《Beyond the Pack鈥檚 Law: My stepsister or nobody else》


 Chapter 1

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°I need you toe with me, Hayley,¡± Hond grabbed my hand.


    ¡°Where are we going?¡± I asked as I let him drag me away from my friends.


    ¡°I will be back, Mina and Mona,¡± I made sure to say before Hond took me out of the hallway.


    I was a special being, and after I had left, I was curious to hear what Mina and Mona were saying. All I had to do was to concentrate and visualize them in front of me.


    I heard them, every bit of what they said.


    __________


    The moment I left, Mina and Mona turned to each other before winking.


    ¡°Do you know what¡¯s going on between them?¡± Mina asked, but Mona shook her head, indicating that she knew nothing.


    ¡°But why does she allow him to touch or talk to her? For Moon Goddess¡¯ sake, he rejected and humiliated her months back when she was still his mate,¡± Mona said angrily.


    ¡°Do you think he wants her back?¡± Mina asked.


    ¡°If I were Hayley, I wouldn¡¯t even let him touch me. That Hond guy is a yer, he will only use and dump her,¡± Mona said with a snort.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to ss before the lecturer arrives,¡± Mina said and held Mona¡¯s hand as they made their way to the ss.


    Mina and Mona were twin sisters and had been friends with me since I started college. I just moved to Moonlight Howl pack, since my mother got engaged and would be getting married to Alpha Roman in a few months.


    Just a few steps away from their ss, Mina and Mona came across Aiden, the future Alpha of Moonlight pack and also my stepbrother.


    At the sight of him, people shivered, and both Mona and Mina weren¡¯t exempted. They dared not look him directly in the eyes, although he is their best friend¡¯s older brother.


    ¡°Greetings, Prince Aiden,¡± they bowed their heads and were about to walk away when Aiden¡¯s deep cold voice stopped them.


    ¡°Wait!¡± His deep cold voice sent shivers down the girls¡¯ spines that they immediately stopped like they were being controlled.


    ¡°Where is Hayley?¡± Aiden furrowed his brows. He knew that the girls were my best friends, and we always moved together, but not seeing me with them made him unsettled.


    ¡°Ahmmm!¡± Mina, who found the courage to speak, began to stutter because she didn¡¯t know how or where to start.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Speak!¡± Aiden ordered, making her flinch a little.


    ¡°On the rooftop,¡± Mina rushed her words out of fear.


    ¡°On the rooftop?¡± Aiden was confused as to what I could be doing on the rooftop.


    ¡°Yes, Prince Hond dragged her to the rooftop. It seems he had something to say to her,¡± Mona chimed in.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Aiden muttered, his face grim and void of any emotions as he walked away.


    I knew Aiden woulde for me very soon. I had to brace up for this. No one knew of my superpower.


    Seeing that he was gone, I knew that Mina¡¯s legs would begin to wobble. She was a weak vessel. In fact, she almost fell to the ground if not for the help of Mona, her twin sister.


    ¡°My life almost slipped out of me. How could someone be this intimidating and dangerous?¡± she asked as she walked into the ssroom with Mona.


    It was time to stop listening to them. I was with Hond, and I had to stop before he suspected.


    __________


    Aiden walked swiftly to the rooftop with his hands tucked in his denim jeans trousers. He looked so calm like a dove but was raging inside of him. I was sure he knew what Hond was up to, and he just couldn¡¯t wait to get to the rooftop and punch the hell out of him for messing with his stepsister, whom he already rejected months ago.


    After climbing several stairs, he finally got to the rooftop and opened the door slowly. His eyes fell on Hond, who was making advances to kiss me on my lips.


    It was a very bad timing.


    At first, Aiden tried controlling his anger. He folded his fists tightly, almost drawing out blood, but I guess he just couldn¡¯t imagine someone¡¯s lips on mine.


    For some reason, I watched as his eyes turned red in anger. I hoped he would control himself, but before he could do this, he rushed towards us and threw a punch across Hond¡¯s face. I was afraid, and this made me gasp.


    ¡°You bastard! How dare you mess with my sister?¡± Aiden¡¯s eyes turned another shade darker.


    ¡°And who the fuck are you to intervene?¡± Hond retorted angrily, as he spit out blood from his mouth. Seeing his bleeding lips, I ran towards Hond and held his arms.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked worriedly, while Hond used that opportunity to wrap his hands around my waist.


    ¡°It hurt so much, what the fuck is wrong with your brother?¡± Hond asked.


    ¡°I will talk to him, so go take care of yourself in the college clinic¡­¡± I said calmly.


    Turning towards Aiden, I red at him before dragging him out of the rooftop to an empty ssroom on the top floor.


    I made sure to lock the door and also the windows before facing Aiden, who rested his back on the wall, with his hands tucked inside his pocket.


    ¡°What is wrong with you? Why must you interfere in my life?¡± I asked angrily, staring deep into Aiden¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Do I have to spell it out for you? I don¡¯t like you being with that bastard. He is a yboy that would only mess with your heart,¡± Aiden said calmly.


    ¡°And how is that your fucking business?¡± I yelled angrily. I was so angry that I couldn¡¯t control the words that left my mouth.


    ¡°Mind yournguage, sister,¡± Aiden warned cautiously. ¡°I don¡¯t like you being with him, he is not a good guy for you.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t like any guy I talk to, Aiden. None! They are not good for me, so you always say, so who exactly is good for me?¡± I asked, while Aiden fell silent. Seeing that he was going to say nothing, I swiped my tongue over my pink lips in frustration. I was damn tired of this guy in front of me called my stepbrother and his overprotectiveness over me was getting way too much.


    Only that act of mine made Aiden run wild. He acted strange and awkward at the same time.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do that again,¡± Aiden took two steps closer to me, and this made me furrow my brows.


    ¡°What now? Why don¡¯t I have the right to do whatever I want?¡± I was totally frustrated. Not knowing what he was talking about, I bit my lips for some seconds before releasing it.


    ¡°I warned you not to do it, didn¡¯t I?¡± Aiden took another two steps closer. He was getting so close to me that my heart started racing uncontrobly.


    ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± My voice began to crack.


    ¡°You¡¯re driving me crazy with those sexy lip bites, and you should take responsibility for your actions,¡± Aiden said, closing the gap between us. He leaned extremely close to me, and I shifted back a bit. His breath fanned my cheeks and his eyes on my extraordinary red lips.


    ¡°Do not tempt me, stepsister, I won¡¯t be gentle with you next time,¡± Aiden said and gave my lips onest look before shifting back.


    ¡°What was that for?¡± My voice stopped him from walking away.


    ¡°I will tell you the next time you lick those lips in front of me again,¡± Aiden smirked and walked out of the empty ssroom.


    Seeing that he was gone, I held a chair for support so as not to fall to the ground.


    ¡°What was that?¡± I mumbled, my hand over my chest as my heart mmed hard in my ribcage.

 Chapter 2

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I stood still, rooted to the ground for some minutes, my cheeks still hot and red from the encounter with my stepbrother. ¡°Grip yourself! He is your brother for heaven¡¯s sake,¡± I said to myself, trying to convince myself not to look at him in a way that would get me stuck forever.


    ¡°We will try to avoid him,¡± Rira, my wolf, said to me. ¡°Yes, we will do that, but we both live in the same room. Is that even possible?¡± I sighed.


    ¡°We just have to try. Remember that your stepbrother and your mom will be getting married to his father in a few months. You won¡¯t want to cause problems for them, right?¡± Rira asked, and I shook my head. ¡°My mom¡¯s happiness matters the most,¡± I mumbled before shoving my fingers into my scalp in frustration.


    ¡°Hey Hayley, it¡¯s time for lunch. Aren¡¯t youing?¡± Mina mind-linked me, bringing me back to reality. ¡°I will be there soon,¡± I replied through the mind-link before leaving the empty ssroom.


    I stopped by the girls¡¯ toilet to wash my face, hoping I could stop thinking about what happened some minutes ago with Aiden, because it refused to leave my head.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    I entered one of the toilets and shut the door before turning on the tap, sshing water on my face.


    When I was done, I cleaned my hand with a towel and was about to leave when two girls entered the toilet, both giggling like kids.


    For some reason, I decided to stay behind and listen to what they had to say. It was totally unusual of me to eavesdrop on people¡¯s conversations, but I didn¡¯t know why I stayed back to listen to them.


    ¡°I almost fainted when Prince Aiden told me to leave his way. His voice is so hot that I squirted in my panties,¡± one of the girls said. I didn¡¯t even know when a low scoff left my mouth.


    ¡°If only Gina wouldn¡¯t be a pain in the neck, Prince Aiden would have been mine. That bitch is just so clingy,¡± the other said as they washed their hands. ¡°Did you notice something between Hayley and Prince Aiden?¡± the first girl, who said she had squirted in her panties when she heard Prince Aiden speak to her, brought up the conversation.


    I was about to leave because I wasn¡¯t interested in their conversation, but stopped immediately when my name was mentioned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t get you. What¡¯s supposed to go on between them when they are just siblings?¡± the second replied. ¡°I know, but Prince Aiden¡¯s over-protection over his sister is getting way too much that I couldn¡¯t help but get suspicious,¡± the first said while the second rolled her eyes. ¡°I will warn you to be careful, before you get yourself into big trouble,¡± the second warned and walked out of the toilet while the first followed behind her. ¡°I know but-¡± she was about to continue when another toilet door burst open, revealing me with a straight face.


    The two girls gasped when they saw me, most especially the first girl who said something about Prince Aiden and me.


    I ignored them and continued my walk out of thedies¡¯ toilet, but the first girl named Le stopped me. ¡°Hey,¡± Le called, making me turn to her. I gave Le a raised brow, my eyes ring daggers at her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean to gossip about you and Prince Aiden, but I just couldn¡¯t help it. Please don¡¯t tell your brother,¡± Le begged, while a smirk curved on my lips.


    ¡°I am not a gossiper like you, and I don¡¯t give a fuck about what you say about me or my brother,¡± I turned around and walked away.


    I got to my ss but found it empty; even Mona and Mina were gone. ¡°Meet us in the cafeteria,¡± Mina mind-linked me. ¡°I will be there soon,¡± I replied and left the ss, making my way to the cafeteria.


    ¡°What took you so long, Hayley? Were you making out with Hond, that bastard!¡± Mina was the first to speak up immediately when I settled down beside them in the cafeteria.


    ¡°Mind your words, Mina. Just because he rejected me then doesn¡¯t mean he is a bastard. I thought so too and hated him for months, but he wasn¡¯t my fated mate sent by the moon goddess, so why hate on him?¡± I said and munched on a slice of pizza.


    ¡°Even at that, he is still a bastard. Now, he wants to get closer to you and make you fall for him again, so that he can break your heart. Hope you didn¡¯t kiss him?¡± Mina chimed in.


    ¡°Girls, calm down. He was about to kiss me when my brother came. Aiden is a hot-tempered guy and he didn¡¯t think twice before punching Hond,¡± I sighed. ¡°Woah! I love Prince Aiden, I swear. How I wish I had a brother that was protective of me. You¡¯re so lucky, Hayley,¡± Mina said with a smile on her face. ¡°I know I am lucky, but students have started gossiping about his over-protectiveness over me,¡± I muttered and shoved another pizza into my mouth.


    ¡°Chill, baby girl. Why are you bothered about what the students said? So far you didn¡¯t kiss or have sex with your brother, why should you be worried?¡± Mona said, but I was quiet, my eyes dimmed. ¡°Wait, what? Don¡¯t tell me you had sex with your brother?¡± Mina shouted but Mona was quick to cover her mouth before ring at her. ¡°Are you trying to stir up rumors? Are you mad?¡± Mina hushed. ¡°Why would I sleep with my brother?¡± I muttered.


    We were still talking when Aiden and his two friends, Kelly and rk, walked into the cafeteria. Students started screaming like they were some sort of celebrities. Though they are so hot like celebrities or rather idols.


    rk looked like a calm guy who is so hot but he is known as a yboy who doesn¡¯t sleep withdies twice. While Kelly is the jovial type, he has a girlfriend and doesn¡¯t fuck around like rk. Coming to Prince Aiden, his name suits him so much.


    He looks like some god who fell from heaven. He is so hot that girls would always squirt in their panties at the sight of him, and his deep voice sounded like that of the ocean. The screams kept getting louder until they settled in their respective seats.


    ¡°I will go order our meal,¡± Kelly said and left to get their lunch. Prince Aiden was busy on his phone when Gina walked into the cafeteria and went straight to him.


    ¡°Hey babe,¡± she pecked his lips despite the numerous eyes staring at them, including mine. I just couldn¡¯t take my eyes off them, and for some reason, I felt anger and jealousy rise inside of me when Gina kissed Prince Aiden.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do that ever again. You know how much I hate kissing,¡± Prince Aiden said coldly to Gina, his face still glued to his phone. ¡°But babe, you¡¯re my boyfriend, why won¡¯t you let me kiss you?¡± Gina whined like a kid as she sat on his legs. ¡°Stand up, Gina, and point of correction, I am no one¡¯s boyfriend, we are just sex partners,¡± Prince Aiden said.


    ¡°Whatever, you belong to only me. But why can¡¯t you just kiss me? Even when we are having sex, you always avoid kissing me,¡± Gina said slowly as tears left her eyes.


    That was Prince Aiden¡¯s weakness and she made use of it well by crying. He hates tears so much that he always bes vulnerable when he sees someone crying. ¡°Do whatever you want,¡± he muttered, making Gina smile. She positioned herself properly on hisp and kissed him deeply.


    Prince Aiden also reciprocated the kiss, not minding if they were in the cafeteria or not. Seeing that Prince Aiden kissed Gina back, I felt bile rise to my throat and my stomach churned.


    ¡°Hey girls, I have lost my appetite. Meet me in ss,¡± I forced a smile, before standing up. As I walked away, I gave Prince Aiden onest nce which he caught. He caught me staring but still continued kissing Gina until I was gone. ¡°I think we¡¯ve done enough,¡± Prince Aiden pushed Gina away from him a little.


    ¡°Wow, I am obsessed with your lips, Prince Aiden,¡± Gina smiled, winked at him before walking away. Prince Aiden looked in the direction I followed before leaving the cafeteria also.


    ¡°Why did Hayley suddenly leave?¡± Mona asked while munching on her milkshake. ¡°I really don¡¯t know. Maybe she has an upset stomach,¡± Mina replied nonchntly.


    I heard them say.

 Chapter 3

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°Jack held me and pinned me to the wall. I moaned in his ears as his full length found its way into my sacred walls. I cried as he began to m his body against mine with emotions and pleasure taking every part of my body. I held¡­¡±


    I was seated on my bed, deeply engrossed in this book, when Aiden entered my room. I didn¡¯t even notice him until he was right next to me, peering over my shoulder. His smile grew as he saw how focused I was.


    ¡°Woah! I never knew you weren¡¯t so innocent,¡± he whispered in my ear, making me jump off the bed in surprise and fall to the ground.


    ¡°What was that for? You scared the living spirit out of me!¡± I red at him, quickly hiding the book behind my back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t change the subject, Hayley. Why are you reading such an erotic book? Aren¡¯t you too young for that?¡± He squinted his eyes at me.


    ¡°I¡¯m neen years old, young man. Mind your business and get your ass out of my room,¡± I muttered.


    ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡± Aiden challenged.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go downstairs and tell the Alpha that you¡¯re a pain in my ass,¡± I said, standing up and sitting back on the bed.


    Aiden¡¯s eyes followed me as I sat down. I was wearing a pink bum short and a white crop top. The sun¡¯s rays slipping through the curtain shone on my skin, making it radiate.


    ¡°Eyes up here, young man,¡± I snapped, getting his attention.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t staring, I was just lost in thought,¡± he defended himself.


    For the first time since I became his step-sister, he looked at me differently. I could swear he found me beautiful.


    ¡°Can I take a look at your book? I think I also want to read what my kid sister is reading,¡± he said, moving closer to take the book from me, but I raised my hand high, keeping it out of his reach.


    ¡°I won¡¯t give it to you. If you want to read, go get yours,¡± I rolled my eyes.


    ¡°Can you just give it to me? Do you want it the hard way? Because as you can see, I am way taller than you, and it would take less than a minute to get the book from you,¡± Aiden smiled.


    ¡°Come take it if you can,¡± I challenged, standing on the bed with my right hand holding the book up.


    ¡°Give it to me while I¡¯m being nice,¡± he warned, but I was not ready to give it up.


    ¡°I said I won¡¯t,¡± I insisted.


    Aiden also stood on the bed and, with just one try, grabbed the book from me. In the process, we both fell onto each other, with Aiden on top of me.


    We stared at each other, and at that moment, the world around us seemed to stand still. The intense eye contactsted for over a minute before I pushed him off. My cheeks were already red like cherries, so I quickly hid my face and cleared my throat.


    ¡°Now that you have the book, can you leave?¡± I asked, my voice no longer friendly.


    While we were on top of each other, my mind shed back to when Gina flirted with Aiden and how they kissed.


    Noticing my change in demeanor, Aiden was confused and asked, ¡°Why did you turn cold all of a sudden? Is it because of this book?¡± He raised the book up.


    ¡°You have it, so can you leave? I need to study for our uing test,¡± I replied, going to take my textbook from the drawer.


    ¡°Did I do something wrong? Because as far as I can remember, you were smiling just a few minutes ago, but now you¡¯ve turned cold,¡± he said, trying to understand.


    ¡°Nothing, I just want to be alone. Please leave,¡± I insisted.


    Seeing that I wasn¡¯t ready to talk, Aiden sighed and walked to the door before turning around. ¡°Dad said I should call you down for dinner,¡± he said and left my room.


    Once he was gone, I fell back on the bed and began to fan my face, which was hot. ¡°What just happened?¡± I asked myself.


    ¡°Why is it so hard to avoid him?¡± I whined to Rira, my wolf.


    ¡°We have to, so we won¡¯t do something we¡¯ll regret,¡± Rira said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll remain cold towards him to avoid anything that would take my sanity away,¡± I concluded, leaving my room for dinner.


    ¡­


    ¡°What took you so long, baby?¡± Mom asked as I joined the family at the dining table.


    ¡°I was busy with something,¡± I replied, sitting beside Aiden. We exchanged nces, but I was the first to look away.


    ¡°How do you like your new college, Hayley?¡± Alpha Royal, Aiden¡¯s dad, asked.


    ¡°Thanks, Dad, I¡¯m loving it,¡± I replied, starting to eat.


    ¡°Is Aiden taking care of you?¡± Mom asked with a smile.


    ¡°Yeah, kind of,¡± I smiled awkwardly and focused on my food.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    The room fell silent until Alpha Royal broke it. ¡°Aiden,¡± he called, making Aiden raise his head. ¡°Any news about your mate?¡±


    Hearing the word ¡®mate¡¯ made my stomach churn. For some reason, I prayed Aiden wouldn¡¯t find his mate anytime soon.


    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t found her yet. I¡¯m still searching,¡± Aiden replied slowly, continuing his meal.


    I lost my appetite and stood up. ¡°Baby, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Mom asked as everyone looked at me.


    ¡°Nothing, Mom,¡± I shed a smile that didn¡¯t reach my eyes. ¡°I need to study for the uing test and I have no appetite,¡± I said, leaving the dining room.


    The room fell silent again until Aiden also stood up. ¡°I¡¯ll be in my room,¡± he said and walked away.


    ¡°What is wrong with both of them?¡± Alpha Royal asked.


    ¡°Nothing, you don¡¯t have to worry,¡± Mom assured him, and they continued their meal.


    Back in my room, I sighed and fell on the bed, my mind shing back to what Alpha Royal asked Aiden. ¡°I guess he¡¯s not in a serious rtionship with Gina, given that he¡¯s still looking for his mate,¡± I mumbled, closing my eyes.


    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t worry about that and continue to find our second chance mate,¡± Rira said.


    ¡°Good night, Rira,¡± I said.


    ¡°Good night, Hayley,¡± Rira replied, and I drifted to sleep.


    _____________


    NEXT MORNING


    I was already dressed for college when I met Mom, Alpha Royal, and Aiden in the sitting room. ¡°Good morning, everyone,¡± I said as I walked downstairs with a small smile.


    My eyes met Aiden¡¯s, but he looked away first.


    ¡°Good morning, baby. Aiden will take you to college today,¡± Mom said, but I shook my head.


    ¡°I¡¯d prefer to go alone today with the driver,¡± I replied, making Mom furrow her brows. She looked at Aiden and then back at me.


    ¡°Did something happen between you two?¡± she asked, but I shook my head.


    ¡°Nothing at all.¡±


    ¡°Did you both fight?¡± Alpha Royal chimed in.


    ¡°No, we didn¡¯t,¡± we both replied in unison.


    ¡°So what¡¯s with the silent treatment?¡± Mom noticed the tension.


    ¡°Nothing, Mom. I¡¯ve always gone to college with him, but today, I want to go with the driver,¡± I shed her a smile before walking out of the packhouse.


    I reached thepound and found the driver already waiting. ¡°Good morning, Miss Hayley,¡± he said with a smile.


    ¡°Hello,¡± I replied, getting into the car. The driver followed and drove off.

 Chapter 4

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    MOONLIGHT COLLEGE


    I got to my ss and settled down. I brought out the same book I was reading the previous night, the one Aiden took from me. He dropped the book back for mest night. I was so engrossed in the book that I wasn¡¯t aware Mon and Mina were already seated beside me. They kept reading with me until we got to a paragraph which contained a sex scene. Mina gasped and covered her mouth with her palm.


    ¡°Bloody hell! Hayley!¡± Mina shouted, catching my attention.


    ¡°Oh, girls, you¡¯re here,¡± I smiled awkwardly, realizing I was caught reading such an erotic book.


    ¡°What were you reading?¡± Mona chimed in.


    ¡°Oh, this book, it¡¯s nothing,¡± I lied.


    ¡°Wow, I never knew you were this good at lying,¡± Rita mind-linked me.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What options do I have? It would be too embarrassing for me if I eventually get caught,¡± I replied through the mindlink.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look, babe. What¡¯s the name of this series, so I can also read it. Since my love life is so boring, I need to spice it up by reading such an erotic book,¡± Mina said with a flirty smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re such a bad girl,¡± I said, and we allughed.


    ¡°I need to know how to handle my mate sexually, that¡¯s if I see him before I fall in love with any random guy,¡± Mina said and rested back on the chair.


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you seen your mate yet? You¡¯re more than eighteen years already,¡± I asked.


    ¡°Please help me ask the moon goddess. I am so tired of being mateless,¡± Mina fake-cried, making both of usugh.


    They were stillughing when a guy walked into the ss, going straight to the podium.


    ¡°1¡­2 testing the microphone,¡± he said yfully.


    ¡°Dude, if you have nothing to say, please leave that ce,¡± Mona said loudly, making the whole ss burst intoughter.


    ¡°Actually, I have something to say¡­ there would be a party at my ce today. My parents are out of town, and today is my birthday, so everyone is free toe,¡± the guy said.


    ¡°Now you¡¯re talking, dude. Count me fully in,¡± Mona raised her hand.


    ¡°And also my sister,¡± she dragged Mina¡¯s hand also.


    ¡°And also our best friend,¡± the both of them dragged my hand up.


    ¡°I am not interested, my parents are strict and won¡¯t let me go,¡± I interjected.


    ¡°Whose parents aren¡¯t strict? You just have to sneak, and moreover, Aiden is your brother. He should help you out,¡± Mina said, making me roll my eyes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need his help. I aming to the party since I will be bored if I remain at home,¡± I said.


    ¡°Good riddance, babe,¡± Mona gave me a thumbs-up.


    ******


    SENIOR YEAR CLASS


    Aiden¡¯s POV


    I was seated on my seat with my headphone on. My eyes shut as I listened to music, but that ended when Gina walked up to me and took off the headphone.


    Gina is the Beta¡¯s daughter, and as such, she is close with Alpha Royal since her father is the Alpha¡¯s beta.


    ¡°Babe, would you be attending the party tonight?¡± Gina asked.


    ¡°What party?¡± I asked, already upset because of the way she took my headphone off.


    ¡°A guy from the junior ss is celebrating his birthday, and as such, he invited the whole college,¡± Gina said and sat beside me. Her hands went to my trousers, but I was quick to catch her hand before it touched my member.


    ¡°Not here,¡± I growled lowly.


    ¡°I am not interested in any party, so leave,¡± I replied bluntly.


    ¡°Not when your sister is attending?¡± Gina asked, and as expected, my eyes widened.


    ¡°Hayley is attending the party?¡± I asked to be sure I heard her right.


    ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s going with her friends,¡± Gina confirmed.


    ¡°So are you going?¡± Gina asked, with the hope that I would attend since she knows I am so protective of my sister Hayley.


    ¡°It¡¯s her life. I am not attending.¡± With that said, I put my headphone on and closed my eyes.


    ******


    Hayley¡¯s POV


    At night, I was dressed in a short mini skirt and crop top which was revealing my belly button. I curled my long ck hair and put on some makeup, making me look so beautiful like a doll. My emerald green eyes were glowing brightly at night. I put on my boots and took a small cross bag with me, where my lip gloss and phone were kept.


    After I returned from college, I took permission from my mother, which was granted after several pleadings. I took my phone and ced a call across to Mona.


    ¡°Hey babe, I am ready, meet me in front of the packhouse,¡± I said and hung up.


    I walked downstairs only to find Aiden there. He was busy on hisptop, but I also didn¡¯t care. I was about to open the entrance door when his voice stopped me.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that dress of yours too short for a party? Do you want to show the boys there what to feed their eyes on?¡± Aiden asked, staring at me.


    ¡°And how does that concern you? It¡¯s my body, not yours,¡± I turned around with a re.


    ¡°Do whatever you want, it¡¯s none of my business,¡± Aiden replied, returning his gaze back on hisptop.


    ¡°Yeah, it was never your business to begin with,¡± I muttered and left the packhouse.


    Once I was gone, Aiden felt concerned. For some reason best known to him, he couldn¡¯t concentrate on his work anymore. He began to imagine what eyes the boys present at the party would use to look at me, atleast so I thought.


    I figured it won¡¯t be long till he stopped hisptop work and found his way to the party with his power bike.


    To my suprise, I wasn¡¯t wrong but by the time Aiden arrived at the party, they were ying truth or dare, and I participated because my friends insisted. Aiden stood at one corner of the room watching us as we yed the game. He was wearing a denim jeans and a shirt and also a jacket since it was cold outside.


    He wasn¡¯t supposed to be at the party since he already told Gina that he wasn¡¯t interested, so I heard from his ssmates, but why was he here? He was so restless after seeing the dress I put on. He just couldn¡¯t overlook it, I guess.


    Mona spun the bottle, and it rolled for some seconds before stopping in front of me.


    ¡°Dare,¡± I chose with a small smile.


    ¡°I dare you to have a hot makeout session with Prince Hond for two minutes,¡± a random girl from my ss said. My eyes widened as I fidgeted with my nails. I have never kissed anyone in my life, but my first turned out to be with the same prince who rejected me a few months back because I was an omega.


    ¡°We are waiting,¡± the girl said, drawing me out of my thoughts. I took a deep breath before standing up to meet Hond. I took another deep breath and was about to kiss Hond when a hand dragged me from Hond¡¯sp.


    Everyone gasped as murmurs and whispers filled the room.


    ¡°It¡¯s Prince Aiden!¡± I heard them say.


    ¡°He really came to the party¡±, someone else said.


    ¡°Why is he so protective of his sister?¡±


    Murmurs filled the room, but Aiden cared less as he dragged me out of the ce. He kept dragging me until we got to an empty room, he entered and shut the door.


    ¡°Were you really going to kiss him?¡± His voice was filled with irritation and anger.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a game, no big deal,¡± I took my lips in as I rested my back on the wall.


    ¡°Just a game?¡± Aiden hissed in annoyance. He stared at how I kept sucking on my lower lips, his breath hitched as he shoved his fingers into his wavy ck hair.


    ¡°I told you not to suck on those lips, right? I don¡¯t think I can stop myself, Hailey,¡± Aiden said while I raised my brows, not understanding what he meant by that.


    ¡°What do-¡± the remaining words got stuck in my throat when Aiden¡¯s soft lipsnded on mine. My eyes widened in shock as I stood still, not reciprocating the kiss back out of surprise. Noticing that I didn¡¯t reciprocate it, Aiden broke the kiss and bit his lips in regret.


    ¡°I am really sorry, I got carried away¡­.¡± Before he could continue his apology, my lips fell on his. I took the lead in the kiss, with my hands wrapped around his neck and his, around my slim waist. Aiden didn¡¯t think twice before reciprocating the kiss.

 Chapter 5

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this is happening,¡± I thought, stunned as I conversed with my wolf.


    ¡°Me neither. I¡¯m speechless,¡± it replied.


    ¡°Aiden, stop!¡± I said, pushing him away.


    ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± he replied, taking my hands off him, refusing to end the kiss.


    Frustrated, I pushed him off me.


    Aiden stepped back, a smile spreading across his face despite the confusion in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about this, but I just couldn¡¯t control myself anymore.¡±


    ¡°We are step-siblings, Aiden.¡±


    ¡°Right, I made a mistake,¡± he replied. I walked out of the room and back to the truth or dare game.


    The students looked at me, surprised to see me return, their eyes scanning me up and down as if checking for signs of a struggle. Seeing I was fine, they went back to their game.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you ying the game anymore?¡± Mona asked, walking up to me in the corner.


    ¡°No, you guys should enjoy. I¡¯ll be fine on my own,¡± I replied, cing both palms on the sides of my cheeks as I fell into deep thought.


    Aiden showed up a few minutester, looking asposed as before, but his eyes were now on me, warding off anyone who might have approached.


    My mood was ruined for the party. I wished it would end so I could find my way back home. After a few hours, the party finally ended. Happily, I stood up to leave, but when I got outside, a power bike stopped in front of me.


    I looked up, surprised to see Aiden. ¡°You should go on your own. I will be fine.¡±


    ¡°Hailey, there¡¯s nothing wrong with me taking you home. It¡¯s my duty as your big brother.¡±


    ¡°And? Look, Aiden, I came here alone. I should be able to find my way back.¡±Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Just hop on. I promise not to say a thing to you to bother you,¡± he promised, holding his hand up.


    Seeing how serious he looked, I made up my mind and got on the bike. He drove off in the sight of our schoolmates.


    The next day at school, I had just gotten into my ss when I saw Mina and Mona looking through a book. Looking closely, I could see it wasn¡¯t the same as the one they saw me with. I put down my bag and saw that it was also an erotic book.


    Clearing my throat loudly, I made them notice me. Mina and Mona jumped up in shock and excitement, and when they saw me, theyughed so hard.


    ¡°Girl, what¡¯s up?¡± Mina asked.


    ¡°Great, but I thought you both were innocent. Haha, let me see what you are reading,¡± I said and picked the book up to look at. At one nce, I could tell it was as bad as the one they had caught me with.


    ¡°Whatever,¡± I said, dropping it back on the table as I sat down between them.


    ¡°That reminds me, you didn¡¯t say what happened between you and Aidenst night,¡± Mona said, and Iughed out loud even though it wasn¡¯t genuine.


    ¡°Nothing, actually. I guess he was mad that I was about to kiss¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh! Well, you didn¡¯t. Everyone was so scared when they saw Aiden, and I wasn¡¯t an exception.¡±


    We had sses that morning, and during lunch, we made our way to the school eatery. We sat down in a secluded corner, and soon we watched Aiden walk in with his friends, each with a hand in their pocket, striding in as the hot boys of the school.


    They sat at the center of the eatery, drawing the attention of the whole school. No other senior or junior student dared to sit at that table, unable to handle such attention.


    ¡°Look over there. Your stepbrother ising in with his guys,¡± Mina said.


    ¡°Seen,¡± I replied, keeping my face down.


    When Aiden sat down with his friends, he scanned the eatery and found me. Making sure no other guy was around me, he then focused on his table.


    Then, Gina walked in, looking furious, and stormed up to Aiden¡¯s table right in front of everyone.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you wouldn¡¯t be attending the partyst night? Why is everyone saying you were present, Aiden?¡± she questioned, sitting down looking very upset.


    ¡°I went there to look out for my sister.¡±


    ¡°You would have also looked out for me too,¡± she said, pouting her lips in frustration.


    ¡°Gina, have lunch and get back to ss,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t she supposed to be your step-sister? Why are you being so overly protective of her? It¡¯s not like anyone would eat her up,¡± Gina said loudly, causing everyone on lunch break to freeze in shock.


    The audacity! What was she implying though? Dangerous thoughts started flying across everyone¡¯s mind. When they thought Gina had humbled Aiden, Aiden smiled and looked at her directly.


    Lifting her cheek as if to kiss her, he said loudly, ¡°She¡¯s not as cheap as you are.¡±


    Everyone froze. They had not expected thateback. Gina¡¯s expression soured, and it felt like she would spit out blood any minute. Seeing that he had left her to focus on his meal, she looked towards me and felt very threatened. If she walked out, she would definitely let me and everyone else who was jealous of her win, so she had to do something real quick.


    ¡°Prince Aiden, I am so sorry. I never actually meant anything bad, you know. I like your sister, and that¡¯s because of how much I care about you. Okay, I am no longer angry. I just regretted missing such a beautiful moment with you. We would have had lots of fun.¡±

 Chapter 6

    Hailey¡¯s POV


    ¡°We wouldn¡¯t have had any fun. I was only there to look after my step-sister,¡± Aiden said, looking at Gina.


    ¡°Okay, I agree, but you really should treat me like your girlfriend too, you know, and want to protect me too,¡± she replied.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°I already told you this, we aren¡¯t dating. We are just having sex,¡± he stated bluntly. Gina paused, clearly taken aback but still determined. She wasn¡¯t ready to let any other girls have a chance with him. She trusted no one¡¯s intentions.


    ¡°Aiden, be softer,¡± she said, starting to kiss his ears to entice him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s leave here,¡± I said to Mina and Mona, standing up and walking out. Confused, they ran after me until we reached the ssroom, where I sat down and put my head on the table.


    ¡°Hailey, is everything okay?¡± they asked, watching me closely.


    ¡°Are you crying?¡± Mina asked.


    ¡°I think so,¡± Mona replied.


    But why? They wondered silently.


    I lifted my head, quickly wiping away my tears. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I have no idea why I got so emotional.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry about that. But how do you feel?¡± Mona asked gently.


    ¡°I feel better.¡±


    ¡°Should I go call Aiden?¡±


    ¡°No, don¡¯t, please.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want him sending me home,¡± I said with a smile.


    Theyughed, knowing it sounded like something Aiden could do.


    Soon after, I left them with the excuse of wanting to be alone and made my way to the rooftop.


    ¡°Where is Hailey?¡± I heard Aiden¡¯s voice above me, and when I looked up, I was shocked to see him staring at Mona.


    ¡°S¡­ she is at the rooftop, but she said¡­¡± Before she could finish, he had already left.


    Taking a deep breath, I just hoped Mona would understand why she had to disclose my location.


    At a corner on the rooftop, I sat alone, peering at what was happening in the schoolpound. I could see students ying, chatting, and having fun. I took a deep breath, looking up at the sky. It was a soothing day, no heat, just the calm, endless blue. Smiling, I sensed a presence. Sitting up abruptly, I turned and saw Aiden approaching, his eyes fixed on me.


    I turned away, pretending not to notice him, focusing on the sky instead.


    ¡°Hailey!¡± he called out, making my heart race.


    ¡°I want to be alone,¡± I said firmly.


    ¡°I know you are sad. Why don¡¯t we talk about it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about being sad.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I care. What happenedst night was¡­¡±


    ¡°Was a mistake. A huge one that shouldn¡¯t have happened,¡± I interrupted, my voice tinged with sadness.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. You know we aren¡¯t actually rted¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, you are my stepbrother. Do you even know what will happen if Mom and Dad find out?¡± I asked him.


    ¡°Who cares? Hailey¡­¡±


    ¡°My mom¡¯s rtionship with Dad will be ruined. You know we can¡¯t really be together. Aiden, please carry on with your rtionship with Gina. I just want to stay the way I am. Better still, I will go back to Hond and try to rekindle my love with him.¡±


    ¡°You are not crazy to want to do that,¡± he said, anger rising in his voice.


    ¡°Exactly. I know you won¡¯t let me do that in peace. Aiden, leave me alone,¡± I said, standing up and walking off the rooftop.


    Aiden came near me and held my hand. I couldn¡¯t look at his face. All I wanted was to be with him it looked impossible.


    ¡°You should know how much I love you¡­¡± Aiden said slowly. He held my neck and brushed it with his thumb. I felt goosebumps around my body.


    ¡°We are¡­¡± I tried to say but Aiden didn¡¯t let me. He pushed me slowly to the wall with his lips inches away from mine. Slowly, he pressed further. I could feel his hand make its way into my clothes. He was in my panties and he was rubbing my clitoris.


    ¡°Should I¡­¡± Aiden tried to say but I cut him short.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop! Keep going!¡± I told him. I would have wanted to end it there but my body was against this.


    Then I heard someone¡¯s footsteps. This was all we needed to disengage.


    ____________


    After school, I made my way home alone and locked myself in my room to study, just in case there happened to be an impromptu test.


    Soon, I heard a knock on my door. At first, I tried to ignore it, but eventually, I stood up to avoid unnecessary attention.


    ¡°Hey! I have been knocking,¡± Aiden said, walking into my room.


    I ignored him and went back to my bed, continuing to read.


    ¡°I have got one of the best sisters in the world. Look how serious she is with her studies,¡± he said, bouncing on my bed to take a look at what book I was reading. It was an English book, which he quickly dismissed. He never read English, only math, which he took his time solving.


    Hey on the bed, watching me. I could feel his eyes on me, and it made me uneasy.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you n on giving me any attention?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Gina needs it more,¡± I replied, and he smiled.


    ¡°Are you jealous of Gina?¡± he asked. I threw my book to the edge of the bed, my moodpletely ruined.


    ¡°I am sick of you, Aiden. When are you going to realize that I am your sister?¡± I asked angrily.


    ¡°The day you realize that it¡¯s ¡®step.¡¯ Not really brother,¡± he said, moving closer to me gently.


    ¡°Stay back,¡± I warned, feeling scared.


    He didn¡¯t listen, grabbing my hand and pulling me close to his chest. My thoughts were a whirlwind, and then he locked lips with me again. This couldn¡¯t be a mistake like I had said before. My mind went nk, and I found myself holding him tight.

 Chapter 7

    Hailey¡¯s POV


    I pushed myself closer to him and kissed him back. It was then they I realized that we had a thing for each other.


    Why hadn¡¯t I thought about it though? I said as I opened her eyes at the moment and met Aiden¡¯s deep gaze at me. His looks at that moment could tear me into two.


    We paused for a second to catch their breath and when Aiden stared at me again. He could see that my cheeks had already turned red.


    I was blushing so hard.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we should go more than this. We shouldn¡¯t get caught,¡± I said to him as I felt the urge to do this with him all the time regardless. The feelings I was trying so hard to hide and never admit have just shown up on their own. This time, there was no going back.


    But Aiden wasn¡¯t scared about showing his feelings as he walked towards the door and had it locked. He then increased the volume of my television and lifted me up, cing me on the bed. Before I could react, he locked lips with me and they went back to pleasure. Aiden¡¯s fingers explored my body as I did with him and soon, he started pulling out my clothes slowly, throwing them on the floor like they were nothing and it turned me on the more.


    Kissing my neck, he went all the way to my ears and down to her belly button. He held one of my legs and lifted the other up as he then went down on her.


    I never expected that I was going to feel this way tonight. Seeing what he was about to do, I breathed in pleasure as I gave him ess to my body.


    Taking out the red panties that I had on, he flung them to the floor and bnced his hands on both of her legs. Happily, I closed her eyes as soon as I felt his tongue in my clitoris.


    ¡°Aiden!¡± I muttered in pleasure and rubbed his head.


    The sound of my voice turned him on the more as he went deeper with his tongue making me moan louder. The only thing that made no one to hear the sounds from the room was the television that was so loud. If not, they would have been hearing loud knocks on the door.


    Aiden made sure I reached orgasm and after that, he stood up and watched me copse on the bed.


    Smiling, he got down from the bed and picked up the panties he had thrown away, and ced them in the bed. He then lifted me and took me to the bathroom. He made sure I was clean by himself and took me back to the bedroom.


    Then we had a knock on the door.


    ¡°Who is that?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Alpha asked me to invite you and Hayley for dinner.¡± a maid said.


    ¡°We will be there soon,¡± he replied and the maid left.


    ¡°Are you hungry? Do you want me to bring your dinner here?¡± Aiden turned to me and asked. He felt I couldn¡¯t really walk but that wasn¡¯t so the case. I couldn¡¯t walk at first though but I was feeling better and extremely satisfied. Smiling, I sat up.


    ¡°I can go down for dinner,¡± I said to him.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yes, plus what do you want to say to them as the reason I am not present for dinner?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I will just tell them you are tired. They will understand.¡±


    ¡°Whatever,¡± I replied and stood up to see if she could really walk like she thought. I took the first step and felt alright, then I walked towards the door and returned to the bed to pick up my panties. I got dressed and then dragged him out of the room to the dining room.


    ¡°I have been waiting for you both.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Mom I know that¡¯s why I was faster.¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Whatever, let¡¯s eat.¡±


    All through the dinner, I was smiling. I couldn¡¯t believe she could feel this good all because of a boy who was supposed to be her stepbrother. I refused to tell myself that I was wrong for letting him touch me. My wolf was nothing but enticed and all the both of us wanted henceforth was Aiden.


    After dinner, I retired to bed, the happiest she-wolf in the pack.


    The next morning, after I woke up, I got dressed and went to the dining for breakfast looking so happy.


    ¡°Good morning Mom! Good morning Dad!¡± I greeted and started eating as I looked around.


    My mom and my stepdad acknowledged my presence without saying a word as they looked me up. I was so happy that it got them curious.


    ¡°Where is Aiden? Shouldn¡¯t he be here for breakfast already?¡± I asked as I looked around.


    ¡°I am here,¡± Aiden said as he approached from behind. Happily, I stood up and ran to him, hugging him with all I got and this got our parents surprised.


    ¡°Okay, this is such a beautiful morning. How were you both able to resolve your little fights?¡± Hayley¡¯s mom asked us curiously.


    ¡°I guess Aiden handled it with care.¡± Aiden¡¯s father then said. They had some don¡¯t discussion and soon, the two students had to leave the house for school.


    When I got into my ss and met my friends, I felt lost for a second as I thought of a way to tell them about the change in my life right now.


    Would it be right though? I thought. They knew Aiden as my stepbrother and had no idea if they would remain loyal to me once they found out.


    ¡°Hi, girl!¡± Mina waved the moment she spotted me.


    ¡°Hi baby!¡± I said and hugged my two friends.


    ¡°You look and sound different today. Tell us what¡¯s going on.¡± Mona said to ask and I couldn¡¯t help but giggle which made them more curious.


    ¡°Hey, Hayley!¡± Hond greeted and he appeared from behind.

 Chapter 8

    Hayley¡¯s Pov


    ¡°Hi Hond¡± I said back to him with a smile on my lips.


    ¡°Looking all bright today.¡± He apparently not recognizing me that morning. ¡°Did something good happen?¡±


    I quickly looked at Mina and Mona whether I should tell them the real score between Aiden and me.


    ¡°Umm Hond¡­ I¡¯ll speak with youter.¡± I said as I took both Mina and Mona¡¯s hand and pulled them with me into an empty ss room.


    ¡°Well. .. ¡± I started slowly. ¡°I suppose you can say we cleared things between Aiden and I. ¡±


    Mina¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Your stepbrother? Really? Do tell!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, fill us in!¡± Mona encouraged. ¡°Oh we had no clue things were so tense between the two of you. ¡±


    Thinking about Aiden and the moments that we have been through, my cheeks became red once more.


    Probably it is best to omit such details.


    ¡°We just¡­ talked for hoursst night and then decided it would be stupid to keep going on like this,¡± I said somewhat evasively. I believe that children should be the ones with a friendly attitude as they said, ¡°We¡¯re going to make more of an effort to get along from now on. ¡±


    The howling of the school bell brought them back to reality, effectively reminding them that they were due for first period.


    Tactfully taking my arm, Mina ced her arm through it.


    You are going to tell me all the detailster in the cafeteria, aren¡¯t you? She cheekily winked at me.


    Iughed. ¡°We¡¯ll see!¡±


    The morning sses are some of the worst in that they are boring and there is nothing much one can do except endure them.


    In my thoughts I often went back to Aiden as well as the change in the level of contact between us.


    Was this merely a one night stand or did it signify a lot more?


    Most of theplications suddenly seemed to be swirling in my head.


    Finally, it was lunchtime.


    These are some of the details of the events of the day.


    That afternoon, I met Mina, and Mona in the usual table which we preferred at the cafeteria.


    They started to question me concerning Aiden right from the start of the party.


    ¡°d to see that¡¯s the case then; you two have history? Surely there¡¯s more than that between you two?¡± Mina quizzed with a smirk.


    I rolled my eyes. ¡°Well,¡­working things out. You know howplex step-family rtions are. ¡±


    ¡°But do you like him?¡± Mona was very direct with her question. ¡°Like, more then a step-brother, get it?¡±


    The words hung in the air.


    Did I have deeper feelings for Aiden beyond just the physical?


    Unbidden, images of his intense gaze and gentle touch flooded my mind.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m not sure,¡± I admitted slowly. ¡°It¡¯s all really new and unexpected. I don¡¯t want to make assumptions.¡±


    My friends exchanged loaded looks. Clearly they suspected there was more to the story than I was letting on.


    ¡°Well, whatever is going on, we¡¯ll support you,¡± Mina stated. ¡°You deserve to be happy, Hayley.¡±


    I felt a surge of affection for my friends and their eptance. Maybe I didn¡¯t have to carry this secret alone.


    ¡°Thanks, you guys,¡± I said gratefully. ¡°I promise to keep you updated as Aiden and I figure things out ourselves.¡±


    The conversation moved on to other topics, but my mind kept circling back to Aiden.


    Where would this new dynamic between us lead? Only time would tell¡­


    The rest of the school day seemed to drag on interminably as I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about Aiden.


    My mind reyed our intimate moments over and over, making me blush involuntarily.


    I found myself daydreaming about the feeling of his strong arms around me, his intoxicating scent, the brush of his lips against my skin¡­


    I shook my head, trying to clear the distracting thoughts.


    I needed to focus if I hoped to pass my sses.


    Still, sneaking nces at Aiden across the ssrooms proved impossible to resist.


    A few times, our eyes met and I felt a jolt of electricity course through me.


    The secret we now shared hung thickly in the air between us.


    Finally, thest bell rang, signaling the end of the day.


    I hurriedly gathered my things, anxious to see Aiden again.


    Would he act differently around me now that we had crossed that line?Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Hayley! Wait up!¡±


    I turned to see Mona jogging to catch up with me. Her eyebrows raised as she looked me over.


    ¡°You¡¯re practically vibrating with energy. Anything you want to share?¡± she asked knowingly.


    I bit my lip, debating how much to reveal. Mona was my closest friend ¨C maybe I could confide in her, at least a little.


    ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ things with Aiden are really intense right now,¡± I admitted vaguely. ¡°I can¡¯t stop thinking about him.¡±


    Mona¡¯s eyes widened in understanding. ¡°Oh my god, did you two¡­ you know¡­¡± She made a crude gesture.


    ¡°Mona!¡± I hissed, looking around frantically to make sure no one overheard. ¡°Let¡¯s discuss this somewhere more private.¡±


    She looped her arm through mine conspiratorially. ¡°My house? We can get snacks and you can fill me in on all the juicy deets.¡±


    I hesitated for a moment, then nodded.


    It would feel good to talk to someone about the tumultuous emotions I was experiencing with Aiden.


    Maybe Mona could help me make sense of it all.


    At her house, we settled onto the couch with a bag of chips and some sodas.


    Mona fixed me with an expectant look.


    ¡°Okay, spill. What¡¯s really going on between you and your stepbrother?¡±


    I chewed my lip anxiously. How much should I reveal?


    Taking a deep breath, I decided to be as honest as I could.


    ¡°Aiden and I¡­ we crossed a line the other night. It just kind of happened ¨C one minute we were talking and the next¡­¡± I trailed off, cheeks burning.


    Mona¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°No way! You hooked up with him? That¡¯s a taboo and forbidden! Was it romantic at all or just physical?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the thing, I don¡¯t know!¡± I eximed, running a hand through my hair agitatedly. ¡°The chemistry between us is undeniable, but I can¡¯t tell if Aiden wants something real or if he just got caught up in the heat of the moment.¡±


    Mona nodded sagely. ¡°Yeah, guy can be really dense about that stuff sometimes. Have you tried talking to him about how you¡¯re feeling?¡±


    I shook my head miserably. ¡°I¡¯m almost too afraid to bring it up. What if he regrets everything and wants to go back to just being stepsiblings? I don¡¯t think I could handle that.¡±


    ¡°Oh, honey.¡± Mona scooted closer and gave me aforting hug. ¡°I¡¯m sure that¡¯s not the case, especially if the heat was that intense between you two! But the only way to know is to be upfront with him.¡±


    Her words made sense, but actually following through seemed terrifying.


    Still, continuing on like this, paralyzed by uncertainty, didn¡¯t seem viable either.


    I would have to find the courage to have that difficult conversation with Aiden sooner rather thanter.

 Chapter 9

    Hayley¡¯s  POV


    I never wanted to be alone with him again so I went out of my way the next few days to avoid being with him, I mean just us.


    That conversation which I had with Mona had me all worked up with a lot of anxiety and confusion.


    While I wanted Aiden¡¯s touch, his kiss, I realized that I couldn¡¯t see it merely as a casual thing.


    But really my affection was so high even though I did notprehend how I felt.


    Thus, Aiden, for one, appeared to understand that I was gradually moving out of his outer orbit.


    Sometimes I saw him ncing at me with questioning eyes whenever I came up with ridiculous reasons to leave the room every time that we were left alone.


    Still, another part of me considered how confusing and even hypocritical it was to give him mixed signals after that intense hookup.


    Therger part of me was afraid of failure, of getting my ego broken, or rather of having my heart broken.


    Finally I could go with it no longer.


    e evening, after we are done eating our dinner, my parents informed me that they will be going out for a date night, thus leaving only me and Aiden at home.


    Immediately after the two left, a rather ufortable silence ensued.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been rather aloof with me as ofte,¡± Aiden asked me, finally getting the courage to break the silence. ¡°Did I do something wrong?¡±


    I opened and closed my mouth, I could not find the words.


    How could I put into words the knotted ball of confusion over emotions which I seemed to be in?


    I was staring ahead, silent for the moment as he tried to figure out what to do next: ¡°Hailey? Talk to me, please. ¡±


    I gulped hard for air, my heart was pounding heavily inside my chest. ¡°I¡¯d really like to, but it¡¯splicated.¡± I blurted.


    Aiden only sat there quietly, not interrupting my when I was lost in my thoughts.


    And something about how he sat there all calm and collected managed to unwind me a bit.


    Flushing with embarrassment I said.


    ¡°That night we¡­uhm you know¡­it was important to me. Probably even more than you know. ¡±


    A look of realization crossed Aiden¡¯s face and he stepped forward.


    ¡°Admission confirmed, you have feelings for me beyond the level of basic, physical attraction. ¡±


    I red skeptically at him and could not decipher any sentiments painted across his face.


    ¡°And what if I do? Where does that leave us Aiden? We cannot openly date as stepsiblings. ¡±


    He paused for several seconds and I stood ready for the verbal blow that would invariably precede his decision not to move our rtionship to another ne.


    To my astonishment, however, he shifted forward and grabbed my face with his hand and touched it gently.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to pretend that I haven¡¯t had those thoughts about you,¡± he blurted out with such honesty that it was painful. ¡°Once that line was crossed, it was as if a door opened that cannot be shut and a reality that cannot be unseen. That is not all that you are to me anymore, Hailey. ¡±


    As thoughts and confusion began to take their toll on me, hope made its humble residence in my heart. ¡°Then what are we? What does such a prospect mean for us?¡±


    Aiden looked at her and let out a breath, raking his hand through his hair. ¡°I don¡¯t have all the answers¡­ But what I do know is that I don¡¯t want to be just mere stepsiblings and keep fighting this attraction between us¡­ That¡¯s not healthy for me¡­ at least. ¡±


    I finally let out a breath at his words.


    I was not the only one with such passionate feelings and sexual urges.


    Without thinking, I wrapped myself around Aiden, drawing him as close as possible, my arms locked around his neck.


    He grinned, and pulled me in close once more, returning the embrace with just as much force.


    ¡°Maybe we should try it this way,¡± he whispered the words into my hair. ¡°I can¡¯tbel it and you don¡¯t have to either. We¡¯ll just go through the process and discover what this is between us, okay?¡±


    I nodded my head, nuzzling into his chest, and for the first time in days, it felt like everything would be alright. There wasfort in just knowing Aiden was on the same mostly befuddled, mostly exhrated wavelength that I was on.


    We remained that way for a few minutes hugging each other before we moved to the couch.


    Thus, Aiden put his arm around me and I wrapped myself in his embrace, feeling rather happy. However the next events were going to look like, we would certainly be facing them as more than stepsiblings. And that was enough. .. for now.


    That night, as I went to bed I pondered on what Mona had to say about expressing my intentions to Aiden. But she was not wrong  the line ofmunication needed to remain open because these were indeed new territories that we were about to step into as a couple. No more ¡®perhaps¡¯ or indecisiveness.


    With that set in my mind, I closed my eyes and let my happy thoughts take me to a ce of having Aiden¡¯s arms around me and the great future that awaited us.


    The morning that followed I woke up without the feeling of being weighed down as I had been for the past days.


    It was also a relief that we could finally talk about our feelings for each other and I knew we were much more than friends.


    I tiptoed down the stairs to the kitchen deciding what I was going to tell Aiden.


    I met him leaning over the counter drinking the coffee and browsing through his phone.


    ¡°Morning,¡± I said warmly, I couldn¡¯t bend the corner of my lips to smile no more.


    Aiden looked up and then smiled at me with a great awareness of myself. ¡°Hey you. Sleep okay?¡±


    I nodded, and I blushed slightly; until now I had not really thought about how I looked.


    ¡°Hey guys, concerning what we discussedst night¡­¡±


    He put down the mug on the table, and looked me directly in the eye. ¡°Yeah?¡±


    I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out, so I took a deep breath. ¡°I wasn¡¯t kidding when I said we should have it proceeding slow and sort them out together; no more of this confusion and running away from emotion. ¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m d to hear that,¡± Aiden said genuinely pleased, and I appreciated his honest politeness. ¡°I think being as transparent as possible to one another is going to be vital. ¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said, moving even closer until I was almost toe to toe with him. ¡°Total honesty?¡± I grinned and reached for his hand, entwining our fingers. ¡°I think I might be in love with you, Aiden. ¡± Stop! My mind screamed as my lips finally shaped the words.


    His eyes searched mine intently. ¡°I feel the same way. What¡¯s between us¡­ it¡¯s powerful stuff, that¡¯s for sure.¡±


    We stared at each other for a heated moment before I couldn¡¯t resist reaching out to touch him, running my fingers along the chiseled line of his jaw. Aiden shivered at my touch but didn¡¯t move away.


    ¡°So where do we go from here?¡± I asked huskily.


    Instead of answering, Aiden cupped the back of my neck and pulled me into a searing kiss. I melted against him, all rational thought flying out the window as the spark between us roared to life again.


    When we finally broke apart, breathing heavily, Aiden rested his forehead against mine. ¡°Does that answer your question?¡± he said roughly.


    Iughed breathlessly. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯d say so.¡±


    The sound of a key turning in the front door made us spring apart guiltily. My parents strolled in, chatting about their evening out,pletely oblivious to the charged moment they¡¯d interrupted.


    ¡°Morning kids,¡± my mom chirped. ¡°Did you two have fun staying inst night?¡±


    ¡°Uh, yeah, it was¡­ fine,¡± I managedmely, fighting a blush as I met Aiden¡¯s heated gaze.


    My dad pped Aiden on the shoulder jovially. ¡°That¡¯s my boy, keeping your stepsisterpany and out of trouble!¡±


    If only he knew just how much deliciously sinful trouble we were getting into together. I had to bite my lip to keep from grinning wickedly.


    After they wandered off, Aiden crowded me against the counter, his movements decisive and full of intent.


    ¡°Dinner and a movie tonight?¡± he murmured, lips brushing my ear and sending shivers down my spine. ¡°A proper date, just us two.¡±


    I nodded breathlessly, already looking forward to getting him all to myself again without parents around. ¡°It¡¯s a date.¡±


    Aiden smirked at my obvious eagerness before reluctantly stepping back. ¡°I¡¯ll make reservations somewhere nice. Meet you in the living room at 7?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there,¡± I promised, unable to resist reaching out to squeeze his hand quickly before we separated.


    As I got ready for our illicit date nightter, an excited thrill coursed through me. This was really happening ¨C Aiden and I were taking a huge step forward in exploring our rtionship. My body hummed with delicious anticipation for what the night would hold.


    When I emerged from my room at 7 pm, dressed up in a sexy little ck dress that showcased my curves, Aiden¡¯s reaction was extremely gratifying. His eyes ran hungrily over my body and he visibly swallowed hard.


    ¡°You look incredible,¡± he rasped out, extending his arm for me to take. ¡°Shall we, mydy?¡±


    I grinned and allowed him to lead me out to his car like a proper gentleman, ignoring the raised eyebrows from my parents. Tonight, propriety could go hang. I was on cloud nine, drunk off my growing feelings for Aiden.


    As his car pulled away, I dared to lean over and press a teasing kiss to the corner of his mouth. Aiden groaned softly.


    ¡°You¡¯d better behave yourself, or we may not even make it to the restaurant,¡± he warned half-jokingly.


    My heart raced with the delicious implication behind his words. ¡°Is that a promise?¡± I couldn¡¯t resist replying cheekily.


    Aiden shot me a heated look that made my insides turn molten. ¡°It¡¯s going to be a very long night if you keep that up.¡±


    I leaned back with a satisfied smirk. Somehow, I didn¡¯t think either of us would beining about that one bit.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

 Chapter 10

    Hayley¡¯s Pov


    Aiden and I exchanged heated looks as we walked hand in hand into a fancy restaurant. I had no idea Aiden could be this romantic. He had been nning this date between us for quite some time and I only got to know that yesterday.


    I inhaled sharply as I felt his hot breath tickle the nape of my neck. ¡°You look so gorgeous tonight sweetheart, can¡¯t wait to rip this dress off you.¡±


    ¡°Aiden not in public.¡± I said barely above a whisper, and my nonchnt date¡­


    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t do what in public, sweetheart¡­ this?.¡± His hand gripped my ass cheek and I couldn¡¯t stop myself from gasping.


    ¡°Aiden.¡± I called, but instead he kissed my neck. ¡°I think we should order dinner.¡± I tore myself away from him, walking towards a vacant table, but not before hearing him chuckle.


    The waitress showed us to a secluded corner booth, no doubt thanks to Aiden¡¯s request for privacy. As soon as we slid into the high-backed seats, shrouded in shadows, his hands were all over me.


    ¡°Missed being able to touch you,¡± he murmured raggedly against my neck, sending delicious shivers through me.


    Unable to resist, I tilted my head to allow him better ess. ¡°We¡¯ve got all night for that.¡±


    His lips quirked. ¡°Is that a promise?¡±


    I opened my mouth to respond, but the waiter appeared to take our orders.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    We¡­ well, I tried to pull away from him not to get caught, but he gripped my hand tightly, not giving me a chance to pull away.


    His intense gaze held mine and I could only stare with panic and perplexity.


    Then he intertwined our hands and kissed my lips before facing the waiter, who seemed to be used to couples doing this as he patiently waited for our orders.


    ¡°Well, so much for being discreet,¡± I muttered, under my breath, feeling my cheeks heat up.


    Aiden just chuckled lowly. ¡°I¡¯m certain he¡¯s encountered many sceneries like ours, no need to be so discreet.¡±


    I managed a small smile at his reassurance, trying to push aside my nerves. Aiden was right ¨C tonight was for us to enjoy ourselves without overthinking everything for once.


    As we perused the menus, I noticed a familiar looking woman sitting by herself a few tables away. She seemed¡­ vaguely recognizable.


    ¡°Hey, doesn¡¯t she look kind of like-¡± I started to say to Aiden.


    But a loudmotion from the entrance cut me off. We both turned to see a woman in a skin-tight red dress. Her hourss figure and radiant beauty captured the attention of most guests as she stormed into the restaurant, nked by two massive guards in suits and sunshades. She radiated fury like a raging inferno.


    ¡°Ezra Dantres!¡± she shouted at the top of her lungs, making everyone in the ce freeze. ¡°Show your lying, cheating face!¡±


    Oh my god, I realized with a jolt as the woman¡¯s face clicked into ce. That was Kara Carina, the famous Hollywood movie star ¨C and the woman sitting alone was award-winning director Ezra Dantres. What the hell was going on here?


    Dantres leapt up from her table, face pale. ¡°Kara! What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°You know exactly why I¡¯m here, you snake!¡± Kara raged, stomping right up to Dantres¡¯ table as her bodyguards stood back warily. ¡°I got an anonymous tip that you¡¯ve been having an affair with that little whore intern of yours!¡±


    Ezra¡¯s eyes widened with panic as hushed murmurs spread through the dining room. From the corner of my eye, I noticed someone hastily snapping the scene, no doubt to sell on the inteter.


    ¡°Kara, please, let¡¯s discuss this privately! This isn¡¯t the ce-¡±


    But the movie star was in no mood for any reasoning. With a scream of rage, sheunched herself at Ezra, pping and punching her wildly. The two women went crashing to the ground in a flurry of hair and scratching nails.


    Bem erupted in the restaurant as the bodyguards rushed forward to pull Kara off the bloodied Ezra.


    Wait staff and other patrons scattered out of the fray as tables got upended in the chaos.


    Aiden grabbed my hand tightly. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here before we get trampled!¡±


    I could only nod mutely, utterly shocked, as he pulled me urgently through the panicked crowd toward the exit¡­


    ¡­ Only for us to nearly run smack into another furious-looking couple storming inside to join the madness.


    It was none other than world-famous celebrity power couple Skr Stone and Jace Matthews!


    ¡°Where is that low-life scum director?¡± Skr was shouting at the top of her lungs. ¡°She¡¯ll rue the day she cheated my husband out of that Oscar nomination!¡±


    Oh my god, this night could not get any crazier.


    ¡°Skr! Jace! Thank god you¡¯re here!¡± Kara cried from where she was still being forcibly restrained by her bodyguards. ¡°Ezra¡¯s been cheating on me with her intern!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Skr whipped around, murderous fury in her icy blue eyes. ¡°You lying, deceitful bitch! I should have known you were up to no good!¡±


    She made to lunge for Ezra, but Jace quickly wrapped his burly arms around her to hold her back.


    ¡°Let me at her! I¡¯ll kill that two-timing whore for stealing my husband¡¯s Oscar!¡± Skr was practically frothing in the mouth.


    ¡°Ladies, please!¡± Jace tried to interject over the cacophony reasonably. ¡°There¡¯s been some kind of misunderstanding!¡±


    But no one was hearing any voice of reason right now.


    The entire restaurant had descended intoplete pandemonium, with various celebs and their entourages throwing down in an all-out brawl.


    I clutched Aiden tightly, eyes wide with shock and fear. ¡°We need to get out of here now!¡±


    He nodded grimly and half-dragged me toward the exit, shielding me as best he could from the flying debris and toppling furniture.


    Just as we reached the doors, ready to burst out to safety, arge potted nt came hurtling through the air to smash right in our path, forcing us to stumble back.


    And standing there, clutching the remains of the nter with rage contorting her features, was none other than Jada Reyna ¨C the biggest werewolf gangster on the West Coast and Aiden¡¯s own Aunt on his mom¡¯s side¡­


    My heart stopped as our eyes met, and her face registered recognition.


    Suddenly, the full crazy night made terrifying sense ¨C somehow, Jada had orchestrated this entire unhinged scene to get Aiden and me out in the open! But why? Unless¡­


    ¡°Well, well, well,¡± she sneered viciously, shoulders squaring for a fight. ¡°If it isn¡¯t my darling nephew and his pretty little stepsister whore¡­¡±

 Chapter 11

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°Aunt Jada¡­¡± Aiden started warily, positioning himself halfway in front of me protectively. ¡°What¡¯s going on here? What do you want?¡±


    The formidable Russian mobster¡¯s lip curled with distaste as she raked her eyes on us in contempt.


    ¡°Did you really think you could carry on this disgusting little affair without consequences, boy?¡±


    A chill went down my spine as the gravity of the situation crystallized.


    Somehow, Jada had discovered Aiden and I were more than just stepsiblings.


    And from the look of pure, unhinged fury on her face, it was clear she wasn¡¯t going to let that slide.


    ¡°It¡¯s not what you think,¡± Aiden tried, holding up his hands in a pacifying gesture. ¡°Hailey and I¡­ it¡¯splicated.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that crap!¡± Jada spat, hefting the remains of the nter like a weapon. ¡°I know exactly what¡¯s been going on. How you¡¯ve been defiling and tainting the family bloodline with your twisted, unnatural urges!¡±


    Aiden tensed and I clutched his arm tightly, my heart pounding. Unnatural urges? What did that mean?


    Before I could process it further, a sickening realization hit me ¨C there was only one way Jada could have found out about Aiden and I being intimate. Someone had told her.


    ¡°Mom,¡± I breathed in horror, the word slipping out unbidden. ¡°She must have figured it out and ratted us out to Jada!¡±


    ¡°Very perceptive, girl,¡± the mobster purred menacingly. ¡°Your bitch mother did indeede crying to the family about her darling princess daughter being seduced and corrupted by her own stepbrother.¡±


    Rage and humiliationshed through me, quickly chased by hurt.


    My own mother had betrayed us like that? After everything? I felt like I¡¯d been pped across the face.


    Aiden shook his head in disbelief. ¡°Aunt Jada, please, just let us exin-¡±


    ¡°Enough talk!¡± she roared, raising the nter high in a burst of inhuman strength. ¡°The only thing that awaits filth like you now is punishment!¡±


    With a feral snarl, sheunched the nter straight at us.


    On pure instinct, I shoved Aiden aside just as the heavy ceramic projectile came whizzing by ¨C and struck me directly in the face.


    The impact was like a train had hit me at full force.


    I crumpled instantly to the ground, everything going ck and silent as unconsciousness swallowed me up.


    ¡°Hailey! No!¡± I heard Aiden¡¯s scream of anguish as if from miles away before oblivion imed mepletely.


    When my senses finally started rebooting, the first thing that hit me was the throbbing, blistering agony radiating from my skull.


    I stifled a groan, blinking blearily as the dark shadows around me slowly coalesced into dim shapes and forms.


    I seemed to be in some kind of dark, poorly lit chamber ¨C a basement or cer of some kind by the looks of it.


    Heavy manacles encircled my wrists and ankles, chaining me down spread-eagled on a grimy mattress.


    ¡°Wh¡­ where¡­?¡± I rasped out, my words slurring woozily.


    Movement in the corner of my vision made me flinch.


    A shape detached itself from the shadows to loom over me menacingly.


    It was Jada, eyes chips of cold onyx stone boring into me.


    ¡°Awake atst, I see,¡± she said tly. ¡°Good. The fun can really begin now.¡±


    Dread pulsed through me as I struggled to make sense of the situation through the pounding in my skull and lingering disorientation.


    ¡°Where¡­ Aiden¡­?¡± I forced out.


    Jada¡¯s expression twisted into something vicious and cruel.


    ¡°Your sick little forbidden lover won¡¯t be joining us, I¡¯m afraid. I made sure to have him¡­ taken care of elsewhere. A far kinder fate than what awaits you, girl.¡±Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    She leaned in close, her rancid breath hot on my face. I recoiled instinctively, panic wing at my insides.


    ¡°You see, in our world, there are rules that must be enforced,¡± Jada hissed in a deadly whisper. ¡°Ancientws older than humanity itself exist to maintain the natural order, no matter how ugly. And breaking thosews, as you and my misguided nephew have done, carries the direst punishments imaginable.¡±


    My blood chilled at her ominous words.


    What the hell was this lunatic raving about?


    Before I could voice the question, Jada straightened back up, an eerie gleam entering her beady eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be generous and give you one chance, girl. Renounce whatever unholy bond you¡¯ve formed with Aiden. Beg for forgiveness before the true retribution begins. This I vow.¡±


    Confusion and fear warred within me.


    Part of me wanted toply, say anything to make her stop with these unhinged threats.


    But the other part, the part that loved and ached for Aiden with every fiber of my being, rebelled against the mere thought of renouncing what we had.


    So I lifted my chin defiantly and stayed silent, bracing for whatever fresh horrors Jada had in store.


    The mobster¡¯s face twisted into an ugly sneer at my refusal. ¡°So be it. Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you, abomination.¡±


    With a dizzying swiftness, her features started¡­ shifting.


    Her mouth elongated into a gaping maw of dagger fangs, leathery wings erupted from her back tearing through her clothes, vicious talons erupted from her fingertips.


    I recoiled in shock and terror, sure that my battered brain was ying tricks on me.


    But even as I watched on in mute horror, the full grotesque transformationpleted ¨C until the nightmarish beast now looming over me resembled nothing like a normal werewolf.


    No, this was feral, too feral.


    With a deafening, earth-shaking roar that vibrated across the very walls, the monsterunched itself at me.


    I didn¡¯t even have a chance to scream before rows of vering fangs closed around my body and the world exploded into a fiery maelstrom of ripping flesh and searing agony.


    Thest thing I remember before blessed ckness rushed in was a single, hysterical thought ¨C that Aiden and I had wandered into a world of literal monsters beyond normalprehension.


    And now, I could only pray death would find me swiftly rather than whatever unholy fate awaited at this evil creature¡¯s merciless ws¡­

 Chapter 12

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I awoke with a ragged gasp, my heart jackhammering in my chest.


    My surroundings slowly materialized ¨C the familiar setting of my bedroom, no sign of the horrific monster that had¡­


    A dream. It had all just been an intensely vivid, terrifying nightmare brought on by my injuries.


    Relief washed over me, quickly followed by confusion. How did I get home? Where was Aiden?


    The bedroom door burst open, and my mom rushed in, her face pale and drawn with worry.


    ¡°Hayley! Oh thank god, you¡¯re awake!¡± She flung herself at me, pulling me into a tight hug that made me wince. ¡°We were so worried after the attack!¡±


    ¡°Attack?¡± I echoed groggily. ¡°What attack? And where¡¯s Aiden?¡±


    My mom¡¯s expression crumpled, and she averted her eyes guiltily. rm bells went off in my head.


    ¡°Mom? What happened to Aiden?¡± I demanded, a kernel of dread taking root.


    ¡°He¡¯s¡­¡± She swallowed hard. ¡°He¡¯s been arrested, sweetie. By the police.¡±


    ¡°Arrested?¡± I shook my head in disbelief. ¡°Why? That doesn¡¯t make any sense!¡±


    ¡°Because of your¡­ rtionship,¡± she forced out, wringing her hands. ¡°After what happened at the restaurant¨C¡±


    ¡°Wait, the restaurant?¡± The fragmented memories came rushing back in a confusing tumble ¨C the surprise appearance of celebrities, the massive brawl that broke out, Jada¡¯s monstrous transformation¡­


    I gasped sharply. No, please let that part just be  some twisted nightmare brought on by my head injury!


    My mom reached out and squeezed my hand tightly. ¡°It¡¯s okay, honey. The doctors said your concussion could trigger some disturbing dreams and hallucinations. Just try to stay calm, alright?¡±


    ¡°Calm?¡± I exploded, wincing at the spike of pain in my skull. ¡°How the hell am I supposed to stay calm, Mom? What really happened at the restaurant? And why the hell did they arrest Aiden? Where is he?¡±


    She flinched at my outburst but took a deep, steadying breath.


    ¡°After that awful scene at the restaurant, an anonymous tip must have been called into the police about¡­ about you two. And they arrested Aiden under suspicion of¡­ of inappropriate sexual rtions with a minor.¡±


    A ringing silence fell in the wake of her words. I could only gape at her in stunned horror as their full implication sank in.


    ¡°No¡­ no, that¡¯s impossible!¡± I exploded, incensed. ¡°We¡¯re not even blood rted, he¡¯s my stepbrother! It¡¯s not illegal!¡±


    My mother¡¯s expression twisted into one of disgust and shame.


    ¡°Maybe not technically illegal, but still morally reprehensible and deviant behavior, Hayley! I never thought my own daughter would do something so¡­ so unnatural!¡±


    The venom and judgment in her tone felt like a physical p to my face. Tears of humiliation and pain burned in my eyes.


    ¡°So it was you,¡± I whispered brokenly. ¡°You turned us in, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    She at least had the grace to look stricken before rallying defensively. ¡°Of course I did! You¡¯re both deluded if you think I would stand by and let you and Aiden defile our family like that! It¡¯s a disgusting, abhorrent taboo that never should have happened!¡±


    Rage overtook me, making me tremble. ¡°Get out.¡±


    ¡°Hayley¡­¡±


    ¡°Get out!¡± I screamed, my voice cracking. ¡°Get the hell out of my room, you judgmental, hypocritical bitch!¡±


    She shrank back as though I¡¯d struck her before scrambling to her feet and bolting, leaving me alone to seethe in my turbulent emotions.


    How could she do this to us?


    Turn us over to the authorities, have the love of my life arrested, after iming to understand and respect Aiden and I figuring things out together? I¡¯d never felt so bitterly betrayed in my life.


    A chime from my phone made me start.


    Probably just a stupid notification but something to try and distract myself with.


    I grabbed it from the nightstand and felt the blood drain from my face.


    [screenshot of students whispering and staring at Hayley in the hallway from school security cameras, oveid with the words: ¡°Rumor has it Haley Gavin has been porking her own stepbrother like some kind of bama swamp trash! What a depraved skank-slut!¡±]


    The vilements kepting in a torrent as more and more people in our school shared it around.


    [closeup of Haley crying in a ssroom toilet stall, captioned: ¡°Aw, look at the wittle freak crying! Maybe if you weren¡¯t out there dropping trou for family you wouldn¡¯t be such a pathetic basket case!¡±]


    It went on and on, an avnche of vicious memes, videos, and messages, all weaponizing my intimate rtionship with Aiden to degrade and humiliate me.


    Hot tears spilled down my cheeks as the bullying sent stabs of shame and mortification through me. How could people be so cruel about something they didn¡¯t understand?


    A new notification popped up ¨C a video call from Mona and Mina, my two closest friends.


    I almost declined, not wanting them to see me in such a state. But I desperately needed any shred offort or support right now.


    I epted and their worried faces filled the screen. ¡°Oh my god, Hayley!¡± Mona gasped. ¡°We just heard about the arrest and those disgusting posts going around about you! Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°You know we¡¯ve always had your back, no matter what,¡± Hond chimed in loyalty. ¡°Whoever is behind those videos is a real piece of shit!¡±


    Another wave of tears spilled over at their steadfast kindness and I crumbled a little more inside. How was I ever going to get through this?This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    ¡°I-I can¡¯t do this, you guys,¡± I sobbed brokenly. ¡°Everything is just so messed up. They took Aiden, my mom turned on us, the whole school hates me now-¡±


    ¡°Hey, none of that!¡± Mona cut me off fiercely. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare start believing those bullying jerks for a second! Your feelings for Aiden may be unconventional, but they¡¯re real. No one has the right to judge or persecute you for who you love.¡±


    Mina nodded firmly in agreement. ¡°We¡¯re here for you, Hales. No matter how bad the haters try to drag you down. We¡¯ve got your back against anyone who tries to mess with you, okay?¡±


    ¡°Even¡­ even Aiden¡¯s dad?¡± I whispered tremulously. How could I ask my friends to face off against my own stepfather?


    But their expressions only hardened.


    ¡°Especially that dickhead jock,¡± Mina growled, shocking me a little. ¡°If he tries toe for you over this, he¡¯ll have to go through us first!¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but smile weakly through my tears at their fierce protectiveness and solidarity.


