Chapter 278: Ashes Under the Magnolia Tree
Chapter 278 of "Mated To The Crippled Alpha" opens revealing intense scenes: "The DNA under her nails and that tattoo," I said quietly, "those are our leads.... Keep reading!
"The DNA under her nails and that tattoo," I said quietly, "those are our leads. If we follow them, we might find where Camilla is hiding."Nelson nodded. "Yes. And if you discover anything, Mrs. Hale, contact us immediately."
"I will. Take care, Captain Tucker."
After he left, the door closed softly behind him.
Only then did I realize I had been holding my breath the entire time.
My shoulders dropped. My body felt heavy, like I had been standing on edge for days.
Lewis shifted from his wheelchair to sit beside me on the sofa. I curled up without thinking and rested my head on his lap. His scent wrapped around me warm, steady, grounding. My instincts calmed the moment his hand touched my hair.
"Itâs late," he murmured, fingers combing gently through the strands. "You should eat something."
I thought I had grown used to blood and death.
But the photos... and Lincyâs swollen face this morning... they kept flashing in my mind.
"I canât eat," I whispered.
"Youâve lost weight," he said softly.
"Well, blame them," I replied with a bitter smile. "They never leave a body whole."
He exhaled slowly. "Elena, Iâve thought about sending you to stay with your mom for a while. The past few months... itâs been too much. And we donât know whatâs coming next."
Even if Camilla couldnât touch me directly, her games were exhausting. Every move felt like walking through fog, knowing something sharp waited inside it.
"I canât hide forever," I said. "And neither can they. Camilla is leaving traces now. Itâs only a matter of time before we catch her. The Blackwell brothers, though... theyâre patient. Too patient."
"This canât be rushed," Lewis said. "I have a business trip to Zorya. Come with me. Staying here isnât just dangerous itâs draining you. I can feel it."
He wasnât wrong.
The bond between us was more than emotion. He could sense when my spirit thinned. When my strength dipped.
I hesitated, then nodded. "Momâs pregnancy is almost full term. I can visit her while weâre there."
"Whatever you want," he said with a faint smile, brushing the tip of my nose lightly. "And donât you want to see the life I built over there?"
"I do," I admitted. "I also want to meet your friends."
His eyes softened at that.
"Can you eat now?" he asked gently.
I smiled at him. "Alright."
As long as I was with him, the unanswered questions didnât feel as heavy.
The next day, in the first-class cabin, I ran into someone familiar.
Yenick.
He froze when he saw me. "Mrs. Hale?"
"What a coincidence," I said coolly. "Youâre flying too?"
He sighed dramatically. "When I went to Snowville, I thought Grant would give me an important role. Thatâs why I followed him."
I let out a quiet scoff. "Important role? You mean you wanted control of his branch."
Grant had no son. Yenick had thought marrying into the pack would give him power over the entire empire.
When Grant expanded his territory, Yenick jumped at the chance.
Now he had nothing.
The Hudsons no longer trusted him. Snowville wasnât safe for him. Camilla was out there.
Cowards always know when to run.
"Riley," he said with forced warmth, "Iâm in a bit of a financial situation right now. Could you lend me some money? For old timesâ sake?"
Before I could answer, a cold voice cut through the cabin.
"Do you think Iâm dead?"
Yenick visibly flinched.
He hadnât noticed Lewis seated behind the divider.
Panic crossed his face. He retreated to his seat and quickly pulled the divider closed as if that thin panel could protect him.
Lewisâs eyes narrowed slightly. "If he bothers you again, Iâll break his legs."
I couldnât help but smile. "That sounds reasonable."
"You didnât sleep well," he said more softly. "Rest. Itâs a long flight."
I nodded and put on my eye mask and headphones.
For once, I let Snowville fade.
For the next few days, I just wanted to exist beside him.
Jaford was nothing like Snowville.
Snowville carried long winters that bit into the bones. Jaford lived in permanent spring. Flowers bloomed along the streets. The sea breeze carried warmth and salt.
I had been here before but only for rushed negotiations and contracts. Never like this.
Knowing Lewis had lived here for years made everything feel different. Familiar in a way I couldnât explain.
When we stepped out of the airport, rows of tulips in bright colors greeted us. My mood lifted instantly.
"This evening, a friend is hosting us for dinner," Lewis said.
"You rarely talk about your friends. Who is he?" I asked.
"Harlan Pearson. He helped me a lot in the early years. The others arenât in the country right now. Iâll introduce you someday."
"Will his mate be there?" I asked lightly. "Should I bring a gift?"
Lewis hesitated.
"What?" I raised a brow. "Trouble?"
"Iâm not sure where they stand," he admitted. "Itâs... complicated."
I didnât press.
When we reached the private dining room, voices were already rising inside.
"Janice, havenât you caused enough trouble?" a deep male voice said sharply. "The guests are about to arrive. Where do you think youâre going? Is this how you behave as my mate?"
"I donât care," a woman replied firmly. "The divorce papers are on your desk. Sign them. Iâm not playing games with your other women."
Another woman chimed in sweetly, "Harlan, sheâs overreacting. I just brought wine. Iâll leave soon."
Then a lazy female voice followed, almost mocking. "If I knew you were coming, I wouldnât have bothered."
The door opened.
A woman stepped out.
Black gown. Hair pinned up with a pearl clip. Skin pale. Lips soft pink. A red mark between her brows made her look almost unreal.
Our eyes met.
Time stopped.
Her gaze moved to Lewis. Tears filled her eyes.
"You... itâs you two."
Her appearance had changed. But those eyes tired, defiant, alive I would recognize them anywhere.
We closed the distance and embraced tightly.
Memories crashed over me.
"I donât know what waits after this life," she had once told me. "But Riley, no matter what happens, live brightly. Just this once, for yourself."
"I will," I had promised.
"Goodbye, Elena," she had said as she chose death.
While I chose to live.
We took different paths.
For months, I wondered if she had truly vanished. Or if fate had given her another chance.
Now she stood in front of me.
Alive.
"Long time no see Riley," I whispered.
Her voice trembled as she answered, "Long time no see, Elena."