Chapter 131: Pack Trouble

Lewis’s words startled me.It was only then that I truly looked at him.

He stood close, wearing a deep gray sweater with a high collar. The fabric looked soft, almost warm, and it made him seem less distant than usual. Still, there was something powerful about the way he carried himself. Calm. Controlled. Like someone used to being obeyed.

Years ago, I had already known Lewis was handsome. But up close, he was more than that. His sharp features looked almost sculpted, like they were shaped by strength and pride. His eyes were dark and steady, the kind that made people lower their gaze without knowing why.

When he looked at others, his presence felt cold and commanding.

But when he looked at me, it felt different.

Softer.

Protective.

Almost... intimate.

My heart began to race.

"You... when did you..." I tried to speak, but the words refused to come out right.

Lewis lifted his hand and gently brushed his fingers along my cheek. The touch sent a strange warmth through me, like something deep inside had woken up.

"Riley," he said quietly, "I wanted to wait. I thought you needed time to grow, to understand what this bond means. But these past two days without you... I couldn’t rest."

His voice was low, steady, but filled with emotion.

"When I was awake, you were on my mind. When I slept, you were there too."

The air between us felt heavy, charged with something I couldn’t explain.

He leaned closer, resting his chin near my neck. His warmth surrounded me, and my breath became uneven.

"I can’t wait anymore," he said. "I want you by my side. Fully. As my mate. Will you stay with me?"

I looked into his eyes.

There was no pride there.

No arrogance.

Only longing.

My chest tightened.

"Can you... give me some time?" I whispered. "I can’t answer right now."

Everything felt too fast.

In my last life, I had loved the wrong man. That love had destroyed me. I wasn’t ready to give my heart away again, not when danger still followed me.

But Lewis had protected me. He had helped me. And I still needed his strength.

"If you really want this," I said carefully, "I’ll try to meet you halfway."

He sighed softly and pulled me into his arms, pressing my head against his chest.

"That’s enough for now," he said. "I won’t push you."

Then he looked down at me.

"But tell me... would you mind if I kissed you?"

I thought for a moment.

"No," I admitted.

A small smile touched his lips.

"Good. We’ll take it slow."

He gently rubbed my head, calming the restless feeling inside me.

"I’ve packed everything," he added. "Lena said you made soup for me?"

"I did," I said. "I’m not sure if you’ll like it."

"I’ll like anything you make," he replied. "I’m starving."

The weight on my shoulders finally lifted.

I went back to the kitchen feeling lighter.

Lewis didn’t rush me.

He didn’t demand anything.

And that made me want to do more for him in return.

When dinner was ready, I went upstairs to call my parents.

Mom still looked upset. A new diamond necklace rested around her neck.

She wasn’t the same woman she used to be.

Instead of keeping her head down, she looked at me calmly and said,

"Riley, can you take this necklace off for me?"

Grant’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. But for once, she didn’t shrink under his stare. She didn’t act like the quiet, obedient mate anymore.

I smiled softly.

"Sure."

When I unclasped the heavy necklace from her neck, she looked lighter, like she could finally breathe again.

Dinner went smoothly after that. No shouting. No tension. Lewis even ate more than usual, which felt like a small victory.

After we finished, Grant glanced at Lewis and said in a sharp tone,

"Aren’t you going back to your own place?"

Lewis calmly closed the magazine in his hands.

"Where my mate is, that’s where I stay," he said. "Where she sleeps, that’s my home."

Then he looked at Grant.

"And you? Where’s yours?"

I almost clapped.

He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t curse. But his words hit hard.

I smiled at Grant and added,

"Isn’t your real home with that fake woman and her daughter? Why don’t you go there?"

Grant growled under his breath.

"This is my territory. I’m not leaving."

He stormed upstairs, his footsteps heavy.

I felt uneasy and wanted to follow him, but Lewis gently grabbed my hand.

"Why are you stressing over their bond?" he asked. "No matter how bad your father is, he won’t touch a pregnant woman."

"Oh," I said, scratching my head.

He leaned closer.

"Let’s go to our room. I’m tired. I haven’t rested well since you were gone."

My face heated up.

The room wasn’t as big as the one at his estate, but before I could say anything, Lewis spoke again.

"If you’re thinking about sleeping on the floor, forget it," he said lazily.

"Riley, we’re bonded."

I smiled awkwardly.

"No, no. I just didn’t want to steal your blanket. I thought we could use separate ones."

The excuse was terrible, but he didn’t call me out.

Instead, he pulled me into his arms.

"I said I’d give you time," he murmured. "So let’s take the first step."

"The first step?" I asked.

He looked down at me, eyes dark and serious.

"Kiss me."

Every step between us had always been led by him. He always pushed gently, breaking the walls around my heart little by little.

I didn’t know how to refuse.

His face was so close. His scent wrapped around me, warm and familiar. The idea of kissing him didn’t scare me.

But being the one to start?

"Riley," he whispered, "look at me."

I met his eyes.

Something deep inside stirred. My body leaned forward on its own.

Our lips were only inches apart when his phone rang.

He frowned slightly but softened when he looked at me.

"Wait a second."

He answered the call.

The room was quiet. Too quiet.

"Boss," the voice said, "the Morrigans pack is in trouble."

My breath caught.

"There was an accident," the voice continued. "Nolan Morrigans didn’t survive."

Everything inside me froze.

Nolan.

My brother from my past life.

It felt like the ground disappeared beneath my feet.