The Morrigans were breaking apart in front of my eyes.
Grief had hollowed them out, but beneath the pain, I could feel sothing else rising.
Rage.
They were no longer confused. They were no longer in denial. They wanted blood. They wanted the person who had destroyed their pack brought down.
I had achieved what I ca for.
I did not comfort them.
When I died by the river, no one fought for . No one searched hard enough. They chose to believe what was convenient. If I did not mock them now, that was already kindness.
The only thing that unsettled was the silence from Malcom. He had promised to think about old enemies from Grandma’s era, but there were no updates.
If Camilla hated Grandma that deeply, the grudge must have started decades ago.
Back then, communication was slow. Records were easy to erase. The country was still unstable, alliances shifting like sand. Digging into that era felt like chasing shadows.
I must have looked troubled because Lewis placed his hand gently on my shoulder.
"Mr. Morrigan has been through too much," he said quietly. "His mind is scattered. If he rembers sothing, he’ll tell us. Don’t carry everything alone."
I leaned into him and closed my eyes briefly. His scent steadied . Warm. Familiar.
"I’m glad you’re with ," I whispered.
"You didn’t sleep last night," he murmured. "Rest. I’ll watch."
"Okay."
Later that day, the Morrigans went to the cetery to kneel before my old grave. I heard about it from one of Lewis’s scouts.
They apologized.
But apologies could not reach the dead.
Elena was gone.
I refused to let Lewis carry my emotions on top of everything else. He was managing the Hale pack, corporate affairs, alliances, security. His shoulders were already heavy.
So I buried myself in work. I helped him review reports. I attended etings quietly by his side. Staying busy kept the chaos from swallowing whole.
Until a ssage arrived.
"Riley, it’s my birthday tomorrow. Can you co?" Yael.
I paused.
"Of course," I replied.
Only after sending it did I rember the date.
Yael already knew I was married. He had seen Lewis claim openly. He should not be reacting the way he had the other night. And yet sothing in his gaze had not changed.
Whitney ca to mind.
I needed to see her.
I told Lewis about the invitation. He ran his fingers through my hair gently.
"Be careful," he said. "If Vito is holding that woman under control, stay away from him."
"There will be many classmates," I replied. "It should be safe. I’ll bring two guards. They’ll stay nearby."
"Good."
In the past, I was naive. I believed smiles ant kindness. I believed people when they said they cared.
Not anymore.
Lewis suddenly asked, "Do you know how to shoot?"
The question caught off guard.
So wealthy families owned private ranges. I had never been interested. I shook my head.
"No."
"I’ll teach you," he said calmly. "When facing people like that, you need sothing imdiate. Physical training takes ti. A weapon does not."
I nodded. "Alright."
"Ask my assistant to prepare a gift for Yael."
"Okay."
The next day, just before I left, Lewis handed a folding knife.
I did not hesitate.
I slipped it into my bag.
If I ever faced soone like Silas again, I would not be helpless. I would not be overpowered so easily.
"If anything feels wrong," Lewis said, holding my gaze, "call ."
"I value my life," I replied lightly. "Don’t worry."
I left in a Bentley.
Before going, I had looked into the Blackwell family. They spent years abroad, investing in property and stocks across several countries. Recently, when real estate in Cashya surged, they returned to develop projects here.
On paper, their history looked clean.
But it only went back ten years.
Everything before that was unclear.
That alone made my instincts restless.
When my car pulled up at the Blackwell residence, most of my classmates had already arrived. They stepped out of taxis, adjusting their clothes nervously.
When my Bentley stopped at the curb, conversations froze.
All eyes turned.
The bodyguard stepped out first and opened my door. I stepped down calmly.
I had never flaunted anything in front of them. At school, I dressed simply. Today was different.
In my previous life, I wore formal gowns to events. It was respect for the host. Today, I chose sothing elegant but understated.
To them, it was not understated at all.
I heard the whispers imdiately.
"Did you see her bag? Only a hundred were made. It’s worth millions."
"And that necklace... that could buy a house."
"Who exactly is Riley?"
"She skips class all the ti, but the vocal instructor never punishes her. She definitely has a background."
Xenia Dunn approached with a sweet smile that did not reach her eyes.
"Riley, is that your car?"
"It’s not "
She rolled her eyes dramatically. "I knew it wasn’t yours."
I looked at her calmly. "If it’s not mine, does that an it’s yours?"
Her face flushed. "You "
I walked past her without another word.
Behind , more whispers rose.
"She must be from a powerful pack."
"You can tell by how she walks."
Xenia scoffed loudly. "Does she have a bigger background than Lincy? Lincy’s father is a CEO. She’s the real deal. Not like so people pretending."
At that mont, Lincy arrived.
Without Grant’s support, she had lost access to her jewels and designer dresses. She still looked polished, but next to , the difference was obvious.
The crowd noticed.
Xenia laughed. "Lincy, you’re so low-key. Unlike so people trying too hard."
I stopped and turned.
"Are you talking about ?"
"Who else?" Xenia snapped. "All that jewelry. You’re clearly showing off."
I smiled faintly. "Is this considered expensive to you? This is the least valuable set I own."
Gasps rippled through the group.
"You’re exaggerating."
I shifted my gaze to Lincy. "Lincy should know whether I’m exaggerating."
In the past, Lincy wore pieces worth more than entire estates. A few million was nothing to her then.
Now she stood silent.
Her lips pressed together.
"Lincy?" soone asked eagerly. "You both share the sa last na. Are you sisters?"
Before she could answer, Yael’s voice called from the doorway.
"Everyone, co inside."
Lincy quickly seized the chance to avoid the question. She walked ahead without eting my eyes.
Inside, music played softly. The house was decorated tastefully. Not overly flashy, but clearly expensive.
Yael walked toward .
I handed him the gift box. "Happy birthday."
He looked at as if I had given him sothing far more valuable.
"Riley," he said softly, "I’m so happy you ca."
His eyes were not subtle.
They were not confused.
They were certain.
I felt a small chill run down my spine.
He knew I was mated.
He had seen Lewis.
So why did he still look at like that?
Sothing was wrong.
The Blackwells were hiding sothing.
And tonight, I intended to find out what.
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