    At that moment, I felt a bit of the weight on my shoulders lift, the tiniest ember of hope flickered back to life. If I had Mona, Mina and Aiden in my corner, maybe I could find the strength to stand up against this looming persecution headed my way.


    Clutching the phone tight, I set my jaw and gave the barest of nods. It was time for me to stop wallowing and fight back with all I had against those trying to tear Aiden and me apart.


    ¡°Alright guys,¡± I said, my voice steadying with my renewed resolve. ¡°Let¡¯s regroup and figure out a n. Because I¡¯m not going down without swinging harder than these bullies can even imagine¡­¡±

 Chapter 13

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    Turns out having two loyal, fierce friends on your side is a total game-changer when you¡¯re suddenly the most reviled person at school.


    With Mona and Hond ¨C well, I thought he was my friend, but more on thatter ¨C running interference, the torrent of vicious harassment and cyberbullying slowed to a trickle within a few days.


    Anytime someone tried to post a cruel meme or video mocking my rtionship with Aiden, Mona was johnny-on-the-spot reporting and getting it taken down.


    She even started a social media campaign condemning the bullies and slut-shaming, rallying people to our side.


    And when the jerks inevitably tried to retaliate in person, Hond was right there to shut it down with an intimidating glower and cracking his knuckles menacingly.


    I¡¯d never been more grateful for their steadfast loyalty ¨C especially since literally no one else at school seemed to be on my side, apart from a handful of other close friends.


    The taunts and whispers still followed me, but at least now I had a formidable human shield to help deflect the worst of it.


    Theplete radio silence from Aiden, however, was agonizing.


    I hadn¡¯t heard a single word from him since being hauled off in cuffs that awful night.


    I kept calling and texting constantly, desperately needing to hear his voice, but never got a response.


    It made my heart feel like it was being slowly ripped to shreds from the inside.


    Which was how I found myself, nearly two weekster, taking the city bus alone down to the county jail in a sketchy part of town.


    The guard at the reception desk eyed me suspiciously when I told him I was there to visit the inmate Aiden.


    ¡°He¡¯s got some serious charges hung on him, missy,¡± the beefy guard grunted, chewing loudly on a toothpick. ¡°Don¡¯t go getting any ideas about trying anything fresh, if you know what I mean.¡±


    I bristled at the implication. ¡°I¡¯m just here to see my¡­ my boyfriend. That¡¯s all.¡±


    The guard¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°Boyfriend, huh? Ain¡¯t that a kick in the pants¡­¡±


    Thankfully, he didn¡¯tment further, just roughly patted me down for contraband before ushering me through to the grim visitation room.


    My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat as the door buzzed open.


    And there was Aiden, looking utterly miserable and disheveled in his orange jumpsuit as he was led in by another guard.


    His eyes widened almostically when he saw me.


    ¡°Hailey? Baby, what are you doing here?¡± His voice was low and gravelly, like he hadn¡¯t spoken in days.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± I shot back, unable to stop the tears that suddenly sprang up. ¡°I had to see you, I¡¯ve been going crazy!¡±


    The guards retreated to give us some privacy, though they were still visible through the reinforced ss between the barred visitation rooms.


    Aiden took a shaky breath and reached across the table for my hands. ¡°Hailey, you shouldn¡¯t havee here. It¡¯s not safe for you.¡±


    I squeezed his hands tightly in wordless refusal of that idea. ¡°Don¡¯t even try to push me away, Aiden. We¡¯re in this together, for better or worse, remember?¡±


    ¡°God, just look at you. You¡¯re hurt because of me¡­ and if I freaking get my hands on those cyber bullies, they won¡¯t hear thest of it.¡±


    I raised a hand to the yellowing bruise on my temple where Jada¡¯s nter had struck me. ¡°This? It¡¯s nothing, I¡¯m just d it wasn¡¯t worse.¡±


    Aiden swallowed hard, and I could tell his anger was slowly brewing. ¡°When I saw you crumple¡­¡± He had to stop. ¡°And snapped. She could have died at my hands if not those stupid bastards she calls bodyguards holding me down. I hate seeing you hurt.¡±


    A lump formed in my throat at his anguished expression. I reached up to tenderly caress his cheek. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m still here, okay? Whatever trouble we¡¯re in, we¡¯ll figure it out together.¡±


    He turned his face into my palm, inhaling deeply for a long moment before pulling himself together again.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, you¡¯re so strong,¡± he murmured gruffly, squeezing my hand again. ¡°But that¡¯s why you have to be smarter than me, babe. You need to get out from under all this darkness I¡¯ve dragged you into.¡±


    I frowned in confusion. ¡°What do you mean? Aiden, I¡¯m not going anywhere without-¡±


    He cut me off urgently. ¡°My father came to see me, Hailey. He told me everything about Jada¡¯s world¡­ a world I stupidly pulled you into because of my selfishness.¡±


    My heart stuttered in my chest. ¡°But that nightmare stuff about her¡­ transforming into some kind of literal monster, that can¡¯t have been-¡±


    ¡°Very real,¡± Aiden said grimly. ¡°Aunt Jada and her whole Russian mafia n? They¡¯re not human. Not anymore.¡±


    I stared at him, uprehending and chilled straight through to my core. ¡°Then what¡­?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know all the details. Just that my dad warned me they¡¯ve been involved in ult rituals and sacrifices for generations, believing it gives them power and immortality by invoking dark, ancient forces.¡± He shook his head slowly, an expression haunted. ¡°They¡¯ve been cursed and corrupted into something not human. And now, because of me, Jada¡¯s marked you as one of her targets for that same transformation.¡±


    The blood drained from my face as a memory from that night shed through my brain ¨C Jada sneering the word ¡°abomination¡± at me before her fangs and talons emerged.


    ¡°Oh god,¡± I whispered in a strangled voice. Tears of sheer terror flooded my eyes. ¡°Aiden¡­ Aiden, I¡¯m so scared!¡±


    He pulled me close across the table, wrapping his arms around me in a fierce hug as I cried against his shoulder.


    ¡°I know, baby, I know. And that¡¯s why you have to get as far away from me and my family¡¯s messed up legacy as possible right now,¡± he urged, voice breaking. ¡°If Jada managed to¡­ to turn you into one of those monsters like her, I could never live with myself.¡±


    I clutched him tighter, my entire body shaking with soul-deep fear.


    But even greater than the terror was the burning refusal to abandon Aiden.


    ¡°No,¡± I said firmly, pulling back to meet his gaze head on. ¡°I don¡¯t care what kind of insane supernatural world I¡¯ve stumbled into. I¡¯m not leaving you behind, Aiden. We¡¯re a team, remember?¡±


    He opened his mouth to protest further but I cut him off.


    ¡°Besides, how are you nning to fight off your aunt and her n of weirdos by yourself?¡± I challenged, mustering up some of my old fierceness through the bone-deep exhaustion. ¡°You¡¯re going to need me to have your back.¡±


    Aiden stared at me for a long beat, looking utterly torn.


    But I could see the spark of determination rekindling in his eyes, fueled by my own resolve.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Finally, he gave a curt nod of eptance, the ghost of his old cocky grin ying around his mouth.


    ¡°Alright then, badass babe. You want to strap in for the wildest, most messed up battle of our lives? No judgment if you back out while you can¡­¡±


    I leaned forward and kissed him fiercely, not caring about the guards or rules against physical contact.


    When I pulled back, a fierce smile of my own curved my lips.


    ¡°Does that answer your question?¡± I shot back confidently. ¡°Now let¡¯s get you out of this hellhole already. Those monsters don¡¯t stand a chance against the two of us.¡±


    For the first time since that nightmarish night, a feeling of hope bloomed in my chest.


    Together, Aiden and I would somehow find a way to face this iprehensible new breed of darkness threatening to consume us.


    And with that new sense of purpose and partnership, I strode out of the visitation room with my head held high and my soul fortified against whatever fresh horrorsy ahead.


    Suddenly, a hand shot out from the shadows and yanked me into a grimy alcove, mming me up against the wall.


    I gasped in pain and shock ¨C straight into the furious, hateful sneer of none other than Hond, my ¡°friend.¡±


    ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t the freak stepsister slut herself,¡± he spat with dripping derision. ¡°Did you enjoy your little cozy visit with your perverted boyfriend?¡±


    I stared up at him, realization dawning along with utter betrayal. Of course ¨C it had been Hond running that despicable cyber bullying.


    Hond¡¯s face twisted with disgust as he pinned me against the wall. ¡°Did you really think sicking your guard dog Mona on me was going to stop me from exposing you for the sick freak you are?¡±


    I struggled against his grip, panic spiking. ¡°Hond, what the hell are you¨C¡±


    He cut me off with a cruelugh.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, y dumb. But I know the truth about you and that disgusting monster you¡¯re shacked up with.¡±


    His hand shot out to mp around my throat, squeezing just enough to make me choke.


    ¡°You¡¯re not a normal Lycan, are you a freak? Just another one of those unholy abominations like Aiden¡¯s whack job aunt.¡±


    Suddenly, his face began to distort and elongate into a snarling, wolf-like muzzle as coarse fur sprouted across his features.


    I watched in horrified trance as razor-sharp ws extended from his fingertips digging painfully into my skin.


    ¡°I¡¯m not her and will never be her.¡±


    ¡°Oh don¡¯t worry,¡± the creature formerly known as Hond growled in a chilling dual-toned voice. ¡°Once I reveal what you really are to the world, you and your filthy bloodline will get exactly what¡¯sing to you¡­ excruciating deaths at the hands of humanity!¡±


    With a vicious swipe of his newly-formed ws, he raked them deep across my cheek, drawing forth a scream of agony as fiery pain blossomed across my face.


    Thest things I saw were his glowing amber eyes ring with animalistic hatred and I felt those deadly talons wrap around my throat with a merciless squeeze¡­

 Chapter 14

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I became too slow, groggy and disoriented.


    My cheek burned fiercely where Hond¡¯s ws had raked me.


    I went to raise a hand, but quickly realized I was bound ¨C arms and legs tied down spread-eagle to some kind of metal table.


    ¡°Finally awake, I see.¡±


    The cold, sneering voice made my blood freeze in my veins.


    Dread coiled in my gut as I turned my head to see Jada emerging from the shadows, looking utterly inhuman with her fanged maw and leathery wings unfurled menacingly.


    ¡°Wh-where am I?¡± I rasped, throat raw from whatever drug they must have used to subdue me.


    Jada¡¯s lips pulled back in a grotesque parody of a smile, revealing rows of jagged teeth.


    ¡°My personal yroom, you could say. A sanctuary where I can enact judgments without¡­ interruptions.¡±


    She trailed one razor-sharp talon almost delicately down my arm, leaving a thin crimson line in its wake. I suppressed a shudder of revulsion.


    ¡°Hond delivered you to me gift-wrapped, just as he was instructed. Such an obedient little errand boy when properly motivated.¡±


    ¡°But why?¡± My voice cracked with confusion and fear. ¡°What do you want from me?¡±


    Jadaughed darkly, a sound like nails on a chalkboard. ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious, foolish girl? You¡¯ve been marked for the Embrace.¡±


    A cold knot formed in the pit of my stomach as her sinister words reminded me of that awful night at the restaurant, the vow of punishment she had sworn to inflict on me.


    ¡°The Embrace?¡± I echoed faintly, hardly daring to ask.


    The creature formerly known as Aiden¡¯s aunt leaned in close until I could smell her fetid, rancid breath hot on my face.


    ¡°By grantly carrying on your unnatural rtions with my nephew, you¡¯ve earned the greatest honor our family can bestow,¡± Jada hissed viciously. ¡°Transcendence into the ranks of the Unmaitred. My greatest warriors, mystic paragons, and the elite of my dark empire.¡±


    I felt the blood drain from my face as her twisted meaning sunk in like a sickening pit in my gut.


    She was going to turn me into¡­ into whatever kind of abomination she and her ¡°family¡± had be. Just like she had attempted before her monstrous form manifested in that diner.


    ¡°No¡­¡± I whispered hoarsely, panic wing at my insides as I fought against my bonds desperately. ¡°No, please, I don¡¯t want this! You can¡¯t¨C


    Jada threw back her head andughed that grating, evil cackle that raised every hair on my body.


    ¡°Can¡¯t I?¡± she sneered mockingly. ¡°You stupid, naive little girl. What makes you think you have any choice in the matter? The Embrace is not a request, but a purifying rite that will scour every ounce of your pathetic humanity from existence!¡±


    I shook my head rapidly, tears of terror stinging my eyes. This couldn¡¯t be happening, it had to be another nightmare!


    But then Jada produced a grotesquely long, curved obsidian dagger that seemed to almost¡­ writhe with dark energy.


    ¡°Behold the Grimcurse de, child,¡± she crooned with vicious glee. ¡°Forged from the essence of the most ancient and terrible of my n¡¯s dark patrons. Just one cut from its unholy edge¡­ and the transformation will begin to take hold.¡±


    Jada raised the wicked dagger high, its curved edges glinting with malevolent promise.


    Despite my frantic struggles, I could only squeeze my eyes shut in horrified anticipation of the torturous agony toe.


    That¡¯s when an explosive crash like thunder made the entire room shake violently.


    I screamed in startled surprise, eyes flying open just in time to see a massive gray forme hurtling through the air to m into Jada with crushing force!


    The impact sent the dark matriarch and her Grimcurse de ttering away.


    I could only gape in shock and awe as a gigantic, feral-looking wolf easily the size of a small truck now wrestled and wed at Jada with unrestrained ferocity.


    But upon closer look, I realized with a jolt that the wolf¡¯s eyes were utterly human and familiar¡­ Aiden¡¯s eyes, filled with desperate determination and the drive to protect me at all costs.


    ¡°Aiden?¡± I cried out in disbelieving horror and wonder. ¡°What¡­ How¡­?¡±


    Jada let out an inhuman shriek of primal rage and frustration as her twisted demonic form and Aiden¡¯s massive wolfen aspect grappled in a flurry of biting fangs and shing talons.


    ¡°You impudent whelp!¡± The words tore out of Jada¡¯s throat in a garbled, guttural rasp. ¡°After everything I¡¯ve done to uplift you, make you one of us, this is how you repay me?¡±


    Aiden didn¡¯t respond, simply snarling a bone-chilling growl before his powerful jaws mped around Jada¡¯s throat hard enough to make her choke out a gurgle.


    His monstrous aunt seemed to sag in his iron grip¨Cthen, with a sudden burst of dark energy, she broke free!


    The two inhumanbatants were thrown apart with overwhelming force, hurtling in opposite directions to crash against the chamber walls with earth-shaking impacts.


    I flinched, heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst right out of my chest.


    When the dust settled, Jada slowly rose to her feet, nursing a shattered wing as thick tar-like ichor oozed from a savage bite wound on her shoulder.


    Likewise, Aiden¡¯s gigantic wolf form mbered upright, front ws torn to shreds and pelt matted from deep gouges inflicted by Jada¡¯s talons.


    ¡°Not bad, whelp,¡± the matriarch snarled hatefully, hauling herself into a defensive crouch. ¡°If you surrender the girl now, I may yet let you keep your wolfen aspect intact..


    Aiden¡¯s only response was a menacing growl as he paced in a slow circle, jaw dripping with smoking acidic drool as he kept himself positioned protectively between Jada and I.


    The air was thick with tension and malice.


    Just as it seemed the two inhuman fighters were about tounch themselves at each other with renewed fury, a distant sound pierced the moment¨Cfaint at first, but rapidly growing louder.


    The distinct, unmistakable cries and howls of more wolves!


    And not just any wolves, I realized with a jolt, as the first massive, hulking shapes bounded into view through the entrance Aiden had torn through.


    These wolves, while simrly gargantuan as Aiden¡¯s aspect, loped upright like humanoids with eerie sentience glinting behind their glowing amber eyes.


    Werewolves! Or at least, what I knew as werewolves unleashed their true, monstrous natures.


    A whole pack of them taking up territorial stances around Jada, barring their fangs and slicking back their ears menacingly!


    I felt equal parts terror and incredulous awe at the scene unfolding before me.


    For so long, I¡¯d lived in blissful obliviousness to the supernatural world surrounding me.


    And now here I was, smack in the middle of what seemed to be some kind of epic sh between different monstrous factions!


    Jada, for her part, straightened and looked around warily at the fresh new threat, her grip tightening on her Grimcurse de as if gauging her chances.


    Then, as ifing to a decision, she turned and¡­ shrank back down to her humanoid woman form in a re of dark energies.


    Only her cold, beady eyes betrayed her malice as she red straight at Aiden¡¯s powerful wolf aspect.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think this is over, whelp,¡± she warned lowly. ¡°I am Zhanna of the Unmaitred Lineage, promised rulers and inheritors of this world once the old ways are restored. And I always¡­ collect¡­ what is owed me.¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    With that ominous vow, she shed her de in an intricate pattern, causing an inky ck rift to open in the air behind her.


    Shooting Aiden onest hateful look, Jada turned and stepped backwards through it¨Cjust as the assembled werewolf pack surged forward!


    But it was toote. The rift sealed shut, leaving only the gathered wolfen humanoids pacing and growling, clearly frustrated at her escape.


    As the tension slowly deted, Aiden¡¯s massive wolf form seemed to shrink and distort until he was once again human.


    Jada escaped, but not before vowing vengeful retribution against Aiden and me.


    As for Aiden himself, I could only gape in stunned disbelief as his wolf form shifted back into his familiar human visage, though now I understood that it was merely a facade concealing the feral, monstrous power burning within his very being.


    A power he had tried to shield me from¡­ until now.

 Chapter 15

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    The assembled werewolves-because that¡¯s clearly what they were-turned towards Aiden and me with a series of low, rumbling growls. I shrank back against the table I was still bound to, my heart pounding wildly.     One wolf in particr,rger than the others with a grizzled gray pelt, stepped forward and seemed to shift forms in a supernatural rippling of flesh and bone.     ¡°Well, nephew,¡± the newly humanoid figure said in a gruff baritone. ¡°You¡¯ve gotten yourself in quite the predicament this time, haven¡¯t you?¡±     Aiden, now fully reverted to his human form as well, straightened and met the elder wolf¡¯s steely gaze steadily.     ¡°I did what I had to in order to protect Hailey,¡± he said, a note of challenge in his voice. ¡°I won¡¯t apologize for that, Zoran.¡±     My breath caught in my throat as realization washed over me. That deeper, graying wolf man was clearly the Alpha-and seemingly Aiden¡¯s uncle or other male rtive.     Zoran arched one bushy eyebrow. ¡°To protect your mate? From your own blood kin?¡± He shook his head slowly. ¡°You¡¯ve brought great scandal and danger upon our pack, whelp.¡±     ¡°Is that why you¡¯vee?¡± Aiden shot back, hackles raised. ¡°To pass judgment on me for loving Hailey?¡±     ¡°Loving her?¡± Zoran snorted derisively. ¡°Don¡¯t be daft, boy. She doesn¡¯t belong here. Your¡­ dalliance¡­ with her is at best a grievouspse in control, and at worst an utter perversion that-¡±     ¡°That¡¯s enough, Zoran.¡± A new voice, feminine but ringing with authority, cut him off sharply.     I craned my neck to see another figure enter-this one a striking woman with ageless beauty and long raven hair. She fixed Zoran with a stern look.     ¡°You will not speak of his mate in such a way,¡± she said in a tone that brooked no argument. ¡°Especially after she has clearly been marked by he who shall not be named.¡±     Marked? I thought with a shudder, remembering Jada¡¯s cruel words about the Embrace. What did that even mean for me now?     The alpha wolf inclined his head stiffly. ¡°Of course, Inna. My apologies.¡±     He turned his attention back to Aiden. ¡°Regardless, you know ourws as well as mine. To choose someone like her. It is the highest offense that cannot be overlooked or excused.¡±     My heart plummeted at the imcable deration. If being with me was so unforgivable for Aiden, did that mean he would be cast out? Forced to leave his family and kind forever?     Aiden seemed to wrestle with indecision for a long moment before squaring his shoulders resolutely. ¡°I¡¯m aware of the punishments for my crime, Uncle. But nothing will make me forsake Hailey or the choice I¡¯ve made.¡±     I felt tears prick my eyes and a lump form in my throat at his staunch words, my love for him swelling almost painfully in my chest.     Zoran scowled deeply, but the woman, Inna, held up a cating hand before striding over to me. I shrank away instinctively, but she just tutted sympathetically as she examined the thick iron shackles binding me.     ¡°Don¡¯t you think he¡¯s scared?¡± she murmured in a soothing voice, reaching out with one hand that elongated into razor talons. With two deft slices, my bonds were severed and fell away!     I gasped in shock and relief, rubbing my chafed wrists gingerly as Inna stepped back with an enigmatic look.     ¡°No matter his reasoning, my grandson has made his choice. And we of the pack honor the sovereignty of the wolf¡¯s mate bond above all else.¡±     The assembled wolves shifted and grumbled at her words, seeming dissatisfied. But none dared raise an outright objection.     Zoran, however, scowled fiercely. ¡°You cannot be seriously entertaining this madness, Inna! Binding himself to a mere human-¡±     ¡°It¡¯s well within Aiden¡¯s rights,¡± Inna said firmly, silencing him with a look. ¡°We will adjourn to the grand grove to sort out the full ramifications, as is traditional. For now¡­¡± She turned to pin me with her mesmerizing gaze. ¡°Tell me, child, what is your name?¡±     I swallowed hard,pletely in awe and confused by the situation. ¡°H-Hailey. Hailey.¡±     The barest hint of a smile curled Inna¡¯s lips. ¡°Hailey. Do you love my grandson and ept the consequences of being his eternal mate? No matter how arduous or dangerous the path ahead may be.¡±     Aiden shot me a searching look, letting me see the vulnerability shining through. This was my choice now, it seemed. Tomit myself to him and this pack-or to forsake him forever.     As if there were ever a choice. I pushed off from the table and went to stand at Aiden¡¯s side, slipping my hand into his.     ¡°I love your grandson with everything I am,¡± I said firmly, gazing up at him with all the ferocity and adoration I felt burning in my heart. ¡°And I¡¯ll be by his side through whatever insanity the universe seems to want to throw at us.¡±     The quiet conviction in my tone seemed to take Inna aback slightly. But then her expression melted into one of warm approval.     ¡°A beautiful mate¡¯s oath, well said,¡± she replied with a regal nod. ¡°Then it¡¯s decided: Hailey shall be initiated into our pack as Aiden¡¯s mate and extended the corresponding rights and protections.¡±     A chorus of growls, both approving and disgruntled, rumbled through the wolves at this deration.     Inna, however, simply turned and swept from the chamber, tossing onestmanding look over her shoulder. ¡°We make for the Blood Moon vale at once. Gather your things and possessions of value, grandson. For after tonight¡¯s ritual under the full moon, your life will change forever.¡±     As the pack filed out, leaving just Aiden and me alone, a long silence stretched between us. So much had happened in such a whirlwind that I could scarcely process the enormity of the transformation my life seemed to be hurtling towards.     Finally, Aiden broke the silence by pulling me tight against him and cupping my face tenderly. I saw the gleam of unshed tears in his eyes.     ¡°Oh Hailey,¡± he rasped brokenly, his voice thick with emotion. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this, you know. I never wanted to trap you in this dangerous, monstrous world.¡±     I cut him off with a fierce, searing kiss, not caring about the blood and grime coating both of us.     ¡°I meant every word of that oath,¡± I said fiercely when I finally pulled back, just far enough for our foreheads to rest together. ¡°You¡¯re not getting rid of me that easily, Wolfboy. We¡¯re in this together, no matter how crazy and hazardous it gets. Deal with it.¡±     Despite the tears now streaking his filthy cheeks, Aiden managed a watery chuckle and tightened his embrace until I could feel the steady thrum of his powerfully beating heart against mine.     ¡°Together forever then, my fierce mate,¡± he murmured, the oath vow carrying all the weight and solemnity of a sacred pact. ¡°Even if it means bathing in the fires of hell itself.¡±     I simply nodded, not an ounce of doubt lingering in my soul.     And in its ce, an unbreakable certainty rose up-that whatever this new primordial existence as Aiden¡¯s eternal werewolf mate entailed, we would face it head-on with feral defiance.     No matter what supernatural terrors or threats awaited in the shadows, I was done being a victim of forces beyond my control. From here until the end of eternity itself, I would meet it all as an apex predator-teeth bared, unafraid, and poised to tear out the throat of anything that dared cross my path.     The blood moon had risen. And with it, the birth of a new, unstoppable huntress joined in feral, undying union with her werewolf mate. Our very existence would be a force of nature that the supernatural world had never seen the likes of¡­This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

 Chapter 16

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    The world around me blurred and fragmented as the Blood Moon¡¯s rapturous transformation took fierce, visceral hold.     My sense of self, of identity, and of humanity seemed to splinter into a million shards that whirled away on crimson tides.     Yet even as my corporeal form contorted and mutated in zing agonies, there remained one grounding tether: my mate, Aiden.     His powerful, fur-covered arms encircled me, cradling my spasming body as the ancient rites remade me in their primal, feral image.     Through a red haze of pain and instinct, I could feel the first merciless changes ripping through me like a storm of butcher knives.     My bones cracked and reshaped, elongating in grotesque, impossible angles as newfound power surged in my sinews.     Throwing my head back, I unleashed a scream of rapturous torment that shook the very air with its piercing intensity.     Yet even as the human part of me withered in the Blood Moon¡¯s searing purge, another part¡­ exulted in every fresh slice of agony.     For with each spasm and convulsion, I could sense the frenzied birth of my new primordial aspect taking root-a feral, unrestrained predator given unbridled form through Aiden and the Blood Moon¡¯s merciless blessing.     My fingernails tore free in showers of viscera as razor talons punched from the bleeding tips.     Coarse obsidian fur bristled from every pore as my facial bones fractured and reshaped into a protruding snout packed with dagger fangs.     Dimly, as if from an infinite chasm, I heard Aiden¡¯s low, rumbling voice murmuring fierce devotions in my ear-ancient vows and incantations weing me into the eternal ranks of the Unmaitred.     The merciless apex predators he and his kind represented.     And with every guttural invocation, thest tattered remnants of Hailey Monroe-the human girl so blind and ignorant to the true power thrumming beneath reality¡¯s fabric-burned away in searing purification.     Until atst, I arched my newly reformed spine in a final, explosive upward surge as the ultimate stage of rebirth found glorious consummation!     When the rapturous haze finally cleared, I found myself hulking upright on massively muscled digitigrade legs.     My arms had be grotesquely distended, each finger tipped with hooked talons capable of disemboweling a grizzly bear with azy swipe.     But most jarring was the long, sleekly furred muzzle that now protruded from my bestial mask of a face, packed with serrated fangs that dripped with acidic spittle.     Panting with each heaving breath, I could taste the ionic tang of ozone and unleash primordial fury in the air.     At my side, equally transformed, stood Aiden in his own terrifying grandeur-an eight-foot nightmarish fusion of wolf and humanoid muscture covered in a shaggy ashen pelt.     His eyes, those same burning amber pools that had always captivated me, now radiated with the eternal fire of the Unmaitred.     ¡°Behold your new gloried aspect, my eternal mate,¡± he rumbled in that resonant, inhuman baritone thick with dark power and reverence. ¡°The pinnacle of our kind¡¯s frenzied, rapturous evolution in feral form.¡±     I opened my jaws, expecting more agonized howls to pour forth. But what emerged instead was neither human nor animal, but rather a harmonious chord of pure primal psychic force that vibrated the air with its otherworldly potency!     Aiden¡¯s maw split in a fanged grin of unholy ecstasy. ¡°Yes! Give voice to your new unfettered power, my mate! Let it ring out across the ebbing veil, a merciless affirmation of our kind¡¯s rising supremacy!¡±     Needing very little urging, I reared back on my trunk-like haunches and unleashed another earthshaking psychic roar from the depths of my zing furnace of rebirth!     Every fiber of my mutated, primordial being was filled with exultant, uninhibited power unlike anything I could have ever conceived of.     As my soul-rending roars ebbed into lower, menacing growls, I slowly turned to face Aiden once more.     Only now am I able to perceive him through an entirely new prism of awakened understanding.     The brutal behemoth of elemental power and virile masculinity standing before me was no longer my stepbrother or even mate in the simplistic human sense. No, the supernatural entity radiating such overwhelming dominance and rapacious pheromones was the very heart of my new eternal existence.     The ravenous wellspring of primordial essence from which my gloried primordial aspect had been divinely sired.     And every molecule within my reforged being burned with the holypulsion to submit fully to his unyielding sovereignty.     With a bone-rattling rumble that conveyed undying fealty and lusting adoration, I lowered my monstrous bulk down in supplicant obedience before my Alpha male.     Aiden reached down with one heavily-muscled forelimb and stroked my snout almost tenderly.     A shudder of euphoric rapture shot through me at the sheer cosmic rightness of his iming caress, stoking the simmering wellspring of frenzied obedience zing in my newly spawned primordial core.     ¡°Arise, my eternal mate,¡± hemanded in a tone brimming with dark power and amorous promise. ¡°Tonight marks only the first of the glories ahead for us both. For with the Unmaitred¡¯s ascendancees the restoration of this world under our kind¡¯s undying reign.¡±     A fresh roar of primal affirmation tore from my fanged jaws, thick ropes of drool sloughing free as my rapacious bloodlust reached insatiable new heights.     Aiden returned the bestial cry before pulling me into a bruising embrace, his fangs finding the join of my mutated shoulder and neck in ascivious marking bite that nearly whited out my vision in blissful agonies.     The message contained in that single carnal act of bestial possession was clear.     Which meant this night under the Blood Moon, as the metamorphic change fully crystallized, marked so much more than just my rebirth as Aiden¡¯s feral, frenzied mate and eternal battle-bride to the Unmaitred.     No, this rising dawn heralded the beginning of an epoch-the opening salvo in the final war to remake this entire reality under the rule of my Alpha¡¯s bloodline.     And I would march at the vanguard of his unstoppable primordial crusade, a personified engine of destruction and savagery unlike anything this world has ever witnessed!     We were the Unmaitred, virulent scions of domination and rapture given preternatural form.     And the hour of our long-foretold ascendance to undying supremacy over the feeble human cattle had finally struck¡­     Just as a sudden explosion rocked the cavern, showering Aiden and me in fiery debris!     We both whirled in the direction of the st, bestial battle-frenzy reaching fever pitch.     Through the smoke and haze, I could just make out a small team d in what looked like heavily armored hazmat suits.     And they were brandishing some kind of archaic, heavily modified military weaponry directly at us!     ¡°Fire at will!¡± One of the suited soldiers barked in a digitally-scrambled voice, the anti-tank rifles mounted on his exo-suit swiveling towards me and Aiden. ¡°Suppress the hostile apex while the team recovers the package!¡±     Aiden snarled thunderously, hunched in a protective crouch while radiating towering waves of menacing dominance and territorial fury.     But before he couldunch into an offensive onught, Ished out first in a blur of shing talons and whip-crack strikes!     One of the soldiers fell in a shower of gore, his heavily armored body practically disintegrating under the corrosive precision of my mutated, hyper-lethal onught.     Another went down with his helmet pulped by a wild kick that snapped his neck like a twig!     And so many others¡­..Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.

 Chapter 17

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I wasn¡¯t the type to kill, but the feral rage within me was just so amplified and primal. I wanted blood, and that was what I was seeing.     I turned to see a stunned Aiden staring at me. He had never seen me feral and in my wolf form before.     ¡°You¡­ Hayley?¡± He called, astonishment written in his eyes.     The change got to him, but I guess he didn¡¯t have the time to process it when I swiftly knocked a soldier out that nearly attacked him from behind.     I growled, wondering who sent these buffoons to attack us.     Aiden snapped out of his daze, and we both made short work of the remaining hazmat troopers, ripping them apart with those wicked talons and fangs.     I¡¯d never killed anyone before that night, but in my mutated hybrid form, dealing out merciless ughter just felt¡­ natural.     Scary, but also kind of exhrating in a twisted way.     This was what Jada wanted, wasn¡¯t it?     With the soldiers¡¯ mangled corpses littering the cavern floor, Aiden turned to me and let out this deep, rumbling snarl that made my hackles stand on end.     I lifted one of the guards, who was still sane, up into the air and growled in his face.     ¡°Who sent you?¡± I questioned him while he trembled in my hand, like he was going to die of fear. ¡°Answer me!!¡±     He gasped, still trembling, but a word didn¡¯t escape from his lips.     ¡°He¡¯s not worth it because he¡¯s obviously a simp.¡± Aiden didn¡¯t even allow me to register his words before snapping the soldier¡¯s neck. ¡°And it appears they¡¯re not done. They¡¯re still approaching. We have to retreat to the safe house; I¡¯ll link with my father to send more troops so we can utilize the threats.¡±     I just kind of nodded dumbly, my mind still reeling from the rush of power and feral intensity.     Aiden grabbed me by the scruff and started hauling me towards a secluded backway out of the cavern.     Then suddenly, things took a weirder turn¡­     We emerged into this dimly lit concrete bunker that looked straight out of a Cold War movie.     Rows of dusty file cabs lined the walls, and these oldputer terminals blinked from recessed workstations, like this ce had been frozen in time for decades.     ¡°Where are we?¡± I rasped, my talons screeching against the floor.     I could taste the musty air, thick with the metallic tang of aging technology and machinery.     Aiden just shushed me with another of his guttural growls, his nostrils ring as he scanned the area with preternatural senses.     A few beats passed before he rxed marginally.     ¡°We¡¯re in one of my pack¡¯s ancestral safe-houses,¡± he exined, moving to an oldputer terminal and keying in a sequence that caused a hidden door to grind open. ¡°A relic of the old times before our kind was forced into hiding. We¡¯ll be here till my dad sends his troop.¡±     Hiding? From what exactly?     And just how ancient was this whole werewolf pack deal he kept alluding to?     I started to get the sense that there were way moreyers to Aiden¡¯s backstory than he¡¯d ever let on.     We made our way deeper into the bunkerplex, prowling down gloomy, derelict corridors that looked straight out of an apocalypse preppers¡¯ wet dream.     Storage rooms lined with dusty military rations and ammo crates; armories packed with antique guns and des; even what looked like a triage ward with eerie stains on the cots.     ¡°Just how long has your¡­ pack been squatting down here?¡± I asked as we passed through an intersection with faded ¡®DECON¡¯ stenciled on the walls.     Aiden flicked an ear and kept moving, clearly not keen on giving up any more of his secrets than necessary.     We walked on in tense silence until reaching a secured entrance with a retinal scanner, which somehow acknowledged Aiden¡¯s blood-amber werewolf gaze and admitted us.     We then entered a room where I could also make out armored figures clustered around the center dais in hushed conversation, their faces hidden bybat hoods and masks.     ¡°Are those¡­?¡± I trailed off, my heart pounding in my mutated chest.     ¡°Brothers of the Unmaitred.¡± Aiden nodded, hackles raised as they registered his presence. ¡°It seems the assault on the ritual grounds was just the vanguard.¡±     One of the armored figures slipped from the group and approached, his hooded cowl shifting as he examined us.     ¡°Alpha,¡± he spoke. ¡°I¡¯m d to see you escaped the hunters unscathed.¡±     Okay, wait¡­ hunters? Like supernatural monster hunters?     And what was with this weirdo outfit calling Aiden their ¡®alpha¡¯? This was all just getting more confusing by the second.     ¡°We need backup. These hunters won¡¯t give up so easily.¡± Aiden stated.     ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± A mysterious figure spoke up. ¡°And they must have assigned agents to mark us while we were upied with the awakening rituals.¡±     Awakening rituals? Oh god, was he talking about that crazy transformation under the Blood Moon?     ¡°Then it¡¯s as we feared,¡± Aiden growled, his predatory stare lingering over the rapidly updating holograms. ¡°They aim to totally eradicate us while we¡¯re in disarray.¡±     ¡°Hold up!¡± I shouted once the echoes died down, getting right in Aiden¡¯s face with bared fangs. ¡°I want some damn answers, now! What is all of this-these hunters, your secret werewolf pack, Unmaitred, or whatever? And why are they so bent on killing us, huh?¡±     For a long, tense moment, Aiden just glowered down at me, and I could smell the heady musk of raging territoriality wafting off him. Like he was a hairsbreadth fromying me out in a dominance disy.     Just as the tension became unbearable, his shoulders finally slumped, and some of the menace drained from those zing amber orbs.     ¡°I owe you the full truth.¡± He began with a low rasp.     With that ominous preamble, Aidenunched into a wild tale that put everything I¡¯d ever known about the world on its head-the same I had seen fight with Jada.     I stepped back, trying to drink the sight of him in.     He opened his mouth to speak, but then we heard a bang. Aiden stepped forward, shielding me behind him. The others stepped forward as well, ready to fight as the bang got closer.     Then the door was banged open¡­     Rather than the raging hunters, we saw Aiden¡¯s father and a pack of troops behind him.     I sighed with relief; we didn¡¯t have to worry about the hunters anymore.     For now.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

 Chapter 18

    HAYLEY¡¯S POV


    I descended the stairs, my thoughts relishing the events that took ce the other night.


    Aiden had been quiet all through, when on a normal day he would havee to my room. Was he avoiding me?


    As I descended, my footsteps were masked by the raised voiceing from the living room.


    ¡°¡­ can¡¯t keep covering for her forever! She needs to face the consequences of her actions.¡±


    Mom¡¯s voice was terse and angry. I paused on thending, straining to make out the other speaker.


    ¡°I understand your frustration, but handling this situation delicately is crucial.¡±


    Dad¡¯s tone was cating but strained. An ufortable silence fell between them.


    I inched forward until I could make out Mom¡¯s taut form, back towards me as she clutched her phone with white knuckles.


    ¡°She¡¯s put us all at risk with her reckless behavior,¡± Mom continued in a harsh whisper. ¡°Exposing her condition to an outsider? After everything we sacrificed to keep her safe,


    My stomach clenched as realization set in. They were talking about Aiden-about my refusal to hide what I was from him any longer.


    ¡°We can get through this,¡± Dad urged. ¡°But not if we go burning more bridges. Haley¡¯s still our daughter, Rachel. Besides, Aiden cannot be excused from this. He¡¯s older, so he should know better.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not acting like our daughter!¡± Mom spat out a mirthlessugh, finally turning to face him with smoldering eyes. ¡°Because the Haley I knew wouldn¡¯t have thrown away her future like this. How could she possibly be dating her own brother?!¡±


    The venom, in her words,shed out like a physical blow. I squeezed my eyes shut, frozen on thending, as their argument raged.


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand what we¡¯re dealing with,¡± Mom was saying, her voice edged with something like fear now. ¡°The kinds of forces and the stakes involved if she continues this way. We can¡¯t afford for that to happen.¡±


    ¡°Then help me understand,¡± Mom¡¯s husband shot back, running a hand through his graying hair in frustration. ¡°For once in your life, Rachel, stop keeping me in the dark about whatever supernatural rabbit hole you¡¯ve led our family into this time! You know quite well that she¡¯s not the only one involved in this. Aiden, too, is involved.¡±


    ¡°Why do you keep supporting her?!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not!¡± He raised his tone, and then I heard him sigh. ¡°I¡¯m not taking sides, but you seem to be so hell bent on Hayley¡¯s case for a reason. Like I said, Aiden is involved with your daughter. You shouldn¡¯t leave one out and focus on the other.¡±


    ¡°You think I wanted this?¡± Mom¡¯s retort was scathing.


    She broke off, sounding almost choked for a long moment before collecting herself with a shuddering breath.


    ¡°I did what I had to. What any mother would have done to protect their child from the circles I ran in, from the societies and their archaic rites. I exposed them so they would stop. The media would take the news all over if care wasn¡¯t taken.¡±


    ¡°But how would you do that to them? To us?! It¡¯s a disgrace to our family!! Do you have any idea how people would look at us?! Did you consider that?¡±


    I could scarcely process Mom¡¯s words, my mind reeling at the implications she¡¯d just revealed so nakedly in the heat of her anger.


    ¡°I did what I had to do.¡± She spat, bitter and seething. ¡°Don¡¯t you have an idea of what Jada is up to? If she¡¯s unting her powers so brazenly, exposing them to some civilian nobody, then any hope we had of living a rtively normal life is gone. The circles will find her, dear. They¡¯ll find us again. And they are ruthless. Exposing them myself is way better than waiting for that to happen. But it seems even my effort was in vain.¡±


    The hairs prickled on the back of my neck as if by some unseen force. I leaned forward, my heart hammering in my ears, desperate to make sense of the half-truths and cryptic warnings my own mother was letting slip.


    But then my stepfather sighed, long and heavy, and finally spoke in the most solemn tone I¡¯d ever heard from him.


    ¡°So what happens now, Rachel? We can¡¯t exactly put this genie back in the bottle. Not if Haley¡¯s really that involved with Aiden.¡±


    Mom didn¡¯t respond right away, the weight of the moment stretching out in unbearable silence.


    ¡°We have no choice,¡± she replied atst, every word like lead dropping into my gut. ¡°We need to find a way to separate both of them. Something that can tear them apart.¡±


    ¡°Mom, no!¡± I found myself bursting into the living room, anguished pleas ripping from my throat before I could stop myself. ¡°Please, you can¡¯t just do this to me and Aiden!¡±


    Both of their heads whipped around, wearing matching expressions of shock and fear at being overheard. For a fraction of a heartbeat, no one spoke.


    Then Mom straightened up, her eyes instantly hardening even as her jawline tensed almost imperceptibly.


    ¡°Haley,¡± she intoned, each word precise andced with quiet menace. ¡°I see you¡¯ve decided to be stubborn this evening. Maybe you want me to handle this the hard way.¡±


    Tears pricked my eyes. ¡°This isn¡¯t fair.¡± I stated. ¡°Turns out you¡¯ve been lying to me. I don¡¯t even know if you¡¯re my mother anymore!¡¯Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been protecting you!¡± Mom fired back without missing a beat, all traces of guilt or second-guessing fading from her face. ¡°Protecting this family from the forces I naively involved us with before you were even born. Now you are about to do the exact same thing!¡±


    She regarded me with a measured look, as if truly seeing me for the first time, before letting out a soft sigh.


    ¡°Clearly, those efforts have fallen short in light of your¡­ indiscretions,¡± she said, her toneced with such palpable disappointment that it stung worse than any p. ¡°Your defiance has already drawn outside attention, making our neutrality impossible to maintain any longer.¡±


    I opened my mouth to protest again, but she simply leveled her gaze at me in that way only a mother can, effortlessly reducing me back to a chastened child despite my newly-realized powers.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Haley,¡± Mom said atst, the barest hints of remorse flickering across her stoic features. ¡°But this was always bigger than you or I. There are responsibilities far older and more powerful than either of us. You can¡¯t afford to go against it.¡±


    She turned back to Dad, seemingly having decided the matter in that moment.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°I see you¡¯ve been working with Jada.¡± I said, the words escaping like a bitter pill. ¡°Now you want to drag dad into the secrets you both have been hiding.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business!¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you. First you exposed us; now you¡¯re saying you did that to protect us, and now you¡¯re working for Jada? Who exactly do you think you¡¯re fooling?¡± I stepped closer to her. ¡°I know you, mom; I¡¯ve seen the real you. You¡¯re greedy and want to have everything to yourself.¡±


    My mom¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°How dare you say that to me, Hayley? Now let me tell you this: You have no other choice. You either sumb to my will or you will be forced to.¡±


    My stepdad looked like he wanted to argue further, his mouth opening and closing wordlessly. But one nce at the icy resolution etched on Mom¡¯s face seemed to drain the fight from him.


    He simply nodded, his shoulders slumping in weary resignation.


    Panic exploded in my chest, reality finally crashing down around me.


    All because I¡¯d defied their rules about hiding who I was, even from Aiden.


    My thoughts immediately lurched to him, my stomach twisting with a fresh surge of anguished guilt. Not only had my refusal to keep lying put my own future in jeopardy, but what if it ended up endangering him too?


    Mom was already sweeping from the room in a whirlwind of muted fury, her husband trailing behind her. He turned to look at me, giving me an unreadable look before turning his back again.


    I remained frozen in ce, the weight of their judgment and hard-won revtion crashing down all around me as the inescapable truth finally sank in.

 Chapter 19

    Aiden¡¯s PovPlease check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    The warning bell rang as I and Hayley strolled into school, only for Hayley to get hollered at by Mina and Mona.     ¡°Yo, Hales! Over here!¡±     ¡°Haley, girl, you made it! Finally, we¡¯re all together again.¡±     Haleyughed. ¡°Haha, yeah, it¡¯s been too long. This semester is going to be     Then she got cut off when some new chick waltzed through the door, immediately checking me out from head to toe. I tried to y it cool, but Mina and Mona weren¡¯t having any of that.     ¡°Well, well, well¡­¡± Mona wiggled her eyebrows obnoxiously. ¡°It looks like someone caught the eye of the fresh meat.¡±     Mina nodded towards fresh meat. ¡°No kidding, she hasn¡¯t stopped staring at you since she walked in, Aiden. You know her or something?¡±     I shrugged, aiming for nonchnce. ¡°Uhh, no, I can¡¯t say I do. Are you sure she¡¯s looking at me?¡±     But Haley saw right through my bullsh*t. Her eyes narrowed into slits. ¡°It seems pretty obvious to me.¡±     Before I could try and exin, Fresh Meat came sauntering right up to our group, hips swinging like she was on a damn runway.     ¡°Aiden?¡± She batted hershes at me. ¡°No way, is that really you?¡±     I felt myself tense up, gut-tying myself into knots. ¡°Uh, yeah? Have we met before or¡­?¡±     The chick ran a fingernail along her corbone. ¡°Alessandra Ri? From Oakwood Prep a few years ago? Ringing any bells?¡±     Shit. I suddenly recognized those pouty lips and that perfectly tousled beach blonde hair. Memories of senior year came flooding back, none of them good.     ¡°¡­ Alessandra? Oh damn, I didn¡¯t even recognize you!¡±     She let out a fake giggle, something that kind of riled me up a bit. Her lids drooped as her gaze narrowed seductively. ¡°It¡¯s been a hot minute; do you feel it? You look really, really good, Aiden.¡±     The not-so-subtle once-over made me want to squirm. I mean, I¡¯m not blind. Alessa looked just as sexy as I remembered in that criminally tight top and micro skirtbo. Just the way she was eyeing me up made my skin crawl.     Clearing her throat loudly, Haley wasted no time reminding Alessandra she was here too. Smart move, calling her shot early.     ¡°Oh! Uhh, yeah, this is my girlfriend Haley,¡± I said quickly, wrapping an arm around Haley¡¯s waist and pulling her close. ¡°Hales, this is Alessandra, an old acquaintance from myst school.¡±     Haley went full ice queen. ¡°Charmed, I¡¯m sure.¡±     Alessandra didn¡¯t even try to hide her tant disrespect, raking her eyes over Haley like she was a piece of scenery before focusing back on me. ¡°Girlfriend, huh? Damn, Aiden, you really moved on quick.¡±     I heard Mona¡¯s nasally stage whisper behind me. ¡°Uh oh, I sense some tension brewing¡­¡±     No shit. Mina chimed in, ¡°No kidding, it¡¯s like a freakin¡¯ sapphic stare-down over here.¡±     Haley was not having it. Sharp as a de, she demanded, ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean,¡¯moved on quick¡¯?¡±     Alessandra put on her most innocent act, the one that made my blood boil way back when. ¡°Oh, did Aiden not mention we used to¡­ dig each other¡¯s vibes back in the day?¡±     I tried desperately to shut it down. ¡°Alessa, it was years ago and just a stupid fling, okay? Water under the bridge.¡±     But Haley wasn¡¯t having any of my flimsy excuses. mes were practically shooting from her eyes as she turned that burning re on me. ¡°A fling, huh? You never told me about hooking up with this chick!¡±     Alessandra¡¯s ruby-red lips curled into a wicked little smile, clearly enjoying stoking the drama. ¡°Guess some things are better left unsaid, babe.¡±     ¡°Don¡¯t call her babe!¡± The words burst out before I could stop them. This whole situation was spiraling fast, and I had no idea how to get control back.     Mona and Mina exchanged looks, like they were waiting for the explosions to start.     Sure enough, Haley whirled at me, hands nted on her hips in a way that meant serious business. ¡°So what? You just conveniently forgot to mention your little high school tryst with this walking stic surgery disaster?¡±     ¡°Oh, damn, ws are out!¡± Minaughed before catching herself. Too loud, as always.     Alessa¡¯s eyes shed with mean-girl delight. She scoffed haughtily. ¡°Please, at least I don¡¯t look like Trailer Trash Barbie¡¯s less attractive stunt double.¡±     ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough!¡± I tried raising my voice and stepping between the two catfighting chicks. It was like I wasn¡¯t even there. ¡°Both of you just cool it, okay?¡±     There is no chance of that happening. Haley shoved me hard in the chest, making me stumble back. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare try and y peacemaker here, Aiden! I can¡¯t believe you¡¯ve been lying to me this whole time about your past!¡±     ¡°It wasn¡¯t lying, babe, I swear!¡± I was panicking now, reaching for Haley¡¯s hands. A big mistake, apparently, judging by the betrayed fire raging in her beautiful eyes. ¡°Alessa and I hooked up-what, twice? It was nothing, just a dumb kid thing that didn¡¯t mean anything!¡±     ¡°Ouch,¡± Alessandra chimed in with a pout. ¡°Way to make a girl feel special, Aiden.¡±     Mona groaned loudly. ¡°Oh my god, someone just pped her already before I did it myself!¡±     ¡°I¡¯m sorry, okay?¡± Desperate, I grabbed for Haley again, pleading with her. ¡°I should¡¯ve told you, you¡¯re right. I was being an idiot, like always. But you gotta believe me, Hales; you¡¯re the only one who really matters to me!¡±     But she wasn¡¯t having it. Wrenching away and chest-heaving, Haley fought back angry tears. ¡°How am I supposed to believe anything out of your lying mouth right now, Aiden? This is exactly the kind of bullshit I always feared-youparing me to your past flings, making me feel inadequate!¡±     ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m doing at all!¡± I was full-on panicking now, words spilling out desperately. ¡°Please, you know me better than that! I¡¯m just an idiot who made a mistake by not telling you upfront about¡­     I never got to finish that thought. Haley had heard enough. ¡°Save it,¡± she spat, turning on her heel and storming out.     An awkward silence fell over the whole damn room. Mona and Mina stayed quiet, shooting me; it looks like they didn¡¯t know whether to follow Haley or let her cool off for a bit.     Leave it to Alessandra to kick me while I was down. She trailed a single, razor-sharp nail down my arm, purring like a damn lioness. ¡°Well, that was sufficiently dramatic. I guess we have some more catching up to do, Aiden.¡±     I jerked away from her touch like a recoil, too furious and guilt-ridden for words right now. What the hell had I just done?

 Chapter 20

    Hayley¡¯s Pov


    I bolted out of that hallway so fast, hot tears already spilling down my cheeks.     How fucking dare Aiden keep something as huge as hooking up with Alessandra from me? Just picturing them together made me want to puke.     I barely even made it to the bathroom before breaking down, sinking to the dirty floor as sobs escaped my lips. I let out the rage and hurt I¡¯d bottled up within me, coupled with the distress my own mother was making me go through.     I didn¡¯t understand why this was suddenly happening. I had no idea how long I was curled up like a ball, feeling sorry for myself, until the door creaked open.     Then I heard their voices.     ¡°Haley? You in here, babe?¡± Mona called out, obviously trying to keep it down.     I just sniffled hard, not responding. Mina let out a loud sigh.     ¡°Look, we get that you¡¯re hurting and pissed at Aiden right now,¡± she said frankly. ¡°Hell, I¡¯d be remapping his family jewels to his throat after that shitshow he just pulled.¡±     I actually let out a watery chuckle at that vivid image, despite myself.     ¡°But you can¡¯t stay locked up in here all day,¡± Mona pleaded gently. ¡°Come on out and talk to us, Hales. Don¡¯t let that basic bitch get to you.¡±     Sucking in a deep breath, I finally pulled myself together enough to stand up and open the stall door. The second I saw their sympathetic faces, I copsed right into Mona and Mina¡¯s arms.     ¡°It¡¯s fine¡­¡± Mina murmured, rubbing my back as she tried to calm me down. Then they enveloped me in a group hug. ¡°Let it all out. We got you.¡±     After going through about half a box of tissues, I finally felt coherent enough to speak.     ¡°I just¡­ I can¡¯t believe he lied to me like that,¡± I choked out through the lingering sniffles. ¡°About sleeping with that skanky hoe, about God knows what else from his past!¡±     Mona gnawed her lip, exchanging one of those weighted looks with Mina. ¡°Look, Hales¡­¡± she started cautiously. ¡°I¡¯m sure Aiden didn¡¯t mean for it toe out like that, you know? Maybe he was really going to tell you at some point; he just-¡±     ¡°He just what?¡± I cut her off sharply. ¡°That what, Mona? That he couldn¡¯t handle the truth?     ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant, Haley!¡± Mona backtracked quickly, hands up in surrender. ¡°I¡¯m just saying we all have pasts we¡¯re not proud of. And yeah, maybe Aiden should¡¯ve been upfront sooner, but-¡±     ¡°Do you guys know about his past?¡± I demanded, feeling a fresh swell of anger at the thought of my best friends keeping secrets too. ¡°Did he tell you all about banging that wretched tramp while I was left being the naive, clueless virgin, thinking I might be his first?¡±     Mina made a face like I¡¯d just punched her in the gut. ¡°Okay, I know it hurts like hell to hear itid out like that; trust me,¡± she replied carefully, putting a hand on my arm. ¡°But Haley, you gotta look at the bigger picture here. You and Aiden have something real, something deeper than any shallow high school fling.¡±     ¡°Yeah?¡± I scoffed, bitter as hell. ¡°And what about all the other lies and secrets I don¡¯t even know about yet?¡±     That¡¯s when Mona¡¯s phone dinged with a new notification. Frowning, she picked it up, and her eyes damn near bugged out of her head.     ¡°Uhh, speaking of secrets from Aiden¡¯s past¡­¡±     I felt my stomach drop straight through the goddamn floor. ¡°What is it?¡± I demanded through gritted teeth.     Mona hesitated, clearly not wanting to tell me. ¡°It¡¯s just an anonymous message I just got,¡± she said slowly. ¡°With some seriously messed up ims about Aiden and that chick Alessa.¡±     My head started throbbing as worst-case scenarios raced through my mind. ¡°Well??¡± I snapped impatiently.     Taking a deep breath first, Mona turned her phone so I could see whatever heinous sh*t she¡¯d just received. I nearly passed out cold when I read the words on that screen:     ¡°Heads up-that little rich skank Alessa and Aiden used to work for his aunt together back in the day. As in, ¡®work¡¯ work, if you know what I mean. Ask Aiden how much of that slut¡¯s body he got ¡®familiar¡¯ with while sampling the merchandise for Aunt Jada¡¯s escort business!¡±     I went numb, unable to process what I¡¯d just read. My mouth turned to absolute desert as a wave of revulsion swamped me.     Mina¡¯s jaw dropped to the floor. ¡°What the actual fuck¡­?¡±     ¡°Oh hell no¡­¡± Mona breathed, clearly as stunned as me. ¡°Haley, please tell me you didn¡¯t already know about any of this escort bullshit??¡±     But I couldn¡¯t speak, let alone put coherent sentences together. I was drowning in a tsunami of betrayal and gut-wrenching disgust, the full horrific meaning of those words slowly sinking in.     My sweet, sensitive Aiden, tangled up in some depraved prostitution ring? Pimped out by his own aunt to sample their merchandise? With that venomous subus, Alessandra??     Through the roaring in my ears, I was vaguely aware of Mona continuing to ramble, hushed but urgent.     ¡°Babe, say something, please. I need you to tell me this is just some twisted rumor, that none of this escort shit could possibly be true.¡±     The dam inside me finally burst.     ¡°He lied to me!!¡± I shrieked, an anguished wail ripping straight from my guts. ¡°That dirty lying son of a bitch, he¡¯s been lying to me this whole time!!¡±     Whirling on my two best friends, rage and nauseating betrayal burning through me, I unleashed the beast.     ¡°How could you not know about this??¡± I was actually spraying spittle, my voice cracking with unhinged fury. ¡°Were you all in on it, justughing at me behind my back while Aiden got his kicks sampling whatever depraved wares his pimp aunt was peddling with that slut??¡±     Mona recoiled like I¡¯d just bitch-pped her, anguish and dismay painted across her features.     ¡°Haley, no, baby, it¡¯s not like that!¡± She pleaded desperately, hands up in supplication. ¡°We¡¯re your sisters; we would never¡­¡±     ¡°Save it!¡± Ished out viciously, cutting her off with blistering heat. ¡°You obviously don¡¯t know the first thing about Aiden or the sorts of disgusting depravities he¡¯s been tangled up in. I need to handle this myself.¡±     With that, I whipped around and stormed straight for the exit, hell-bent on confronting the source of my torment head-on.     No more lies, no more games-Aiden was going to give me the whole truth this time, no matter how soul-shredding.     The truth about his twisted escort hooker past and the degenerate aunt who fed him into it.     I was furious as I ran through the hallway looking for Aiden. I was fuming with anger.     That two-timing bastard was going to give me some damn answers, whether he liked it or not.     I caught a glimpse of his stupid bushy head outside the gym doors having a good chuckle with some of the basketball team guys, as if he never had a care. As if he hadn¡¯t just shattered my heart and fed it to me raw and bloody.     ¡°Aiden!¡± I said it loudly and without thinking about other people¡¯s reactions or the fact that I might look like aplete psycho now. ¡®We have to discuss this.¡¯ ¡®Right now. ¡®     His smile disappeared almost immediately the second he realized how I sounded.     Sighing and giving his friends an apologetic look, he began moving in my direction sluggishly with his hands raised as if preparing for a surrender.     ¡°Whoa, whoa, Hales, now look, let us calm down here, okay?¡± He had the audacity to try and calm me down as though I had lost all my sanity. ¡®Even if it has nothing to do with us, I¡¯m positive that we can-¡®     ¡°Don¡¯t you dare try and sweet talk your way out of this one!¡± I cut him off, squaring up as he approached. ¡°Or should I call you ¡®Daddy Warbucks¡¯ since you¡¯ve been a sugar pimp this whole time??¡±     Aiden flinched hard, his face paling to a sickly shade I¡¯d never seen before. For a moment, he just floundered there, his mouth working but no wordsing out.     When he finally did speak up, it was barely above a choked whisper. ¡°You¡­ you know about what went down with my aunt?¡±     ¡°That you two ran some kind of sick escort hooker business together?¡± I spat out venomously. ¡°And that you and your sidepiece, Alessandra, spent quality time¡¯sampling the merchandise¡¯? Yeah, I¡¯m filled in on all the nauseating details, thanks!¡±     His eyes mmed shut, his skull hanging down like the weight of his shame was physically crushing him. This only pissed me off more.     ¡°What, nothing to say for yourself now that your dirty secret¡¯s out?¡± I raged on, tears of hurt and anger burning fresh trails down my cheeks. ¡°Did you really think you could just hide this disgusting part of your life from me forever, Aiden? Keep lying and lying until the truth eats us both alive.¡±     ¡°Hales, please. You gotta believe me, it¡¯s not as simple as¡­¡± He trailed off helplessly, dragging his hands down his face before forcing himself to look at me again. ¡°Let me exin from the start. You deserve to know everything.¡±     I crossed my arms tightly, fighting the urge to either make a run for it or start wailing on him right then and there.     Part of me didn¡¯t want to hear any of it-it would be better to just cut this cancer out of my life before it could metastasize any further.     But another part, the part that still foolishly loved this boy despite all his ws and indiscretions, felt like I owed it to myself to understand how he¡¯d gotten tangled up in such depraved circumstances before Ipletely wrote him off.     ¡°You¡¯ve got five minutes,¡± I said through gritted teeth. ¡°And it better be one hell of a fucking redemption story, Aiden.¡±     Aiden swallowed hard, nodding as he haltingly began to speak. ¡°It all started after my mom walked out on us when I was thirteen.¡±     Whether his tragic tale held any water or not, I steeled myself to at least hear him out.     After that, I could decide if the truth was iron-d enough to offer him a sliver of forgiveness.     Or if the reality of his depravity would force me to cut some things out of my life once and for all¡­This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

 Chapter 21

    Hayley¡¯s POV     The next morning, I was zoning out in the kitchen, trying to piece together the emotional rollercoaster of Aiden¡¯s messed-up backstory, when Mom¡¯s raised voice drifted in from the living room.     ¡°I need you to elerate the timetable. We¡¯re quickly running out of runway for containing this situation.¡±     I froze, a cup of coffee halfway to my lips, as I strained to make out who she was talking to. That clipped, all-business tone seemed wildly out of character for my usually soft-spoken mother.     ¡°Potential exposure by the circles grows more severe each day,¡± she continued tersely. ¡°Haley¡¯s defiance has already put us in a deeply vulnerable position that can¡¯t be walked back through traditional channels.¡±     My heart kicked into overdrive as I realized, with slowly mounting dread, that she was talking about me-about the fallout from my refusal to hide my rtionship with Aiden anymore.     ¡°I understand the severity, Reba,¡± an unfamiliar woman¡¯s voice crackled over the line, somehow sounding even more rigid than Mom¡¯s own tone. ¡°Which is why our endgame contingencies must be enacted without further dy.¡±     Mom sighed, the sound shockingly weary and hopeless. ¡°You¡¯re certain she¡¯s meant to be here? You promised that a long time ago when you desperately wanted a child.¡±     I desperately wanted a child. What was going on?     Frozen in numb shock, I barely registered Mom¡¯s next words until a single phrase snapped my wandering focus back like a rubberband.     ¡°Jada, are you absolutely certain that giving her up might not be that easy?¡±     ¡°You had her because of me! If it weren¡¯t for my help, you would be childless for life.¡±     Those words struck me like a bolt of lightning. My mother? Struggled with birth?     ¡°You owe me as much as giving her to me.¡± Jada stated.     I damn near dropped my mug as the bottom fell out of my stomach.     ¡°Unfortunately, that kind of coteral damage to the subject¡¯s base physiological integrity is unavoidable,¡± Jada replied, her voice devoid of any remorse or empathy. ¡°We must be prepared to make whatever sacrifices are required to prevent full diffusive rendering from manifesting.¡±     ¡°My God¡­¡± I could hear the naked anguish and defeat in Mom¡¯s voice as the weight of it all came crashing down. ¡°You¡¯re talking about irreparably erasing my little girl¡¯s very essence-everything that makes her whole and human-all for this grand cosmic agenda none of us even understand!¡±     ¡°It¡¯s not a matter of understanding,¡± Jada stated tly. ¡°Only doing whatever is necessary, no matter how unptable.¡±     She paused briefly before adding, ¡°I trust you still have the clearance intel to know precisely what an obliterated reality means on a conceptual level, Reba?¡±     There was a horrible, leaden moment of silence before Mom finally spoke again, her voice brittle and halting now.     ¡°Yes, I¡¯m aware of the full rendition. Of what the rending asundry looks like¡­¡±     Shuddering violently, I clutched the kitchen counter to prevent my knees from buckling.     My own mother, conspiring to subject me to some nightmarish cosmic muttion that would ¡°erase my very essence¡±?     It was worse than any horrific scenario I could¡¯ve conjured in my worst fever dreams. I felt simultaneously nauseous and untethered from any sense of reality.     ¡°I need time¡­¡± Mom was saying it, her voice thick with unshed tears. ¡°Just a few more days to attempt reaching Haley on my own terms, to exin.¡±     ¡°You¡¯ll receive no more extensions, Reba.¡± Jada¡¯s tone brooked no arguments. ¡°We¡¯ve already issued the rendition order. If you cannot bring your primary into peacefulpliance within the next cycle, my team will have no choice but to exercise our principles.¡±     She let the ominous threat hang for a beat before adding icily, ¡°I trust I don¡¯t need to underscore how messy and painful that process would inevitably be.¡±     The line went dead silent. Just the crackle of dead air and the sound of Mom¡¯s ragged breathing fill the void.     Transfixed in dawning horror, I could only gape at her ashen face as she turned towards the kitchen.     Towards me, frozen with the mug clutched in a death grip, having heard everyst word pass between her and Aiden¡¯s depraved aunt.     ¡°Hayley¡­¡± she breathed out on a ghost of a whisper, like the name itself was an unbearable admission. ¡°Oh, my sweet girl, what have I?¡±     But no amount of fumbling apologies or empty titudes from her lips could undo the sickening revtions I¡¯d just overheard.


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C


    Hayley¡¯s Pov     I was barely holding it together as I trudged into ss the next morning.     After the sheer cosmic windstorm of truth bombs dropped on me by Mom and Aiden¡¯s deranged aunt, I felt like I was living in aplete nightmare dimension.     But of course, because the universe just loves kicking me squarely in the teeth, that¡¯s when Alessa had to go make her grand re-entrance.     ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t Clueless Barbie herself,¡± that grating nasal voice sneered as I shuffled to my usual desk. ¡°Back for more public humiliation, I see?¡±     I looked up to find that bitch sidling right up to Aiden, running a single freshly-manicured nail down his arm as he tried to avoid her gaze.     ¡°Give it a rest, Alessa,¡± he muttered, shrugging away from her touch without meeting her eyes. ¡°We both know you¡¯re just looking to stir up more drama.¡±     ¡°Me?¡± She put a hand on her chest in faux innocence. ¡°Why, I¡¯m simply here to lend a sympathetic ear after that horrific domestic dispute you two lovebirds were having in the halls yesterday.¡±     shing me a wicked grin, she leaned in conspiratorially close to Aiden, practically draping herself over him. ¡°I heard every heartbreaking word, Aiden. How she used you of hooking for your degenerate aunt¡¯s prostitution ring and whatnot.¡±     I saw Aiden visibly tense and felt my own molten fury roaring back to life, burning away any vestiges of the shattered numbness that had swallowed me wholest night.     ¡°If you know what¡¯s good for you, you¡¯ll back the fuck off right now.¡± I heard my own voice snarl before I could stop it.     But Alessa was too far gone in her douche-chill spiral, drunk on the misery she was inflicting as she nuzzled even closer to Aiden.     ¡°It¡¯s okay, baby; you don¡¯t need to suffer in silence anymore,¡± she practically purred at him, making me want to vomit. ¡°I¡¯m here for you, same as before. Happy to lend you a friendly¡± Her tongue skimmed slowly over her ruby lips. ¡°distraction from her insufferable self-righteousness.¡±     ¡°For thest time, you depraved skank, get your paws off my man!¡± I was on my feet with fists clenched so hard that the nails bit into my palms.     That finally got Aiden to look up, his eyes widening as he registered the barely contained explosion about to erupt in his face.     ¡°Hales, c¡¯mon, you know she¡¯s just trying to get a rise out of¡­¡±     ¡°You¡¯re thest person who gets to patronize me right now.¡± I cut him off, barely recognizing my own eerily calm voice as the fury burned white-hot within me.     Then, before anyone could react, I was moving.     Grabbing Alessa by her tinum extensions, I used every ounce of preternatural strength coursing through me to yank her bodily off Aiden and fling her against the nearest wall.     ¡°YOU PSYCHOTIC BITCH!¡± she screeched at ss-shattering decibels. ¡°DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH I PAID FOR THESE KERATIN BONDINGS?!?!¡±     I just stalked towards her fallen, thrashing form, every instinct in me screaming tosh out and rend the miserable subus limb from limb.     ¡°Now who¡¯s failing to recognize a mere distraction when they see one?¡± I seethed down at her, feeling more unhinged and vtile by the second. ¡°Youe sniffing around my mate again, and I¡¯ll show you just how depraved things can get when someone pushes me too far!¡±     By now, the whole ssroom had erupted into pandemonium-kids screaming and fleeing for the exits like a fire had broken out, Mona and Mina yelling for everyone to back off before I went full-on feral on Alessa¡¯s stupid ass.     Aiden was up out of his seat too, rushing over to try putting himself between us. ¡°Haley, stop! You¡¯ve made your point! Just take a breath and¡­     ¡°You don¡¯t get to y peacemaker here!¡± I exploded, whirling on him with wild, furious eyes. ¡°Not after lying to my face over and over about all your sick, degenerate activities!¡±     He recoiled like I¡¯d just pped him, his face twisting in pained confusion. ¡°Whoa, whoa, babe, what are you even talking about? I¡¯ve never lied to¡±     ¡°Your dear old aunt Jada filled me in on all the gory details,¡± I spat with as much venom as I could muster, taking a vicious pleasure in the way his face managed to pale even further.     ¡°She¡­ you¡­ you spoke to Aunt Jada?¡± He croaked out, radiating pure dismay.     ¡°Among other enlightening revtions courtesy of my own batshit crazy mother,¡± Iughed bitterly, moisture stinging at the corners of my eyes now.     ¡°Everything you told me about being some helpless, exploited victim of their prostitution racket? All lies, just anotheryer of deception to keep me blind and loyal to you!¡±     Aiden opened his mouth to protest, but I wasn¡¯t having any of his dissembling bullshit today.     ¡°Save whatever fresh maniptions you¡¯ve got locked and loaded, Aiden,¡± I hissed, reverting back to his surname out of sheer disdain. ¡°I¡¯m officially done being gaslit by another pathological liar, even if you happen to be the love of my miserable life!¡±     On that scorching note, I wheeled around and stormed out of the ssroom, heedless of the gawking masses scattering from my path, the tearful pleas of Mona and Mina calling me back, or even the whimpering wreck of Alessa still crumpled on the floor clutching her ruined hair extensions.     Too many deceptions and revtions and shattered trusts were swirling through my guts like a raging maelstrom of betrayal.     My head was pounding, and my vision was flickering in and out like a degrading video transmission being steadily corrupted.     There was only one setting left in my world that felt even remotely stable or safe amid the fallout of so many realities unraveling around me.     The one I could always count on retreating into and embracing was the only side of my existence that had never felt like a desperate lie.     That of the huntress-the predator lurking in the shadows, patiently awaiting for theing darkness to be unleashed.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

 Chapter 22

    AIDEN¡¯S POV     ¡°Hayley, wait up; you haven¡¯t told me what¡¯s wrong?¡± I ran after Hayley as she stormed outside the ssroom, heartbroken and distraught.


    ¡°What is it you were saying about Aunt Jada?¡± I asked with utmost concern.     ¡°Aiden I don¡¯t want to talk about it; Alessa will probably be the best option for you right now; you can go back in there to meet her.¡± Hayley didn¡¯t reduce her pace for anything, not even for me.     ¡°What¡¯s making you say this?¡±     ¡°Why else do you think I¡¯m saying this? Alessa was clearly transferred here so she could be a distraction to you, and damn, the n is really going as nned because the target is here. Her voice went in a very high pitch, and her hands were out in the air, stretching in my direction. ¡°is foolishly yielding to it.¡±     ¡°I seriously don¡¯t know why you are heading in that direction, Hayley.¡± I was lost for words. Alessa is pretty and all, but Hayley¡¯sprehension of how I felt towards Alessa was the entire spelling of wrong.     ¡°Your escort hooker business awaits you both.¡±


    Of all the things in the world, thest thing I expected from Hayley was a bacsh against using my past against me.     ¡°Are we still on this, Hayley? We would just dwell on that ugly fact.¡± I retorted.     ¡°You can¡¯t run from your past now, can you?¡± The determination on her face grew more intense, and she didn¡¯t pace down; at this point, I was already running after her.     ¡°You want to do this now? I honestly do not understand the number of times you expect me to apologize to you. This minute you¡¯re cool, we¡¯re cool, and the next very simple, obviously gullible act from Alessa is already riling you up.¡± I tried everything possible to hold my voice and keep it down.     ¡°Now I¡¯m the dumb one; I got my powers, Aiden, and I¡¯m the dumb one, right?¡±     Hayley could be really irrational sometimes, but this was the most irrational behavioral period I¡¯ve ever encountered with her.     ¡°You know what? Maybe this was all a mistake.¡±


    I uttered that statement in a bid to stop her from taking any further steps.


    I stood a few meters away from her, and my words took effect.     She stopped in her tracks when she got to the fountain.


    I retreated to the other side of it, but she had already gotten in front, and instead, she stood there like she was being remote-controlled.     ¡°Yes, maybe it was,¡± I repeated.     ¡°You have no right to make me feel bad in this situation, Aiden,¡± she snapped at me, and she retreated in her steps too,ing towards me. ¡°Youe at me, and I make a very rash decision we both know we¡¯ll regret.¡± Her eyes were dead-shot, but she still proceeded towards me.     I was deprived of my freedom of speech as she took all my words out on me.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°No matter how stupidly I feel I¡¯m trying to understand you and your nasty past, you¡¯ve never for once cleared anything up for me.¡±


    ¡°It always ends up with me being stuck with a glimpse of what my imagination gives to me, and trust me, it doesn¡¯t aid or give you a clear name in my head.¡±     I knew I had been procrastinating telling Hayley the truth, but then the actual truth is this: I don¡¯t want to lose her; I don¡¯t think I want to, and with that revtion, I wasn¡¯t really oblivious to the negative effect it would have on us both.     ¡°So, this is me clearing up your prior utterance.¡± She paused, and I wasn¡¯t sure I was ready for what came next. ¡°Maybe this was a mistake, Aiden. Mum and Aunt Jada would be so d; their n is effectively working, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    A smile appeared on her face; it wasn¡¯t directed at me, but I felt the gaze directly on me.     ¡°What are you insinuating?¡± Conflict arose in my face; this definitely took a turn I was not expecting it to take.     ¡°I¡¯m saying we should take a break.¡±     I figured she noticed the shock on my face, and she made her intentions really clear.     ¡°If you think you arefortable hiding things from me, well then, go ahead and do so; I don¡¯t want to be a part of it.¡±     The bitterness in her voice pulled a string in my heart, but it wasn¡¯t hard enough for me to give it all out now.     ¡°Aiden! There you are!¡±     A voice called out to me from the stairway of our hall. I knew instantly that it wasn¡¯t redemption; it was just a factor of ruin and disaster.


    ¡®This wouldn¡¯t help matters,¡¯ I thought within myself, after which I felt a surge of heat from within. I tried my best to control my wolf.     ¡°She¡¯s everywhere around you, Aiden; that¡¯s my cue; I¡¯m done not being heard by you; every doubt of uncertainty I get is always countered by words of guilt-tripping from you rather than assurance.¡±     ¡°Are we still on this case?¡± Alessa¡¯s irritating voice rang through my brain, and I wanted to tear her apart.     ¡°Alessa, it seems like your extensions healed faster; you¡¯re here for another torture pull.¡±


    Hayley smirked, hiding obvious terror. ¡°Don¡¯t you have a ce to be? We¡¯re not the sole aim of your existence; make yourself useful.¡± I watched as Hayley snapped at her in disgust, and I¡¯ve never loved her more than I did at that moment.     I almost said a word and then remembered thestment Hayley made to me: ¡°words of guilt-tripping.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t going to do that, not now.     ¡°I¡¯m not here for you,¡± she rudely said to Hayley and turned to me. ¡°Aiden, darling.¡± Alessa¡¯s hands touched my shoulder, and the irritation started all over again.


    My fangs started growing longer, my iris turned a very dark shade of red, and the hair on my skin started poking.


    ¡°Aiden, are you okay?¡± Hayley screeched out my name.


    ¡°My goodness, Aiden,¡± I heard Alessa say in a loud whisper. She attempted to touch me, and a very loud growl escaped my lips.     ¡°Aiden, calm down.¡± Hayley spoke softly and tried toe closer to me.


    I knew if I stayed there, someone would get hurt. To avoid hurting anyone, especially Hayley, I left both of them by the fountain.     I ran away from the scene like my life depended on it, amidst the loud yelling of my name from both of them.

 Chapter 23

    AIDEN¡¯S POV     The sound of the flowing water in the stream seemed to be the only thing that understood how I felt.


