CHAPTER 42: SLIPPED MASK

Lewis wore a long black wool coat that morning, calm and controlled. The quiet Alpha energy around him never faded, even when he sat in a wheelchair.

As I helped him settle into it and began pushing him toward the stairs, he asked suddenly,

"Are we visiting the Alpha Den today?"

I froze for half a second.

The "Alpha den" was the home a new pair of mates shared inside the pack. I had only used it as an excuse before... to bring up the statue incident. But now, after everything, it was a real need.

The temporary room I’d been staying in was too small, too exposed. No privacy at all.

Not fit for an alpha and Luna.

Not even for a pretend one.

I nodded softly.

"Yes... let’s go."

Ever since I came back to life, my heart felt lighter. Like a storm had finally cleared and the sky was slowly returning.

As I wheeled Lewis into the dining hall, the air immediately changed.

The whole room felt heavy.

After Elena’s funeral, a somber fog settled over the pack house. Even wolves who normally kept their walls up were struggling.

Even Vicky who never liked me had sadness in her eyes.

And Jeffrey... he looked as if he had aged ten years in one night. He sat at the head of the long wooden table, his gray aura weaker than usual, coughing softly into his hand.

I walked over and rubbed his back gently, offering him a cup of warm water.

At least he had always treated me kindly. That much hadn’t changed across lifetimes.

Keeping my voice polite, I said softly,

"Here, Jeffrey. Have some warm water."

He gave me a gentle smile. "You’re thoughtful... every time I see you, you remind me of "

He stopped. A sigh escaped him.

"Come, sit. Eat with us."

"Okay," I said, taking my seat beside Lewis.

I checked Lewis’s expression first before serving him. His tastes were close to mine, so I placed light food soft grains and salad onto his plate.

Across the table, Vicky turned toward Camilla.

"How did things go at the station?"

Camilla answered smoothly, wearing a calm smile that hid everything.

"It’s nothing, Mom. Julian and I just explained what we knew. Elena’s death was strange, so of course the patrol wolves want details. We’re cooperating."

Of course.

Camilla wouldn’t leave any trail that pointed to her. Without evidence, the pack’s law enforcers couldn’t do anything.

Julian said nothing. But he kept glancing at me.

I didn’t know if he was looking at me or looking for the ghost of Elena in my face.

But each time our eyes met, all I could remember was the image of him and Camilla grinding against each other beneath my statue.

The memory made my wolf’s stomach twist.

I turned away and picked up a piece of shrimp. I lifted it to Lewis’s lips with a small smile.

"Lewis, try this. It’s really good."

He looked at me calmly, his eyes deep and hard to read just like always.

Then Julian cut in sharply.

"You probably don’t know this, but Uncle Lewis hates seafood. He can’t stand shrimp or fish."

I paused.

But before I could pull my hand back, Lewis leaned forward and took the shrimp right from my fingers.

Chewed slowly.

Swallowed.

"It’s fine," he said in a cool tone. "Not bad."

The look on Julian’s face?

Priceless.

His proud expression cracked for a split second. He looked away fast.

After the meal, Lewis turned to me.

"Tell the chefs what you want for lunch."

"I’m fine with anything," I replied.

"Do you like spicy food?" he asked casually. "The pack kitchen tends to go heavy with heat. I’m not sure it matches your taste."

I smiled lightly.

"It’s okay. I’m from Subury. People there grow their own chili. We’re used to spicy food."

The words slipped out too easily.

And then I froze.

That was Elena’s habit.

Elena’s childhood.

Elena’s memories.

Riley never lived in Subury.

I stiffened immedietly.

My reactions, my speech, even the way I moved... none of it matched how Riley used to be. I had slipped up more than once now.

But then again, Lewis had never met the real Riley face-to-face.

So how could he compare?

Still, Lewis was sharp. Too sharp.

He saw everything.

And after dying once, I no longer trusted luck. I had learned to stay guarded, even around my mate whose scent felt strangely safe.

I forced a relaxed smile.

"I get tired of foreign food easily. I usually cook local dishes at home. You don’t have to think too much I like what you like."

He simply nodded. "Good."

His expression stayed flat, unreadable. No warmth. No suspicion.

Just calm stillness.

Maybe I was worrying for nothing.

After breakfast, Jeffrey looked exhausted. He excused himself and returned to his room to rest.

I excused myself, but not before preparing.

As soon as I turned the corner, I slipped out my phone, opened the recording app, and tapped record.

Then I moved to the terrace above the hallway where they had stopped to talk.

I leaned forward slightly, listening.

Below, Camilla made the first move. Bold. Reckless. She wrapped her arms around Julian from behind.

"Julian, Elena’s gone," she whispered. "No matter how sad you are, she isn’t coming back."

Julian jerked away, his wolf aura flaring with irritation.

"Camilla, are you crazy? This is the pack’s house!"

"There’s no one around," she murmured. "Don’t be afraid. You’ve been so cold to me. I can’t stand it anymore. I miss you. I miss how you make me feel. Just a few nights ago, we were so happy. Please, Julian... touch me."

Julian stared at her with nothing but coldness and resentment.

"I already said it," he hissed. "Get rid of the pup."

Camilla blinked, her smile thin and unsettling. "Elena is dead, Julian. Nobody can get between us anymore. I know you’re still grieving... but I can wait. Still our baby can’t. This child is ours. Our bloodline."

Julian’s face went pale.

"What... what are you saying?" he breathed. "Camilla, you’re not the girl I grew up with."

She placed a hand over her stomach "I want a family with you. A real one. Marry me, Julian."

There it was.

Her true wolf finally showing its color.

For years she acted innocent, humble, harmless.

All a mask.

Now her real intent spilled out

Using a pregnancy to force him into a mating bond and a political union.

Clawing her way into status.

Julian grabbed her shoulders, staring like she was a stranger.

"Are you insane? You’re my sister. How do you expect me to mate with you? What do you think the pack will say? That we’ve been sleeping together?"

Camilla didn’t even blink.

"We’re not blood-related," she said calmly. "I’m a Morrigan. You’re a Hale. Our families can still merge. It’s legal. And beneficial."

Julian stumbled back. "You’re terrifying," he whispered.

Then he turned and ran.

I stopped the recording, tucked my phone into my coat, and let a slow smile curl over my lips.

One day, I would expose them to the entire pack.

I turned to leave

But froze.

Someone was sitting in the corridor, watching me from the shadows.

Lewis.

His eyes were sharp, cold, and piercing wolf eyes that could read straight through bone.

"What are you doing here?" he asked softly, his Alpha voice low and unreadable.

His gaze felt like claws sliding across my spine.