All Chapters of Sleeping with the Alpha Who Despised Me: Chapter 181 - Chapter 190

River’s POVThe popcorn popped violently in the microwave. When it finally slowed, I pulled the bag out, careful not to burn my fingers. I emptied it into a bowl, drizzling a little caramel over the fluffy kernels and giving it a small toss. Perfect.It was past ten. I knew I should’ve been in bed, getting the rest my body so badly needed, but sleep refused to come. Steven was already out like a light in his room, his soft snores echoing faintly down the hallway, and the house was so quiet it felt almost too big.And maybe that’s why I needed this, just a little “me time.”I grabbed a can of soda from the fridge and walked into the living room. With a sigh, I plopped onto the couch.“Time to catch up on Lucifer,” I murmured to myself, grabbing the remote and flicking the TV on.The familiar intro music played, and I relaxed back against the couch, taking a handful of popcorn and tossing it into my mouth. The sweet crunch was comforting, the sound of the TV even more so.I was just set

Zed POVThe second her lips parted under mine, something inside me snapped. The hunger I’d been holding back for years tore free, raw and unrelenting. I couldn’t stop myself even if I wanted to. Her taste, her warmth, her softness, everything about River pulled me under like a tide I never wanted to fight.She gasped against my mouth, and I swallowed the sound as I pressed her closer, lifting her with an ease that felt natural. Her arms flew around my neck, clinging like she needed me as badly as I needed her. Without breaking the kiss, I carried her, stumbling into her bedroom, my wolf howling in my chest like it had finally found home.The moment her back hit the bed, we tumbled together in a mess of hands and lips. My mouth trailed down her throat, catching the hitch of her breath, the small desperate sounds that made me tremble. She was on fire, and I was already burning.“Zed…” she whispered, half a plea, half surrender.That was all I needed. I claimed her. Every thrust, every k

River POV The moment I stepped out of the car, I quickened my pace, rushing into the house like I was racing against time. My bag slipped off my shoulder, and I dropped it with a soft thud on the coffee table before collapsing onto the couch beside Hailey.She was curled up on one end, the TV flickering across her face. She barely turned her head, offering me a small smile.“Hey,” she greeted.“Hey,” I breathed, forcing a tired smile of my own. “Are you done for the day?” she asked, eyes darting briefly my way before returning to the screen.I groaned, sinking deeper into the cushion. “I wish. I’ve got an appointment in about an hour. I just need Steven to be ready so I can drop him at the house before heading out. Honestly, I don’t want to be late.”Hailey let out a little laugh, shaking her head knowingly. “There’s a fat chance he’s ready. The boy bolted upstairs the second he heard your car,” she said, “that alone should tell you he isn't prepared at all.”I tilted my head back an

  River POVSteven’s voice rang out before Jay could say another word.“Mummy, are you still here?”I turned sharply, relief and irritation washing over me at the same time. The boy’s timing was uncanny,like the moon itself had sent him to save me from the awkwardness that filled the room at that moment. Jay was standing there, face red, lips pressed into a thin line, eyes sharp with a mixture of regret and anger. His jaw twitched as if he wanted to say more, maybe shout, maybe beg louder, maybe even cry, but the sound of Steven’s feet thudding down the stairs cut through the tension.I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.Steven burst into the living room, bag slung over his shoulder, his grin wide. “I’m ready now!” He stopped midway when he saw Jay standing stiff beside me. His head tilted a little, suspicion clouding his innocent eyes. “Uncle Jay?&

Zed POV I didn’t know why I became anxious all of a sudden.Parking in front of Jay’s house, I sat there for a moment with my hands gripping the steering wheel, staring at the front door. It wasn’t my first time here, but something about this visit felt different, heavier. Maybe it was because the last time I had seen Steven, he was being rushed back into a car after collapsing from that allergic reaction… all because of my stupidity.Back then, I didn’t even know he was mine.Now I did. And knowing that truth had rearranged everything inside me. My chest burned with a strange warmth, a mixture of anticipation and guilt. Anticipation because I was about to see my son. my little Alpha. Guilt because I had missed so much already.I drew in a long breath, forcing my shoulders to relax, and stepped out of the car. All I needed to do was pick him up, take him home, and then River would handle the rest. At least, that was the plan.The guard at the door bent slightly, opening the door for