All Chapters of Cheated Mate: I Bonded with a Comatose Alpha: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

Elena's POVBy the time I got back to the Blackthorn packhouse, I was running on empty.Even though I was finally safe, my body was still stuck in fight-or-flight mode. Every detail of that nightmare at the studio was playing on a loop in my head.To make matters worse, I was covered in Brooke's blood, and the smell made my skin crawl.Just thinking about his filthy hands on me made me want to puke. I needed a shower—now. I had to scrub every last trace of that creep's pheromones off my body.I burst into the master bedroom and headed straight for the bathroom.When I tried to shut the door, I realized the latch was busted. I tried forcing it a few times, but it wouldn't click. The door stayed stubbornly unlocked.Whatever. The housekeeper told me Zander was pulling an all-nighter at the office to deal with the business backlog. He wasn't supposed to be home for hours.And since this was the master suite, no one else would dare barge in without knocking.I let my guard down, just a li

Zander's POVScanning the message from Liana, a surge of pure joy washed over me, instantly flushing out the irritation Elena had sparked in the bathroom earlier.I never imagined a she-wolf would send me a gift just for being a friend.Growing up, I'd been drowned in holiday gifts. From the elders, it was always shares in a public company or luxury penthouses in the city center.Sure, they were worth a fortune, but they always came with strings attached—more of a business investment than an act of kindness.Even the gifts from my mother and Jasper were usually just overpriced antiques or limited-edition supercars.Obsidian cufflinks? I hadn't even seen them yet, but I knew I'd treat them like a sacred relic.I didn't play hard to get."I'll go pick them up. I love them already."By the time I finished dealing with pack business in the study, it was well past midnight.I pushed open the master bedroom door t

Elena's POV"Get out. We're scrapping every frame you recorded this morning. I'll have my lawyers coming after you for every cent this costs the production!""Look forward to the lawsuit, bitch!""I never bullied Kayla! She's the liar! She was the one who bullied me!"I tried to get the words out, but Linette didn't give me a heartbeat to explain. She just signaled the wolf security guards to drag me out of the studio.The heavy doors slammed shut behind me, and almost instantly, my phone started screaming in my pocket.It was Kayla. I answered, my fingers shaking."Elena, the whole city knows you're a 'vicious bully' now.""Blackthorn care about reputation more than anything—especially Jasper and Luna Hannah.""Tell me, once they see your real face, do you think Zander will still just 'reject' you? Or will Hannah and Jasper kick you to the curb themselves? Huh!"Over the last twenty years, I'd gotten used to the rumors and the hate. I wasn't really afraid of people calling me names;

Elena's POVMy lips trembled, and I couldn't find the words. I had been so sure that after seeing those videos on the forums, she would have labeled me a fraud and a bully just like everyone else.But the first thing out of her mouth was how much it hurt her to see me suffering.In that instant, the tears I had managed to hold back started falling again like a broken string of pearls. I couldn't stop them if I tried.Luna Hannah's eyes were red as she pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the rain and salt from my face."Those werewolves online have no brains! They're easy to rile up and they talk total garbage. Since when does the rest of the world get to judge a member of the Blackthorn pack?""Don't you listen to a word they say. As long as we're here, no one is touching you.""Look at you, crying like this... and your hands are ice cold...""Let's get you home. You need to get out of these wet clothes and get some warm lamb stew in you.""Next time something happens, you come straight

Elena's POV"Elena!" A muffled, low growl exploded in my ear like a crack of thunder. "Stop it!"Stop what? I was freezing, and I just wanted to be warm.I clung to him even tighter, but a second later, a massive force tried to pry me off."Get your hands off me! Get down!"This time, I finally recognized the voice. Alpha Zander?I struggled to pry my heavy eyelids open. My vision was a blur, but I could make out the male wolf pinned beneath me.Zander's silk robe was wide open, exposing a sculpted chest and rock-hard abs—now decorated with several bright red scratch marks that looked like they'd been made by a wild animal.I sucked in a sharp breath, nearly biting my tongue off. Moon Goddess, what did I do?"Elena, did you forget what I said? No physical contact. Ever!" Zander hissed through gritted teeth.I opened my mouth to explain, but then I noticed his lips were slightly swollen and his corner was split.I flashed back to the "dream" and my face went thermonuclear. Did I... did