    Calm, yet a little bit turbulent. Clear, yet not sure of how to prove its innocence to the victims of its turbulence.     Hayley was right, but how do I do this without getting an unruly reaction?     I heard rustling in the bushes. My wolf was in partial physical existence with me; I was in my mostfortable moment. Who could disrupt that moment?Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    Only my father knew this ce, Hayley too, but I doubt she would want toe to me now, not after what she currently thinks of me.     ¡°Who is it?¡± I spoke with authority in my voice to intimidate whoever was in the bushes.     ¡°Aiden!¡± The voice resounded more thunderously than mine, and I knew who it was immediately.     ¡°Dad?¡± I muttered. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±     ¡°You¡¯re not the only one who gets emotions too, Aiden; this is our ce, remember?¡± His voice sounded as though he had been battling whatever had been bothering him for a long time.     ¡°Well, the coincidence is one to not ignore, then.¡± I slowly created a space for him to join me in my voyage through the sea of thoughts.     ¡°What¡¯s bothering you?¡± The Alpha, my dad, was calm as he spoke to me, and it came as a shock to me.     ¡°I¡¯ll let you go first,¡± I uttered quickly. My situation was not one to discuss with my dad.     He heaved a sigh of breath and got reallyfortable on the log of wood above the stream.


    It looked like he also had an anger outburst. His pores were widely visible.     ¡°The pack seems to be undergoing a major setback, and fixing it is where I need to get myself together,¡± he said, rushing his words out and looking at me when he said thest word.     ¡°What are some odds you¡¯ve considered?¡±     ¡°Domain expansion,¡± he quickly stated, as though he had spent his whole life expecting the question from me.     ¡°You want to expand our domain?¡± I couldn¡¯t quite get the reason why that would be necessary, but he got the hint and voluntarily broke it down.     ¡°Yes, it only suggests we have enough workers on the farm and more rearers, reducing the hunger percentage in the pack.¡±     ¡°It seems like you have it all figured out then; why bother?¡± I cheekily asked.     ¡°The saying goes, ¡®easier said than done¡¯, I need to carry out the whole process now, don¡¯t I?¡±     ¡°How do you do that?¡±     ¡°First of all, we make them our allies and slowly chip into the contract.¡±     I gave a very shortugh. ¡°So you¡¯ll be going out of the pack soon,¡± I asked, with curiosity now brewing up in my head.     ¡°No, of course not.¡±     ¡°How do you go about them?¡±     ¡°I¡¯m not sure I should be rying this to you so soon,¡± ¡°but then, our allies are mostly Australians, and that seemed to be far away from here.¡± He paused for a long time.     I thought about the possible worst thing that could happen, but he stared at me more intensely this time.     ¡°Let it wait,¡± he concluded, and my thoughts once again closed the matter. ¡°Your turn now.¡±     ¡°What dark past do you recall of Aunt Jada after Mom left?¡±     He jolted back a little bit, and I saw sincerity and seriousness in my face.     ¡°Why are you bringing this matter up?¡±     ¡°Alessa started at school with usst week.¡±     ¡°Ah, Alessa, I see you guys have met; how well are you both kicking it off?¡±     ¡°Wait, you know about it?¡± I was suddenly interested. It seemed like this man had nned it all out.     ¡°I¡¯m the Alpha of this pack; nothing really gets past me, Aiden.¡± I smelled a sprinkle of deceit in his words.     ¡°Why do I feel you have something to do with her reappearance in my life once again?¡± I squinted up close at him.     ¡°I didn¡¯t fully orchestrate it, but it¡¯s for your betterment.¡± He spoke with so much confidence, like he held my world and life in his own hands.     ¡°I know what¡¯s good for me, and you can¡¯t be so sure of that; all you care about is the pack,¡± I retorted.     ¡°Your irrationality with your sister is causing a lot of scandal, and whispers seem to go around about how insolent your action with Hayley is.¡±     ¡°Is this another bid to separate Hayley from me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not insolence when she is my mate-legal mate for that matter. I couldn¡¯t care less what they think about it; the moon goddess doesn¡¯t make mistakes. If she says it is that way, then let it remain that way.¡±     I was getting furious, but control was easy this time around; it was my dad.     ¡°Rachel doesn¡¯t give me peace in the house; you need to figure out what you want with your life without Hayley in it, because, I promise you, this might as well be the end of everything you¡¯ve been building so far.¡±     The harsh determination in his voice gave way to creating fear in me.


    We¡¯ve been in this case for a long time, and I still don¡¯t understand why they¡¯re not getting the fact that myself and Hayley are inseparable.     ¡°This is a risk to the pack; we might as well lose all we¡¯vee this far for, so instead of wasting time and sulking at the bank of the stream, you should be daydreaming of what life as an alpha would be like when you finally be one, Aiden.¡±     ¡°Hayley doesn¡¯t and will not stop me from performing my duties as your heir, with all due respect.¡±     ¡°You and Hayley won¡¯t proceed with whatever you both are driving at; do something about it before I intervene with strict measures you both will regret.¡±     The Alpha stood up from the tree and retreated.     Suddenly, I heard a scream from behind. I turned to see a rogueing at me from behind. The tree branch snapped, and I lost my bnce.

 Chapter 24

    HAYLEY¡¯S POV


    ¡°Hayley, Hayley¡± Alessa¡¯s disturbing voice resounded in my head, distorting the train of thoughts. ¡°Aiden¡¯s gone,¡±


    I knew very well that he ran into the bushes, but that was the least of my problems.


    Aiden¡¯s transformation, this was very rming.


    Alessa¡¯s reaction to Aiden¡¯s raging departure only made me brew up more anger.


    ¡°Where does he think he¡¯s going?, Does he think he can leave me this way?,¡± The wailing from her irritated me further. I chose to ignore her ¡°Why aren¡¯t you going after him, I thought you loved him?¡± She seethed, staring at me.


    I still stood there saying nothing.


    ¡°If you won¡¯t go, I will.¡± She snapped at me.


    She dashed towards the direction Aiden went in screaming the words. ¡°My alpha wait, you can¡¯t just leave me here.¡± She raced into the wild.


    *************


    ¡°It happened so fast, I couldn¡¯t believe my eyes, was I the reason he changed?, was he angry at me?¡± I muttered to myself when I got into the locker room close to the fountain where we stood.


    ¡°It¡¯s all Alessa¡¯s fault, I tried to make sure our rtionship worked out fine.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s always been as cunning as a fox, seeing her that way didn¡¯t surprise me, but why did it have so much effect on Aiden?¡±


    I impatiently thought as I paced up and down the room.


    Mina and Mona ran up to me.


    ¡°What was that about.¡±


    ¡°We saw Aiden, what did Alessa do?¡±


    ¡°Why did she run off like that.¡±


    ¡°.. and why didn¡¯t you go after Aiden?¡±


    They rushed their words at me, leaving no space for me to respond.


    ¡°Won¡¯t you guys calm down? Aiden wille back, he is fine¡±


    ¡°Alessa is out there, searching for him, what if she finds him?¡±


    ¡°She finds him and then what?¡± ¡°I¡¯m currently not subjecting myself to any position where I have to worry about Aiden¡±


    I uttered those words but deep down, I knew I cared.


    ¡°We know you¡¯re mad, for reasons we aren¡¯t sure of¡± Mina came closer to where I stood.


    ¡°But would you think what would happen if mistakenly, Alessa had her way with him.¡±


    That statement brought back the originator of the issue I have with Aiden.


    ¡°Come to think about it, Aiden told me that Dad arranged a mate for him, although he hadn¡¯t seen who it was.¡±


    ¡°Could Alessa just be a bait to destroy ande between me and Aiden?¡±


    I dashed out of the room, and went after Alessa with one thought ringing in my head.


    ¡®not letting her raise her dirty paws on Aiden.¡¯


    ¡°Not again, I will stand against the heavens and the earth, I don¡¯t care who I¡¯m going to face, my mum or my step father,¡± the determination in my voice was rming.


    I have been hurt before, trampled upon and heartbroken by people, even by the one I have my heart to at first, Hond, that bastard and he doesn¡¯t even hold a candle to Aiden¡¯s charisma.


    I have fallen head over heels for him and I can¡¯t lose him, not to Alessa, not to his dad, not to anyone, not this time.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Running through the trees, I could feel my blood rushing through my paws and legs. I could hear the sound of my heart beating so fast, I¡¯ve never ran this fast.


    My hormones are messing with my head and the scent of flowers clouded the scent of Aiden.


    Aiden was more than precious to me. Right from the moment we met, I found it quite difficult to let him.


    I had never seen eyes so captivating, he was one with the universe.


    In this moment that universe came crashing down in front of my eyes.


    I followed for a long time before I decided to give up the chase


    There was no trace of Alessa, neither of them were there and in sight.


    ¡®Aiden wille back when he¡¯s ready¡¯


    I thought about it and left for home.


    ********


    ¡°Mum Aiden is acting weird all of a sudden.¡±


    She furrowed her brows. ¡°Why are you still on about him? We¡¯ve talked about¡­¡±


    ¡°Mum I¡¯m not ready for your sermon once more, still mad at you but I¡¯ll ask this one question¡±


    She nodded. I was still fully aware that she threatened to end my very essence.


    ¡°ok?, It¡¯s about Aiden¡± I hesitated a bit before proceeding.


    ¡°The next Alpha, your brother, you should stop fantasizing over nonsense¡± she snapped at me.


    ¡°Your conspiracy with aunt Jada, I¡¯m yet to forgive you mum, why would someone who ims to be my mother want to eliminate me?¡±


    ¡°Darling¡± she started with a soothing voice, but I heard what I heard that day and there¡¯s no convincing me. ¡°Whatever are you talking about?¡±


    I only stared at her with my hands akimbo.


    ¡°I just feel Aiden is in danger. I don¡¯t even know why I¡¯m getting this nervous feeling at all.¡± I said, ignoring her priorment. I knew this wasn¡¯t the right time to bring it up. I¡¯m here for Aiden.


    ¡°What makes you think that?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± I stated, really unsure. But my emotions couldn¡¯t help but spiral out of control.


    My mum¡¯s phone rang, she looked at me and then back at her phone.


    I had a gut feeling that it was aunt Jada, and she wasn¡¯t picking it up because I was there, but I wasn¡¯t going to drown myself in that, not now.


    Now I needed to find Aiden and fix things with him.


    ¡°Take your call, I¡¯m not stopping you¡± I sarcastically told my mum and smirked at her as I turned to leave.


    ¡°It¡¯s not..¡± she started talking but was interrupted by an rming voiceing from the front yard.


    ¡°Aiden, Aiden¡¯s been hurt, Aiden has been attacked¡±


    My entire body shook, I dashed out of the house to see Alessa wailing.


    ¡°Aiden? What happened to him?¡±


    ¡°I was in search of him and I heard a loud growl. I followed it and it led me to Aiden, lying close to a dead rogue, he is unconscious¡±


    I turned to my mum and then back to Alessa.


    ¡°Take me there,¡±

 Chapter 25

    HAYLEY`S POV


    With all the strength I had in me, I ran after Alessa. If anything happens to Aiden, I don¡¯t think I will ever forgive myself. The thought of something happening to him almost made me break down while running. I was so scared. I was ready to make things right.


    I watched as Alessa reduced her pace, like she had gotten to her destination, but there was no sign of Aiden anywhere.


    Is this a joke? I thought to myself.


    ¡°Where is he?¡± I asked while turning around as Alessa came to a halt. There was no sign of Aiden anywhere. No rogue either. I was hyperventting, and Alessa¡¯s silence wasn¡¯t helping at all.


    ¡°You said you saw him here; where is he?¡± I asked, but she was silent again.


    ¡°Answer me, Alessa.¡± I yelled. She then rolled her eyes and answered.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. He¡­ he was here, I swear. I saw him lying here¡­ I didn¡¯t know what to do.¡±


    ¡°You saw Aiden lying here unconscious, and you left him? Does that even make any sense to you?¡± I yelled louder at her. Tears stung in my eyes and threatened to fall, but I wasn¡¯t going to show any sign of weakness in front of Alessa. She wanted Aiden for herself, and I was sure she would do anything to get him.


    ¡°Excuse me, you didn¡¯t want to go after him, and I did. What gives you the right to me me?¡± She said, wiping the tears that rolled out of her eyes. It made me wonder if she truly cares about him.


    ¡°You work with Aunt Jada; how do you expect me to trust you?¡± I came face-to-face with her. She gave me a malicious re as I stared right into her eyes, making it clear that I wasn¡¯t frightened by her at all.


    ¡°I¡¯ll find him, and he¡¯ll be mine. You just watch and see.¡± With that, she dashed out of the bush. Feeling lonely and frustrated in the bush, I let my tears flow freely.


    Maybe I was too hard on him. I should have given him a chance; I should have trusted him more. I was too harsh with him. I should have given him a listening ear, knowing that Alessa would always want him back.


    I fell on my knees and wailed as the thought of Aiden being hurt consumed me.


    But what if Alessa was lying? Could she be lying just to see me break down? She would do anything to separate Aiden and me; why do I have to believe anything thates from her lying mouth?


    I tried to shake off the feeling that Aiden was missing, but it was hard, knowing that we were not on good terms when he ran off.


    I wiped my tears and walked back home with the hope that Alessa was lying and Aiden was at home waiting for me. But that was the opposite of what I met. By the time I got home, the house was empty and quiet. Mum had obviously gone out, and Dad was nowhere to be found; likewise, Aiden.


    ¡°Aiden? Aiden? Aiden, I¡¯m sorry. Let¡¯s fix this, please. Aiden?.¡± I called as I walked around the house, calling his name. I picked up my phone and dialed his number, but it didn¡¯t go through. I decided to call Mona and Mina; it rang a few times before someone picked up


    ¡°Hales? Is Aiden fine?¡± Mina asked, and I bit my lip as it quivered.


    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know. He¡­ He wasn¡¯t there. I can¡¯t find him anywhere. What do I do now?¡± I asked with a shaky voice.


    ¡°You need to calm down, Hayley.¡± She said that and heaved a sigh.


    ¡°I can¡¯t. I mean, I¡¯m trying, but I can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s fine. Just try to be calm; Mona and I will be with you in a short while.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I ended the call, and just then mom came in.


    ¡°Hayley? Are you okay?¡± She asked, dropping her handbag on the couch nearby. I shook my head vehemently as I couldn¡¯t find words.


    ¡°Say something, Hayley. Is it Alessa?¡± She asked, and I shook my head again.


    ¡°Hayley?¡±


    ¡°I think Aiden is missing.¡± I suddenly said that and began to pace back and forth.


    ¡°What are you saying?¡± She said, taking a step back.


    ¡°I can¡¯t find him. Alessa said he was lying in the bush unconscious, but when I got there, I couldn¡¯t find him.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, when Alphaes, we will ask him. He should have an idea.¡± Just then, there was a knock on the door, interrupting mom from finishing her statement.


    The door burst open, revealing Mona and Mina. They both rushed to me and hugged me while Mom stood nearby watching us.


    ¡°Any news?¡± Mona asked with a sad face, and I shook my head.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°We¡¯re waiting for dad to get back.¡± I replied, and they both nodded.


    ¡°Come on, have a seat.¡± Mom said, gesturing for them to sit down.


    ¡°Are you sure Aiden is missing Hayley?¡± Mom asked, and I was quiet. How do I give an answer to that?


    We waited for almost an hour. There was no sign of Aiden or Dad. Mona and Mina called Aiden¡¯s friends to ask if he was in school, but they said they¡¯d not seen him since he left that morning.


    I felt pressed, and I decided to excuse myself to the restroom. On my way out, I heard voices.


    ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± Mom asked.


    ¡°Of course, Rachel. Did something happen?¡± Dad asked, looking from mom to my friends.


    ¡°Dad?¡± I called. He turned to me.


    ¡°I¡¯ve not seen him, Hayley.¡± He said, answering the question I had asked with my eyes. ¡°We met in the woods earlier today, but then I left for a meeting, and I haven¡¯t seen him since then.¡±


    ¡°Does Aunt Jada have a hand in this?¡± I asked no one in particr as it became clear that my mate was missing.

 Chapter 26

    AIDEN¡¯S POV


    I woke up with a banging head. I wonder how hard I fell. Where am I, and how did I get here? The room was empty and dark. My hands were tied alongside my legs too. I could barely move, and my pounding head only added to the list of things that were frustrating. Have I been kidnapped? I felt tired-too tired to even think of finding an escape route.


    I heard footsteps, and I became rmed.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there? Hello?¡± I called, hoping that someone would at leaste to my aid.


    ¡°Well, well, well. The lover boy is finally awake. I must admit, you were out for so long that I began to consider waking you up through other means.¡± A voice said, I couldn¡¯t see anything, as the whole ce was pitch ck. I wondered what other means he was referring to. But I had more important things to worry about. The voice of this person was male and sounded really familiar.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± I asked, going straight to the point, not ready to banter words with him.


    ¡°What do I want or what needs to be done?¡± He asked. I could hear him pacing about.


    ¡°What do you mean? Where am I?¡± I asked. Knowing he would answer any of those questions, I turned around to see if he was alone, and he was.


    ¡°Is that all you would ask all day? You must have hit your head pretty hard.¡±


    ¡°And you must be a coward.¡± I spat.


    ¡°With the way you¡¯re going, you wouldn¡¯t leave here alive. At least that would bring to an end all these games.¡±


    ¡°What games are you referring to? Is this about my rtionship with Hayley?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re getting it now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business. Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?¡±


    ¡°Stop this abominable act. Renounce your rtionship with your step sister and end all these at once.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t do that.¡± I replied.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s not going to be possible.¡±


    ¡°Nothing is impossible, except it doesn¡¯t want to be done.¡±


    ¡°Well, this one is. No one can separate us. So forget it.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see about that after your beloved Hayley¡¯s transformation.¡± I stiffened up when he spoke about that. It meant that this person was working for Aunt Jada.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you darey a hand on Hayley.¡± I yelled, and he burst into a fit ofughter.


    ¡°You know, for someone who is tied up and in a dark room, you make pretty good threats.¡±


    ¡°What do you want?¡± I asked once more.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Break up with Hayley. Leave her alone. Stop this whole bullshit. How else do you want me to say it?¡± He yelled. I could sense that he was angry, but I was tired, and my head kept pounding endlessly. I was starting to feel dizzy.


    ¡°And I said that would not happen.¡± He scoffed. Why was he hell bent on wanting my rtionship with Hayley to be over? Why does everyone keep saying the same thing? Even dad? Hayley is my mate, and I can never leave her, no matter what.


    I hope Hayley is fine. I know she¡¯s angry with me, but I just wish she listened to what I had to say. I have nothing to do with Alessa. Alessa is my past, and she is my present. That is what is important to me.


    ¡°You would be a good gift for my mistress.¡± He said it with a loudughter that rang through the empty room.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing your mistress is Aunt Jada, right?¡± I said, and his silence was an answer to my question.


    ¡°Tell her she¡¯s only wasting her time.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got some guys.¡±


    ¡°Let me go.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see about that.¡± He replied, and there was a knock on the door. Actually, a loud bang.


    ¡°Who could that be?¡± He walked towards the door, and I tried to eavesdrop on their conversation.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± He asked; clearly, he wasn¡¯t expecting whoever that person was.


    ¡°Why are you keeping him hostage here?¡± A female voice asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s my business, not yours.¡± He spat.


    ¡°I¡¯m justing from the mistress¡¯ ce; she didn¡¯t order you to do this; she¡¯s not even aware of this.¡±


    ¡°Well, she¡¯ll be d when she hears from me.¡± He replied.


    ¡°What are you talking about? This wasn¡¯t part of the n. Let him go.¡± She said.


    ¡°Go home, Alessa; don¡¯t make me mad at you.¡± He said it angrily.


    Alessa is here. I was right when I guessed Aunt Jada and her gang had something to do with this.


    ¡°Alessa? Alessa?¡± I called, and she pushed him aside, running towards me in the dark room.


    ¡°Aiden? Are you okay?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Do I look okay to you?¡±


    ¡°Let him go this instant.¡± Alessa yelled.


    ¡°Do it yourself. I¡¯m out of here.¡± He said that and walked out, leaving Alessa and me in the dark room. Alessa quickly found a way to untie me. The moment I was free, she fell on me and hugged me tightly.


    Not very surprised by her gesture, I untangled her hands from mine and tried to walk. She obviously wanted me to seek constion from her. I knew she wanted my attention too.


    ¡°Aiden, wait. You¡¯re not so strong to walk.¡± She pointed it out. She was right, though, but I needed to see Hayley to be sure she was fine.


    ¡°So what do you suggest I do, sit here? I need to be home as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because of her, isn¡¯t it? You want to go home because of Hayley.¡± I sighed and kept walking. It felt like my bones were shaking and I might give up soon.


    ¡°What do you even see in her?¡± She yelled, but I didn¡¯t answer as I kept walking in slow motion.


    I don¡¯t know what Alessa wants from me, but it can¡¯t be anything good.


    She was sent here toe between Hayley and me, but I won¡¯t let that happen.

 Chapter 27

    Aiden¡¯s POV     ¡°Alessa, release me,¡± I groaned, pushing against her tight embrace. Every time I moved, my head pounded with pain.     ¡°You could barely support yourself on your own two feet.¡±     ¡°I can walk; I need to get to Hayley.¡±     ¡°She¡¯s okay,¡± Alessa replied, with tension in her voice. ¡°She is with your dad.¡±     My chest felt the pounding of my heart. ¡°What for?¡±     ¡°Hey Aiden, take a seat. You need to take a break.¡±     ¡°I want answers, not rest.¡± The suffocating darkness reverberated with the sound of my voice.     ¡°Ok, ok,¡± she breathed out. ¡°There is much to rify.¡± ¡°First, let¡¯s just find a ce with light for you.¡±     She searched clumsily, locating a switch, and a faint bulb illuminated. The room had nothing but concrete and a lone mattress on the floor.     ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Alessa said as she kneeled beside me. ¡°Tell me, are you alright?¡±     ¡°Are you kidding me? Alessa, they abducted me! How would I feel better?¡±     She muttered, avoiding my eyes, ¡°This wasn¡¯t how it was meant to happen.¡± Aunt Jada requested a different item.     ¡°What is it that you are saying?¡±     She simply wished for you to break things off with Hayley.     I let out augh filled with bitterness. ¡°And were you expected to be the tool she used?¡±     She twitched. ¡°I was unaware. I believed it was simply a method to retaliate against you, Aiden. Pleasee back to me.¡±     ¡°Alessa,¡± I softly said. ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±     ¡°But you¡¯re my mate,¡± she murmured, tears forming in her eyes. The anguish in her tone clenched my stomach. ¡°Alessa, can you please stop this? You should be with someone who recognizes and desires you. I can¡¯t give that to you.¡±     She looked away as she let out a muffled cry. Awkward and dense silence hung over us.     ¡°How did you manage to remove me from that ce in the first ce?¡± I inquired atst.     ¡°I listened in on their conversation. They were concerned about the possibility of you getting hurt. I secretly left and discovered the location.¡±     ¡°Did you put yourself in danger for me?¡±     She gave a nod in response. ¡°I still have feelings for you, Aiden. Even if you don¡¯t share the same feeling.¡±     ¡°I care about you, Alessa, but not in the way you want me to.¡±     She whispered, wiping her tears, ¡°I know. Now, what¡¯s the n?¡±     ¡°I must reach Hayley. My father is probably panicked.¡±     ¡°I must admit, he does appear concerned,¡± Alessa acknowledged.     ¡°Can you help us meet up?¡±     ¡°That wouldn¡¯t be easy. At least not directly.¡±     I balled my fist. ¡°Why not?¡±     ¡°My aunt is having people keep an eye on me. If they catch me assisting you, it could have negative consequences for the both of us.¡±     ¡°Fantastic,¡± I whispered, falling back on the bed. ¡°I¡¯m definitely trapped in here.¡±     ¡°No,¡± Alessa stated, her eyes showing a strong resolve. ¡°I will call someone. A person who is willing to assist you, someone who is dedicated to your family.¡±     ¡°Who are you talking about?¡±     ¡°Trust me,¡± she said, while taking out her phone.     The following was an anxious period of waiting, with the only sounds being the soft beepsing from her phone. Atst, a rough voice responded.     ¡°Is that you, Uncle Ethan? It¡¯s me, Alessa. I need assistance from you.¡±     I caught my breath. Is Ethan not the one in charge of enforcing the pack? This might be sessful.     Alessa ended the brief, mysterious conversation with a content smile.     She mentioned that he would arrive shortly. ¡°He is aware of a secret entrance to your territory.¡±     A wave of relief came over me. ¡°Thanks, Alessa. I truly appreciate it.¡±     ¡°Simply assure me of one thing,¡± she whispered softly.     ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±     ¡°Keep believing in her. If that¡¯s your desire, then stand up for Hayley and defend her.¡±     I gazed at her, feeling the gravity of her words sink in. ¡°I will.¡±     The both of us jumped when there was a knock on the door. Alessa went to respond to the knock on the door, and a tall,manding presence stood in the entrance.     Ethan was greeted with nervousness by Alessa.     Alessa nodded. ¡±Aiden,¡± he said.


    He nodded, his eyes pausing on me briefly before returning to Alessa. ¡°Did you mention that you needed my assistance?¡±     ¡°Yes,¡± Alessa whispered softly in response. ¡°Aiden.¡±     Ethan squinted his eyes. ¡°What happened?¡±     Inhaling deeply, I felt the pounding in my head increase with each word spoken. ¡°I was taken against my will. I was bound and ced in confinement by a rogue. I am unaware of the identity of the person.¡±     Ethan¡¯s teeth gritted together. ¡°Have you been injured by them?¡±     ¡°I just hit my head; it¡¯s nothing to be concerned about,¡± I fibbed, trying to avoid causing him more anxiety.     ¡°Regardless, we must ensure you see a doctor,¡± he insisted, his tone indicating there was no room for debate. ¡°First, we will take you back to your house.¡±     Alessa interrupted me with a problem before I could say anything. ¡°I am being watched by them. If they catch me bringing Aiden back, there will be problems.¡±     Ethan made a grunting sound while he thoughtfully stroked his beard. ¡°Then, we use our creativity.¡±     His eyes locked onto mine as he shifted his attention towards me. ¡°Are you ready for a short stroll, Aiden?¡±     ¡°Definitely,¡± I replied, rising from the bed. I felt a slight wobble in my legs, but I was able to stand independently.     He nodded briefly in approval toward me. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get moving.¡±     We walked behind Ethan as he led us through abyrinth of dim corridors. The atmosphere became musty as we strolled, with only the sound of our footsteps disturbing the silence.     ¡°Where are we headed to?¡± After a period of time, I observed as the cramped darkness started to affect me.     ¡°There¡¯s a historic service entrance located a short distance away. It goes into the remote forests on yournd. We can utilize that to sneak you in unnoticed.¡± Ethan emphasized.     ¡°That sounds good,¡± I muttered, attempting to concentrate on moving forward step by step. A dull throbbing in my head and exhaustion slowly consumed me.     All of a sudden, Ethan came to a halt. He raised his hand, gesturing for us to remain silent.     ¡°What is that?¡± Alessa spoke in a quiet voice.     Ethan put his ear up to the wall, his expression serious. Speech sounds can be heard. It seems like they are approaching from this direction.     I felt a prickling sensation of fear on my skin. ¡°Who is that?¡±     Ethan shook his head, his expression showing a frown. He motioned for us toe with him, guiding us through a new hallway. We proceeded quietly, each sound from the floor making me shiver.     The voices became louder, muffled yet clear. My chest throbbed with my heart racing, and I felt a sense of dread consume me.     Ethan paused once more, gazing around a corner. Hisplexion paled.     ¡°Damn it,¡± he whispered quietly to himself.     ¡°What is that?¡± Alessa made a hissing sound.     ¡°It¡¯s them,¡± he murmured quietly. Aunt Jada and her henchmen. ¡°They areing in this direction.¡±     We were unable to escape. The sole pathway to safety was barricaded, and given my present state, resorting tobat was not an option. I searched frantically in my mind for an answer but found nothing.     ¡°What should we do?¡± Alessa inquired, her voice quivering.     Ethan looked at both of us, his face showing no emotion.     ¡°We conceal,¡± he eventually mentioned. ¡°And pray they do not locate us.¡±     He pushed us into a cramped nook, just aboutrge enough for the three of us to line up next to each other. We anxiously stayed silent as the voices approached, the noise of footsteps reverberating around us.     In the stifling quiet, my heart beat rapidly against my chest like a frenzied drum solo. I caught bits and pieces of their discussion.     ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate that we had to turn to such actions.¡±     ¡°The boy will face consequences.¡±     ¡°¡­ ensure that Hayley stays at home.¡±     I felt a chill in my blood. Hayley. What was going to happen to her? Fear wed at me, almost engulfing me whole.


    I needed to reach her; I needed to figure out what was going on.


    Stuck in the shadows, all I could do was wait as the sound of footsteps drawing near sent shivers of fear through me.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

 Chapter 28

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    The nearing footfalls resonated like a funeral bell in the crowded nook. Each time a boot hit the hard floor, it sent chills down my back. Alessa leaned into me, her fear evident. Ethan stood at the front, his wide body providing some protection, but his rigid stance revealed his concern.


    The voices approached closer, getting louder with every passing moment. I could identify Aunt Jada¡¯s irritated, sharp tone.


    ¡°She must be in this vicinity,¡± she snapped. ¡°Scatter around and locate them!¡±


    Fear gripped my throat. We found ourselves trapped. If they discovered our location, it would be impossible to predict their actions. I quickly looked at Alessa, who had wide eyes filled with fear. Our eyes briefly connected, silently recognizing the peril we faced.


    All of a sudden, a loud noise echoed down the hallway. We all jumped, surprised by the sudden noise.


    ¡°What¡¯s that sound?¡± Aunt Jada asked firmly.


    ¡°The old building seems to have finally reached the end of its days,¡± a rough voice responded.


    ¡°Fantastic,¡± Aunt Jada snapped. ¡°Exactly what was necessary.¡±


    Feet shuffled, then a curse was muttered in frustration.


    Another voice joined in, saying that it seems like the way is obstructed. ¡°It appears to be a partial copse.¡±


    I felt a rush of reliefe over me. A sudden breakdown! This could be our way to escape from this ce.


    ¡°Screw it all!¡± Aunt Jada growled. Discover a different entrance. ¡°We cannot abandon them there.¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    ¡°Who should I leave?¡± A fresh voice, brimming with doubt.


    Aunt Jada snapped, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Simply discover an alternative route.


    The noise of footsteps moving away gradually decreased in the distance. We stayed close together without speaking, waiting anxiously to confirm their departure.


    ¡°Do they¡­?¡± Alessa murmured, her voice barely discernible.


    Ethan extended his arm and touched his lips with a finger, gesturing for us to be silent. He timidly nced around the corner, his expression serious.


    After a prolonged period, he verified their absence. However, they will return. ¡°We have to relocate.¡±


    He assisted Alessa in getting out of the alcove before he faced me.


    ¡°Are you okay to go for a walk, Aiden?¡±


    Despite my throbbing head, the surge of adrenaline kept me moving forward. ¡°Yeah, I can.¡±


    We walked behind Ethan through the dim hallway, with only the sound of my uneven breathing interrupting the quiet. The atmosphere was heavy with tension, and I sensed the invisible gaze of eyes observing us from the darkness.


    ¡°Where are we headed to?¡± I inquired, speaking softly.


    Ethan provided an exnation about an empty venttion shaft located a couple of sections away. ¡°It¡¯s a bit cramped, but it should guide us to the path through the forest.¡±


    ¡°Awesome,¡± I muttered, not particrly excited about the idea of squeezing through a dirty air duct. Getting caught by Aunt Jada was worse than anything else.


    We eventually arrived at the opening of the pit. It was a tiny, metallic gap, justrge enough for a person to fit through.


    Ethan pointed to Alessa, saying, ¡°Women go first.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± she paused, fear evident in her voice. ¡°It appears¡­ like a tight space.¡±


    Ethanforted her by saying, ¡°Everything will be okay.¡± ¡°Simplye with me, and I will lead you to safety.¡±


    Alessa drew in a deep breath and forced her way through the opening. She let out a muted grunt before falling silent.


    Aiden, you¡¯re up next,¡± Ethan whispered quietly.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I murmured, preparing myself for the challenge. Taking a deep breath, I pushed my way through the opening.


    The metal rubbed on my skin, causing me to cough as dust entered my lungs.


    The area was small, making it difficult for me to move my arms. Relying solely on Ethan¡¯s voice to guide me, I advanced blindly through the darkness.


    ¡°Close,¡± he said, his voice reverberating in the small area.


    ¡°Thank goodness,¡± I croaked, sensing ustrophobia beginning to take hold of me.


    Atst, after what seemed like an endless amount of time, the entrance in front of us expanded. Ethan extended his hand and helped me up, both of usnding heavily on the unforgiving floor.


    Taking in deep breaths, I felt thankful for my release from the narrowness of the shaft. Beside me was Alessa, her face red and her hair dirty.


    ¡°We arrived,¡± she said, with a trembling smile on her face.


    ¡°Wait a moment,¡± Ethan warned, his forehead creased as he looked at his phone. ¡°We¡¯re still quite far from the borders of the group. We must locate a ce to conceal ourselves until it gets dark.¡±


    Alessa timidly mentioned a hunting cabin located approximately one mile to the north. ¡°It¡¯s deserted; however, it should offer some protection.¡±


    ¡°Great idea,¡± Ethan responded, shifting his eyes back and forth between us. ¡°Aiden, do you believe you can handle that distance?¡±


    A dull ache pounded in my head, while fatigue ate away at my energy. ¡°I must,¡± I forced out through clenched teeth, rising to stand. ¡°Hayley requires my assistance.¡±


    Ethan¡¯s expression briefly showed worry, but he just nodded. ¡°Okay, time to start moving.¡±


    We started our journey through the thick vegetation, feeling surrounded by the darkness of the forest. The atmosphere was filled with the sounds of crickets chirping and owls hooting, familiar noises that usually broughtfort but now only served to increase my feelings of unease.


    Each sound of leaves rustling and each twig snapping made me feel a chill down my back. I couldn¡¯t get rid of the sense that we were being observed and that Aunt Jada¡¯s associates were closely following us.


    ¡°Do you believe that they are aware that we have fled?¡± I murmured to Ethan, my voice almost drowned out by the noises of the forest.


    ¡°It could happen,¡± he responded with a somber tone. ¡°They will probably be looking for an alternative entrance to the tunnels.¡±


    ¡°What if they discover it?¡± Alessa inquired, her voice tinged with anxiety.


    Ethan remained silent. He continued forward, speeding up as we moved further into the forest.


    We spent what felt like hours stumbling through the darkness. I was feeling exhausted, and my eyesight started to blur on the periphery. Right as I believed I could go no further, Ethan came to a sudden stop.


    ¡°We have arrived,¡± he dered, his voice barely audible.


    I felt a brief moment of relief. The idea of discovering a safe haven and finally being able to rx inspired a fresh wave of energy.


    We walked behind Ethan as he led us through a gap in the trees, revealing a gloomy, run-down cabin. It appeared as though no one had touched it in a very long time, with boarded-up windows and peeling paint on the decaying wood.


    ¡°Not very weing,¡± Alessa whispered softly, noting theck of appeal.


    ¡°It is not a luxurious hotel,¡± Ethan replied in a curt manner. ¡°However, it will suffice for the time being.¡±


    He approached the cabin carefully and tested the door. We were surprised to find that it opened with a rusty groan.


    Ethan whispered, ¡°Seems like we¡¯re in luck today,¡± as he pushed the door open further.


    Upon entering the room, we were met with the musty scent of dust and mildew. The inside was dim and dirty; cobwebs hung over the visible beams of the ceiling. A cracked window allowed a small beam of moonlight to filter in, creating long, eerie shadows.


    ¡°Inside doesn¡¯t seem much better,¡± Alessa whispered softly.


    Ethan mentioned that there may be old nkets and various items at the rear of the cabin, with his voice reverberating throughout the empty space. ¡°Sufficient for us to make it through the evening.¡±


    He vanished into the shadows, leaving Alessa and me alone in the middle of the room. A disturbing quiet fell upon us, only interrupted by the sound of ourbored breathing.


    Out of nowhere, there was a loud BANGing from outside, followed by a chilling scream. I felt my heart jump into my throat, and a rush of fear engulfed me.


    ¡°What was that noise?¡± Alessa screamed, her voice filled with fear.


    We both hurried towards the shattered window, gazing out into the darkness. However, the only thing we observed were the moving shadows of the trees, illuminated by the faint moonlight.


    ¡°Ethan!¡± he eximed. My voice reverberated in the night as I shouted out.


    There was silence. Nothing but a disturbing quietness lingered in the atmosphere, brimming with a chilling feeling of unease.

 Chapter 29

    Hayley¡¯s POV     How we ended up here was something I couldn¡¯t understand. But I knew we were searching for Aiden, and this was where it led us. My heart thumped in my chest.     Every ignored phone call felt like itsted forever, with only Alessa¡¯s heavy breathing breaking the silence.     ¡°Please answer the phone,¡± I quietly said to myself, experiencing a wave of powerless exasperation.     Atst, a harsh voice broke the taut stillness. ¡°Alessa, are you there? What is the matter?¡±     I felt such powerful relief that it nearly threw me off bnce. Alessa began a panicked description, her voice filled with sobs. I paid close attention, putting together the frightening story she described: the abduction, the getaway, and Ethan¡¯s scary vanishing.     There was an unbearable amount of silence thatsted for a long time. Next, Alessa whispered once more, her voice barely audible. ¡°He mentioned that he was able to assist.¡± We must rendezvous with him at the ancient mill next to the river, at the stroke of twelve.     My chest pounded, a chaotic beat resounding in my head. Is it midnight? The concept of secretly meeting a total strangerte at night seemed like a careless, maybe even irresponsible, choice. However, the idea of Aiden being by himself and possibly hurt caused a strong determination to arise in me.     ¡°I hate this idea, Hayley.¡± Dad¡¯s voice interrupted my frantic thoughts. ¡°We cannot simply rely on any random person.¡±     I was honest; I was not. This Kieran, whoever he may be, appeared to reside in a neutral zone, separate from the pack dynamics that had ensnared Aiden and me. He was a risk, but with no other choices avable, it was a risk I was ready to take.     ¡°Dad,¡± I spoke with a forced calmness, ¡°we need to attempt something. ¡°This is our sole lead.¡±     His expression became gentler as the worry lines on his face became more pronounced. His focus turned to Alessa, and his words were filled with a request. ¡°Can we rely on him? Can he be trusted?¡±     Alessa locked eyes with him, a spark of rebellion shining in her gaze. She simply stated that he was in debt to her. ¡°And he isn¡¯t obligated to Aunt Jada¡¯s authority.¡±     I was certain Alessa wouldn¡¯t be dishonest to safeguard her own benefits, especially in such a crucial scenario. This individual, named Kieran, appeared to be our sole opportunity to locate Aiden.     My father let out a deep sigh. ¡°Okay,¡± he admitted, his voice weighted with unwillingness. However, we aplish this as a team. ¡°Stay away from risky heroism, Hayley.¡±     I nodded, feeling a rush of resolve. I was still enveloped in fear like a secondyer of skin, yet it was outweighed by a strong determination. I would not allow them to take Aiden. I would not allow them to be victorious.     ¡°I will meet you at the mill,¡± I stated over the phone, my voice steady despite my trembling hands. ¡°Simply inform us of the necessary steps to bring Aiden home.¡±     The call ended abruptly, creating an eerie silence. I quickly looked at the wall clock. Slightly after eight. We faced four long hours of uncertainty stretching ahead of us, causing agony.     ¡°We require a strategy,¡± Dad uttered with a resolute tone in his voice. ¡°We have to find a way to get you out of here without attracting any attention.¡±     Iprehended. The group of security guards guarding the house posed a significant challenge. We required a diversion, a method to escape unnoticed while they were watching. I began to conceive of a risky strategy, a bold move that might either bring us closer to Aiden or expose us to even more peril.     ¡°I have a n,¡± I mentioned, a yful twinkle shimmering in my eyes. ¡°However, it will necessitate some chaos.¡±     Dad arched an eyebrow, a brief moment of amusement appearing before the concern on his face. ¡°Please go on.¡±     I moved nearer, whispering my strategy quietly. It was a risky move, almost bordering on insanity, but it was our only shot.     He became serious once more. ¡°This has the potential to copse on us in a spectacr way, Hayley.¡±     ¡°I confess,¡± I acknowledged, a feeling of worry growing in my stomach. ¡°It¡¯s our sole opportunity. Aunt Jada will be caught off guard.¡±     Dad paused briefly, considering the potential dangers. Eventually, he nodded briefly. ¡°Okay,¡± he stated. ¡°Let¡¯s stir up some chaos.¡±     The uing hours were filled with a flurry of busyness. We collected provisions-a couple of protein bars, a first-aid kit, and a map of the nearby region that Alessa had found. My father assisted me ining up with a convincing reason to leave the house-a tale of sudden stomach pain and an urgent desire for some fresh air.     The guards stationed outside posed the greatest obstacle. Two strong wolves, fiercely devoted to Aunt Jada, guarded the front door with narrowed eyes, watching me closely as I approached, holding my stomach in pain and pretending to grimace.     ¡± One of them growled ¡°Hayley¡± with a sneer on his lips. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±     ¡°Oh, um,¡± I stuttered, forcing myself into a believable act, ¡°just¡­ not doing well.¡± I needed to get some fresh air.     The other guard sneered, ¡°Nice breeze, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°It appears as though you are attempting to quietly leave.¡±     Panic grasped at my throat, ready to suffocate my carefully crafted deception. However, suddenly, a wave of inspiration hit. A mischievous smile yed on my lips.     ¡°I mean,¡± I said, pretending to be embarrassed, ¡°the situation is actually a bit more sensitive than that.¡± Would you want me to create chaos in front of everyone?     The guards gave each other uncertain looks, their rough expressions twisted in revulsion. The act I had created appeared to be effective.     At that moment, Dad came out of the house right on time, pretending to be worried. ¡°Hey, Hayley?¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±     ¡°Dad!¡± Clutching my stomach dramatically, I cried out in pain. ¡°This is absolutely awful! I believe I ate something bad.¡±     My father¡¯s eyes opened wide in fake terror. ¡°Oh my goodness, not another time. Perhaps being outside for a bit will aid in calming the situation.¡±     His gaze at the guards was sharp, and his tone was filled with power. Please wait for a moment, gentlemen. ¡°We¡¯ll be back shortly.¡±     The guards paused briefly, clearly showing their unease. In the end, they agreed with grunts and moved out of the way, murmuring quietly about ¡°pampered dogs¡± and ¡°sensitive stomachs.¡±     With Dad following closely behind me, my heart beat against my ribs as I walked past them. Once we were no longer visible, we started running and quickly vanished into the thick vegetation that surrounded thend.     ¡°I was almost caught,¡± I gasped, feeling adrenaline rush through me.     ¡°Dad muttered, his voice tinged with a touch of anxiety, ¡°Too near.¡± It¡¯s time for us to start moving. ¡°We are short on time.¡±     We quickly moved through the forest, finding our way using the diminishing light shining down from the trees above. Alessa¡¯s only guidance was a rough drawing on wrinkled paper.     ¡°Do you have confidence in this path, Alessa?¡± I inquired while moving a low-hanging branch out of the way.     ¡°Confident,¡± she responded, her voice tense as she matched speed. ¡°It is a logging trail that is old and rarely used now.¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    We continued moving forward, with the only sound being the rustling of leaves beneath our feet and the asional owl¡¯s hoot. The darkness grew deeper, and a feeling of difort came over me. Each branch creak and each twig snap made me shiver in fear.     ¡°Do you believe they wille after us?¡± I spoke quietly, my words barely heard over the forest noises.     ¡°Dad said grimly that they might.¡± However, not in a straightforward manner. Aunt Jada wouldn¡¯t dare to deploy an entire search party so close to the uprising.     His words provided minimal reassurance. The idea of being chased in the forest, caught, and having to face Aunt Jada¡¯s anger was absolutely terrifying.     All of a sudden, Alessa came to a halt. ¡°We have arrived,¡± she dered, indicating forward.     Among the trees, I spotted a faint shape in the dimming sky-the outline of an abandoned structure, its bare bones illuminated by the moon¡¯s soft light. The aged mill.     ¡°I really hope Kieran is here,¡± I whispered, feeling a shiver of fear travel down my back. We were on the brink of encountering a strangerte at night, delving further into unfamiliar surroundings. The scenario seemed hopeless-a risky venture driven by a desperate wish to locate Aiden.     We moved silently towards the target, remaining alert. The silence was heavy with tension, only interrupted by the thumping of my heart in my chest. We arrived at the run-down structure, its empty windows gazing back at us like vacant eyes.     ¡°Kieran, are you here?¡± Alessa shouted, her voice bouncing in the quietness.     No one responded. I felt a surge of letdown engulf me, extinguishing the small spark of hope I had felt. Did we travel all this distance in vain?     As doubt started to seep in, a shadowy figure appeared from behind the mill. A tall man with wide shoulders and a rough attitude, his face concealed in the shadows, He came to a halt just a few paces from us, staring at each of us in turn.     ¡°Alessa?¡± he finally asked, his voice low and coarse.     ¡°It¡¯s me.¡±

 Chapter 30

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°I¡¯m here.¡±


    The man before us, who was meant to be Kieran, took a step forward, giving the moonlight ess to illuminate his face.


    The four of us stood there in the cold night, waiting for something to happen.


    ¡°Who are these?¡± Kieran asked Alessa while motioning towards me and my dad.


    ¡°This is Hayley and her dad; they are Aiden¡¯s family; we really need to find him, Kieran.¡± The desperation and pleading in her voice were so evident that it almost sounded like she really cared for Aiden.


    It sent a small spike of jealousy through my heart. I should have been the onemunicating how desperately we needed to find him, but now wasn¡¯t the time to have those kinds of thoughts; all that mattered was finding Aiden by whatever means necessary.


    ¡°Okay, follow me.¡± Kieran turned around and walked straight ahead, in the direction he had emerged.


    I looked at my dad, and just as expected, he still had that same worried expression on his face.


    I tried to nod reassuringly, but to be honest, I didn¡¯t feel very reassured. For all I knew, this could be a trap or just an utter waste of time.


    Alessa followed after him without hesitation, showing just how much she believed in this stranger, and we cautiously followed behind her.


    We all stepped into the run-down mill, Kieran first with Alessa beside him and then me and my dad.


    I expected to be met by an interior that matched the exterior of the building, abandoned and neglected, but surprisingly, that wasn¡¯t the case. If I hadn¡¯t seen the building from the outside, I would have assumed it was a nice, regr old house.


    My eyes snapped back to our host, who pointed at some seats for us to use. I had to force myself to sit; my whole being was restless, and the slow pace at which things were going wasn¡¯t helping matters. Couldn¡¯t we just skip to the part where he helped you find Aiden?


    He sat before us and just continued to look us dead in the eyes. Talk about theatrics; this man was the king of it; it was almost like he was intentionally stalling.


    ¡°Can we please get on with this?¡± I spat out without thinking; it probably came off as rude because Alessa shot me an angry look. I wanted to smack her across the face.


    ¡°Do you have better things to do, child?¡±


    Child? My tolerance for him was starting to reach its limits; we didn¡¯t have time for this. Each second we spent with this clown increased the risk of something horrible happening to Aiden.


    ¡°The only thing I want to do right now is find Aiden, and to be very sincere, it doesn¡¯t seem like you can be of much help.¡±


    ¡°Do you want me to help or not? There are a few things in life that I do not stand for; disrespect is one of them. You are free to leave if you have a better way of finding the boy.¡± His tone was the same; I had half expected a hint of anger, but he still seemed extremely calm. Was it because he didn¡¯t have anything at stake, or did this man actually know what he was doing?Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t mean to be disrespectful; we are all just on edge right now. We want you to help.¡± Dad said before I could say anything else; I took that as my cue to shut up, and that was exactly what I did.


    ¡°Good, now this is how we will find him.¡± Kieran leaned in and filled us in on his solution.


    ¡°Is that it?¡± Alessa asked with a glint of hope in her eyes. I couldn¡¯t me her. Kieran¡¯s way did sound reasonable.


    ¡°If everything happened just as you told me and your story checks out, then yes, this should work.¡±


    I took one more nce at Alessa; she better not have lied when she was recounting events to Kieran. I¡¯d kill her myself if this didn¡¯t work out because of her.


    ¡°Okay, shouldn¡¯t we be out there right now? Let¡¯s go.¡± I suggested trying not to sound rude. My palm felt extremely sweaty, and my heart was beating at an agitated pace.


    He gave me a stern re before eventually nodding. I suppose it was my fault for having such a terrible first impression.


    ¡°You all can wait outside. I¡¯ll be with you shortly, and then we will be on our way.¡±


    We all stood in response; my dad and I headed out first. It wasn¡¯t until we got to the front door that I realized Alessa hadn¡¯t followed us out. What in the world was she trying to do without us being there?


    I walked a few steps. I took a seat on the ground and projected myself back into the room to see what was going on.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Kieran asked.


    ¡°Yes, he was with us one minute and the next. We heard a scream, and then he was gone.¡± She looked scared out of her mind as she spoke.


    Who was the ¡°he¡± they were talking about? , Aiden??


    ¡°Let¡¯s focus on what¡¯s at hand right now, and then we can deal with that too, okay?¡± Kieran¡¯s face had a soft, concerned expression as he spoke to her.


    She nodded in response.


    They walked towards the door, and I ended the projection. I¡¯d have to wait to see who this other him, whom Alessa was concerned about, was.


    Kieran stepped out with amp and led us into the woods.


    ¡°Please be safe.¡± I prayed underneath my breath.


    The eerie feeling in the woods was back-that deafening silence that was asionally broken by the breaking of a twig and the sounds of crickets. It just seemed so hollow and empty, like a reflection of how my heart felt at the moment.


    We were all following behind Kieran when I noticed Alessa join me at my side. I didn¡¯t feelfortable with her being so close to me; frankly, I wanted her gone. This whole thing was partially her fault.


    ¡°Um¡­ Hayley?¡± She said it in a whisper.


    ¡°Uh?¡± I said nonchntly without turning to look at her; my eyes were focused on navigating through the obstructions in my path.


    ¡°I understand if you are mad at me.¡±


    ¡°Alessa, now is really not the time for you to grow a guilty conscience.¡±


    ¡°Grow a conscience? I¡¯m trying to have a proper conversation.¡±


    Proper conversation? Did she really think I owed her my attention, or was I obligated to soothe her conscience? She was really starting to piss me off. She worked with Aunt Jada, and then there were all the attempts she made to frustrate my rtionship with Aiden, and now she was sympathetic after finally seeding.


    ¡°Well, you sure as hell know how to start a proper conversation.¡± I replied icily.


    ¡°You know what? Forget it. You¡¯re acting like you¡¯re some goody-two-shoes who has never done anything wrong, but news sh girl, you¡¯re not, not even close. You¡¯re one of the reasons we¡¯re looking for him right now. This was a mistake.¡± Her voice rose, then went back to a whisper for thatst part, and she went ahead of me to catch up with Kieran.


    What he said hit something in me. I never thought I was some innocent do-gooder; the only reason I had really gotten angry at Aiden was because of the constant lies and excuses.


    It almost felt like I didn¡¯t know him; the line between truth and lie seemed to have vanished, but regardless, I felt bad about what happened. I wouldn¡¯t be able to live with myself if something really bad happened to him, and that was thest conversation I would ever have with him.


    I looked at Alessa¡¯s dark figure from behind, and regardless of whatever issues I had to solve with Aiden, she had very much contributed to it, and that wasn¡¯t just going to get wiped off my memory.


    A hand rested on my shoulder, and I snapped out of my distracted thought.


    ¡°Uh?¡± I said, looking up at my dad.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± He asked


    ¡°Yeah, I just zoned out for a bit. I¡¯m okay.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯s fine.¡± He said he was smiling.


    I lost track of how far we had walked or how long we had been walking. Fatigue was starting to set in, and I could feel my body growing tired.


    There was a weird scent starting to fill the air; it almost smelled like rusty iron.


    Kieran abruptly stopped walking, and we all did the same.


    My eyes scanned around for possible threats, but all I could see were trees and even more trees. Was something wrong?


    ¡°Is?¡± I was about to ask when Kieran put a finger to his lips, making my lips zip shut.


    He¡¯s head snapped to the left as he sniffed the air. He hurried off in that direction, and Alessa did too, making me even more confused.


    After the mini-jog, I saw what ideas had drawn their attention. About a few feet away from me, there was something lying on the ground, face facing down.


    I couldn¡¯t see much because of the dim moonlight, managing to sleep through the canopy of leaves above us until Kieran¡¯s shlight shone on the figure before us, and I gasped.


    There is lots of blood everywhere.


    Fear gripped me as I looked at the unrecognizable person, Aiden. I felt a scream bubbling up inside me as I stared frozen at the lifeless body.


    Kieran moved forward, reached for the body, and flipped it to lie on its back. My eyes shut instinctively, not wanting to have to witness the horror of his lifeless face.


    ¡°It¡¯s not him.¡± Alessa¡¯s voice was filled with relief.


    Uh?


    My closed eyelids instantly sprung open, and I took a better look at the corpse. She was right-it wasn¡¯t Aiden. Relief washed over me, but I still felt sick in the stomach.


    ¡°What exactly could have happened here?¡± My dad said it in a whisper.


    We all looked at each other; we killed this man so viciously. Was it Aiden? Or was there someone in these woods with a violent blood thirst?


    ¡°I have no idea, but he¡¯s one of Jada¡¯s men.¡± Alessa stated it out of nowhere.


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± Dad asked, but then paused. ¡°Oh.


    ¡°Yeah, so if he¡¯s dead, I guess that¡¯s a good thing. We should probably keep going; I doubt this guy went down without putting up a fight. If Aiden was the one who did this, he¡¯s probably wounded or hurt badly.¡±


    Her logic made sense, so I shifted my gaze from the dead guy and looked ahead.


    ¡°Not so fast.¡± Kieran said that after being silent for a long time, his back was turned to us, which was weird.


    ¡°She¡¯s made a point; we should quicken up the pace,¡± I asked.


    ¡°There¡¯s no point.¡± He said it inly.


    ¡°What do you mean there¡¯s no point?¡± I asked, irritated by his theatrics.


    ¡°Because¡­ there he is.¡±


    Those words seemed topletely silence the night.


    Kieran shifted his shlight, making it point in the direction he had been facing. It took a while for my eyes to spot it, but when I did, I couldn¡¯t believe it.


    There he was, seated at the bottom of a tree, his eyes closed and his head resting back.


    ¡°Aiden,¡± my voice came out cracked.


    I rushed towards the tree and kneeled beside him.


    ¡°It¡¯s him.¡± I called out to them in relief; tears of joy were steaming down my eyes like a waterfall.


    ¡°Aiden?¡± I shook his hand in an attempt to wake him, but his eyes remained close.


    Before I knew it, Alessa rushed to his other side, looking concerned. I ignored her and focused on him.


    ¡°Aiden!¡± My voice rose.


    Panic slowly started to set in as I noticed how pale his face and hands looked.


    No! No!! No!!!


    I screamed in my head. This couldn¡¯t be happening.

 Chapter 31

    Hayley¡¯s POV     The words Kieran spoke hung in the air, and my heart skipped a beat. His back was still facing us, but his stance seemed to have changed; he had demonstrated a level of alertness that wasn¡¯t there before. When he said it, the weight in his voice sounded heavier than ever, as though even the silence of the woods had whispered allies to him.     ¡°There he is?¡± The words came out as a near whisper, barely over the thundering of my heart. My gaze flicked wildly as I realized he was nowhere to be found.     Kieran moved out of the way, and his torch picked through the gloom to illuminate a figure slouched against a tree. As soon as I saw it, my breath caught in my throat. Aiden. It had to be him.     I leapt into a run, my feet booming against roots and shrubs, but I kept up the haste, never looking away from that figure. I noticed his clothes were torn and bloodied. His face was pale andyered with dirt. He had closed his eyes, and for a moment, I assumed all sorts of things.     ¡°Aiden!¡± I screamed and knelt beside him. I had to see for myself, so I reached out my trembling hands and touched his shoulder. He felt warm-too warm. Feverish.     ¡°Haley. ¡± My dad appeared over my other shoulder and Aiden¡¯s face in turn, dropping down onto his knees. Relieved, he checked Aiden¡¯s pulse. ¡°He¡¯s alive.¡±     The words were a salve to my exhausted nerves, but barely. It was imperative that we get him out of there fast. Kieran came forward, expressionless, as he did a silent check on Aiden.     Low, Kieran said, ¡°He¡¯s not in good condition. He has to move, but it¡¯s got to be done (emphasizing the word) carefully. He may have internal injuries.     Alessa grimaced nearby as well. I sighed. As irritated with her as I was before, she did it because she cared about Aiden. I swallowed my jealousy and figured it wasn¡¯t the right time to feel this way.     ¡°Can you carry him?¡± I begged Kieran for the answer he had to know. We have to get him somewhere safe.     Kieran nodded. He took Aiden in his arms surprisingly gently. Aiden gave a faint moan but was still out cold. As soon as the attack was over and it seemed there were no further surprises to throw at us, we began making our way back through the woods.     It took us an eternity to get back home. The snaps of twigs and rustles from the fallen leavesid my senses to rest. The silence in the forest felt heavy, dare I say, edging towards a bit oppressive at this point, and it was impossible not to think that we were being watched.     Then we arrived at the dpidated mill. Kieran had brought Aiden in, gently cing him on the bed he had made up and keeping him back there. Alessa rushed in and started to bandage him quickly, but nearly methodically, as if it were something she had done many times.     For a moment, I looked at her, then turned to Kieran. ¡°What now?¡± ¡®What¡¯, I gasped, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°What do we do next?¡±     Kieran¡¯s face softened somewhat. ¡°We wait,¡± he said. ¡°Aiden needs time to heal. We¡¯re going to keep our eye on him and make sure he¡¯s nowhere near us, however!!     I nodded, but waiting was simply agonizing. I wanted to help in some way. But I knew Kieran was right. We had to be patient.     Day turned into night, and again, he was stable; his condition was critical. My dad and Kieran took it in turns to guard outside while Alessa sat by his bed with me. Thus we broke apart, tension sifting between us like dust clouds in the shimmering space, every man alone with his dark fear.     All I could think about in those stolen moments was the conversation I¡¯d heard between Kieran and Alessa. But who was the other ¡°he¡± they had mentioned? As well as the question of why they hadn¡¯t mentioned it before. And I promised myself to ask Kieran whenever opportunity knocked.     Kieran didn¡¯te back until there was the first light of dawn leaching through the holes in windows that¡¯d never been repaired. He looked tired but resolute.     Standing up to face him, I said, ¡°We need a talk.¡± On what you were talking about with Alessaim: Who is this other person?¡±     Kieran turned his gaze to Alessa, who was asleep in a chair next to Aiden¡¯s bed. With a sigh, he indicated that I should follow him to the door. We walked outside into the chilly morning, a light dusting of gold touching every tree in sight.     ¡°You have no idea what¡¯s happening here,¡± Kieran started, his voice low. The one man we located in the woods wasn¡¯t only a thug of Jada¡¯s.     A bigger group that he was a part of has been causing problems for quite some time.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°What about Aiden?¡± I asked. ¡°How does it rte to everything you¡¯re telling me?¡±     Kieran paused before saying anything. ¡°This is something Aiden knew he was interested in but knew he shouldn¡¯t be. When he discovered something that turned out to be too dangerous to know, it was toote to do anything.     That¡¯s why he¡¯s gone. They took him because he knew something that no one else should learn.¡± My blood ran cold. This was worse than I thought. ¡°What did you find?¡± I asked, barely speaking. Kieran looked around to make sure no one was listening.     ¡°He found that Jada¡¯s faction was nning something major. Something big enough that certain people knew they had to stop Aiden from leaking it to anybody.¡±     My heart began to race. Aiden was always eager not to look for trouble in ces no one knew about. Maybe¡­ I bit my lip. That was bad. ¡°What do we do now?¡± I asked, trying to sound as calm as I could.     ¡°How do we stop them?¡± Kieran¡¯s eyes met mine. They were still expressive, but I noticed they were filled with determination this time. ¡± First, we need to get Aiden back.     Then we have to find out who knows what and how to make the truth about Jada¡¯s ns public. But be aware. They know something we can reveal to them. They are ready to say anything to keep them protected.¡±     I nodded, overwhelmed but determined. For what it was worth, we had a n. But it was something. Fuck, just get yourself back!¡± My stern voice was deciding. Aiden is my friend, and I can¡¯t let them hurt him.     Kieran offered a tiny nod of satisfaction. ¡°Good. It just depends on your resolve.     Back in the mill, there was a real air of new hope and bloody anticipation. Aiden was still in bad shape, but Alessa looked like she had managed to improve his condition. We each took a turn to watch over him as the day went by, lost in our own remoteness and fears.     Late afternoon, Aiden started to open his eyes to an end. It was Alessa who saw it first, and her sharp intake of breath alerted the rest of us. We were by his side in an instant, grateful as all hell that he had blinked and turned blood-shot eyes on us-not dead.     ¡°Hey,¡± I sighed softly, leaning over to try and catch his eye. ¡°You¡¯re safe now.¡±     Aiden peered towards me, and a soft smile twitched on his lips. He croaked, barely able to talk. ¡°Haley.¡± ¡°What¡­ what happened?¡±     ¡°They took you,¡± I said gently but urgently. ¡°But we found you. You¡¯re going to be okay.¡±     He lifted his head a bit and winced when it hurt him. I have so much¡­ I need to share with you,¡± his voice rugged. They¡¯re up to something-something major.¡±     I nodded, my hand in his as I squeezed it back. We¡¯ll get it done; coborate together. But you have to rest and recharge first.¡±     *********     For the first few days, Aiden began to improve bit by little. My turn to look after him, we kept as much out of his way as possible and took it in turns to watch him. Seeing him improve alleviated some of the tension between us, but knowing what Jada had nned only heightened it.     Well, enough one evening, the sun cast long shadows across the mill to sit up and talk. We circled-serious faces, focused.     ¡°Just spill the words, Kieran dered, his voice as if he were narrating a documentary. We need to find out what we are up against.     Aiden sighed, looking into all of our eyes in turn.     He began.

 Chapter 32

    Hayley¡¯s POV     He began, ¡°Jasmine Jada¡¯s head will have it in opposition to an assassination attempt. Some of the biggest concentrations around the city are being targeted. If we don¡¯t stop them, everything is going to fall into chaos.¡±     My heart sank at his words. The stakes were greater than I knew. ¡°What can we do?¡± ¡°So¡­ what the hell was that?¡± I asked, my voice barely audible.     Aiden met my eyes with a determined look. Evidence: we need evidence showing their ns. Then we can take it to the authorities, bust them, and stop this attack.     Kieran nodded. ¡°WHERE DO YOU THINK THAT THIS EVIDENCE CAN BE FOUND?¡±     Aiden hesitated, then nodded. ¡°I have a lead. Just outside the city limits is a warehouse. It is the ce of assembly and provision. If we can infiltrate and get a look at their ns, we could stop them!     We were making a dangerous y, but it provided us with the best chance to win. So we spent the next couple hours getting ready, packing supplies, and nning. As evening was falling, we began the trip under our burden.     The car ride to the warehouse was long and silent. asionally, a rustled leaf or twig crack would send my heart racing. But we continued, because time is of the essence.     In the distance, one could see the warehouse as an intimidating figure at midnight. The shape was barely discernible against the night sky, but there were lights on inside. We hid behind some brush, breathing as softly and evenly as possible while we scoped our prey.     Our oldest, Kieran, waved for quiet. He gestured to a side door, partly concealed by some crates of wood. And we found: ¡± He whispered so lowly that I could hardly hear him. Keep close and prepare for anything.     Faint and a little lethargic, but sure, Aiden nodded. I know where the files are stored. It resides in the room at the end of a locked area. We need to move quickly.¡±     Each step was a slow and whispery calction. The air darkened in anticipation of a storm, and the tension thickened. My heart thudded in my chest, and every beat was another high-stakes warning. What we did next would be the difference between life and death, not only for Aiden but also for us.     Kieran pushed towards the door, an expert in both his hands scrambling at the lock. A soft click announced our entrance, and we shivered through the shadows of the warehouse. Dust and old wood filled my nostrils, mixed with the barest hint of oil and metal.     The columns of shelves and racks made the warehouse a maze, each one spelling potential disaster. And Kieran took charge, a powerful and efficient figure in motion. Aiden and I were only a few feet behind, our dads barely keeping to their paces, with Alessa trailing in the end. In the silence, I heard every sound magnified a hundred times-board creaking, clothing rustling, even our breaths.     Further back into the warehouse, we walked deeper into the glowing fluorescence, which threw strange shadows on the walls. Voices wereing closer now, muffled but in unmistakably human tones. Kieran signaled us to stop with his hand up. He popped his head around the corner and retreated, looking grim at us.


    ¡°Two guards,¡± he whispered. ¡°Armed. We need to do this with stealth.     Dad nodded, his jaw set in resolve. And he and Kieran moved on, through the doorway, out of sight. On the corridor, we heard a short struggle, and then everything was silent. Together with Callum, Kieran popped back up in our faces to sound the announcement, all-clear.     We dashed past the sleeping guards; their bodies leaned against the wall. Adrenaline was pumping hard through-the tingling in my limbs synced with the dangers of my surroundings. We were close now-so close.     Aiden took us to a thick, wooden door towards the back of this same warehouse. This is Lowly, speaking to no one but almost in a whisper. ¡°The files are inside.¡±     The room was small, smelling like filing cabs and fixtures-just a couple of file drawers running along the back wall next to an irregrly shaped square desk. Aiden descended upon one of the cabs, opened a drawer, and by chance found what they sought. He walked out with the folder, holding it firm. ¡°This has everything.¡±     We sat on the desk, and Aidenid out the papers. Maps, blueprints, and target directories. He had everything, down to how Jada would do it.     My voice was high, pleading, ¡°We have to take this to the authorities.¡± Then I got my picture of evidence that we will need to keep them away from the SATs.     There was a deafening thud across the warehouse. Our heads shot up, eyes wide with fear. There was a heavy and rapid footstep in the direction from which we hade.     Move!¡± Kieran hissed, taking the papers and saying they were in a bag. ¡°We¡¯ve been discovered!¡±     We fled into the night, pursued by what sounded like thunder. At this point, adrenaline was flooding my veins as I bolted down the dark streets, anticipating being pulled into a police car at any time. The exit beckoned us to run all through the aisles.     We approached the side door, and before we made it four feet, that same figure swung open the stepside, blocking us from exiting. The silhouette of the person backlit in harsh light from outside left no question about who was visiting-the cold, dead eyes under a mop of blonde curls could only belong to Jada herself.     ¡°Going somewhere?¡± The words dripped with malice as she answered, sneering.     We slid to a stop, caught between the approaching guards and Jada. But my mind was spinning, trying to find a path of escape, but each option closed immediately as the door used it for shutting.     Jada stepped up and demanded, Hand over the papers.¡± Or you will not see another day again.     Kieran clutched onto his bag, anger ring in his eyes. ¡°Run!¡± He yelled, cing the bag in my hands and guiding me toward the only other outlet-an open window at the back of this warehouse.     I had no time to ponder; I snatched the bag and ran all hell broke loose behind me. Sounds of bodies hitting bodies, voices fighting¡­ but I did not dare to stop.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.

 Chapter 33: High Stakes

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    Thump, thump, thump


    It got to a point where that was the only thing I could hear; the noise behind me as I ran ahead slowly faded away, and I had be deaf to everything but the agitated beating of my own heart.


    I squeezed my chest in pain; the adrenaline was starting to wear off. I could feel the fatigue starting to kick in.


    My eyes frantically scanned my surroundings-containers, boxes, and empty space. I couldn¡¯t keep running. I was already lost, and for all I knew, I could have been running straight into the heart of the enemy¡¯s territory. I needed to think fast.


    An idea pierced through the fog of panic in my mind, and a small smile crept on my face. It wasn¡¯t going to get me out of here, but it was a backup n in case I could get out of here.


    I ran to the boxes and flung them open, desperate to find something useful, and that I did. If I were going to blindly search for an escape, this could at least take me some time.


    Jackpot. I found a box that had exactly what I needed. I crouched down and constructed my n B.


    I silently crept around the warehouse, hiding when I heard footsteps and trying to find an exit.


    I couldn¡¯t hear any moremotion, which made me scared. Did Jada manage to capture everyone else?


    I clutched the bag closer to my chest; none of it would matter if I let her get her hands on the files.


    Even after searching, I could find an open door that led out of the building, so I had to settle on the next best thing: climbing out a window.


    I strapped the bag behind my back and used a box as support. The window was about twice my height, so pulling my own weight up was a bit difficult for my already fatigued body.


    I should have put more thought into mynding because the moment I got my upper body out of the window, I lost my bnce and fell straight down.


    A muffled scream escaped my lips; my eyesight blurred as tears came steaming down my cheeks.


    Something was definitely broken, but thankfully I could still hear. I made it a few steps forward when I felt a hand grip my shoulder.


    I spun around, ready to use whatever little energy I had left to defend myself, but I froze after I was met with Alessa¡¯s bruised face.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been looking for you.¡± She said


    Her lower lip was bleeding, there was a very painful-looking bruise on her forehead, and overall, she looked like a battered-up mess, but somehow she managed to put on a strong face.


    ¡°I got lost. How did you find me?¡±


    I had never thought I would be happy to see Alessa¡¯s face, but right now it was the only source of hope I had.


    ¡°I was close by when I heard you scream.¡± Her eyes scanned my body, and by the time they returned to look into mine, they were filled with an emotion I found very strange and unsettling.


    Empathy.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± She asked and helped me stand well; she must have noticed how I was slouched because of the pain in my chest.


    ¡°I¡¯ll live¡­ hopefully.¡± I smiled awkwardly, but she didn¡¯t seem to be tuning in to my humor.


    ¡°I fell out of the window.¡±


    ¡°A window?!¡± Her eyes widened in disbelief. She looked back and easily spotted the exact window I squeezed myself out of, and she looked at me like I was crazy.


    ¡°How did you fall out of that?!¡±


    ¡°It was the only way I could get out of the building.¡±


    ¡°You should be happy you didn¡¯t break your neck.¡± Blood from the wound on her forehead trickled down her head, and she casually wiped it off. She was ustomed to things like this, and that realization made me take a mental note to be more cautious around her.


    ¡°Where are the others?¡±


    If she was this banged up, I didn¡¯t even want to imagine the state the others were in, especially Aiden. He had just gotten out of a bad situation; he shouldn¡¯t have to go through another fight so quickly.


    ¡°They¡¯re going to meet up with us back at Kieran¡¯s ce.¡±


    ¡°They sent you to look for me.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Jada took off in the middle of the fight when she realized you had what she was after, but then a bunch of her goons came. We were worried she¡¯d get to you, so I came to look for you.¡±


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get going before she really catches up to us.¡±


    Alessa nodded and put an arm under mine to hold me up.


    ¡°Well, the problem is¡­¡± A voice called out from the darkness, and I felt the hairs on my back stand.


    ¡°She already has.¡± Jada¡¯s cocky tone flooded my head.


    Shit.


    I could feel Alessa¡¯s grip around me tighten; she was scared as well. I didn¡¯t me her; we were in a really messed-up situation.


    ¡°There there, I think we all understand the reality of the situation right now, don¡¯t we?¡± She chuckled lightly and stepped out in front of us.


    To my surprise, she looked injured as well. I don¡¯t know why a part of me was expecting her to look unscathed, but she looked like she had definitely been in a fight.


    ¡°Alessa, I must say I¡¯m a bit disappointed; you could have been such a good prodigy.¡±


    ¡°If I keep her upied, can you take a run for it and get back to the others?¡± Alessa whispered in my ear; our eyes were fixed on Jada the whole time.


    ¡°Keeping secrets now, are we?¡± She said it in an obvious mocking tone.


    I didn¡¯t know how to answer Alessa; I wasn¡¯t sure how far off I could get at whatever time she was going to be able to keep Jada busy and not be  pessimistic, but I didn¡¯t think that would be very long.


    Regardless, I nodded in agreement.


    I heard Alessa mumur under her breath and then suddenlyunch at Jada.


    Two seconds-that was literally all it took for Jada to pin Alessa¡¯s hands behind her back with one of her hands and have the other hand at her throat, ws fully extended.


    There was no use in trying to find her; she knew that very well, and now we knew too.


    ¡°That was your brilliant n; act without thinking.¡± She was a gloating, arrogant bitch.


    I thought about stalling, but that would be useless too, especially since no one knew where we were.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± Alessa mouthed with tears in her eyes; the tough girl demeanor was gone. She looked scared sh*tless, and frankly, anyone who was on the brink of death would too.


    ¡°Well, this is pathetic. Tell you what? If you hand the files over, I won¡¯t rip your friend¡¯s throat out.¡±


    The ultimatum was weak as hell. I didn¡¯t trust her not to go back on her word and still end up killing Alessa, but I knew she¡¯d be less likely to kill me.


    ¡°If you give her it, she¡¯s still going to kill me.¡± Alessa protested, which didn¡¯t help her case very much.


    ¡°Think about it, Hayley. Do you really want blood on your hands? Because if you don¡¯t give me the file, I¡¯m going to kill her, and that¡¯s on you.¡±


    My eyes paced between them for a while before I eventually made a decision.


    ¡°Promise me you¡¯ll let her go.¡±


    I knew it sounded stupid, but that was the only way out I could think of.


    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± Alessa tried protesting again.


    ¡°Shut it.¡± Jada warnedPlease check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    I could see blood trickling down the ws she had at Alessa¡¯s neck; she was tightening her grip.


    ¡°Deal, give me the files, and I¡¯ll let her go. There¡¯s no use killing her anyway.¡± She seemed to be telling the truth, and I had no other choice, even if she wasn¡¯t.


    I reached into the bag and pulled the file out. The moment her eye locked on it, a smile crept on her face. She recognized the folder.


    I gently ced it on the floor and stepped back.


    ¡°There you go; just please let her go, and we¡¯ll leave. You can have the files or whatever, please, Aunt Jada.¡± I needed to sound desperate if this was going to work; I needed to sound like I was out of options and had been left at her mercy. That would certainly rile up her ego.


    ¡°Step back a bit more.¡± She ordered, and I did exactly that.

 Chapter 34: Hard Choices

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I held on to the pain I was feeling and constantly pleaded for Alessa¡¯s life. She moved closer, practically shoving Alessa along with her, until she stood directly beside the folder.


    ¡°The next time you rascals try to pull something like this, I won¡¯t consider the fact that you¡¯re family. I¡¯ll mail you piece by piece back to Rachel.¡±


    Damn, the threat sent shivers down my spine because I could tell she meant every word.


    She let go of Alessa, who came running to my side and picked up the folder. She flipped open the first page and looked up at me with a smile.


    ¡°Nice trading lives with you.¡±


    And with just that, she strode off and merged with the darkness.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked Alessa, and she shook her head.


    ¡°No.¡± Her hand is on her neck.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    ¡°Why the hell did you give it to her? It means we did it for nothing.¡± Alessa asked when we had gotten far enough.


    ¡°Would you rather I let her kill you and then probably decapitate me as well?¡± I rolled my eyes at the idea; at least a ¡®thank you for saving my life¡¯ wouldn¡¯t have been too much to get from her.


    ¡°No, I understand why you did it. Thank you.¡± Her tone went soft and defeated, to the point that she actually thought she could take Jada down. Even I felt sorry for her now.


    We walked the whole way back to Kieran¡¯s ce, and I was frankly surprised at how Alessa could still find the path back even though we were so lost. My legs were on the brink of giving out when I finally spotted the familiar silhouette of the building.


    My dad, Aiden, and Kieran were all waiting for us at the doorstep of the house.


    ¡°We¡¯re here.¡± I called out as we staggered closer.


    They all rushed. Kieran helped Alessa while Dad guided me inside. Aiden wouldn¡¯t stop asking me if I was alright, and it brought somefort.


    I was too tired to pay attention, but I noticed how Kieran shouted when Alessa told him I handed the files over to Jada to save her life.


    ¡°So what now? We just got beat up for absolutely nothing.¡± Dad said that and sighed.


