Chapter 286: A Nice Scene

The scene before me stole the air from my lungs.

My mother stood in the middle of the wide green field, wearing a loose white dress that moved gently with the wind. An off-white lace sunhat rested on her head, casting soft shadows over her face. The breeze rolled through the grass in waves, like the land itself was breathing.

Her dress swayed as if she were dancing with the wind.

Not far from her, Nicholas teased a young lamb, careful not to get too close. He acted playful, but I could feel the alertness in him. His posture was relaxed, yet every movement said the same thing if anything happened, he would be there before danger even touched her.

That was pack instinct.

Protect first. Ask later.

I searched for Grant but didn’t see him anywhere.

Beside me, Riley’s eyes filled with tears. She quickly wiped them away, pretending nothing had happened. We didn’t interrupt Mom while she painted. We stood there quietly, letting Riley breathe through the storm inside her chest.

“Elena… thank you,” she whispered. “Seeing Mom this happy… I’m really happy.”

“I’m only doing what I should,” I said softly.

When Mom finished painting, she shifted her weight carefully. Nicholas rushed over immediately, his hand hovering near her waist. She was over five months along, carrying twins. Her belly was round and proud, larger than most at that stage.

“Nicholas, I’m fine,” she laughed.

Then she turned.

Her eyes landed on me.

She froze.

“Elena? What are you doing here? You didn’t tell me you were coming!” she exclaimed, already moving too fast in my direction.

I ran to her. “Mom, slow down.”

She wrapped me in her arms. Her scent soft, warm, familiar washed over me. My chest tightened.

“You naughty girl,” she scolded gently.

“I went to Zorya with Lewis for pack business,” I said. “I couldn’t come this far and not see you. Are you happy here?”

I linked my arm through hers as we walked back toward the house.

“You can see for yourself,” she smiled. “The mountains. The sea. No city noise. No politics. Just land and sky. I love it here.”

Then her gaze shifted.

It landed on Riley.

Her smile paused.

Riley stood stiffly, fingers twisting the edge of her shirt. I could feel her nerves spike. Her heartbeat quickened. Even without looking at her face, I knew.

“She’s Lewis’s friend’s mate,” I said calmly. “She came sightseeing. Janice, this is my mom.”

Riley stepped forward awkwardly. “H-hello. I’m Janice.”

She couldn’t meet Mom’s eyes. Her fingers kept twisting the fabric like she was holding onto it for balance.

She looked guilty.

She couldn’t fool me.

She definitely couldn’t fool Mom.

I had promised not to reveal the truth. But I knew my mother. If she could sense when I wasn’t fully myself, she would sense her own blood standing in front of her.

Mom’s gaze rested on the small red mole on Riley’s forehead. Then on her trembling hands. Then back to her face.

“Is it alright if I call you Janice?” Mom asked gently.

“Y-yes,” Riley stammered.

Mom took her hand.

The touch was soft. Warm. Familiar.

“This place is beautiful,” Mom said. “Would you like me to show you around?”

“No, please don’t walk too much,” Riley blurted out. “You’re pregnant. I can look around myself.”

Her voice almost broke at the word pregnant.

Mom’s smile deepened.

“It’s getting late. Let’s have dinner together. What would you like, Janice?”

Riley glanced nervously at the sheep in the distance. “Anything is fine.”

Mom laughed lightly. Then she looked at me.

“What a coincidence. Two Elenas.”

My breath caught.

She knew.

Of course she knew.

“Mom, we’ll help you cook,” I said quickly.

“If I had two daughters like you,” she replied softly, “I’d be very happy.”

She wasn’t joking.

In the distance, Lewis and Damian were carrying bags toward the house. Mom’s gaze briefly flickered to Lewis’s leg. She understood more than she said. In this territory, safe and guarded, he didn’t need to hide his strength or pretend weakness.

“Elena,” Mom said as we walked, “I bought a big farm. It’s full of animals. It’s lively.”

“That’s wonderful. But it’s far from the city. When it’s time to give birth, will you go back?”

She shook her head calmly. “Nicholas arranged a medical team. Your father bought equipment. If anything happens, we’re prepared.”

She pointed toward a clearing.

I followed her gaze.

A wide helipad sat there, two helicopters parked neatly under the sky.

“If there’s an emergency, we fly,” she said simply.

Not just talk.

Preparation.

That was how an Alpha protects what is his.

We reached the house. A large garden spread before it, bursting with color. Flowers everywhere. Two ragdoll cats slept lazily near the steps. A small yellow puppy chased butterflies, stumbling over its own paws.

When Mom stepped forward, the puppy rushed to her feet, tail wagging so hard it almost lifted off the ground.

The place felt alive.

Warm.

Safe.

The tight knot inside my chest slowly loosened.

“This place is amazing,” I said honestly.

“It’s even better at night,” she replied. “The stars here are bright. Nicholas built me a glass room just for stargazing.”

Of course he did.

He knew what she loved.

Just then, a familiar voice called out.

“You’re back? I made soup. Chicken from this morning.”

I turned.

Grant walked out wearing a simple white T-shirt and khaki pants. An apron hung loosely around his waist. His hair was messy, nothing like the polished Alpha image he used to carry. He held a pot carefully, as if it were something precious.

Two months ago, he couldn’t even fry an egg.

Now he made soup.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, sounding slightly awkward.

“I came to see Mom,” I answered. “You live next door?”

“Mm.”

I glanced at the houses. Nicholas’s on the left. Grant’s on the right. Close, yet separate.

Like their bond still there, but complicated.

As Grant walked past Riley, he suddenly stopped.

His steps slowed.

He turned.

His eyes settled on her face.

“Who are you?” he asked quietly.

The air shifted.

Riley’s fingers trembled.

And for a second, even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

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