Chapter 331: She Had Nothing to Lose
Chapter 331 of "Mated To The Crippled Alpha" starts revealing surprises: Yael was still throwing threats into the air when Riley suddenly snapped."Regret? What the hell... Read on!
Yael was still throwing threats into the air when Riley suddenly snapped."Regret? What the hell are you talking about?"
Her voice cut through the space like claws on glass.
Even from a distance, I could almost feel the shift in the air. A female baring her teeth in public. No hesitation. No fear.
Yael froze for a second. He had probably heard the rumors about her. The neglected Luna. The rejected wife. The one who once tried to end her own life because her Alpha husband chose another female over her.
Maybe he thought she had finally broken.
But Riley wasnât broken.
She was done being afraid.
The truth was, she already believed these men had blood on their hands. Elenaâs blood. And when a pack member is threatened, something ancient rises in us. Loyalty becomes sharper than reason.
They couldnât touch her here. This was public territory. Too many witnesses. Too many eyes.
Two grown Alphas wouldnât dare strike a female in the open.
Right?
From the way Riley stood chin lifted, shoulders squared it almost looked like she hoped they would try. As if she was ready to fall to the ground and drag their names through every court in the city. Ruin their wealth. Strip their titles. Lock them behind bars.
Thatâs what happens when someone has nothing left to lose.
The Blackwell brothers preferred shadows. Secrets. Quiet control.
Riley did the opposite.
She stepped forward, circling them slowly, like a hunter who didnât bother hiding.
"Yael," she said coldly, "you act strange about that woman. And you " she looked at Vito with open disgust, " the way you control your fiancĂŠe is disturbing. What are you two doing? Running some kind of human trafficking ring?"
Vitoâs diplomatic smile almost cracked.
"Mrs. Pearson, surely youâre joking."
She leaned closer. "Whitney, has he been restricting you? Say the word and Iâll report him. Iâll have him arrested before sunset."
Whitney lowered her eyes, playing her role carefully. "No, Mrs. Pearson. Heâs my fiancĂŠ. He just worries too much."
Vito exhaled slowly, relief flickering across his face. "You see? Thereâs no need for such accusations."
Riley laughed lightly, but there was no warmth in it. "Good. Then Iâll be visiting Whitney every single day. You donât get a say in that."
Vito went quiet.
He had walked into that trap without realizing it.
Riley didnât look bothered at all. Calm. Relaxed. Almost playful. As if none of this mattered to her.
She didnât know the "missing girl," so why should she care?
At least, that was the mask she wore.
Then she turned to Whitney and smiled brightly. "Weâre done here. Letâs go eat barbecue. I saw a place nearby."
Vito immediately opened his mouth, but she cut him off with a sharp wave of her hand. "Hush. Let Whitney decide. Does she want barbecue?"
Whitney stiffened under his stare. "CâCould we not do barbecue? Anything else is fine."
"Pizza?"
Whitney paled.
"Roast chicken?"
A quick shake of the head.
"Exotic cuisine?"
Another no.
Riley didnât rush her. "Alright. Soup? Something light."
Whitney nodded softly. "Yes. Soup sounds good."
Vito swallowed whatever protest he had left.
"Itâs a girlsâ day," Riley added. "Youâre her mate, not her shadow."
He said nothing.
Just then, Harlan appeared, his presence calm but unmistakably dominant. "Riley, what are you doing here? I booked us a table at a Western restaurant after this."
She didnât even look at him properly.
"Donât you have anything better to do? Are you a shadow too?"
Without waiting for a reply, she shoved all her shopping bags into his assistantâs arms, linked her arm with Whitneyâs, and walked away.
Vito glanced at Harlan with mild disbelief. "Is she always like this at home?"
In the past, Harlan would have exploded. His pride alone wouldnât have allowed such disrespect.
But lately, something in him had shifted.
A slow smile formed on his lips. "This," he said quietly, "is fun."
Vito stared at him like he had lost his mind.
Both of them had.
And now they were following behind their mates, carrying bags like obedient escorts.
In the shadows, Yael watched, his expression dark and heavy.
Whitney almost looked back.
Riley squeezed her arm gently. "Donât. Just walk with me. Even if I canât free you yet, I can at least give you one good day."
Whitney hesitated. "Is Elena...?"
"Sheâs safe," Riley replied firmly. "But what about you?"
Whitney gave a small smile. It wasnât bright. It wasnât free. But it was real. "Itâs fine. He wonât kill me."
Outside the venue, sunlight poured over them. Whitney tilted her face up, eyes closing as warmth touched her skin.
For the first time in a long time, she looked alive.
"Is the soup place far?" she asked softly.
Riley grinned. "Five minutes."
And for those five minutes, Whitney walked without feeling watched.
They didnât just eat. Riley dragged her through shops, pulling her into dressing rooms, choosing clothes with wild excitement.
Whitney owned many outfits. Expensive ones. Carefully selected by Vito or delivered by staff. Most still had tags attached.
She never had events to attend. Never had friends to meet. No reason to dress up.
Today was different.
At first, she moved stiffly, unsure of how to act. But slowly, the tension left her shoulders. A spark returned to her eyes. She even laughed once.
A real laugh.
Behind them, Harlan and Vito carried bag after bag.
Vito couldnât stop watching Whitney. She smiled more with each passing hour. Freely. Without fear.
He remembered their wedding photos. The way she forced a tiny smile only after he threatened her.
Now she smiled without being told.
The realization unsettled him.
Harlan watched Riley too. There was something fierce and alive about her today. She shone.
But when she turned and caught him staring, she shoved a pile of clothes into his arms.
"What are you smiling at?" she snapped. "Trying to be a clown?"
He didnât argue.
He just kept carrying her bags.
And for once, neither Alpha tried to control the moment.
They simply followed.
Because sometimes, when a female decides she has nothing left to lose, even the strongest leaders step back and let her lead.