    ¡°It was the right call; they would have died otherwise.¡± Aiden said, defending my decision.


    I chuckled, and that made everyone¡¯s head viciously snap in my direction. They were probably wondering if I hadpletely lost my marbles.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Aiden asked and put a hand over my forehead.


    ¡°Was it just me, or did she justugh?¡± Kieran asked, a bit surprised.


    I couldn¡¯t help it. I let out anotherugh, and this time everyone wentpletely silent, exchanging nces with each other and then with me.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± Alessa eventually asked.


    ¡°Well¡­¡± I forced myself into the bag that had been discharged after the news of my surrendering the files to Jada and reached inside it.


    Their eyes followed me as I returned to  where I was seated and slid the bag over to Kieran.


    ¡°What?¡± He looked at the bag and then looked at me.


    Aiden took the initiative and searched the contents of the bag.


    ¡°Shit.¡± He said before pouring out the papers onto the floor, the actual files.


    I smiled to myself; the n B I had made worked perfectly. I swapped the papers and blueprint for old ones I found scattered in boxes in the warehouse, then I left one real paper at the front just in case she checked, which she did.


    So, basically, tonight was a sess.


    ¡°How did you?¡± I looked at the files on the floor and then back to Hayley¡¯s proud smile.


    ¡°If the evidence we need is here, what did you give to Jada?¡± Alessa chimed in; she looked equally as perplexed as I felt.


    ¡°Some old shipping documents I found while I was hiding.¡± Hayley answered, and you could see from her face that she was feeling very aplished with how her n worked out.


    ¡°Still how?¡± Jada was many things, but she wasn¡¯t exactly an idiot; she would know which files she was looking for and instantly spot that they had been switched.


    ¡°Mostly luck; when she saw the cover of the folder, I could tell she instantly thought it was it, and she felt like she had so much power in the situation she didn¡¯t even think to be skeptical.¡±


    ¡°Hayley, you are a genius.¡± I packed the pieces of paper and sorted them out. Kieran, who was beside me, scanned each document with focused eyes.


    ¡°Honestly, I thought it wouldn¡¯t work, but then I guess ego is more blinding than love.¡± She joked and suddenly winced in pain.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Alessa asked so fast that I didn¡¯t even have time to think about it.


    That was weird; she rushed to Hayley¡¯s side and helped her lie down.


    ¡°We should probably get you some medical help.¡± She said this to Hayley, who smiled and nodded.


    ¡°I told you I¡¯d live.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha, very funny. Think animal, the pain you¡¯re in next time you decide to jump out of a widow that¡¯s like twice your height.¡±


    They both burst intoughter, and I felt like I had identally swapped universes. Since when did Hayley and Alessaugh at jokes together? Since when did Alessa actually care about Hayley?


    ¡°Did I miss something?¡± I had to ask when they started to giggle at each other.


    ¡°Huh?¡± They both turned their heads in my direction.


    ¡°What did I miss?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Hayley asked, looking confused.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to go find something to keep these w marks from getting infected.¡± Alessa said that and walked off.


    I moved closer to Hayley, sitting beside her.


    ¡°When did you and Alessa be close?¡±


    She turned to me, and a sad smile formed on her lips.


    ¡°She tried to save my life. I won¡¯t say we¡¯re close, but I don¡¯t have her the way I used to.¡±


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t seem to hate you either.¡±


    She chuckled. ¡°I saved her life too, you know. The look in her eyes when Aunt Jada had her pinned-she was really scared, and I could see it.


    ¡°I¡¯m just happy you two are okay.¡± I was about to hug her when I noticed Dad¡¯s eyes staring at me like he was looking into my soul, so I just stepped back and went back to Kieran.


    ¡°This is good; it¡¯s going to take a while to get this to actually work, and it would be better if you had a little bit more evidence that actually tied Jada to this; then it would be rock solid; nevertheless, we¡¯ll make the best out of what we have.¡±


    I nodded in response. For someone who was a neutral party, he seemed very willing to help bring Jada down, which was something I was very happy about.


    ¡°You should get her to a hospital.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± I looked between Alessa, who looked like she was good, if not for the few marks on her face and neck, and Hayley, who was already asleep from all the stress.


    ¡°Your sister, I¡¯m pretty sure she broke a rib or two.¡±


    I looked back at her; he was right.


    I split the papers with Kieran; some I nned on looking into myself, and some he said he could handle.


    Dad took the rest of us to the nearest hospital to get Hayley checked in.


    The doctor said she didn¡¯t really suffer a lot of damage, and she seemed to be recovering really fast, so there wasn¡¯t much to worry about.


    Dad slept in the waiting room while Alessa and I watched over Hayley as she slept.


    ¡°About what happened with Jada.¡± I said I was trying to start a conversation.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Alessa looked up from the book she had been holding and asked, ¡°What about it?¡±


    ¡°You must have been scared, sorry.¡±


    She smiled softly.


    ¡°Thanks; truth be told, I was scared that she would rip my throat out and just toss me aside like a rag, then kill Hayley too, but I think a part of me wanted her to get over with it; just kill me there and then.¡± Her voice trailed off as she stared at nothing in particr.


    ¡°Alessa?¡±

 Chapter 35: Unlikely Allies

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    She snapped out of whatever imagination she had conjured and looked at me, confused.


    ¡°Sorry about that; I zoned out.¡±


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± I didn¡¯t mean to pry, but I had always seen her as the rude yet strong and confident seductress she could be sometimes. I couldn¡¯t think of one moment where I had seen Alessa sad except for when she did get something she wanted or was about to get scolded, and it was always just a little pout.


    Just now, something about the way she zoned out and said she wanted to die gave me the impression that there were things to her that I had never considered.


    Could she actually not be as shallow as I thought she was?


    ¡°Everything is fine.¡± She shed her regr bright smile, but this time it didn¡¯t quite fool me, but I was going to let the discussion end there.


    ¡°Also, thanks for caring about Hayley; offering to die for someone is pretty heroic-a bit stupid, but heroic.¡±


    Sheughed, and I did too.


    ¡°You¡¯d do the same for her, wouldn¡¯t you?.¡±


    ¡°In heartbreak.¡± I said it without thinking.


    ¡°What if it was for me?¡± Herughing tone subsided, and she sounded serious.


    The atmosphere suddenly became stiff. I looked at her, and I wasn¡¯t exactly sure how to answer her back.


    I didn¡¯t want to give false hope, and I also didn¡¯t want to hurt her feelings anymore than I had already done.


    ¡°If I could save you, I would; that¡¯s what friends do.¡±


    She fakes a weak smile and goes back to what she was reading.


    I went back to watching Hayley sleep; that had definitely gone sideways quickly.


    ¡°Alessa if¡­¡± I don¡¯t know what came over me that made me keep talking, but I was thankful she cut me off before I said something really stupid.


    ¡°Don¡¯t; please, just don¡¯t. I¡¯m trying to just breathe through all this without breaking down.¡± Her eyes lifted up, and they were partially teary; she was about to cry.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be.¡± She got up and left.


    I held Hayley¡¯s hand and rested my head on the bed beside it. For now, all I wanted to think about was her.


    ¡°Aiden!¡±


    A semi-anxious voice screamed my name, and I jerked up, rubbing my eyes. That was a very horrible way to wake someone up, screaming their name like there¡¯s a building on fire.


    ¡°What is it?¡± I answered, irritated.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    When I looked up, I was met with Rachel¡¯s upset face, and Dad was standing beside her. The sun¡¯s rays seeped beautifully through the curtains; it was already morning.


    Her eyes went to my fingers, which were entangled with Hayley¡¯s. I could help but scoff. That was why she was about to re up, really?.


    ¡°Honey, calm down; he¡¯s just holding her hand for support.¡± Dad tried to cate her anger, and frankly, I didn¡¯t bother saying anything because I didn¡¯t care.


    ¡°Support? She¡¯s asleep, not in aa. Aiden, give your sister some space.¡±


    Hayley woke up from all the noise and looked at all our faces, and I guess she fit the pieces together and realized what all the ruckus was about.


    ¡°Mum, please, we¡¯re in a hospital, and you¡¯re making a scene.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m making a scene? You should have thought about that before.¡±


    ¡°Rachel!¡± Dad seemed to be getting angry as well.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s right, we¡¯re not the only ones in this hospital, so stop making such a scene. You can always do this at home.¡± He said that, and that seemed to do the trick.


    Mom zipped her lips, and we finally had some peace and quiet.


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving; you two should get ready.¡±


    ¡°What about Alessa? Have you seen her today?¡± I asked when I didn¡¯t notice any sign of Alessa.


    ¡°No, the nurses said she left a little upsetst night.¡±


    ¡°Oh okay.¡± I felt a pang of guilt hit me.


    ¡°Meet us at the front desk.¡± He added before taking mom out the door with him. They did leave the door open; I guess that was their way of making sure nothing would happen between us.


    ¡°Sorry about that.¡± Hayley apologized


    ¡°About what?¡±


    ¡°My mom, she¡¯s being difficult.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault she raged in here like the Hulk.¡±


    That made Hayleyugh. I got to see that beautiful smile after so long; it made me miss her, specifically having my lips merged with hers.


    ¡°What happened to Alessa?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, just her being her, I guess. She¡¯s probably fine.¡± I lied and went to pack up the bags. I didn¡¯t want to have to exin anything to Hayley, and I didn¡¯t want her to misinterpret anything.


    We got home, and we both ran into our rooms before mom could give us a sermon again.


    Thankfully, she just let us be and went about her own business.


    I waited till I heard her and my dad talking in the kitchen, then I snuck into Hayley¡¯s room.


    ¡°Hey, what are you doing here?¡± She saidughing.


    ¡°Shush.¡± I put a finger to her lips and closed the door.


    ¡°You¡¯re dead if she catches you; you know that, right?¡±


    ¡°Well, I just have to make sure she doesn¡¯t.¡± I teased her, then went over to her and kissed her.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± I sat next to her.


    ¡°A bit better.¡±


    I kissed her again, and she giggled yfully.


    ¡°A bit better, almost there.¡±


    Iughed at her sly attempt at asking me to keep kissing her andid her down on the bed.


    I paused, not wanting to overstep, and looked into her eyes.


    ¡°I was really scared when you didn¡¯t make it back to Kieran¡¯s on time.¡± And truthfully, I was scared out of my mind. If not for my dad, I would have gone back to go get you.


    ¡°Aww, someone was worried about me.¡± She reached for me and kissed me again.


    I used my elbows to keep my weight off her even though I was on top of her, and it was taking a lot of willpower not to have a full-on make-out session.


    ¡°Are you just going to keep staring at me or what?¡± She said it in a sensual whisper.


    ¡°You¡¯ve gotten¡­ hotter. How did that happen?¡±


    I felt bad for how badly I wanted to rip the clothes off her, but I tried to hide the thirst in me.


    She pouted and tilted her head to the side in a way that made her look so innocent and hot at the same time.


    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    I was thinking of something else to say when I felt her hand on my belt buckle and then glided down till she had my member in her grip.


    The act was over. I was hard as heck, and I was pretty sure she could tell. A sly smile formed on her face, and I felt even more blood rush downward.


    She rubbed her hand against my jeans slowly, moving up and then down, all the while maintaining eye contact with me.


    ¡°I guess all those books really paid off.¡± I teased and cupped her right breast with one hand.


    She was trying to tease me, and lucky for her, two can y at that game. I gave it a light squeeze, and she gasped.


    I smiled at the reaction.


    ¡°Strip.¡±

 Chapter 36: A Mother鈥檚 Wrath

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    The bang from the door hitting the wall was so loud that I shook in fright. Aiden hurriedly got off me, and we both looked shocked and scared at my mom.


    You could tell from the look in her eyes that she was disgusted, and from the way she alternated her gaze from me to Aiden, like she was wondering who to pounce on first.


    Eventually, after what seemed like an eternity of silence, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening her eyelids and facing Aiden.


    ¡°Get out now!!¡± Her voice came out as a roar.


    ¡°I..¡± Aiden looked like he was about to object to being told to leave, but he quickly held on to his words and walked out of the room.


    Thankfully, we were both fully dressed; otherwise, it would have been a very awkward exit.


    ¡°You.¡± That singr word sent a shockwave of goosebumps through my body. A part of me wanted to run. I knew she was against my rtionship with Aiden, and frankly, I wasn¡¯t going to let her break us apart, but the anger in her eyes was scary.


    She stepped into the room and slowly shut the door behind her.


    ¡°Mum?¡± I felt like a rabbit about to be butchered.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Why? What sort of question was that?


    She looked at me like she was expecting an answer; apparently, the out-of-the blue question wasn¡¯t a rhetorical one.


    ¡°Why what?¡±


    ¡°Why is it that the both of you are so hell-bent on bringing shame and pain to this family?¡±


    The question caught me off guard. When I saw her standing at the door, I was expecting the scolding of a lifetime, but now that she was talking with so much hurt in her eyes, you¡¯d think I had done something terribly unjust to her.


    ¡°We¡¯re not bringing shame or pain, mom.¡±


    ¡°Then what do you call this abomination of a rtionship you¡¯re choosing to indulge in?¡±


    I felt like she was slowly making me back up against a wall so she could corner me.


    ¡°I love him, and he loves me too.¡±


    ¡°Love?¡± She shook her head and looked at me like she felt sorry for me.


    I didn¡¯t even know what to say at that point; I didn¡¯t know where this was going, and I didn¡¯t know how to react to it. It felt like she already had a conversation yed out, script for script, in her mind.


    ¡°You think you¡¯re in love, okay, so tell me, other than wanting to tear each other¡¯s clothes off and indulge in incest, what other way has she shown this so-called love to you?¡±


    So that was what she was trying to do-convince me that Aiden and I had no idea what we were feeling and that we were just acting out of lust.


    I had figured out her approach, but the problem was that I could not think of an answer that proved her wrong. The only way Aiden had shown that he loved me was when we made out.


    Was it possible she was right?. No, I wouldn¡¯t let her get in my head.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°He cares about me.¡± I tried reminding my heart about all the times he was protective of me; that was love, right?


    ¡°Hayley.¡± She tugged my hair behind my ear and caressed my cheek with her thumb. ¡°Your father and I care about you too; are either of us trying to get you naked?¡±


    ¡°Mum, stop, please.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the same thing I¡¯m asking of you; just stop this nonsense. For the sake of this family, for your sake, and even for your brother¡¯s sake.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not doing anything wrong.¡± I pulled her hand away.


    ¡°Okay, then do it for my sake; I love your father. Don¡¯t make me lose something I care about. You can always find the person you really love. You¡¯re young, I¡¯m not; if I miss my chance with him now, it could be gone forever.¡±


    ¡°You only care about yourself.¡±


    I got up from the bed and walked to the other end of the room.


    ¡°You¡¯re being selfish, mom, so stop acting like you¡¯re looking out for anyone but yourself.¡±


    Her brows creased in annoyance; she definitely didn¡¯t like the reaction she was getting from me.


    ¡°So what? You two will just keep on messing around in every hidden corner, and every time no one¡¯s looking, is that it?¡± The pitch of her voice was starting to rise; that was a sign that she was getting mad.


    I crossed my arms and looked out the window. I could feel myself slowly starting to despise her and her maniptive tactics. The only thing that she really cared about was herself.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me have to tear the two of you apart myself.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not going to work; you already tried to, remember with Aunt Jada? And the truth is, you¡¯re a monster just like her. You¡¯re selfish and evil.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve warned you.¡± She said it coldly and stood to take her leave.


    I wanted to tear her apart and scream, What was she going to try to do now?


    She mmed the door behind her, and I could hear her footsteps receding down the hallway in the direction of Aiden¡¯s room.


    She was going to try convincing him too, great.


    I coiled up on my bed, tired and angry at the same time. I wished Aunt Jada would just disappear and my mom would stop trying to wedge a wall between me and Aiden.


    I heard my phone buzz, and when I reached out for it, it was a message from Mona and Mina on our group chat.


    ¡°We heard Aiden¡¯s back; is it true?¡±


    The message read that I had forgotten to text them an update since everything had been so messy.


    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s safe,¡±  I replied.


    ¡°Great, I was really getting worried.¡± Mona texted back.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to give us all the details at school tomorrow.¡± Mina texted too.


    Tomorrow? Wow, I lost track of the days and had no idea tomorrow was a school day. I rolled my eyes and put my phone back on mymp desk.


    The next morning, I got ready for school as usual, but I decided to keep a bit of distance from Aiden just so I could get mom off my back.


    I flung my backpack over my shoulders and grabbed a slice of peanut butter and jelly off a te in the kitchen.


    ¡°Good morning, Dad.¡± I said,pletely ignoring my mom.


    ¡°Good morning, Hayley.¡± Dad said, smiling. He was nose deep in a newspaper, and he probably didn¡¯t notice the cold shoulder I was given by mom.


    Matching my energy, Mum acted like I was invisible as well; it was almost like she was telling me two could y at this game.


    I was about to step out the door when I realized I forgot my phone in my room. I hurried back to take it, and I noticed Mom¡¯s eye following me as I went up the stairs.


    I could hear her say something when I reached the door to my room, but I ignored it. She was probablyining about how I ignored her.


    I stuffed my phone in my pocket and made my way down the stairs. I heard Dad¡¯s voice, and I slowed down. The eavesdropper side of me won, and I got close enough to the kitchen but without anyone noticing my presence.


    ¡°Do you want me to handle it my way?¡± It was Mom speaking now; there was an obvious threat in that question.


    What could she have possibly been going on about now?


    ¡°I understand how you feel, but being violent towards them isn¡¯t going to solve anything.¡±


    ¡°Violence is the onlynguage they seem to understand.¡±


    They were talking about me and Aiden, and I was sure of it. I¡¯d never seen her get so riled up over anything the way I¡¯d seen her do with me and Aiden. They were definitely talking about us, but what were the violent means she intended to use?


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it, okay?¡± Dad said reassuringly


    There was a short pause before Mom finally responded with a reluctant okay.


    I could feel the tiny breakfast I had had churn in my stomach, and the way he said he would take care of it made me very anxious.


    I slid out of the house without anyone noticing; their conversation reyed in my mind all the way to school.

 Chapter 37: Taking Care of Things

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    I woke up to the sound of my rm clock ring. It would have been like every other regr morning if not for the sour mood I was in. I got in the shower and proceeded to get ready for school.


    My hands and legs were pretty much on autopilot because my mind was far from paying attention to the clothes I was putting on.


    I couldn¡¯t get Rachel off my mind, and not in a sexual way. I couldn¡¯t get the look on her face fromst night off my mind. When I left Hayley¡¯s room like she told me to, I went back to my room feeling guilty for leaving Hayley to suffer the heat on her own.


    Little did I know, Rachel wasing straight to my room when she was done with her. I was about to go to bed when I heard my door open and turned my head, only to find Rachel standing in front of me, looking very upset.


    The next five minutes after that were just her threatening me to break things off with Hayley; she did even let me talk, and finally, when she was done, she left, just like that.


    I would have been less bothered, but there was a part of the threat she made that showed how serious she was. That was what was currently guing my mind.


    When I was done, I stopped by Hayley¡¯s room so we could go together, but when I opened the door, she wasn¡¯t there. Maybe she was eating breakfast; I was running a bitte after all.


    I spotted my dad on the sofa, reading a newspaper.


    ¡°Good morning, Dad.¡±


    ¡°Morning.¡± He said it absentmindedly.


    I stepped into the kitchen, hoping to find Hayley, but to my surprise, the only person there was Rachel, who just stared at me. I¡¯m pretty sure if she could shootser beams out of her eye, I would have been long gone.


    I knew it would only make things worse if I asked where Hayley was, so I just headed off to school without saying a word.


    I was trying to scan for Hayley in the crowd in the hallway when my eyes locked with Alessa¡¯s eyes instead.


    I tried to look away before she noticed, but then it was toote; she was looking right back at me.


    I¡¯d never known Alessa to be too much of a social freak, but the way she was just standing alone by her locker, pulling out books, looked lonely.


    I didn¡¯t have time to worry about that right now; I just wanted to see Hayley and make sure she was okay. I had a feeling Rachel had spewed the same threats she tried to use on me with her as well.


    I couldn¡¯t spot Hayley or her friends anywhere, so I walked up to Alessa with hopes that she would have some idea about their whereabouts. She was on talking terms with Hayley now anyway, so there was no harm in asking.


    It might have been in my head, but I could have sworn. Alessa gave me a nonchnt look when she realized it was her I was walking towards.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I said awkwardly.


    ¡°Hey.¡± There was no life or emotion in her voice.


    ¡°You okay?¡±


    ¡°Do you need something?¡± She shut the locker door and looked up into my eyes.


    ¡°Um, yeah.¡± I hadn¡¯t been expecting that as a reaction. ¡°I¡¯ve been looking around for Hayley; do you have any idea where she is?¡±


    ¡°No, don¡¯t you two live together? How am I supposed to know where she is?¡± Now her voice had emotion, pure irritation, and sass.


    ¡°I¡¯m just asking if you¡¯ve seen her today, that¡¯s all.¡± What was she being all bitter about? I just asked a question; she didn¡¯t have to be rude about it.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t seen her. As you can see, I just got here, and thest thing on my mind is to be a human tracker for your sister.¡± She clenched her jaw and walked past me.


    I understood Alessa might have been upset or jealous because of my rtionship with Hayley, but the Alessa I knew wasn¡¯t rude to me. She acted like we were glued to each other and made for each other, not like I was pestering her; she used to be so desperate for my attention. Did she hate me all of a sudden, or was there more to this?


    The bell rang, and everyone scurried off to their sses.


    ¡°Well, today¡¯s off to a really bad start.¡± I said to myself and headed to my ss. I¡¯d look for Hayleyter during the lunch break.


    The hours went by fast, and soon the bell for the lunch break went off. I went straight to the cafeteria, and luckily Hayley was seated at her regr table, with Mina and Mona seated by her sides. They were so engulfed in whatever they were talking about that they hadn¡¯t even noticed me walk up to their table.


    ¡°Hayley,¡± I said, and their murmuring stopped abruptly.


    ¡°Aiden?¡± They all pretty much said it at the same time, like a couple of synchronized dolls.


    ¡°Where were you before sses? I couldn¡¯t find you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, we were talking at the basketball court; why were you looking for me?¡± Hayley asked


    ¡°We should talk.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± She said and Mona shifted, creating space for me to have a seat.


    ¡°Maybe somewhere more private.¡± By now, a lot of eyes in the cafeteria were already fixed in our direction, and it was making me feel uneasy.


    ¡°Oh,¡± she said, looking around and finally noticing the prying eyes as well. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± She looked at her friends and followed me out of the cafeteria.


    ¡°I wonder what they¡¯re up to now.¡± I heard someone whisper, but I decided to just ignore it and keep walking.


    We stopped at the vacant hallway.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s the emergency?¡± She asked when I came to a halt.


    ¡°I just wanted to make sure you were okay.¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be?¡± She asked, confused; maybe her mom hadn¡¯t given her the same threats as me, and I was just worried for nothing.


    ¡°What did your mom say after I left?¡± I asked


    ¡°Oh that.¡± Her expression went grim. No, I was right. Rachel might not have threatened her, but she obviously did something.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Same as always, she tried getting me to stop loving you. I heard her go into your room; what did she say to you?¡±


    ¡°Just a bunch of threats.¡±


    She rolled her eyes and shook her head. ¡°What is her problem?¡± She said under her breath.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine; I¡¯m not intimidated by her. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, babe.¡±


    She smiled up and then frowned, like she remembered something.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I heard them talking this morning; I think it was about us.¡± She looked worried.


    ¡°Who? Your mom and my dad?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    I knew my dad; he hadn¡¯t confronted me about my rtionship with Hayley the way Rachel had, but I was pretty sure he felt the same way about it.


    ¡°What did they say?¡±


    She looked worried as she recounted their conversation.


    Take care of it. A man like my father, an Alpha, was known for being strict with his decisions. Once he made up his mind to do something, he wasn¡¯t going topromise.


    If he made up his mind to split us up, even though I wouldn¡¯t let it happen, it wouldn¡¯t be easy to resist him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t think about it; he probably just said that to make your mom calm down.¡± I lied; I didn¡¯t think he said it to calm Rachel down, but I kissed her on the forehead and told her not to worry about it.


    She went back to her table, and I now had one more thing on my mind.


    It was half through lunch when I got a call from a teacher saying I was excused from school because my dad called in to say I was needed at home.


    Being told that only made me more anxious. I didn¡¯t get time to tell Hayley what happened, and a part of me didn¡¯t want to tell her because I didn¡¯t want her to worry.


    I just had to deal with it on my own, or at least that¡¯s what I told myself.


    I drove home as fast as I could, and I noticed Rachel¡¯s car wasn¡¯t in the garage. I took that as a good sign; I wouldn¡¯t have to deal with her stares and threats.


    The house was dead silent when I stepped through the front door; it had this eerie feeling to it, and I could almost feel that something was wrong, or maybe I was just being paranoid.


    ¡°Dad?¡± I called out.


    He stepped out of the kitchen with his phone to his ear, ¡°Good, you¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°Thank you very much for sorting it out on such short notice.¡± He said to the person on the other end of the phone call and then turned back to me.


    ¡°Um, what¡¯s going on?¡± I could hear my heart pounding in my chest, but I didn¡¯t even know what I was so afraid was going to happen.


    ¡°Just hurry up and get changed.¡±


    ¡°Why do I need to get dressed?¡± I was more confused than ever.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to Australia; hurry up; you have a ne to catch.¡± He said with a straight face, and my jaw dropped in disbelief.


    This was his way of ¡®taking care¡¯ of things.

 Chapter 38: Her Displeasure

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°No!¡± I screamed as I headed for the stairs.


    ¡°Hayley, get back here!!¡± Mom screamed after me, but I didn¡¯t stop.


    No, they were lying; they had to be lying. There was no way it was real; I wasn¡¯t going to believe it.


    I stopped at Aiden¡¯s door and pounded on the wooden frame aggressively.


    ¡°Aiden! Aiden!! Aiden!!!¡± I called out but got no response.


    Out of frustration, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Everything looked normal, yet my heart was pounding rapidly in my chest.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Aiden?¡± I called out again, but there was no answer.


    He wasn¡¯t in his room, but that wasn¡¯t a big deal. He could have just gone out for a stroll or gone with his friends. It didn¡¯t mean anything.


    I sank into his bed and soaked in his scent.


    Everything is going to be fine, I told myself as I fought the voices in my head that wanted to believe my mother¡¯s words.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡± She had said


    But he wasn¡¯t, was he?


    I got up from the bed and noticed something was off. Aiden¡¯s room was clean. I¡¯m not saying he was a slub or anything on a regr day, but his room was extra tidy in a weird way. No clothes were flung on his chair, and no books were left open.


    Speaking of books, I could not see any of his books lying around. At that point, I was really starting to panic. I rushed to his closet, and the sight inside was thest straw. I felt what was left of the resistance I left in me wash down and seep away.


    The closet was empty; all his clothes and shoes were gone. Shit.


    I looked around, but all his personal belongings were gone. I could feel all the warning rms in my head go off.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡± The words echo in my mind.


    I rushed back downstairs; mom was right there, sitting on the couch. She had that smug look on her face, like she knew I had finally epted what she said.


    ¡°Why?¡± My voice came out cracked and weak.


    Her lips straightened, and her face turned serious.


    ¡°I warned you.¡±


    I could feel my eyes go watery. What had she done? I wanted to scream. My brain was racing for an exnation.


    ¡°Please, what did you do to him?¡± I walked closer to her with pleading eyes.


    She didn¡¯t look like she was touched by my predicament; her eyes went through me, and her face remained unchanged.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything to him.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lying; he said you threatened himst night.¡± I red up instinctively; she was lying.


    ¡°Hayley, I didn¡¯t do anything to him, and this is for your own good.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll report you; I¡¯ll call the police. His dad will never forgive you.¡± Now I was the one spewing threats.


    ¡°You want to report me to the same man who took him away?¡± She said inly.


    ¡°His dad took him?¡± I was shocked.


    That didn¡¯t make sense; if his dad took him, did that mean he and my mom were no longer together?. No, if he did, Mom would be an emotional mess right now, not this calm.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s the best thing to do for both of you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± That¡¯s what Aiden¡¯s dad said this morning when I eavesdropped.


    Was this it? Taking care of us?


    ¡°Where is he?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s safe, and he¡¯s fine. He¡¯s just going away for a while.¡±


    I sat beside her and reached out for her hands, pleading, ¡°Mummy, please, I¡¯m begging you.¡±


    ¡°I begged you first, Hayley. I didn¡¯t want to have to go this far, but now it¡¯s done.¡±


    ¡°Please, I¡¯m sorry. Okay, I¡¯ll stop. I¡¯ll let you and his dad be together peacefully. Just tell me where he is, please.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s true, then you won¡¯t be affected by him not being here. Show us you can control yourselves, and he¡¯ll be on a ne back home before you know it.¡±


    What? On a ne, just how far away had they taken him just to keep us apart?


    ¡°A ne?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t think he should havended by now, though; it¡¯s kind of far, if you ask me.¡± She said it absentmindedly.


    I wanted to strangle her. I pulled out my phone and tried calling Aiden for the hundredth time, but there was still no service or reply. Maybe that¡¯s why the call wasn¡¯t going through; he was on a ne.


    But how quickly had they been able to get him on a ne, and how long had they been nning it? I ran back to my room, seeing that my mom wasn¡¯t going to be of any help, and called my friends.


    When I was done briefing them on what happened, they were panicking just as much as I was.


    ¡°What are you going to do?¡±


    ¡°Sending him away, isn¡¯t that too much?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Hayley.¡±


    Their words were falling on deaf ears, mostly because I was sobbing like crazy and panicking. I didn¡¯t know what to do. There was no way I could get through to my mom. She was a very stubborn woman.


    There was only one person I could try to get through to-yes,  one more person.


    His dad.


    I managed to pull myself together; all hope wasn¡¯t lost yet, and I could still try to convince Aiden¡¯s dad that he could let hime back.


    I waited patiently till it was around the time he came back from work and went to sit on the front porch waiting for him.


    I guess he understood what I was doing because the moment he came out of his car and spotted me, his face went grim, but he looked concerned.


    ¡°Hayley, what are you doing outside?¡±


    I was freezing cold, and I guess he could tell from the way I was shivering.


    ¡°Please, dad, where is he?¡±


    He looked away and sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s for your own good.¡±


    ¡°Just tell me, please. Tell me.¡±


    ¡°Australia.¡± He finally answered.

 Chapter 39: Flickering the Flame of Doubt

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I stared at my phone and waited. I had no idea what I was expecting to happen, but somehow I found myself seekingfort beneath my nket and staring at my phone, which was on my bedside table.


    My eyelids felt really heavy, like mas calling out to each other; all they wanted to do was close. That was the effect of all the crying I had done, as much as I wanted to sleep and act like none of it ever happened.


    The moment I closed my eyes, the still-quiet pool of darkness my subconscious mind was supposed to be in transformed into a faulty projector, repeatedly reying the moment when Aiden¡¯s dad looked me in the eyes and said Aiden was gone.


    I could still hear the sound of my heart shattering in my chest. I couldn¡¯t believe they had gone that far just to pull us apart.


    What scared me the most was that they might have seeded; I hadn¡¯t been able to reach Aiden, and it wasn¡¯t like I could leave home and fly all the way to Australia just to begin looking for him when I had no idea where exactly he was. It was irrational, even though I knew that.


    A thousand things crossed my mind in the two hours I had spent snuggled under the sheets and staring into nothingness.


    Had Aiden willingly gone?


    Why didn¡¯t he even try to say goodbye, maybe with a note or something?


    Even if they made him leave, why hadn¡¯t he tried reaching out? His ne should havended.


    Those were pretty much the center of all my thoughts; more than ever, I wanted to see his smile one more time and hear him tease me.


    My phone¡¯s screen lit up, and so did my heart. I grabbed it without thinking. Sadly, it was just a message from Mona, telling me to be okay and that if I wanted to take the day off tomorrow, she would exin to the teachers.


    At least I had one less thing to worry about, not that it mattered or anything.


    I sank back into my bed, and almost immediately the creaking sound from the door being opened drew my attention.


    It was Aiden¡¯s dad; he poked his head through the door and just looked at me. I didn¡¯t know what to say, and to be honest, I don¡¯t think he knew either.


    The silence was speaking for itself; it seemed like he felt sad to see me like this, but he also had his mind made up. I turned my back to him and closed my eyes, finally letting my eyelids have the rest they craved.


    ¡°Hayley, wake up.¡±


    I heard Aiden¡¯s voice call out, and my body sprung to life. I jerked off my bed and opened my eyes.


    Sadly, rather than Aiden¡¯s handsome face, I was greeted by my best friends, Mina and Mona, seated on my bed and staring at me with sympathetic eyes.


    How did they even get here?


    I looked around; I was still in my room. Maybe I was dreaming. I yawned and asked them what they wanted.


    ¡°We stopped by to check on you, and your mom told us you were still in bed.¡±


    ¡°Check on me. Thanks, but aren¡¯t you two meant to be in school? We¡¯re going to be in trouble if we all miss school.¡± I could hear the fatigue in my own voice. My joints felt sore, and I just wanted to stay in bed.


    They looked at each other before looking back at me. They were doing that thing we always did, when it was like they were talking to each other telepathically, but they really weren¡¯t.


    ¡°What is it? What am I missing?¡± I was confused.


    ¡°Hayley¡¯s school is over; it¡¯s almost evening.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± I looked out the window, and the sun wasn¡¯t shining as much as it would if it were still early in the morning, which meant I had been knocked out for hours.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Mona, let me rest my head on her shoulder.


    ¡°He¡¯s in Australia; they¡¯re so against us that they moved him all the way to Australia. They took his life away from him.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t imagine how devastated he must be feeling right now.¡± Minamented; she looked upset at the idea of not being able to see Aiden again.


    ¡°I know right, but he¡¯s a grown ass man. It¡¯s kind of hard to imagine his dad was able to just force him into getting on the ne and leaving.¡±


    ¡°What are you insinuating?¡±


    I watched as they talked to each other.


    ¡°Well, legally, he¡¯s an adult, so they can¡¯t make him do anything, you know.¡±


    ¡°Then how do you exin him disappearing just like that?¡±


    ¡°I dunno, maybe he wanted to leave.¡±


    The gravity of Mona¡¯s words dawned on me. Aiden wasn¡¯t a child that could just be forced into doing anything; he had a will of fire. But then I assumed he had been forced into leaving; not once had my mind considered the fact that he could have willingly left.


    No, he wouldn¡¯t do that. Aiden wasn¡¯t like that. I saw the worry on his face when I told him that they were nning to sever our rtionship. That was enough proof to show that he wouldn¡¯t just get up and leave me.


    ¡°Hayley, is it possible?¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ please.¡±


    I cut her off before she could even ask. I knew what she wanted to ask, and I didn¡¯t want to hear it; I didn¡¯t even want to consider the thought of it. If I started doubting Aiden¡¯s loyalty now, it would only make me feel more miserable.


    ¡°Sorry, change of subject. You look really weak; have you even had breakfast?¡± Mina pulled out an apple from her bag and handed it over.


    I didn¡¯t realize how hungry I was until my eyes locked on the apple. I took it from her and sank my teeth into it.


    They wrapped their arms around me.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get through this; we¡¯re right here with you.¡±

 Chapter 40: A Middle Ground

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I didn¡¯t realize how hungry I was until my eyes locked on the apple. I took it from her and sank my teeth into it.


    They wrapped their arms around me.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get through this; we¡¯re right here with you.¡±


    ¡°Give it back!¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Mona and Mina yfully fought over a book they both wanted to read. I just sat thereughing hysterically at their theatrics and trying to eat my lunch in peace.


    Eventually, Mona caved in and surrendered, which left Mina looking like the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wondend.


    My eyes wandered around the cafeteria, which was buzzing with life and chatter. That perfect atmosphere, the cafeteria, was noisy as heck, no doubt, but it would be creepy if it were silent. Cafeterias were meant to be noisy, in my opinion.


    ¡°Did you see that new movie that just came out?¡± Mina tossed some fries into her mouth as she talked.


    ¡°What movie?¡± Mona and I asked


    Mina was the one who always kept up with the trendy stuff among us; whether it was fashion, music, or celebrity gossip, Mina was on it.


    ¡°The one about people with superpowers in South London.¡± She said it in a story-telling tone, and we both moved closer so we could get the full gist.


    Mina had her story-telling face on, and I was already wrapped up in what she was about to say when, like a wave of death, the cafeteria went still and quiet.


    The only voice I heard was Mina¡¯s before she too eventually stopped talking when she realized everyone else had gone silent.


    We turned our heads to the cafeteria entrance. Anytime something like this happened when everyone went silent, it was usually because something was happening at the entrance, or maybe someone died. I¡¯m just kidding about thest part.


    Our eyesnded on the door, and to my utmost surprise, there she was at the door, holding her tray with a nonchnt look on her face.


    I hadn¡¯t seen her in a really long time; actually, I hadn¡¯t seen her since the day after Aiden more or less disappeared into thin air, but then there she was, all flesh and bone being the attraction of half the school, Alessa.


    It wasn¡¯t even her absence that made everyone so intrigued by hering back. When she got the news of Aiden¡¯s departure,pared to me, she took it horribly worse.


    I wasn¡¯t there, but I heard she flung a student across the hallway for gossiping and spreading conspiracy theories as to what happened with Aiden.


    ¡°Are you all done staring?¡±


    The way her cold-hearted voice echoed through the cafeteria sent goosebumps through me. I wasn¡¯t on bad terms with her after she basically tried to save my life, but I hadn¡¯t been chit-chatting with her either. We were more like frenemies now.


    Everyone seemed to have gotten the satisfaction of looking at her and then reverted back to what they were doing.


    Well, everyone except Mina, Mona, and me. Our eyes followed her as she walked between tables and chose to sit at a vacant table about two tables away from ours.


    ¡°Damn, she looks¡­¡± Mina started


    ¡°Depressing.¡± Mona finished


    They were right; even though I would have chosen mean rather than depressing, she just looked drained.


    ¡°Should we go talk to her?¡± I suggested, and they looked at me in disbelief.


    ¡°What are we? The school¡¯s guidance and counseling department.¡± Mina teased and shook her head.


    ¡°She has a point; personally, I think she looks kind of scary right now, and I¡¯m sure she¡¯s going to be alright.¡±


    ¡°Come on, you guys; remember how she tries to save my life.¡±


    ¡°And stupidly, you nearly got both of you killed instead?¡± Mona added sarcastically


    I rolled my eyes. There was no getting through to these guys, but I had a feeling they didn¡¯t want me talking to her because they didn¡¯t want me thinking about Aiden anymore.


    Thest three weeks hadn¡¯t been easy, especially for Mina and Mona; they were the ones who had to put so much energy and effort into cheering me up, and when they finally seeded, they wouldn¡¯t let me near anything that brought bad, sad memories.


    Aiden hadn¡¯t texted or called, so that helped their cause. Dad said it was due to issues he was having settling down, and that was his fault for rushing the flight ns.


    I had heard Aiden on the phone with his dad one time, but I figured it would be better to just steer clear, and frankly, from what I could tell, he never asked to speak with me either.


    I was starting to get my life back together, and I didn¡¯t want to furtherplicate things. I still loved him, yes, but I had to be on my best behavior so he coulde back, or at least that was the deal I made with our parents.


    I looked at Alessa one more time; she looked lonely; maybe that¡¯s how Aiden felt in Australia with no friends and no family; then I looked away.


    Mina went back to telling us about her South London movie while I half listened and half had my mind on Alessa.


    The bell rang, and we all walked to ss together, hand in hand, like we always did. Coincidentally, we passed by Alessa, and my eyes met hers.


    She didn¡¯t look away when she saw me looking; she just kept looking until we went out of sight.


    Was something wrong with her? I thought to myself. I made a mental note to catch up with her after school, and that¡¯s exactly what I did.


    ¡°Alessa! Alessa!!¡± I called out after spotting her on the school field, sitting on the bleachers.


    She looked at me inly.


    ¡°Why are you panting?¡± She asked


    ¡°Oh, I was running,¡± I said in between gasps. I lied to Mina and Mona that I had to submit an assignment and they could go ahead or wait if they wanted to, but I really just spent about five minutes running around school looking for Alessa.


    ¡°What was chasing you?¡±


    I looked at her confused expression. This girl did not know how to take a joke.


    ¡°Nothing was chasing me; I just wanted to talk to you real quick. May I?¡±


    She nodded, and I sat close to her.


    ¡°Where have you been thest three weeks?¡± That was the thing I was most curious about; I was desperately hoping it had nothing to do with Aunt Jada or some other dubious character.


    Speaking of Jada, she and her entire organization had gonepletely under the radar after we stole their ns. I asked Dad how the investigation was going a few times, but he just said it was under control.


    ¡°I had stuff to do.¡± Her expression didn¡¯t look as harsh as it did in the cafeteria; maybe it was just my delusion, or maybe Alessa was actually being nicer to me.


    ¡°What kind of stuff?¡± I didn¡¯t mean to pry, but I was curious.


    Her brows creased with a slight frown.


    ¡°Everyone was just wondering where you were and all; that¡¯s why I¡¯m asking.¡± I quickly said that before she got defensive.


    ¡°Everyone?¡± She said it with a light, sarcasticugh.


    Okay, so not really everyone, but I was.


    ¡°Okay, I was wondering.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s kind of personal stuff I had to sort through. If you¡¯re thinking I did something crazy, like plot some evil n with Jada, I didn¡¯t. I¡¯m pretty sure she¡¯ll kill me if she ever sees me again.¡± There was a genuine smile on her face now, whether she liked it or not. Alessa was beautiful when she smiled.


    I could see what Aiden might have fallen for once upon a time.


    ¡°Is that all you¡¯re here for?¡± She asked


    ¡°Pretty much, you looked a bit troubled during lunch, so I just wanted to make sure you were okay.¡±


    ¡°Is that concern I hear in your voice, Hayley?¡± She teased


    ¡°No.¡± I threw my hands in the air andughed.


    ¡°To think that some weeks ago I would have done anything to get rid of you.¡±


    ¡°Ouch.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure it went both ways.¡±


    ¡°Guilty as charged.¡±


    We just sat there in silence for a while, feeling the gentle breeze kiss our faces and birds chirping nearby.


    ¡°Do you think he¡¯s okay?¡± She asked out of nowhere.


    ¡°Who?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Aiden.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± I fought back the thoughts that threatened to break through my mental walls and turn me back into an emotional mess.


    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s okay; he calls home once in a while. He¡¯s fine.¡± It wasn¡¯t exactly a lie; it was just the painted truth that I had been telling myself.


    ¡°Good to know, I¡¯m going to head home now. If you talk to Aiden anytime soon, could you tell him I said hi and he should text me?¡± She asked casually.


    ¡°If I do talk to him, I will.¡± I smiled even though I knew it probably wasn¡¯t going to happen.


    ¡°This was nice, this little chat with you.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should do it more often.¡± I said, trying to be nice and friendly, I knew being alone sucked. I had always had Mina and Mona, so I wasn¡¯t ever alone, but I was pretty sure it was a horrible feeling.


    ¡°Yeah, maybe I¡¯ll call you sometime.¡±


    At least now I knew it wasn¡¯t just me he wasn¡¯t in contact with; it was everyone. Somehow, that brought somefort.


    We went our different ways, and I hurried back to meet up with Mona and Lisa.


    ¡°Babe, what took you so long?¡± They poked me when I met up with them.


    ¡°Sorry, something came up.¡±


    They didn¡¯t push further, and we all went back to my ce to rx, which is a regr thing now.


    ¡°I made some snacks for you girls.¡± My mom chimed as we walked through the front door.


    ¡°Thanks ma¡¯am.¡± Mona and Mina replied with squeaky voices.


    I didn¡¯t say a word; I didn¡¯t even look at her. We hadn¡¯t talked much after Aiden left. Deep down, I held her responsible, even though Aiden¡¯s dad was the one who came up with the idea.


    She had tried to reach out to me a couple times, but I only talked to her when dad was around or if she needed me to do something.


    It had be a robotic mother-daughter rtionship; I just couldn¡¯t bring myself to look at the joy on her face, even after she brought me so much pain.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to forgive her eventually.¡± Mina said once we got into my room, she had been trying to get me and my mom on good terms, but she failed every time.


    ¡°Give her time, Mina, if it were you. I¡¯m sure you¡¯d probably set the house on fire as revenge.¡± Mona¡¯s response made us all burst intoughter. Mina was that exact kind of dramatic.


    We settled in and unwinded from the day¡¯s stress. Mina was on her phone as usual, while Mona and I had our noses buried in books. My mom baked some cookies and brought them upstairs for us.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± We chimed in unison and stuffed our faces.


    From the corner of my eye, I could see her staring at me, but I ignored it.


    My phone buzzed on the bed; it was a voicemail from an unregistered number. Was Alessa really calling right now? That was fast. I put the cookie down, crossed my legs on the bed, and watched while they stuffed their faces and put the phone in my ear.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s me.¡± The voicemail began, and my heart skipped a beat. It was Aiden¡¯s voice.

 Chapter 41: A Waste of Time

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    ¡°Australia?¡±


    That was my immediate response when dad told me about the trip. I was stunned and hoping maybe I hadn¡¯t heard him properly; it hadn¡¯t made any sense to me back then.


    I was so close to barging out the door, getting in my car, and going to pick Hayley up from school. What we would do after that, I had no idea, but all I could think about at that moment was how crazy our parents had be and that we needed to get as far as possible.


    I guess dad knew me well enough and had sensed it, because his next approach was to sit me down and give a lengthy, convincing exnation.


    And as much as I wanted to resist, when he was done talking, I was more or less won over to his side of reasoning.


    In the blink of an eye, I was at an airport, and next thing I knew, I was on a ne to Australia. It probably didn¡¯t happen as fast as my brain processed it, but I was so lost in thought from the conversation that my body was practically moving on autopilot.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to be okay; remember what we talked about.¡± Dad had said this before giving me onest hug at the airport.


    And just like that, my fate was sealed. I couldn¡¯t stop thinking of how Hayley would take the news. I hoped she wouldn¡¯t me herself for my having to leave. I didn¡¯t want to burden her with guilt, and I nned to call her.


    But then, here I was, basically three weekster, and I hadn¡¯t been able to reach out or hear her voice. My phone had been lost in some scanning process when Inded, and I would have been stranded if not for the bodyguard my dad assigned to me, who happened to have his number.


    I asked to speak with Hayley a couple times, but he told me it was better if I didn¡¯t.


    ¡°She seems like she¡¯s doing so much better now, son. Don¡¯t drag her down a rabbit hole.¡±


    I agreed with logic and decided to give her more space; frankly, I wasn¡¯t sure if she would still want to talk to me.


    ¡°Mr. Jayden, do I have your attention?¡± The gray-haired man in the suit asked me, and I snapped out of my trail of thoughts.


    ¡°Yes, I am. Please go on.¡± I said I ran my hand through my hair.


    Stay focused, I told myself.


    I had been bombarded with so many things these days that it was almost overwhelming.


    I stared absentmindedly at the white-haired man. I had already forgotten his name in such a short time, and now all I knew about him was the white-haired guy in a suit.


    I chuckled inside. I wasn¡¯tughing at him; I wasughing at my own unfocused self.


    He was in front of me talking and exining, probably thinking he was making the progress of a lifetime, but little did he know I hadn¡¯t heard a word he said since we started this meeting.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    This was an absolute waste of time.


    I signaled for Frank, the bodyguard, toe closer, and he did.


    ¡°Please, can we do this some other time?¡± I whispered into his ear, and he went to ry the message to the white-haired guy who was only a few steps away from me.


    I would have told him myself, but I didn¡¯t want to have to suffer the awkwardness of not knowing the name to address him with.


    When the hotel room was finally cleared, I got into the shower and changed into less formal clothes.


    Normally, I tried to avoid going outside since I didn¡¯t really know anyone here, but today felt different; I needed to get my mind off home.


    I made my way to a nearby bar that I had passed by a couple times.


    I opened the front door and walked in. The smell of beer and cigarettes filled my nostrils. The ce was a bit more crowded than I imagined, but maybe that was a good thing.


    I was trying to get drunk without being noticed, so the more people to hide in the midst of, the better.


    I sat at the bar and ordered a few drinks. I was halfway through them when I noticed a table of girls ncing at me.


    They giggled and turned away when they realized I had spotted them, but after a few seconds, one of them turned again for another ss.


    Our eyes met, and she blushed and turned back to whisper something to her friends.


    They looked young-almost too young to be drinking in the first ce-but they were probably 18, or they were minors, which would exin the childish behavior.


    I went back to focusing on the drinks in front of me. It was probably just something wrong with the way I dressed that cut that caught that attention.


    I looked down at what I was wearing-joggers and a sweatshirt. There wasn¡¯t anything special. I totally ignored that side of the bar and kept gulping down drinks.


    The problem was that each gulp seemed to worsen the problem rather than help. The more I felt drunk, the more I saw Hayley¡¯s face in almost anyone who shared even the slightest resemnce with her.


    I could almost hear her giggling.


    Wait what?


    I heard the giggle closer this time.


    I looked around confused. Was I already drunk?


    I found the source of the giggling; one of the girls from the table before sat beside me and was staring at me, giggling like a drunk horse.


    ¡°Hi.¡± She said it and smiled.


    It might have been the alcohol, but she sounded just like Hayley.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­¡± I didn¡¯t let her finish; I knew it wouldn¡¯t end well.


    I paid for the drinks and walked out of the bar without letting her get through the first sentence.


    I pulled out my phone as I walked through the alley and dialed Hayley¡¯s number. I couldn¡¯t take this anymore.

 Chapter 42: Missing and a Dead Body

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    I woke up to be greeted by the beautiful morning sun and a killer hangover. I didn¡¯t even know how I managed to get home in one piece and go to bed. Thest things I remembered doing were leaving the bar after being approached by that girl and then wanting to call Hayley while heading home, but everything from then on was blurry.


    I forced myself out of bed and into the bathroom. I had my whole day nned out for me, courtesy of my father.


    The chill of cold water pouring down my hair and running down my spine was extremely relieving; somehow, even in a moment like that, my thoughts still flickered towards Hayley.


    I called herst night, but she didn¡¯t answer the phone, so I left a voicemail. The question was, What did I say in the voicemail?


    Was I being a coward by avoiding a direct conversation with her? I didn¡¯t want to have to hear the hurt or resentment in her voice.


    Knowing my father, he probably didn¡¯t exin things to her, at least not the way he did to me that convinced me to go in the first ce. She could have thought I abandoned her, but that didn¡¯t make sense. There was nothing to abandon her for in Australia; my whole life was back at home in Lake Town.


    I heard the hotelndline ring, and I stepped out of the shower with a towel wrapped around my waist.


    I put the receiver in my ear.


    ¡°Hello.¡±


    ¡°Mr Aiden?¡± That was weird to hear, but by now I was already used to Frank¡¯s way of addressing me.


    ¡°Yes, Frank.¡±


    ¡°Your schedule¡¯s been cleared for today, so you can stay in the hotel till tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Cleared? Why? What happened?¡±


    ¡°Um, sir, that¡¯s what you asked me to dost night.¡±


    Shit, so I did stuff I didn¡¯t rememberst night.


    ¡°I asked you to do itst night.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Frank?¡±


    ¡°Yes sir.¡±


    ¡°Is there anything else? When I asked you to clear the schedules, was I¡­ drunk by any chance?¡± That was a very awkward question to ask.


    ¡°Yes sir.¡± He said it almost robotically.


    ¡°And you paid attention to an instruction I gave? Why?¡±


    ¡°Because I knew you would probably wake up with a hangover or worse, and your father rmended that I let you rest.¡±


    ¡°You called my dad?!¡±


    I think he actually ratted me out to my dad, who was probably now wondering what other unreasonable things I was doing.


    This was just getting worse with each sentence. How much alcohol did I even have to have been making so many decisions? The n was to stay secluded until I had everything figured out and could go home. I didn¡¯t even go outside unless I really needed to, so I wouldn¡¯t get used to being here.


    Deep down, it felt like I would be betraying Hayley if I did.


    ¡°Actually, no, you did, sir.¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡± I bit my lips and tried to remember what he was talking about; it wasing to me slowly. I remembered calling Hayley and saying some random stuff, then I got angry about how I could not see or hold her, and I called my dad.


    ¡°Were you there when I called him?¡± I asked


    ¡°Yes, I was in the room when you made the call.¡±


    ¡°What did I say? Was it bad?¡±


    ¡°Not really; youined about having toe to Australia and how you wanted to get back to see someone you called Hayley, and half way you red up and ended the call.¡±


    The way he recounted one of the most embarrassing moments of my life, like it was a script out of a y, just made it even more cringe-worthy for me. I liked being in control of my emotions; alcohol wasn¡¯t exactly in support of that.


    ¡°Has he called back since then?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t believe so.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s enough. Thank you, Frank.¡± I was ready to end the call and get back to bed.


    ¡°Also, I changed the phone like you asked me to.¡± He said


    ¡°I changed the phone.¡± I looked around for my phone, and sure enough, I couldn¡¯t find it.


    ¡°Yes, you said you didn¡¯t want someone calling you back because you didn¡¯t want to hurt her, so I should get rid of the phone and get you a new one.¡±


    My heart sank. I did what? That I could at least rte to; drunk or not, no part of me would ever want to hurt Hayley.


    If my dad was right and she was managing to get over our rtionship, then our talking would really only send her down a rabbit hole. A rabbit hole I wouldn¡¯t be there to get her out of.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the recement phone?¡± I asked


    ¡°It¡¯s in the hotel bedroom, by the bed stand.¡±


    ¡°Okay, that will be all.¡± I put the receiver back.


    At least I didn¡¯t make any life-damning mistakes, so it wasn¡¯t so bad.


    I went over to get the phone, and there was a note that had the list of contacts that had been on the old phone.


    My eyes scanned through it, and just as expected, one was missing. Hayley¡¯s number; was it possible? I also told Frank to make sure I couldn¡¯t possibly reach her again.


    Another name caught my eye, one I hadn¡¯t really been paying attention to, but then an idea hit me.


    Maybe I could watch over Hayley and know how she was doing without her knowing. Since I couldn¡¯t trust my dad to bepletely honest with me, I needed someone who I knew wouldn¡¯t lie to me.


    The problem now was that I wasn¡¯t sure about the person in question. She was getting closer to Hayley before I left, but she had also been pulling away from me, and I hadn¡¯t spoken to her in almost a month.


    Chances were, I was thest person she¡¯d want to be a spy for.


    I took a deep breath. Everythinges with risks, right?


    I dialed in the digits and tapped the call button, praying to the heavens that I wouldn¡¯t regret doing it.


    ¡°Hello, who is this?¡± Alessa¡¯s nonchnt voice came from the other side of the phone.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Alessa, it¡¯s Aiden.¡±


    I could hear her gasp over the phone.


    ¡°Aiden.¡±


    There wasn¡¯t any hint of hostility in her voice, like I had feared; rather, she sounded relieved to know it was me.


    ¡°Yeah, how are you?¡± I couldn¡¯t really think of any other way to start the conversation.


    ¡°How am I? Aiden, you disappeared without a word!¡± The relief switched to a scolding tone.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t nned for¡­ I had to go to Australia.¡±


    ¡°Save it; I already know. The whole school knows. You could have said something, you know? I know I was really rude thest time we talked, but still, did I mean so little to you?¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t like that, Alessa.¡±


    ¡°Then what was it like? Do you even know the stupid rumors they had flying around after you left? I even got in trouble for defending you.¡±


    Now that was the Alessa I remembered, it felt good to talk to her even if I couldn¡¯t talk to anyone else.


    ¡°Sorry about that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s cool. What¡¯s up? What suddenly made you remember that you had friends who cared about you back at home?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, about that¡­¡± I was trying to figure out a way to ask her.


    ¡°It¡¯s about your sister, isn¡¯t it?¡± The excitement that had been in her tone died down.


    I guess my silence had been a dead giveaway.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s about Hayley.¡±


    ¡°I thought you called home every once in a while. What could you possibly need from me that you couldn¡¯t just ask her?¡±


    I didn¡¯t understand what she was going on about one bit.


    ¡°Uh?, what do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I talked to Hayley like yesterday, and she said she¡¯s been in contact with you and that you¡¯re alright.¡±


    ¡°Hayley said that?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    What reason would she have to lie to Alessa about being in contact with me?


    ¡°I even told her to tell you I said hi the next time you called her. Wait, aren¡¯t you two talking?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t actually talked to anyone other than my dad.¡± I figured there was no use in lying to cover up Hayley¡¯s lie, for whatever reason she lied.


    ¡°So she lied to me.¡±


    ¡°She probably had a really good reason for it.¡± Thest thing I wanted to do was create a gap between them.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t me her. She seems way happier now; if I were her, I wouldn¡¯t want to think about you or anything rted to you.¡±


    Something about her sounded so different; I think it was more mature.


    ¡°So what do you need me to do? Be a human tracker for your sister.¡± Sheughed; those were the same words she used when she snapped at mest time we talked.


    ¡°Pretty much; I just need to make sure she¡¯s okay.¡±


    ¡°She is; her friends flock to her all the time. But I¡¯ll keep you updated.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Alessa. This means a lot.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s lucky to have you; actually, you¡¯re lucky you have each other.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Speaking from experience, it hurts when you love someone who doesn¡¯t love you back the same way.¡±


    I had a feeling she was referring to me, but that was a closed book. I didn¡¯t want to revisit that chapter.


    ¡°How are things going with the investigation?¡± I changed the topic.


    ¡°Uh?¡±


    ¡°On Jada and the Circle?.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that. They say it¡¯s going well, but I heard they found a dead body at one of Jada¡¯s old experimentation sites.¡±


    ¡°Probably just someone she abducted.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the thing; she disappeared basically a month ago, right? Yet the body had only been dead for two days when it was foundst week.¡±


    Okay, now I understand what she was driving at. That was quite weird.


    ¡°What do they think is going on?¡±


    Jada wasn¡¯t stupid; why would she leave evidence just lying around when she¡¯s meant to be in hiding?


    ¡°They think she trieding back, and she made a mistake with an experiment or something, but I don¡¯t think that¡¯s it.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your idea?¡±


    Alessa wasn¡¯t just a pretty face, so I was willing to hear her thoughts; after all, she had worked for Jada.


    ¡°I think she¡¯s nning something big. And I think she¡¯s doing it fast; no one¡¯s listening to me, though. What do I know?¡± I could picture her rolling her eyes.


    ¡°Have you talked to Kieran?¡±


    ¡°I told him about everything that happened, but I haven¡¯t gotten a reply.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but he¡¯s probably just busy with something else. I¡¯m not worried about it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got to get going. I take it. I shouldn¡¯t tell Hayley I talked to you at all.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, thank you.¡±


    She ended the call.


    So we still had to watch out for Jada. Just when we already thought we had her cornered, she went into hiding, and now she was probably nning something big.


    What if she went after Hayley?


    One more reason to add to the list of reasons why I wanted to get back home, but that wasn¡¯t happening any time soon.


    The reason for mying here hadn¡¯t been aplished, at least not yet.

 Chapter 43: Unraveling Threads

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    For a moment, I just looked at my phone, trying to take in everything that Alessa had told me. Jada was out, and even worse than that, she might be back soon with a vengeance. That was unsettling and menacing, like a storm on the horizon. I had always held this suspicion inside of her, since Jada was a dangerous person, and the idea she could be scheming or something even now chilled me to my core.     I quickly threw on some jeans and a t-shirt. I had to get my head straight, and fresh air was the only option. I raced for the door in search of fresh air, still clutching my new phone, which Frank had bought me. It was early, long before the rush. I acknowledged the receptionist and stepped back out into the Australian sunshine.     The hotel was close to a small park, so I went there thinking that perhaps nature would inspire me. Hayley stayed on my mind as I walked. Why lie about talking to me? So was she simply in self-preservation mode or something else?     I sat down on the bench under a huge oak and took out my cell phone. After a second, I looked at it and called my dad. The third ring, and he answered the phone.     ¡°Aiden, are you okay? W-what¡­ are those?¡± he asked, concerned.     That moment where the only way you can start your sentence is ¡°Dad, we need to talk about Jada. I spoke with Alessa and she told me there was a body on the streets¡­ where she used to work.¡±     There was a pause. ¡®I became aware of that, yes,¡± he responded slowly. ¡®Now, what does that have to do with you?¡¯     ¡®She thinks Jada is up to something huge, and I agree with her,¡± I responded. ¡°You know how smart Jada is. If she leaves bodies, it is not a mistake. It¡¯s a message.¡±     My dad sighed. ¡®Aiden, I understand you¡¯re concerned, but that¡¯s for the authorities to deal with. There is nothing you can do from there¡¯.     ¡°Well, I can at least keep track of the news, right? If that crazy bitch is still out there, do you really think she¡¯s going to let this end here?¡±     He was silent for a moment. ¡°Alright,¡± he said finally. ¡°I¡¯ll keep you updated. Promise me you will not interfere in this, Aiden. You¡¯ve done enough.¡±     I nodded, as he could not see me. ¡°I promise, Dad.¡±     We said our good nights, and I ended the call. Sitting back on the bench, I felt more calm. Well, my dad at least keeps me informed. However, Hayley was the issue. I had to know why she told her a lie.     I was going to give Alessa a little time before calling her. She needed time to think everything over. I decided to look in the phone book, and I called Kieran. He was always able to read people, and maybe he could help me out with what was going on in Hayley¡¯s head.     It rang a few times before he answered the phone. ¡®It is good to hear from you, Aiden.¡¯ His voice was warm and friendly on the other end of the line.     ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s been a bit of time,¡± I confessed. ¡°Well, I need your help with something.¡±     ¡°Sure, what¡¯s up?¡± he asked.     I gave a rundown of the Hayley thing (as in, how she lied about talking to me). Kieran was a fabulous listener, and he let me go all the way through before saying anything.     ¡°Huh, that¡¯s odd,¡± he said. ¡®But it could mean anything. Perhaps she is trying to move on and does not want her friends to stress about it. Or maybe she is, like you said, responsible and wants to protect you¡¯.     ¡°Protect me?¡± I echoed, puzzled.     ¡°Yeah,¡± he said. ¡°Think about it. Hayley: Just in case Jada is up to something, Hayley may just be trying to protect you. It looks to me like she might be concerned that if you found out she was having trouble, you would return and put yourself at risk¡¯.     That kind of made twisted sense. But Hayley was my ally; she did not need to shield me. But it was still very hard to swallow.     I licked my lips, inly baffled: ¡°So that must be it. But I still don¡¯t like it.¡±     ¡°No, of course you don¡¯t.¡± Kieranughed. ¡®Aiden, you control freak. You are frustrated by not knowing what is happening.¡¯     I couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°I guess you¡¯re right.¡±     ¡®Just give her some space¡¯, he said. ¡®If she needs you, she will let you know. In the meantime, here¡¯s to watching what Jada does and listening closely. You are going to need your game if she makes a move.¡¯     ¡°Thanks, Kieran,¡± I said. ¡°I appreciate it.¡±     ¡°Anytime,¡± he said. ¡®Look after yourself, Aiden.¡¯     We said our goodbyes, and I felt a little reassured. Kieran was right. I had to back off and allow for the space, so long as Hayley was well enough anchored to stille to me if she needed help.     I had to keep an eye out for Jada. It was time to change the lens and buckle up for whatever that may look like next.     I rose from the bench and breathed in a little more of the fresh air before finally heading back to my hotel. I thought about what Kieran said while I walked. Well, if she did have something in mind, I wanted to be prepared. Hayley and anyone else who might be caught unaware.     I decided to look it up when I got back in my room. She had left in her ce a body, and it was unfortunate that this man died at the same time. I wanted to hear about herst few things and perhaps something she still had going on. I then opened myptop and began reading the news and forums of all kinds of people who left their mark there.     After what felt like hours, fragments of information started to connect. Rumors swirled of mysterious figures spotted at some run-down Circle locations, and a couple stories reported people going missing who weren¡¯t directly linked to Jada yet, with the same strange simrities as those taken in her previous abductions. This made me very nervous, considering that while it was not a full picture yet, the information began to weave in ways already.     When I heard my phone buzz, it was Alessa.     ¡°Hi, just to let you know Hayley is good. We were hanging out with some friends today, and she was in a good mood. I guess this way I can keep an eye on her like you wanted.¡±     Relief washed through me. It felt better than her having been the one to break away without contacting me, but it was still a lie; I had spoken only with my father. I tapped my phone, made a quick Thank you, and put it to the side.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 44: Underneath

    Aiden¡¯s POV     I swiveled my chair and leaned back to look at the ceiling. As Iy sleepless, staring nkly at the ceiling of my room, my mind always finds its way back to Hayley and all that we have been through together. I was homesick, but not as much as I let on, and it hurt to be so far away when all this stuff was going down. But Kieran was right. If she wanted me, she woulde to me.     I woke up early the next day, eager to chase some of those leads. I reached out to a couple of my older contacts for information I once got from Jada and the Circle. Admittedly, a litany of sorts, but every little bit helps.     One of my contacts, a journalist named Sarah, who had chronicled the Circle¡¯s activities for several years, became aware and called me by midday.     She picked up and said, ¡°A-Aiden nice to hear from you. I¡¯ve been looking over what Jada¡¯s dely, and the possibility that you offered might have some legs to it. ¡±     My heart raced. ¡°What did you find?¡±     ¡®Some of the old Circle sites have lit up with renewed activity. It¡¯s subtle, but it¡¯s there. There is apparently much weird shit going on, and one or two have even seen somedy who seems to be the same as Jada¡¯s description.¡¯     ¡®Do you think she is plotting?¡¯ I asked.     ¡°Absolutely,¡± Sarah replied. ¡®And whatever it is, well, it seems to be getting worse. Be careful, Aiden. If she¡¯s back, she is not good news.¡±     ¡°Thanks, Sarah. I appreciate the heads-up.¡±     We hung up, and I leaned back in my chair and took a moment to ponder. Jada, on the other hand, had a n, and we all knew it would materialize sooner orter. I needed to be ready.


    For the remainder of that day, I sat around brainstorming and trying to think up all sorts of moves Jada might make, then writing lists about how we could counter them. I also made sure to let Frank and my dad know what I¡¯d found over the day. They had to be just as ready as I was.     Determined, I thought as the sun went down. Jada could pack a punch, but I wasn¡¯t going to let her catch us when she assumed we were no longer on the table. I would save Hayley and Alessa, and I would do whatever it took to protect all of them.     That evening, as Iy in bed, my thoughts drifted towards the future. Everything was so hazy, and there were many different dangers hanging in the air, but one thing that I knew for sure was that I was not alone. There was support, people there to count on, and a sister who proved time and again she was stronger than whatever weirdness the world may throw at us. We shared our victories and struggles, but as long as we had each other, that was all we needed.     I then fell asleep and whimpered an oath to myself. I would stop Jada, protect Hayley, and find the peace that had been missing from my life for so long. I was going to get there, no matter how long it took or how tough the road would be.     *****     I was studying and reviewing some notes one evening when my phone buzzed. It was Alessa.     ¡®Aiden, can I borrow you a little?¡¯ she asked.     ¡°Sure, what¡¯s up?¡± I said, leaning back from my notes.     She went on with a gravity in her tone, ¡°Its about Hayley. She¡¯s just been a little weird; something is up. But something about her seems off¡­ Is it just me? .. distracted. As if she has something on her mind.¡¯     I frowned. ¡°Did you ask her about it?¡±     ¡®Oh, nothing; she yed it cool¡¯, Alessa said. ¡®She invited me for dinner, sort of a girls¡¯ night out and the dinner was delightful; afterwards, we brushed our teeth and went to sleep. She told me everything was okay, but I do not believe her. She is definitely hiding something, I reckon.     My heart sank. The answer is¡­ sort of, I guess? Did Hayley get into some trouble? Or was she only human and experiencing the female hormones rush back into her system? I needed to ignore it or share the news either way.     I just nodded with a smile on my face, and I said, ¡°Thank you for letting me know, Alessa. Let me do some digging around.¡¯     ¡°Be careful, Alessa,¡± I sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t want to lose her.     ¡°I know,¡± she replied. ¡°I¡¯ll tread lightly.¡±     I hung up the phone and sat back to think. I could not just hit Hayley on the rando; she may get hooded and defensive. I knew it was a difficult subject.     I reached out to another mutual friend, someone who would have more insight on how Hayley was doing now. I called Mina, one of Hayley¡¯s best friends.     The instant she answered, I spoke: ¡®Hey Mina, it¡¯s Aiden.¡¯     ¡°Aiden! Long time no talk¡¯, she responded surprised as I was.     ¡°Yeah, it has. We need to talk¡­¡¯ I was not wasting any time this evening! ¨C ¡®Listen. ¡°It¡¯s about Hayley.¡±     ¡°Is she okay?¡± Mina wondered, her voice bespeaking concern.     ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted. Alessa said she wasn¡¯t in her usual high spirit, that she looked pretty moody all day, and I¡¯m rmed. Have you noticed anything?¡±Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.

 Chapter 45: A tempting call

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I looked at the caller ID one more time; it really was an unregistered number. So why was Aiden¡¯s voice in the voicemail?


    My hands were slowly quaking from the surprise. I tried to steady my breathing and actually listened to what the voicemail had to say.


    I yed it from the beginning and put the phone in my ear.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s me. I have no idea why I¡¯m calling right now. Actually, I do know, but I just¡­ How are you, Hayley? I really hope the answer to that is that you¡¯re great. I shouldn¡¯t be calling you. Bye¡±


    Then the voicemail was over, and I was staring at my phone like I had seen, or rather heard, a ghost.


    Eventually, Mona and Mina noticed I wasn¡¯t indulging in their munching train and turned to me. One look at my face, and they dropped their cookies and moved closer to me.


    ¡°Babe, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Uh¡­.¡± Didn¡¯t even know how to put the words together?


    A part of me thought I was probably delusional or so stressed out that I was hearing things, but no matter how painfully I dug my nails into my skin to snap me out of whatever cruel dream this was, nothing happened.


    What was I supposed to tell them?


    Aiden sort of reached out to me but he sounded like he didn¡¯t really want to talk to me. Actually, he sounded like he was drunk. I would have loved to give some sort of exnation, but my lips felt like concrete.


    When they didn¡¯t get an answer from me, Mina took the initiative to grab my phone, which still had the voicemail on disy. Her finger hit the y option, and then she put it on the loudspeaker.


    Hearing his voice again, the voice I had longed for all this time, made my heart strain. What was he doing? Was he alright? Why was he drunk?


    A thousand questions flooded my mind, but I was pretty sure I wasn¡¯t going to get an answer to any.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be calling you.¡± What was that supposed to mean? That he didn¡¯t want to talk to me? Or that he wasn¡¯t allowed to talk to me?


    ¡°Shit.¡± That was the first thing that came out of Mona¡¯s lips, and they just looked at each other for a while.


    ¡°Hayley, are you okay?¡±


    I could feel the tears building up in my eyes, and then the tears came cascading down like waterfalls.


    I closed my eyes and tried to think about something else-anything but Aiden. Sunshine and rainbows-just anything that made me happy.


    ¡°Screw this; he doesn¡¯t have the right to just mess with you like this.¡±


    I cradled my knees to my chest and kept my eyes closed. I was trying my best not to cry or freak out.


    They went silent for a while; I just assumed they were talking with their eyes, and then all of a sudden I heard a number being dialed.


    Wait, what?!


    I shot up, but Mona held me down while Mina moved away with the phone in her hand.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°What the heck are you doing?¡±


    I asked, scared. Well,  on the bright side, my lips were now functional. On the not-so-bright side, the adrenaline was pulsing through my veins and making me feel like a junkie on steroids.


    ¡°Calling him out on his bullshit, that¡¯s what I¡¯m doing.¡±


    I¡¯d seen her angry sometimes, and at that moment, she was fuming.


    I cooled down and let her handle it; maybe they did know what was best for me after all.


    ¡°Hello,¡± she said while maintaining eye contact with me.


    Then there was nothing; I couldn¡¯t tell if someone was talking on the other side or not, but her face remained unchanged.


    She put the phone on the bedside table and looked at us, a bit perplexed.


    ¡°Well, that was awkward.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡± I asked


    ¡°That¡¯s not Aiden¡¯s number; actually, that¡¯s not anyone¡¯s number. It¡¯s unassigned.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m serious; it¡¯s unassigned. Basically, it doesn¡¯t even exist anymore.¡±


    ¡°Well, that was weird.¡±


    Unassigned? Doesn¡¯t exist? That was the final straw that sent me into a state of utter confusion.


    ¡°It¡¯s probably just a mistake; I don¡¯t even know what to say.¡±


    I reached out for the phone, and Mona stopped me.


    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± She asked


    ¡°I just want to check the number again, and maybe the voice mail.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t.¡± She said it softly and handed the phone over to me.


    I took it and searched for the voicemail; it was gone, as was the call record of the unassigned number she just called.


    ¡°What happened? I can¡¯t find it.¡± I asked, and the guilty expression on her face said it all.


    She deleted the voicemail and the number.


    ¡°Why?¡± I was on the brink of having steam pour out of my ears.


    ¡°Because you don¡¯t need it, he said he shouldn¡¯t be calling you, and he probably has a reason for that. Leaving that number lying there is just going to tempt you into trying to call.¡±


    ¡°But you said the number wasn¡¯t working.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but we don¡¯t want you thinking about it.¡±


    Mina nodded in agreement and held my hand. I couldn¡¯t stay angry at them because I knew they truly had my best intentions at heart, but it was hard to think that when my emotions were on the rise.


    ¡°You know what?¡± Mina crouched down in front of me and looked into my eyes.


    ¡°What?¡± I asked with teary eyes.


    ¡°Aiden is great wherever he is, and I¡¯m pretty sure he wouldn¡¯t want you to be a mess because of him. And this right here is a mess. You tried so hard to get out of that rot you were in; don¡¯t go back. Please.¡±


    I nodded in agreement, and they trapped me in a hug.


    ¡°I love you guys.¡±


    ¡°We love you too.¡± They said it in unison.


    But deep down, I knew I had just lied-not about loving but about not letting myself back into the rot I crawled out of.

 Chapter 46: A friendly date

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°Do you want more milk with that?¡± Mom said that and then handed me that carton of milk, even though I shook my head.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I said regardless and drowned my cereal in even more milk.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your n for the weekend?¡± She kissed the top of my head and sat across from me, watching me eat.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m just going to hang out with Mina and Mona.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± She rolled her eyes.


    ¡°No?¡± What did she mean?


    ¡°I get that you three are besties or whatever, but still, you need more friends.¡±


    She was at it again.


    ¡°I have more friends.¡±


    ¡°Like?¡±


    ¡°Alessa¡­. and¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, and?¡± She said it in a mocking tone.


    ¡°Okay, okay. I don¡¯t have a lot of friends. But I like my friend circle being small; it¡¯s easy to keep track of.¡± I defended myself.


    She rested her chin on her hand and looked at me softly.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°We had a deal, Hayley.¡±


    The deal was that after I finally decided to forgive her and forget about the Aiden situation, courtesy of Mina and Mona, she made me promise not to be all sad and lonely and that she would stop meddling in my life altogether.


    It wasn¡¯t really much of a deal, but she called it that to make it seem more official. It was weird how we actually got closer after the drama. I hadn¡¯t heard from Aiden after that, and I hadn¡¯t bothered with it. I couldn¡¯t even if I wanted to; I was way too busy to think about him. Everyone made sure of that.


    ¡°I know, I know.¡± I said I was munching on cereal.


    ¡°So¡­ how about you go see a movie?¡±


    ¡°A movie?¡± I looked at her, confused. That was what she wanted me to do so badly-see a movie?


    ¡°Yes, have fun. You¡¯re not getting younger, and all you do is spend time in your room with M and M.¡±


    ¡°M and M?¡±


    ¡°Mina and Mona.¡± She chuckled lightly.


    ¡°Nice one. Okay, if I agree to go see a movie, will you get off my back for the rest of the week?¡±


    Her eyes lit up with excitement, and she nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be off your back for the whole month if you do.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s starting to feel like you¡¯re just trying to get me out of the house.¡± And really, it was, which was fishy.


