When I returned to the room, I told Lewis that Riley wanted to go back to the town for a few days.
He was quiet for a mont, his expression unreadable. I could feel the shift in him through our bond, the way an Alpha senses sothing out of place in his territory.
"Elena," he said slowly, "we just got back a few days ago. I’m not trying to control you. But wouldn’t it be better to wait until your mother-in-law is close to giving birth?"
His voice was calm, but there was tension underneath. He didn’t like leaving his sight. Not even for a short ti.
"I said the sa thing," I replied gently. "But Riley argued with Harlan. She doesn’t want to see him right now. You know how she is. She doesn’t have many friends. She depends on ."
That part wasn’t a lie.
"But..." He frowned slightly, his instinct clearly resisting the idea.
"Riley already told Dad," I continued. "We’re taking a private plane. He’ll pick us up at the airport and drive us straight to town. We won’t see anyone else. It’ll be safe."
Lewis studied carefully. I kept my breathing steady. No tremor. No guilt in my eyes.
"How long?" he asked.
"Two or three days," I said. "There’s nothing urgent in Jaford. I can’t really help you with pack matters right now anyway. Think of it as a short break for ."
He pulled into his arms. His embrace was firm, protective. Possessive in that quiet way only I understood.
"I’ll miss you," he murmured against my hair.
My heart tightened.
"It’s not even a hundred hours," I whispered with a small smile. "We’ll see each other before you know it."
He smiled faintly. "Alright. I’ll speak to Grant about security. I’ll drive you to the airport tomorrow."
"You’re the best, hubby."
"You know exactly how to get to ," he said softly, eyes full of warmth. "Co back quickly."
"Mm."
Once I was sure he suspected nothing, I let out a slow breath.
Lying to Lewis was harder than facing an enemy pack leader. He could read the smallest change in my expression. One wrong word and everything would fall apart.
Sorry, Harlan. Thank you for being our shield.
That night, Lewis struggled to sleep. I could feel it. The way he shifted. The way his arm tightened around every ti I moved.
We hadn’t been apart much these past months. Except when I stayed briefly at my mom’s place, we were always together.
He wasn’t used to distance.
Neither was I.
But I had to go.
If I wanted the truth, I had to leave his protection.
The next morning, Harlan left early for work after arguing with Riley, completely unaware of the real reason behind the trip.
Lewis drove us to the airport himself. When we stopped at the drop-off area, he ignored Riley standing a few steps away and pulled into his arms.
His kiss was fierce. Not desperate. Not frantic. But deep, claiming, like he was morizing .
"Text when you take off," he said. "And when you land."
"Okay."
"Eat on ti."
"Okay."
"Don’t stay up late."
"Okay."
"And think of ."
Riley groaned dramatically. "We’re only gone for a few days! Do you have to act like she’s going to war? I’m about to cry here."
Lewis was reserved with everyone else. His emotions rarely showed. But I could feel them.
If my guess was right... one day, we would have to part for real. And that thought made him cherish every second like it was the last.
To him, love wasn’t casual.
It was life and death.
I cupped his face gently. "I’ll be back soon. Take care of yourself too."
"Mm."
Only after Riley and I disappeared through the boarding gate did his car finally drive away.
As we walked toward security, Riley turned to . "Alright. What’s really going on? Why are you avoiding him?"
"I’ll tell you when we get there," I said.
She sighed. "Fine."
Riley had her own second chance at life. But she didn’t cling to it the way I did. She didn’t understand what it felt like to suspect that your mate had traded sothing irreplaceable for you.
After we passed security, I couldn’t stop myself. I sent him a ssage.
Lewis, it’s only been ten minutes, and I already miss you.
He replied almost instantly.
too.
Riley covered her face dramatically. "You two are unbearable."
She boarded first.
Just before I switched my phone to flight mode, Harlan called.
"I had breakfast sent over. Where are you? Not at the estate?"
Riley answered casually, "Airport."
"Where are you going?"
"Vacation. Phone’s going off. Bye."
She hung up while he was still talking.
I felt a flicker of guilt. "Sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?" she shrugged. "I get annoyed just looking at his face."
I smiled faintly. If Harlan truly fell for her, he had a long battle ahead.
After a few hours in the air, we landed.
Grant was already waiting.
"Dad," Riley greeted warmly this ti.
He smiled and patted her head. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah. Just tired."
"Want a spa? Sothing relaxing?"
"No. I want to see Mom."
Grant carried several shopping bags, clearly prepared for the visit. We transferred to a helicopter and headed toward the small town.
Once we were alone, I told Riley everything.
She listened in stunned silence.
"So you’re really going to ask the old woman?" she asked quietly.
"I can’t rest until I know," I replied. "And you have to keep this secret. Especially from Mom and Dad."
Though I trusted Grant, my instincts told fewer people ant fewer risks.
"Okay."
After greeting her mother, Riley used the excuse of picking lotus seeds and ca with toward the pond.
I rembered the wooden bridge clearly. Across it stood the small house where the old woman lived.
I started walking faster.
"Slow down," Riley warned. "You’ll trip."
But how could I slow down? My mind had been consud by that stone day and night.
When I crossed the bridge, I noticed a large cherry blossom tree in the yard. It wasn’t blooming now, but I imagined how beautiful it must look when covered in pink petals.
Wooden plaques and wind chis hung from its branches. The wind made them sing softly.
The air felt calm. Almost sacred.
I didn’t see the old woman at first. I was about to knock when I heard the sound of an ocarina drifting from behind the house.
The lody blended with the sound of birds returning to their nests. The scene felt painted quiet, distant, almost unreal.
I walked around slowly.
There she was.
Silver hair flowing in the wind, seated on a wooden platform overlooking the water. Her posture was straight. Elegant. Even with age, she carried a commanding presence.
When she turned to look at , there was no surprise in her eyes.
"I knew you would co again," she said calmly.
My heartbeat slowed.
She knew.
She had known all along.
She wasn’t like Amber. There was no hostility in her gaze. The first ti we t, she had tried to warn .
And now, I believed she could help .
I took the stone from my pocket and stepped closer.
"Please," I said softly, holding it out. "Can you tell what this stone really is?"
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