Chapter 162 When Love Became an Alpha’s Weakness

Chapter 162 When Love Became an Alpha’s Weakness
Lucian now tasted the pain he once inflicted on others. Inside the cold stone cage, days tore into him like claws. Elena had arranged everything. Each sunrise dragged him into fresh torment. Since the Travers Group had collapsed and Drake no longer stood as a shield, Lucian faced a future soaked in blood and fear. No mercy waited for him. Only endless nights filled with growls and regret.

Rain poured as Melvin drove Elena away Drake did not follow her again. He remained rooted to the ground, rain biting his skin, his hair plastered to his forehead. The beta who once spoke with command now stood broken under the sky.

His phone vibrated up to five times. The sound gnawed at him. Finally, he lifted it to his ear. His barrister's voice spilled out, fast and nervous, speaking about meetings with Durok Biotech, about losses, and pressure. Drake closed his eyes. His throat burned as if he had swallowed ash.

“Officially state that the company has collapsed,” he rasped.

Silence answered him.

“I beg your pardon, Mr Drake,” the lawyer said carefully. “I did not understand.”

“You need to do that as soon as possible,” Drake said. “File everything.”

He cut the call.

There was nothing left to fight. Hamilton Corporation had already bled once. This second strike crushed its spine. Durok Biotech held the leash, and Drake knew when a wolf could no longer break free. Pride did not blind him now. He refused to crawl to Elena. He had sworn once that her will would guide his fangs and steps. During his lost memory, he had shattered that oath again and again. So he would not stain it further.

Still, his heart refused to die completely. The wounds he gave her would never heal. He accepted that truth. If punishment eased her anger even slightly, he would kneel and take it. All he asked the moon for was one more dawn where she might look at him again without hatred.

Inside the Hamilton Corporation tower, chaos erupted. Phones rang. Voices clashed. Everyone sensed danger before, yet hope lingered. Deals could be twisted. Benefits could be offered. Durok Biotech might bend. But before anyone could bare their teeth, their president had already lowered his head. Confusion spread through the company. Fear followed close behind.

Far away, Elena ended a video call with her two cubs. Their laughter faded from the screen. She smoothed her hair, straightened her clothes, and returned to work. Documents lay open before her. Her phone buzzed again and again. Messages from Marcus and Ezra flashed on the screen. Old bonds from a life she had buried.

She stared once, then turned the phone face down. After waking from two years of darkness, she learned she had lost not only Drake but her old friends as well. Those ties no longer fit her skin. She chose the path ahead and kept walking.

Outside her door, Melvin stood firm like a stone guardian. Sebastian hovered before him, tongue clicking in annoyance, cheek tight as his brow lifted.

“Only days away from me and you already bear teeth,” Sebastian said. “You ignore my voice now?”

“I obey the boss who hired me,” Melvin replied. “My task is her safety.”

Sebastian waved a hand. “Do I look like a monster to you? Some savage wolf ready to bite her throat? Step aside. I only want to talk.”

“If you continue,” Melvin said, “I will call my boss.”

The door opened before more sparks could fly.

Melvin turned fast. Elena stood there in soft home clothes. “Miss Elena, you have to go inside,” he said.

“Wait,” Sebastian said, a smile spreading through his face. “The moon favors me today. Elena, wouldn’t you invite me to sit?”

Elena’s gaze swept over the guards behind him, then locked on his face. “How did you reach this floor? Security here does not welcome strangers.”

“Fate,” Sebastian replied easily. “When I heard the wolf staying upstairs was you, I decided to stop by. And this stubborn cub tried to stop me.”

Elena leaned against the door, faint amusement in her eyes. Sebastian smacked his forehead and reached out his hand.

“Sebastian,” he said. “Once Dolphus's closest brother before the Farrington family claimed him. I own Blue Velvet Palace. You can come and visit and all bills will be on me.”

Elena stepped aside. “Melvin, you can come in with us.”

Inside, Melvin stayed close, eyes sharp. Sebastian scanned the room with open curiosity.

“Sit,” Melvin said flatly.

“Just trying to observe where I am,” Lancelot muttered as he dropped onto the couch. His gaze caught papers beneath the table. He reached out. Melvin seized his wrist.

