CHAPTER 45: PUBLIC DISPLAY

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 me 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 me like that.

But he didn’t pull away.

And that was enough for me.

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 remembered 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 me.

And what did I do?

I quietly asked him to set boundaries, to show just a little respect.

He had snarled at me like I was the problem.

"You’re disgusting, Elena. Twisting everything. She is like my sister.

How could you think something so sick? Go apologize to her."

He always defended her.

Always treated her like she was fragile, precious, untouchable.

And me?

I was the jealous mate.

The nuisance.

The one he pushed aside every time.

So yes

I wanted to sit close to my husband now and i wanted to feel someone choose me without hesitation.

This moment 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 home 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 me, and one that looks like you."

The moment the words left me, Julian froze.

He recognized it.

Because I had once whispered those exact same 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 Homes and real estate. Since the weather’s bad, I could come 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 name.

Lately, Lewis had been shifting his focus back toward our home 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 me 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, calmer 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 times already.

Every time I used him in one of my "plans," his ears went red like an embarrassed child. He must’ve been exhausted.

But I knew something else too, if he stayed around me long enough...he would d start becoming a little shameless 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 me a suspicious look. He could already sense mischief in the air.

"They’re fine," he answered.

"I like them too. Let me peel some 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 me more.

So I turned back to Lewis with a pout and said,

"Well, I want some. Peel them for me?"

He stared at me for a moment, silently weighing his choices , refuse me and look cold... or agree and fall deeper into my trap.

"Alright." hsighed quietly.

He peeled a grape with slow, focused movements, careful not to crush it.

His fingers were cautious, clumsy... but he tried.

Then I said, "Feed me."

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 something 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 me.