Semua Bab Sleeping with the Alpha Who Despised Me: Bab 21 - Bab 30

River– POV“You two bicker like you’re still children. Gosh,” he muttered with a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.Both Jay and Hailey fell silent. I could practically hear Hailey rolling her eyes.Once there was peace at the table again, Alpha Davis cleared his throat. His tone shifted—calmer, but heavy with meaning. “Well… now that we’re all quiet,” he began, folding his hands in front of him, “I would like to officially introduce a new addition to the family. And—if the goddess wills it—soon, under the next full moon… an addition to our pack.”He turned to me, his eyes steady and sincere.“River Steller.”I froze.Jay’s eyes turned to where I sat, and for a moment, our gazes locked.There was something in his expression I couldn’t quite ignore—something flickering behind those eyes. Questions. Lots of them. Ones I wasn’t sure he’d voice tonight, but I could feel them pressing against the silence. He looked confused. Maybe even a little betrayed.I didn’t blame him.I was sure

River–POV I blinked… What?“Hailey what are you–”“good night!” she said already halfway through the door.“But Hailey I–”“Make sure you sleep on time okay?” She shut the door on her way out..I sighed.. That girl.. So damn stubborn.Did she really plan on paying for my wardrobe change?The thought lingered, warm and a little overwhelming. What had I done to deserve the kind of love Hailey was showering on me? What had I done to make them—her family—open their arms to me so easily, like I’d always belonged?Nothing. I hadn’t done anything special. It could only be the Moon Goddess… showing me a mercy I hadn’t dared to hope for.With that thought anchoring itself in my heart, I peeled off my clothes and stepped into the shower. The warm water cascaded over my skin, washing away more than just the day’s dust. It felt like it was washing away the doubt, the sadness… the weight I didn’t even realize I was carrying.And the moment my head hit the pillow after, I was out like a flash, but

Jay–POV“I came here to protect you,” he said with a grin, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Wouldn’t want someone else stealing my job now, would we?”What the hell is going on?Wasn’t it just a damn day ago this doofus could barely muster the guts to give her a proper hug? Did I miss an entire relationship arc in one night? What episode is this?Hailey was practically melting in her seat now—cheeks flushed, eyes soft, like he’d hung the moon and handed it to her on a silver platter.I loved that for them. I really did. But not in front of me.“Okay, okay,” I cut in, waving a hand between them. “Break that lovey-dovey crap up, alright? Definitely not beside me, thank you very much. I have to drive, and I don’t want to be crashing this car because you two are radiating too much romantic energy or whatever.”Peter laughed, finally turning forward and reaching for his seatbelt. “Oh hey, River,” he greeted casually, flashing her a quick smile before clicking the buckle

River POVIf I could describe the drive home in one word, it would be awkward.Painfully awkward.The kind of silence that made you hyper-aware of everything—the hum of the engine, the soft whoosh of the air conditioner, and even the quiet creak of the seat every time I shifted. If there were frogs in the car, I’m pretty sure we would’ve heard them too. Loud and clear.“You can turn on the radio if you want,” Jay said, stealing a glance in my direction before turning his attention back to the road. “Don’t want the birds chirping too much in here.”I snorted unexpectedly, my laugh breaking the silence like a dropped glass.“What?” he asked, clearly amused. “What did I say?”I shook my head, still smiling. “Nothing,” I replied. “It’s just… that was exactly what I was thinking too. About the birds, I mean.”He chuckled and gave me a crooked smile, the kind that made it dangerously easy to forget he was trouble. “Oh yeah? Guess our minds are intertwined or something.”I returned the smile

Jay – POV“We’re here,” I said, easing the car into the small parking lot tucked beside the café.The wooden sign above the entrance read “The Hollow Bean”—a cozy little spot nestled just off the town square. It wasn’t exactly fancy, but it had charm. The kind of place where you could eat in peace… or try to, if you weren’t me.I stepped out of the car and moved around to her side. She was already getting out, her eyes curiously scanning the place. The scent of roasted coffee beans and fresh bread drifted through the air as we walked toward the entrance. The old brick walls were covered in vines, and the front porch had mismatched chairs that somehow made it feel like home.Inside, the café was warm and bustling. Wooden beams lined the ceiling, and soft yellow light spilled from hanging lanterns. The air buzzed with low conversations and the clinking of mugs. A few people sat at corner tables with their laptops, others chatted over lunch.But as soon as we stepped in, it was like some