    ¡°That¡¯s not the point; your dad and I will probably be out as well.¡±


    ¡°Aww, are you guys going on a date or something?¡± I teased, and her face flushed bright red. ¡±


    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re thinking of stopping by that club downtown.¡± The excitement was all over her face; she was practically glowing as she went on about how they were given to have an exciting night and party like a couple of teenagers.


    ¡°Eww, aren¡¯t you two too old for stuff like that? You should just go to some boring fancy restaurant and eat Bruschetta con Granchio.¡± I teased


    ¡°I have no idea what that is.¡± Sheughed


    ¡°It¡¯s some fancy food I saw online; that¡¯s beside the point. How does dad feel about your date?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Nothing; you just seem really excited and bubbly, and he doesn¡¯t really seem like the partying type.¡±


    A part of me felt happy, but I also felt jealous. Aiden and I could have had what they were having, but life had other ns.


    ¡°Leave that to me. I already bought the tickets for the movie; I got three just in case you wanted to take you two henchmen along.¡±


    ¡°Mum!¡±


    ¡°Okay, Mona and Mina, not henchmen. Even though they follow you around like flies,


    ¡°That¡¯s what best friends do.¡±


    She pulled out three tickets and passed them to me, smiling.


    They were tickets for a horror movie I had seen recently.


    ¡°Horror, seriously?¡± I was shocked by her horrible choices in movies.


    ¡°That was all I could find. Thedy at the booth said you¡¯d love it.¡±


    ¡°Thedy at the booth only cared about selling the tickets out.¡± I fiddled with the tickets between my fingers and stood to leave. I was done with the cereal, so I cleaned up and went back to my room.


    ¡°You¡¯ll thank me for itter, I promise.¡±


    Okay, now that was weird. Why would I thank her for making me go see a horror movie? What surprise did she have nned? It wasn¡¯t my birthday any time soon, and I hadn¡¯t done anything to really deserve a surprise.


    On the bright side, Mina and Mona were on board with going out to watch a horror movie as long as they didn¡¯t have to use their money to get the tickets, which made this situation perfect.


    The night came, and we all agreed to meet in front of the cinema. I got dressed and rushed downstairs when mom stopped me.


    ¡°Are you going to the cinema dressed like that?¡± She pointed to my outfit.


    I looked down in confusion; there was absolutely nothing wrong with what I was wearing. It was basically just a sweatshirt, tights, and some trainers, plus it was already dark outside; no one was going to be busy ying fashion critic in the night.


    ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s wrong with it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s an outing; you¡¯re going to have fun, so dress like you want to have fun.¡±


    ¡°Mum, I¡¯m going to be seated in a poorly lit cinema with a couple of strangers. It doesn¡¯t matter.¡±


    ¡°It does.¡± She waved me back upstairs, and I reluctantly obliged.


    ¡°I¡¯m runningte, you know.¡± I protested while marching up the stairs with my mom following behind me.


    The moment we got into my room, she walked over to my closet and pulled out some clothes, like she already knew what she was looking for.


    I waited patiently as she pulled out a short as hell jeans skirt and a crop top I totally forgot I had.


    ¡°You want me to wear that?¡± I asked in shock, What in the world was giving on? Was she messing with me right now?


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s better than the gym outfit you were about to leave with.¡±


    ¡°Who are you? There¡¯s no way you¡¯re my mom.¡± I held the skirt up and examined it; it was still in good shape, but damn, it was short.


    ¡°Mother by day, fashion critic by night?¡± She joked, and I tried it on.


    I looked smooching hot in those clothes. There was no denying that; it just felt a little bit like overkill for just watching a movie, and I told her.


    ¡°You never know; you could want to go somewhere else after.¡±


    From the look on her eyes when she said it, I realized I was wrong. She wasn¡¯t nning something for me in the house; it was outdoor, wasn¡¯t it?

 Chapter 47: Unexpected Encounters

    Hayley¡¯s POV     With the skirt being a lot shorter than I thought and my crop top riding up every time I tried to make it longer in front of the mirror, messing with my outfit had me second-guessing. It was weird that my mom had made me wear these clothes, but I still looked great in them. It was all it took for me to leave, and I quickly debugged my phone before racing out the door.     When I closed in on the picture house, Mina and Mona were standing down at the front, talking away like fury. Their eyes immediately fixed on my new outfit and widened in shock.     ¡°Whoa, Hayley! Look at you!¡± Mina cheered, nodding for approval at me.     ¡°Yeah, you look amazing!¡± Mona repeated, yfully nudging me. ¡°What¡¯s the asion?¡±     So I did my best to shrug it off. ¡®Just thought I¡¯d fancy a change,¡¯ was my reply to be met with why that should matter from mom, still on the same level of confusion.     We went into the cinema and took our seats. It was dark in the theater, with all those big-screen pre-show ads going on. We took our seats, and for some reason I could feel that there was something about tonight¡­     We began with the movie, as I was drawn into watching the horror on screen. Mina and Mona were huddled together, shrieking at each jump scare, while I valiantly attempted to keep myposure, especially assisting his second half of the game, which saw him win a few squeals from all three of us. Halfway through the movie, I was tapped on the shoulder.     I nced behind me and saw an old friend, Aiden. My heart skipped a beat. What was he doing here? What was that mischievous smile-the one that drove me crazy again?     ¡°Hayley¡­¡± he whispered, so as not to garner the attention of his fellow audience members. ¡°Mind if I join you?¡±     For a minute, I was at a loss for words and had my thoughts racing in different directions. Why now? Why here? Mina knew Aiden was in sight before I could say anything, her elbow jabbing into my side aggressively.     ¡°Of course, Aiden! Sit down!¡± she eximed in no uncertain terms. Mona, however, sends me a secret smile, as if she knows better.     Aiden leaned back in the chair next to me, barely a smile passing between us. We had never gotten closer to each other since everything happened. The movie kept going, but I was no longer paying attention to the screen. Instead, every one of Aiden¡¯s side-eyes prickled all over me, and I could feel everywhere that his arm brushed mine whenever he reached across for popcorn.     Once the film concluded, Mina and Mona promptly exited, leaving Aiden and me all in the theater.     ¡°Can we talk?¡± Aiden said, his voice nothing but genuine.     I nodded, still not sure of what to say. After the movie ended, we all waltzed out of the theater and into a blowing cold night. We sat at the table, and there was an ufortable silence between us until Aiden decided to speak.     ¡°Hayley, I fucked up,¡± he started, looking me in the eyes. ¡°However, I have been dwelling on you a fair bit. I miss you.¡±     I took a deep breath. ¡°Aiden, you hurt me,¡± I whisper, saying the word properly to pull it from my lungs. It has taken me a lot of time to get over it.     ¡°I know,¡± he said softly. ¡°And I¡¯m sorry for all of it. But I want to make it right. Can we start over?¡±     The echo of his words reminded me they carried the power to change things clearly as I stood there, gravitating between those rooms in my head. Some part of me wanted to believe him and offer the benefit. On the other hand, another part of me was afraid to be hurt again.     Right then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Then I received a message from my mom: ¡°Hope you¡¯re enjoying yourself!! Be cautioned; life is unpredictable.¡±     I nced at Aiden; his eyes shed to me in silent agony, and then I acknowledged my mom. There were always surprises in life, and sometimes you had to take a risk.     Mmm¡­ ok.¡± I smiled slightly and coyly at him. ¡°Let¡¯s give it another shot. But this time, this do or die.     Aiden¡¯s face brightened up with relief and glee. I agree. He held my hand into his and said, ¡°No more secrets.¡±     Again, hand in hand¡­ Down the street, for a split second, I felt hope as we were obsessed with all those books. Perhaps this was the beginning of a new, good thing. What came next was something that I knew was meant to be for me.     The entire walk back with Aiden, through the thick of that night air, filled me with a new sense of possibility. We did not talk too much, but the nothingness was a convivial one-a silent resolution, perhaps to keep it casual and y by ear.     ¡°How about we grab a coffee?¡± How about there? Aiden chimed in, pointing down the street towards a small cafe.     I folded my hand around his, gently saying, ¡°Sure.¡±     The coffee shop was cozy and weing, ying easy-listening music. We sat in the corner of a booth. Aiden ordered atte, and I chose to have hot chocte. There was so much unsaid before our coffee arrived¡­ I could feel it sitting between us.     So, what have you been doing? Breaking the silence, Aiden inquired.     Deep breath, I thought: Fearlessness came from honesty. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to keep busy. School and time with Mina and Mona You know, the usual.¡±     A hint of seriousness crossed his face, and he nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve been doing the same. On my music grind, staying¡¯ focused. But in your absence, it has been brutal.     I stared into his eyes, trying to find deceit, and was only met by pure remorse. ¡°Aiden, why now? Whye back now?¡±     He made a sound and ran his hand through his hair. It did afford me plenty of time to reflect. About us and about what I did. And that¡¯s when I knew-that I had just made a huge mistake. And I could not stand to lose you.     Our drinks arrived, and we sipped them, taking a moment to let the heat work its way into us. The silence had been transformed from a position of awkwardness to one in which we could both gather our thoughts.     Finally, I decided to say, ¡°I don¡¯t want to take steps quickly.¡± We gotta go all slow and get the trust back.     Aiden gave a small chuckle and just nodded. ¡°I understand. Whatever it means, I¡¯ll do.¡±     Then, hours and hours of talks about the good old times and also just talking openly face-to-face. We clicked like old times, but also slower, as if we were more curious and felt the need to peel backyers that had set during our absence from each other. As we exited that cafe, I felt more rity and hope than anyone had in a very long time.     We walked back to my house and stopped before the door as Aiden. Well, that was fun,¡± he said somewhat nervously.     ¡°It was,¡± I agreed, smiling. ¡°Let¡¯s do it again sometime.¡±     He came in with a little kiss on my cheek. ¡°I¡¯d like that. Goodnight, Hayley.¡±     I could see Aiden¡¯s figure disappear, saying ¡°Goodnight¡± in return.     I stepped inside, my brain reeling with what had transpired. My mom had a smirk on her expression in the living room.


    ¡°How was it?¡± Her eyes twinkled with intrigue as she asked.     ¡°Um, I mean,¡± sitting beside her, ¡°a surprise. ¡°Aiden showed up.¡±     She raised her eyebrows in surprise. ¡°Really? And how did that go?¡±     ¡°We talked things through. We are going to ease into it and see where things lead,¡± I said in excitement as well as trepidation.     She nodded approvingly. ¡°I¡¯m d, Hayley. We have a double life. Sometimes, life gives us a second chance. It¡¯s up to us how we utilize them.     I wrapped my arms around her and thanked the heavens. ¡°Thanks, Mum. For everything.¡±     She kissed the top of my head and said, ¡°Anytime, sweetheart. Now go get some rest. Tomorrow¡¯s a new day.¡±


    Still in my mum¡¯s embrace, with my eyes closed, suddenly I heard her calling me. ¡°Hayley, Hayley?¡±


    It sounded like she had been shouting my name and from a distance like from the kitchen downstairs.


    In a sh, I opened my eyes and saw myself in my room.


    Could this be a dream, a hallucination or what?N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.

 Chapter 48: Harmless Stalker

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°Mum, are you sure about this?¡± I looked from my reflection in the mirror to the satisfied look on her face.


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re not a child anymore. You can wear whatever you want to wear.¡±


    ¡°But I can¡¯t date whoever I want to date.¡± I mumbled a response


    ¡°What was that?¡±


    ¡°Nothing?¡±


    She left me standing there, staring at my reflection. I had this tingling feeling she had some trick up her sleeve but maybe I was just being paranoid and this was her way of making me have fun.


    I grabbed a coat, just in case I got coldter or I decided this outfit was more attention drawing than I thought.


    I sped out the door and down the stairs, she didn¡¯t stop me this time she just blew me a kiss and watched me get into the uber to meet up with the others.


    By the time I got there, Mina and Mona were standing in front of the cinema with their hands crossed. Their angry eyes pierced holes through me as I approached them.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, my mum held me back and made me put this on.¡± Imented gesturing to my outfit.


    ¡°Wow, your mum made you wear that, that¡¯s a first.¡± Mina joked and they both smiled.


    Unlike me they both had dresses on, Mona¡¯s dress gave off more of a flowery farm girl vibe while Mina had a tight ck dress on.


    ¡°How long have you guys been here?¡±


    ¡°A while, Mina¡¯s gotten a fewpliments from a couple of pervs but it¡¯s nothingpared to what you¡¯re going to get in that outfit.¡±


    I looked around and she was right, I was already getting a couple ufortable stares and it felt really weird.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just get inside before I melt into a popsicle from all these looks.¡± Iughed at the weirdness of it and we went to take our seats in the theater.


    Half way into the movie I was so bored and uninterested I had to pull my phone out, mental note, never let your mum buy you tickets to a horror movie, she¡¯s going to pick something horrible.


    I ended up on Alessa¡¯s social media page and by the end I mean, I looked for it and found it after a little stalking. It was the same thing, a nice hot picture of Alessa.


    I could notice a lot of features she had that made me feel a little insecure, the way her face seemed so perfectly proportioned and how she always had some effortless model pose even when she took a goofy picture.


    That girl was the definition of a Barbie doll. I scrolled up to really old pictures and one caught my eye. It was a picture of her at the beach but she was holding hands with someone.


    I kept scrolling along when I spotted one that showed the face of the person¡¯s hand she was holding. His perfect smile and abs screaming through the phone screen. Aiden


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Mona jabbed an elbow into my side.


    ¡°Ouch, what the heck was that for.¡± I winced in pain


    Her eyes moved down to my phone and she moved closer to whisper into my ear.


    ¡°Pay attention to the movie and stop being such a creep.¡±


    ¡°Shush the both of you.¡± Mina hushed us and everyone went back to watching the low budget horror movie.


    I forced myself to keep my eyes glued to the screen even when I didn¡¯t want to, I felt a buzz on my phone from a notification and my eyes darted down.


    It was a notification of a message from Alessa, the pop up disappeared and I realized why she had texted me. I identally liked the picture I was looking at before Mona hit me. Shit, that was cringe on so many levels.


    I clicked the chat.


    ¡°Are you stalking me now?¡± Alessa texted with a sly smiling emoji.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I texted back with aughing emoji


    ¡°Wow, I guess I should be more careful. Anyway, what¡¯s up? What are you up to?¡±


    ¡°Watching a cheap ass horror movie, you?¡±


    ¡°Nothing, chilling in bed?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re at home? On a Friday night??¡± I asked in disbelief, Alessa¡¯s social life was at its peak, I didn¡¯t get why she wasn¡¯t at some club or at a party.


    ¡°Yeah, is that so unbelievable?¡±


    ¡°Kinda, you just seemed so social to me.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°I guess there¡¯s more to me than you know Hayley.¡±


    A call from my mum shed on my phone screen. What did she want now?. I whispered to Mina and Mona that I had to take a call and slid out of the theater.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong mum?¡±


    ¡°Hayley?¡± She asked


    Of course it was me, who else was supposed to pick my calls.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°How¡¯s the movie going?¡± She asked, sounding giddy, she was probably off on her date with Aiden¡¯s dad.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, you¡¯re not supposed to call me to ask until after the movie.¡± I shook my head at how old school she was acting.


    ¡°I¡¯m just calling because your dad wanted to know.¡±


    ¡°Tell him I¡¯m fine, you two have fun. I have to go, bye.¡± I ended the call and turned to rush back to meet Mina and Mona when I felt my forehead bump into something, or actually someone.


    I heard the ssh and then the cussing that came after.


    ¡°Fuck.¡± The owner of the chest my forehead had so violently collided withined.


    I pulled away and then I saw what made the ssh sound. I had knocked over the cup of coke this stranger was holding and the contents had spilled all over his white t-shirt.


    Yikes, I said in my head


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry.¡± I quickly apologized and picked up my phone that had fallen to the ground.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, mistakes happen I guess.¡± A deep manly voice said over me and my head sprung up in surprise.


    It wasn¡¯t like I recognized the stranger¡¯s voice, it was more like how something about it sounded so¡­ enchanting.


    My eyes met his face, jet ck wavy hair, a pair of soft beautiful blue eyes, and face symmetry that could pass off as a model¡¯s.


    My brain had gone rouge and my eyes wouldn¡¯t stop roaming over his facial features.


    ¡°Do I have something in my face?¡± He replied shyly and scratched the back of his head. There was something yful and friendly about his demeanor.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m so sorry. I¡¯m also sorry about your shirt.¡± I snapped out of my trance and took a step back.


    Get a hold of yourself, Hayley.


    ¡°My friends said it¡¯s pretty boring walking around in a in white tee so I guess now there¡¯s some art to it, so you did me a favor.¡± He joked about the stain and I found myselfughing.


    When I first heard him cuss, I figured he would be aplete jackass but I guess it was just reflex.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess you¡¯re right.¡± I caught myself sliding my hair behind my ear and I wanted to kick myself in the leg for resorting to such a cliche move.


    ¡°I¡¯m Kayden by the way.¡± He smiled and extended a hand.


    ¡°Hayley.¡± I took his hand


    ¡°I should probably get going.¡± I added. For all I knew this guy could be a serial killer or a sociopath, and I wasn¡¯t really the type to flirt with strangers at a mall.


    ¡°Oh, yeah. It was nice bumping into you though.¡± He stepped aside, making way for me to get through.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I said nervously and walked off.


    Maybe I was hallucinating, but I could almost feel him staring at me from behind. I returned to my seat in the cinema next to Mina.


    ¡°What happened to you?¡± She whispered


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Was I that easy to see through?


    ¡°You came in smiling like you won a lottery and now instead of texting you¡¯re actually pretending to watch the movie.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not pretending.¡± I lied


    ¡°You are still smiling, who smiles while they¡¯re watching a horror movie.¡± Okay, she has a point.


    ¡°I just bumped into someone outside that¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Who was it? Someone from school?¡±


    ¡°No, just some stranger now shush.¡± I turned back to the movie, making sure to have a frown stered on my face. I didn¡¯t want anyone else in the cinema thinking I was a sociopath.


    Mina turned to Mona and started whispering, I knew the two of them well enough to know that they were discussing what I had just told Mina.


    My mind found its way back to Kayden, the way his eyes squinted when he smiled and how she tried to diffuse the situation by not being angry. He seemed like a really nice guy, he would probably make a good friend, I repeat friend.


    Thankfully the gory movie was over and we walked out of the cinema and into the open space of the mall.


    Mina and Mona were bombarding me with questions about my ¡°encounter with the coke stranger¡± as they were now apparently calling it, I didn¡¯t tell them I knew his name.


    ¡°Was he good looking?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± I said to get them off my back but that obviously didn¡¯t work.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t know then he¡¯s probably below average.¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what he looks like.¡±


    ¡°Yeah you¡¯re probably right, he didn¡¯t get pissed at your clumsiness so he gets points for that.¡±


    ¡°Points?¡± Iughed aloud.


    ¡°What do you think this is, a game?¡± I could believe them right now.


    ¡°Pretty much.¡±


    We were walking out of the cinema, Mina and Mona still bickering about their individual conspiracy theories as a result of too many romance novels when I spotted something familiar in a small circle of guys talking.


    A white t-shirt with a big brown stain. Shit.


    I was about to turn away when I noticed him approaching me with a smile on his face.


    ¡°Hey, Hayley, right?¡± He asked with his soft voice.


    Mina and Mona seemed to have put the pieces together and they gasped.


    ¡°The Coke guy!¡± They shrieked in unison.

 Chapter 49: New Beginnings

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I wanted to p them across the head, why in the world did they have to call him that to his face.


    He looked at them confused and thenughed.


    ¡°I see I¡¯m already popr.¡± He said looking at Mina and Mona¡¯s stunned faces.


    ¡°Sorry, they¡¯re just being goofy.¡± I apologized on their behalf and discreetly pinched their elbows.


    ¡°Ouch, sorry we just don¡¯t know your name and that seemed like the closest description.¡± Mona said, being the know it all that she was.


    ¡°His name is Kayden.¡± I blurted out without thinking and they turned to me with a suspicious look, they¡¯d have my headter for lying to them.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Kayden,¡± Mina said and shook his hand. ¡°I¡¯m Mina, and this is Mona.¡±


    Kayden shook their hands, ¡®Thank-you, nice to meet you both.¡¯


    Kayden looked back at me, his eyes swept over my outfit and I suddenly felt a whole lot more self-conscious. I moved the coat I had on my hand to cover my legs and I think he noticed because he looked me in the eyes and chuckled.


    ¡°Are you cold?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me up, this was thest time I¡¯d ever let my mum pick my outfit.


    ¡°Anyways, it¡¯s nice to see you again, my friends and I are going to stop by the club a few blocks away. Good nightdies.¡± He bowed his head slightly towards Mina and Mona but shed me a smile.


    Damn, he was good looking.


    He was walking back to his circle of friends when Mina and Mona quickly looked at each other then at me and screamed.


    ¡°Stop.¡±


    I nearly jumped in fright and I could see the shock on Kayden¡¯s face as well.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    He looked at them confused.


    ¡°We¡¯re actually going to the club as well, mind if we tag along?.¡± Mina asked


    I pulled them back and was about to talk when Kayden nodded.


    ¡°Yeah, sure that would be awesome.¡±


    And my heart dropped, I could just smell the trouble brewing.


    His smile was even brighter under the fluorescent lighting of the mall, as we exited the mall,  and for a second I forgot all about our first awkward exchange as well as Mina¡¯s inquisition and interrogations from herdyckeys. It was that easy, with his infectiousugh as you bing to smile again despite the anxiety beginning to boil ame.


    ¡®Kayden, what brings you to the mall tonight? ¡±


    ¡®I was on my way to meet up with some friends,¡± he replied, ncing back at the pack of revelers that had ejected us. With that being said it seems like they are more into talking about sports than even watching the movie we came here to watch.


    Mina and Mona looked at each other with a twinkle of mischief in both their eyes. Even Mina had tried to include me ¨C brought me unwillingly into the conversation by way of an elbow to my side.


    ¡°Yeah, we are going to get ice cream,¡± Mona chimed in sounding an octave higher than she typically does. We also wee you to Join us.


    I shot them both a look that was like, really guys? Yet Kayden, if anything, was surprised and perhaps intrigued by their proposition.


    ¡°Sounds like a n,¡± he agreed with an ever-present grin. After that unfortunate soda incident, I could use some cooling down.


    And suddenly the trio became a foursome. While we were walking toward the ice cream booth, Mina and Mona decided to take their justice into hand by questioning Kayden. I kept my distance a bit, relieved and nervous at the same time. This was not how I had expected the evening to y out, but it provided a nice change from my earlier ruminations on Alessa and Aiden.


    ¡°So Kayden,¡± she turned to me, her voice casual but her gaze keen and potentially unreadable, ¡°do you go to a school around here or¡­?.


    ¡°Nah, I go to Riverside High,¡± came the reply as he served himself a ratherrge portion of mint chocte chip ice cream. ¡°I¡¯m a senior.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Mina¡¯s eyes widened. ¡®Was that not Aiden¡¯s previous school, Hayley?¡¯


    His name made me rigid. It is, I replied as nonchntly as possible. ¡°Small world, huh?¡±


    Kayden furrowed an eyebrow at me. ¡°You know Aiden?¡±


    Um, we have some friends inmon,¡± I began. I didn¡¯t want to get involved in the tangled web of people¡¯s rtionships around Aiden.


    It¡¯s a good school here at Riverside. ¡°Do you guys go there too?¡±


    ¡°Hell no, we go to Moonlight College,¡± Mona answered with a bright light in her face. It¡¯s not that big but it has its own charms


    Just like that, there were four of us. I had a giddy feeling the first time we walked toward one of those ice cream stands. That was not my ideal way for the evening to go, but who knows it could possibly have been a fresh start.


    Over the course of a few more conversations, I felt myself rxing a little. Kayden had a way of making one feelfortable, and even though I preferred them at arm¡¯s length for the usual chaos that came with Mina & Mona woulde out to y ¨C when he was around, everything seemed like it just fit.


    We all felt like we had known him for more than just one hour by the time that we finished our ice cream.


    Well, what do you usually like to do for fun? Walking back through the mall, I spoke to Kayden.


    ¡°I¡¯m a photographer,¡± pulling open his phone to show me some of the work he has done . I want to capture stories, moments.


    I was genuinely impressed. They were gorgeous photos, each seeming to capture a piece of the subject¡¯s soul. Amazing, I thought as I scrolled through the photos then said aloud. ¡°You¡¯ve got real talent.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he said, the color in his cheeks lightening. It needs to be done¡­it¡¯s just a hobby, but I might take it up more seriouslyter.


    Mona and Mina fell behind allowing us much room to work in. They both giggled and whispered behind us, but I was at the other end of my rope this time. I was having a great time with the little boy that Kayden is and it felt like things were just starting over from scratch in my life.


    Kayden was kind enough to walk us back through the screams and smoke, out of the gate where our rides were waiting.


    ¡°Good to meet you,¡± he said, eyes not yet lifting from mine. Hey, do you think we could be together some other time?


    ¡®That would be very nice of you,¡± I responded, feeling quite surprised by how genuine my tone was.


    He handed me his phone. ¡°Here, put your number in. I¡¯ll text you.¡±


    I followed him to the car park, feeling apprehensive and excited. As I returned him his phone, I noticed from the corner of my eyes, a smug look on Mina and Mona¡¯s faces.


    Kayden winked and gave me a final smile, whispering ¡°Catch youter, Hayley,¡± before he sauntered off.


    Mina and Monaunched at me, as we looked at him walking away. Mina squealed, ¡°He¡¯s so into you!¡±


    ¡°Mina added, ¡°And he¡¯s a good one to catch.¡± ¡°Good job, Hayley.¡±

 Chapter 50: A Twist in the Tale

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    The weekend flew by in a blur of text messages and social media updates. Kayden and I had been texting almost non-stop since our encounter at the mall, and I found myself looking forward to his messages more than I cared to admit. But now, it was Monday morning, and reality came crashing back as I walked into Moonlight College.


    I made my way to my locker, weaving through the usual morning chaos of students rushing to their sses, gossiping in small clusters, and teachers trying to keep some semnce of order. As I opened my locker, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see Mina and Mona, grinning like Cheshire cats.


    ¡°So, how was your weekend, Ms. Popr?¡± Mina teased, wiggling her eyebrows.


    ¡°It was good,¡± I replied, trying to sound casual.


    ¡°Just ¡®good¡¯?¡± Mona pressed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. ¡°Come on, spill the tea. Did you and Kayden text all weekend or what?¡±


    ¡°Maybe a little,¡± I admitted, feeling my cheeks heat up. ¡°But it¡¯s not a big deal.¡±


    ¡°Not a big deal?¡± Mina scoffed. ¡°Girl, you have a hot guy from Riverside High texting you non-stop. That¡¯s more than a big deal.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of Riverside,¡± Mona interjected, ¡°did you hear about the party this Friday? Apparently, Aiden¡¯s throwing it.¡±


    I felt a pang of anxiety at the mention of Aiden¡¯s name. ¡°Aiden¡¯s parties are always wild. I¡¯m not sure if I want to go.¡±


    ¡°Come on, Hayley,¡± Mina urged. ¡°It¡¯s the perfect opportunity to show off your new friend. Plus, it could be fun!¡±


    Before I could respond, the warning bell rang, signaling that we had five minutes to get to our first ss. ¡°We¡¯ll talk more at lunch,¡± I said, grabbing my books and heading to ss.


    Atst the morning sses ended, and I could only think of Kayden while my teachers called next week¡¯s grades. He made me feel safe and wanted, which I hadn¡¯t felt in years. But at the back of my head, there was that itch when ites to Aiden and Alessa. That image of them on the beach kept ying in my mind and a wave of insecurity washed over me.


    Mina, Mona and I were sitting at our usual lunch table in the cafeteria. As we sat down with our trays, Mina shifted closer to me as though she were about to reveal a deep dark secret. Consequently, can you go to a party or what?


    I shrugged while picking at my sd. I will do it awkwardly.


    ¡°Awkward? Why?¡± Mona asked, scratching her head.


    I lowered my voice. ¡°For Aiden and Alessa.¡± I just, I do not want to identally bump into them and it would be awkward.


    Mina rolled her eyes. You can¡¯t let them control you, Hayley. So if you want to go to the party, just go. Besides, you have us. And along with the King, maybe Kayden will be there too.


    I immediately was all aflutter inside thinking about seeing Kayden again. ¡°Okay, fine,¡± I relented. ¡°I¡¯ll go. But if it goes south, I¡¯m out.


    Mina took the bottle and clinked it with mine.


    The rest of the week flew by between homework, texts from Kayden and party nning. When Friday came, I was nervous and excited. I strode in front of my mirror, musing between outfit choices when my phone vibrated on the windows and I saw that it was Kayden.


    Kayden: Hey r u going to Aidens party tonight


    Me: Yeah, are you?


    Kayden: Definitely. Can¡¯t wait to see you there.


    I felt a thrill at his message but I finally settled on taking the cute but casual approach; skinny jeans, form-fitted top and my favorite sneakers. I had just finished getting ready when Mina and Mona came to get me.


    Mina looked me over and smiled, ¡°nice defection?¡± Kayden is going to get such a surprise.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I said, feeling a little better. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with.¡±


    Maybe it should have been a bad idea after all to drive Aiden¡¯s truck when we got to his ce and saw that there was already plenty going on. There was a full house and cars packed the front yard, music pouring out to the street. Nostalgia washed over me as we entered. Aiden Thaler knew how to throw a party, in fact I had been to many of them over the past couple years.


    It was very crowded inside, which made it difficult for us to move around the room. After wandering forever, instead of people watching from the velvet  we found an opening by the kitchen and got a drink out there. Casting my eyes around the room, I searched for a sign of Kayden.


    My eyes were restless, and Mona pointed out something to him: ¡°He¡¯s probably in the backyard. That is where all the guys go.


    ¡°Sure, we can check it out,¡± Mina said, already making a beeline for the back door.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    When we went outside and the cold hit me, I saw him standing with a bunch of friends near the fire pit. He turned around and spotted me, he waved then broke into a smile. His eyes sparkled in the firelight, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a flutter in my chest.


    He excused himself from his friends and walked towards me, his smile growing wider with each step. As he approached, I could feel the warmth of the fire pit being reced by the warmth of his presence.


    He stood in front of me, his smile still stered on his face, and said ¡°Hey, I¡¯m so d you¡¯re here.¡± I smiled back at him, looking shy, feeling a sense of belonging, and replied,¡±Thanks, I¡¯m d to be here.¡±


    We stood there for a moment, enjoying each other¡¯spany, before his friends called him back over to the fire pit. He turned to leave, but not before whispering ¡°I¡¯ll be right back¡± in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

 Chapter 51: Possessive Stanger

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    We decided to walk to the club since we were a party of eight and there was probably no way we¡¯d get an Uber for all of us at this time.


    James, Calvin and Rob, Kayden¡¯s friends walked ahead with Mona and Mina who had betrayed me to talk to his friends since they were pretty hot.


    I couldn¡¯t walk too fast because of the skirt and Kayden decided to be a gentleman and walked at my pace.


    I could hear Mina and Mona giggling and making little jokes with the other guys, I just pretended to be intrigued by literally everything that passed by so I could avoid an awkward conversation with Kayden.


    He seemed less bothered though, his hands in his pocket as we walked side by side.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want to go, you don¡¯t have to.¡± He broke the weird silence between us and I felt silly for not talking earlier. I had given off the impression that I didn¡¯t want to go, but the truth was, I didn¡¯t really mind.


    ¡°I know that, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m being forced.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just that it seemed like your friends made the decision for you.¡±


    ¡°They kinda did, but I would have said yes if you asked.¡±


    ¡°So you wanted me to ask?¡± There was something about the way he said it that made me feel like a child, but in a good way.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that.¡± I pretended to roll my eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m just messing with you.¡± He said and stretched out a hand.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°I could help you carry that if you want.¡± He said with a straight face, I looked down and he was looking at my bag.


    I was lost for a second, I looked up to him in shock and he nodded


    I chuckled.


    ¡± I don¡¯t need princess treatment, I¡¯m good.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just offering to hold your bag.¡±


    We paused for a while, looking at each other before I caved in and handed him the bag, he didn¡¯t seem like he had any bad intentions and that was what got me so intrigued.


    He casually took the handbag and held it like it was an extension of his arm.


    I caught myself and he asked why


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±


    ¡°Were you a woman in yourst life?¡± I joked


    That little stunt was the icebreaker and we spent the rest of the walk,ughing about basically everything we saw and did.


    By the time we finally got to the club, my stomach was hurting from all theughter and Kayden was stillughing beside me.


    The rest went ahead to the dance floor but Kayden and I sat at the table and watched them dance.


    ¡°You¡¯re not much of a dancer?¡± I asked


    ¡°Depends?¡±


    ¡°On what?¡±


    ¡°What I¡¯m dancing to and who I¡¯m dancing with.¡± He took a shot of the tequ he ordered while I just yed with my ss.


    His eyes scanned the sea of people and I could help but stare at his face when he wasn¡¯t looking. He just seemed so ordinary and perfect it almost felt unreal.


    He caught me staring and I quickly pretended to be looking at someone behind him.


    He turned around and smiled. There was a shirtless dude making out with a girl on a wall behind him. I didn¡¯t realize until after he smiled that they were even there.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t.¡± I quickly defended myself even though I hadn¡¯t been used of anything.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t what?¡± He grinned and looked me in the eyes. ¡°Looking at two people making out?¡±


    ¡°They could get a room.¡± I decided to go along with it, I¡¯d rather he thought I was a perv than think I was starting to fall for his charm.Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    ¡°There¡¯s not much of an option here, and frankly I don¡¯t me them.¡±


    ¡°You do that a lot, make out in open spaces?¡± I teased and the question seemed to catch him off guard.


    He moved to the seat beside me, brought his lips closer to my ear and whispered.


    ¡°Sometimes, you just can¡¯t control yourself. You know you want the person and your body grows a will of its own¡±


    I could feel his breath against the nape of my neck sending shivers and goosebumps through me.


    He pulled away and looked at my face, like he was inspecting my reaction. His lips curled up, he got the reaction he was expecting.


    How in the world was I letting a stranger flirt with me like this? I felt stupid, open and vulnerable. If he really was an asshole in sheep¡¯s clothing then he probably thought I¡¯d be easy prey. My pride wouldn¡¯t allow that.


    I put on my gear and matched his energy. The DJ switched the song, perfectly slow and sensual.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to join the others, wannae?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    I took note of how his eyes wandered from my eyes to my lips and then back to my eyes, he liked me or at least he wanted to kiss me.


    I slowly got up and stroked to the dance floor, he was still seated, watching me as I walked. I turned around to give him a seductive stare as I bit my lips and merged myself with the crowd.


    I danced but my eyes were fixed in his direction, I saw him get up and walk towards me, it was working. It felt exciting like a hunt, the only question was who was prey.


    My hips swayed to the rhythm and soon enough he was standing beside me with a small smile ying on his lips.


    A random guy moved closer to me and ced his hands on my hips. I was about to push him off when I noticed the glint of jealousy in Kayden¡¯s eyes. It reminded me of how Aiden looked at me when I talked to other guys, that possessive look.


    I went along with the weirdo and waited to see how much physical contact it would take for Kayden to intervene.

 chapter 52: Moving Progress

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    ¡°Aiden, I love you.¡± Hayley said, her hypnotizing eyes staring into mine, her legs wrapped around my waist.


    ¡°I love you too.¡± I said back and interlocked my lips with hers, every fiber of my being came alive from just touching her, feeling her chest heave as she tried to catch her breath in between kisses.


    My hand moved to her back pulled her closer, I could feel each chain of restraint I had shatter as her perfumed scent filled my nostrils making me wish I could drown in it.


    ¡°I miss you.¡± She whispered and i froze


    Miss me? What did she mean by that? I ignored thepliment and let my hands continue to roam over her body.


    ¡°Come back home, please.¡±


    Thatment pulled the brakes on the make out session, then it all slowly came back to me. That¡¯s right, I had left home, not willing but I had left nevertheless.


    I faced Hayley who was seated on my legs and she had a sad expression on her face. Like the pull of gravity, I felt myself get swept back into reality.


    My eyes sprung open and I was met with the boring white ceiling, bathed in sunlight. I was in Australia, very very far from home.


    I closed my eyes, hoping to find my way back to the dream I had been so cruelly deprived off. It was so hard to think straight these days, the urge to be with Hayley grew stronger by the day and I could guess why. The full moon was fast approaching, and my wolf wanted to be reunited with his mate, sadly that wasn¡¯t going to happen anytime soon.


    I turned over and my eyes locked with a painting the hotel staff had out of for decoration. I wasn¡¯t really an art guy but I could tell it was supposed to be some really important replica, the painting was of a man and a woman reaching out for each other but their hands were just close enough to almost touch.


    I rolled my eyes, till now I never gave any thought to it but right now it seemed like the universe was making a joke out of my plight.


    I dragged myself out of bed and into the bathtub, another day but the same old routine, it was official. I hate Australia, not the ce exactly I just wanted to get back home, the loneliness was starting to slowly set in.


    I put the toothbrush in my mouth and scrubbed, my mind reyed thest memory I had of home. Coming home to meet my dad with the news of my already nned departure, the conversation that got me here in the first ce.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere Dad.¡± I tried to stand my ground even though I could see the seriousness in his eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s not up for debate, Aiden.¡±


    I remember my fist curling as he said those words. I was not a freaking child, so he shouldn¡¯t boss me around.


    ¡°Exactly, it¡¯s not up for debate because I¡¯m not going. ¡± I walked past him and was heading for the stairs when he called me back.


    ¡°Aiden, stop.¡±


    And I did just that, I stopped in my tracks and turned around. My dad was a lot of things and even though at the moment he was being unreasonable, he was the alpha and no one for whatever reason went against the alpha, as his son I had to respect that.


    ¡°Are you even thinking this through?¡± His expression softened as he approached me, I was surprised he wasn¡¯t trying to use force but that probably wouldn¡¯t have worked either.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to think about. Hayley told me what you said this morning, you¡¯d take care of the both of us. Is this really your solution? To get rid of your own son just so you can be with some woman?¡± I could tell thest part got to him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk to me like that.¡±


    I bowed my head slightly


    ¡°I¡¯m not getting rid of you, and not as much as I want to end the abomination of a rtionship you have with your sister, it¡¯s not the reason you¡¯re going to Australia.¡±


    He got my attention with that.


    ¡°Then why are you sending me away?¡±


    ¡°Again with the sending you away, you¡¯re talking like I¡¯m tossing you to the side. I would never do that.¡±


    ¡°Then why?¡± I asked, still unsure whether he was telling the truth or not.


    ¡°I got a report from some omegas in Australia about the rogues that have been a concern to us.¡± Heid the bomb


    ¡°The ones threatening our pack¡¯s borders?¡±


    We had talked about the rouges a couple times but it was always vague things because we didn¡¯t have much info on them. That¡¯s what made them so much of a pain in the ass. If he finally found out where they were then that was a good thing.


    ¡°If that¡¯s true then why are you sending me, why don¡¯t you handle it like you always do?¡±


    He sighed,


    ¡°I would, but I have a lot of things to handle here as well.¡± He exined.


    I looked at him skeptical, this ¡¯emergency¡¯ just happened to have such impable timing, the exact time she wanted to split me and Hayley apart.


    ¡°It¡¯s an opportunity for you to show the pack that you have what it takes to be an Alpha. That you can be a good leader when it¡¯s needed, don¡¯t you understand how important that is?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡± I said under my breath


    ¡°And yes it will also get Rachel some peace of mind from the migraines the two of you give her.¡±


    Of course, now that sounded like the truth.


    ¡°You can¡¯t split me and Hayley, we¡¯re mates¡±


    ¡°Your sister¡¯s mate is Hond, but no we¡¯re not having this discussion right now. We will deal with it when you get back, hopefully being apart would have knocked some sense into you both.¡±


    I thought about what he said and a huge part of me still wanted to stay.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t go you¡¯re just going to make Rachel keep going to desperate measures to stop this and you saw what happened thest time.¡±


    And just like that, I agreed and a monthter I was really questioning my decision, should I have just stayed and risked getting punished by my father.


    Well it was toote to find out now.


    He wasn¡¯t lying about the rouges though, I had figured out that much. There had been a series of werewolf killings around town, luckily we had connections with the local police or else it would have been a real shit show.


    I had made some progress but I was still very far from getting a clearer image of the organization that these rouges seemed to have formed.


    I stepped out of the shower and put on my clothes, the faster I put a wrap on this, the faster I could get back home, that was the motivation that got me out of bed everyday.


    I dug out my phone, there was a missed call from Alessa. We had been talking a lot recently. After all, she was the only one I had contacted since I got to Australia.


    I rang her back and she answered the call almost instantly.


    ¡°Hey, I missed your call.¡± I moved to the snack bar and pulled out a chocte bar.


    ¡°That was hours ago.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I was asleep.¡±


    ¡°Sometimes I forget there¡¯s a time difference. Anyway it¡¯s fine, I had a question about Jada but I already got my answer.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? Did something happen? Is she back?¡±


    ¡°Hold your horses. I was just curious about something.¡±


    ¡°Care to share?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have enough on your te already? You handle Australia and I¡¯ll handle Jada.¡±


    After a few conversations, I decided there was no harm in telling her about my mission in Australia and she was actually a bit supportive.


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t need help?¡± I asked and took a bit out of the chocte bar


    ¡°If I do, I know how to reach you so it¡¯s no biggie.¡±


    ¡°Sure, how¡¯s Hayley?¡± The question still felt hard to ask, I wondered how ufortable it must have been for Alessa.


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    ¡°What with the um?¡± She usually just answered with she¡¯s fine or told me something boring she knew Hayley and her friends did, why did it feel like she was hiding something?


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°Alessa? You¡¯re hiding something, what is it?¡±


    ¡°Now you¡¯re calling me a liar, real smooth Aiden. Hayley¡¯s good, she seems a bit more socialtely, she¡¯s great.¡±


    A part of me still didn¡¯t believe her but then again I didn¡¯t have much of a choice.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got to go, talk to youter.¡± She said before ending the call.


    I crumbled the chocte wrapper and shook off the thought.


    I took onest nce at myself in the mirror, I looked good in a tux, something I didn¡¯t know before. I walked out of the hotel room and met up with Frank downstairs and we got into the limo


    I was given to pose as a leader of a discreet pack of rouges looking to join forces with the organization, hence the tuxedo and limo. If I was going to get anyone to open up to me, they needed to feel like I could contribute to their cause which in this case was financially.


    We arrived at the restaurant that thest guy we interrogated had named, I stepped out of the car and straightened my sleeves. The restaurant had tinted windows so there was no way to see inside.


    ¡°Do you want me to escort you inside?¡± Frank stood at my side and asked.


    ¡°No, I can handle it. Just have the limo ready in case I need to make a quick exit.¡± I braced myself for whatever lies behind those doors and stepped in.


    What I saw wasn¡¯t quite what I was expecting, a dull red light lit up the room and from inside you could hardly tell that it was morning outside, there were only   three tables positioned far from each other.


    Two of the seats were upied by a couple of random looking people who didn¡¯t even turn to look when I stepped in, the ce had an eerie vibe to it.


    I went over to the counter at the side and the man there did look very happy to see a strange face.


    ¡°How may I help you?¡± He asked coldly.


    Something odd caught my attention, a scent, it smelled like fur, like a werewolf.


    ¡°I¡¯d like a meal, a friend of mine rmended this ce.¡± I felt like I was ying with hot coals right now.


    He looked at me with a suspicious look and I decided to try something risky. I turned into my werewolf form, or at least just my head. I didn¡¯t want to ruin the tux.


    His cold looked melted away and was reced by a smile, I guess he only served werewolves.


    ¡°Are you new in town?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Where are you from?¡±


    ¡°Nowhere in particr, I¡¯m just moving around.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like you¡¯re looking for something, anything in mind?¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    For a guy who looked like the Grinch a couple minutes ago he was awfully chatty.


    ¡°Allies.¡±


    This was it, the bait, all I needed was him to take it.


    His brows creased.


    ¡°Allies? Where¡¯s your pack?¡±


    I didn¡¯t really know the world outside my pack and how rouges referred to themselves among each other so I decided to stay quiet and let hime to his own conclusion. To other wolves, the word was like a bad omen so I doubt it was still what they called themselves.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, this is a safe haven¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡±


    ¡°You can take a seat, you can take a seat with her over there. She¡¯s in charge over here.¡± He pointed behind me and I followed his finger.


    Seated in a table I hadn¡¯t noticed before was ady covered by shadows, our eyes met and I smiled.


    ¡°Finally, some actual progress.¡± I thought as I walked towards the woman in the shadows

 Chapter 53: Surprise, Surprise

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I felt his hand slide up my back into the crop top, but I didn¡¯t break the kiss. One moment we were on the dance floor dancing, and the next we were at a corner of the club kissing like our lives depended on it.


    ¡°Stop.¡± A voice in me said, My wolf. I understood why she wasn¡¯t on board with me making out with a total stranger at a club, but at the rate this was going, I wasn¡¯t sure it was possible to stop.


    My brain seemed to finally react when I felt him tug at my bra strap. I pushed him away, like, what the hell?


    ¡°Did I do something wrong?¡± He asked with such innocent eyes that I couldn¡¯t find it in me to be angry.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°No, this is¡­ I need to go.¡± That was thest thing I said to him that night, because right after that, I went to get Mina and Mona and told them I was going home, and they sacrificed their fun to go home with me too. I felt bad for sure, but I didn¡¯t know what else to do-act like an adult and respectfully tell Kayden I wasn¡¯t some cheap one-night stand? Nope, I just left with my tail in between my legs. The truth was, I felt stupid for letting it get that far.


    But at least I had snapped into my senses at the right time.


    I shook my head violently, wanting to get the memory out; it had been a week after all. There was no need to keep reying the scene; I did a quick outfit check in the mirror in front of me, and I was fairly satisfied.


    It was the weekend again, and my agreement with mom was that I¡¯d go out. This time, there was no way I was letting her choose where or how I was going to be dressed. It was her fault I got treated like a whore when she had absolutely dressed me up as one.


    This time I had a morefortable outfit: a baggy t-shirt and jeans.


    Today was more harmless thanst time; Mina, Mona, and I had it all nned out. We were spending the whole day together just doing things that made us happy.


    My first stop was the cafe. I grabbed my bag and walked downstairs.


    ¡°Are you¡­¡± Mom started when she saw me.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it; if it¡¯s about my outfit, I don¡¯t want to hear it.¡± I replied coldly.


    Either Mina or Mona had snitched to her about my bumping into Kayden, and now she was all supportive of me finding love, or whatever she thought it was.


    ¡°I was going to say anything; you look cute.¡± She shrugged her shoulders and went back to cooking.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°You see, now this is good for you. Make friends; fall in love.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve talked about this, mom; people don¡¯t just fall in love like that. I¡¯d appreciate it if you¡¯d drop that logic.¡±


    ¡°What about that guy fromst week?¡±


    ¡°What about him?¡±


    ¡°I thought you liked him?¡± She said it with eager eyes.


    ¡°I never said that; it was a one-time thing. That wasn¡¯t love.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not even giving this a try, are you?¡± I could sense the irritation underlying her tone.


    ¡°Because I¡¯m not looking for love.¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t the case a couple months ago.¡±


    My jaw tightened in anger; she was still talking about Aiden. For someone who wanted me to forget about Aiden, she was very quick to bring up my rtionship with him and how it repulsed her.


    ¡°Stop bringing Aiden into this.¡±


    ¡°Then stop letting him affect you when he¡¯s not even here. Hayley, you have to let it go.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t even holding onto anything, was I? I missed Aiden, but I never took any time to stop and think about it.


    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡±


    ¡°If you say so.¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m not back by midnight, then I¡¯m probably at Mona¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°Just leave me a message if you n to have a sleepover.¡±


    ¡°Sure, bye.¡± I stepped out the front door and took in the beautiful view of nature. The sun kissing my face and the soft, gentle breeze carrying the scent of trees and earth made me feel like I just stepped into a fairy tale. Hopefully, my day went as peacefully as it did in fairy tales.


    I opened the cafe door and searched for Mina and Mona. I waved at them when I did, but I noticed they were not alone. There was an extra person at our table; I walked over and realized it was Hond. My heart leapt to my mouth and dropped back into my chest.


    ¡°What is going on?¡± I looked to my friends, who told me to take a seat.


    ¡°We ran into Hond while we were waiting for you.¡±


    ¡°Hey Hayley.¡± He said it with a soft smile.


    I looked at them again. What sort of joke was this?


    I had avoided Hond like the gue at school; after thest betrayal from him, I was more than eager topletely cut him out of my life, but now my friends, who were supposed to hate him for me, were chit-chatting with him. He had tried to talk to me a few times in school, but I made sure our paths never crossed. So much for avoiding.


    ¡°Anyways, have you guys ordered anything yet?¡± I acted like he was seated in front of me and asked the others.


    ¡°No, we were waiting for you.¡±


    ¡°Cool, I¡¯ll go get it. What do you want?¡± I asked; it was an excuse to leave the table and catch a breath.


    I took their orders, Honds included, and went to the counter. I was patiently drumming my fingers into the counter while my order was being made when I felt someone call me from behind.


    ¡°Hayley? Is that you?¡± I turned around, wondering who it was, and right behind me was the guy from the cinema, Kayden.


    ¡°Oh, hi.¡± I didn¡¯t really know what else to say.


    ¡°And here I was thinking I¡¯d probably never see you again.¡±

 54: Second Notice

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    Iughed awkwardly and tried to seem cool. Why was the universe treating me like this? I probably jinxed it myself earlier when I wished the whole day would go smoothly.


    ¡°It¡¯s a small town.¡± I looked back at the cashier and prayed for the order toe faster.


    ¡°Yeah, I was just passing by when I spotted you through the window. For a second, I didn¡¯t notice you in that shirt.¡±


    What was that supposed to mean?


    ¡°I don¡¯t go around wearing revealing clothes if that¡¯s what you meant.¡± I was starting to feel hurt. What exactly did he take me for?Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°No, definitely not what I meant.¡± He widened his eyes in surprise, like he couldn¡¯t believe I just implied that.


    ¡°It¡¯s cool; my mom made me wear it anyway.¡±


    ¡°Also, I¡¯m so happy I ran into you. I¡¯ve been meaning to talk to you, I somehow lost your number.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°About that night¡­¡± His voice trailed off, like he was giving me time to remember, but I didn¡¯t need time. I remember it vividly.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s fine. We were probably just really drunk.¡± We had hardly drank anything; we were very far from drunk that night.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t.¡±


    What was wrong with this guy? Couldn¡¯t he just lie and say he was so we could sweep the whole thing under the rug? It wasn¡¯t one of my finest moments, and I wanted to forget it.


    ¡°What did you want to talk about then?¡± My order finally came, and I picked up the tray for my table.


    ¡°I wanted to apologize if it felt like I was taking things too fast; I shouldn¡¯t have actually¡­¡± He stopped talking when we got to the table and was met with Hond¡¯s criticizing stare.


    I set the tray down.


    ¡°Kayden and I are going to talk for a bit; I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    ¡°Nice to see you guys again.¡± He greeted Mina and Mona, and I was so happy he ignored Hond.


    We walked out of the coffee shop and onto the open street. I didn¡¯t want someone to get the wrong impression from our discussion. I wasn¡¯t ready to gossip again.


    ¡°So, as you were saying?¡±


    ¡°I should have taken things at your own pace; I thought I had it under control, but the more time I spent around you, the more it felt like I was losing my restraints. Does that even make sense?¡± He rubbed the back of his neck; he looked nervous, which was kind of cute.


    ¡°It¡¯s cool; I should have pulled the brakes on things when it got too heated.¡±


    ¡°So, are we cool now?¡± His eyes glowed with hope; I didn¡¯t want to crush it, and I felt a connection with him as well.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re good.¡±


    ¡°Who was that dude back there staring me down like I killed his cat?¡±


    ¡°Oh, Hond.¡±


    Werewolf¡¯s hierarchy of authority was known among humans, which was exactly what Kayden was. If not, he would have known exactly who Hond was, and he would be at our school.


    ¡°He¡¯s just some jerk I used to date.¡± That was the most logical way to exin a rejected mate without seeming weird.


    ¡°So, he¡¯s your ex?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, something like that?¡±


    ¡°Do you go out for coffee with all your exes?¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°Is that jealousy I smell?¡± I teased


    ¡°I¡¯m just trying to watch out forpetition; should I be worried?¡± He smirked


    ¡°About Hond, nope. There¡¯s nothing topete with.¡± Other than being aplete asshole and a tool, Hond didn¡¯t have any other outstanding qualities.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s good news.¡±


    ¡°If it were Aiden, you wouldn¡¯t stand a chance,¡± I said in my head. He didn¡¯t know about Aiden, and he didn¡¯t need to. Thankfully, the rumors of me fooling around with my brother only spread around our packs, another reason I felt like Kayden was a puff of fresh air.


    We stood there, smiling at each other, for a while.


    ¡°Do you want toe join us?¡± I offered, but he shook his head.


    ¡°I have an errand to run; I just got distracted when I saw your face, plus I wouldn¡¯t want to aggravate your ex over there.¡±


    ¡°Cool.¡±


    ¡°Wait, can I get your number again? I was losing my mind over the week not being able to call you.¡± He handed me his phone, and I put in my digits.


    ¡°Do you have any ns for today?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, with my friends, why?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just hoping we run into each other again. Since destiny is so hell-bent on drawing us together.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see youter.¡±


    ¡°I hope so.¡± He stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked off.


    I went back into the cafe to find Mina and Mona engulfed in a conversation with Hond. Their eyes turned to me as I took a seat, but I just went ahead to gently sip on my coffee.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Kayden?¡± Mina asked


    ¡°He had stuff to do.¡±


    ¡°Who is he? He¡¯s not a werewolf, is he?¡± Hond asked.


    I looked at him with a deviant feeling. Who did he think was interrogating me? He already rejected me, then he betrayed me, and now he thought he had any right to know who my friends were.


    ¡°That¡¯s not your business.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just curious.¡± I expected him to re up, but he seemed weirdly calm.


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t be. He¡¯s a very private person.¡± I lied; I didn¡¯t know if Kayden was curious or not. I just wanted Hond off his case.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for tension right now.¡± Mona tried to diffuse the situation by asking Hond questions about himself.


    ¡°So, Hond, how¡¯s the pack holding up?¡±


    ¡°Fine, great, actually.¡±


    My phone buzzed, and I checked to see a message.


    ¡°I just saw a coke spill and thought about you.¡±


    Iughed; it was Kayden.

 55: Shifting Loyalties

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    ¡°So what did she say when you walked over to her?¡± Alessa asked over the phone.


    ¡°Nothing much; I was right, though. That restaurant is like a checkpoint for the rogues.¡± I was giving her an update on my mission, and she seemed interested.


    ¡°Wow, it¡¯s like a secret mission impossible.¡±


    I chuckled,Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Then I¡¯m Tom Cruise.¡±


    ¡°You wish, wait, this means you¡¯ve made progress, right? You¡¯ve found their boss?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s not the boss; after I talked to her, I realized she was not.¡±


    ¡°Then what is she?¡±


    ¡°One of his higher-ranked footmen.¡±


    For a footman, Fiona, which was the name of the woman in the dark, was incredibly suspicious. One question after the other, and she nitpicked at any discrepancies in my answers. If I had let my guard down even a bit, I would have been toast.


    ¡°This is gettingplicated; are you sure you shouldn¡¯t just let your dade in from here?¡±


    Let my dad take over. No way. I worked this far all on my own, and I was going to see it through to the end. Anyway, if I dropped out of the mission at such a crucial point, what would the rest of my pack think-that the Alpha¡¯s son is a weakling?


    ¡°I can handle it.¡±


    ¡°If you say so, what¡¯s the next step you¡¯re taking, though? You have to infiltrate his inner circle to find out who he is, or at least what they do in the movies, or would you rather just transform and kill them off one by one till you smoke the big gun out?¡±


    Both of her ideas sounded brilliant, but I wasn¡¯t such a fan of the more gory and grotesque alternative; I had already decided before I called her. I needed to get close to Fiona and then use her as my entry card into the Rogues organization.


    ¡°The former is what I¡¯ll do; enough, I talk; how¡¯s everything going with you? Your little obsession with Jada?¡±


    I poured myself a ss of juice and made myselffortable on the couch.


    ¡°It¡¯s not an obsession; I¡¯m just worried about her like we all should. Everyone is acting like the circle will just magically disappear because of one inconvenience. I don¡¯t intend to make that mistake.¡±


    ¡°With your resilience, I almost wish you were here to help me.¡±


    There was a slight pause. Had I said something wrong, or had she taken it the wrong way?


    ¡°Alessa?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m here; I just¡­ Aiden if it were just me and you? Would you love me then?¡±


    Shit, we had been doing so well not talking about things like this, and then I had to go and mess it up.


    ¡°Alessa¡­¡±


    She let out a sad, dryugh.


    ¡°I¡¯m just kidding. Good luck with your infiltration.¡± She was about to end the call, but I wasn¡¯t done talking.


    ¡°Alessa wait!¡± I said it hurriedly.


    ¡°Why? ¡°Oh, we haven¡¯t talked about that today.¡± Her tone was so sad that I felt guilty, but I needed to know how Hayley was doing. It was the only thing keeping me sane.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sorry if it¡¯s an inconvenience.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you just call her? I think you should.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t; I already told you. I don¡¯t want to mess with her feelings.¡± Why was she still asking me, even though I¡¯d exined things to her before?


    ¡°I know what you said, but I still think you should.¡±


    ¡°Why did something happen?¡± Why was she trying to be cryptic?


    ¡°I¡¯m not in the position to say; I¡¯m only giving you advice.¡±


    ¡°Alessa, if something is wrong, tell me; don¡¯t give me this cryptic shit.¡± I was starting to get upset. What was she hiding?


    ¡°I¡¯m not the one you should beshing out at.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m sorry.¡± I took a deep breath. ¡°But I just need to know what happened.¡±


    ¡°Your sister is dating some guy called Kayden.¡±


    At first, I thought it was a joke; I didn¡¯t know any Kayden. At least anyone that Hayley talked to was named Kayden.


    ¡°What do you mean? That¡¯s not possible.¡±


    ¡°You see why I said you should call her yourself? Everyone knows because the two of them have been all over town going on dates; the weird part is he¡¯s not even a werewolf, but she seems happy, genuinely happy.¡±


    It took a while for the information to sink in.


    ¡°And you¡¯re just telling me this now?¡±


    ¡°You told me you wanted to give her space. Well, you probably gave her so much space that she realized she had feelings for someone else.¡±


    ¡°You should have told me.¡±


    ¡°I thought it was all just rumors until recently; even Hond seemed jealous.¡±


    ¡°Hond¡¯s an ass; his feelings don¡¯t count.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all. I¡¯ll text you Hayley¡¯s number. I have to go.¡± She said that and ended the call.


    I stared at the ceiling. Could Alessa have been lying to me? No, she wasn¡¯t like that, and even if she was, she wouldn¡¯t tell me to call Hayley to confirm. I couldn¡¯t believe it until I talked to Hayley myself. How could she just forget me so quickly?


    I contemted what to say for a while before dialing Hayley¡¯s number. The sound of the rings echoed in the void hole in my heart, and I was desperately hoping Alessa was wrong.


    ¡°Hello.¡± Hayley¡¯s voice came through the phone. I felt my heart strain.


    ¡°Hey, Hayley.¡±


    ¡°A¡­ Ai¡­ Aiden.¡± Her voice was shaky all of a sudden.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s me.¡± I wanted more than anything to be able to hold her and tell her that it would all be okay.


    ¡°Why?¡± I could hear the muffled cries and tears that I had caused.


    ¡°Hayley I¡¯m really sorry, but I had no choice, and I wanted to protect you too.¡±


    ¡°Protect me?! You didn¡¯t even say goodbye.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have time.¡±


    ¡°And for how many weeks, you still didn¡¯t have the time to call me and exin?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m doing now. Hayley calms down.¡± Her voice was starting to rise.


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t get to tell me to calm down. All the times I cried for you toe back, and you didn¡¯t even have the balls to give me an exnation.¡±


    ¡°When I got the chance to, I was told you were doing okay and that it was better if I didn¡¯t talk to you. I didn¡¯t want to, but I had to.¡±


    ¡°Then what changed? What has changed now? You¡¯ve suddenly decided to be selfish and call me even if it would hurt me.¡±


    I hadn¡¯t thought of it like that; I just needed to know the truth. I needed her to tell me it was all lies.


    I waited until she seemed a bit calmer.


    ¡°I really needed to talk to you about something.¡±


    ¡°What if I don¡¯t want to talk to you?¡± I could feel the hurt in those words.


    ¡°Hayley, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    I heard someone say something in the background. It was a guy¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Who are you with?¡±


    ¡°No one.¡±


    A lie.


    ¡°Hayley, who¡¯s the guy with you?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s my friend.¡± I could tell that she was lying; her voice was a dead giveaway whenever she lied to me.


    ¡°It¡¯s Kayden, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    She was lying for him now. What exactly was going on between them? The thought of another guy having his grumpy hands all over Hayley was infuriating.


    ¡°What are you, spying on me?¡±


    ¡°Answer the question, Hayley. Is it Kayden?¡±


    ¡°What it is is none of your business. You don¡¯t get to walk out without saying anything or calling and just waltz back into my life when you please.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a yes. Who the fuck is he?¡±


    Silence; she wasn¡¯t going to answer.


    ¡°Hayley, I¡¯m talking to you!.¡± It came out a bit harsher and louder than I intended; I could hear her breathing tremble from it.


    ¡°He¡¯s a friend.¡±


    ¡°Then why do people think you¡¯re dating?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s their business.¡±


    ¡°If he¡¯s just your friend, give him the phone. I want to talk to him.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t have the right to meddle in my life. You¡¯re the one who left; it¡¯s my life, and I¡¯ll make my own decisions.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you right now.¡±


    I had gone from being hurt to being incredibly pissed.


    ¡°I was gone for how long, and you¡¯re already riding some random human¡¯s cock? You¡¯re a piece of work; I hope you know that.¡±


    I regretted it the moment the words spilled out, but it was toote.


    ¡°How dare you?!. Don¡¯t ever call me again.¡±


    ¡°Hayley I¡¯m so¡­¡± She ended the call before I couldplete the apology.


    I screamed and angrily threw the ss in my hand across the room. What in the world had gotten into her? She was sleeping with him; that was all I could think of. While I was over her being tortured with dreams of hers, some dude was fulfilling those dreams.


    I wanted to get on the first flight back home and confront her, to show her just how painful it was to miss her and find out she was fooling around with some guy.


    I shouldn¡¯t have said what I did, though; I knew she wasn¡¯t a whore. I med the guy instead. He had probably seen her in her vulnerable state and taken advantage of her, just like Hond had.


    All the more reason to get back home, but what about the mission? I was already getting closer, so it would be difficult to switch ces with my father or anyone else without raising suspicion.


    An rm rang from my bedroom. Damn it, it was almost evening. I had a meeting set out with Fiona and some of the other footmen. This was my opportunity to show how much of an asset I was, but then I¡¯d demand to be introduced to the boss.


    I had to keep my mind clear of Hayley.


    I rushed to get dressed and drove over to the restaurant. It looked exactly the same as it did a couple of days ago when I first came here.


    When I stepped in, the three tables that were usually apart had been brought together to form a bigger one. I counted four men and Fiona, but there were still three empty chairs.


    I moved closer, and Fiona spotted me.


    ¡°There he is.¡± She said that and offered me an empty chair that was beside her.


    ¡°Fiona has told us a lot about you. All good things, so there¡¯s no need to worry. I¡¯m Robert, but you can call me Rob.¡± The man to my left said that and extended his hand. I smiled and shook him.


    I could sense the hierarchy of authority around the table. And it seemed like Fiona and the man who had just weed me to my left were at the top of the food chain.


    ¡°Two people are absent, so we¡¯ll just go on without them,¡± another man exined, exining what was going on with the empty seats.


    The meal was served, and they all instantly started talking about politics, which was weird. It was just regr small talk-nothing about werewolves. I had assumed this would have been a meeting for one of their ns, but it turned out to just be a social gathering.


    I listened as each person gave their opinion on some past president or leader. I found it incredibly boring.


    The topic delved into a gender-based one, on which gender had better leadership qualities. As expected, it was just Fiona against the other men, and she was doing great defending her side. I hadn¡¯t nned on contributing, but then all of a sudden I got drawn into the conversation.


    ¡°Well, Aiden, you¡¯ve been quiet. What do you think?¡± One of the men asked.


    Seeing as the powery between Fiona and Rob, I was wondering who to suck up to.


    ¡°Exactly. What do you think?¡± Fiona asked


    I was about to talk when I felt a hand glide up my thigh from under the table. I looked down to see who it was.


    Fiona.

 56: New Connections

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± Kayden reached across the table and held my hand.


    I nodded, desperately trying to hold back the tears. I looked around the restaurant; I had drawn quite a few eyes with my voice.


    My breath was still irregr, and my heart was racing. I felt choked.


    I put my phone back in my purse and stared at the te of pasta I was no longer in the mood to devour.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m right here. Who was that, and why are you so upset?¡±


    I raised my head to look at Kayden¡¯s concerned face. This was meant to be a perfect first date, and somehow the universe had chosen now of all times for Aiden to finallye and stare up at my emotions.


    ¡°It¡¯s just someone I used to¡­ it¡¯s no one. I don¡¯t want to talk about it.¡± Exining was pointless; how was I supposed to tell him Aiden was my stepbrother, who was also my second chance mate?


    ¡°Okay, I won¡¯t push it.¡± He said it calmly and gently brushed his thumb against the back of my palm.


    I felt safe with him, and he seemed to care about me. I didn¡¯t want to ruin tonight, but I had lost my appetite.


    I forced a smile and began eating, forcing myself not to throw up and look happy. I guess my acting skills must have been horrible because he sighed and dropped his fork.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± I asked sheepishly; I didn¡¯t want to hurt him. After all, he had decided to take me to one of the most expensive restaurants in the city.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine.¡± He signed for a waiter, who hurried to our side.


    ¡°Can you get me the bill?¡± He said that, and the waiter walked away.


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving?¡± We had only been here for like twenty minutes, and I was feeling guilty.


    ¡°Yeah ¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize; I set up the date for you, but right now you look like you could use some air.¡± He smiled reassuringly.


    We walked out of the restaurant hand in hand and into the busy night.


    ¡°I¡¯m still sorry I ruined the mood,¡± I said, wrapping my hand around his arm as we walked down the street.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault; whoever was at the other end of that call is to me. And how can Iin that I got to see you in this beautiful ck dress?¡±


    We bothughed; he always had a way of diffusing awkward situations. We stopped by his car and stared at the sky.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we change ns?¡± He asked.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°We were supposed to have an indoor date, but what if you do something outside?¡±


    ¡°What do you have in mind?¡± I was willing to do whatever it meant, as long as it meant I could spend more time with him.


    ¡°How about a movie at a drive-through?¡±


    ¡°Dressed like this?¡±Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    We were both formally dressed; it would be like showing up to church in swimming gear, totally out of ce.


    ¡°We¡¯d be in the car the entire time; no one would notice, and I know just the spot. What do you say?¡± He cupped my face in his hands and looked into my eyes.


    I thought about it for a while, then shrugged my shoulders. I guess that could work. I needed something to take my mind off Aiden, so I was on board.


    ¡°Okay, sure, let¡¯s go.¡±


    We got in the car and drove quite a distance. I spotted the gigantic projection of a movie before I noticed the cars all pulled up in front of it.


    ¡°See, no one¡¯s going to see us.¡± Kayden parked the car, and my eyes were fixed on the screen.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to go see if I can get some popcorn or snacks.¡±.


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving me in the car alone?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back. A friend of mine set it up; you¡¯re safe.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t afraid that I was in any danger. I just didn¡¯t want to be left alone with my thoughts.


    He took off his suit jacket and handed it to me.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± He kissed my forehead and disappeared into the night.


    I looked back at the projection, two minutes in, and you could already tell that it was a romance movie-a cheesy one at that.


    I looked around at the other cars, and I could make out the silhouettes of people cuddling or kissing. Way to go, Kayden. I was trying to forget my mate, and here we were at a mating ground.


    Iughed at the ring of my situation, and I heard a knock on the car door. Kayden was holding two bowls of popcorn. I helped him open the door, and he handed me a bowl.


    ¡°You like the movie? he asked.


    ¡°By any chance, is your friend a cupid?¡± I teased


    ¡°No, what? You don¡¯t like romance?¡± He grinned


    ¡°You know what you¡¯re doing.¡±


    He moved in closer, our faces just an inch apart.


    ¡°Can I kiss you?¡±


    He¡¯d gotten into the habit of asking before he did anything after that time at the club; it was his way of showing me that he respected me.


    I nodded, and he kissed me.


    ¡°I figured a little romance would cheer you up.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    We watched the movie holding hands, and when that was over, Kayden gave me a ride home.


    ¡°How did your fancy date go?¡± My mom asked when I got into the house.


    ¡°Great.¡± My mind found its way back to Aiden.


    He had been so angry about Kayden, but the thing was, who told him? It was definitely not his dad. My mom hadn¡¯t told him about Kayden yet, and I doubt anyone from school was still in contact with him.


    It wasn¡¯t like he had a drone following me around, so there had to be an exnation; someone had told him for whatever reason.

 57: Leaving First

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    It sucked; he was able to call me this entire time but only chose to when he thought I was with someone else.


    I took off my clothes and makeup. I hadn¡¯t done much, but I was drained. Now I felt like I betrayed Aiden, even though he betrayed me first but left without a word.


    I called Mina and Mona and filled them in.


    ¡°Maybe it was rk or Kelly., Mona suggested.


    ¡°Those two? Nah. They aren¡¯t that close anyway, and how would they even know I was dating Kayden?¡± I didn¡¯t see rk and Kelly as the gossip type.


    ¡°That¡¯s true, plus I heard them talking about how they haven¡¯t heard from Aiden either. They couldn¡¯t have told him.¡±


    ¡°So it¡¯s a ghost; I want to know who the hell took it and how the person even got Aiden¡¯s number.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it was your mom?¡±


    I had thought about that, but it wasn¡¯t adding up. My mom would have waited till it was between me and Kayden before spilling the beans.


    ¡°So it¡¯s someone who Aiden has been in contact with, which is weird because who would he rather talk to than you?¡± Mina added


    There was silence in the air, then a name I hadn¡¯t even considered before hit me.


    Alessa.


    But Alessa and I were good; even if she wanted to spread rumors, how did she even reach him? She was the one asking me to send her regards to Aiden.


    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to you guyster.,¡± I said and ended the call.


    I dialed Alessa, and she answered the call with a yawn.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s up? he asked.


    ¡°Hey, sorry if I woke you up.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s cool.¡±


    ¡°I just wanted to ask you something; it¡¯s really important.¡±


    ¡°Okay, shoot.¡±


    ¡°Have you talked to Aiden recently?¡± I waited for her to tell me no so I could bury my doubts, but the no never came.


    She didn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°Alessa?¡± The doubts were poking out of their graves.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Have you talked to Aiden recently?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    And with that, I felt like I had been stabbed in the back. We had been talking for weeks, and I had started to trust her. I should have known someone was weird when she never asked about Aiden or even mentioned him in our conversations.


    ¡°How?¡± I didn¡¯t want tosh out just yet; she might have been talking to him, but that doesn¡¯t necessarily mean she told him about Kayden. I hadn¡¯t even told her about Kayden.


    Rx Hayley. I tried to stay calm.


    ¡°He called me a while back.¡±


    ¡°He called you? You didn¡¯t call him?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    So he had been the first to reach out, but then it would be the same way he reached out to me but then made it impossible for me to call him back. I was starting to feel very betrayed and deceived. How could they go behind my back?Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°It was you who told him, wasn¡¯t it?¡± I was done beating around the bush.


    ¡°Told him what?¡±


    ¡°Kayden.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ yes.¡±


    ¡°For Pete¡¯s sake, Alessa.¡±


    ¡°Hayley, it¡¯s not like that.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like what, Alessa? Like what? I thought we were friends, and you went behind me to tell him I was screwing Kayden.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t tell him that.¡±


    Yeah right.


    ¡°I swear it, I didn¡¯t say anything about you screwing Kayden.¡±


    I wanted to believe her and trust her, but right now it feels so freaking hard.


    ¡°Then what did you tell him?¡±


    ¡°I told him to call you and talk to you about it.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Because he cares, but then he could call you because he wasn¡¯t sure if he should have¡­¡±


    ¡°But he could call you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like that, Hayley; he called me to ask me to keep an eye on you. To make sure you were okay, and also watch out for Jada.¡±


    ¡°How does Jada fit in all of this?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s still in hiding, and I was worried she was going toe back, and Aiden is worried you might get hurt. That¡¯s all I am-a safety n to watch out for you.¡±


    I thought about it for a while; it sounded like something Aiden could do. I knew how overprotective he could get.


    ¡°Still, you should have told me.¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t my decision to make; he asked me not to, so I couldn¡¯t tell you even if I wanted to. And I told him to call you so you two could talk.¡±


    She sounded sincere, but I needed someone to be angry at. Aiden.


    ¡°Hayley?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if he said something hurtful. He was probably just really hurt as well.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± It didn¡¯t change the fact that he more or less called me a whore.


    ¡°Do you want me to talk to him?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± That was thest thing I wanted right now.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, good night.,¡± I said and ended the call.


    I didn¡¯t know what exactly I wanted to do next, but now I was drowning in a sea of hurt, anger, and jealousy.


    I was hurt and angry because of what he said, and I was jealous because I should have been the first person he got in contact with. After everything we had been through, he chose Alessa.


    I searched through my call history and found the number he used to call me earlier.


    My finger pressed the dial button, and I put the phone in my ear. I was prepared for the number to no longer be essible like it wasst time.


    It rang a couple of times, and then Aiden¡¯s voice came through.


    ¡°Hayley?¡± He sounded surprised, and I was surprised I was calling him as well.


    ¡°Yeah. We need to talk.¡± I tried to sound as cold as possible. I didn¡¯t want my emotions to get the better of me.


    ¡°I¡¯m a little¡­ um, sure. What is it?¡±


    For a second, I thought he was going to say he was busy, but then he wasn¡¯t.


    ¡°Alessa told me everything. Why didn¡¯t you just call me?

 58: No happy ending

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°As much as I wanted to, I couldn¡¯t. I¡¯m sorry for what I said earlier.¡± Aiden apologized over the phone.


    ¡°I know you were; it doesn¡¯t justify what you said, but I¡¯ll let it go.¡± I responded, not wanting to fight with him.


    ¡°So who is he?¡± His voice was lowered, like he was sad.


    ¡°Kayden?¡± I asked back.


    ¡°Yes, I didn¡¯t give you the chance to exin who he is.¡± He paused and waited for me to answer, allowing me to exin myself, but I didn¡¯t know how to.


    I closed my eyes. This wasn¡¯t going to be easy. I could hear his uneasy breath from the other side of the phone, breathing in and out slowly and deeply, the way he did when he was trying to stay calm.


    ¡°I met him a couple of weeks ago, and we¡¯ve gone on a few dates.¡± I told him the truth; it would be cruel to lie to him.


    I was expecting an angry reaction. I wanted it. I wanted him to re up and express himself; the thought of him being alone over there brooding on my betrayal made me feel even worse.


    But he didn¡¯t scream; he didn¡¯t raise his voice. He continued talking in that low, steady voice.


    ¡°Do you like him?¡± He asked


    That was the question I had been pondering the entire time. Sometimes it felt like Kayden was just a distraction, a rebound from my separation from Aiden. I could never feel what I felt with Aiden.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know., I said back.


    ¡°Do you still have feelings for me?¡± He asked


    The answer to that was simple: it had never changed. I had tried my best to mask it, but it never changed.