Sebastian's smile vanished. “Are you trying to stand against me, again?”

Elena returned with water and set the glasses down. “Melvin, sit and drink with us.”

She settled on the sofa. Her eyes met Sebastian. “You came with purpose.”

Sebastian leaned back, legs crossed, fingers playing with loose threads. “I offer a bargain. You know my brother’s path and his fight for the Farrington family. If you stand beside him, whispers will howl. Even our Alpha may not silence them. Walk away now. Spare both of you. I will pay for your trouble.”

Elena did not bristle. A soft smile curved her lips. “You call me sister while cutting bonds.”

Sebastian laughed lightly. “We all wear masks. You could claim any mate you desire. Why chain yourself to my brother?”

Sebastian shifted his body and smiled. His eyes held sharp humor. “What if old Gamma Farrington rages until his heart gives out. A foster son bonded with a granddaughter. That is filth in the eyes of the pack. The Farrington name would drown in whispers. The Farrington bloodline stands tall in the capital, and the old Gamma bows to old laws. He would never survive such shame. Seraphina would never swallow it either.”

His words struck with purpose. Sebastian had sniffed through Elena’s past like a skilled tracker. Every trail led him closer to the truth. From Jack’s silence to Amelia’s place in the Farrington den, suspicion had grown. Now he aimed his claws where they would tear deepest.

Elena cared for the old Gamma and Seraphina. Sebastian knew this. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, his grin widening as he unlocked his phone.

“And there is more,” he said softly. His thumb moved, screen glowing. “It seems my dear sister still circles her former mate.”

Elena stayed still as he raised the phone.

The first image showed her standing outside with Drake. They faced each other, close enough for breath to mix.

The second caught her stepping into a car after a birthday feast.

Melvin stiffened. His body moved fast. “Miss Elena, this is my fault. I never knew that someone was after us.”

“I stalked her myself,” Sebastian replied, pride flickering in his eyes. “Since she refused to leave Drake when his mind broke, now that memory has returned, all it takes is one spark.”

Elena lifted her gaze. “I do not plan to leave Dolphus.”

Her answer pleased him. Sebastian leaned back, shoulders loose. “As expected. Drake cannot match my brother. His strength fades beside Dolphus’s. If I were you, I would not trade either.”

Elena said nothing.

Was this wolf boasting or provoking? That smug look blurred the line.

“Thank you for understanding,” she replied evenly.

Sebastian's tone hardened. “Still, I will not let my brother carry a weakness.”

The door opened at once.

Dolphus entered. His coat hung over one arm.

“Sir,” Melvin greeted.

Sebastian rose. “You came back.”

Dolphus’s eyes cooled behind gold frames. He removed his shoes, loosened his watch strap. “Why are you here?”

“That hurts,” Sebastian said. “I came to tear your bond apart. I want you separated. Like I said. An Alpha like you cannot bleed through love.”

Dolphus moved to the door and pulled it wide. His voice carried command. “Leave.”

“Gladly.” Sebastian laughed and waved at Elena. “Until next time, sister.”

Melvin followed him out, bowing his head. “My fault, boss. I should have stopped him.”

“I allowed him inside,” Elena said softly. “Melvin, go and rest.”

Dolphus nodded. “Go. Do not repeat this.”

“Yes, boss,” Melvin said. He smiled briefly at Elena and left.

The door closed.

Dolphus’s phone vibrated. He answered as he walked inside, loosening his tie. Elena moved toward him in quiet steps. She reached for the coat and watched. Before she turned, his hand closed around her wrist.

She looked up. His gaze held her captive even as he spoke into the phone. Her heart kicked hard. She looked down at his hand. Her breath shifted.

“The research expansion stands,” Dolphus said. “

He ended the call.

Dolphus sat and pulled Elena onto his lap. His phone landed beside him. Glasses came off. He framed her face and kissed her with hunger.

His mouth claimed hers. His tongue pressed in, fierce and demanding. The coat slipped from her arm. She clutched his shoulders. Her lashes fluttered as she closed her eyes. She tried to pull back. He tightened his grip, hand firm at her head.

He needed her. The wolf inside him howled for possession.

