Mated To The Crippled Alpha-Chapter 300: She Knows

Amber withdrew her gaze from me and smiled politely, as if nothing heavy had just passed between us.

"Ms. Gardner, I didn’t know you were coming today," she said softly. "I wasn’t sure what you liked to eat. I hope you won’t mind."

Her tone was gentle, but her eyes were still studying me.

I smiled back just as calmly. "Lewis told me that after Peter saved him years ago, he kept coming here. He thinks of you as family. And family doesn’t stand on ceremony, right?"

Tiffany rolled her eyes dramatically. "Hypocrite."

"Enough," Amber said lightly, but there was steel under her voice. "Ms. Gardner, please sit. Tiffany, come help me in the kitchen."

"Aunt Amber "

"Now."

Amber placed the fruit platter down and gave Tiffany a look that made the air shift.

It was subtle. No raised voice. No anger.

But Tiffany’s face changed instantly. She followed without another word.

A chill crept down my spine.

If Taylor’s presence felt like a venomous snake waiting in the dark, Amber felt like something colder. Like winter itself beautiful, silent, and capable of freezing everything it touched.

There was depth in her eyes. Ancient depth.

My instincts whispered caution.

Peter, on the other hand, was easy to talk to. He was knowledgeable and warm, like the uncle every pack wished they had. He spoke of business, history, old alliances. Lewis played chess with him, their conversation flowing naturally.

I stood beside them and fed Lewis slices of fruit without thinking. The small act felt intimate. Familiar.

Watching them together, I had a strange thought.

Lewis seemed more at ease here than he ever did at the Hale estate. When he was with the Hales, everything felt formal and restrained. Here, it felt almost... real.

Like he belonged.

Dinner was grand. Nearly eighty percent of the dishes were Lewis’s favorites. That wasn’t a coincidence.

The villa was large, clearly staffed with servants, yet Amber had insisted on cooking herself.

For Tiffany, I could understand it. She was chasing him. Trying to win him through care and persistence.

But Amber?

She didn’t seem like someone who needed to try.

"Lewis, try this soup. I made it myself," Tiffany said, pushing a bowl toward him.

Her tone was hopeful. Desperate.

Lewis didn’t even glance at it. He turned to me instead. "Riley, I’d like some fish soup."

"Of course."

I served him personally, adding the dishes he liked best. From beginning to end, he never touched Tiffany’s soup.

Peter and Lewis talked about projects and territory matters, their discussion deep and effortless.

But across the table, Amber’s gaze kept returning to me.

When our eyes met, it felt like something invisible brushed against my mind.

Dinner felt oddly tense despite the polite smiles.

After we finished eating, there were no servants clearing the table. I stood up instinctively and gathered the plates.

Amber smiled at me. "Thank you, Riley."

"It’s nothing."

From the side, Tiffany muttered, "What are you pretending for?"

I ignored her and carried the dishes into the kitchen.

"Let me wash," I offered.

"Alright," Amber replied easily. "You wash. I’ll wipe down the counters."

Earlier, she had felt distant. Now she seemed relaxed. Approachable.

Too approachable.

"Ms. Gardner and Lewis have only been bonded a few months," she said casually, "yet you seem very close."

There was something probing in her tone.

I chose my words carefully. "When I first heard about the arranged bond, I resisted. I even tried to reject it. But after living with Lewis, I realized he’s gentle. He respects me. He’s been very good to me."

I lowered my eyes shyly, as if embarrassed. "So... I’ve grown to like him."

Then I added softly, "I know Tiffany cares for him deeply. Do you resent me?"

Amber let out a low laugh. "You think too much. I’m not a foolish girl. Why would I resent you?"

Relief spread across my face, though inside I was still alert. "That’s good. Your family helped Lewis when he was vulnerable. I wouldn’t want to cause trouble between you because of me."

I placed the clean dishes into a cabinet. "Here?"

"Yes. Ms. Gardner, you’re welcome here anytime."

I smiled brightly. "I’d love that. Amber, you’re so beautiful. I kept wondering during dinner how old you are. You don’t look much older than me."

Talking about beauty was usually a safe bridge between women.

She looked at me steadily. "How old do you think I am?"

Her eyes were dark. Deep. Like standing too close to a cliff.

"Maybe thirty?" I said thoughtfully. "But Tiffany calls you Aunt Amber, so perhaps... forties?"

Her lips curved faintly. "A woman’s age is her secret."

Of course it was.

"What do you like about Lewis?" she asked suddenly.

The question caught me off guard.

I answered honestly. "He’s gentle. A true Alpha in the best way. Attentive. Protective. He makes me feel safe."

Amber’s eyes didn’t blink.

"If you found out that his kindness toward you was only to make up for something," she asked quietly, "would you still love him?"

My hands paused in the water.

Make up for something?

Before I could respond, her gaze dropped to my chest.

The pendant.

It must have slipped out from under my dress when I bent down.

The stone rested against my skin, faintly warm.

The moment Amber saw it, her pupils contracted.

The air in the kitchen changed.

Her voice turned cold. "Who gave you that?"

A shiver ran through me.

Her face was still beautiful but now it was sharp. Dangerous.

I swallowed slowly. "Amber... what is this stone?"

Her hand moved fast.

She grabbed the collar of my dress and pulled me closer, her fingers gripping tightly. For someone who looked so refined, her strength was shocking.

"And where is the other one?" she demanded, eyes narrowing. "Where is it?"

Her scent changed.

Cold.

Predatory.

My instincts roared in warning.

Whatever this stone was...

Amber knew far more about it than she should.