    ¡°Yes., I answered.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll figure it out.¡± He said it reassuringly. I didn¡¯t feel very reassured, though. We couldn¡¯t figure it out; everything was against us-our parents, the world, everything.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we can; they¡¯ve picked a date for the wedding, Aiden.¡¯, I said softly.


    Mom had announced to me a few days ago that she had officially chosen a date to marry Aiden¡¯s dad. It was closer than it was before, and she wanted to get married to him as fast as possible. If that happened, our fates would be sealed, and we could never be together when our biological parents got married.


    I knew the truth deep down-the truth Aiden refused to ept.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± He asked with a hint of confusion in his tone; he didn¡¯t know. I was surprised they hadn¡¯t told him yet; they must have known he would freak out if he did.


    ¡°Your dad and my mom-they¡¯re getting married in three weeks. Mom told me. They¡¯re going to get married, Aiden; we¡¯ll be siblings. We can¡¯t be friends and siblings at the same time.¡± It broke my heart to say it out loud. I had thought about it in my head ever since, but the reality that came with actually saying the words is painful.


    ¡°What? The wedding isn¡¯t supposed to happen for, like, three months. Why now? Why am I just hearing about this now?¡± His voice had shifted from the calmness he was trying to portray and was slowly tilting towards anger.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but that¡¯s already decided. It might be their way of making sure we¡¯ve never been together ethically, or they¡¯re just really excited to get married. Either way, they are doing it.¡± I said inly that I didn¡¯t need to feed myself any more false hope.


    He gave a sadugh, bitterness echoing in his tone.


    ¡°What if we did it first?¡± He asked


    ¡°Did what?¡± I was confused.


    ¡°Get married; they can¡¯t get married when we are already married.¡± Heughed when he said it, like it was a joke, but I could tell a part of him meant it, and I was slowly considering it too.


    ¡°You want to go against the Alpha¡¯s wishes?¡± I already knew the answer. He had too much to lose, and even if he was willing to let go, I wasn¡¯t going to let him throw his life away.


    ¡°He¡¯s old.¡± He said dismissively that he wasn¡¯t a very important factor in this scenario.


    ¡°But he¡¯s still the Alpha and your father.¡± I reminded him.


    ¡°I know.¡± He replied, ¡°What do we do now?¡±Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I had no idea, but there was one obvious option. It was a choice that would hurt to make, but it was the only one at the moment.


    ¡°Maybe we let them have the win on this one; think of it as giving them their happy ending.¡± I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I spoke.


    Don¡¯t do this, my wolf voice echoed in my head. We both understood how heartbreaking it would be to lose another mate.


    He didn¡¯t respond, and it only made me worry more. What was on his mind? What was he thinking about? Did he feel like I was just letting go of him without putting up a fight?


    ¡°Aiden?¡± I said softly.


    ¡°I¡¯m not letting them have it-a happy ending or whatever you call it. I refuse to let you go. I said I¡¯d always be with you, and I meant it.¡± He said it confidently.


    My heart lit up with hope; he wasn¡¯t giving up. As hopeless as it seemed, he was still going to keep trying. The mere thought filled me with so much hope-maybe there was still a chance after all.


    ¡°Okay.¡± was all I could muster up without bursting into tears.


    ¡°I have to go; call me anytime you need me, okay?.¡± He said


    ¡°Sure., I said back.


    ¡°Give me some time so I can wrap all this up, and I¡¯ll be home before you know it. I love you,  Hayley.¡± He said, and then I heard the beep sound dering the end of the call.


    ¡°I love you too., I said to no one.


    The sound of my heart beating filled my ears. I copsed on my bed and stared at the ceiling. I wished my mom and his dad had never fallen for each other, but I had still met Aiden. Maybe then we could be happy, and all this wouldn¡¯t have happened.


    A knock came from the door, and I turned to look.


    ¡°Who is it?¡± I asked


    ¡°It¡¯s me., Mom said back.


    ¡°Come in., I said, sitting up straight.


    The door knob turned, followed by the creaking sound the door made with its hinges, and she stepped into the room.


    She was wearing her nightgown with her hair packed up in a messy bun. She always did it like that; I remember fiddling with her bun anytime she read me a bedtime story growing up.


    The more I looked at her, the more I was reminded that I couldn¡¯t knowingly hurt her. No matter how many times I argued and said she was being selfish by not letting me be with Aiden, it was all so she would willingly let go and approve of our rtionship.


    She had always been there for me, for as long as I could remember. The overprotective, extremely paranoid mother that she was.


    She sat next to me, looking into my eyes with a concerned expression on her face.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± She asked


    I nodded and forced myself to smile.


    ¡°Tell me the truth; what¡¯s wrong? Is it Kayden?¡± She asked again, and I could imagine her going out to give Kayden an ass whooping if I said he was the reason I was sad.


    ¡°It¡¯s not.¡± I mustered up the courage to voice my thoughts:¡¯It¡¯s about Aiden.¡±


    Her expression went from concerned to displeased, and I could instantly tell how this conversation would end.


    ¡°We¡¯ve talked about this; he¡¯s your brother. His dad and I are getting married.¡± She said it for the millionth time.


    ¡°I know.¡± I shifted my gaze to themp by my bedside. Trying to talk to her was hopeless; there was no getting through.


    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you understand? Do you really want to make me unhappy just so the two of you can be together?¡± She asked


    That statement sounded a lot like guilt-tripping, but we were already at a point where it felt like everything she said was aimed at guilt-tripping me into letting her have her way.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we both be happy?¡± I asked near tears, Why couldn¡¯t we both have our happy endings?


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t work that way.¡± She said it inly.


    ¡°What if you don¡¯t marry the Alpha? Then Aiden and I could still be together, and then you guys could figure something out.¡± I said.


    Her eyes creased, and she moved back, like I had said something repulsive. I knew I was being delusional, but she looked disgusted at me.


    ¡°You¡¯re hell-bent on this; why?. What happened to Kayden?¡± She asked.


    Kayden? Nothing would happen to him; he¡¯d just have to find someone else who really loved him back the way I loved Aiden. I¡¯d feel like an ass if I broke his heart; he had been nothing but good to me, but I didn¡¯t want to make him feel like a n B.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t about Kayden.¡± I said that and tried to convince myself that it could all work out.


    ¡°So what? You just strung the innocent boy along all this while to distract you so you can go back to fooling around with your stepbrother.¡± She said it angrily.


    ¡°Mum, stop.¡± I didn¡¯t want to hear any more of the hurtful things she said when she was upset; she had a tendency to say things she shouldn¡¯t say when she got upset.


    ¡°You want me to stop? Then stop this madness and let me be happy.¡± She said that and stood.


    The sound of the door being opened caught our attention and interrupted our little argument. Aiden¡¯s dad stepped into the room and looked at both of us; he looked just as dissatisfied as my mom.


    A part of me felt scared. Was he going to join her in trying to hurt me with her words?


    I looked to him, but he looked to my mom instead.


    ¡°Rachel, it¡¯s the middle of the night.¡± He said this, trying to pacify her.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t care. Don¡¯t take her side right now.¡± My mom faced him instead as she spoke, and I was thankful I was no longer in her range of sight.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to disturb the neighbors and draw unnecessary attention. Whatever it is this time, we¡¯ll deal with it tomorrow morning.¡± He wasn¡¯t giving room for negotiation; he was practically ordering her back to bed.


    She looked at him for a while before angrily walking past him, and I heard her footsteps hitting the hard wooden steps and receding towards the kitchen.


    Aiden¡¯s dad looked at me; he had probably guessed what themotion was about, andst I checked, he was on her side.


    ¡°Stop triggering her.¡± He said it sternly.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to; I just¡­ Aiden¡­¡± My voice trailed off when I saw the warning look on his face. I had no idea why I even bothered with it.


    ¡°Don¡¯t; Aiden will be Alpha, and he will not soil his bloodline by being mates with his own family. I have tried to make you both understand that nicely, but since you remain adamant, you¡¯ll just have to live with it.¡± He said that and closed the door.


    It was just my mom and his dad disapproving, but it felt like the whole world was against us. I wanted to scream.


    Iy on my bed frustrated. I concentrated and projected my consciousness into the kitchen. I was too scared of them hatching another n.


    ¡°Rachael, you need to calm down.¡± Dad said


    ¡°Calm down? After everything I have done for her, this is how she repays me. I even went out of my way to set her up with that boy.¡± She said, pacing back and forth angrily.


    ¡°Huh? What do you mean? Which boy?¡± Dad asked, as confused as I was.


    ¡°How do you think that Kayden boy met her? It was me; I went through the stress of setting her up because no one else will date her because they think she is a whore.¡±


    My heart skipped. What?!


    ¡°You set up Hayley?¡± Dad asked


    ¡°More like I paid him to go out with her.¡± She rolled her eyes, and I felt a knife run through my soul.


    What in the world did she just say??

 59: Unknown Errands

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    The five of us stood at the front of the restaurant, and the cold night wind pushed past me, making me shiver and giving a second reason as to why I wanted to get back to thefort of my hotel room as fast as possible.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    The first reason was not as simple; actually, it was a bitplicated. Fiona. It might have been a simple case of misinterpreted signs, but the gestures she had been given all night were speaking for themselves.


    First it had been cing her hand on my thigh, which she imed was idental, and then the nces. At first, I thought she was just clumsy, but after a while, I figured she was anything but clumsy.


    ¡°So this was fun. We¡¯re off to a great start.¡± Robert said that and shook my hand.


    The rest did the same, all apart from Fiona. She waited while everyone else walked away.


    She had this uneasy feeling, like she was used to being a predator in a food chain, probably because of her looks. I rested back on the limousine, trying to create more of a gap between us and give her the chance to take a hint and walk away.


    She moved closer; her lip was sucked slightly into her mouth as she stared at me with big, doe eyes.


    ¡°So¡­¡± I said in an attempt to change the atmosphere, what about the two who were absent?¡±


    She looked at me confusedly for a while before realizing what I meant.


    ¡°Oh, those two, it¡¯s nothing. They¡¯re probably off running some errands for the boss.¡± She said,


    ¡°What kind of errands?¡± I asked


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but it¡¯s probably information gathering. I don¡¯t bother myself with what the subordinates do.¡± She said it again with an air of superiority and power.


    She looked like she was a woman who was used to having her way and being above others. Luckily for me, vain people are one of the easiest people in the world to manipte.


    ¡°So, when do I get to meet him?¡± I went straight to the point; I was already so close to unfolding this whole thing, and then I¡¯d be home again.


    ¡°Soon, he doesn¡¯t just meet with anyone, but seeing as we share a simr agenda and you can be a great asset to our cause, I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be d to meet with you.¡± Her eyes wandered to the limo and back to me as she spoke.


    So that was it-money. That was what attracted her to me.


    I had sprung up with a cock and bull story about how my family was mercilessly attacked by a pack of wolves who wanted to im our territory, how I supposedly survived, and how I wanted to inflict the same pain on others.


    When I was telling her, I couldn¡¯t believe how cheesy and cliche it sounded, but for some reason, she bought it. She was probably blinded by the opportunity to use me financially then, too.


    ¡°How long is too soon? I don¡¯t like being kept waiting.¡± I said I had maintained a cold, calctive demeanor the entire night. That was the only way to make my story check out.


    She ced a hand on my chest and smiled innocently. Maybe in another world I would have found it attractive, but then and there I was utterly repulsed.


    ¡°Well, I can put a good word in for you if you want.¡± She said it seductively.


    I held her wrist and slowly took her hand off me. A gesture that should have been offensive, but somehow it made her smile even more.


    I was starting to get the chills.


    ¡°Just tell him I won¡¯t always be here.¡± I said, made a slight bowing gesture with my head, and got into the limo.


    ¡°Frank, please take me home.¡± I said to Frank, who was in the driver¡¯s seat,


    She just stood there, smiling like she was lost in a world of her own imagination, while we drove off.


    I didn¡¯t want to be judgmental, but if I had to make a wide guess, I¡¯d say she was probably sleeping with the boss. That would exin why she was superior to the other men.


    When I got back, I headed straight for the shower. I felt like my body was overheating.


    I stepped into the shower and turned the switch. The feeling when the water met my skin felt like I was washing off ayer of thick mud.


    My mind reviewed the night¡¯s conversations.


    Eventually, after a long time of bickering about random things, they moved on to talking about their recent operations.


    They talked about how they always had someone on the inside when they attacked pack territories.


    I waited for names to be mentioned or for them to talk about their inside man in Laketown, but that wasn¡¯t brought up.


    I had to try to bring it up in the conversation on my own.


    ¡°What¡¯s the most recent attack?¡± I had asked nonchntly.


    The way Robert¡¯s eyes lit up when I asked, like a child that had just gotten an award,.


    ¡°Some town is called Laketown.¡± He said he was smiling.


    My heart raced when on.


    ¡°I have big ns for that town; I bet the boss will let me be in charge of that one.¡± He added


    ¡°You wish.¡± Fiona said in response, sipping on her wine with pride.¡±The only way you¡¯re going to be in charge is if I¡¯m absent. And as you can probably already tell, I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡±


    They started at each otherpetitively, but my mind was already elsewhere.


    They were talking about my home, about destroying my pack, and arguing over who should get to do it, like it was the lunch menu, and they were trying to decide what to pick.


    It took a lot of strength to keep myself from transforming and giving into Alessa¡¯s previous suggestion of gruesomely ughtering them all till I got to the leader, but I couldn¡¯t do that.


    I stepped out of the shower; the only option was to wait.

 60: Trance

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I heard a soft knock on the door and stood to open it. My hands were quaking violently, and it was a task just getting a grip on the door knob. I was already starting to get a grip on the tears flooding down, but then one look at Aiden¡¯s dad¡¯s soft expression and all my defenses came crumbling down.


    My legs turned to mush, and I lost my bnce. He caught me right on time and hugged me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I said it was all I could muster up. I felt like a monster. What kind of child would hurt her own mother?


    ¡°Shush, she¡¯s going to be alright.¡± He said it in a whisper and stroked my hair.


    I couldn¡¯t tell if he meant it, but I was almostpletely convinced he didn¡¯t. To me, it didn¡¯t make sense; wasn¡¯t he supposed to be scolding me? He had told the both of us to wait till tomorrow, and we didn¡¯t, and now my mom was in need of medical attention.


    ¡°Where is the ambnce?¡± I asked when I noticed the siren sounds were gone; it was back to being a still-cold, silent night.


    ¡°They¡¯re on their way to the hospital; there wasn¡¯t enough room for me to tag along, so I¡¯m going to drive there right now.¡± He answered, still stroking my hair and gently patting my back.


    Something about that gesture helped, because my sobs had subsided. I tried to step back from him and stand by myself, but my legs still felt shaky, so I ended up back in his embrace.


    ¡°I want to go with you.¡± I said as he helped me sit on my bed.


    He sat next to me and shook his head.


    ¡°You should stay here and get some rest. I¡¯ll give you a call when you cane tomorrow.¡± He saidProperty of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°But what am I supposed to do till then?¡± I asked


    ¡°You¡¯re going to stay home, get some rest, and not me yourself.¡± He smiled weakly.


    ¡°But it is my fault. I hit her; I don¡¯t even know how, but I did, and now she¡¯s¡± My voice trailed off as a thought evaded my mind: what if she died?


    ¡°She¡¯s going to be fine.¡± He chipped in andpleted the sentence, but that wasn¡¯t what was on my mind.


    What if she died? Moments before, I had imagined her dead in my mind, and then I hit her.


    What if a part of me knowingly used that much force? That would make me a monster.


    ¡°Did you try to hurt her?¡± I asked my inner wolf.


    ¡°I would never; your emotions got out of control.¡± The voice in my head answered back.


    Aiden¡¯s dad stood to leave, and my eyes followed him as he walked to the door. He had that soft look in his eyes, the kind you gave to a child who didn¡¯t know the difference between right and wrong when they did something bad. I was thankful he wasn¡¯t mad at me; I couldn¡¯t imagine how mom would feel towards me if¡­ no, when she got better.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be back before you know it. I¡¯ll call you if anything happens. For now, just stay here. Can you do that for us?¡± He asked.


    I nodded, and he left.


    I listened as he reached the stairs, walked down, and got to the door. My eyes moved to the window when I heard the sound of his engineing on. I wanted to follow him, but he was right; I could barely keep myself together, and I wasn¡¯t sure mom would want to see my face right away.


    The humming of the engine slowly faded away, and Iid my head on my pillow. Exhaustion washed over me; my eyelids felt like cement; every fiber of my being was tired and in need of rest.


    I closed my eyes and surrendered to the fatigue, and before I knew it, everything around me slowly faded away.


    _________


    The deafening sound of my rm clock filled my head. I reached out to turn it off, but identally ended up knocking it over to the floor. A loud crack filled the room, and that was all it took to get me out of bed.


    I squinted my eyes open and had to use a hand to shield them from the blinding rays of sunlight pouring into the room. My head felt like it had been hit with a sledgehammer a couple times.


    I sat up and picked up the clock. There was arge crack on the ss. I stared at it for a while. I set it back on the desk, not wanting to think about it.


    I made my way to the curtains and pulled them shut. I took a quick look outside; dad¡¯s car wasn¡¯t there. He wasn¡¯t back.


    I reached for my phone, expecting to see a call, but there wasn¡¯t anything. Maybe he thought I was asleep; it was still really early after all.


    I calmed my nerves and headed downstairs. I was so thirsty that my throat felt sore. I got to the kitchen to pour myself a ss of water, but the moment I stepped in, I froze.


    Last night¡¯s events reyed in my mind, and I walked over to where mom had hit the wall. The ss debris was still all over the ce, and the emotions came flooding back.


    My eyes shifted to the dent in the wall; unless she had a skeleton of steel, there was no way she¡¯de out of that without any broken bones.


    I fought back the tears; they wouldn¡¯t solve anything anyway. I got a broom and cleared up the ss shards. One caught my eye; it was clear like the others. I picked it up, and I realized what it was: it was covered in dry blood.


    Damn, she was bleeding.


    That revtion didn¡¯t help with the guilt I was already feeling. I held the shard in between my fingers, carefully shuffling it.


    The sound of my phone ringing echoed from my room, and I snapped out of the trance I was in.

 61: Not Fake

    Hayley¡¯s Pov


    I dropped the broom and basically ran up to my room. I picked up the phone; it was a call from Aiden¡¯s dad. I answered the call and put the phone in my ear.


    ¡°Hey, dad.¡± I said anxiously


    ¡°Did I wake you up?¡± He asked


    ¡°No.¡± I answered, ¡°How could he even care about that right now? , ¡°How¡¯s my mom?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s fine.¡± He said, I couldn¡¯t tell if he was lying or telling the truth.


    ¡°Which hospital is it? I want toe over.¡± I asked


    ¡°There¡¯s no need; she¡¯s still unconscious, so there¡¯s no point.¡± He pointed it out.


    ¡°But¡­ I just want to make sure she¡¯s alright.¡± I tried to exin; my mind wouldn¡¯t be at rest until I waspletely sure she was okay.


    ¡°Hayley, I understand how you feel, but I want you to stay home, okay?¡± He said.


    ¡°Okay,¡± I said, deciding toply.


    ¡°You¡¯ll probably get to see her today; get something to eat and be ready. I¡¯ve got to go.¡± He said that and ended the call.


    I stared at the phone for a while before I set it aside.


    I finished cleaning and took a shower. I got dressed, ready to meet up with my dad at any time, and went to make myself breakfast.


    Being in the same kitchen where it had happened made me so uneasy, so I decided to make a sandwich since it was quick and eat it on the couch.


    The house was silent, which was so unusual. Mom was a stay-at-home mom, which meant she was always in the house. The silence now felt eerie and strange; I didn¡¯t realize how lonely this house could get.


    I thought about calling Aiden to tell him, but there wasn¡¯t much he could do, and I was pretty sure I¡¯d break down again if I had to recount what happened.


    My phone rang again.


    ¡°Finally.¡± I thought to myself, ready to head to the hospital.


    I looked at the caller ID; it was not Aiden¡¯s dad. Kayden¡¯s name sent a stab of pain through my chest.


    I had almostpletely forgotten what had led to my fight with my mom-it was because of him.


    I put the phone in my ear.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m outside your house; do you want to hang out?¡± He said it over the phone.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right there.¡± I replied with no emotion and ended the call.


    I was just a few steps away from the door, but I just stood there staring at it, wondering what I was going to do.


    I walked to the door and opened it. Kayden¡¯s regr smile stered on his face as he stood there with his hands in his pocket.


    As much as I wanted to smile like I normally do, I couldn¡¯t; he was a lie. I needed to remember that.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s up? Is something wrong?¡± He asked when he saw the look on my face.


    He moved closer, like he was going to hug me, and I instinctively backed up, leaving the door open.


    He paused, looking at me with a confused expression on his face.


    ¡°Did I do something wrong??¡± He asked


    I tried to spit out the words; a part of me wanted tosh out, but I couldn¡¯t getst night¡¯s images out of my head. I could end up really hurting him if I lose control of my emotions.


    ¡°I think you should leave Kayden.¡± I said it inly.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll go once you tell me what I did wrong.¡± He reached out again, but this time I didn¡¯t react in time. He held my hand and titled my head to face him.


    I stared into the deep pools he had for eyes.


    ¡°If only,¡± I thought to myself.


    ¡°Hayley?¡± he said.


    ¡°How much did she pay you?¡± I asked


    ¡°What?¡± He looked truly confused.


    ¡°My mom, how much did she pay you?¡± I said that my voice came out shaky this time. I was trying my best to stay calm, but it wasn¡¯t going so well.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Shit.¡± He said it under his breath, and I could see his jawline tightening as he clenched his teeth.


    So it was true; that was all the confirmation I needed.


    ¡°Leave my house.¡± I pulled my hand out of his and pointed to the door.


    ¡°Hayley, it¡¯s not like that; I swear you¡¯re taking it the wrong way.¡± He pleaded


    ¡°Not like what? Kayden. You have enough money; why in the world would you agree to get paid to go out with me?¡± I asked, ¡°So that was all fake? You bumping into me at the cinema, spilling c all over your shirt, the lines, the flirting.¡±


    He ran his hand through his hair and sighed.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t fake. I was in the theater with my friends, and then I ran into the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. That wasn¡¯t nned.¡± He said it with sincere eyes.


    ¡°Don¡¯t patronize me.¡± I said


    ¡°I mean it. Yes, I met your mom, but that was after the first day she came up to me and said she heard about me from your friends. I had no idea how she even found me, but then she told me to meet you at the cafe; that was all.¡± He tried exining, but I wasn¡¯t sure what I believed anymore.


    ¡°At the cafe, when you were running an errand?¡± I asked. I should have known the way we kept meeting was too suspicious, but I had deluded myself into thinking it was destiny.


    ¡°She gave me some cash, but I swear, Hayley, I didn¡¯t care about the money. I was just happy I could see you again, and then I did, and you were so amazing. I just felt like I was in love; I only met her once.¡± He exined


    We stood there, looking at each other. His eyes were silently pleading.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I can do this anymore.¡± I said softly.


    ¡°Please,¡± he begged.


    ¡°Kayden, please leave.¡± I said it again.


    This time he did; he looked at me for a while, but then he left.


    The door closed, and I sank to my knees. The second wave of heartache hit.

 62: Fractured Love

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I pulled myself off the floor, grabbed my phone, and took a cab to Mona¡¯s house. I didn¡¯t want to be by myself; I just wanted someone to hold me and tell me it would be okay.


    I paid for the cab and walked to the front door. I rang the doorbell and waited, trying my best to keep the tears in.


    The door opened, and I was greeted by her mom¡¯s usually cheery face.


    ¡°Oh, Hayley. How are you?¡± She said


    ¡°I¡¯m great. Is Mona home?¡± I asked


    ¡°Yes,e in,¡± she said, opening the door to let me in. ¡°Mona, get down here; Hayley¡¯s here to see you.¡± She called out to Mona and walked away.


    Mona came downstairs in a sweatshirt and shorts with headphones on. One look at me, and her casual expression turned to worry. I guess she could see through me; that¡¯s what best friends were for anyway.


    ¡°Do you want to go upstairs?¡± She asked me through our mind link.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I answered back.


    She grabbed me and ushered me to her room. I sat by her bed, and he locked the door before turning to me.


    ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± She asked.


    There¡¯s something about asking a person who¡¯s not okay if they¡¯re okay that just sends them off a cliff. I was no different; I could feel the tears already forming in my eyes.


    ¡°She¡¯s in the hospital.¡± I said and gulped, This was going to be hard.


    ¡°Who is in the hospital?¡± She hugged me and asked


    ¡°My mum.¡± I answered


    ¡°What happened?¡± She looked me in the eyes.


    I told her what happened, how I had had a disagreement with her in my room, and then what I heard her say to my dad about Kayden. My voice got lower as I approached recounting the real ident, and when I was done, it was like my voice box was on lockdown.


    I looked at her, searching for some form of judgment or horror, but all she did was hug me.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± She asked.


    She didn¡¯t ask if my mom was okay; she asked if I was okay instead. The answer was simple: no. I wasn¡¯t okay; how could I ever be okay? It felt like everything was crashing down on me.


    She let me cry on her shoulder for a while before talking.


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, Hayley.¡± She said


    ¡°I want to believe that.¡± I whispered; I really did, but it just seemed so hard.


    She gave my shoulders a little shake.


    ¡°Snap out of it; it was a mistake, so no, it¡¯s not your fault. She¡¯s the one who did something as outrageous as hiring you a boyfriend, and while it might sound crazy to say this right now, none of this would have happened if she hadn¡¯t.¡± Mona said it with a straight face.


    I knew she was right, to an extent, but the fact remained that I had hurt her physically.


    ¡°How¡¯s she doing?¡± She asked


    ¡°Aiden¡¯s dad said she¡¯s okay; she¡¯s still unconscious though.¡± I exined what my dad said over the call and how he didn¡¯t want me to drink yet.


    ¡°Well, we are just going to have to take the Alpha¡¯s word for it, okay? If he says she¡¯s okay, then she¡¯s okay.¡± She said, and I nodded.


    ¡°Kayden came over.¡± I said, addressing the second issue at hand.


    She rolled her eyes. For someone who used to tease me whenever I said his name, she looked really irritated by it now.


    ¡°Please tell me you told him to go screw himself.¡± She said


    ¡°I confronted him about it.¡± I said slowly. I knew she would have rather I broke a TV over his head and shoved him out of my house. She treated people who hurt me like they hurt her as well, and I loved her for it.


    ¡°And?¡­¡± She said that and made a go-on gesture with her hand.


    ¡°He exined what happened; mom met him after the first time we met, and all she did was tell him where to find me and give him some money.¡± I tried my best to exin the exnation the same way he told me.


    ¡°And you believe him?¡± Mona asked sarcastically.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think he was lying.¡± I said, defending him, I just felt like he would lie to me.


    ¡°Why? Because he wouldn¡¯t lie to you.¡± She said, reading my mind, ¡°Wake up, Hayley; you can¡¯t count on anything he says anymore. Just the mere fact that your mother had her paws in that rtionship should be a warning sign.¡±


    ¡°Kayden¡¯s not like that.¡± I said, trying to convince myself that maybe a part of me still cared about him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to see you anywhere near that guy until we get all the facts straight. You can¡¯t keep letting people mess with you.¡± She saidExclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    She was probably still referring to Hond, and now Kayden had joined the list.


    We sat there in silence for a while, then I heard her chuckle a bit.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± I asked and turned to see her staring at the door and smiling. There was nothing at the door, though.


    ¡°I just thought of something a bit twisted.¡± She said there was a crooked smile on her face. Nothing good coulde from a smile like that.


    ¡°What is it? Tell me.¡± I said curious.


    ¡°Well, if your mom¡¯s in the hospital, doesn¡¯t that push the wedding a bit further? I¡¯m not implying anything.¡± She said,


    Normally I would haveughed at the thought, but it only made me feel worse, adding to the reasons why I thought a part of me actually intended on hurting her.


    Mona noticed that I wasughing at her joke, and she quickly stopped smiling.


    ¡°I was just trying to cheer you up, sorry.¡± She apologized.


    ¡°It¡¯s cool.¡± I said


    ¡°So, are you going to tell Aiden?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Tell him what?¡± I asked back.


    ¡°I dunno. I just figured you¡¯d want to talk to him about it.¡± She said it softly.


    ¡°Mona, I need your help.¡± Her mom screamed from downstairs.


    She looked at me apologetically,


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back; will you be okay by yourself?¡± She asked


    ¡°Yeah, sure.¡± I answered and watched as she left the room to go meet her mom.


    I thought about what she said for a while, and I dialled Aiden. I didn¡¯t know what I was going to tell him, but I just wantedfort.


    ¡°Hey,¡± he said through the phone.


    ¡°Hi.¡± I said back, and my voice came out tired and drained.


    ¡°Where are you?¡± He asked, Was that a weird question? Did he think I was out with Kayden?


    ¡°I¡¯m at Mona¡¯s ce. Aiden, my mom¡¯s in.¡± I was still talking when he finished the sentence for me.


    ¡°She¡¯s in the hospital, I know.¡± He said.


    ¡°How did you know?¡± I asked; it had only happened hours ago, so how did he know?


    ¡°My dad called a few hours ago and told me what happened. He also told me that it wasn¡¯t your fault, so I don¡¯t want you to think it is.¡± He exined.


    ¡°I hit her.¡± I said it softly, but it still felt forbidden to say it out loud.


    ¡°I know, you didn¡¯t mean to, and you couldn¡¯t control it. I wish I was at home; I would have stopped it from happening. I wish I was with you right now.¡± He said.


    ¡°What if she dies? It would be because of me. For my excuse for love.¡± I spoke a bit. I didn¡¯t know where the words wereing from.


    ¡°What do you mean, Hayley, excuse for love? he asked.


    ¡°She said she paid Kayden to date me, and I flipped. I could have killed my own mom over a boy.¡± It felt crazy to think about.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say I liked the guy.¡± He said it dryly.


    ¡°Really, you want to do that right now?¡± I asked; this wasn¡¯t the time for petty remarks.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m sorry. You know, I didn¡¯t mean it like that. I love you; that¡¯s why I¡¯m jealous.¡± His tone waspassionate.


    I felt bad-really bad-for what I was about to do next. It felt like a necessary evil but nevertheless evil.


    ¡°Aiden, we need to stop this.¡± I said nkly, no beating around the bush.


    ¡°Stop what? Talking about your mom? Or that Kayden guy?¡± He asked


    ¡°This rtionship¡­¡± I said, ¡°everyone is right. It can¡¯t work out, and there¡¯s too much at stake.¡±


    ¡°What! Wait, is this because of that Kayden guy you¡¯re dating? Hayley, I¡¯m not giving up on¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not Kayden; I¡¯m breaking up with him.¡± I caught him off guard.


    ¡°Then what is it? Who¡¯s putting these thoughts in your head?¡± He sounded surprised, and I was too.


    ¡°No one. Mum is right, and look, what happens if we keep trying to resist? It will only get worse.¡± I tried to exin, but he didn¡¯t sound like he was going to have it.


    ¡°Hayley, you made one mistake.¡± He said


    ¡°No!¡± My voice raised identally: ¡°That mistake could have cost me my mother. I¡¯m not willing to hurt her anymore. It ends here; I¡¯ve made my decision.¡±


    He didn¡¯t say anything; I waited, but all I could hear was his breath through the phone.


    I closed my eyes. I was scared. I had no idea what I was doing, but it felt like the right thing to do.


    ¡°Hayley, don¡¯t do this.¡± He pleaded


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Aiden.¡± I said that and ended the call. My heart was pounding against my chest.


    Why was I doing this to myself? Was it because of my mom? Or was I just scared that she was right?


    Mona stepped into the room the moment I put the phone down.


    ¡°I¡¯ll support you no matter what decision you make; you know that, right?¡± She said


    She had heard what I said to Aiden; I don¡¯t know how much, but she obviously understood the main point.


    I nodded teary-eyed.


    ¡°It¡¯s for the better.¡± I told myself


    My phone rang again, and I was too scared to pick it up.


    Aiden was calling back; what was he going to say?


    Mona took the phone instead and answered the call. She listened for a while before looking at me.


    ¡°It¡¯s Mona, by the way.¡± She said, ¡°I¡¯ll tell her.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your dad.¡± She ended the call by saying, ¡°He sent you the address and said you shoulde over right now.¡±


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± I asked


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± She said that and offered to follow me.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± I said that and headed out by myself.


    A million thoughts were flying through my mind as I made my way through the hospital hallway and looked for the ward thedy at the counter had told me about.


    I finally spotted Aiden¡¯s dad talking to a man in ab coat, probably a doctor, and I rushed to him.


    ¡°Is something wrong? Where is she?¡± I asked the doctor.


    ¡°She¡¯s here with me.¡± Aiden¡¯s dad exined to the doctor


    ¡°Well, we were just talking about how she needs blood. We got all the shards that prated her skin out, but she lost a lot of blood in the process.¡± The doctor exined.


    ¡°So, there¡¯s no problem; it¡¯s just a blood transfusion, and she¡¯ll be okay.¡± I asked, relieved.


    ¡°Yes, she¡¯ll be on her way to recovery then. She¡¯ll just need rest after that.¡± The doctor said,


    I smiled; that was great.


    ¡°So, what is the problem? Why are you discussing it rather than doing it now?¡± I asked eagerly.


    ¡°Well, your father wanted to donate, but we found out he was not a match, so we¡¯re waiting for the match to be delivered.¡±


    ¡°How long will that take?¡± I asked.


    ¡°About two hours to get here.¡± He answered


    ¡°Use mine; I¡¯m her daughter, so give her my blood.¡± I said.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯ll have to check if you¡¯re a match first.¡± The doctor stated:


    I was filled with hope again. She was going to be fine; all she needed was blood.

 63: Not Again

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    I jerked off my bed as the ring sound of my phone ringing filled my eardrums.


    I looked out the window, pitch ck. Who the hell was calling thiste at night?


    I nced at the clock; it was 4 a. m.


    ¡°Somebody better be dead.¡± I said to myself and picked up the phone.


    The caller ID wasn¡¯t saved; I answered the call and put it on speaker. I didn¡¯t want some stranger screaming in my ear.


    ¡°Hello.¡± A feminine voice said


    ¡°Who is this?¡± I asked while trying my best to submerge my anger.


    ¡°It¡¯s Fiona.¡± The voice answered.


    ¡°Oh,¡± I said instinctively.


    As much as I wanted to rip off her head or something worse, I needed to be on her good side, which wouldn¡¯t happen if I didn¡¯t control my emotions.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take it; you haven¡¯t looked at the time.¡± I added


    ¡°Oh, I have. I just had good news for you.¡± She said it nonchntly.


    ¡°Which is?¡± I asked.


    ¡°The boss scheduled a meeting with you today. I thought you¡¯d want a bit of a heads-up.¡± She said


    Finally, It was a little annoying not being told in advance, but I couldn¡¯tin. I was the one who wanted to get this over with, so the faster, the better.


    ¡°Okay, send me the details.¡± I said


    ¡°Just like that?¡± She said it with a whiny tone.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Is there something else I¡¯m missing?¡± I asked, still trying to hold on to whatever speck of sleep I had left.


    ¡°Well, how about, ¡®oh Fiona, thank you for pulling strings for me and getting me the meeting; how can I repay you?''¡± she answered.


    Not this again; I was getting really tired of her failed attempts at flirting with me. Honestly, it was exhausting, faking a smirk and fighting the urge to tell her off.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Thank you for your assistance.¡± I said I was trying to sound as professional as possible.


    There was a small pause, probably her smiling to herself. I was about to end the call then and there, but she talked.


    ¡°So what do I get in return?¡± She said


    ¡°What do you want?¡± I asked; I couldn¡¯t get the details for the meeting without her, so I figured I might as well go with the flow.


    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it. I¡¯ll send you the details. Bye.¡± She said


    The call ended there, and my phone buzzed from a text; it was from Fiona.


    Iy back down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.


    I waited, and thanks to Fiona, the fatigue was gone. Now I just felt restless.


    It felt good regardless; I was finally at the final step of going home, and I couldn¡¯t wait to see Hayley.


    Ourst conversation had been guing me non-stop; she had actually let go of us.


    After everything, my dad called to inform me that her mom was in the hospital, and now she wanted to put a stop to the things we felt.


    I needed to find a way to convince her, to show her that she didn¡¯t mean the things she said and probably only felt them in the moment, but I didn¡¯t want her to feel pressured.


    I didn¡¯t want to call; I wanted to be there physically. To get her to look me in the eyes and show her how much I cared, it would hurt both of us to let go.


    I could still picture her face and the way her lips parted like theater curtains to disy her teeth when she smiled.


    I hadn¡¯t talked to Alessa either, and she hadn¡¯t called either. I had already made out a scenario in my head where Hayley had confronted her and they were back to being enemies, and ultimately it was my fault.


    It had been five days already, so maybe it would have died down.


    It should have been morning for them, so I decided to call Alessa.


    I dialed her number and waited as it rang.


    ¡°Hey,¡± she said nonchntly.


    ¡°Hey¡­¡± My voice trailed off. I want to know how to start the conversation. Was I supposed to apologize or just act like nothing happened?


    ¡°Do you need something?¡± She said that the words gave off the impression that she was willing to help me, but her tone said something entirely different.


    ¡°Alessa, is everything okay?¡± I asked


    She scoffed.


    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± She said it sarcastically.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I said it without knowing what I was apologizing for.


    ¡°For what, Aiden, what are you sorry for?¡± She asked


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± I felt like an idiot for calling; I should have just let her be.


    ¡°Exactly. Don¡¯t give apologies you don¡¯t mean.¡± She said


    ¡°If you tell me exactly what you¡¯re mad about, then I¡¯ll be able to make an apology.¡± I exined


    ¡°Aiden, why did you call me?¡± She said it gently, but I could sense the hurt beneath it all.


    ¡°Because I wanted to check up on you.¡± I said this was getting really ufortable for me.


    ¡°And why didn¡¯t you check up on me all this time?¡± She asked


    ¡°I was¡­¡± I was about to say I was busy, but that would have been a tant lie. I didn¡¯t want to have to lie to her.


    ¡°You were what? Aiden, you don¡¯t care about me. I¡¯m just such a pawn in your pursuit of your sister.¡± She said


    I hadn¡¯t seen thating, Pawn. Where was thising from?


    ¡°Alessa?¡± I was a bit shocked by how hostile she sounded.


    ¡°When you needed me to spy on Hayley, you called, but when she figured out I¡¯m spying for you and I¡¯m no longer useful, you don¡¯t even text to know how I am.¡± She said


    ¡°I¡¯m a person too, you know. I have things I have to do with my time. I have feelings. I¡¯m not some option you have lying around for when you have no more cards left to y.¡±


    ¡°Alessa, calm down.¡± I said she didn¡¯t sound like herself at all.


    ¡°You never cared about me, even after all that time we spent by the stream.¡± She said it with a shaky voice.


    Huh?, stream?


    I paused; I had never gone to the stream with Alessa. Was she trying to tell me something else?

 64: A Coded Message

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    ¡°Alessa, what are you talking about?¡± I asked


    I heard a little voice say something in the background. Someone was saying something to Alessa.


    ¡°You know what I¡¯m talking about, Aiden.¡± She said,


    I hadn¡¯t noticed before, but I could hear her sniffle as she talked; she was crying.


    ¡°Alessa, are you okay?¡± I asked.


    I get that I had been a bit of a jerk, but then it didn¡¯t warrant her tears.


    I could hear the background voice again; someone was definitely talking to her. Were they the ones causing her to cry? Or was it a friend?


    ¡°Just leave me alone, Aiden. We can never go back to the way we were at the stream.¡± She said


    Again with the stream.


    I decided to test to see if my suspicion was true-if she was really in trouble and was trying to tell me something I needed to know.


    ¡°We really can¡¯t go back there, can we?¡± I said that and waited for her response.


    ¡°I can¡¯t; you can go back to relieve those moments, but you¡¯ll have to do it without me.¡± She answered


    It was confirmed that she was trying to tell me something. To go to the stream?


    The voice in the background said something again, and then the call ended.


    Something was obviously off, but what could I do? There was no way for me to check for myself, and it could have just been a mistake on Alessa¡¯s part.


    I dialed her number again, and this time it went straight to voicemail. That only made me more worried, but there was nothing I could do about it right now.


    ¡°She¡¯s probably fine.¡± I said to myself, fighting all the warning signs that were going off in my mind.


    I rested my head back on my pillow, and soon everything went ck.


    ________


    I reached for the towel by the door, wrapped it around my waist, and stepped out of the bathroom.


    The sun was up again and bathed the room in its brilliant hues. It should have been a beautiful morning, but I didn¡¯t feel so good on the inside.


    I wasn¡¯t just tired now; I felt drained and lost. I had a meeting to attend, so I would have to bear with the feeling while appearing strong.


    I got dressed and did a quick fit check in the mirror. The three-piece suit added a touch of business to my overall appearance, exactly what I needed.


    Slowly making my way to the door, I remembered I hadn¡¯t called Frank toe pick me up.


    I dialed his number, but it didn¡¯t go through. Things were slowly starting to go downhill.


    I had gotten to the entrance of the hotel, but there was no limo or Frank in sight.


    I had told him to take a few days off a while ago, but that was when I thought it would take weeks before I got ess to see the man in charge, and now my little act of charity hade back to bite me in the ass.


    I was standing by the street, dressed in a suit, and trying to call Frank, who was currently not reachable.


    I would have just gotten a cab, but I was trying to give an impression; that was the point of the limo, the suits, and the bodyguard.


    After standing there like aplete idiot for a while, I decided to call Fiona and inform her that I might be a few minuteste.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°What happened to your ride?¡± She asked when I told her to buy me some time.


    ¡°I gave my driver some time off; it seems like he took it a bit too far.¡± I exined


    ¡°Well, how about I send someone to pick you up? The boss won¡¯t appreciate being made to wait.¡± She said


    I thought about it for a while; I didn¡¯t exactly have a better choice in mind, and I didn¡¯t want to mess up the opportunity, so I agreed.


    ¡°I¡¯d appreciate that.¡± I said


    ¡°Good, you owe me two things now. Send me your location; the ride will be there in a minute.¡± She said that and ended the call.


    I sent the hotel¡¯s address and patiently sat on a bench, waiting for it to arrive.


    Eventually, a ck Jeep pulled up in front of the hotel, and a big dude with tattoos littering his neck and hands stepped out with his phone in his hand and looked around.


    He locked eyes with me, took one more look at his phone, and then walked over to me.


    He looked like we¡¯d make a great bouncer for some cartel drug dealers. He stopped in front of me and looked down.


    ¡°Miss Fiona sent me to give you a ride.¡± He said, I did not expect the sound that came out of his mouth.


    Seeing him, you¡¯d expect a husky, manly tone, but he sounded almost feminine. I had to hold my breath to keep myself fromughing.


    I stood, and we both walked to the Jeep. I got in the back, and he started the engine.


    I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off him the entire ride-actually,  off his tattoos. Something about the ones on his neck looked familiar, but I couldn¡¯t quite ce my finger on it.


    There was a little fang tattoo that had a half moon drawn inside it. It seemed like a tattoo you¡¯d remember when you saw it, but I just couldn¡¯t.


    The rest of the ride was silent, and I sent the details of the meeting to Frank just in case he took a break from whatever it was he was doing and decided to be there when I was done.


    The car came to a halt, and I stepped out. My eyes swept over the building in front of me. It was a skyscraper. I was expecting an underground bunker or some run-down factory, but this was something.


    If the organization already had this much money, why in the world would they want mine? What were they really nning?.

 65: Lucius

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    I walked into the building and almost instantly spotted Fiona waiting by an elevator. A smile spread across her face as our eyes locked. She raised her hand and waved me over.


    Unlike the previous times I had seen her here, she was dressed casually-a pair of joggers and a sweatshirt-with her hair in a messy bun-hardly what you¡¯d call professional for a meeting.


    I kept a straight face, walked past the other people going about their business, and reached Fiona.


    ¡°I like the suit a bit too much, though.¡± She said that and pressed the elevator button.


    ¡°You think so?¡± I asked.


    I didn¡¯t want toe off as desperate to show off; there was arge contrast between Fiona¡¯s clothes and mine, which made me wonder if I should have gone for something simpler.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s going to be a hassle taking that off, you know.¡± She said that and shot me a flirty nce, and the elevator slid open.


    We got in, my eyes watching as the floor number increased each time we went up.


    Maybe the leader just had connections here; it would be hard to believe he owned the ce.


    The lift stopped, and we got off. Fiona casually led the way, and I followed behind her.


    I couldn¡¯t help but notice how this floor was so bare; there were cubicles for staff but no staff. It had an eerie silence to it as well; I could clearly hear the sound of the soles of our feet meeting the hard floor.


    It fit the criteria for a good ce to murder someone in in sight, which was probably why they chose it. Too far up to jump out of a window and too big for you to escape from without getting caught.


    We got to the office, and Fiona opened the door and extended a hand for me to go in.


    I stepped into the office, and I could feel the eeriness double. At the center of therge room was a desk; everything gave off a luxury office vibe, but the desk, or rather, the person behind the desk, was what seemed so out of ce.


    There was a man at the desk, his back turned to me, facing the windows that gave an overview of the city.


    I took a few steps closer and waited for a reaction. There was no way he didn¡¯t hear mee in; the whole floor was silent, and he had probably even heard us the minute we got out of the elevator.


    ¡°Lucius, he¡¯s here.¡± Fiona stepped into the room, closed the door behind her, and leaned against it.


    Lucius? She had never said his name before. It was always ¡°the boss¡± this or ¡°the boss¡± that.


    I looked from her to the man at the desk, unsure what to do.


    ¡°I know.¡± A deep voice said so he could talk. Nice to know.


    ¡°Then fucking turn around; don¡¯t be rude to your guest.¡± Fiona said casually


    For someone who called him her boss, she sure as hell was rude to him. Alphas weren¡¯t exactly the type to take disrespect from their subordinates; I guess that was different between them, or maybe I had been right when I initially thought Fiona was probably sleeping with him.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°You could take a seat.¡± He said that and spun the chair around to face us.


    I took a second to digest what he looked like-strong and arrogant. Perfect viin attributes.


    I sat, but Fiona remained at the door, looking at her nails like she was just noticing their existence.


    ¡°You must be Aiden; Fiona¡¯s told me a lot about you.¡± Lucius said this and extended his hand.


    I shook him and nodded.


    ¡°So I¡¯ve heard her version of you, but I¡¯d still like to hear it straight from the source.¡± He leaned back into his chair and smiled. I could see his eyes from here, gray.


    ¡°What do you want to know?¡± I asked.


    I figured the best way to keep my story straight without letting anything slip was to let people pick the questions themselves.


    ¡°Well, for one, why are you in Australia?¡± He asked


    ¡°I heard of your organization, and I thought we could form an alliance.¡± I replied


    ¡°Alliance?. Fiona tells me you¡¯re willing to provide financial support for our cause; is that true?¡± He asked


    ¡°It is,¡± I answered.


    ¡°How wealthy would you describe yourself?¡±


    ¡°I have enough to get me whatever I want, whenever I want. I don¡¯t really have a word for that.¡± I replied.


    That answer was pushing the truth a bit too far. Yes, I wasn¡¯t broke or mid-ie, but wealthy. This trip alone would obviously have an effect on my dad¡¯s bank ount.


    ¡°Good.¡± He said this and smiled widely.


    I looked back at Fiona, who was still fixed on her nails.


    ¡°Don¡¯t pay any attention to her; she¡¯s what you¡¯d call an adult child.¡± He said this, calling my attention back to him.


    ¡°I can hear you,¡± Fiona said.


    ¡°I¡¯m well aware that you are a little sister.¡± He said this in response.


    Sister? I looked at his features more closely. They looked nothing alike; their hair, eyes, nose, or lips matched.


    He must have read my mind, because he chuckled.


    ¡°You¡¯re surprised?¡± He asked


    ¡°A bit.¡± I tried to sound nonchnt.


    ¡°Fiona¡¯s like family to me.¡± He exined


    I guess that answers the question of whether he was sleeping with her.


    ¡°Well, back to business. First off, I like you; you¡¯re a young man who¡¯s rich and ambitious, like me.¡± He started.


    ¡°You¡¯re not nearly half as good-looking, though.¡± Fiona interrupted and snickered.


    He acted like he hadn¡¯t heard her and smiled.


    ¡°But I need to know where your heart lies.¡± He said


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked


    ¡°Fiona told me what happened to your family-tragic, but we don¡¯t run on pure revenge here. Rage can be blinding.¡± He said


    I looked at him intently, wondering what he was getting at. Were they suspicious of me, or was I just starting to overthink?

 66: The Search for Aiden

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    Aiden had been in Australia for several days, then weeks, and now months. Time seemed to drag on forever as his absence left a void in my heart that only grew with each passing day. Despite the turmoil surrounding us, my love for him remained steadfast and unwavering-an overwhelming force pushing me towards utter desperation.


    Numerous attempts were made to contact Aiden. My phone was my saving grace, a means of maintaining connection with him in my daily routine. Regrettably, each call went unheeded, and all messages remained unread. It seemed as though he vanished without a trace, leaving me unsure about what to do next. The anguish over his location or wellbeing incessantly gued me from within.


    As dusk settled in, having made yet another unsessful effort to reach him, I slumped on the edge of my bed. Holding onto my phone with quivering fingers, tears threatened to fall and clouded up the screen. The ongoing vagueness was unbearable; a sense of desperation pulsating within me demanded answers from Aiden himself; his visage before me or even just his voice over the telephone line could soothe this agony wing at me fiercely inside,pelling me resolutely towards finding him.


    With a renewed sense of purpose, I resolved to seize control. Embarking on an unforgettable journey to Australia was my solution. Although the endeavor appeared intimidating at first nce, the immense affection I held for Aiden propelled me onward and imbued me with bravery. My hands trembled as I gathered only essential possessions into onepact suitcase, while excitement mingled with fear in my chest like hotva bubbling up from below.


    While I was fastening my suitcase shut, Rachel, my mom, stepped into the room and inquired with a touch of anxiety, ¡°What¡¯s going on, Hayley?¡±


    ¡°I am determined to find Aiden in Australia,¡± I responded firmly.


    With a tense expression, Rachel said to Hayley, ¡°You have already gone through a lot. It¡¯s best if you take some rest. Travelling across the globe won¡¯t be effortless.¡±


    ¡°I cannot rx, Mom. I am unsure about Aiden¡¯s wellbeing,¡± I uttered with a trembling voice. ¡°I must locate him and confirm his safety.¡±


    Sitting on the edge of my bed, she let out a sigh. ¡°I empathize with your situation, but you seem drained beyond measure. You haven¡¯t slept much since he departed. Restoring yourself ought to be your top priority.¡±


    Tears streamed down my cheeks as I shook my head vigorously. ¡°Mom, it¡¯s just not possible for me to sit here and do nothing! My love for him demands that I find him.¡±


    With a gentle squeeze of my hand, Rachel said, ¡°I understand how much you want to help. However, exhausting yourself won¡¯t benefit anyone. Please promise me that you¡¯ll take at least one day off before leaving.¡±


    Despite acknowledging her correctness, I couldn¡¯t disregard the importance of the task that burdened me. After a brief pause, I surrendered and said, ¡°Fine, I will take one day off. However, afterwards, regardless of any impediments or obstacles that present themselves on the way, I¡¯m going ahead.¡±


    With a softening of her eyes, she nodded and said, ¡°Alright. But please be cautious. Australia is vast.¡±


    After a restless night, I shared my choice with my stepfather: the Alpha of the Moonlight Howl Pack. He gave me an empathetic yet cautious expression and asked softly, ¡°Hayley, have you thought it through? Is this what you truly want?¡±


    I affirmed my determination to be steadfast. ¡°Father, I must locate him. My current state is untenable.¡±


    With a sigh, he raked his hand through hair streaked with gray. ¡°Okay then. Just give me your word that you¡¯ll be cautious out there in Australia; it¡¯s quite vast.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°My voice is steady despite the whirlwind of emotions within me,¡± I assured him. ¡°I will.¡±


    My voyage to Australia felt grueling and wearisome. For the entirety of my flight, I was tangled up in a mess of emotions as I recounted every instance spent with Aiden, both positive and negative. The memories, ranging from agony to blissful moments, that we shared together were proof of our unbreakable connection despite the adversity encountered along the way.


    Arriving in Sydney, a peculiar sense of hope overwhelmed me. Amongst the crowds and expanse of the bustling cityy Aiden. I could feel it deep within my being. Swiftly checking into a modest hotel, I wasted no time delving into my search, armed with leads provided via connections from former associates in the supernaturalmunity who held ties to Australia.


    Weeks psed while Ibed the city, exploring locations where Aiden could potentially be. I regrly patronized werewolf-friendly spots with the anticipation of spotting him or overhearing his name in conversation. Nevertheless, each exploration concluded unproductively and left me disheartened and increasingly irked.


    As I sat sipping on my coffee in a quaint cafe one evening, my attention was caught by the conversation of a group of young werewolves. They were discussing their recent pack recruit, who seemed to bear an uncanny resemnce to Aiden. The sound of it made me skip a beat!


    Hesitantly, my voice trembled with hope as I approached them. ¡°Pardon me for intruding, but was the person you mentioned earlier named Aiden?¡±


    With curiosity in their eyes, they gazed at me and gave me a nod. ¡°Aiden Jayden, you mean? Our pack has had him for several months already. What¡¯s the reason behind your inquiry?¡±


    My eyes welled up with tears of relief. ¡°He¡¯s my mate,¡± I eximed while searching for him everywhere. ¡±


    The tall young man with sandy hair, who was the leader of the group, gave me a sympathetic smile and proposed to take me to the house where he is staying that¡¯s not too far from here.


    With gratitude, I nodded as my heart raced with excitement. ¡°Lead the way to him.¡±


    As I made my way towards the house, it seemed like an endless journey. My thoughts were in a frenzy, with numerous spections and uncertainties racing through my mind. What if he had no desire to meet me? Or what if he had already found someone else? Despite these doubts nagging at me relentlessly, I managed to brush them aside by concentrating on the reason that urged me here: hope.


    As soon as we reached the house, the young man gestured towards a simple yet elegant two-story dwelling and uttered, ¡°This is his abode. Best of luck.¡±


    Thanking him, I advanced towards the house with determined but cautious steps. Knocking on the door made my heart race as it sat in my throat. Soon after, Aiden appeared at the creaky entrance. My dear, beloved Aiden!


    As soon as heid eyes on me, his pupils dted in astonishment. ¡°Hayley? What brings you to this ce?¡± His tone was a blend of bewilderment and shock.


    Trembling, I uttered, ¡°My purpose was to search for you. Staying at Moonlight Howl Pack and being oblivious to your well-being wasn¡¯t an option.¡±


    I was allowed into the house by Aiden, who moved to one side. ¡°It wasn¡¯t necessary for you to make such a long journey,¡± he remarked while shutting the door after me. ¡°This ce is not secure enough for your presence.¡±


    ¡°I am not worried about the danger,¡± I stated, gazing intently at him. ¡°My concern lies with you. It¡¯s imperative that I understand why you haven¡¯t been responding to my phone calls and evading me.¡±


    Running his hand through his hair, Aiden sighed and exined to Hayley that the situation wasplicated. He didn¡¯t want her involved in the messy circumstances.


    With a firm voice, I reminded Aiden that we were already in this together as mates and therefore obligated to face everything jointly.


    With a clenched jaw, he averted his gaze. ¡°My intention wasn¡¯t for you to be hurt. There are events unfolding here that may elude yourprehension.¡±


    ¡°I plead with you to help me understand. Please don¡¯t shut me out.¡±


    Aiden paused before giving a nod of agreement and adding, ¡°However, there is something you should be aware of beforehand.¡±


    I could feel my heart racing inside me, anxiously waiting for him to speak. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± I barely managed to utter it in a low tone of voice.


    ¡°Several weeks ago, circumstances coerced me,¡± Aiden began somberly, his gaze clouded with anguish. ¡°I was presented with a decision, and I opted to shield you even if it necessitated withholding information from you.¡±


    Feeling the impact of his words, I asked with intensity, ¡°What scenario are we dealing with here?¡±


    Aiden was about to reply when a thunderous knock reverberated across the house, causing his eyes to widen with rm. Urgently whispering for them to stay put, Aiden vowed to handle whatever it was thaty beyond their door.


    Fear and anticipation pounded in my heart as I watched him approach the door. Upon opening it, a pack of unfamiliar werewolves confronted us with their stern and unyielding countenances.


    ¡°Come with us, Aiden Jayden,¡± the group leadermanded in a cold and authoritative tone.


    With a steely gaze, Aiden held his position and inquired with suspicion, ¡°What are you after?¡±


    The leader nced at me and dered that they were not departing until I fulfilled their precise desires.


    With an expression full of determination, Aiden nced back at me and said firmly, ¡°Hayley, stay indoors. Regardless of the circumstances, do not go outside.¡±


    My heart was filled with fear as I witnessed the unfolding scene. ¡°Aiden, be careful,¡± I whispered in a trembling voice.


    Before he stepped outside and closed the door behind him, he cast me a final nce, brimming with unexpressed sentiment and words. I leaned against the door to catch any sounds from their discussion beyond it; however, though heated murmurs breached my ears, none of what they said was intelligible enough for discernment.

 67: Aiden

    Hayley¡¯s Pov


    As I waited, fear and uncertainty gripped me, with each passing minute feeling like an hour. The tension became nearly unbearable until suddenly the door flung open and Aiden stumbled in, blood seeping from his face. My heart leaped into my throat as I hurried over to him.


    Filled with panic, I cried out Aiden¡¯s name and frantically attempted to evaluate his injuries.


    With his hand pressed against his side, he winced in pain. Through gritted teeth, he assured Hayley that everything was okay and urged her to leave immediately.


    Without giving me a chance to reply, the alpha of the werewolf pack stormed into the room with fury in his eyes. ¡°Aiden,¡± he snarled menacingly, ¡°you won¡¯t leave until you¡¯ve paid your dues.¡±


    Aiden found it difficult to rise, gasping for breath. ¡°As I mentioned earlier, additional time is indispensable,¡± he uttered with a strained tone.


    With a sneer, the leader advanced towards them and dered, ¡°Your time is over. You either apany us or we¡¯ll take her instead.¡±Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    As the leader¡¯s attention turned towards me, I was ovee with fear. ¡°Don¡¯t involve her,¡± Aiden pleaded frantically in a desperate tone.


    As my heart pounded, I took a step forward and asked Aiden, ¡°What is happening? What debt are you referring to?¡±


    With regret in his eyes, he gazed at me and spoke, ¡°HHayley, it¡¯s a long story, and I didn¡¯t want you to get implicated.¡±


    A chilling and ruthlessughter escaped the leader¡¯s lips. ¡°Your partner, dear Omega, has kept secrets from you. He is in grave danger with us, and now so are you.¡±


    An intense feeling of fury and rebellion took over me. ¡°The trouble he¡¯s in doesn¡¯t matter to me. I refuse to abandon him.¡±


    The leader narrowed their eyes and challenged, ¡°Your words are bold. Will you be able to substantiate them?¡±


    The leader sprang towards me with his ws extended, leaving me no time to react. Aiden acted swiftly and pushed me out of harm¡¯s way while bearing the full force of the attack himself. Blood gushed from a fresh wound on his shoulder as he took one for the team.


    With tears flowing down my face, I cried out Aiden¡¯s name as he plummeted to the ground.


    Wiping Aiden¡¯s blood off his ws, the leader smirked andmented that he was pathetic for defying them. He added that Aiden should have known better than to challenge their authority.


    My heart was gripped by desperation. I simply could not allow Aiden to be taken, especially after enduring what we had gone through together. Summoning every bit of bravery, despite trembling uncontrobly, I inserted myself between the leader and Aiden with an undeterred determination in my spirit.


    My voice was steady as I said, ¡°To get to him, you¡¯ll have to go through me first.¡±


    The leaderughed, clearly finding it amusing. ¡°Alright then, small omega. Let¡¯s see what you¡¯re capable of.¡±


    While he was on the verge of attacking, a mighty roar reverberated across the residence. The walls quivered and buzzed with vitality. I pivoted my head towards the entrance toy eyes upon a silhouette illuminated by the moonlight¡¯s beam.


    Aiden¡¯s father, the Alpha of the Moonlight Howl Pack,manded, ¡°Get behind me, Aiden and Hayley.¡±


    Upon recognizing Alpha Jayden, the leader of the werewolves froze with fear, and his eyes widened. He stuttered as he took a step back.


    With power and authority zing in his eyes, Alpha Jayden growled fiercely. ¡°How dare you threaten my son and his mate within these borders?¡± His voice was like thunder rumbling across the sky.


    The leader struggled to speak, his confidence faltering. ¡°We were unaware¡­¡±


    ¡°Quiet!¡± bellowed Alpha Jayden. ¡°Go away immediately, and don¡¯t evere back. If you dare to go near my son or his partner in the future, it will be a decision that you¡¯ll always regret.¡±


    Without needing any further instruction, the pack leader and hispanions hastily made their way out of the house. Figuratively speaking, they had their tails tucked between their legs. As soon as the door closed behind them with a loud thud, there was some relief in the air.


    As I observed Aiden attempting to stand up, my voice strangled with feelings, and I inquired worriedly if he was all right.


    With a feeble nod and relief in his eyes, he uttered, ¡°Thanks to you, I am now.¡±


    Alpha Jayden¡¯s face softened as he gazed at his son and spoke to us. ¡°It is not safe here, so I urge you both toe back home.¡±


    With tears of appreciation brimming in my eyes, I gave a nod and spoke to Alpha Jayden. ¡°Without you, we would have been lost. Thank you so much!¡±


    Hayley, he said as he ced his hand on my shoulder reassuringly. ¡°You are family, and we take care of our own.¡±


    As we were getting ready to depart, Aiden held my hand and gently squeezed it. ¡°I apologize from the bottom of my heart for everything that happened, Hayley,¡± he whispered softly. ¡°None of this was intentional on my part.¡±


    With all my love and strength, I gazed into his eyes. ¡°We are in this together, Aiden. No more hiding or retreating.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s eyes mirrored the same resoluteness as he nodded. He tightened his grip on my hand and uttered, ¡°We won¡¯t run any longer.¡±


    With Alpha Jayden as our guide, we departed from the house, and his reassuring presence provided a protective shield against the perils that had threatened us. Emerging into the refreshing night breeze, I couldn¡¯t suppress my optimism. Although there was still much ground to cover ahead of us, for once it seemed like we were on course to achieve sess.


    Upon arriving at the driveway¡¯s end, Aiden came to a halt and turned around toward the house. He spoke in an earnest tone as he informed Hayley of something that needed to be said.


    As my heart missed a beat, I frowned and inquired, ¡°Aiden, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    After a brief pause, he gathered his courage and exhaled deeply. ¡°My avoidance of you was to ensure your safety from something far greater than just our rtionship. There¡¯s an imminent conflict stirring between packs, and unfortunately, I find myself at the center of it.¡±


    I was taken aback. ¡°A war? Why wasn¡¯t I informed?¡±


    Alpha Jayden interrupted Aiden before he could reply, stating that there would be an opportunity to rify everythingter. He emphasized the importance of Hayley and their safety at the moment.


    My head nodded vigorously, and my thoughts were inundated with countless inquiries. Despite heading towards the vehicle, I couldn¡¯t rid myself of this inkling that our adversities were still looming over us. However, Aiden¡¯s presence and Alpha Jayden¡¯s security gave me a sense of bravery to confront any obstacle thrown in front of us.


    As we departed from the premises, the twinkling city lights of Sydney gradually vanishing into obscurity, I cast a brief nce towards Aiden, seated adjacent to me with his hand firmly sping onto mine.


    I spoke softly to Aiden, telling him that we would face this war together and ovee it.


    His eyes held a blend of resolve and affection as he gazed at me. ¡°We¡¯re in this together,¡± he affirmed.


    Apanied by Aiden and Alpha Jayden on the journey, I felt reinvigorated with strength and hope as we made our way back to the Moonlight Howl pack. Although there were challenges ahead of us, facing them together gave me confidence that we would ovee anything.


    As we zoomed through the dark, I pondered whaty ahead for us. Though the path was unsure, one certainty prevailed: our connection had intensified beyond measure, and together we would confront any hurdle that came our way.


    We approached an ambiguous future with both anxiety and excitement, bravely prepared to confront the challenges that lie ahead. Unbeknownst to us, our true assessment of love and bravery had yet to unfold.


    As we approached the border of the Moonlight Howl Pack, our car abruptly came to a stop. A silhouette obscured by shadows stood in front of us with their eyes ominously glowing in the darkness.


    I whispered with fear, my heart racing: ¡°Who is that, Aiden?¡±


    As Aiden looked at the figure, he tightened his grip on my hand and expressed hesitation by saying, ¡°I can¡¯t say for sure what it is, but whatever that thing might be, it¡¯s definitely not good.¡±.


    With a protective and ready posture, Alpha Jayden emerged from the vehicle. ¡°Remain inside the car,¡± he ordered with an authoritative tone.


    We remained in a state of apprehensive quietness while the mysterious figure gradually approached us, their motives unknown. The night was still young, and peril loomed ahead.

 68: Shadows of Doubt

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°I won¡¯t leave you; are you kidding me?¡± I eximed. The panic in my throat made it impossible toprehend how he could even consider separating us during such a crucial moment.


    A sense of urgency and fear were palpable in Aiden¡¯s expression as he turned to me.


    ¡°I¡¯m not joking,¡± he dered, his tone stern.


    His eyes darted towards the cloaked figure that had shifted slightly, and its glowing gaze suggested imminent danger.


    ¡°If my hunch is right,¡± he trailed off, unable to guarantee our safety if we remained close to each other.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t leave you to face this alone!¡± I eximed, my voice rising.


    However, deep down, I was quivering with fear as the shadows grew longer and encroached upon every corner of my mind.


    The darkness seemed to be feeding on my apprehensions.


    As Alpha Jayden swung open the door, his imposing figure dominated the space.


    ¡°Hayley,¡± he said with aposed voice that exuded unyielding determination, ¡°there¡¯s no room for discussion here.


    You must trust Aiden without question because if we don¡¯t secure your safety immediately, everything will be jeopardized.¡± His words were not suggestions but rather an authoritative order.


    My heart was racing as I looked between them. ¡°I am able to assist! Let me-¡±


    ¡°Stop!¡± Aiden interjected, his hold on my hand growing firmer.


    ¡°It¡¯s crucial for your wellbeing that you depart. Please.¡±


    His gaze pierced mine with abination of supplication and unwavering determination.


    At that instant, the gravity of his words became apparent to me as I felt myself sumbing to their persuasion despite my obstinacy.


    I let out a deep breath and gave in. ¡°Alright, but only because you guys seem like you¡¯re on the edge,¡± I whispered while attempting to conceal my own weakness. ¡°Just make sure everything¡¯s alright.¡±


    Aiden nodded with a fleeting sense of relief etched on his face before telling Hayley, ¡°I assure you, Hayley. Please leave this ce and hail a taxi to go back to your hotel. Rest assured that I will locate you as promptly as possible.¡±


    With reluctance, I unfastened my seatbelt and emerged from the car.


    The atmosphere outside was cooler, causing a sense of solitude to weigh heavily on me.


    ncing back at Aiden, who continued observing me with undivided attention, I whispered, ¡°Take care.¡±


    The response of ¡°You too¡± burdened my chest with a heavy weight.


    ncing once more at the two men, I set off on my way. My heart was drumming in my chest like a wild animal.


    Every stride seemed to bid farewell, as though something irrevocable had been resigned. Hastening towards the roadside, I prayed for any avable cab before matters got out of hand.


    While waiting, a multitude of thoughts flooded my mind. What conflict was Aiden alluding to? And why did he not disclose it earlier? A sudden re from a nearby car halted the incessant musings, and I gestured for an avable taxi.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    The driver looked at me through the rearview mirror and asked, ¡°Where to?¡±


    I directed, ¡°Please pursue Aiden¡¯s car. It is the one painted in a deep shade of blue.¡±


    Nodding in agreement, he steered the car away from the curb and seamlessly merged with the stream of vehicles.


    Observing Aiden and Alpha Jayden wing at me, I couldn¡¯t ignore the insanity of my predicament. My heart belonged to them, yet here they were attacking me when I was supposed to be secure in their presence.


    Despite feeling a sense of unease deep within me, I couldn¡¯t rid myself of this nagging sensation that everything wasn¡¯t as it should be.


    As we cruised, I became more cognizant of the reality that my life was ying out before me like an unsettling film. The sights on each road meshed together as a blur until, finally, our vehicle came to a halt.


    Leaning forward, my heart sank as I squinted out the window. They had arrived at a building that was unfamiliar to me-an old and formidable structure shrouded in darkness by nightfall.


    The driver directed his attention towards me and questioned, ¡°Are you certain that this is your intended destination?¡±


    Shakily, I replied, ¡°No. Please wait a moment.¡±


    With keen interest, I observed Aiden emerge from the car in all his warrior-like glory. My heart skipped a beat upon seeing him, but then sank as another girl emerged out of nowhere.


    Panic surged through me as she approached Aiden, her silhouette outlined by the faint light seeping from the building.


    My breath was caught in my throat when, to my dismay, she sped him tightly while gazing up at him with a twinkling expression on her face.


    As I witnessed the girl embracing Aiden and her giggles echoing like a grim omen, an overwhelming rush of sentiment engulfed me.


    It was as if everything beneath my feet had crumbled apart, leaving behind only an immense emptiness that consumed every ounce of optimism within me.


    My heart pounded fiercely while waves of treachery shrouded me in frigidity. How could he do this to me?


    I instinctively pulled at the taxi door and clumsily made my way back to the vehicle. ¡°Get me to the hotel!¡± I eximed with a shaky tone of both fury and anguish.


    The driver arched his eyebrow but didn¡¯t contend; he promptly changed gears and drove off from the pavement.


    Racing down the roads, my eyes welled up with tears that distorted every illuminated structure and traffic signal.


    With each pulsation of my heart, panic set in as I realized Aiden was not only a pir for me but an excruciating source of agony.


    The memories we once cherished-the jokes shared between us andmitments made to one another-had now transformed into despair-inducing ambiguity.


    Upon arriving at the hostel, a sense of emptiness consumed me.


    It felt as though my identity had beenpletely dismantled.


    Silently settling our fare with the driver, I entered through the low-lit reception area, burdened by feelings of betrayal in my heart and mind.


    Aiden¡¯s once weing gaze is now mingling with apprehension within me. Was his reassurance nothing more than deceit?


    I desired to let out a piercing scream and pour my heart out for the affection gradually slipping away from me.


    Nevertheless, I remained standing there in shattered pieces as life moved on around me, silently witnessing my broken heart disintegrate.

 69: Mysterious message

    Hayley¡¯s Pov


    The air washed over me like a wave of reminiscence, providing an abrupt dichotomy to the turbulent inner strife within. My heart chilled as if imprisoned in ice, with each thump resonating the agony of deceitfulness. Entering the inadequately illuminated foyer and perceiving flickering lights casting a nd radiance upon mismatched furnishings.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    A recognizable voice called out, ¡°Hey, is that Hayley?¡± from the reception desk. I spun around to find Nora gazing back at me-thepassionate front-desk attendant who¡¯d always had my back whenever I was in need offort. Seeing my face dampened with tears stirred a sense of worry within her bright eyes as she extended her observations towards me.


    Attempting to control my voice, I whispered, ¡°Nora.¡±


    She leaned across the counter with a concerned expression, asking, ¡°Something happened? You appear like you¡¯ve witnessed an apparition.¡±


    ¡°I sighed, rubbing my temples in an attempt to ward off the headache brewing behind my eyes. It¡¯s¡­plicated,¡± I expressed with difficulty.


    With a serious expression, Nora emerged from the desk and spoke softly. ¡°If you need someone to talk to, I¡¯m always here for you.¡±


    Not knowing how to begin, my head shook in perplexity. I struggled to articte the sensation of betrayal by someone who was supposed to safeguard my heart against harm. ¡°I could do with some fresh air,¡± I muttered eventually while managing a feeble grin that failed to reach my eyes.


    ¡°Alright,¡± she said in a gentle tone, observing me with worry. ¡°Please make sure to take good care of yourself.¡±


    I gave a nod, even though I couldn¡¯t fathom how to aplish the task at hand. Exiting into the outside world, a chilly breeze greeted me with its frosty touch on my skin-akin to cold water thrown in one¡¯s face-both refreshing and numbing against the storm raging inside of me. Approaching an unsteady bench stationed before our hostel, I copsed onto it as tears cascaded down my cheeks, no longer able to be contained or concealed any further.


    I retrieved my phone from my pocket and began scrolling through our conversations, hoping to find sce or guidance in the words of those closest to me.


    Instead, all I stumbled upon were recollections of happier days: snapshots capturing Aiden and myself caught up inughter, trivial messages exchanged back-and-forth between us with ease.


    te-night discussions that now seemed like cruel reminders contrasted against the stark reality. In particr, the picture featuring a girl holding onto Aiden caused me considerable distress; seeing her smile effortlessly paired beside him felt intensely painful instead of as familiar as it once did.


    My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden vibration in my hand, signaling an iing text from Aiden. I paused for a moment, feeling the tightening of my chest, before reluctantly opening the message after what felt like an eternity.


    Aiden inquires, ¡°Where are you? I have been searching for your whereabouts.¡±


    Over the keyboard, my fingers hesitated with an intense desire to spill everything out. But then again, what could I possibly say? ¡°I left because I saw you embrace another girl.¡± No way! That would only result in a barrage of inquiries and more heartache. Hence, asposedly as possible, I typed back my response.


    I¡¯m at the hostel, and I am doing well.


    After clicking the send button, I was ovee with regret. What exactly did he intend to convey by saying, ¡°Looking for me?¡± Where had he been all this time? Did it even matter enough to him that he actively searched for my presence? A few moments passed, and suddenly my phone vibrated once again.


    Is it possible for us to have a conversation, Aiden?


    My eyes were fixated on the screen, and my heart had elerated with a blend of fury and yearning. It wasn¡¯t fair that I was left to escape while he relished his time casually in thepany of another girl. Though anger dominated me, there remained a hint of longing for him to speak or exin himself. Without second thoughts, I hastily typed just one word: ¡°fine.¡±


    As soon as I clicked ¡°send,¡± the sound of footsteps caught my attention. ncing up, a shadowy figure stood over me. My heart pounded when I realized it wasn¡¯t Aiden but rather Ryan, whom I hadn¡¯t seen in some time. Approaching with concern etched on his face and brows furrowed, he appeared troubled.


    He greeted her, ¡°Hi Hayley! I¡¯ve been searching for you,¡± his voice carried a weing tone but with an undertone of concern.


    I responded to Ryan, attempting to control my feelings. ¡°Why are you present here?¡±


    ¡°Rumor has it that you¡¯re upset, and I just wanted to make sure everything is alright. Are you okay?¡± His gaze scrutinized me, leaving me with a mix of assurance and susceptibility.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid not,¡± I sighed, feeling tears once again brim at the corners of my eyes. ¡°The situation is just tooplex.¡±


    Ryan expressed hisprehension through a slow nod and asked, ¡°Would you like to discuss it?¡±


    Uncertain, I paused. One side of me yearned to divulge everything-all the anguish and uncertainty regarding Aiden-but apprehension over our friendship¡¯s oue held me back. Henceforth, instead of speaking out-rightly, I directed my hand towards the bench beside me while remarking, I¡¯m not sure if we should talk about it.¡±


    With a small yetforting smile, he settled into his seat and remarked, ¡°asionally, just speaking can be truly helpful.¡±


    As I prepared to disclose my inner conflicts, I inhaled deeply. However, before doing so, another notification arrived on my phone from Aiden, who persistently sought for me to attend to him once more.


    Aiden expressed his strong desire to meet with you.


    Even though those words caused my heart to ache, something about the way Ryan looked at me with care made me believe that not all of my rtionships were ruined. I switched off my phone and concentrated on the friend sitting alongside me.


    After some hesitation, I leaned towards Ryan and confessed that perhaps a small diversion was in order.


