Chapter 256: Price for a Night?
Chapter 256 of "Mated To The Crippled Alpha" opens revealing intense scenes: I was still thinking about the Blackwells when I felt it.The shift.Lewisâs energy changed so... Keep reading!
I was still thinking about the Blackwells when I felt it.The shift.
Lewisâs energy changed so fast that the air around us tightened. His expression went still cold and controlled. The warmth in his eyes dimmed, replaced by that sharp, Alpha calm that made even seasoned warriors lower their heads.
It had been a while since I had seen him like that.
I stood immediately and wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing close enough to feel his heartbeat under my palm. "I like mature, steady men like you, Lewis," I said softly. "Whether youâre serious or smiling, it doesnât change anything. Youâre the only one I want."
His body relaxed a little under my touch.
Lewis grew up without love. In his old pack, affection was weakness and survival came first. Even after becoming Alpha, even after we sealed our bond, a small part of him still feared I would walk away.
That fear lived deep inside him.
He had waited years for me. Years of watching. Protecting. Holding back. I knew how much that cost him.
So I would spend the rest of my life proving something simple.
I chose him.
Not because of duty. Not because of power. Not because the bond demanded it.
But because he moved me in a way no one else ever had.
He pulled me into his arms, his grip firm but careful. "Sorry," he murmured near my hair. "I shouldnât have spoken like that."
I leaned against his chest and smiled. "I like this side of you too. Even when youâre territorial. Itâs... attractive."
He smirked and flicked my nose lightly. "Sweet talk wonât save you. Does your stomach still hurt?"
"Itâs terrible," I said dramatically. "I think my mate should massage me properly."
His brows lifted. "Your mate?"
I grinned. "Honey. I can call you that. We sealed our bond. Youâre mine."
His hand came to my chin, tilting my face up. His eyes darkened, not angry now just heated.
"Elena," he warned softly, "youâre playing with fire."
Then he kissed me.
It wasnât rushed. It wasnât wild. But it was deep enough to make my knees weaken. Our bond flared, warm and electric. When we finally pulled apart, we were both breathing a little harder.
He stepped back first, though it was clear he didnât want to. "Iâll make you lemon tea," he said. "Stay here."
I touched my warm cheeks and smiled to myself.
In the past, I used to think my cycle was just an inconvenience. Something to endure quietly. Juilan never paid attention to those details. If I didnât mention it, he wouldnât notice. I also never expected anyone to fuss over me.
Pain was something I handled alone.
But Lewis was different.
This was my first cycle since reclaiming my place beside him as Luna, and he treated it like something serious. He prepared lemon tea himself. Heated a pack for my cramps. He even told me to take a full week off from the academy.
A whole week.
Truthfully, attending the academy was not a necessity. Lewis had donated an entire building there. If I wanted my certificate, it would not be difficult to obtain. That first day had only been for me to feel normal again.
Since he cared so much, I accepted it without argument.
Two days later, when my strength returned, I went with Lewis to the Hale Group headquarters.
After everything that happened within the Hale pack betrayals, losses, blood ties broken Juilan finally stopped resisting his treatment. Adam, who lost both his mate and son, was shattered. The weight of the entire pack business now rested on Lewisâs shoulders.
I knew how the company operated. I had once lived in that world. So I stayed by his side, helping wherever I could.
Toward the end of the day, my phone buzzed.
Yael.
"Riley, thereâs a class gathering tonight. If youâre feeling better, come. Iâll send the location."
I stared at the message for a moment.
I wasnât interested in the gathering itself.
I was interested in him.
"Okay," I replied. "Iâll be there."
Afterward, I told Lewis, "Thereâs a class dinner tonight."
"Iâll pick you up when itâs over," he said without hesitation.
Later, my driver dropped me at the hotel. Even before I reached the private room, I could hear laughter spilling into the hallway.
When I stepped inside, I immediately saw Lincy at the center of a group of girls.
"Lincy, youâre so lucky! Heiress to a multinational corporation and engaged to a wealthy man? And you donated a building to the academy too!"
"Exactly! Both you and Riley share the same last name, but sheâs so arrogant."
"I heard she came one day and disappeared."
Lincy smiled in a way that was too smooth. "Riley? She never liked attending classes anyway. Looks like she hasnât changed."
Another voice added, "I saw her get out of a luxury car. Maybe someoneâs sponsoring her lifestyle."
Then a male voice laughed. "With a body like hers? If I had money, Iâd pay to spend one night with her."
The room burst into laughter.
My jaw tightened, but my expression stayed calm.
I walked in fully, locking eyes with the guy who made that comment. A slow smile curved my lips.
"So," I said evenly, "how much would you pay?"
The room fell silent.
A few people looked away. Others stared, curious.
"Riley, are you really selling yourself now?" someone mocked. "Whatâs your price for a night?"
Before I could respond, Yael stood up.
"What nonsense are you saying?" His voice was firm now, no longer playful. "Riley wasnât feeling well. She took leave to rest."
"But she admitted "
"Drop it," Yael cut in. "Weâre classmates. Act like it."
The tension shifted slightly. Still, I could feel it. Lincy had already turned most of them against me. None of the girls wanted to sit near me.
Yael moved his chair slightly and gestured. I walked over and sat beside him without hesitation.
He handed me the menu. "We already ordered. But you can add anything. Weâre splitting the Grant evenly."
I glanced at Lincy and smiled slowly. "Split evenly? Isnât Lincy a rich heiress? Surely she wouldnât mind treating us."
Lincy stiffened.
Yenick, sitting beside her, looked confused. He clearly had no idea her accounts were frozen. No idea her privileges were gone.
She had bragged too much. Now she was trapped by her own lies.
"Oâof course," she said with a strained smile. "Itâs no problem."
I leaned back and began ordering.
For every classmate, I added premium abalone dishes. Expensive desserts. The numbers climbed quickly. I could see the tension building in Lincyâs face.
In the past, she would have paid without blinking.
Now, every added item tightened her jaw.
"Lincy," I said lightly, "we canât forget the wine. How about a bottle of RomanĂŠe-Conti? It might not be the oldest vintage, but it suits your status."
Her face turned pale when she saw the price.
"Maybe white wine is enough "
I didnât let her finish. "Letâs start with ten bottles of red and two of Chardonnay. If itâs not enough, weâll order more."
"Riley "
I rested my chin on my hand and smiled at her calmly. "Whatâs wrong? Donât tell me the heiress of a multinational corporation canât handle a dinner Grant?"