CHAPTER 46: CAUGHT IN THE ACT

Chapter 46

Lewis suddenly pulled his hand back slowly and when I turned slightly, I found Julian watching me intensly . \he was watching as if I was a prey ready to be devoured.

I gave him a soft smile and held up the small fruit container.

"Julian, do you want some grapes? They’re really sweet."

He said nothing, but Camilla, always so eager tro ber seen, reached out quickly.

"Thanks, Riley."

Then she nudged him like she was trying to coax a stubborn child.

"You want some?"

He turned away, voice flat as ice.

"I’m not hungry."

The rejection hit her straight in the face.

And for a second, I felt a strange déjà vu.

Once upon a time, when I always clunged to Julian’s side, I used to offer him food too.

Warm plates, hot drinks, small acts of care...he always dismissed me like a fly

Always annoyed.

Always cold.

Now he treated Camilla the same way.

The universe had a wicked sense of humor.

I couldn’t help wondering, what would she try next to win him over?

How far would she go to keep him?

The van rolled along the snowy road, and Julian finally broke the silence.

"Didn’t you like the villa we checked before?"

"I didn’t," I answered simply. "It felt wrong. Like the land itself had bad luck."

His expression tightened and the whole car felt heavier.

Of course I wasn’t lying.

That villa was soaked in deep betrayal.

Even without the statue, I could still feel the memory of him and Camilla tangled together there.

I would never live near that spot again, not in this life, not in any life.

Today’s location was different.

A sleek, modern penthouse in the middle of the city, High territory.

It was clean, bright, well-protected.

It had everything Lewis would need wide hallways, ramps, private garden, easy access for his wolf and his chair.

Julian didn’t like it.

He didn’t need to speak; his face said enough.

"The privacy of a penthouse can’t compare to a villa," he muttered.

I smiled. "I think it’s perfect. The lower garden will be better for Lewis. And I love the design."

Then I turned to Lewis, softer, gentler."What about you? Do you like it?"

"If you’re happy, I’m happy." he said calmly

I reached for his hand, my fingers still cold from the winter air.

"This is our home. It’s not just about me. If it doesn’t feel right for you, we’ll look at a hundred more places. I don’t mind."

He didn’t pull his hand away.

Instead, he held my gaze for a quiet moment and said, "It’s fine. I like it."

Then he glanced at Theo. "Go ahead with the arrangements."

"Yes, Alpha Hale," Theo answered instantly.

Was that really it?

It felt almost too easy, like Lewis just wanted the decision done.

But when he saw doubt flicker across my eyes, he turned to me again.

"I mean it. I like it."

Warmth bloomed inside me. Lewis was always like this quiet, but thoughtful.

By the time the tour ended, everything was settled.

Lewis bought the penthouse outright... and added my name to the deed.

Just like that, our Forever home was chosen.

On the ride back, it became painfully obvious that Camilla was trying every possible trick to pull Julian closer.

She thought she was subtle, but our kind had good senses.

I saw everything in the reflection of the window

the way she leaned in, brushing her arm against his, inching closer, letting her leg press into his thigh.

At first, Julian avoided her.

Pulling away.

Cold.

But she was persistent.

Relentless.

And eventually...

his resistance began to crack.

I didn’t need to look directly at them.

The air in the van told me enough.

The soft shift of breath.

The heat rising in Julian’s scent.

The subtle change in energy.

He had been pretending to be the grieving widower for too long.

Holding back too long.

Camilla knew exactly which instinct to poke.

I stared out the window beside Lewis, the snowy trees blurring as we drove.

I didn’t need to see them.

I knew exactly what was happening.

By the time we reached the Hale estate, the air was thick with tension.

Camilla hadn’t pushed things all the way, but she’d gotten close enough to crack Julian’s mask.

His eyes were darker, frustrated, unsettled.

"What are you staring at?" Lewis’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I gave a small smile. "Nothing. Just noticing how flushed Julian looks."

Julian cut in quickly, defensive.

"It’s probably just hot back here."

Hot?

Lewis, always sharp, stayed quiet too. I knew he was doing it for my sake.

"It’s freezing," he murmured. "Go inside. I need to speak with him."

Julian pushed Lewis’s chair through the snow-covered yard, wheels crunching in the frost.

I hung back just long enough to hear Lewis’s voice low, firm, unmistakably Alpha even if he didn’t flaunt it.

"Elena just passed. Show some respect. She was your mate."

Julian lowered his head in shame.

When I stepped into the pack house, I froze for a moment.

The Morrigan had arrived.

Good.

Tonight would be interesting.

I would be right here to watch.

I walked into the living room with a calm expression.

The Morrigan lifted their eyes Malcom, his mate, their cold daughter.

They still couldn’t hide the shock they felt every time they saw me.

I acted natural, even lighthearted, and sat right beside Camilla.

Julian sat next to her, eyes blank but his body telling the truth, The tension in his shoulders was so obvious.

Lewis gently placed some food on my plate.

After dinner, Camilla slipped away quietly. Minutes later, Julian checked his phone, stiffened, and made an excuse to leave.

I followed from afar, stopping when I saw him heading toward the greenhouse.

I stayed at the glass door, listening.

"Why did you ask me to come?" Julian sounded irritated but not enough to hide why he came.

"Julian... it’s been so long. I miss you," Camilla whispered, voice trembling with need.

Then the sounds started.

Soft at first.

Then louder.

I didn’t need to hear more.

I walked away quietly.

When I reached the front entrance, the Morrigans were preparing to leave.

"Mrs. Morrigan," I called sweetly. "Wait a moment."

She turned, confused.

"Yes, Ms. Ashbourne?"

"I remembered that Mr. Morrigan loves orchids. The greenhouse orchids are blooming beautifully tonight. Would you like to take a quick look? It’s early still."

Malcom, who once asked me to show him the greenhouse, shifted with sudden interest.

I turned to Lewis, who had been watching me carefully.

"Would you like to come too?"

What are you planning?" His eyes narrowed.

I smiled cool, controlled. "I’m about to show you something unforgettable."

And so we walked through the dark garden, the cold air thick with silence.

The moment we reached the greenhouse door, Camilla’s voice echoed out breathy, desperate, loud.

"Julian... I love you... don’t stop... I’m going crazy "

Julian’s voice followed, heated and wild:

"Camilla... I didn’t know you were this savage."

"For you. Only you."

Malcom’s face hardened instantly, turning dark with rage.

Without hesitation, he stormed forward and slammed the greenhouse door open.

He didn’t bother with the light.

He just roared into the darkness:

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!"