All Chapters of Sleeping with the Alpha Who Despised Me: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Jay POV She sighed, her brows knitting together like the sleepiness was finally starting to hit her. “I need to pee.”I let out a breath, relieved at the subject change. “Okay. Come on.”I helped her to her feet, one arm looped around her waist as we shuffled to the bathroom. I waited just outside, leaning against the wall, trying to steady my thoughts—and the ache that had started forming in my chest since the second she touched my hand.I heard the flush, followed by the creak of the door. She stepped out, standing in front of me.“You done?” I asked, trying to keep my voice light.But she didn’t answer right away. She turned toward me slowly, stopping just a little closer than I expected. Her eyes held mine, searching for something I wasn’t sure I was ready to give.Then her voice dropped to a whisper. “Do you ever think about what this would be like if…”“If?” I prompted, my heart already pounding because I knew where this was going.“If Steven had been yours?” she whispered, eye

River POVThe look on Jay’s face made my heart crack a little. He wasn’t angry, not visibly, but the hurt behind his eyes said enough. I may not have been in love with him, but I still cared about him. Deeply.“Look, I’m sorry,” I said, my voice lower now, guilt weighing down every word. “I was drunk out of my mind last night, and honestly... I can't even remember everything we did.”Jay didn’t say anything. He just stared at me, unreadable. No smirk, no joke. Just silence. It made my stomach twist.I took a deep breath and kept going, even though I wasn’t sure if I should. “I remember the drinking, the kiss, maybe... my zipper going down. But everything else is blank. I woke up naked in your bed, Jay. You were half-naked too. What was I supposed to think?”He blinked, confusion flickering across his face. “Sex?” he asked, like the word itself startled him. “River, we didn’t have sex last night.”My eyes narrowed. “We didn’t?”He shook his head slowly. “Nope.”Now I was the one confus

River – POVEight Months LaterThe courtroom was packed. A stifling silence hung in the air, thick with tension. My heels clicked against the floor as I rose from my seat behind the defense table, smoothing my navy suit and adjusting my glasses.I turned toward the witness stand, my voice steady.“I’d like to call Ms. Tatiana Ward to the stand,” I said clearly.Tatiana stepped up, all glossed lips and tight nerves. She sat, smoothed her skirt, and avoided eye contact with Ella—my client, her supposed best friend—whose seat was beside mine.The bailiff stepped forward. “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?”Tatiana nodded. “I do.”I approached the stand slowly. “Ms. Ward, how long have you known my client, Ella Thompson?”“We’ve been friends since college,” she said tightly.“Best friends?” I pressed.“Yes.”“So close that you were the maid of honor at her wedding?”“Yes.”“Mm.” I paused, circling slightly. “Would you say you knew Ella’s husband,

Zed – POVI sat beside her hospital bed, staring at her pale face. The machines around us hummed and beeped in a cruel, steady rhythm, like a reminder that she was still here... but not really.I reached for her hand and wrapped my fingers around it carefully, as if she might shatter if I squeezed too hard. It felt cold. Too cold."Today’s the day, Mama," I whispered, my voice cracking halfway through. "Today’s the coronation. They’re going to make me Alpha."I let out a shaky breath, pressing my lips together to keep from falling apart."Amber will be Luna, just like we always talked about," I said, forcing a small laugh. It sounded hollow even to my own ears. "You liked her, didn’t you? You used to say she had a strong spirit... that she’d make a good Luna. I wish you could see her today."I paused, looking at her face for any sign—an eye twitch, a finger move—anything. But she stayed still, like a statue carved from marble."I... I feel so lost, Mama," I continued, my thumb brushin

River — POV _Six years later_ “Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday dear River… Happy birthday to you!”Their voices wrapped around me like a warm blanket. I opened my eyes slowly, already grinning as the sweet, slightly off-key melody filled my room.There they were — my little family.Hailey stood at the foot of the bed, her eyes twinkling with mischief and warmth. Jay was beside her, his deep voice a bit too serious, and right in front of them, standing proudly on the mattress, was Steven.My heart just about melted when I saw the tiny cake in his little hands, a single candle flickering unsteadily on top.“Blow your candle and make a wish, mama!” Steven squealed, his dimples deeper than ever as he beamed at me.“Okay, okay,” I laughed, sitting up straighter and reaching for the cake carefully. His small hands hovered underneath it for support, just in case.As I held the cake, I paused. What would I even wish for?I looked around my room — our room — and