something sour. "Alpha? Please."

"My Alpha is calm, steady, adores his mate, and actually has decent taste," she shot back.

We burst into laughter, shoving each other like teenagers as we headed downstairs.

Harlan was waiting in the living room. His expression was dark, but the moment he saw Riley in the black gown, something flickered in his eyes. Surprise. Maybe even pride. He tried to hide it quickly.

I had heard the story. Janice had once served as caretaker to Harlan’s grandfather, Mark Pearson. She saved the old Alpha’s life. Out of gratitude, the elder forced Harlan into a marriage bond with her. A union built on obligation, not instinct.

No wonder it never felt right.

For three years, Janice lived in the Pearson estate like a shadow. Quiet. Small. Never daring to challenge the Alpha of the house.

But the woman standing at the top of the stairs now was not that timid caretaker.

Riley’s chin lifted slightly, her posture straight and proud. She didn’t look like someone seeking approval. She looked like someone who could command a room.

"What are you doing here?" she asked coolly.

Harlan’s face hardened. "I’m here to take you home. Do you know how improper it looks for you to stay in another Alpha’s territory?"

Before Riley could answer, Lewis appeared behind us on the stairs. His presence filled the space without effort. Even when he said nothing, the air shifted around him.

"Mrs. Pearson," he said evenly, "since Harlan came himself, perhaps you should go with him."

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

Lewis. You schemer.

Riley turned her head sharply toward him. "He didn’t come to get me. You’re trying to send me away."

"No," Lewis replied calmly. "You’re welcome to stay."

Harlan looked increasingly irritated. "Janice, this is disrespectful. Lewis is older than us."

Riley crossed her arms. "And that has nothing to do with me. His mate is my friend. I call him by his name because I want to."

Harlan’s jaw tightened. "As my mate, your status follows mine."

She cut him off. "Harlan, are you not listening? You don’t love me. I don’t love you. Let’s end this bond. I’ll speak to your grandfather myself."

She said it so simply.

No drama. No tears.

Just truth.

For a second, Harlan froze. Then his expression darkened. "If this is some new tactic, it won’t work. I came to give you an easy way back. Refuse, and I won’t come again."

The condescending tone made something in me bristle. My instincts flared before my thoughts could catch up.

Before I could step in, Riley slipped off her slipper and threw it straight at his head.

"Get lost! Only a fool would return to that miserable den. I’ve never been happier than I am here!"

Harlan tilted his head and dodged smoothly. I had to admit, the reflex was impressive.

He looked at me instead. "Riley. Since when are you two so close?"

I smiled lightly. "From the moment we met. There’s something about Janice that feels familiar. Warm. She can stay here. I’ll take care of her. You should go spend time with Ms. White."

At the mention of Nina, his expression shifted.

"You misunderstand. There’s nothing between me and her. She’s like a sister."

I kept smiling, but my voice sharpened. "You don’t need to explain your heart. But let me say this clearly—if Lewis had a ’sister’ clinging to him like that, someone would not survive the week."

I didn’t raise my voice.

I didn’t need to.

"In my bond, there is no room for another woman."

I had once closed my heart after betrayal. Lewis broke through that wall. If he ever betrayed me, I wouldn’t survive it calmly.

Lewis’s arm slid around my waist, grounding me. "Relax. That will never happen."

Harlan watched the quiet exchange between us with visible disbelief. The feared, dominant Alpha of the business world stood here like a devoted mate.

"Well," Lewis said calmly, sensing the tension had run its course, "you should go. She’s safe here."

Harlan hesitated. "That’s it? You’re dismissing me?"

Lewis smirked faintly. "Unless you intend to stay the night."

Harlan actually paused as if considering it.

"Get out," Lewis added evenly. "This is not a couple’s hotel."

Riley burst out laughing.

Lewis turned to me, voice soft again. "You barely ate earlier. I had dessert prepared for you and Mrs. Pearson. If you’re still awake later, you can watch a movie in the theater room. I’ll bring fruit and snacks."

With a mate like this, what more could I ask for?

I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek. "Perfect."

Riley gagged dramatically. "The smell of bonding is too strong. Lewis, get me shrimp-flavored chips."

"Choke on them," Harlan muttered.

Lewis sighed. "Let me walk you out."

Riley grabbed my hand. "Movie time."

We didn’t look back.

Later, after a short standoff at the door, Harlan ended up staying anyway, claiming he had "free time." Men could be surprisingly shameless when curiosity got involved.

So instead of a quiet romantic night in a foreign city, my supposed honeymoon began with Riley forcing us to watch a loud action anime.

She was completely absorbed.

I was half-asleep.

Lewis’s fingers moved slowly through my hair. "Sleepy?"

"Mhm."

"I’ll carry you to bed."

"No!" Riley protested, grabbing my arm. "Stay."

"I’ll stay," Harlan offered dryly.

"Go away," Riley snapped.

Their bickering grew louder.

Lewis didn’t argue. He simply bent down and lifted me into his arms. Effortless. Strong. Warm.

As he carried me away, he murmured softly, "Harlan won’t hurt her. And he’s not involved with Nina. If he ever truly claims Riley as his mate, he’ll do it properly."

I smiled faintly against his chest. "I trust you."

In the quiet of the guest room, the world finally felt distant. No rival Alphas. No watching eyes. No politics.

Just us.

I slid my hands under his shirt, feeling the warmth of his skin. I pressed a slow kiss against his throat, right where his pulse beat steady and strong.

"Lewis," I whispered softly, my voice low and honest, "no one is here to interrupt us now."

And this time, I wasn’t thinking about enemies.

Only about the mate who chose me—and whom I chose back.