Mated To The Crippled Alpha-Chapter 81: Small Mistakes

Ever since Camilla returned, I had been losing.

Again and again, she stayed one step ahead. She took what she wanted, twisted situations to her favor, and left me empty-handed every single time.

But not this time.

This time, I won.

She was being pushed into the Hudsons’ territory, bound by obligation instead of choice. Even if it didn’t break her body, I knew it would crush her pride. And for someone like Camilla, that hurt far worse than pain.

Let’s see how strong she is without the Morrigans standing behind her.

She stared at me like she wanted to tear me apart. "Riley, don’t get too comfortable. No one stays on top forever."

I smiled, calm and slow. "That’s a good line. I’ll keep it and return it to you one day. You’ve taken a lot from people, Camilla. Eventually, you’ll have to give it all back." I tilted my head. "Don’t worry. I’ll be at your bond ceremony with Yenik. I’ll clap the loudest."

The color drained from her face.

I turned and walked away.

Camilla was careful by nature. Quiet. Patient. She never struck unless she was sure she’d win. That was what made her dangerous.

If I hadn’t been given a second chance, she would’ve kept moving her pieces in silence, manipulating people, ruining lives. Who knows how much damage she would’ve caused by now?

My sudden marriage with Lewis shook her control. I forced her to react, and when she panicked, she misstepped. The web she spent years weaving fell apart and now I was the one holding the strings.

She wasn’t setting the pace anymore.

I was.

If she obeyed and quietly joined the Hudsons, she’d be walking far away from the future she once dreamed of. If she dared to fight back, she’d only tighten the traps already waiting for her.

There was no path left for her that didn’t end in loss.

As I walked away, Lincy’s crying echoed behind me.

"Are you insane?" she sobbed, clinging to Yenik. "You’re really going to bind yourself to her?"

Yenik tried to soothe her, his voice rushed and messy. "She set me up, Lincy. I admit I had some stupid pride when it came to Riley, but it meant nothing. I love you. You’re the one I want."

He sounded pathetic.

"You saw what happened," he continued. "I can’t fight this. My father is bending himself in half for Lewis. If I go against him, I lose everything the name, the territory, all of it. Lewis holds the reins now."

"But you still have me!" Lincy cried. "You still have the Ashbournes! My dad loves me he’ll back us up!"

She grabbed his shirt like she could keep him from slipping away.

Watching from a distance, a headache crept in.

I used to think Lincy was cruel. That she knowingly stole Riley’s mate. But now I saw it clearly.

She wasn’t wicked.

She was foolish.

A few soft words from Yenik, and she believed him completely. She never stood a chance in a real power game not compared to someone like Camilla.

I had overestimated her.

Yenik lowered his voice. "Your dad cares about you, but after last night, there’s no way he still respects me. And he’s trying to expand his influence. He needs the Hales. That means Riley, not you, is who he’ll support."

Lincy’s face twisted. "That little witch! Just because she bonded with a cripple, she thinks she’s untouchable? Wait until she comes back to our territory I’ll make her regret it!"

Yenik grabbed her hands, serious now. "Lincy, wait for me. One year. I’ll go through with this bond, then I’ll sever it. By then, your dad will cool off, and I’ll have proven myself. I’ll earn his respect."

She hesitated. Then nodded. "Fine. But promise me one thing. You won’t touch her. Not once."

He nodded quickly. "Of course not. She drugged me. You know I’d never go near her willingly. You’re the only one I want. You’re the only one who makes me feel like myself."

As I watched their little drama unfold, pity stirred in my chest.

How had Riley ever fallen for someone like Yenik?

A man with no spine. Easily controlled. Always pulling others down with him.

In the end, he wasn’t dangerous.

He was just weak.

After everything that happened last night, Yenik didn’t dare face me head-on anymore. He’d learned his lesson. Instead, he stayed in the shadows, whispering poison into Lincy’s ears. Feeding her anger. Pushing her to hate me enough to act for him.

He wanted her to do what he no longer could.

Honestly, I almost looked forward to it. A jealous Lincy paired with a scheming Yenik? That kind of mix never ended quietly. It always exploded.

They stood not far away, heads close together, murmuring complaints about me. Throwing sharp words at Lewis too, thinking no one was listening.

I stepped out from behind a column and spoke clearly.

"If you’re that unhappy with Lewis, why don’t you say it to his face?"

They jumped apart like they’d been burned.

I looked at Lincy and let out a short laugh. "Your taste really is impressive. Even after he got beaten half to death, you still find him kissable? I’ve seen pigs with more charm."

"Riley!" she snapped, her face flushing red.

I raised a hand calmly. "No need to shout. I hear just fine. But here’s some advice if your brain isn’t doing its job, maybe donate it. No point carrying useless weight."

She froze, confused for a second.

Then the meaning hit her.

"You insane witch!" she screamed. "How dare you call me stupid! Just because you bonded with a cripple, you think you’re untouchable "

Smack.

I slapped her before she could finish.

"You should watch that mouth," I said coldly. "Lewis may not walk like he used to, but he’s still ten times the man compared to the trash you’re clinging to."

Perfect timing, as always.

Grant appeared, his steps sharp. "What’s going on here?"

Lincy rushed to him instantly, clutching her cheek. "Dad! She hit me! She doesn’t respect me at all anymore!"

Grant’s face hardened as he turned to me. "Riley. Have you forgotten your place?"

Before I could answer, my mom stepped forward, putting herself between us.

"She has every right to defend herself," she said firmly. "Riley is an Ashbourne. Her name is on the family register. But that child beside you who gave her the right to act like she owns everything?"

Grant stiffened.

"You’ve spent your entire life taking Lincy’s side," my mom continued. "No matter what she does. If you refuse to acknowledge Riley as your daughter, then say it plainly. Stop humiliating her like this."

Something had changed in my mom. The soft, silent woman who swallowed everything was gone. Maybe Riley’s death had finally broken the chain around her heart.

Grant lowered his voice. "I haven’t said anything yet."

"But you were about to," my mom replied. "You were going to force Riley to apologize again, weren’t you?"

"This is Lewis’s territory," Grant said nervously.

"Oh, now you remember where you are?" my mom shot back. "Then maybe ask why Lincy deserved that slap in the first place."

Grant muttered something about me abusing power.

I laughed. "If anyone’s doing that, it’s not me. She mocked my mate. Called him a cripple behind his back. You know what kind of man Lewis is, don’t you?"

Grant’s expression shifted. Unease flickered across his face as he looked at Lincy.

"And there’s more," I added calmly. "She’s over there begging Yenik to stay loyal while he’s bound to another woman. Promising to wait for his bond to be broken so they can be together again. She even said you’d forgive him after a year. That because she’s your precious daughter, you’d welcome him into the family."

That did it.

Grant’s face darkened completely.

Before anyone could stop him, he slapped Lincy hard on her other cheek. The sound echoed through the hall.

"You’re from a respectable family," he roared. "Yet you insist on behaving just like your scheming mother!"

Silence followed.

And for the first time, Lincy looked truly shaken.