    ¡°Okay, we can do that,¡± he said with a warm aura. ¡°What do you prefer? Shall we have ice cream or take a stroll?¡±


    Amidst my difort, I let out a gentle chuckle. ¡°Opting for ice cream would be ideal.¡±


    As we rose to our feet, the image of Aiden awaiting a reply lingered in my mind. However, amidst the refreshing night breeze and with Ryan¡¯s unwavering support by my side at that precise moment, I sensed a faint glimmering offort taking root within me. It appeared usible that perhaps I possessed enough fortitude to independently fend for myself after all.


    Ryan got up, dusted off his jeans, and shed me a final smile. ¡°I¡¯ll swing byter to see how you¡¯re doing, alright? Don¡¯t think twice about reaching out if you need any help.¡±


    ¡°Ryan, thank you,¡± I responded, and a surge of warmth spread inside me, although the weight on my chest lingered. As he departed, gratitude mixed with regret flooded over me-thankful for his friendship yet rueful about the turmoil that led to this instance.


    As soon as I sat down on the bench and took a deep breath topose myself, my phone buzzed anew. Picking it up, an unsettling sensation began to gnaw at me when I noticed that the message came from an unfamiliar number. My heart raced with trepidation as I anxiously opened it up.


    Message: You need to leave Australia immediately because things won¡¯t be funny soon. If you don¡¯t leave, you will die.

 70: My Dad

    Hayley¡¯s Pov


    The message itself chilled me to my bone; it was like an ominous premonition. The words pierced through the silence and echoed in my brain 1, 000 times over.


    You need to leave Australia immediately because things won¡¯t be funny soon if you don¡¯t leave. Something was hauntingly afoot, running through my head in questions and what-ifs.


    So who in the world might have sent this? And why? I had the imminent feeling of danger, as if I were running out of time, but there¡¯s no way that I could get up already.


    There were too many loose ends still dangling as well.


    I chose to ignore the warning and still went on with my search. I wanted to know just why Aiden had lied to me.


    It was like an image of him with someone else had been burned into my memory, and I kept experiencing feelings that it was in betrayal. Why would he do this to me? What was he hiding? Why would he worriedly track me down now?N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    I grabbed for my phone once more, this time with the intention of calling Ryan. But his pop-up appearance here in Australia was another piece I couldn¡¯t ignore. What was he doing here? And had he any inkling of what Aiden got up to?


    I called Ryan as soon as he answered the phone. I have a question.


    Hayley The voice that responded waspletely calm. ¡°Hi, Hayley.¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Why are you in Australia? I inquired, trying to take the emotion out of my voice. So, what does Aiden have his hand in?


    When Ryan answered after a brief pause on the other end of the line, he told me, ¡®This is a work thing.¡± But I haven¡¯t seen Aiden. But I dismissed him as a really cool guy-I wasn¡¯t even aware he was here.


    His answer only added to my confusion. If Ryan hadn¡¯t seen Aiden, then who was the girl in the picture with him? And why was Aiden so desperate to find me now?


    ¡°I said in a tone that begged frustration, ¡°You lost me. This is all so weird.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s ok,¡± and Ryan sounded as soothing as he always does. We can figure this out together. Where are you right now?¡±


    ¡°Outside the hotel, in case you are wondering, I needed some fresh air.¡±


    ¡°Stay there,¡± Ryan said. I¡¯lle around, and we can carry on talking.¡°


    While Iposed myself and waited for Ryan, my mind continued to race with thoughts.


    The cool night air brushed against my skin without calming the struggle within.


    I checked my phone, half-wishing there was another text from the unknown number, but nothing was present. To Sarah, the leer was almost less disturbing than what came next: silence.


    Ryan arrived to find me exactly in the spot where I sat down when he got off the bus, my brain a jumble of thoughts. He then sat beside me, and I feltforted.


    Like an anchor in the storm of my emotions, a piece of solid ground amidst the freefall.


    Okay, and he turned around to face me. ¡°Where do we begin? Oh, but, like, what about Aiden?¡±?


    I inhale deeply as I try to gather my thoughts. He was with this other girl, and I choked out a near-silent voice. ¡°They were¡­ close.¡± Then, I received this message: To get out of Australia, as you¡¯re in serious danger.¡±


    Ryan¡¯s frown deepened, his furrowed brow exuding worry. ¡°Who on earth could have sent that message?¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°No. But that is what scares me the most.¡±


    Ryan nced up, his insight deepening. ¡°All right, we should think systematically. So the first step is to learn more about this girl. Do you have anything to identify her by?¡±


    I pulled up Aiden¡¯s picture with the girl on my phone and showed it to Ryan. He looked at it for a second, and then he returned the phone to me.


    ¡°I do not know her, ¡°he quipped. But that is not to say we cannot find out who she is. You know where Aiden usually hangs out?


    I thought for a moment. He has this cafe that he uses. It¡¯s not far from here.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Ryan said. ¡°Let¡¯s start there.¡±


    The night was deadly silent as we tiptoed to the cafe. The streets were near empty, and it was this silence that helped unsettle me. When we reached the cafe, it was open but with only a few customers. . We positioned ourselves in the back, trying toy low and watch.


    I just sat there, feeling a strange mix of feelings. One part of me was happy Ryan hade along; another, however, still harbored anger over what felt like a betrayal. I was desperate for answers yesterday.


    Some timeter, the door leading to the cafe opened, and Aiden entered. My pulse leapt, and Ryan jerked next to me. It¡¯s a good thing Aiden didn¡¯t spot us.


    He went straight to the counter and ordered a coffee. As he took a seat, the girl from earlier approached him. My heart sank.


    Aiden and the girl slipped into a booth towards the back of the cafe, looking not quite so much as if they were dating but rather kindred spirits.


    Abo of rage, perplexity, and fascination leads me to knock on his door with my heart pounding in my chest. A text came to me before I could move my body.


    Looking at the screen, it was my mom on the other side. Then it hit me that it waste in the evening back home.


    ¡°Mom?¡± I replied, keeping my voice level as best I could, even though the cauldron in me boiled and churned, causing a struggle with every syble.


    ¡®Hayley, thank the gods¡¯. A worried voice cut in. ¡°Something terrible has urred. Are you okay?¡±


    A wave of horror washed over me, and my stomach bottomed out. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Mom. What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s your father. He got into a car crash, and it was really bad. My voice cracking, I said, ¡°He¡¯s¡­ in the hospital.

 71: An Unexpected Threat

    Hayley¡¯s Pov


    What a wave of guilt and fear washed over me! My dad and I had our hurdles, but I never wanted him to suffer. ¡°Oh my God, Mom. Is he going to be okay?¡±


    ¡°Everything they can.¡± He¡¯s in bad shape,¡± she said, her voice shaking.


    I feel helpless and confused. I would be thousands of miles away, and I was too far away to do anything for my family. ¡°When are youing back? We need you here,¡± she implored.


    I paused, caught between the rush of my family crisis and a weave to untangle in Australia. ¡°Just¡­ I have to process some things here. All is not well down under.


    Your father needs you, Hayley,¡± she argued with a note of desperation in her voice. ¡°We all do.¡±


    I felt guilty, but I knew there was no way I could leave yet. ¡°I know, Mom. I swear, I¡¯ll be back soon. You have to wait for me.¡± I begged, trying to convey the seriousness of my situation.


    It was a long beat before she sighed. ¡°Alright, but please hurry. And stay safe, okay?¡±


    ¡°I will. I said, ¡°I love you,¡± with the reality of everything weighing down harder on my chest.


    ¡°Me too,¡± and she hung up the phone with love.


    I put down my phone and looked at Ryan and the entire conversation he had been listening to. ¡°My dad¡¯s in the hospital. It¡¯s serious.¡±


    Ryan looked at him worriedly and with a littlepassion. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Hayley. Are you about to run away now?


    I shook my head, not entirely certain it was the right choice. ¡°No. Not yet. I need to see this through. But I have to know what the hell is happening with Aiden and why I am being threatened.


    I nodded back, my determination level matching Ryan¡¯s. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s keep going, then. Time to figure out how wee to Aiden and get some goddamn¡¯A¡¯siacs.


    I turned back to Aiden and the girl, bracing myself for whatever was about to happen. All the threads in my life wereing undone faster than I could weave them back together, but it had to be done, whatever that meant.


    We watched Aiden and the girl in the cafe. They spoke very quietly, leaned toward each other a little too much, and had an air of intimacy that made my stomach turn. Such emotions stabbed daggers with every pat and grin they shared.


    Should we try to go up there now? Ryan asked, his voice low.


    The thought crossed my mind; possibilities of what-ifs shed like a racing train. ¡± No, not yet. We will have to see if their chat has anything we can glean from it. But first, we have to get some more information before getting into a confrontation with them.


    Ryan nodded, his gaze unwavering on the two of them. ¡°Agreed. But we can¡¯t wait too long. They are slowly bing more likely to notice us the longer we sit here.


    As we observed Aiden and the girl, time seemed to drag on endlessly. Their carefree conversation andughter appeared indifferent towards their surroundings. The pain of betrayal weighed heavily upon my heart, yet determinedly I disregarded it as I concentrated solely on our current mission.


    In the end, the girl rose to her feet, and Aiden mimicked her actions. Together, they made their way toward the exit, presenting an opportunity for us. ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± I murmured quietly to Ryan.


    We paid our bill without dy and trailed behind them into the dark. After a brief walk, they halted outside of an unassuming housingplex. Aiden engaged in conversation with hispanion for a while before she leaned forward to peck him on the cheek. The gesture panged at my heartstrings, yet I reigned myself back in and stayed attentive.


    Observing from a distance, I witnessed the girl vanish into the apartmentplex while Aiden stood solitary beneath the dimly lit streetlight. Ryan and I remained concealed as we scrutinized his every action. Detecting our presence, Aiden nced around before hastily walking towards his parked vehicle, meters away, without acknowledging us. He rapidly drove off under the cover of darkness without once turning back to look in our direction.


    Ryan¡¯s voice filled with frustration as he murmured, ¡°Where is he off to?¡±


    ¡°Later, we¡¯ll have to figure it out,¡± I said, my mind still reeling from the night¡¯s revtions. ¡°We should return to the hostel and regroup and strategize our next moves.¡±


    The frigid evening air grew ominous as we prepared to depart. Subsequently, a figure darted swiftly behind Ryan just as an unsettling stillness crept in. Despite my attempts at warning him, the attacker, whose eyes glimmered with an eerie yellow hue, pounced mercilessly on us from the darkness, plunging its ws deep into Ryan¡¯s back, causing him excruciating pain and ultimately copsing onto the ground while letting out a guttural cry of agony.


    My voice was torn between fear and rage as I screamed, ¡°Ryan!¡±


    In an iplete transformation, the attacker revealed its werewolf form and snarled at me while baring fangs. Its eyes held a murderous intent that made my heart race as I searched for any means of escape. With Ryan¡¯s blood dripping from its ws, the creature took a threatening step closer to me.


    Despite myck of weapons and inability to fight a werewolf in its current state, I shouted firmly while trembling, ¡°Stay back!¡±


    Crouched to pounce, the werewolf emitted a ferocious growl. My body filled with desperation as I pivoted and fled, my legs straining to move faster than ever before. The thunderous footsteps of the creature were hot on my heels, rapidly gaining ground in pursuit.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Frantically, I weaved through tight pathways, trying to lose the person pursuing me. My breaths were shallow and quick as my mind filled with concerns about Ryan¡¯s safety-was he still unharmed or had the monster already imed his life?


    After searching frantically, I came across a deserted shed. Hastily making my way inside, I forcefully shut the door and leaned against it in exhaustion. Gasping for air, the only sound that filled the emptiness was my own racing heartbeat.


    I advanced cautiously deeper into the warehouse, seeking refuge. My eyes scanned the area till I came across a heap of weathered crates. Crouching behind them, my body shuddered with fear and fatigue. Though sounds from afar drifted to me, indicating bustling city activity outside, within these walls, silence reigned ominously supreme.


    Ryan was constantly on my mind, and the thought of him possibly being deceased because of me was unbearable. My top priority now is finding a way to assist Ryan, but I must stay alive this evening in order to do so.


    As I started to believe the werewolf had slipped away, a creaking noise signaled the opening of the warehouse door. With bated breath, I peered through a crevice between crates and saw its entrance-the beast with twitchy nostrils sniffing around in search of prey. The silhouette was visible enough amid dimly lit surroundings-an amalgamation of humans and wolves that looked monstrous as it made movements amidst shadows.


    ¡°Little girl,e out,¡± it growled in a guttural voice. ¡°Your hiding won¡¯tst long.¡±


    Though panic coursed through me, Ipelled myself to be motionless and mute. The beast stalked about the warehouse with its talons grinding against the concrete surface. It was inevitable that it would discover my whereabouts soon enough.


    I remained hidden, pondering Aiden. We were soulmates, entwined by a bond more profound than any other I had experienced. How could he have turned on me? And why am I now the target of those pursuing me? These inquiries circled in my head with no resolution except for trepidation and ambiguity.


    As the werewolf approached, its menacing growls intensified. I realized that I had to act fast and devise an escape n. Scanning my surroundings swiftly, I searched for a potential weapon or exit route desperately. Suddenly, my eyes fell upon a glimmer of hope-there was a petite window located at the top, which seemed feasible for me to sneak out through it in time!


    Summoning all the bravery I possessed, I bided my time for an opportune moment. The werewolf¡¯s attention diverted elsewhere, so resolutely taking advantage of the situation, I hastily made a beeline towards the window. In retaliation and frustration at its prey escaping from sight, it let out an angry roar and violently iled its nails through space in pursuit of me.


    Arriving at the window, I wed my way up but struggled to grip onto the gritty sill. In ast-ditch effort, I heaved myself over and touched down on the opposite end, battered yet breathing. Hastily sprinting forth, I didn¡¯t cease until I was certain that distancey between us.


    As soon as I came to a stop, my body gave out, and I slumped against the nearest wall, desperately trying to catch my breath. Anxiety for Ryan consumed me-did he make it through that assault? Knowing his fate became imperative; however, before making any decisions or actions, further nning was crucial.

 72: Refuge in the Night

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I took short,bored breaths, which my lungs barely could contain as I made clutzy hasty steps along the corridor. Every single sound reverberated through me in terror from each shadow alert, expecting to hear a werewolf at my heels. It was too hard to keep the two worlds separate, and when paired with the fear of being caught by this animal that had taken him out at school, Manny found himself unable to bear down. Desperately looking for somewhere to take refuge, I marched on, resolving in my heart and mind that whatever was next had to be nned.


    I rounded the corner, a neon sign casting light upon my path, consequently lighting up the momentarily illuminated sidewalk strobing under some foreboding corner bar. In the midst of all this turmoil, I saw it as a shining light to rx and rest. I couldn¡¯t continue another moment; wanting shelter from the threats about me, I crawled slowly towards it.


    The door to the bar loomed over me as I approached. I shoved open the doors with what little strength I had left and stumbled inside. The dark meant this dimly lit inside was practically the opposite of all that unforgiving darkness out there. The sweet tang of salt and the acrid scent of beer mixed pleasantly with residual smoke from cigarettes long gone, creating a warm, nkey haze that made quiet whispers about work and other problems innocuously woven into their conversations.


    I walked into the ce, and as the heat of the bar started to wrap itself around me, my body began growing weak. My vision went blurry, and my knees buckled underneath me, rendering everything confusing. The dismal faces of the previously too-boisterous draft imbibers-this is all I could recall before they kindly ink-dropped back into reality and my lifeless world turned ck as I keeled over.


    When I awoke, it was on an old leather couch at the back end of the bar. The extensive remainder area was stocked with old plumbing fixtures and stacks of bins. A soft yellow beam from somewhere above cast its glow on the cement floor as the ghostly roars andughter of patrons on the other side washed in around me. ~


    I was brought to my senses by the sound of a voice: Hey, she¡¯sing around.¡± I looked over at the sound to find a woman staring back at me, her face hinting at curiosity and maybe just concern. She looked old enough, possibly herte thirties, from what I could tell about how she appeared: auburn hair up in a messy bun; tattoos peeking out beneath the sleeves of her shirt.


    She asked in a low voice. Did it hurt and handed me a ss of water?


    Painstakingly, as each movement produced more pain in my body, I slowly rose to ept the ss she held out for me. Do you think so?¡± I croaked. ¡°Grateful thanks.¡±


    She first introduced herself: ¡°My name is Cara. I¡¯m the owner of this ce. You scared the hell out of us when you dropped and went unresponsive.¡±Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    I weakly smiled and said, ¡°Hayley, sorry for the trouble.¡±.


    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize; it¡¯s fine. Are you okay? You look like you have lived. Cara had shrugged off my apology, only to then remark on how tired I looked.


    Not sure how much to reveal, I hesitated for a moment before replying. ¡°It¡¯s a bitplicated. Someone was following me, and I needed a ce to hide.


    Cara gasped as realization struck her. Chase you. Chase what? she asked.


    I took a deep breath and decided to take the risk. ¡®A werewolf attacked my friend, and I just barely got away.¡¯


    Cara paused and digested my words before there was a long silence. I was actually very surprised that she did not think it was the most ridiculous thing to ever say andugh out loud or scoff. Instead, she thought for a moment and then inclined her head seriously: ¡°They say this is not the first time I hear about these towers that hide.¡±


    ¡°Do you believe me?¡± I spoke, feeling like if my whole body just breathed outpletely in it was some kind of statement asserted that made sense for once.


    ¡®I saw it happen¡¯ the edge of her mouth curled upwards ever so slightly before she responded, ¡°Well, I can honestly say that weird enough things have happened to me personally for a bit more open-minded approach.¡¯


    Just then, the door to the backroom creaked open, and in walked a giant man with an unruly beard. He looked at me, concerned and intrigued. ¡°Is she the one?¡± he inquired of Cara.


    ¡°Hi there, Hayley. Cara held out her hand and led the way. ¡°The bouncer is my brother Jack.¡¯


    Jack nodded in greeting, ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you up. Cara added a few things. ¡®Are there any needs?¡±


    I said, growing panicked over Ryan once again, that I had to go back for him. ¡®He has been attacked, and his security is unknown.¡¯


    Cara and Jack looked at each other. ¡°During it, where was he?¡± questioned Jack.


    ¡®The apartment building is just around the corner from here,¡¯  I replied.


    ¡°Let me see if I can find him ande back with some information,¡± Jack replied after a brief period of profound thought.


    It was the first time I allowed myself to feel that way, and as we sat in silence, my heart grew heavy with gratitude when I blurted out,. ¡°I just can¡¯t imagine what would happen if anything were ever done to him; what would you say¡­? ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Caraforted my sleepless sobs with renewed confidence; ¡®we would fix the problem. You need some rest, but you do look like you are going to pass out once more.¡¯


    I gave in and tried to nod anything that sounded exactly like my mom with the words because, you are right. His name is Ryan, and I cannot get this man out of my head even if I do want to.


    Cara smiled at me, this time with a little more confidence. We will do everything we can to help. For now, simply focus on restoring your vibrational levels.¡±


    I felt veryfortable with Cara when Jack left the room.


    And then I was engulfed in this queer mashup of thankfulness and confusion that pulled at me; I couldn¡¯t just let it be. I was sitting in a rather lonely corner of the bar with strangers who looked astonishingly understanding about my plight. It was so heavy that I became agitated, and a weighty feeling nestled in my heart.


    Cara turned a worried expression at me. ¡®What inspired you to go out by yourself into the night, Hayley?¡± She said it gently in her steady manner, and scanning my clothes for some of those dried red spots. ¡®Why do you have to cover the blood with your clothes?¡¯

 73: My Helper

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°I whispered with tears as a single droplet slid down my cheek.¡± Please go find him and make sure he is alright.


    Cara squeezed my hand, reassuring me that they would do everything in their power to help. She added, ¡°For the time being, let¡¯s stay calm.¡±


    Jack came back into the room, looking ready for it. A brisk little not through Cara¡¯s leaving ¡°I am departing and returning shortly.¡±


    Cara warned, obviously concerned in her tone.


    With Jack leaving, Cara only now turned back towards me, asking about my ce of origin and how I got involved in this.


    I took a breath before replying. I started softly because I was from a little ce hours away. Ryan and I left for that weekend adventure with ns to do no work but expect the unexpected-just want to get out of town.¡±


    Cara waited in silence, her eyes fixed on the air as she seemed deep in thought. She murmured contemtively, ¡°You would think I¡¯d learn my lesson about how tricky this town can be, but it seems every time a surprise like thises around, Well, as bizarre things I have experienced in my days, werewolves are a new one.


    Looking into her eyes, I asked, ¡°You really don¡¯t even question if I still trust you?


    ¡°I do,¡± she said simply. I have learned to trust my intuition, and it is telling me you are being truthful. Moreover, your fear seems real to me, which is good evidence.¡±


    Thisdy had no reason to believe in me or help me; nevertheless, I felt grateful to her. It was a sign of hope amid the stormy waters.


    _____________


    In the room, me and Cara sat in dim light while the noisy bar outside ebbed away. With her gentle inquiries, I tried my best to provide further insight into what had transpired earlier, although my thoughts frequently wandered off towards Ryan and our precarious circumstances.


    ¡°After a while, Cara inquired, ¡®What brought you to this bar? Out of all the possible ces, what drew you here?''¡±


    ¡°I need to admit, this was where I saw the light first,¡± I said. ¡°I was in a hurry to find somewhere safe, and this ce looked like a good bet.¡±


    Her pride was apparent in Cara¡¯s voice while she said with a smile, You make me so d that you could locate assistance from us. Mostly now, it is your safety that matters the most to us.


    Cara, thank you. Discovering this ce put me a bit more at ease, despite the looming fear. If it weren¡¯t for your assistance, I wouldn¡¯t know what to do.¡±


    ¡°Rest well, Hayley,¡± she said with affection. ¡°We¡¯ll handle everything from this point forward.¡±


    Resting on the shabby leather couch, I let my body sink in. Shutting my eyes tight, I concentrated on acknowledging that solitude was not what enveloped me anymore. Comrades who were eager to provide assistance surrounded me-a favor beyond imagination.


    Even though doubt and anxiety captured me, I felt a flicker of optimism inside me. I then fell asleep, keeping this in mind.


    ¡°She is awake,¡± Cara shouted yet again, preventing me from going off into oblivion. I squinted at her while trying to shake off the mist around my head.


    Jack barged into the room, an expression of worry written all over his face. ¡°Hayley?¡± he hissed. The Ryans were nowhere to be found in that apartmentplex you told me about.


    Again, terror crept into me as raw as it could be, and my heart felt like dropping. I sat up straight and shouted suddenly, with an agonizing tone of voice, ¡°He must be here; otherwise, he is just absent.¡±


    ncing at each other, Cara and Jack turned back to me with an offer of help-helping track him down. But he asked me to be honest with them about my provenance and check that I was from a small town in Tasmania, only five hours away or something.


    I felt my eyes open wider in surprise. ¡°How did you figure it out?¡± I mumbled, The sense of being exposed, naked, and insecure.


    Jack sat in his chair in front of me and took a deep breath. He mentioned an apartmentplex over yonder, a couple blocks away, and asked how I knew about it; this type of information might not be essible to outsiders. He also alluded to the blood on our clothes, as if we were already¡­ right??


    I felt queasy nausea as my heart raced, and I struggled to answer his question. Thatbination has been infectious for four previous titles, but my very grudging corroboration is: ¡°I concur. I am from there and am lying to keep them at bay.


    So Cara changed her mind. ¡°We understand you, Hayley. However, if we are going to help you, there must be full honesty from your end.¡± I inhaled deeply and resolved to admit it.


    Ryan is my friend,¡± I said, a few steps ahead of you. The truth is that I was looking for someone, Aiden. It¡¯s important that she knows our status here since we are outsiders and definitely got caught up in something bigger than ourselves. In addition, the awful werewolf had been tracking us in an attempt to find out what had happened to Aiden.¡±


    Jack¡¯s expression turned serious as he nodded his head in agreement. ¡°I totally get it now. In the face of such slyness like a werewolf that destroys everything, what else is there to your family?


    My legs shook as I inquired, ¡°Will you help me find Aiden?¡±


    Well,¡± Jack pronounced with determination, ¡°but we need a n, node type, or workflow. Is it the same as going back out there without one being a suicide?


    ¡°I can help,¡± Cara offered. Some folks in town might have seen Aiden or know something about the werewolf. On second thoughts, you go lie down¡­ Stay here. That is no good if you are going to be tired of discovering him.


    Though I was not surprised that his dating skills did not extend beyond food stamps, it was with a mixture of relief and frustration when I nodded. I mean, thank you for trying and all, but anything that makes me lose him would break me.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Cara said, unerringly confident about the matter. We will go all out to help you.


    Jack put a reassuring hand on my shoulder as he said, ¡°Let¡¯s start by canvassing the areas where you and Aiden might have been. Any advice on what to do?


    I paused and thought, ¡°We went through the archives in the library, and we looked at all those derelict buildings downtown. Aiden could have gone back to any of those ces.


    Jack nodded. ¡°Ok, fine-tuning works. Cara will remain behind with you while I take some regrs to help in the search.


    Cara took a seat beside me, her familiar presence making my nervespany as Jack left to gather his men. Hayley, you are not in this by yourself, she assured. ¡°We¡¯ll locate him.¡±


    I whispered thanks, and a tiny light of possibility appeared in the fearful night. I would have responded that way if it had not been for you two.


    Cara softly said, ¡°You and I will get through this together. Hold on tight.¡±.


    I was exhausted andy there again. I squeezed my eyes closed, clutching Cara¡¯s words to me as though the odd sanctuary in the darkness would lead us back together and stop our hunted wandering.

 74: The Truth

    Hayley¡¯s Pov


    ¡°Hayley, I have something to tell you,¡± Cara said in a very calm and level voice. I was stirring a pot of stew, standing next to her while she chopped up vegetables on the wooden cutting board. The air was heavy with the smell of herbs and kindled mes, ipatible when set against what had be a charged silence. I lifted my head from the pot, a blend of curiosity and concern falling over me.


    ¡°What is it, Cara?¡± When she set the knife down and turned to face me with all the sincerity in her eyes, my heart skipped a beat. We are not IDIOTS working for you! This story was ¡°And you know, Jack and I-we¡¯re werewolves too. The spoon I was currently spiralling through my fingers slipped out of them and ttered loudly against the pot before bouncing off the tabletop.


    ¡°What?¡± I whispered, my mind reeling. ¡°But¡­ but you seemed so normal. How?¡± ¡°Yep,¡± Cara added while reaching for the spoon and giving it back to me. We¡¯ve been living as one of them for years, disguising ourselves under the human mask. But we saw something in you, Hayley. You are not some eager bever werewolf but a strong one. It is stronger than you would think. She put her head on my chest, and through choked sobs, I watched as she stared at a screen. My lungs began to hold oxygen captive. ¡°Powerful? There are hardly any times I do what I know. And Jack, is he¡­?¡±


    Cara nodded, a light beginning toe into her eyes. Jack is an Alpha. ¡°He leads his own pack. We thought, Oh man, Hayley has it. So we have actually chosen to help you with this. We believe in your added value, but more than that, we rte. Staring at the pot, my mind was racing. There was a pause while Cara thought about her response.


    ¡°It¡¯s like having a family. A Family Who Gets Me Like No Other We are inds of strength. With walls must be so high, we will fight for each other. There¡¯s a feeling of family that you won¡¯t get anywhere else. I smiled and bobbed my head as I felt the warm, radiating feeling flush through me. ¡°I think I¡¯d like that.¡± Cara¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Good. Training will start sooner. Making it work is learning to use things, and we will show you how. Then the door squeaked apart, and Jack lumbered in, looking solemn. The breath was fat and fleeting in his chest.


    ¡°Here is our lead,¡± he said. One of the regrs spotted someone who matched Aiden¡¯s description out by that old mill on the edge of town. My heart leapt with hope. ¡°When?¡± ¡°Last night,¡± Jack replied. ¡°We need to move quickly.¡± Cara then turned to me with a determined look in her eyes. ¡°Are you ready, Hayley?¡± I smiled and felt a sudden surge of courage. ¡°Let¡¯s go find Aiden.¡±Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Cara, Jack, and I all went to pick up our things when it was time to go, and as we walked out of the restaurant that day, there was this strong sense of unity between us. Something in me felt whole for the first time ever. Friends then equal something more; pack. We had countless dangers in store for you, side by side.


    As I walked into the night, it was pretty clear to me that this trip has yet many voyages with itself. Except that Cara and Jack made me feel stronger and more confident than I have ever felt. We would have Aiden again in our lives, and we were going to fight the werewolf that had turned everything on its ear. Together, we would ovee. When we delved into the night, it started to speak to us. The abandoned mill on the edge of town was mysterious and risky, but I knew that under these conditions, Aiden had to be there.


    Cara, Jack, and I made our way along the streets. Charging to the fields of adolescence, where shadows were the dark age moonlight. I spoke after a few seconds of awkward silence. ¡°There is one thing I want to tell you. My own voice cracked a little, but I felt the need to tell them how it truly was. ¡°Aiden¡­ Aiden is also an Alpha. And¡­ I¡¯m his mate. His Luna.¡± Cara froze and spun around, and her eyes grewrge.


    ¡°Aiden is an Alpha? And you¡¯re his, Luna? WHY DID YOU TELL US THIS BEFORE?¡±. I was shocked to realise how little I had thought it mattered. I thought it was enough that we were friends. But there¡¯s more to it. Aiden exined that he was on a top secret mission, and that is why he had to go away. However, I just saw him with another womanst night.¡±. This news left Jack puzzled.


    ¡°Another woman? Are you sure it was him?¡± Yes, I already knew what he was referring to, and I felt my heart squeeze as if everything had happened yesterday. ¡°I¡¯m sure. I saw them together, and it broke me. Australia was my refuge, the ce where Aiden had fled to escape his past, and I went there searching for him, hoping he might have some of the answers. I never nned to find both of you or get tangled up in this mess with the werewolves.


    Cara¡¯s face softened with sympathy. ¡°Hayley, I¡¯m sorry that happened to you. However, if Aiden is an Alpha and you¡¯re his Luna, that¡¯s different. That means there is much more to lose here¡±. Jack put aforting hand on my shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ll find him, Hayley. We¡¯ll get to the bottom of this, I promise. We are losing our focus; we need to work together. She responded, taking a deep breath to calm herself. ¡°Thank you. I thank you for apse of luxury. I just want to know what is really happening. We rode silently for the rest of our way, each buried in the thoughts on his mind. The old mill came into view, a shadowy figure jutting out darkly against the night sky. I felt the danger in the air as we closed.


    Enemies.


    Cara signalled for us to halt, her eyes sweeping thendscape. ¡°We need to be careful. There may be others. Were-wolves. Jack nodded in agreement. ¡°Stay close and stay quiet. We don¡¯t want to draw any attention. We walked slowly up the path to the mill, as if our ears were tuned in for danger. Tension hung heavy in the air, and my heart beat wildly against the confines of my chest. Right as we were exiting, Cara pulled me aside and looked at me with a straight face. ¡°Hayley, if Aiden is here, then we must be ready for whateveres. He could havepany, and we do not know what his condition is.¡± I steeled myself and said, in a voice level enough to prate the fog that was now cloaked around my thoughts.


    ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡± We entered the mill through a darkened entrance. The night was ck; not even a ray of light shone inside, but the dimming moonlight found its way through the tiny breaks in her ss windows, creating shadows on every wall. The silence was stifling; the only sound at times was the whisper of old wood settling on foundations. Cara and Jack led the way, each of them movingpletely soundless with a well-defined intent. I followed, sensing danger but unsure of its source. Softly, we slipped through the maze of machinery and trash. More like whispers than footfalls Abruptly, we heard a tiny noise. The growl was deep, guttural, and made a shiver run down my spine. We both gave each other uneasy looks through our eyes, as we knew this was heading for the worst.


    We all froze, listening hard for where the growl hade from. Jack¡¯s eyes were wide with concentration as he motioned for us to go ahead. Cara stood beside me in a in a guarding position, her body wound up tight as a spring. With every step, the noise grew, soon bing a raspy growl reverberating throughout the cavernous age of that old mill. My heart raced in my chest, each beat a reminder of the peril we faced from all sides. Then suddenly Jack gestured for us to stop, his eyes roving about the gloom.


    ¡°Guys, we have to go!¡± Jack whispered forcefully. It¡¯s too dangerous to stick around here. It¡¯s not too far from a safehouse. We can regroup there.¡± I agreed since I hadplete confidence in Jack. I took Cara¡¯s hand, which held mine with reassuring firmness, and we retraced our steps to the entrance. The tension was so palpable; every rustle in the wind and the creek of an old floor board would send shivers down my spine. We hustled right away through the heavy shrubbery; the only direct light was moonlight. We rode in silence, each mired in our own thoughts. In the zone. We finally reached a hidden glen after what seemed to be hours.


    There was a small, unassuming cabin in the middle that looked like something straight out of nature itself. Jack was the first one to get up close to the front of the cabin, mumbling something. A spark-like shimmer of a barrier, so weak it almost flickered off before we could pass through ¡°Guardednd,¡± Jack exined. ¡°essible to werewolves and friends. The moment we stepped inside, the atmosphere changed. The inside was all warm and inviting, in great contrast to what he¡¯d felt within the cold goods mill. The safe house was spacious, full of heavy furniture in neat rows.


    The ce felt like a sanctuary for me, the only sense of normalcy amidst all the chaos. Jack turned to me with a serious look on his face. ¡°¡±Hayley, I know you¡¯re looking for Aiden. In any case, you need to know something. Not only is this safe house a refuge, but it also serves as something of an oracle.¡±¡±


    Although the truth lies here, I was almost shivering with anticipation and fear at the same time. ¡°What do you mean? What truth?¡± Cara approached,passion in her eyes. ¡°Hayley, there is more to Aiden missing than you¡­ This is where the rubber meets the road. But you have to be ready for what you find.¡±¡± I steeled myself, and I swallowed a gulp of air. ¡°I¡¯m ready. I will stop at nothing to find the truth. Jack agreed with determination.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s begin.¡± Then he pointed me towards a secret panel at the rear of the room. He tapped out a code, and the panel slid away to show an alcove. Amid the chamber was an intricate array of runes and relics, each one pulsing weakly with a light from somewhere beyond this earth. I was filled with overwhelming awe as I entered the room. It sat in a sanctuary of history and power, filled with ancient wisdom that had been taught from generation to generation. And Jack and Cara, standing on either side of me like stable things.


    ¡®Hayley, this is where you will get your answers¡¯, Jack whispered. But the truth is not much friendlier. I breathed in deep, knowing I was probably about to hear or see something that would piss me off even more. I¡¯m ready, and my voice was firm. As we started to investigate the room, I became more and more certain about how bad it was going to be. I had realised that the answer was far more twisted and profound than my imagination could conjure.


    And as the puzzle pieces came together, I knew my journey had just started.

 75: Meeting Aiden

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    As we went further into the hidden room, Jack and Cara nked my sides. The air suffocated beneath the history and a million hidden mysteries. The walls stretched high, crowded with centuries-old artefacts that shimmered beneath the ineffable luminescence of ancient symbols. A thousand thoughts flew through my head, but I knew the solutions were here. This is going to blow your mind, so get seated andfy.


    Sit back, and Jack then continued in a smooth, velvety voice, ¡°Hayley, what you are about to learn will change everything you thought. You thought. You knew Aiden was all about his mission. I swivelled around with eyes that revealed determination. ¡°I¡¯m ready, Jack. I need to know the truth.¡± The simple but stern way Cara put it out was gentle yet firm. Though, ¡°Hayley You absorb everything here. You¡¯re not alone.¡± I swallowed and steeled myself before nodding as well. ¡°Thank you, Cara. Let¡¯s do this.¡± Jack pointed in the direction of a huge, ornate chest at the centre. With care, he began to lift up the lid and expose a set of documents and his artefact preservers. He gave me an old leather-bound journal, with the pages poached green with time.


    Jack told me, ¡°This journal was of Aiden¡¯s ancestors.¡± It had been written time and again by generations past; each entry added to the grand weaving of it-their quest. Aiden¡¯s work is the continuation of a long legacy started centuries ago. I cracked open that journal, my hand shaking just a little. The script was neat and clear; the words a little faded from time yet still easy to read. I picked it up and began to read, the story unravelling itself on every page-a narrative of sacrifice, duty, and an unseen war against a formidable foe. Jack said, ¡°Aiden¡¯s descendant was a watcher. Their family has always been known for being right there to make sure no one rolls over our kind and crushes us out. Reading this story of the hardships and Mnin¡¯s sacrifices that Aiden¡¯s family went through broke my heart. The paper referenced shadow battles, ndestine agreements, and a never-ending thirst for justice.


    Then he came up to me innocently, asking, ¡°But why didn¡¯t Aiden tell me? My voice was barely a whisper as I asked. ¡°Why keep this from me?¡± Cara put a friendly hand on my shoulder. Aiden was trying to save you, Hayley. He knew it would haunt him to bear such knowledge. He thought that by telling you little to nothing, he would be able to keep you safe from harm. I felt my eyes tingling with tears, but I blinked them back. ¡°I understand now. But I want to help. I want to fight. Awe nodded, his face showing a newfound level of respect and admiration. You¡¯re the sort of ally we need, Hayley. What we need is your strength and determination. Several maps, letters, and artefacts that provided a detailed ount of the conflict surrounded us as we worked our way around. Theyplete a picture that shows me what the bigger puzzle of Aiden¡¯s story is.


    There was just one sealed envelope for me. I was nearly at the point of crying when I gently opened it and found a letter in Aiden¡¯s handwriting. The letter started: ¡°`Hayley, if you¡¯re reading this, then it means that you know`. I apologise for not telling you; I couldn¡¯t risk the idea of putting you in danger. Just envious is Grayson since he would have loved all I have done-all my sacrifices-I did it for you and our future. What I am on a mission to do is of paramount significance, and I need your assistance. Come on, friends, finish this war, and kindly bless ourmunity. Barjack will direct you to Jack and Cara. Oh, and by the way, I love you more than anything in the world.¡±


    I could barely contain my tears; the letter was still clenched to my chest. We have to find Aiden, and it was filled with stubbornness. We owe it to him to get done what he didn¡¯t start. ¡± Jack and Cara shared a look, then nodded. ¡°Whatever it takes,¡± Jack said. But we must alsoe together and plot our next phase. It looks like we have to get back to my ce. It¡¯s quite safe and a lovely spot to n. On the way out of the secret room, I found new energy. It was allid out before me-the way to go. The light of the moon shone on us as we secured our path back among trees and waves. I was apanied by Cara, who feltfortable grounding.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°We¡¯ll find Aiden, Hayley. And we¡¯ll bring him home.¡± I pondered this for a moment, resolutely nodding my head. ¡°I believe in us, Cara. We¡¯ll do this together.¡± Upon arriving at Jack¡¯s, we felt weed by its safe and familiar essence. The home was a haven-a ce where we could rest and restore our energy for the battles toe. Jack took us to a living room and arranged us at a table. Heid out the maps and papers we found into a pattern on the floor, turning loose paper artefacts as if making his war room. First things first, let¡¯s find who stands beside us.¡±


    Jack spoke in a more serious and practical manner. The more support, the better it is. Cara stabbed with a finger at the map. The northern territories are our friends. We have always been true to our cause. First, we need to send word to them. Jack nodded. ¡°Agreed. We also have residents in the east that can be mobilized. We need to mobilise quickly.¡± A chair was thrown in exasperation, and no sooner had we retaken our seats than the front door to the house flew open with violence. I spun around, my hearting up into my mouth. That I never thought to see again in a million fucking years.


    ¡°Ryan!¡± ¡°The girl cried; the sound of her voice was both relief and horror, and I ran to him and hugged his neck. I crumbled into him, sobbing with tears rolling down my face. You¡¯re not dead, Ryan? I thought I lost you!¡± Ryan wrapped me in his arms, soothing my soul. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Hayley. I¡¯m here. I¡¯m alive.¡± My whole body registered the rejection, and I could only stare at him with wide eyes before stepping back just a fraction. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Ryan. I shouldn¡¯t have left you. When that werewolf got at you, I thought you had died. I was so scared.¡± Ryan turned her down, a look of defiance in his eye. ¡°No, Hayley. You did the right thing. You would have been dead if you had stayed. I¡¯m d you got away.¡±


    I was wiping at my tears, emotions swirling. ¡°But how did you survive? How did you find us?¡± At Ryan, at Jack and Cara, back to me. Long story, but I got a little help. I¡¯ve been following you since I recovered. And here came Cara, following behind her with those curious eyes of hers. Ryan, you told us where Aiden is. What do you mean?¡± Ryan dipped his head, then leaned back with gravity in the crook of his mouth. I have been collecting data on what Aiden has gotten up to. Working undercover in Australia to take down an influential werewolf n, he¡¯s living on a one-way ticket if things go south. He is in trouble; he needs our help. My heart raced. ¡°You know where he is? Can you take us to him?¡±


    Ryan paused, then nodded. ¡°Yes, I can. But it is not going to be easy. The ce he has infiltrated is highly guarded. We are going to have ns A, B, C, D, E. F., and major backups. Jack folded his arms, obviously doing the mental math. Allies we can count on. Actually, we were just talking about that before you got here. Your intelligence would help us mount a rescue operation.¡±


    Cara stared over at Ryan; her eyes gleaming. ¡°Thank you for discovering us, Ryan. We need to support one another the best we can. Ryan smiled appreciatively at her. Nice to meet you again, Cara. And Jack, it¡¯s been a while.¡± Jack¡¯s hand went roughly in the direction of respect. It¡¯s good to see you, Ryan. We have a lot of work to do.¡± I took in a deep breath, feeling myself grow stronger. ¡°Let¡¯s get started. I have to look for Aiden: ¡± We sat down at the table, and Ryan started to fill us in on Aiden¡¯s mission. And Aiden¡¯s essentially been masquerading as an elder statesman in the werewolf faction. He¡¯s been getting information and has wreaked havoc from the inside. But he¡¯s in constant danger. One slip, and they will find out who he really is. Jack peered at the map, his brow furrowing. ¡°Havoc, do you know where their main base is?¡± Ryan nodded and took out a tiny folded map from his pocket. ¡°Here. I mean, it¡¯s in the middle of nowhere and highly secure. We will have to y our cards carefully.¡±¡±


    Cara grimaced as she studied the map. ¡°We¡¯ll need a distraction. Anything to distract them from Aiden so that we can slip him out. Jack hummed thoughtfully, stroking his chin. We can go through our allies and make a distraction. If one of the outposts is attacked in a coordinated manner by both ground and air assets, this could lead them to draw troops away from their main base. Ryan nodded. ¡°That could work. I still want us to do this, but it¡¯s going to have to be snappier than I originally nned. Timing is everything.¡±


    I saw the faces of my friends, and somehow that gave me hope and a renewed sense of what I could achieve. ¡°We can do this. We have to. For Aiden.¡± Jack put his hand on my shoulder,fortingly. ¡°We will. We¡¯ll bring him back.¡± Cara¡¯s eyes glimmered with determination. ¡°Let¡¯s make the preparations. We will need to get everyone together and map out the attack down to a T. His smile strengthened my resolve, just as his calmness calmed me. ¡°We¡¯ll get him back, Hayley. I promise.¡± We were building on energy and determination in that room. We became a team and are now working together to achieve the same thing. While the road thaty ahead was filled with peril, we were prepared to face it side by side. As we worked out the details of our ns all throughout the night, drawing on each other¡¯s various talents and resources, By the time dawn began, We sat and nned long into the night,bining each know-how from our array of experiences.


    As dawn began to break, we already had a lot of nning done. Ryan sent word to our allies, and they were preparing for a diversionary assault. Jack and Cara got together their things and loaded up the gear we needed for our visit to the base of the werewolf faction. At dawn, we picked up our equipment and started out. We were still going white-knuckled for almost the entire time of travel, our mission¡¯s stress looming over us. Swiftly and soundlessly, we passed through the dark vegetation; all that could be heard was rustling leaves and far-off birds. Ryan matched his pace ahead, each step steady on a path well-worn. Ryan whispered next to me, and they turned their heads slightly back towards where I was. ¡°We¡¯re getting close.¡± My heart raced, and my toes curled in anxiety. I was finally going to see Aiden for the first time in forever. I was filled with both joy and anxiety at the prospect of seeing him again. I was picturing the goalline appearance where he would just throw his arms around me, both relieved to see each other and wanting desperately for him to know I had been there too. Just as the trees began to thin into wide open fields, Ryan signalled for us all toe to a stop. He nodded up at a grand building that sat perfectly in the middle of a quiet opening. Secure, as he said it would be. I winced as the sight caught in my throat. This was it. He was in that building, Aiden. ¡°Stay sharp, everyone,¡± Jack said at a hush. We need to move fast and fly under the radar. Ryan, lead the way.¡±


    We followed behind him, and he led us through the woods and around to one side of the building. We snaked our way carefully around the patrols and security cameras. With every step, my heart raced, and the tension grew. Ryan looked over at me, suddenly all serious again, as we got closer to the entrance. ¡°Hayley, listen to me. You have to keep a cool head for when we get in there. Control your feelings. We just need to keep our eye on the ball and execute what we have nned. I nodded and took a deep breath in an attempt to steady myself. ¡°I understand. I¡¯ll do my best.¡±


    Cara shot me a thankfully weird question, and with an awkward blush, I answered her. ¡°Don¡¯t count on this. We are with you, Hayley. We¡¯ve got this together.¡± The two of them looked at each other, then Jack checked this watch. ¡°It¡¯s time. Let¡¯s go.¡± We took advantage of the chaos ourrades had created to move fast and silent, entering the building unseen. You could see inside that it was dark, and an atmosphere of pressure had entered the airspace. With Ryan mapping the corridors, we made our way through abyrinth of passageways. At longst, there was a very strong door at the rear of an extended corridor. After a few seconds, Ryan signalled to stop and pulled out some hardware.


    Fingers flew as he bypassed the protections and unsealed the heavy door. I felt my heart beat loudly in my chest as I realised that within minutes we would be seeing Aiden. Ryan pushed open the door, and we walked into a spacious, dimly lit room. I immediately began to scan the room for Aiden. And, across from a table of maps and papers, there he was. We could only see his back, but I knew at once who it was. Aiden. I murmured, my voice shaking with the power of what I was feeling. He turned, and his eyes went wide when he saw me standing there. Time stopped for a second. The room went so quiet that all I could hear was Aiden¡¯s expression-the shock and dismay on his face. ¡°Hayley?¡± She uttered the words almost inaudibly. My heart grew in my chest as I moved a few inches closer.


    ¡°Aiden, it¡¯s me. I am here to take you home. Before he could answer, heavy footsteps came down the hall. Ryan turned to look at the door with a distressed expression. ¡°We¡¯ve been discovered. We need to move now!¡± There was fear in Aiden¡¯s eyes, but also determination. He gestured to a hidden panel on the wall. ¡°There¡¯s also an escape door behind there,¡± and it takes you into the underground tunnels. We can escape that way.¡± Jack and Cara ran over to assist Aiden in lifting the panel.


    As we prepared to make our escape, the room was feverish with tension. Warmed with adrenaline, I felt my heartbeat beat away any threat that we were no longer in danger. The sound of footsteps grew in their openness towards us, making noise, and I realised we had to hurry. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Ryan called from ahead, motioning us to the front.


    As we passed into the narrow confines, I sneaked one final peek at Aiden, feeling relief and fear. So we were walking together, but things were still far from over. It was only the fucking beginning, but I knew this shit would be a while mission. The tunnel loomed darkly ahead of us.


    But with Aiden by my side.

 76: The Confrontation

    Ryan¡¯s POV


    I whispered harshly to Hayley ¨C who peeked through the railing at amunity area where middle school students were waiting for lunch activities to start. The abandoned warehouse had corridors that appeared to stretch far across all directions, as their dimly lit terrains ended into shadows which could be filled with any threats.


    ¡°Do you think he¡¯s in there?¡± whispered she from behind the door, as we stood with our ears pressed against its wood.


    Well, there was only one way to find out, so I cautiously stuck my head up and looked through a crack. My eyes looked through a window and inside I saw Aiden who was on edge arguing with the rouge pack leader. Defianceced with resignation was in his eyes.


    ¡°Stay here,¡± I instructed. I have to hear what they are saying ¡±


    Hayley looked up at me with concern, but she nodded knowing I would update her along the way. I edged closer, hoping to eavesdrop on their conversation.


    ¡°God you¡¯re a stupid man, Aiden,¡± the leader of this wild bunch said as he paced. ¡°You will find out that making friends with the weaklings was your worst mistake.


    Aiden was very strict. But I did it to keep my family safe. You wouldn¡¯t get it.


    The head chuckled in a cruel sort of tone that shook through throughout the chamber. ¡°Family? People that left when the going got tough. You¡¯re delusional.¡±


    Aiden fired back, ¡°I¡¯ve watched what happens to people that care about you. You manipte, you exploit them and then bin. But I would rather die than ever stand with you.


    The fingers of Hayley¡¯s hand tightened around my arm. We have to take some action, Ryan. We can¡¯t just leave him in there.


    ¡°I know,¡± I whispered back. ¡°But we need a n. We can¡¯t just barge in.¡±


    There¡¯s not much time,¡± she urged ncing again nervously down the corridor. They will realise we are gone soon!


    I nodded, my mind racing. ¡°Okay, here¡¯s what we¡¯ll do. I can get the attention of leader, lead he away. You get Aiden out of there.¡±


    Then she whispered, looking at me with scared eyes.


    I smiled softly at her. ¡°We¡¯vee this far. ¡°[ I ] would think we¡¯re not going to just leave without him.


    I took a deep breath and then tiptoed to the other side of where that door was, readying myself for my approach. I picked up an old metal pipe that was lying around ¨C my use of alternative weapons experiments had begun.


    ¡°Hey!¡± I yelled, swinging the pipe at the wall. It was a loud and irritating sound, echoing in the corridor. ¡°Over here!¡±


    The rogue leader spun to the door, his eyes narrowing. ¡°What the hell?¡±


    The leader said to one of his guards, ¡°Go take a look. ¡°Don¡¯t let them get away.¡±


    The guard began to walk towards the door, and I swung the pipe over my shoulder so hard that when it hit him in the head he copsed. The leader blinked, surprised and took an overhand swipe at Aiden who leaned back in his space as Hayley was already moving.


    ¡°Aiden, now!¡± The door creaked open, and she stumbled into the room.


    Aiden didn¡¯t hesitate. He shoved the leader out of his way and ran for it, Hayley following suit.


    ¡°Stop them!¡± The leader recovered and roared after her on top of everything else.


    ttering through the hallways with footsteps right on our heels. ¡°This way!¡± Luring them toward that out-of-the-way exit Aiden had mentioned, I ced the call.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the panel?¡± Where is she at? Hayley said, her eyes darting along the walls.


    ¡°Here!¡± Aiden yelled as he bucked the wall. The room had a very narrow tunnel at the wall, and it slid open.


    ¡°Quick, quick,¡± I whispered and hurried them in. ¡°We don¡¯t have much time.¡±


    We willed ourselves into the crack, in absolute darkness as we entered further down the pration. The shouts of the leader became but a whisper behind our backs, yet still I felt tense.


    ¡°Keep moving,¡± I instructed. ¡°We¡¯re not safe yet.¡±


    ¡°Ryan, what are they going to do when they catch up?¡± Hayley¡¯s voice was barely above a whisper she now sounded terrified.


    No, they will not,¡± I told her with courage that my heart did feel. ¡°We just need to keep going.¡±


    Aiden joined me as we walked down the winding tunnel. ¡°Thank you for getting me,¡± he said in a low voice.


    I shouted back, making sure Hayley heard too ¡°You were Never really all that lost Bill. And we promised that we shall bring you back home.¡±


    ¡°Hear, hear,¡± Hayley said defiantly. ¡°No matter what.¡±


    We followed the tunnel, which ultimately brought us to a narrow exit from behind some dense undergrowth. We walked out in the cool, night air ¨C taking onest breath of mountain smells before going back to the world we¡¯d been raised to.


    ¡®We keep going,¡¯ I said, looking around for any sign of pursuit.


    **********


    Hayley¡¯s PoV


    Hold on¡­, I panted as the others started to move. ¡°I-I can¡¯t go inside.¡±


    Ryan spun around, a look of worry stered onto his face. ¡°Hayley, what¡¯s wrong? We have to keep moving.¡±


    My heart was thumping in my chest and I was shaking my head. I had a vision¡­ Aiden and I tried to get away, but something went wrong¡­¡± I¡¯m scared, Ryan.¡±


    Aiden moved into striking distance, his eyes soft but steady. Hayley, I realize you¡¯re scared but we have to trust each other. We¡¯re almost out of this.¡±


    Jack ced a support hand on my shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ve got your back. We must not let fear thwart us.


    I breathed in deeply and took stock of my friends¡¯ faces ¨C their resolve starting to empower me. ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s do this. Together.¡±


    Ryan nodded, a small smile of relief on his face. ¡°Together.¡±


    We moved as one, pushing forward through the tunnel entrance. The darkness swallowed us, but the presence of my friends beside me was a beacon of hope.


    As we advanced, Aiden whispered, ¡°We¡¯ll make it, Hayley. I promise.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here,¡± I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.


    ¡°Lead the way, Ryan,¡± Jack said. ¡°We¡¯re right behind you.¡±


    *************


    Aiden¡¯s PoV


    I caught her hand as we entered the tunnel. ¡°I need you to listen to me.¡±


    Her voice tiny, her eyes growing wide with fear and concern as she turned to me. ¡°Aiden, what¡¯s wrong? We need to keep moving.¡±


    I gave her hand a weak squeeze, as if that would help you feel less terrified. But, nothing will happen to me. I promise. Especially if something is working, and even more so if nothing happens. Don¡¯te back for me.¡±


    Her grip tightened in mine. Aiden, I can¡¯t just leave you so easily. We came here to get you out.¡±Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    I know, I whispered. It was half to the music and half in a murmur of confidence to myself. Take the following, as an example: If things turn for the worse ¨C you need to protect yourself Ryan will take care of you. Trust him.¡±


    Ryan, who was somewhat ahead turned to face the both of us. What the heck are you talking about, Aiden? This is mass exodus folks.


    I gave it a small nod but kept my eyes on Hayley. ¡°Just promise me, Hayley. Just promise me you¡¯ll stay gone.¡±


    There was a small pause, and she blinked back tears. She whispered, ¡°I promise,¡± and her voice broke on the word.


    Everything okay?¡± I asked, hugging her briefly. ¡°Now let¡¯s keep moving.¡±


    The darkness felt heavy as we walked down the tunnel. The air was almost frozen, damp and cold ¨C but the warmth of Hayley¡¯s hand in my own was a light to follow.


    Then: A noise from behind us. Heavy footsteps. I turned, my heart sinking. I nodded, whispering back a soft, ¡°They¡¯reing.¡±


    Ryan¡¯s face hardened. ¡°We need to move faster. Come on.¡±


    We started sprinting, but the footsteps behind us were getting louder. I looked behind me and saw rogue pack leader along with his men,ing near us


    ¡°shit!¡± I said to myself.


    ¡°Go!¡± I shouted to Ryan and Hayley. ¡°Get out of here!¡±


    ¡°Aiden, no!¡± Hayley was crying, and I forced her toward Ryan.


    ¡°You must take her with you,¡± I told Ryan. ¡°Get her away from here. I will fight them off.¡±


    Ryan appeared to be lost in a moment of hesitation, and then he nodded. ¡°We wille back for you, Aiden.¡±


    ¡°Just go!¡± I shouted while turning my back on the oing danger.


    The harsh voice of the rogue pack leader carried in it a note of triumph and coldness that sent shivers down my spine.


    ¡°Did you actually think that you could get away from Aiden?¡± I met his gaze as he gloated over me like one who had conquered.


    ¡°I am not afraid of you,¡± I said with no qualms whatsoever. It was a chillingugh that greeted me. ¡°You should be.¡±


    He lunged at me but I was prepared for this attack; instead of getting hit by his swinging back, I dodged him andnded a solid hit.


    However, his men closed in on me quickly enough so that in seconds they pinned me down t on the ground.


    ¡°Take him,¡± the leader ordered again ¡°and make sure he does not do this once more.¡±


    When they did that to old homnds I turned my head toward Hayley and Ryan disappearing into darkness like shadows on earth.


    ¡°Remember your promise,¡± I yelled at her pointlessly. ¡°Stay safe.¡± ¡°Aiden!¡± Hayley cried out but Ryan caught her arm and pulled her away without saying anything.


    ¡°Do note back,¡± was myst shout while they took me away from there forever. ¡°I will find a way back to you whatever It takes.¡±


    The footsteps from their retreating figures could be heard throughout the tunnel while they dragged me deeper inside. ¡°A fool you are,¡± sneered he at me. ¡°But we¡¯ll see how brave you are when we are done with you¡±


    ¡°Pfft,¡± I said in frustration, ¡°You just don¡¯t get it.¡± ¡°I need to do this. It¡¯s part of my mission. You have to go.¡±


    Ryan grasped her arm more tightly, his expression dark. ¡°He¡¯s right, Hayley. We need to leave. Now.¡±


    I- ¡± but Aidan -¡± her voice cracked.


    ¡°No!¡± I wince, cutting her off. ¡°You promised. Go with Ryan. I¡¯ll find a way back to you. I swear.¡±


    Theugh of the rogue pack leader echoed in every corner. ¡°Such touching loyalty. But it can¡¯t save you, Aiden.¡±


    ¡°Go!¡± I screamed it one more time, still looking into Hayley¡¯s eyes. ¡°Now!¡±


    She nodded, tears streaking her face. ¡°Okay. Stay safe, Aiden.¡±


    Ryan finally started to wretch her away, seconds ticking painfully by. They were about to pass into the dark when I shouted once more.


    ¡°I love you, Hayley. I¡¯lle back. I promise.¡±


    A nasty grin curled across his face as the grip of the rogue leader tightened around my arm. ¡°Touching. But I doubt that you promise me so. Ah! But we will see if you can keep it.


    They dragged me into the depths and all I could see were Hayley¡¯s tear-filled eyes. She whispered, and her voice was like a mouse¡¯s squeak ¡°Aiden¡­ Please¡­¡±


    ¡°Go!¡± I screamed, the words echoing through the tunnel. ¡°I need to do this. For all of us.¡±


    It was firm, but Ryan¡¯s voice somehow still sagged with understanding at her statement. ¡°Come on, Hayley. We need to get out of here.¡±


    ¡°Ryan,¡± she said, her voice shaking.


    ¡°Not a ¡®but¡¯ or else,¡± he said, and refused to release her forearm. ¡°Aiden¡¯s right. We have to go.¡±


    Thest time Iid eyes upon my dear sister, she was in pain but love glowed from her wetness. ¡°Promise me you¡¯ll return,¡± she repeated quietly.


    ¡°Of course,¡± I said, my voice choking. ¡°Now go.¡±


    My ears were filled with theughter of the rogue leader as he walked me away.


    ¡°Aiden, you were such a foolish person. Still you are courageous,¡± he said. I said ¡°I take that as apliment¡± although I was terrified.


    He only smiled more widely. ¡°But courage is not going to save you now.¡± Thest thing that I saw was Hayley¡¯s face disappearing into the night. ¡°Be careful,¡± I whispered heartbroken because of my promise.


    ¡°What will your bravery count for, kid?¡± said the voice of the rogue leader in a scornful tone.


    Hayley was on my mind and all the promises I had made were fresh as I did not answer him; strong for her sake. For everybody else too.

 Chapter 77: The Mission Revealed

    Aiden¡¯s PoV


    What are you doing back here, Hayley? The second she slinked out of the shadow; I hissed and yanked her to my side.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid ¨C I said wouldn¡¯t let you go alone, Aiden.¡± ¡°We¡¯re in this together.¡±


    Looking up, I checked to see if anyone was spying on us. Hayley, you don¡¯t understand. This mission¡­ it is far too high risk.¡±


    ¡°Then speak,¡± she forced herself to make her voice shake along with fear and determination. ¡°Tell me what¡¯s going on.¡±


    ¡°Deep breath¡­ this is going to be incredibly hard for me to share.¡± ¡°Alright. I will listen, but you must stay safe.


    She never broke eye contact when she looked up and said, ¡°I swear.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I whispered under my breath. The rogue pack leader, he¡¯s more than power driven. He¡¯s looking for something bigger, far more important-something that could change the game.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± her eyes creasing with confusion.


    A prophecy ¡°¡±¡±I had to exin in a rush and the prophecy of a mighty force from among us. The rogue leader thinks to himself that he can only grab this power and take over all the packs.


    Hayley¡¯s eyes went wide with shock. ¡°But why you, Aiden? What business is this of yours?


    ¡°Because¡± I whispered, ¡°I am the prophecy. My bloodline. It¡¯s linked to the power. That¡¯s why they captured me. They want me for their goals.


    She gasped and her eyes widened as she ced a hand over her mouth. ¡°Oh my God, Aiden. This is¡­ this is insane.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said, gripping her hand firmly. ¡°BUT THATS EXACTLY WHY YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL He will get you; he is using us an Ein.


    ¡°Except that I can¡¯t¡­¡± She whispered back, and her tears overflowed. I can¡¯t let you do this by yourself.


    My voice cracking, I said: ¡°You have to believe me. ¡°I need to keep you safe. I am so totally not going to be able to focus on anything if something happens. I won¡¯t be able to fight.¡±


    No, she cried shaking her head. ¡°I can¡¯t, Aiden. I can¡¯t just walk away.¡±


    ¡°Hayley, don¡¯t do this,¡± I pleaded, my heart carrying the heavy weight of choice. ¡°I need you to be strong. For both of us.¡±


    Her eyes were teary, filled with pain and love. ¡°Alright,¡± she whispered. ¡°Just do one thing, promise me you wille back. Vow to me that we¡¯ll never be parted again.


    I said, hugging her tightly to me. ¡°Now go. Get to safety.¡±


    The voice of the rogue leader echoed through the corridor as I released her. ¡°Aiden! You can¡¯t hide forever.¡±


    ¡°Go!¡± I whispered shoving her into the darkness.


    Aiden¡­ she whispered, her voice trembling. ¡°Be careful.¡±


    ¡°Promise you will,¡± she demanded, with her gaze still locked into mine. ¡°Now go.¡±


    Then she stepped back, slipping into the shadows as the rogue leader emerged.


    He chuckled and his eyes darkened with danger. ¡°There you are, and in case you thought you could shake me, ¡°You went running¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s finish it,¡± I replied, in a steady voice while my fear was nibbling into me from inside.


    A cruel, chillingughter echoed from the rogue leader. ¡°Oh, we will. But not the way you think.¡±


    He exploded towards me, and I dodged; thoughts of what all this just meant with Hayley racing in my mind. I had to survive. For her. For us.


    It was fierce, it was vicious, and every punch had an impact. Though I kept turning back to Hayley and hoping she¡¯d escaped unharmed.


    The head of the Rogue was barely able to wipe a trickle of blood from his lip, ¡®You have been stronger still Aiden. ¡°But not strong enough.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s find out,¡± I responded, going on the offensive once again.


    I was getting weaker as the battle waged on. But I couldn¡¯t give up. Just not when Hayley needed me for protection.


    A momentter I saw Hayleying out of the darkness with a look in her eye indicating that she means business.


    ¡°No!¡± My heart was also racing as I shouted out. ¡°I told you to stay away!¡±


    ¡°NO,¡± she sobbed, crashing towards me. You SHALL NOT FIGHT ALONE!


    The eyes of the rogue leader twinkled with victory. ¡°How touching. But it¡¯s toote.¡±


    He lunged at Hayley, his ws extended, and before I could do anything. ¡°No!¡± So I screamed, positioning myself between them.


    He remembers the minutes after that as chaos and pain. But I clung on tightly, because deep down in my heart ¨C i knew that ultimately it was up to me to keep her safe.


    ¡°Hayley,¡± Aiden whispered as if his voice would create a sound and break her, ¡°I love you.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t leave me.¡±


    I¡¯ll be fine,¡± I promised, strained.


    ¡°Hayley,¡± I breathed while grabbing a rib as pain shot through my cheek. ¡°This. That was a big moment because I am an Aussie, and man this is why I came to Australia.


    She digged her eyes in confusion and looked very frightful. ¡°What do you mean, Aiden?¡±


    The secret mission, I whispered as darkness pulled me back into the Void. It seeks to awaken thetent powers of¡­ power that can only be unleashed by my blood¡­¡±


    She crouched beside me, her shaking handsbing with a napkin to clot the blood. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±


    ¡°Could not take any chances,¡± I added, my voice quivering. You mean that if the rogue leader knew, he would stop at nothing to get you back against me?


    Tears streamed down her face. But we could have battled that. We could have just found another way.


    ¡°I had to keep you safe,¡± she responded, locking my eyes with hers. ¡°You mean too much to me, Hayley. I couldn¡¯t live with myself if something happened to you.¡±


    ¡°But Aiden,¡± she wept, ¡°we can protect each other better together. If we¡¯re together, we can handle anything.¡±


    I put my hand to her face. ¡°I know, and I know we can. But you have to promise me you¡¯ll be safe. You¡¯ll have to have enough faith in me to let me handle this.¡±


    She nodded, her eyes streaming tears onto my hand. ¡°I promise. You have to promise me you¡¯lle back. That we¡¯ll be together again. That we¡¯lle out of this stronger than we already are.¡±


    ¡°I promise. We¡¯ll ovee this. We¡¯ll master our abilities. We¡¯ll defeat them. Together,¡± I said determinedly.


    ¡°Together,¡± she repeated. I looked into her eyes and saw the love and strength echoing in them.


    I could hear the echoing of the leader¡¯sughter down the tunnel, and I knew that our battle was nowhere near over. But with Hayley there, I felt strong again. I felt like we could take on whatever woulde next.


    *********


    My voice was heavy with the burden of what I nned to reveal, and so as we sat down spread some beef soft tacos in front me my ice water trembling within its ss: ¡°Hayley.¡±


    She looked up at me, her eyes still full of tears. ¡°What is it, Aiden? What else have you not told me?


    I gulped; I knew that the truth (old fashion it maybe) would set me free. You need to learn stuff. Like secrets of the kind that¡¯s been kept from you, from all of us.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    She frowned in confusion. ¡°What do you mean? What things?¡±


    I nodded and began exining in a low voice. it¡¯s about my blood creek. For we are not werewolves. We belong to something old, and the old is bound by Destiny.


    ¡°A prophecy?¡± She echoed, her eyes wide with surprise. ¡°What kind of prophecy?¡±


    One that tells of a power such as no other, I rified. A power only attainable through my lineage. A fact that the rogue leader, Lamachus is well aware of. That¡¯s why he¡¯s after me.¡±


    She covered her mouth, and for the first time in my life I saw terror register across her eyes. ¡°Oh my god, Aiden. This is¡­ this is too much.¡±


    I DO.¡± I reached for her hand and held it deeply within mine. ¡°But you need to understand. And if this power is abused, it can break everything. But the rogue leader is nning to use it for extreme control over all alphas and packs.


    She shook her head, trying to sort out the mess. ¡°Then why the hell didn¡¯t you say anything before this?


    ¡°Have you any idea what the pain would be for me if this ends badly?¡± I could only regretfully tell everything and exin. He will take you from me if he knew. I had to protect you.¡±


    Her eyes shone with determination, as she squeezed my hand It¡¯s a bond you know Aiden. No more secrets.¡±


    My nods were heavy promises on my heart. ¡°There¡¯s more. What brought me here, to Australia.. it wasn¡¯t EXACTLY from a ce of just running away. The aim was to discover the key of this power.


    ¡°The key?¡± ¡°she had a trembling in her voice. ¡°What kind of key?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a ritual,¡± I exined. A ritual of my blood. It¡¯s high-risk, but it¡¯s the secret move that you need to do in order to tap into your power and stop this rogue leader.


    Her eyes filled with fear. Aiden, this is too risky. ¡± What if some things go wrong?


    I Must Do This, I said emphatically. ¡°Then it¡¯s the only way to keep us all safe, child.


    Her face flushed as she took a deep breath and a look of resolve filled her eyes. ¡°Then we¡¯ll do it together. I will not let you deal with them by yourself.


    I hugged her close, my heart full of love and resolute. ¡°Thank you, Hayley. I could not imagine what I would do without you.


    The darkness thickened around us while we stood there, a faint aura of threat growing in the forest. We walked with trepidation; Every rustle of the leaves, every distant howl of a wolf made our bodies tremble.


    ¡°Do you feel that?¡± all but a whisper in her own ears.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± I said, all my rms going off at once. ¡°We¡¯re not alone.¡±


    No sooner had I spoken, a deep silence seemed to fill the forest deafening me with nothing but bone-chilling footsteps nearing. I turned my heart racing in my chest.


    Rogue pack leader stepped out from the shadows, eyes ame with rage and resolve. ¡°Well, well,¡± he sneered. This a beautiful reunion, no?


    ¡°Stay away,¡± I warned in front of Hayley. ¡°This is between you and me.¡±


    ¡°You think you can unlock the power and stop me? Fool.¡± ¡°I will not allow you to use this power to destroy us all,¡± I said even though fear was tearing apart inside of me.


    Thatugh came out from him coldly as if he wanted us dead by any means possible. ¡°Can you really stop me? You have no clue really.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll see about it,¡± I answered while making sure my eyes are fixed on him. Coming forward with good determination in her eyes, Hayley said.


    ¡°We won¡¯t just win.¡± The rogue leader narrowed his eyes while looking deadly. ¡°Get ready for consequences then.¡± As he lunged towards us, I pushed Hayley aside, my heart racing with adrenaline.


    ¡°Run, Hayley!¡± ¡°No!¡± she cried, refusing to leave my side. ¡°I won¡¯t leave you!¡± ¡°Go!¡± I shouted despondently.


    ¡°Just go and save yourself!¡± She hesitated with tears streaming down her cheeks. ¡°Aiden, I love you.¡± ¡°I too love you¡±, my voice shaking almost gave away what I wanted to say but still told her to go away finally.¡±


    That was when she turned away from the rogue leader¡¯s ws shing through air just missing her in time as well. ¡°You can¡¯t escape,¡± he hissed angrily, noting it wasn¡¯t over yet at least a message sent by him; there would be consequences now. ¡®After Hayley!¡± My desperation turned into urgency as I shouted.


    ¡°Leave me behind?¡± Aiden asked shocked at first but quickly moved on realizing how serious their situation actually was.


    ¡°What a wonderful show of loyalty,¡± Rogue Leader jeered back then copsed into forcedughter which only earned him disadvantages once again¡­


    The rogue leader¡¯s eyes gleamed with malice. ¡°Face it, Aiden. You can¡¯t protect her and fight me.¡±


    ¡°I will protect her, even if it costs me my life,¡± I dered, my heart pounding.


    ¡°No, Aiden!¡± Hayley¡¯s voice broke. ¡°We need you. We need each other.¡±


    ¡°Enough talk,¡± the rogue leader snarled. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can back up your bravado.¡±


    ¡°Hayley, run! Now!¡± I urged; my voice filled with desperation.


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you, Aiden,¡± she insisted, her voice unwavering. ¡°We¡¯re in this together.¡±


    The rogue leader chuckled darkly. ¡°Fools, both of you. Prepare to meet your end.¡±


    ¡°Over my dead body,¡± I growled, stepping forward.


    ¡°We can do this, Aiden,¡± Hayley said, her eyes locking onto mine. ¡°Together.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re delusional if you think you can defeat me,¡± the rogue leader spat.


    ¡°Delusional or not, I won¡¯t stop fighting,¡± I replied, determination surging through me.


    ¡°And neither will I,¡± Hayley echoed, standing by my side.


    ¡°Then let this be your final mistake,¡± he hissed, his eyes filled with murderous intent.


    ¡°Hayley, stay close,¡± I whispered, my heart heavy with the weight of the moment. ¡°We fight together.¡±


    ¡°Always, Aiden. Always,¡± she affirmed, her voice steady and strong.


    ¡°Very well,¡± the rogue leader growled. ¡°Prepare to be destroyed.¡±


    ¡°Not today,¡± I said, my resolve hardening. ¡°Not ever.¡±

 78: The battle begins

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    The air was very thick with tension as the eyes of the rogue leader pierced through me, charged with both wrath and perverse joy.     Around us, it felt like the forest was tightening its fist, making the darkness look denser and more menacing.


    All my muscles were coiled, waiting for an inevitable confrontation. Hayley was standing next to me; her hand held mine firmly as if it would save me from despairing this night.


    ¡°Hayley, are you ready for this?¡± I asked in a whisper.


    She nodded at me while continuing to focus on the rogue leader. ¡°I¡¯m ready. We havee too far to turn back now,¡± she said.


    ¡°Hmm, such touching determination! It¡¯s a pity that I have to destroy you both,¡± the rogue leader sneered as he curled his lips into an evil grin.


    ¡°You won¡¯t seed,¡± I said firmly. ¡°We won¡¯t allow it.¡±


    The sound he made when heughed was brutal and grinding; it felt like ice on my skin. ¡°It¡¯s good talk, but talk won¡¯t save you-it¡¯s actions,¡± he said.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s fight with steel!¡± Hanley replied, though I could see she was terrified.


    Before the roguemander could say anything else, he sprang at us with fast and lethal moves. With barely a second to think about it, I shoved Hayley aside and went to meet his charge. The impact of our bodies was so strong that it knocked me off bnce; however, I refused to give in.


    ¡°¡±Stay back, Hayley!¡± I yelled at her, in vain hope of holding back the rogue leader.


    ¡°No, Aiden! We are in this together!¡± She argued with a firm voice.


    I stole a quick nce at her heart, torn between love and fear. ¡°Please, Hayley. I need you to be safe.¡±


    ¡°And I need you alive,¡± she replied with empathy, which made her walk towards me again.


    The rogue leader¡¯s eyes turned from one to the other, his countenance darkening even more. ¡°How sweet. But love won¡¯t save your lives,¡± he said.


    ¡°It may not,¡± I said, ¡°but it gives us strength.¡±


    The rogue leader made his move again, lunging with ws extended and a loud roar. This time, however, the two of us moved as one. Our movements werepletely in sync; every blow he threw at us was met with one of our own. The connection between us was something that we needed at all costs.


    ¡°Not possible!¡± he growled; it was clear that he couldn¡¯t hold it anymore.


    ¡°Let¡¯s settle this,¡± I replied affirmatively, my eyes stuck on him.


    The fight carried on, with all four of us taking and receiving blows. The rogue leader was merciless with his brutal attacks. But we fought back, using everything avable to stop him from winning.


    ¡°Hayley, get this out!¡± I screamed, seeing an opening.


    She moved quickly, and her fistnded a powerful blow on the rogue leader¡¯s jaw, making him stagger back. I took advantage of his disorientation by hitting him repeatedly until he was left reeling.


    ¡°You¡¯re strong,¡± he said as he wiped blood from his lip. ¡°But not strong enough.¡±


    ¡°We will see about that,¡± Hayley said in a resolute voice.


    The rogue leader¡¯s expression was that of pure malice as his eyes narrowed. ¡°You¡¯ve forced my hand. No more holding back.¡±


    With a snarl, he unleashed a flurry of attacks so vicious that they pushed us to our limits, with


    our bodies straining under the weight of them. But we didn¡¯t quit; we couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Aiden, this has to end,¡± Hayley gasped, face lifeless from exertion.


    ¡°I know,¡± I replied while panting heavily. ¡°Somehow we need to find a way.¡±


    ¡°Let me handle it,¡± she said, determination sparking in her eyes.


    ¡°Wait!¡± A voice cried out behind me, but before I could protest, she had already charged towards the rogue leader with fluid and precise movements that were so quick that they left him momentarily unsteady on his feet, then hit him hard enough to make him wobble back dramatically.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°Hayley, be careful!¡± I shouted; my heart was pounding in fear.


    ¡°I know what I¡¯m doing right now,¡± she answered in calmness.


    It was simply amazing how aggressively she continued attacking; her strength and skill were proof of how much she wanted victory. She was just great beyond measure, which caused an overwhelming feeling of love and pride towards her within me.


