All Chapters of Sleeping with the Alpha Who Despised Me: Chapter 221 - Chapter 226

River POV I sat on the edge of the bed, one hand resting lightly on my stomach, feeling the tiny, almost imperceptible flutter of life. The sensation made my chest tighten, a mixture of awe, disbelief, and a fragile hope I hadn’t allowed myself to feel in months.Steven was finally home… Resumes school even.Zed sat nearby, quietly sorting the scattered remnants of Steven’s day: a small stack of coloring books, a pencil case tipped over, crayons rolling across the table. He didn’t crowd me; he never did. He had learned patience these past weeks, showing support without forcing it, moving close enough that his presence was steady and comforting, but not overwhelming. Every so often, his eyes flicked to me, golden and searching, silently asking: Are you ready to let me back in?The baby kicked again, a sharper flutter this time. I gasped, instinctively clutching my stomach. Zed noticed immediately.“Feeling something?” he asked, voice low, almost reverent. He moved closer but didn’t

Zed POVThe sun was warm against my back, the smell of salt tangling with the crisp ocean breeze. I glanced down at River as she lay stretched on the mat, her hair fanned around her like a halo, eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, a soft smile on her face as she watched Steven and me play beach ball.He laughed, sprinting barefoot on the sand, and I feigned a wild swing before hitting the ball a little too hard. I didn’t mean it, but the next thing I knew, Steven stumbled, arms flailing, and fell backward into the sand with a little yelp.River groaned behind her shades. “Zed!” she called, springing to her feet, grabbing a towel from the mat. “Be careful! Look at him! My poor baby!”I chuckled and jogged over, brushing the sand from Steven’s hair. “He’s fine. Don’t worry, baby. He’s tougher than you think.”“You think that’s funny?” she shot back, walking toward us, towel in hand. Her voice had that sharp edge, but I caught the playful glint in her eyes.Steven giggled, holding his f

River POVThe air smelled of fresh flowers and salt from the nearby beach, mingling in a way that made my chest ache with joy. Sunlight poured through the open windows of the clearing where our pack had gathered, glinting off the soft white of the wedding decorations. Everything was perfect. For a moment, I let myself believe that nothing could touch this day.Steven clutched Lilian’s tiny hand, walking carefully down the aisle beside the flower petals. His grin was bright, his excitement contagious. “Look, Mom! I’m holding her hand!” he whispered, eyes sparkling with pride. Lilian gurgled softly in his tiny grip, and my heart swelled so much it felt like it might burst.And then I saw him. Zed. Standing at the end of the aisle, tall, strong, golden eyes fixed on me, every ounce of his presence radiating love, protection, and something fierce I’d never stop needing. My stomach flipped, my throat tight, and I found myself smiling through tears I hadn’t realized had formed.The pack el