At that point, I didn’t care anymore.
I really wanted Julian to hurt and to feel even a fraction of what he once made feel.
So I grabbed Lewis’s hand and placed it firmly around my waist.
His palm was wide and warm through my sweater.
He stiffened instantly, every muscle going tight, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to touch like that.
But he didn’t pull away.
And that was enough for .
I glanced at Julian.
His jaw was clenched so hard I could hear the grind of teeth.
Seeing that tension on his face... gods, it felt good.
Almost like the first real taste of payback.
I rembered all too well how Camilla used to drape herself over him arms around his neck, hands on his waist, leaning in like she owned him and she always did it right in front of .
And what did I do?
I quietly asked him to set boundaries, to show just a little respect.
He had snarled at like I was the problem.
"You’re disgusting, Elena. Twisting everything. She is like my sister.
How could you think sothing so sick? Go apologize to her."
He always defended her.
Always treated her like she was fragile, precious, untouchable.
And ?
I was the jealous mate.
The nuisance.
The one he pushed aside every ti.
So yes
I wanted to sit close to my husband now and i wanted to feel soone choose without hesitation.
This mont was mine.
"Lewis... be a little gentler tonight, okay? It still hurts."
I made sure it was loud enough for Julian to hear.
Lewis wore a cream turtleneck, and I saw the pale skin beneath it turn pink.
His throat bobbed with a small swallow.
"Mhm," he answered quietly.
That little sound made Julian’s eyes darken.
"Let’s go," I said brightly. "I can’t wait to build a ho with you."
I slid off Lewis’s lap, fixed the blanket over his legs, and started pushing his chair forward
"Oh, Lewis," I added sweetly, "do you want a boy or a girl? Maybe we could have both one that looks like , and one that looks like you."
The mont the words left , Julian froze.
He recognized it.
Because I had once whispered those exact sa words to him.
Word for word.
His face went pale.
He stepped forward quickly, forcing his voice to stay steady.
"Uncle Lewis... I actually have experience with Hos and real estate. Since the weather’s bad, I could co with you and help you pick a place."
Lewis gave him a cool, emotionless glance.
"Suit yourself."
I could never quite read how Lewis felt about Julian.
They weren’t close not even a little.
Most days they acted more like strangers sharing a pack na.
Lately, Lewis had been shifting his focus back toward our ho territory.
Ever since he returned to the pack lands, he had started taking interest in the Hale affairs again quietly, slowly, like a wolf testing frozen ground before stepping fully onto it. He didn’t say it outright, but I could tell: he was considering taking control of the family business.
It was subtle... but noticeable.
What confused was this
Lewis didn’t seem threatened by Julian at all.
Julian watched Lewis like he was a rival Alpha, a shadow he couldn’t outrun.
But Lewis...he didn’t see Julian as competition. If anything, the way he treated him almost felt indulgent, like an older, calr wolf who knew there was no need to fight for dominance.
A man who didn’t need to defend himself because he had nothing to fear.
Of course, Camilla forced herself into our trip that day.
Julian was not pleased. His voice was sharp when he snapped,
"Why are you coming with us?"
Now that "Elena" was gone, Camilla didn’t bother pretending anymore.
She openly pushed toward Julian like she wanted to claim him in front of the whole pack.
But Julian didn’t want her.
He was pulling away faster than she could chase him.
Eventually, they all climbed into the van with us, Lewis and I in the front, Julian and Camilla sulking in the back.
Lewis had been dragged into my chaos so many tis already.
Every ti I used him in one of my "plans," his ears went red like an embarrassed child. He must’ve been exhausted.
But I knew sothing else too, if he stayed around long enough...he would d start becoming a little shaless himself.
Feeling playful, I pulled a small container of grapes from my bag.
I nudged Lewis’s arm with it. "Do you like grapes?"
He shot a suspicious look. He could already sense mischief in the air.
"They’re fine," he answered.
"I like them too. Let peel so for you," I said sweetly.
Lewis cleared his throat, uncomfortable.
"I’m not hungry."
Trying to escape?
Oh no. Not today.
I could feel Julian watching us like a hawk from behind, and that only fueled more.
So I turned back to Lewis with a pout and said,
"Well, I want so. Peel them for ?"
He stared at for a mont, silently weighing his choices , refuse and look cold... or agree and fall deeper into my trap.
"Alright." hsighed quietly.
He peeled a grape with slow, focused movents, careful not to crush it.
His fingers were cautious, clumsy... but he tried.
Then I said, "Feed ."
He froze.
He definitely hadn’t expected that.
He gently brought the peeled grape to my mouth.
I leaned in. My lips brushed his fingers my tongue just grazing him.
On purpose.
His whole body tensed but he didn’t even pull his hand back.
So I leaned forward again...
...and gave a tiny, playful suck.
From the outside, the scene looked intimate.
Dangerous.
Like sothing only mates would do.
Exactly what I wanted.
I smiled at Lewis and whispered,
"It’s so sweet."
And I let Julian choke on the view behind .
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