Since the night their bodies had truly joined, his claim had grown wild. Jealousy once stirred only at close glances. Now even distant eyes burned him.

He learned that control shattered faster than pride. Desire ruled him.

Sebastian was right. Elena was his open wound. His soft place. Perhaps more.

Dolphus broke the kiss only to command against her lips. “Open your eyes.”

Her fingers twisted his shirt. She obeyed. Her eyes met his. Their mouths met again, deeper, harder. Heat surged through her spine. Her breath broke apart. Her vision blurred.

Dolphus knew he had crossed a line he could never retreat from.

The image of Elena across from Drake in that cafe clawed at his mind. Jealousy ripped through him without mercy.

He had fallen. Fully. Without return.

Fear brushed him. Because he knew the fire Elena once burned for Drake. A love strong enough to destroy her whole world if it reignited.

Dolphus burned from the inside. Jealousy tore through him. The past between Elena and Drake stood before his eyes like a rival wolf that refused to die. He hated that another male had once held her heart. He hated knowing she had loved with fire and without restraint.

Doubt poisoned his thoughts. He did not know if what she felt now could ever rise higher than what she once gave away. The answer scared him more than any enemy. He feared his own question. He feared the truth might snap the last thread of control holding his wolf still.

His eyes locked on Elena as if she were prey and shelter at once. With a sudden force, he pushed her back onto the couch. The movement carried hunger and panic. His body leaned over hers, as though he wanted to swallow her whole and keep her safe inside him forever.

Elena’s head spun, darkness brushing the edge of her sight. Still, she did not fight him. Her body shook, yet she answered his storm with soft lips. Her quiet acceptance eased the chaos clawing inside him. At the same time, it fed the beast.

Only when her breath broke apart and her chest strained did he finally lift his mouth from hers.

Elena clutched his shirt, pulling in air in desperate gulps. Her face burned red. Dolphus held her cheeks, his hands were gentle now. He kissed her mouth again, slow and careful. Then her eyes. Then the tip of her nose. Each touch carried reverence, as if she were the most precious thing his wolf had ever claimed.

“I am jealous,” he said at last. His voice rasped low, rough with truth. “Jealous of the love you once gave.”

He did not look away.

Dolphus’s jealousy sent a rush through her body. It filled her chest until it ached.

Words failed her. Instead, she acted. Her fingers slid from his shirt to his neck. They tangled in his dark hair. She kissed him back, copying his hunger, clumsy yet eager. Her tongue met his with wild intent. She wanted him to feel it. She wanted him to know.

Only when her strength drained and darkness crept in did Dolphus pinch her cheeks and pull away.

Elena gasped, her body limp, her thoughts scattered. Her face burned. Without thinking, she whispered, “I love your jealousy.”

Tears blurred her sight. She did not see how Dolphus’s stare deepened. Possession darkened his eyes.

“You are feeding me,” he said, voice breaking. “If you keep doing this, I will not stop myself.”

The sound of his voice made her lips part as she whispered, “Dolphus, I want you.”

For a moment, his mind went empty. Every instinct surged forward.

What followed was inevitable.

When Dolphus carried her to the bedroom, Elena briefly thought she might vanish inside his arms. Later, with a sharp smile, he whispered that they had work in the morning and she needed restraint. She almost laughed. He was the one who needed it.

The alarm shattered the quiet.

Elena groaned. Her head pounded. Sleep had barely touched her. The sound cut straight through her skull.

A strong arm reached over her and pulled her close. Soft lips brushed her eyes. And sleep claimed her again.

When she woke, light filled the room. Dolphus stood at the foot of the bed, buttoning his shirt.

“Awake,” he asked.

He fixed his tie and walked closer. He kissed her gently.

“Rest more,” he said.

“I cannot,” she murmured, lifting her sore arm. “I will be working from home. I need to wash my face and drink coffee.”

Her voice sounded rough. Memory rushed back. His hands. His mouth. Her ears burned red.

Dolphus smiled. He brushed her hair and kissed her head. “I will make coffee.”

When the door closed, she finally moved. She stood before the mirror,

Her reflection stared back at her.

Her eyes shone with quiet happiness she could not hide.