CHAPTER 43: EYES THAT DON’T MISS

Lately, I kept feeling it

Lewis watching me. Right now, his eyes were locked on me.

My heart jumped, but I swallowed my nerves and rushed over to him before he could speak.

I leaned down, bringing a finger to my lips.

"Mr. Hale... I overheard something big. We need to talk alone."

I didn’t give him time to question anything right now

I grabbed the handles of his chair and rolled him quickly down the hall, I did niot give him the time to protest

If I took control of the situation, maybe I could drag his attention away from the fact that he had seen me snooping where I shouldn’t be.

As soon as we slipped inside a private room, I shut the door with a loud thud.

The villa was huge, and even though I didn’t walk far, my breath hitched.

Riley’s wolf body wasn’t strong yet. Her energy ran low easily almost like a pup who hadn’t awakened her full instincts.

I dropped to the floor beside his chair, panting.

Lewis looked down at me quietly.

He didn’t speak, but his gaze softened just a little, like he was waiting to see what chaos I brought him this time.

His voice, calm and deep, broke the silence.

"What’s this ’big secret’?"

I leaned close to his ear, lowering my voice to a whisper.

"I saw Camilla hugging Julian... and she said something about marrying him now that Elena is gone. Doesn’t that sound strange to you?"

Only after I said it did I realize how close I had leaned in.

My breath brushed his ear.

The tips of his ears turned warm just slightly then the color slid down the side of his neck.

Lewis shifted, but he kept his usual distant face.

He already knew about Camilla and Julian. An Alpha like him didn’t miss signs like that.

But I had to pretend I didn’t know that.

I widened my eyes innocently. "Why are you so calm?"

He stared at me, clearly confused by my attempt at gossip.

"What reaction are you expecting?"

I waved my hands dramatically.

"Shock! Curiosity! Something like, ’Are you serious?!’"

He tried to humor me, even though his tone was flat.

"Is it true?"

His eyes, however, clearly said: enough.

But I pushed anyway, leaning fully into my role.

"Of course it’s true! One hundred percent. And..."

I hesitated dramatically.

"I think I heard her say something about being pregnant. Do you think Camilla could really be carrying Julian’s pup?"

That got him.

Lewis’s calm expression cracked. He hadn’t known that part.

Only the Morrigan elders and Julian knew about the pregnancy.

I kept going, softer now, more dangerous.

"And what if... Julian didn’t run from his mate ceremony because of nerves? What if Camilla was the reason? What if the two of them pushed Elena into death?"

Before I could finish, Lewis’s hand shot out and grabbed mine.

The grip was tight wolf strength, unfiltered.

"Ow!" I winced. "Mr. Hale! You’re hurting me!"

He released immediately, his jaw tensing. "Sorry."

Then, steadier and calmer, he warned,

"Don’t make accusations without proof. In a pack, careless words can ruin lives."

I knew that.

That was why he had stayed silent about their affair all this time.

The Hale pack cared about reputation more than truth. They would bury rot if it meant protecting their name.

But Lewis...

If the day came when I tore their mask off in front of the whole pack...

Would you turn against me too?

I didn’t say that out loud.

I just stared at him, my thoughts heavy.

Maybe that was why his voice softened or the way a snile crept up his face.

"If you ever need to say something," he murmured, "tell me in private."

I smiled up at him softly. "Alright. Just between us."

Lewis’s eyes locked onto mine, and for a long moment... he just stared.

It wasn’t the usual calm, unreadable look he wore like armor, this time, something flickered openly across his face surprise, confusion....

He never let his emotions leak out,so seeing his guard slip, even a little, made my breath catch. I was happy to see this side of him come out once in a while.

Then he realized what he was doing, he cleared his throat and turned away, trying to reel himself back in. His voice came out lower than usual. "So... are we still going to inspect the new den?"

"Of course," I said lightly.

I leaned closer and rested my chin on the armrest of his chair.

It felt playful "But first," I murmured with a smile, "tell me, Mr. Hale...

what kind of home do you want for us?"

That question clearly caught him off guard, his brows tightened slightly.

"I’ve never really thought about it."

I almost snorted.

Hard to believe.

"Well," I said, sitting upright again and meeting his gaze, "now’s a perfect time to think about it. After all... we’re going to live there together. For the rest of our lives."

That had always been my plan.

Mate-bonds or not, I wasn’t bringing up separation.

And Lewis, with his quiet nature and some other woman hidden deep in his heart, wasn’t the type to beg me for love or cling to me.

He was safe and predictable. A man who wouldn’t fall for me was perfect.

He repeated my words slowly, as if tasting them.

"The rest of our lives..."

I teased softly, "You’re not planning to reject me, are you? But if by some wild chance you fall for another she-wolf someday, just be honest and "

I didn’t even get the words out.

Something cool touched my lips.

His finger.

I froze.

Lewis wasn’t smiling.

"Riley," he said,

"I’m not divorcing you. Not now. Not ever. You chose to be my mate. That means something. You stay. No doubts. No second thoughts."

I licked my lips.

But his finger was still there.

I.....licked him.

My eyes flew wide open.

Lewis went absolutely still.

Oh.

Moon above.

Oh no.