Mated To The Crippled Alpha-Chapter 287: Good Dad

Riley’s feelings toward her father were always complicated.

Since she was little, she had longed for his attention. In her heart, she believed Grant only cared about Lena, that she was always second, always unseen. Yet the moment he walked in and his eyes landed on her, I knew that wasn’t true.

She opened her mouth. "I..."

Her mother quickly wrapped an arm around her shoulders and smiled politely. "This is Janice, Elena’s friend. She came to visit."

Grant stared at Riley for a long time. Too long. His Alpha presence, usually firm and controlled, wavered slightly. Then he looked away, as if telling himself not to hope.

"I just made this. Drink it while it’s hot," Nicholas said, breaking the silence. "We had chicken soup yesterday. That can get boring, so I asked them to prepare pigeon soup today."

Grant’s jaw tightened. "Not for you. Why are you so excited?"

The air shifted immediately.

Before the divorce, Nicholas had always kept his head low around Grant. He respected hierarchy. He never challenged.

But now that the bond between Grant and Lena had been severed, Nicholas stood straighter. He didn’t tolerate Grant’s dominance anymore.

Riley suddenly spoke. "I actually like chicken soup. May I have some?"

My heart ached.

Even after everything, she was still the same girl who only wanted her father’s approval. She could be sharp and fierce with Harlan, but when it came to Grant, she softened.

Grant looked surprised. Then he nodded quickly. "Of course. I’ll serve it."

Her mother smiled. "It’s rare we’re all together. Why don’t you stay for dinner?"

Grant’s entire face changed. His eyes lit up in a way that made him look almost young again.

"Sure," he said immediately.

The look on his face reminded me of a loyal hound finally called back by its pack after being kept outside for too long. Hopeful. Grateful. A little desperate.

He moved quickly, as if afraid someone would change their mind. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

He handed the first bowl to Lena. Then he gave one to me. The third went to Riley.

I noticed something small.

Riley’s bowl had mushrooms and a chicken leg.

Mine had wings.

Riley loved mushrooms. I preferred wings.

Grant remembered.

Riley lowered her head when she saw the chicken leg. Her eyes turned red, but she hid it quickly. She didn’t want anyone to see.

Grant stood there, watching her eat. His gaze was full of restrained affection.

"Eat slowly," he said softly. "If you like it, I can make it again tomorrow. I’ve gotten good at cooking."

"Thank you," Riley whispered.

Tears dropped quietly into her soup.

Grant turned away at that moment. His eyes were red too.

They were so alike.

Both stubborn. Both carrying guilt.

Riley once thought ending her life would make things easier for everyone. Grant believed his broken marriage had destroyed his daughter’s happiness.

Even though he had recognized her, he still didn’t dare claim her openly.

I followed him outside.

He sat on the steps, smoking. Even his shadow looked lonely under the fading sunlight.

I sat beside him. "Weren’t you going to bake bread?"

He crushed the cigarette and stared at the horizon. His voice was low, heavy.

"She’s back, right?"

I didn’t pretend. "I knew Mom would figure it out. I didn’t expect you to notice so fast."

He let out a dry laugh. "You never show mercy with your words, do you? I’m still your father."

"Do you hate me?" I asked quietly. "You lost your mate. Your territory changed. A powerful Alpha reduced to making soup."

Before I could react, he pulled me into his arms.

His embrace was strong. Warm. It smelled of smoke and regret.

"The moment I felt that blood connection," he said, voice trembling slightly, "I knew. I accepted you. At first, I blamed you. Then I realized it was my fault. I broke my own bond. When I saw Lena smiling again in that small town, I found peace. Even if she never takes me back, that’s fine. Loving someone isn’t about possession. It’s about wanting them safe."

He paused.

"You taught me that."

His voice cracked slightly. "Thank you for bringing her smile back. And thank you for bringing Riley back. It’s her, isn’t it? She’s still so careful around me. I failed her."

He looked at me. "Would you look at your real father the way she looks at me?"

I answered honestly. "No. Not before. Not after."

In my past life, I tried to be the perfect daughter. I gave loyalty freely.

Never again.

"I’m stronger than Riley," I continued. "She never hated you. She only wanted a father. Don’t fail her this time."

He nodded slowly. "I understand."

"Alright," I said, pushing him lightly. "Let go. You smell terrible."

He laughed. A real laugh.

"You’d make a terrible obedient daughter," he teased.

"Go bake the bread," I shot back.

His room was simple. Not grand. But warm. It felt lived in.

While I worked in the kitchen, he handed me a sealed envelope.

"What’s this?"

"Open it."

Inside was a death certificate.

The name hit me like a punch.

Alice White.

My mind froze.

Lewis and I had believed Alice switched identities with my sister. We thought Camilla was the missing White daughter.

But this document said the real Alice had been dead for years.

Which meant

Camilla wasn’t Alice.

Then who was she?

Had we been wrong from the start?

Was she not connected to the Carlyn brothers at all?

The truth felt like it was moving further away, not closer.

"I’ve only found this so far," Grant said quietly. "I hope it helps."

"Thank you."

"I’ll pass anything else I find to Lewis. Don’t rush. Truth is like assembling territory maps. Piece by piece, it forms."

I nodded.

He handed me a jar. "Try the raspberry jam."

I tasted it and winced. "So sour."

"It’s not! I added sugar."

"I’m joking," I laughed. "It’s good. But Riley prefers orange."

His eyes brightened instantly. "I’ll go buy some."

I watched him hurry off.

Riley wouldn’t suffer alone anymore.

She had a father now. A true Alpha when it mattered.

And if Harlan ever made her cry again

He was going to regret it.