Mated To The Crippled Alpha-Chapter 276: The Woman in the Shadows

Lewis exchanged information with Nelson in private.

Even without direct proof, Nelson could already piece things together. Between the Morrigans and the Hales, the pattern pointed back to Camilla.

"Mrs. Hale," Nelson said quietly, "if your guess is right, she’ll go after everyone connected to Silas."

He listed the names one by one.

"Yenick. And you."

I wasn’t surprised.

Since the night at the Hale Estate, I had become Camilla’s biggest obstacle. Every move she made ran into me. Every plan she tried to push forward was blocked by Lewis’s pack or Grant’s influence.

But I always moved with guards. A driver. Eyes watching from every angle.

Lincy had none of that.

Lincy was alone.

Originally, Lewis and I planned to use Grandma to lure Camilla out. Let the news of her recovery shake people. But now I wasn’t sure we needed that bait anymore.

The larger network had already collapsed. High-ranking officials were investigating quietly. Everyone was waiting for someone to slip.

If the Blackwell brothers were truly involved, they would stay still.

No movement.

No mistakes.

Camilla appearing in the open like this meant something else.

It meant division.

She loved Silas. That much was obvious. Losing him and the child had twisted something inside her. People driven by that kind of grief don’t think clearly. Their instincts turn dark and reckless.

She killed Lincy.

And in doing so, she gave us a crack in the wall.

"Captain Tucker," I said calmly, "watch the Hudsons. The Hales and Morrigans are secure. But the Hudsons? That’s a weak point."

Yenick was careless. After a few drinks, he couldn’t even remember his own name. He spent nights in clubs filled with shady people. If Camilla wanted an easy target, he would be it.

After speaking with Nelson, we stepped outside just as Yenick finished his statement.

Lincy’s accusations about him forcing her to sleep with other men had no proof. So he walked free.

We crossed paths.

Nelson said firmly, "Mr. Hudson, we’ve identified a suspect. She might target you next. Be careful."

Yenick frowned. "Yeah, yeah. I get it. She owed me money. Now she’s dead. Just my luck."

When he saw me, his expression softened instantly.

"Riley. What a coincidence."

"It’s not," I said evenly. "I’m here to give a statement. Lincy came to me last night."

We walked out of the station. Yenick didn’t look sad.

Not even a little.

He was the kind of man who would watch someone drown and check his watch instead of helping.

Riley once loved him.

Even if he knew she had died, he probably wouldn’t cry.

"Riley," he started eagerly, "I’ve been meaning to apologize. I’m sorry for hurting you before."

"No need. I won’t forgive you."

He looked desperate. "I only ever had you in my heart. Lincy seduced me. She used Grant to pressure me. Back then, you weren’t valued in the Ashbourne pack, so I "

"Stop." My voice turned cold. "That’s your weakness. Not mine. I don’t need your explanation."

I stepped away.

"Riley, wait " He reached for me.

A voice cut through the air like steel.

"Try touching her."

Lewis sat in his wheelchair beside the car, eyes sharp and commanding. His presence alone was enough. The air around him shifted heavy, territorial.

Yenick immediately pulled his hand back.

"I didn’t touch her," he said nervously. "Not even a centimeter."

Coward.

No wonder his own family didn’t trust him with leadership.

I helped Lewis into the car. Yenick shamelessly followed.

"Mr. Hale," he said quickly, "about your project with the Ashbourne Group... could I get involved? I can supply materials."

Lewis gave him a brief glance. "Read the bidding documents."

Then the car door shut in his face.

Inside, Lewis looked at me. "No trouble?"

"No," I replied. "Lincy’s death wasn’t ours. Camilla did it."

He wasn’t surprised.

He tapped his fingers lightly against the armrest, eyes tracking Yenick through the window. Yenick kicked a stone on the roadside in frustration.

"It’s for Silas," Lewis said quietly.

"Yes. She couldn’t reach me. So she mourned him in blood. But Yenick isn’t her real target."

Lewis’s gaze deepened. "Exactly. If she wanted revenge on Silas’ enemies, she wouldn’t walk into a trap. Killing Lincy distracts us. Pointing toward Yenick distracts us more."

I turned to him. "You think she wants us watching the wrong direction."

"Yes. She wants us guarding Yenick while she moves somewhere else."

A chill slid down my spine.

"So she isn’t just targeting Yenick."

"She’s targeting all of us."

Camilla was intelligent. Love had broken her, but it hadn’t made her stupid. Silas’ death turned her cruel. Cold. Strategic.

"I’ll have someone watch Yenick," Lewis continued. "But not openly."

"Be careful," I said softly. "She’s unstable."

His eyes shifted to me. "I’m not afraid for myself. I’m concerned about you. She won’t let you go."

That was true.

Now that I had taken over Grant’s company, I couldn’t hide behind walls forever. I had meetings. Public appearances. Pack negotiations.

I couldn’t stay invisible.

"Any movement from the Whites?" I asked.

"No," Lewis replied. "If Camilla is truly connected to them, they’re staying quiet. Which means either they’re smarter than we think... or this runs deeper."

"The Blackwells?" I pressed.

"They’re acting normal. Work. School. Art gallery. No visible contact with Camilla."

"She probably cut ties," I murmured. "She wants revenge for herself."

We arrived at my office building shortly after.

The first project was a collaboration with Hale Group, so Lewis followed me inside. Theo had already checked the building for threats.

Kemp Estrada my father’s long-time assistant stood waiting with documents.

"Ms. Ashbourne," he said respectfully, "here’s the project proposal. Also, this was delivered for you."

It was a large manila envelope.

"Open it," I said.

He slid out the contents.

And froze.

His face went pale.

"Ms. Ashbourne... you need to see this."

Inside were photos.

Gruesome ones.

Lincy.

Bound.

Tortured. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

The pictures were clear. Intentional. Sent with purpose.

Not random.

A message.

My fingers tightened around the edge of the desk. I didn’t look away.

Camilla wasn’t hiding.

She was hunting.