    ¡°I¡¯m impressed,¡± said the rogue leader. ¡°But it still won¡¯t be enough.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± she replied, her voice unwavering.


    The battle continued, with each of us giving everything we had. The rogue leader¡¯s attacks were relentless, but we fought back with equal ferocity. We were a team, and together, we were strong.


    ¡°Aiden, now!¡± Hayley shouted, seeing an opening.


    I moved swiftly. My fist connected with the rogue leader¡¯s jaw in a powerful blow that sent him staggering back. Hayley took advantage of his momentary disorientation,nding a series of precise strikes that drove him further back.


    ¡°Hayley, we can¡¯t keep this up forever,¡± I said, my voice tinged with worry.


    ¡°I know, but we have to hold on a little longer,¡± she replied, her eyes never leaving the rogue leader.


    The rogue pack began to close in, their eyes filled with bloodlust. I knew we were running out of time.


    ¡°Hayley, we need an escape n,¡± I said urgently.


    She nced around, her eyes scanning the surroundings. ¡°There,¡± she said, pointing towards a narrow path through the trees. ¡°If we can make it to that path, we might be able to lose them in the forest.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± I asked, doubt creeping into my voice.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have a choice,¡± she replied firmly. ¡°We have to try.¡±


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do it,¡± I agreed, steeling myself for what was toe.


    ¡°On my signal,¡± she said, her voice low and steady. ¡°Ready¡­ now!¡±


    We transitioned into a sprint, dashing past the narrow pathway. The thief pack roared at us in anger. My heart raced in my chest as we swerved around trees, while the sounds of the pursuit behind me became louder.


    ¡°Keep going, Aiden!¡± Hayley shouted, as she was urging me on.


    ¡°I¡¯m right behind you!¡± I called back with legs on fire from effort.


    The path twisted and turned and became narrower and more treacherous. Branches wed at our clothes and faces, but we pressured on as if stricken by sheer willpower.


    ¡°Almost there,¡± Hayley breathed out, gasps between words sounding like a quickened pace.


    We burst out of the trees into a small clearing, and for a moment I thought that we had lost them. But then I heard the unmistakable growls of the rogue pack closing in.


    ¡°We need to keep moving,¡± Hayley said, her voice filled with urgency.


    ¡°There¡¯s a river up ahead,¡± I said, recalling the map we had studied earlier. ¡°If we can get there, we might be able to throw off their scent.¡±


    ¡°Lead the way,¡± she replied with determination etched on her face.


    We sprinted towards the river, our footfalls pounding on the ground beneath us. As the rushing water became louder, hope shone in my heart.


    ¡°There it is!¡± I yelled out while pointing towards the river just ahead of us. We have reached the riverbank and jumped into the water, the cold shock waking us up. It was a strong current, but we fought our way across while the water was pulling our clothes and limbs.


    ¡°Keep going, Aiden!¡± Hayley urged, her voice barely audible above the river¡¯s noise.


    We straggled up to the opposite bank, drenched and exhausted. There was no time for a break. We had to keep moving.


    ¡°This way,¡± I said, leading us deeper into the forest.


    We ran for what felt like hours, breathing heavily.


    ¡°Do you think we have lost them?¡± Hayley asked in a strained voice.


    ¡°I hope so,¡± I said. ¡°But we can¡¯t stop now,¡±


    Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the woods.


    ¡°They are still on our trail!¡± Hayley screamed, her voice betraying panic.


    ¡°Quick, this way!¡± I directed turning off the path,


    We broke through the tree line and found ourselves at the edge of a small town in Australia.


    ¡°Blend in,¡± I whispered. ¡°y natural.¡±


    We went fast down the streets, trying to be as normal as possible.


    ¡°Can you see them?¡± asked Hayley, ncing back over her shoulder.


    ¡°Not sure, but they could still be around us,¡± I replied, keeping my eyes wide open.


    We turned around one street corner, avoiding crashing into a group of locals.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Hayley murmured, sounding downcast.


    Don¡¯t vex yourself over it,¡± one of them remarked while watching us with interest.


    I implored, ¡°Keep going,¡± pushing Hayley ahead gently.


    We moved through the crowded streets, facing tensions that rose with each step that we took.


    ¡°There!¡± Hayley whispered urgently, pointing at a narrow alleyway.


    And as we dashed down the alley, it was as if our hearts wanted to explode out of our chests.


    ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll follow us here?¡± She asked in a shaky voice.


    ¡°I can¡¯t tell, but it¡¯s worth trying,¡± I said, looking around for some way out.


    All of a sudden, steps rolled across the alleyway.


    ¡°They have found us!¡± eximed Hayley as her eyes popped up with fear.


    ¡°Run!¡± I shouted as I snatched her hand and ran along with her.


    We rushed down the alley while lots of footsteps wereing behind us.


    ¡°There is an escapedder!¡± I pointed out a metaldder resting on one side of a house.


    ¡°Go, go fast!¡± issued out from Hayley¡¯s mouth, followed by climbing up the stairs because it has taken us so much time.


    On the topmost part of the building, now we are there, gasping up with thick breaths, looking down in front of the alley way below.


    ¡°Did we lose them?¡± asked Hayley, bent from exactly where she was standing.


    ¡°I believe so,¡± I answered when scanning around.


    But just as we began feeling rxed, someone walked out from behind something where he or she seemed to have hidden all along somehow.


    ¡°There they are!¡± cried out someone behind us.


    ¡°Run!¡± I yelled as I pulled Hayley over to a different side of this rooftop.


    We jumped onto another building and barely made it across.


    ¡°We will have to escape this ce!¡± and that¡¯s how I sounded.


    ¡°There!¡± Hayley indicated an unbarred window.


    We dove through that aperture,nding in a dark and deserted room.


    ¡°Hide,¡± I voiced behind a pile of boxes.


    As those strides neared the opening, we hushed into silence.


    ¡°Did they enter?¡± spoke another, observing her intently.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± said another member.


    ¡°Continue looking,¡±manded the first voice.


    Slowly, soundless footfalls receded as our breath returned.


    ¡°That was touching close,¡± said Hayley, trembling.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t reached safety yet,¡± I replied. ¡°Keep going.¡±


    ¡°They want us to move where? her eyes full of doubt asked.


    ¡°Anywhere but here,¡± I said while lifting her up.


    We stealthily slipped out of that room and into a hallway dimly lit by artificial lights.


    ¡°Stay close,¡± I whispered, leading the way.


    Every creak and groan made us jump as we made our way through the puzzle-like building.


    ¡°Will we ever be safe again?¡± Hayley asked despairingly.


    ¡°I am not sure,¡± I confessed, ¡°but it¡¯s worth a shot.¡±


    But just before reaching our exit sign, there was another sound resembling steps.


    They¡¯re alive yelled Hayley, quivering with fear.


    Quickly! yelled out his voice as we collided into the night through the opening in the wall.


    However, it was far from over. Our destiny remained ambiguous.¡±

 79: Aiden鈥檚 Kiss

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    I barely managed to keep up with Aiden as we dashed through the dimly lit streets, gasping for breath.


    Ahead, he pointed out a ce resembling an abandoned warehouse, which would serve as our hiding spot.


    Is it really safe there? I asked nervously, ncing back down the alley we had juste from since it appeared to be alive with shadows and every sound hit like a hammering heart.


    ¡°Best we can do,¡± he said with determination drawn on his face before urging me on.


    The warehouse loomed over us-a dismal structure that seemed like it had not been used for several decades now. With rusted hinges creaking at every move Aiden made, we really entered inside, where darkness engulfed.


    ¡°Stay close,¡± Aiden whispered, tugging my clothing deeper into the uncertain ckness.


    We crept throughrge, hollow rooms, making minimal noise with each step. Dust filled the air while rotten odours grabbed hold of our noses. I focused on trying to breathe normally as my ears listened for anything moving behind us.


    ¡°Here,¡± Aiden said, showing me some crates mounted on scattered machines. This is where we can hide ourselves from prying eyes.


    This time, I could feel how cold metal pressed against us when we were crouching down. There was no denying that my heart was racing in my chest while adrenaline rushed through me uncontrobly.


    ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll find us?¡± I asked in a voice barely audible.


    Aiden¡¯s eyes roamed around in the dark. ¡°Not if we remain quiet.¡±


    We stayed quiet, even though time felt slow. There were sounds from afar, but nothing showed that they wereing after us. However, I still had uneasiness in the back of my head.


    ¡°Aiden, what if-¡± I began, but he wouldn¡¯t let me finish.


    ¡°Shh,¡± he whispered urgently. ¡°Listen.¡±


    I held my breath and strained myself to hear. Footsteps! Slow and deliberate, they are approaching closer to us. My heart is leaping into my throat.


    ¡°They¡¯re here,¡± Aiden mouthed, eyes wide open.


    We pushed ourselves deeper into the shadows, trying not to be seen by anyone around us. Then footsteps became louder, echoing throughout this warehouse, reminding us of how dangerous our circumstances were.


    ¡°Check over there,¡± said one voice, causing chills to run down my spine.


    Aiden¡¯s grip on me tightened, and then I could see how tense his face was. We needed to remain hidden and stay silent.


    Footsteps stopped just a few inches from our ce of hiding, where I could see some shape through the gaps in the crates, while my heart pounded so loudly as though it were going to burst out.


    ¡°Nothing here,¡± said one voice before footsteps began going away.


    Slowly, I breathed out, relieved, but only for a moment.


    ¡°Wait,¡± another voice called out. ¡°I think it was something.¡±


    My heart stopped. The footsteps returned, closer this time. I could see the beam of a shlight sweeping across the crates, inching closer to us.


    ¡°Aiden,¡± I whispered, panic rising in my chest.


    ¡°Stay calm,¡± he whispered back, his eyes locked on mine. ¡°We¡¯ll get through this.¡±


    The shlight beam stopped, and I could hear the sound of someone moving closer. I closed my eyes, praying they would move on.


    ¡°Over here!¡± the voice called out, and I felt a surge of terror.


    Aiden grabbed my hand, and we bolted from our hiding spot. The element of surprise was on our side, and we managed to knock the shlight from the person¡¯s hand, plunging the warehouse back into darkness.


    ¡°Run!¡± Aiden shouted, pulling me along.


    We dashed through the maze of crates and machinery, hearing the sound of our pursuers close behind. My legs burned, but I pushed on, fuelled by sheer desperation.


    ¡°This way!¡± Aiden called, leading us to a metal staircase.


    We scrambled up the steps, the nging of our footsteps echoing through the warehouse. At the top, Aiden pushed open a door, and we found ourselves on a rickety catwalk.


    ¡°Keep moving,¡± he urged, as we raced across the catwalk.


    Our weight was causing the catwalk to sway, and the shouts of our pursuers could be heard from below. Another staircase leading down was discovered at the end of the catwalk.


    ¡°Go, go!¡± Aiden yelled out as we began to descend the stairs.


    Like a thieving ghost, we ran through the night. There was a dim light up ahead-an exit.


    ¡°There!¡± I shouted at the light.


    We made for the exit fast enough that it sounded as if our followers were getting farther away from us. Striking through the door put us in an alley where cool night air met our faces.


    ¡°Come on,¡± said Aiden as he pulled me along with him.


    Through the alley, we ran away from the warehouse, creating as much distance as possible, until finally we were forced to slow down, gasping for breath. Leaning against the cold brick wall, my handsy on my knees while I tried to catch my breath. Aiden was next to me, trying to observe if anyone else had trailed us, his chest raising heavily up and down.


    ¡°Did we get rid of them?¡± I whispered so quietly that even my own ears barely heard it.


    ¡°I think we did.¡±. His gaze was still fixed on the dark sides of this alley. ¡°But we shall not stay here for too long; let¡¯s go.¡±.


    Head nod and everything else, but one thing has been bothering me sincest night. And I needed answers.


    ¡°Aiden, can I ask you something?¡± He asked, still concentrating on our environment, ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Last night, when I saw you with that girl¡­¡± I hesitated to say it out loud, though it might sound like an usation. ¡°Who was she?¡±


    Aiden stiffened and narrowed his eyes as he turned to me. ¡°Hayley, this isn¡¯t the time.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    I interrupted him in a soft voice, though insistently, saying, ¡°Please, I need to know.¡±


    He sighed before running one hand through his hair repeatedly, getting irritated as if trying to calm down. ¡°She is part of my mission, so don¡¯t worry yourself too much about it.¡±


    ¡°Part of your mission?¡± I repeated feeling confused but at the same time frustrated. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°It means,¡± he said quietly with a tense tone, ¡°that you shouldn¡¯t be asking questions right now. Hayley, our lives are in danger.¡±


    I urged, my eyes desperately searching for him, ¡°But why don¡¯t you just say it to me? I thought we were together in this.¡±


    ¡°We are,¡± he replied, with a slight softening of his tone. ¡°But there are some things you don¡¯t know. Things you don¡¯t need to know.¡±


    Tears started stinging my eyes, but I blinked them back. You just seem to be keeping things from me.


    He looked at me gently, putting his hand on my face, and said, ¡°Hayley, I need you to trust me.¡± Can you do that?


    Nodding slowly made me swallow hard, Bryan. I trust you, Aiden; I simply don¡¯t want to be left in the dark after all.


    That¡¯s what I thought,¡± he said softly. But there¡¯s a promise that once it¡¯s done, everything will be put on the table. The only thing left is staying alive for now.


    A deep breath made all my emotions start calming down inside of me.


    Fine.


    He said, ¡°We have to move fast,¡± as his thumb brushed against my cheek lightly.


    But before we moved, Aiden sipped forward and pressed his lips against mine,pletely unanticipated yet somehow managing to melt into his embrace, allowing any remaining tension caused by thesest few days to spill away, albeit just temporarily.     His warm, firm mouth felt so good within mine; it felt like there was nothing else more intense than anything else he might feel or ever wanted during such an asion¡¯s desperate moment that only one could have ever experienced through that miserable time frame without even thinking about what happened since it all began until now.


    There was no air in our lungs as we broke the embrace after a long while, both of us gasping for breath. Aiden had closed his eyes and rested his forehead against mine; he whispered,


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± followed by, ¡°I just¡­ needed it.¡±


    For a different reason, my heart raced, but I smiled softly. ¡°Me too.¡±


    We stood there for some time, oblivious to what was happening around us. However, the footfalls of people brought us back down to earth.


    Aiden said as he took my hand, ¡°Let¡¯s go; we have to keep going.¡±


    We moved through the dark alleys quietly, trying to increase the distance between us and those pursuing us. The city was abyrinth full of dark corners and hidden paths; Aiden seemed like he knew right where he was going.


    ¡°What¡¯s our destination?¡± My voice remained low.


    ¡°There is a safe house just a few blocks from here,¡± he said. ¡°We can chill out there for some time.¡±


    ¡°How did you find out about this?¡± I asked, letting my curiosity overtake me.


    ¡°It¡¯s part of thework,¡± he stated inly. ¡°Some sort of ce we can use whenever we are in danger.¡±


    Nodding in agreement, I didn¡¯t press for any more information. It was evident that it wouldn¡¯t hurt to dig too much into his life like before. Aiden had his secrets, but I trusted him all the same. It was he who brought us all the way here, and I thought he would save us also. We came to the safe house, which was just an ordinary house in the area. Aiden led me through a side entrance; he quickly looked around and unlocked it.


    The interior, though simple, was enough for living. The living room was small; there was also a kitchen and two bedrooms avable here, which showed that this ce was destined only for short periods of time instead of long ones.


    ¡°Make yourselffortable,¡± said Aiden, locking it behind us.


    ¡°I¡¯ll check the periphery and see if we are safe here.¡±


    I sat on an old couch, shaking my head, as my mind was still filled with thoughts on what had just happened-the chase, questions asked, then forgetting them all at one point by that kiss. That was too much.


    Aiden came back looking rxed. ¡°All clear for now.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± I said, my voice strengthening again. It should take us somewhere meaningful, anyway.


    ¡°We need to talk.¡±


    ¡°Hayley, there¡¯s no time for¡­¡±


    ¡°Now, Aiden, it¡¯s important.¡±


    He took a deep breath before giving an answer too hard for him: ¡°What do you have?¡±


    ¡°Something didn¡¯t sound right when they mentioned my family.¡±


    His eyebrows went down, disying confusion across his face. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Rachel isn¡¯t really my mom.¡±


    Aiden stared at her as though she had just been pped across the face. ¡°What? How did youe by this information?¡±


    ¡°I found some documents,¡± I said, slightly shivering with fearfulness in my voice. ¡°All sorts of things, like birth records or even adoption papers.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me before?¡± He asked, gazing into me intently.


    ¡°You¡¯re not someone I can trust,¡± I said. ¡°And then everything happened too quickly.¡±


    ¡°You can trust me, Hayley; trust me,¡± he told me anyway.


    ¡°But now I know,¡± I said softly. ¡°This changes everything.¡±


    He leaned closer, asking, ¡°How so?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s more,¡± I continued. ¡°The documents mention a man called Robert. He might be my biological father.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Robert? Do you even know who he is?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I replied, feeling a lump in my throat, ¡°but I must find out.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± he nodded. ¡°We will figure it out together.¡±


    ¡°But what if it is a trap?¡± Fearced into my voice as I questioned him. ¡°What if this all forms part of some greater n?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be careful,¡± Aiden reassured me. ¡°One step at a time.¡±


    ¡°Honestly! I don¡¯t get why Rachel never said anything,¡± I said, my voice quaking. ¡°Why keep it secret?¡±


    ¡°Maybe she was protecting you,¡± Aiden offered. ¡°Or maybe she really didn¡¯t have theplete picture.¡±


    ¡°Maybe,¡± I said, wiping a tear off my cheek. ¡°But there¡¯s something else I can¡¯t seem to shake off about it.¡±As Aiden concurred, ¡°could be,¡± but we can¡¯t tell till we go deeper. ¡°Like I told you.¡±


    ¡°Do you really want to assist me?¡± I stammered, seeking his help, as if sending a signal to him.


    Aiden took hold of my hand and said, ¡°Hayley,¡± holding on tight. ¡°I¡¯m here for you always.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Relief washed over me as I spoke softly.


    ¡°We will get through this together,¡± he asserted stronger than ever before. In collective silence, I added those two words: ¡°together.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Aiden stated while standing up. ¡°We need to catch some sleep now so that we can start answering our questions tomorrow.¡±


    In affirmation, I was beside him, yet I still answered,


    ¡°But Aiden?¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°I really appreciate everything that you did.¡±


    He beamed, then held onto my palm in a firm grip, making me know that he meant it:


    ¡°Anytime, Hayley, my dearest. Anytime.¡±

 80: Against all odds

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°Aiden, no! Please, fight them off!¡± I shouted, my voice thick with panic, as I saw the rogues closing in on him. The airport lights flickered ominously in the distance, a cruel reminder of how close yet how far safety seemed.


    ¡°Hayley, run! Get to safety!¡± Aiden¡¯s voice was strained and his muscles taut as he fought off the rogues that lunged at him from every direction. He was strong, an Alpha in every sense, but the sheer number of attackers was overwhelming.


    ¡°I can¡¯t leave you! We fight together, remember?¡± I retorted, the thought of abandoning him unbearable. My heart pounded in my chest, not just from fear but from the undeniable bond we shared. He was my mate, my Alpha, and I couldn¡¯t imagine a world without him.


    ¡°Damn it, Hayley, go! I can handle this!¡± Aiden¡¯s voice was filled with frustration and desperation. He wanted to protect me, but he was also acutely aware of the odds stacked against him.


    ¡°No! I¡¯m not leaving you here to die!¡± I shouted back, my voice breaking with emotion. The rogues were relentless, their eyes filled with malice as they circled us like vultures.


    ¡°Hayley, you need to get help! The pack-¡± Aiden started, but I cut him off.


    ¡°They¡¯re too far! We need to fight our way out!¡± I insisted, my hands trembling but my resolve firm. I would rather die fighting beside him than live knowing I had abandoned him.


    ¡°Alright but stay close to me! Don¡¯t let them separate us,¡± Aidenmanded, his eyes never leaving our attackers. His presence was both afort and a beacon of strength.


    ¡°I won¡¯t. Aiden, behind you!¡± I warned, spotting a rogue lunging at him from the shadows. Aiden spun around, delivering a powerful blow that sent the rogue staggering back.


    ¡°Got it! Stay sharp, Hayley. They¡¯reing from all sides,¡± Aiden said, his voice steady despite the chaos around us. His confidence bolstered my own, and I prepared myself for the onught.


    ¡°How many are there? We¡¯re so outnumbered!¡± I eximed, my eyes darting around as more rogues emerged from the darkness. It felt like a never-ending tide of enemies.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. Focus on staying alive!¡± Aiden¡¯s voice was a grim reminder of our reality. Survival is our only goal now.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to keep up. Just don¡¯t get hurt, please!¡± I begged; my voice tinged with fear. The thought of losing him was too much to bear.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. Watch out, another one!¡± Aiden shouted, his eyes catching a rogue trying to nk me. I turned just in time, delivering a swift kick that knocked the rogue off bnce.


    ¡°Take that, you bastard! Aiden, are you okay?¡± I asked, ncing at him. Despite the blood and sweat, Aiden looked as determined as ever.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just a scratch. Keep moving!¡± he replied, his voice a mixture of pain and resolve. He was pushing through for both of us.


    ¡°They¡¯re relentless! We can¡¯t hold them off forever!¡± I yelled, the reality of our situation dawning on me. We were in a fight for our lives, against seemingly insurmountable odds.


    ¡°We don¡¯t need to. Just long enough to find an opening,¡± Aiden said, his eyes scanning our surroundings for any escape route. His mind was always working, always nning.


    ¡°Aiden, there¡¯s too many of them! We¡¯re getting surrounded!¡± I cried out, fear gripping my heart as the rogues closed in from all sides.


    ¡°Stay close! We can break through if we work together,¡± Aiden instructed, his voice unwavering. His faith in us gave me strength.


    ¡°Okay, I trust you. Let¡¯s do this!¡± I responded, my voice filled with determination. If we were going to make it out, it would be together.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°On my signal, we push forward. Ready?¡± Aiden asked, his eyes locking on mine. In that moment, I felt our bond strengthen-an unspoken promise of unity.


    ¡°Ready!¡± I affirmed, my heart pounding in anticipation.


    ¡°Now! Go, Hayley, go!¡± Aiden shouted, and we surged forward together, fighting through the mass of rogues with everything we had.


    ¡°I¡¯m right behind you! Keep going!¡± I urged, my adrenaline pumping as we fought our way towards the airport.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stop! Just a little further!¡± Aiden¡¯s voice was a lifeline, guiding me through the chaos.


    ¡°Aiden, they¡¯re closing in again!¡± I warned, feeling the rogues pressing in on us once more.


    ¡°I see them. Hold on, we¡¯ve got this!¡± He reassured me; his voice was a beacon of hope.


    ¡°Watch out! They¡¯reing from the left!¡± I shouted, spotting another wave of attackers.


    ¡°Aiden, you¡¯re bleeding!¡± I eximed, panic rising in my chest as I saw the crimson staining his shirt.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. Focus on getting out!¡± Aiden growled, his voice filled with determination even as he fought off another rogue.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not leaving you behind!¡± I insisted, my voice breaking. The thought of abandoning him was unimaginable.


    ¡°Hayley, just listen to me for once!¡± Aiden¡¯s voice was desperate, but I could see the exhaustion in his eyes.


    ¡°I can¡¯t! You¡¯re my mate, my Alpha. I won¡¯t abandon you!¡± I shouted back, my heart aching with the intensity of our bond.


    ¡°Then fight with everything you¡¯ve got! We will finish this together!¡± Aiden roared, his strength seeming to double as he fended off another attacker.


    ¡°Always, Aiden. Always!¡± I echoed, my resolve solidifying.


    ¡°Hayley, behind you!¡± Aiden¡¯s warning came just in time as I turned to see a rogue lunging at me. I dove and delivered a swift punch to his gut, sending him sprawling.


    ¡°Got it! Take that, you rogue scum!¡± I yelled, feeling a surge of adrenaline as I saw the rogue fall.


    ¡°Good job! Just a few more to go!¡± Aiden was encouraged, his eyes zing with determination.


    ¡°We can do this, Aiden! We can make it!¡± I shouted, feeling a spark of hope igniting within me.


    ¡°Push forward! Don¡¯t stop now!¡± Aiden¡¯s voice was like a battle cry, urging me to keep moving.


    ¡°Almost there! Just a little bit more!¡± I panted, my body screaming in protest, but my mind focused on our goal.


    ¡°Aiden, they¡¯re retreating!¡± I noticed hope blooming as the rogues began to back away.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let your guard down. It could be a trick.¡± Aiden cautioned, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of deceit.


    ¡°I know. But we¡¯re so close to the airport!¡± I said, my voice filled with a mixture of relief and caution.


    ¡°Keep moving. We¡¯ll regroup inside.¡± Aiden instructed, his voice steady despite the chaos.


    ¡°Aiden, look out!¡± I screamed as another rogue lunged at him from the side.


    ¡°Damn it! Hayley, get inside! Now!¡± Aiden shouted, fighting off the attacker with a fierce growl.


    ¡°No! I¡¯m not leaving you!¡± I yelled back, refusing to abandon him.


    ¡°Hayley, please! For me!¡± Aiden¡¯s voice broke-a plea that tore at my heart.


    ¡°I can¡¯t! I won¡¯t!¡± I shouted, my voice filled with determination.


    ¡°Then stay close. We fight together.¡± Aiden said, his voice a mix of resignation and resolve.


    ¡°Always, Aiden. Always.¡± I whispered, feeling our bond strengthen even in the face of danger.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there. Just a few more steps.¡± Aiden encouraged his voice as a lifeline.


    ¡°I see the entrance! We¡¯re going to make it!¡± I cried, hope surging, as the airport doors came into view.


    ¡°Stay with me, Hayley. Don¡¯t let go.¡± Aiden instructed, his grip on my hand tightening.


    ¡°I won¡¯t. I promise.¡± I assured him, my heart beating wildly as we neared the doors.


    ¡°We¡¯re in! Lock the doors behind us!¡± Aiden shouted as we burst through the entrance, mming the doors shut behind us.


    ¡°Got it! Aiden, are you okay?¡± I asked, my voice trembling with concern as I looked at his blood-stained shirt.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. I just need to catch my breath.¡± Aiden painted, leaning against the wall for support.


    ¡°We did it. We made it.¡± I said, relief washing over me as I realised we were safe, if only for the moment.


    ¡°Yeah, we did. Together.¡± Aiden agreed, his eyes meeting mine with a mixture of relief and determination.


    ¡°Always together.¡± I echoed, feeling a surge of love and resolve.


    ¡°Let¡¯s find somewhere to rest. We need to regroup.¡± Aiden suggested that his voice be steady despite the exhaustion.


    ¡°And then?¡± I asked, my heart pounding with anticipation.


    ¡°And then we get back to the pack. We figured this out.¡± Aiden replied, his voice filled with determination.


    ¡°Together?¡± I asked, needing to hear the reassurance.


    ¡°Together, Hayley. Always.¡± Aiden promised, his eyes filled with resolve.


    Just as we started to move, a loud crash echoed through the hallway. My heart sank as I realised the rogues had broken through the doors.


    ¡°Damn it! They¡¯re inside!¡± Aiden growled, his body tensing as he prepared for another battle.


    Before we could react, a familiar voice called out, ¡°Aiden! Hayley!¡±


    ¡°Ryan?¡± I gasped, turning to see our Beta rushing towards us, nked by some unknown guys. Relief flooded through me at the sight of reinforcements.


    ¡°Thank the Moon Goddess! We need to get Aiden to safety!¡± Ryan shouted, his eyes widening as he took in Aiden¡¯s blood-soaked shirt.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost at the airport hospital. Just a few more steps!¡± I urged, supporting Aiden as best as I could.


    ¡°Aiden, can you walk?¡± Ryan asked, his voice tight with concern.


    ¡°I can manage,¡± Aiden grunted, though his legs were trembling. His face was pale, and I could see the pain etched into his features.


    ¡°We¡¯ll help you,¡± Ryan said, moving to Aiden¡¯s other side. Together, we half-dragged and half-carried him down the hallway, the sound of rogues pounding on the doors behind us driving us forward.


    ¡°Hayley, we need to move faster,¡± Aiden murmured, his voice weak but insistent.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± I repeated, willing it to be true. ¡°Just hold on a little longer.¡±


    As we rounded a corner, the hospital doors came into view, and I felt a surge of hope. ¡°There! We¡¯re here!¡±


    Ryan and I pushed through the doors, and the sterile smell of the hospital hit us. ¡°Help! We need a doctor now!¡± I screamed, my voice echoing through the empty corridor.


    A nurse rushed out, her eyes widening at the sight of Aiden. ¡°Get him on the gurney!¡± she ordered, and we carefully lowered him onto the stretcher she pushed towards us.


    ¡°Aiden, stay with me,¡± I whispered, gripping his hand tightly as they wheeled him away. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare leave me.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± he promised, his voice barely a whisper. ¡°Always together, remember?¡±


    ¡°Always,¡± I echoed, my heart breaking at the sight of him so weak.


    Ryan ced a hand on my shoulder. ¡°He¡¯s strong, Hayley. He¡¯ll pull through.¡±


    ¡°He has to,¡± I said fiercely, watching as the medical team worked to stabilise him. ¡°We need him.¡±


    ¡°We do,¡± Ryan agreed, his expression grim. ¡°But right now, we need to make sure the rogues don¡¯t breach this area.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± I said, forcing myself to focus. ¡°Let¡¯s secure the hospital.¡±


    Together, we moved to barricade the doors, using whatever we could find to reinforce them. The sound of the rogues battering against the entrance was growing louder and more desperate.


    ¡°How long do you think we have?¡± I asked, my voice trembling despite my efforts to stay strong.


    ¡°Not long,¡± Ryan admitted. ¡°But we have to hold them off until Aiden is stable.¡±


    Just then, a loud crash echoed through the hallway, and my heart sank. ¡°They¡¯reing through!¡±


    ¡°Get ready,¡± Ryan said, his eyes hardening with resolve. ¡°We fight until we can¡¯t anymore.¡±


    As the doors burst open, the first wave of rogues poured in, their eyes wild with bloodlust. Ryan and I stood our ground, fighting with every ounce of strength we had left.


    ¡°Hayley, behind you!¡± Ryan shouted, and I spun around just in time to see a rogue lunging at me. I dodged and delivered a kick to its chest, sending it sprawling.


    ¡°We can¡¯t keep this up forever!¡± I yelled, my voice straining with effort.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have to,¡± Ryan replied, his eyes shing. ¡°Just long enough.¡±


    Just when I thought we were overwhelmed, a deafening roar filled the hallway. The rogues hesitated, their eyes widening in fear.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± I asked, my heart pounding.


    ¡°It¡¯s Aiden,¡± Ryan said, his voice filled with awe and relief. ¡°He¡¯s awake.¡±


    Aiden stumbled into the hallway, his eyes zing with fury and determination. Despite his injuries, he looked every bit the Alpha he was born to be.


    ¡°Get away from my mate!¡± He roared, and the rogues faltered, their confidence shattered.


    With renewed strength, we fought back, driving the rogues towards the exit. One by one, they fled, unable to withstand thebined force of our pack.


    As thest rogue disappeared, I turned to Aiden, tears streaming down my face. ¡°You did it,¡± I whispered. ¡°You saved us.¡±


    ¡°We did it,¡± he corrected, his voice hoarse but filled with pride. ¡°Together.¡±


    Before I could respond, a sudden pain shot through Aiden¡¯s body, and he copsed, his eyes rolling back.


    ¡°Aiden!¡± I screamed, rushing to his side. ¡°No, no, no!¡±


    ¡°Hayley, we need to get him back to the hospital, now!¡± Ryan shouted, lifting Aiden with my help.


    As we rushed him back inside, the nurse from earlier reappeared, her expression urgent. ¡°We need to operate immediately,¡± she said, wheeling.

 81: That Alpha鈥檚 bite

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    The nurse moved fast, her hands working with precision over Aiden¡¯s wounds that had been painted so many times before. She was applying pressure, cleaning the blood, and tightly wrapping her gashes, but deep concern was showing on her face. ¡°He has lost so much blood,¡± she whispered softly, mostly to herself.


    Aiden¡¯s eyes fluttered open in pain as confusion and determination battled within them. ¡°Hayley,¡± he croaked, as if it were hard for him to talk.


    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± I replied while holding tightly onto his hand. ¡°I¡¯m just right here.¡±


    He took a shivering breath but spoke more firmly now. ¡°The bite¡­ it¡¯s from an Alpha¡­ like me.¡±


    I felt a cold shiver through my spine at this point. ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    ¡°It means,¡± he said, trying to sit up, ¡°I have to return back to the Moonlight Moon pack. This medication will not work on me. We should leave Australia at once.¡±


    Turning towards the nurse and doctor, who had just arrived with a grave face, I said urgently, ¡°We have to go.¡± ¡°Your treatment will be useless on him. I¡¯m aware of something better.¡±


    The doctor frowned as he shook his head disapprovingly. ¡°Miss, he needs immediate medical attention. We can stabilise him here.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I said, harsher than I intended. ¡°You don¡¯t understand. This is no ordinary wound. It is an Alpha bite. Your treatments will not work on it; I know what he needs.¡±


    We¡¯re getting you out of here,¡± I told Aiden while turning back from the doctor¡¯s argument.


    Ryan stood beside me, determination etched on his face. ¡°We need to move, now.¡±


    Together, we lifted Aiden onto the gurney, starting to wheel him towards the exit. The nurse behind us followed, but I didn¡¯t listen to her. ¡°You¡¯re making a mistake!¡± she called, but I didn¡¯t stop.


    Ryan shot me a look that seemed worrisome. ¡°Are you sure about this?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I said firmly. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for anything else.¡±


    We burst out of the hospital doors into blinding sunlight, with the airport¡¯s chaos all around us. Ryan signalled down a taxi cab, which we loaded Aiden into at the back.


    ¡°Take us to the airport,¡± I told the driver immediately, making sure he knew we were in a hurry.


    The taxi drove off at once with the speediest possible speed because its driver understood what was going on already. In my heart, I could feel Aiden¡¯s hand gripping mine tightly, as if it were going to fall off my body anytime now. ¡°Hang on, Aiden,¡± I said. ¡°We¡¯re almost there.¡±


    He smiled back weakly. ¡°Always together, remember?¡±


    ¡°Forever¡± was what came out of me shortly afterwards while trying so hard not to shed tears.


    It took forever for us to get to the airport, but finally we made it to our destination after agester than usual time taken within terms of travel, like a few minutes.


    The airport was a chaotic ce, with people hurrying everywhere and creating a lot of noise. They did not care that we were dying. Aiden was breathing heavily while his face was ghostly pale. We had to hurry him on board that ne, but it was urgent.


    ¡°Ryan, check the flight status,¡± I instructed in an urgent voice.


    He nodded before sprinting in the direction of the nearest information desk.


    I remained by Aiden¡¯s side to make sure that he remained conscious. ¡®Aiden stay with me. We are almost there.¡±


    His eyelids fluttered open as he managed to smile faintly at me. ¡®I am not going anywhere!¡±


    After some painful minutes, Ryan managed to return slightly out of breath. ¡°The flight to Moonlight Moon base will be leaving in an hour; we should get through this security gate.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± I said, my heart racing. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    As we moved across the busy terminal, it felt like every secondsted forever. Aiden¡¯s condition was getting worse by the minute, and I could see concern reflected in Ryan¡¯s eyes, which looked exactly like mine did at that moment too!


    We arrived at security, where I turned towards the officer and said, ¡°Please! We need quick ess! My brother is seriously injured.¡±


    The officer nced at Aiden before looking upon us with increased warmth on his previously grim face, saying, ¡®Follow me¡¯.


    We were led into a priority queue and passed through security quickly. However, other passengers in line eyed us, but my mind was not bothered by all those. Getting Aiden into that airne was what we had to do.


    After passing the security checks, we rushed towards the gate. Seeing the urgent look on the faces of airline officials allowed us to board the ne earlier than expected. I took care of his injuries once again, settling Aiden down in an array of seats.


    ¡°Hayley,¡± he murmured weakly.


    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± I replied while stroking his forehead¡¯s hair back. ¡°We are almost there.¡±


    Ryan stayed across from us, never taking his gaze from Aiden, whose breath sounded like a raspy noiseing from the drainpipe when water was oozing out after a lot of rain fell heavily for two long weeks without stopping.


    ¡°Hang in there, Alpha. We¡¯re getting you home.¡±


    An exceptional flight attendant brought us nkets and water cans; moreover, they even proposed to shuffle other passengers around just so we could have more legroom. I took care of Aiden¡¯s wounds by regrly changing dressings as well as ensuring that he remained hydrated.


    ¡°Hayley,¡± Aiden whispered at one point, opening his eyes slightly.


    ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± I said, clutching his hand fiercely.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± He squeezed my fingers weakly with gratitude emanating from within him to me. ¡°For everything.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say thank you yet,¡± I answered with a false smile.


    ¡°We still have quite a distance ahead.¡±


    The hours dragged on like eternity, each painful hour being worse than the one before it. Fever-ridden Aiden constantlypsed between sleep and wakefulness. I kept talking to him, attempting to keep him alert.


    ¡°Do you recall those days of our childhood whenever we used to y in the woods in our hintend?¡± I asked in a trembling voice. ¡°You were very protective of me, even then.¡±


    A faint smile yed on his pale lips. ¡°Always together, right?¡±


    ¡°Forever,¡± I whispered, fighting back tears.


    At longst, the ne started descending, and for the first time, I could see a glimpse of hope-we were nearly arriving at our destination, just like at home, where we could save him.


    When wended, members of our pack awaited us, as they had received news of our arrival. They assisted Aiden in going off the ne and getting into a waiting car.


    ¡°Drive fast,¡± I said to the driver. ¡°Time is not on our side.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    The fast-moving vehicle went through streets heading towards Moonlight Moon Pack territory. My eyes were glued on Aiden; I wished he could hold on just a little more.


    ¡°Aiden, hold on,¡± I whispered. ¡°We¡¯re almost there.¡±


    He nodded weakly but did not open his eyes properly. ¡°Trying so hard,¡± he said as Hayley.


    Ryan sat next to me with his right hand ced gently upon my shoulders, saying, ¡°He is tough; this thing isn¡¯t done yet.¡±


    Arriving at their ce of healing, some healers were already there, waiting for them.


    They rushed to move Aiden out of the auto and into ce within moments after taking him off it.


    I shadowed them, my throat full of emotions.


    ¡°Kindly save him, please¡± I pleaded with the medics

 82: When Fear meets Faith

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    One of the healers, an elderly woman withpassionate eyes,id her hand on my shoulder. ¡°We will give our best.¡±


    I nodded as tears streamed down my cheeks, observing them carry Aiden away. Ryan stood next to me, his face serious. ¡°He¡¯s going to survive Hayley,¡± he said nevertheless. ¡°It is a must.¡±


    I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. ¡°We did all we could,¡± I said atst. ¡°Now it¡¯s all about hoping.¡±


    Ryan agreed, shaking his head, albeit fiercely. ¡°He¡¯s a soldier. He wille out strong.¡±


    We remained in that hallway as the sounds of a medical team working intensively filled the background behind locked doors. It was such a mix of fear and hope that made my heart beat so fast in my chest anytime I was there. Ryan kept moving up and down with a worried look on his face; he seemed determined too.


    ¡°Ryan,¡± I said with a trembling voice, ¡°do you think he really made it?¡±


    He stopped pacing around, turned, and looked at me with all his serious eyes. ¡°Hayley, Aiden is one tough guy out here on earth.¡± He has gone through worse things before and survived; do not forget that we need faith in him always.¡±


    I just nodded, feeling like I was holding on to this belief while he continued pacing back and forth in front of me.


    Her words weighed heavily on my chest as I swallowed. ¡°Can I see him?¡±


    She nodded. ¡°Yes, but only for a few minutes. He needs rest.¡±


    Mom and dad followed her into the room, with Ryan and me trailing behind them as we came closer to the hospital bed where Aideny, connected to so many machines that the whole thing looked more like Frankenstein¡¯sb than anything else. His face was pale and drawn, and I could feel that his skin had no warmth at all when I took hold of his hand. ¡°Aiden, we are here,¡± I whispered.


    Aiden opened his eyes slightly, just enough to analyse who was in front of him before he asked, ¡°Hayley, Ryan.¡±


    ¡°We are not going anywhere,¡± Ryan said firmly, standing on the other side of the bed. ¡°You just focus on getting better.¡±


    I felt as if Aiden tightened his grip on my palm for an instant before making another effort at saying something. ¡°I felt¡­ so weak. I hate this.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not weak,¡± I insisted. ¡°You¡¯re the strongest person I know. You¡¯ll get through this.¡±


    The healer stepped forward into view. ¡°He needs rest now,¡± she said coldly. ¡°You cane back in a little while.¡±


    ¡°Yes! Yes, of course,¡± was all I could say as I reluctantly let go of Aiden¡¯s hand. ¡°We¡¯ll be right outside,¡± was all I could promise him.


    But once outside again, it was hard to fight back those tears that were welling up in my eyes again. ¡°I hate seeing him like that,¡± I admitted quietly.


    There¡¯s little let up yet apparently finishing off some sort of constion that would doom us forever if only for an instant seemed to prove no better than any other conclusion would have done at the time either, not even after Ryan had clung so tightly around my shoulders that one might have thought my shoulder des were fused together. ¡°I know,¡± he said calmly.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    However, at least he knew why life is so beautiful; in ces like this one, nursing caretakers all appear to be absolutely sure about what they are doing while still seeming friendly and casual. It is because they know of their responsibility towards all patients whoe to them in desperate need.


    Drawing in a deep breath, I concentrated on calming myself down. ¡°You¡¯re right. We¡¯ve done all we can.¡±


    We waited in the waiting hall, and the clock hands circled slowly like they had all the time in the world. Now and again, a healer woulde outside and update us, but it always seemed like Aiden was doing well but still critically ill.


    ¡°Hayley,¡± Ryan said, breaking the heavy silence after a long period of time. ¡°Do you remember when we were younger and Aiden used to dare us with such silly things?¡±


    I gave him a small grin. ¡°Of course. He used to make us do the most outrageous things! I remember once he dared us to climb that old oak tree during a storm.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t believe it actually happened,¡± Ryan chuckled. ¡°I thought for sure we¡¯re going to get stricken by lightning.¡±


    ¡°But Aiden was right there with us,¡± she said, and my heart warmed at the memory. ¡°He always supported us.¡±


    Ryan nodded. ¡°And now it¡¯s time for us to support him.¡±


    Another couple of hours went by until finally, the healer returned looking much less tense than before.


    ¡°His condition is improving¡­ He is still weak, though, but at least the worst is over.¡±


    A deathly rxed feeling came over me, followed by weak knees. ¡°Thank you,¡± I said while tears continued streaming down my cheeks.


    ¡°You can see him again,¡± she added, gently smiling, ¡°just for a few minutes.¡±


    We hurried back into the room where Aideny on the bed, looking slightly better because his colour was returning. As soon as we approached him, he opened his eyes wider than before and smiled more broadly aspared to earlier.


    ¡°I told you,¡± he said, still weak but with approbation in his eyes that paid attention to determination, ¡°that I wouldn¡¯t go anywhere.¡±


    I was holding his hand tight, my heart full of love and empowerment. ¡°You scared us!¡± I yelled at Aiden.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± he murmured back. ¡°It wasn¡¯t my best moment.¡±


    Ryan chuckled softly. ¡°Just concentrate on getting better. We need you all, right?¡±


    Aiden nodded as sleep took over again and closed his eyes. ¡°I will. It¡¯s a guarantee.¡±


    Until the healer let us out gently, we remained beside him again. In the waiting space, I felt renewed hope inside me. Aiden would make it up because he was a brave one who had us as hispanions.


    ¡°Hayley,¡± Ryan whispered after we sat down together, ¡°we did quite well today by arriving here before it was toote.¡±


    I shook my head in approval whilepletely wiped out by exhaustion. ¡°Yes, we did. Now, we


    only need to wait till he gets better.¡±


    Ryan smiled with a determined look in his eyes. ¡°He will,¡± said Ryan, ¡°and we will ovee this together, like always.¡±


    As night gave way to dawn, I found myself alone inside that waiting room, my mind a whirlwind between fears and aspirations. My eyelids shut momentarily before all my exhaustion checked in.


    ¡°Hayley?¡± Ryan¡¯s voice came breaking through from somewhere in my mind at that moment.


    Caught up by its sound, I looked up through the doorway, where he stood smiling faintly. ¡°He¡¯s awake and asking for you.¡±


    My heart leapt high upon receiving such news, then I hurriedly went towards Aiden¡¯s room. When I stepped inside it, I saw him sitting upright, looking much stronger than earlier. His eyes lit up upon seeing me.


    ¡°Hey,¡± I softly said while approaching his side. ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    ¡°Better,¡± he said back, sounding slightly raspy yet stronger than before. ¡°Thanks to you and Ryan.¡±


    I took a seat next to him, holding onto his hand with mine. ¡°We couldn¡¯t have made it this far if you hadn¡¯t fought hard enough, Aiden.¡±


    With seriousness in his eyes, he squeezed my hand tight. ¡°Listen, Hayley, I need to let you know about something really significant to me.¡±


    In that moment, my heart raced as I leaned closer towards him.


    ¡°What is it?¡±

 83: Unseen Shadows

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    ¡°I don¡¯t know from whom, but it was an Alpha.¡± He frowned. ¡°Someone very strong.¡± And I think that it is dangerous. ¡°We have to be ready.¡±


    I knew what he meant. ¡°We shall find out who that person is and face them together.¡±


    Aiden let out a sigh of relief. ¡°I know it¡¯s true.¡± But he had no other option than to heal for now.


    ¡°Of course you will.¡± I said this firmly, intending not to leave his side.


    At this point, Ryan walked in with some food on a tray and drinks as well. ¡°I thought you might be hungry,¡± he said, grinning.


    Aiden chuckled softly. ¡°You know me too well.¡±


    He put down the tray and sat on one of the chairs around the patient. ¡°Indeed, we¡¯ve gone through so much, yet we still stand together as one. This is what matters most.¡±


    The next few hours were spent talking about old times¡¯ joys and sorrows, apanied byughter over cups of tea or coffee. The same thing happened when Aiden was able to smile again, and colour returned to his cheeks.


    Then, atst, the healer came back, smiling happily. ¡°He¡¯s recovering very well. Soon, he will walk again, provided he has enough rest along with proper care.¡±


    My heart felt lightened with joy after hearing her words, while my throat was choked. ¡°Thank you,¡± I said, my voice trembling with emotion.


    Her face lit up with a kind smile. ¡°It¡¯s really nothing.¡± She added, turning back towards Aiden before continuing, ¡°You¡¯re lucky; indeed, your family is ever so supportive.


    Once the healer left, Aiden turned serious at me with his eyes. ¡°We must get back to the Moonlight Moon pack immediately. We have a lot of figuring out to do.¡±


    I nodded. ¡°We will. But for now, rest and recover.¡±


    Ryan agreed. ¡°We are behind you, Aiden; just focus on getting well.¡±


    Aiden sighed, leaning back on the pillows. ¡°I will. But if anything happens, promise me you will look after each other at all costs.¡±


    ¡°We promise,¡± I replied authoritatively, looking at Ryan for confirmation.


    Ryan nodded. ¡°Always.¡±


    Care and recovery were all that happened in the following few days. With each day that passed, Aiden became stronger; his wounds healed faster than expected. It amazed the healers, who argued it was due to his Alpha resilience and determination.


    Finally, the day arrived when Aiden could travel. We loaded our bags, ready to leave the airport towards our pack¡¯snd.


    While preparing to leave, Aiden turned towards me and Ryan and said, ¡°Thank you both of you because I wouldn¡¯t have made it without your support.¡±.


    ¡°We¡¯re family,¡± I said, hugging him tightly. ¡°We stick together.¡±


    Ryan pped Aiden on the shoulder and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go back home to decide the next move.¡±


    Aiden has a determined look in his eyes as he nods. ¡°There¡¯s much to do. It would be fine. We can do it if we cling together.¡±


    So we left the airport to take on whatever challengesy ahead of us. We had one another, and that was sufficient. The journey could be arduous, but we are ready for it. Together, there was no way to stop us.     Leaving the airport, it was a relief to step out into the cool evening after the oppressive heat inside. Aiden looked more robust by the minute, and I had renewed hope. Ryan had made arrangements for a car to take us back home.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get you home, Aiden,¡± I said, helping him into the car.


    ¡°Great idea,¡± Aiden replied, grimacing slightly as he slid into ce. ¡°I am set on returning where I know my ways.¡±.


    Ryan got into the front seat; his eyes scanned their surroundings. He was always alert, but there was something in his stance that made me feel uneasy.


    It appeared to me that Ryan was checking the rearview mirror more often than usual while driving through town. ¡°What¡¯s happening with you?¡± I asked him, dropping my voice down to a whisper filled with worry.


    He turned his face towards me and said, ¡°I suspect someone is tailing us¡± in an earnest tone of voice.


    Then Aiden opened wide eyes, surprised at this revtion, before turning back to see what was happening outside their rear window. ¡°Who would want to trail us?¡±


    Ryan gripped the steering wheel tightly. ¡°I do not know. However, I saw a few men back at the airport. They seemed out of ce, and I spotted them again as soon as we got off the ne.¡±


    My spine shivered. ¡°Do you think they are in any way rted to the Alpha that attacked Aiden?¡±Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°It¡¯s possible,¡± responded Ryan grimly. ¡°We must be ready for anything.¡±


    The automobile arrived at a small, remote house, which served as our safe house. We assisted Aiden in, and he immediately took a seat, his face pale but decisive.


    ¡°Aiden said, despite his injuries, ¡®we need to find out who these men are and what they want¡¯,¡± indicating the strength he was able to summon even amid such serious wounds.


    ¡°I am going with you,¡± I dered while standing up, thus havingmitted myself more.


    ¡°Stay here with Aiden instead,¡± insisted Ryan adamantly. ¡°That is where he requires you most. I¡¯ll soon be back.¡±


    He slipped out the door, disappearing into darkness before vanishing amid it all together. Meanwhile, I turned back to Maiden, who was staring with worry across at me.


    ¡°Hayley, be careful,¡± he said softly. ¡°We don¡¯t yet know the situation.¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± I replied, sitting next to him. ¡°But we will get through this together.¡±


    The silence we perpetuated was nerve-racking, as though time itself stood still. In no time, Ryan was back, looking all grim and stuffy.


    ¡°They are here,¡± he said, shutting the door behind him. ¡°I saw at least three of them. Though they are trying hard to hide themselves, they are not seeding.¡±


    ¡°Why did they follow us from Australia?¡± Aiden asked, frowning. ¡°What do they want?¡±


    ¡°I am not sure,¡± Ryan said with a hint of dismay in his voice. ¡°But we must prepare ourselves for anything that may happen. If they decide to approach us, then we should know how best we can defend ourselves.¡±


    I stood up, trembling all over my body like someone who wasing out of an adrenaline rush. ¡°Let¡¯s face them,¡± I suggested. ¡°Let us ask them why they came here.¡±


    Aiden nodded with determination etched on his face. ¡°Agreed! Ryan, could you bring them here?¡±


    Ryan took a moment before he could respond but eventually nodded his head affirmatively. ¡°Yes, I can do that, but everyone should prepare themselves because their behaviour might be extreme.¡±


    I saw Ryan go out again silently while my heart raced inside me with fear and anxiety mixed together. Aiden held my hand in sce mode.


    ¡°Hayley, don¡¯t worry,¡± he said softly, touching my shoulders gently. ¡°This is nothingpared to the worst things we have already gone through.¡±


    I exhaled deeply, agreeing, ¡°True, but it scares me when I do not know who or what my opponent is.¡±


    Then, after 5 minutes or so, the door was opened by Ryan, and he stepped inside with three men behind him. The guys looked haggard, and their eyes were everywhere around the room, making them appear suspicious.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Aiden asked righteously, though he was weakened, ¡°Have you been following us?¡±


    The one man stepped ahead with carefulness written all over his face. ¡°I¡¯m Jack. We followed you from Australia because we know who you are, Aiden.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s eyes shortened. ¡°And who do you think I am?¡±


    Then Jack hesitated before taking a deep breath. ¡°We have always been aware that you are an Alpha. We have searched for you all this time.¡±     Anger coursed through me, and I stepped forward. ¡°Why? What do you want him for?¡±


    A nce from Jack went to his partners beforeing back at us again. ¡°We are not here to harm you. We need assistance.¡±


    Aiden frowned. ¡°With what help?¡±


    ¡°There is alpha in Australia,¡± Jack exined. ¡°He has been terrorising our pack, iming our territory, and killing anyone who opposes him. Rumours about you reached us; they imed that you possess strength. We thought perhaps you could help us.¡±


    I nced at Aiden, who was listening attentively. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you just approach us directly?¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you juste to us? Aiden asked, continuing his suspicious tone. ¡±     Jack sighed; frustration and desperation were palpable in his voice as it was enunciated in its entirety. ¡°There was no way we could trust our best-case scenario. The only case where we would have to consider your identity was if these were rumours.¡±


    Ryan, by the door, folded his arms. ¡°And now? Are you sure?¡±


    Jack nodded affirmatively. ¡°Yes. We¡¯ve observed enough things that ssify you as the required Alpha.¡±


    I noticed the fight within Aiden. He seemed like he wanted to do something, but the pains inside his body were still too much for him. So I said to him, ¡°Aiden, you don¡¯t have to decide now,¡± in a gentle tone. ¡°We need some time.¡±


    With Jack never taking his eyes off, Aiden nodded. ¡°We will talk about it. But if you are not telling the truth or have any other intention, then it will be your downfall.¡±


    In response, Jack raised both hands towards the fellows, trying hard not to show that anything was wrong with them. ¡°We understand. We are in your hands.¡±


    At that moment, my mother, Rachel, came through the door and stood beside me, gazing straight into my eyes before rushing forward and holding me tight in her grasp. ¡°Hayley, thank goodness you¡¯re safe,¡± she whispered frantically.


    ¡°Mom, what are you doing here?¡± I asked, slightly stepping back from her.


    ¡°I heard what happened to Aiden.¡± She nced over at him while saying this. ¡°I needed toe see if everything was okay with you.¡±


    Aiden smiled feebly back at her. ¡°Thank you, Rachel; good seeing you.¡±


    There was a softness in Rachel¡¯s stare before she regained herself again, and she turned towards me, clenching her fingers tighter around mine. ¡°Hayley, we need to talk.¡±


    A feeling of dread settled deep within my belly. ¡°What is it, mom?¡±


    Rachel gave Aiden a wary nce, then looked at the three men who had followed after us. ¡°Not here, outside.¡±


    I felt unsure and sought reassurance from Aiden with my eyes, who subtly nodded for me to go ahead. My mother opened the door, and I walked out with my heart in my mouth.


    Once we were outside, Rachel¡¯s demeanour changed.


    ¡°Hayley, you need to stay away from Aiden.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± I asked, taken aback. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s dangerous. His world is dangerous,¡± she said, her voice urgent. ¡°You¡¯ve already been through so much, and I don¡¯t want you getting hurt again.¡±


    ¡°Mom, I can take care of myself,¡± I insisted. ¡°And Aiden needs me. We¡¯re in this together.¡±


    Rachel shook her head. ¡°You don¡¯t understand. This isn¡¯t just about you. It¡¯s about our family. Our safety.¡±


    I felt a surge of frustration. ¡°Aiden is my family too. I love him.¡±


    Rachel narrowed her eyes at me. ¡°Love isn¡¯t enough to keep you safe, Hayley. You have to think about your future.¡±


    ¡°My future is with Aiden,¡± I said firmly. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving him.¡±


    Rachel¡¯s face hardened. ¡°Then you¡¯re making a mistake. And you¡¯ll regret it.¡±


    Before that could be said, the door opened again, and Ryan stepped out with an expression of tension on his face. ¡°There¡¯s a problem.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± I asked, and my heart sank.


    ¡°The men who followed us-they weren¡¯t alone,¡± Ryan said. ¡°There are more of them, and they¡¯re closing in.¡±


    Rachel went pale instantly. ¡°We need to get out of here.¡±


    ¡°Join us together, for he is already prepping.¡± Ryan remarked, his features grim. ¡°But we have to be prepared for anything.¡±


    I took a deep breath and nced at my mother. ¡°Mom, just leave. It isn¡¯t your battle.¡±


    Tears were filling Rachel¡¯s eyes as she pleaded with me, ¡°Hayley, please don¡¯t do this.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s imperative that I do,¡± I said softly. ¡°I cannot abandon Aiden.¡±


    Rachel¡¯s face became a mask of anguish when she took a step backward. ¡°You are on your own then.¡±


    My heart ached as I observed her walking away. However, I realised that I could not allow her fears to control my actions.


    Turning back towards Ryan, I said, ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡±.


    The tension in the house was tangible when we went back inside together. Aiden looked at me; pain mixed with determination reflected from his eyes. ¡°Are you prepared?¡±


    Nodding my head gave me strength-always being strong enough was all there was, but now it seemed there wasn¡¯t much chance for that anymore since it had been lost so long ago.


    That might just be the answer. Silence spread across the room while we got ready for the sh; everyone was aware of the fact that whatever happened would mean everything changing forever.

 84: Bound by Fate

    HAYLEY¡¯S POV


    The drone of the refrigerator was all around, and I stood in it, chopping vegetables with mechanical efficiency. It was a storm of thoughts and feelings happening in my head, all the whilepeting for attention. Rachel¡¯s voice rang in my ears-an ever-present indication of the growing divide that separated us. Fleeing back into the shadows of her house, but not before dropping a bombshell on me: she was truly my mother. She was always there for me; she let my troubles go easy on me, and now all of a sudden she wanted to keep Aiden away from me.


    Oh, Hayley, honey, please eat something.¡± Rachel had whispered so quietly, pleading with those big eyes to block out her desperation, I groaned a little and walked towards the kitchen.¡¯


    I had numbly nodded, going back to the only ce I could ever go for even a whisper of sanity anymore. But it weighed on me even then-her confession. I almost cut my finger when the de slipped. The microscopic blood that bubbled on my skin made me hiss as I watched. As if to remind you all that I was still there, alive, and trying my best for a future with Aiden.


    ¡°Need some help?¡± Aiden¡¯s warm, grounding voice sliced through my thoughts. He stood at the door, looking as haggard as I felt.


    I tried to smile back and said, ¡°I am okay.¡±¡± Just a little cut.¡±


    A few strides, and he was across the room, gently taking my hand to look at the cut. You need to be more careful. He scolded gently and looked very worried.


    I whispered (feeling a lump form in my throat), ¡°I know. Harry¡¯s voice was so quiet as he spoke, saying, ¡°It is all just too much.¡±Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    His arms wrapped around me and he embraced me. It was soforting. It¡¯s okay, Hayley.¡±


    I held on to him almost as if I could feed off hispany. I whispered, ¡°Rachel asked me to stay away from you.¡± You are dangerous; youe from a world of danger, she says.


    Aiden sucked in a hiss as he secured himself around me. After a moment, ¡°She¡¯s not incorrect.¡± However, I am only one part of the danger. From the real world we live in. But I cannot allow you to do it alone.


    That voice cracked when she spoke again, saying, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be without you.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±


    He hesitated before pulling up a little, his eyes locking into mine. ¡°Then we fight. We struggle for the future; we are going to own it together. No matter what.¡±


    I was about to reply when the door creaked open, and Rachel walked into the kitchen. She looked back and forth between us, a storm swirling in her gaze that betokened both sadness and resolve.


    Her voice was steady but aching as she said, ¡°Hayley¡­¡± ¡°We need to talk.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s arm tightened around me, but I loosened it and got free. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± I replied quietly, holding his hand. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    We went down to the lounge with a thickness of despair in the air. She took a long breath and looked into my eyes.


    My rages with her voice full of emotion: ¡°Hayley, I know this must be hard for you to understand.¡± ¡°Everything I did, I did for you.


    ¡°Protect me from what?¡± I exploded, my irritation surfacing. ¡°From Aiden? The life we¡¯ve built together?


    Rachel blinked back tears as she said, ¡°From the truth.¡± This is a dream I had imagined in my head, but I prayed for you not to be like this.


    A cold chill ran down my back. ¡°What truth?¡±


    Rachel turned her face away, her hands shaky. The Truth About Your Birth Parents: Why They Had to Have You Adopted.


    I could barely hear anything over the sound of my own racing heart, partly out of fear but mostly out of curiosity. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Rachel inhaled deeply to prepare herself. Youe from a very strong bloodline. They were pursued, harassed, and ultimately murdered. I brought you here to save them from what happened in their faith.


    My mind was spinning as I looked at her. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±


    I tried to,¡± she said, her voice breaking.  ¡°But I was afraid. I was scared of how they might target you once you knew the truth.


    My mouth turned red with fury and the sting of betrayal. ¡°So you lied to me? All these years?¡±


    Rachel looked up at me, her eyes begging. I have done what I consider to be in the best interest of all concerned. But the way things are going now, you have to know. You have to realise what the stakes are.


    I took a deep breath, my mind racing. I need to consider-I mean!, fuck!-my voice cracks.


    She touched me, but I kept dragging it away from her hand. ¡°Hayley, please. I love you. I just want what¡¯s best for you.


    Tears blurred my vision, and I shook that same head. ¡°I need some time alone.¡±


    My heart sank, and I ran out of the room.


    I dashed out of my house, the numb biting of that night wrapping around my head as I searched for answers. The sky was invisible beneath tumultuous clouds. I paced to the corner of a secluded garden that Rachel had cultivated for years. I kneeled amongst the flowers, jasmine sweet and rose profound as my own salted scent of sorrow.


    It was minutes before I heard gravel behind me. I had not looked at Rachel at that time. She came up and sat beside me, herfort tinged with apprehension.


    ¡°Hayley,¡± she said, barely above a whisper. ¡°I know this is overwhelming for you to hear about all at once. But you have to understand why I did what I did.


    They stared me down like a group of daisies, drawing the sunshine out in front, beaming so brightly that they were almost translucent against the darkness that I now lived in. ¡°Why now, Rachel? Why tell me all of this now?¡±


    Rachel let out a long sigh, and her shoulders slouched. This is the only time I will tell you, because what happens with Aiden? It¡¯s going downhill. You have to be ready for what may ur.


    I turned to see her face. I stared at the seat behind hers, trying desperately for some form of answer in those eyes. What really happened to my parents??


    Rachel looked down, and her watery eyes ached. They were¡­ they were pirs in their pack. They attracted attention of a kind they should not have. They were betrayed by their own people. As soon as they knew that their own lives were in danger, the hardest and bravest decision of their lives was to let you go, thinking maybe just maybe you have a chance at normal.


    Once again, tears formed in my eyes. ¡°Why didn¡¯t they fight? ¡°And I never said he hurt me!¡±


    Then Rachel touched me on the arm, and I realised she had taken my hand. ¡°They did, Hayley. In their own way, they did. They decided to save you and sheltered you from their world-their enemies. You were their brightest star, but they couldn¡¯t stay because it would threaten your life.


    I yanked my hand back, burning with rage. I never met them, though. I never got to say goodbye.¡±


    Rachel¡¯s eyes welled up with tears. ¡°I know, and I¡¯m so sorry for that.


    But before you grab your pitchforks, remember that their action was out of love and desperation.¡±


    I get up and wander around the few flowers in my garden,den with thoughts. ¡°So now what? How am I going to use this?


    Rachel stood as well, her features determined. You better worry about your own safety. Forget the past. Forget your childhood. They chose to keep you safe, and now¡­ it will have to be up to you.


    Shaking my head with burgeoning frustration, ¡°How can I forget about them? And just go on with life like they were never there.


    Rachel bore down on him, her eyes fiercer. You know why, though? because it is the only way you will survive. Hayley, darling girl, you lived with some far from saintly parents. They made mistakes-big ones. They became enmeshed in power struggles, and they antagonised enemies of old. They weren¡¯t perfect. They did what they believed was best, but you cannot let their history determine your future.


    My heart ached as I looked at this person. He asked rhetorically, ¡°You are saying that they were bad people?¡±


    Rachel¡¯s face softened as her eyes clouded with empathy. What I am saying is that, just like everybody else, they were also wed. They loved you, but things were dangerous and ambiguous in their world. You get the choice to live a different life-a safer life. You don¡¯t have to be the asshole monkey in your workce. Hours are long enough, as it is my friend.¡±


    It made me feel guilty and confused. ¡°But what about Aiden? He¡¯s my life now. I can¡¯t just abandon him.¡±


    The pleading look in Rachel¡¯s eyes. She exhaled heavily and exploited the power bestowed upon her as the name behind Generation Y to say: You do not have to leave him but be smart. Keep your safety first. Hayley, I swear to you, no one ever messes with me. I will make certain that your seat is secure and that you are happy. You¡¯re not responsible for your parents¡¯ past.


    I averted my eyes, my thoughts scrambling. ¡°How can I trust you, Rachel? How can I really feel as if anything you say is the entire truth?


    Rachel stepped forward, her hands on my shoulders. ¡°Because I love you, Hayley. I have loved it as my own for a long time. I gave my life to protecting you and giving you a shot at happiness. I vowed to you that I would make better what no man took from me. You do not have to carry the burden of your parents¡¯ mistakes. Focus on you; focus on the future.¡±


    I watched as a million tears poured out of my eyes and confusion raged through me. ¡°Rachel, I have no idea what to do. I¡¯m so confused.¡±


    Rachel squeezed me tighter for a moment before pulling back, her expression asking the question she was not going to ask.


    ¡°Hey, you want to go back to the house, Hayley? This needs to be talked about more, and it¡¯s cold out here.¡±


    I started to nod, an emotional sinking feeling overwhelming me yet still somewhatforted by a touch of her warmth. In silence, we walked back to the house. Heavy upon us were those revtions of a rear-ended night. The mood inside was grim, with everyone tense and anxious.


    Rachel moved me into the living room, with Aiden and Ryan there, looking for fish. Which she sucked in deep and released as she turned to face Aiden. I am done allowing The Quarter to freely harm Hayley. Before Hawthorne can worry about justice, she must protect the girl from any looming threat.


    Aiden¡¯s eyes narrowed, and his situation waspact. ¡°Rachel, what are you saying?¡±


    Rachel¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. ¡®I¡¯m saying that Hayley needs to be kept out of harm¡¯s way in your world, Aiden. She cannot be part of this battle. It¡¯s too risky.¡±


    A surge of anger and defiance seemed to boil up inside me. I rose to my feet, and though my hands shook inside themselves, I remained calm. ¡°No, Rachel. You messed up, but you will never ruin or control my life again.


    Rachel¡¯s eyes were wide with amazement. Each post is an open letter: ¡°Hayley, I am just trying to help you.¡±


    I shook my head, grounding down on my resolution. I know you love me, and I value all that you have done. But I¡¯m not a child anymore.


    And those decisions that I have the right to make are ones that side with Aiden. We¡¯re in this together.¡±


    Aiden stood up, positioning himself by my side and holding my hand. Together, we¡¯re better, Rachel. We are going to battle with whatever we have, Hayley and I. We do not need to have perishables for each of us.


    Frustration and desperation surged through her expression, hardening it as Rachel clenched her jaw. Hayley, you¡¯re ying with fire. This isn¡¯t just about you. This one reminds you all the time that ¡°it¡¯s about your future, your safety.¡±


    I met her gaze, unwavering. ¡°My future is with Aiden. I am not going to let fear lead my life. You cannot protect me by keeping the people I love away from me.


    Rachel¡¯s face suddenly slumped as if the spirit had gone out of her, and she sounded a note that was somewhere between sorrow and self-disgust. ¡°Hayley, please. Listen to yourselves, for crying out loud!


    I leaned into him, taking his strength and love. ¡°I¡¯ve thought about it. That is what I choose, and no one will take that from me.


    Rachel studied my face, abination of sadness and resignation ying on her features. Well, Hayley,¡± he said, ¡°you¡¯d better know what you¡¯re doing. Because when you go down this path, ¡°you can¡¯t put the genie back in the bottle.¡±


    ¡ª¡ª¨C


    Hayley finally gave Rachel that piece of her mind and stood up to dere herself independent.


    Rachel will not have sway or influence over her life, she said.


    Her words settled over the room, heavy as death-a moment that would divide their lives in two.

 85: A Lead

    AIDEN¡¯S POV


    So, I was able to see the built-up tension between Hayley and Rachele crashing down. There was a brief silence between them, as if Hayley had demanded an argument from the very departure of her ims. Rachel looked dejected and resigned, slumping over with the blow of Hayley¡¯s words. Rachel eventually broke the silence with a voice freighted with barely controlled emotion.


    ¡±Hayley, you are making a mistake. From now on, I¡¯m not responsible for anything that happens to you¡±. They knifed the air with her words. Spinning on her heel, she stomped through the house to be met with a resounding thud as the door mmed behind her.


    The moment Rachel left; Hayley seemed to break. She copsed into the closest chair and buried her face in her hands as she gave way to more sobs. In that moment of standing helpless, I wanted to do something-anything-to take away her pain.


    Ryan, who had been silent throughout all this, stepped forward. He spoke so softly but with authority. Aiden, she will need you more than ever. Be there for her.¡±


    I pushed my way through and kneeled by Hayley in her chair. Reaching forward, I touched her face and gently pulled away the hands with a tear-streaked face. I whispered in hushed tones, my voice lulling and soft, Hayley, everything is going to be okay.¡±


    Her red-streaked eyes turned up to me. ¡°How can you say that Aiden? Everything is falling apart. I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±


    Taking her face in my hands, I caressed the tears away with my thumbs. We will work that out together. You¡¯re not alone in this. I promise.¡±


    Hayley softened into my hand, the heaving gasps eventually quieting to mere sniffles. ¡°I¡¯m scared, Aiden. I do not think I can take any more of this.


    With a soft kiss on her cheek, my lipsy there for just the briefest moment. ¡°You can handle it, Hayley. You are braver than you imagine. And you know what? I¡¯m here with you.


    There was a pause when she drew in heavily for air, turning her eyes to mine, and I saw that look of fear mixed with resolve.


    I shook my head, continuing to stare directly ahead. ¡°You¡¯re not making a mistake. You are choosing for yourself, and that is amazing. We cannot sit at home all our lives and worry about terrible things. Things we have to deal with up front as a society.


    Ryan, who had been standing silently beside them, extended his hand and stepped closer. ¡°Hayley, Aiden¡¯s right. You¡¯ve made a brave choice. And you have us to help. Now we are a team, and that means dealing with whatever happens when it is put in front of us.¡±


    Hayley bobbed her head rigidly, squeezing my hands harder. ¡°Thank you, both of you. I do not know what I would do without you.¡±


    I smiled at her, feeling an outpouring of love and protectiveness. You are not going to find out because we¡¯re staying.


    The rest of our time, we sat in a soothing silence, the toll from her initial challenge slowly diminishing. It wasn¡¯t until I heard Hayley¡¯s own breathing steady itself that it felt like she got stronger from our warmth, not just us warming her.


    And finally: her voice, shaking and desperate. ¡°So, what do we do now? How do we get ready for what¡¯sing?


    I looked over at Ryan, who also acknowledged that it was okay! We need to start with a bit of data gathering first. Well, the threats are evident, and we must learn to protect ourselves.


    Hayley nodded with determination in her sparkly eyes. ¡°Okay. Where do we start?¡±


    Now Ryan stepped towards me, his face urgent. I may have a few connections that can be of assistance.


    We need to get a hold of them and see what they know. We also need to be cautious, always looking for any kind of suspiciousness.


    I gave Hayley¡¯s hand a squeeze and smiled reassuringly at her. You and me together, Hayley. Together.¡±


    She nodded firmly, taking a deep breath. ¡°Together.¡±


    He yanked his phone from his pocket, beginning to dial. I¡¯ll get on the phone. We need to move quickly.¡±


    Ryan made his way across the room, leaving Hayley behind, looking deeply into my eyes. ¡°Aiden, thank you. For everything.¡±


    I moved in closer to kiss her forehead sweetly. Hailey, you don¡¯t need to thank me; I¡¯m here because I love you. And I will do whatever it takes to protect you.


    A small bit of hope returned to her face as she smiled. ¡°I love you too, Aiden. I just pray we make the right decisions.


    He nodded, and my determination hardened. ¡°We are. Whatever happens, we¡¯ll face it together.


    Ryan came back in, and he still had his phone. I know someone who can lead me to a promising source of knowledge. We have to do it tomorrow. But it is¡­ its kind of a hail-drifty thing at this point.


    She took a deep breath and nodded. ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s do it.¡±


    Just as Ryan was texting Margaret back, he felt his phone buzz in his pocket and excused himself from the conversation to answer it. I focused my whole attention back on Hayley, who looked less upset but more determined. My heart broke to see her like this, so I touched her hand.


    Hayley, I swear to you, we will get to the bottom of this,¡± I assured her. Surely you must know more about them.


    Guessing,¡± she said, ¡°a plot point or secret we need to understand now?


    She shook her head, looking torn. ¡°Fah¡­¡± I didn¡¯t even get a chance to finish my profound sentence before he hung up on me. Well, after that bite from the Alpha in Australia, you need time to heal. You had been through so much already.


    I tightened my fingers around her hand, stating it more forcefully. ¡°No, Hayley. This is important. I¡¯ll be strong enough soon. There is no way around it. This cannot happen to me, not even in one hundred years I was going to be witness of that agent Smith.  We have questions that need to be answered, and I want to help you find those answers.¡±


    Molly¡¯s eyes did soften, but her expression remained fraught. Aiden, I just don¡¯t want you to go overboard. You¡¯ve barely recovered.¡±


    I had faked a smile, hoping tofort her. Oh yeah, I¡¯m tougher than you think. Hale, this isn¡¯t even really about you. It¡¯s about us. We are in the same boat, and I will not let you drown.


    Hayley attempted to respond before Ryan came back, looking somber. I still have some business to take care of down in Australia. There is something I need to attend to right now.


    Hayley looked at me, eyes wide. ¡°Ryan, is everything okay?¡±


    Ryan nodded, his expression edged in concern. ¡®Nothing for you to be worrying about at the moment. But I have to leave tonight. I will return as quickly as possible.¡±


    I looked at Hayley, then at Ryan. You mean you can do okay by yourself?


    Ryan smirked a little more confidently now. ¡°I¡¯ve dealt with worse. Just look after Hayley and work this out.¡±


    Hayley nced uneasily from me to her. ¡°Ryan, be careful. Ande back soon. We need you.¡±


    Letting Ryan off the hook was apassionate disgrace. He nodded; his features rxing. ¡°I will. And you look out for one another, y¡¯all hear me?¡±


    We both nodded. We exchanged nces once more as Ryan grabbed the door to leave us in silence in the living room.


    Hayley sighed, deting her shoulders. It feels like everything is swirling beyond my grasp.


    I embraced her and kept on hugging. ¡°Just keep going, Hayley. One step at a time.¡±


    Her voice was muffled by my chest as she leaned in close. I just miss how things used to be.¡±


    I begged, running one hand through her hair in a useless attempt to soothe her. ¡°I know. But we¡¯ll find a new normal. An easy one-where everything makes sense, and we are safe and happy.


    She drew her face back a smidge and looked up at me. ¡°How in hell do you think we are going to learn the real story about my parents?


    I gratefully nodded back, clear determination on my face. ¡°Yes, I do. Whatever we discover, we should do it as a team.


    Hayley breathed in deeply, trying to calm down. ¡°Alright. Then where do we start?¡±


    I took a moment to think about it and examined our choices.


    ¡±First, we need to check on Ryan. Let¡¯s go dig for some data. After that, we may need to go way back and start talking with people who knew your parents.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s do it.¡±


    That evening was about nning and talking about what we do next. We had nned to text Ryan¡¯s Connect as soon as we woke up. Things started to change as the night wore on, though Hayley had a determination about her.


    I looked into her eyes and took her hand in mine before we went to bedst night. ¡°I was dreaming with a broken heart, we always have each other, no matter what happens. That¡¯s our greatest strength.


    A real smile, reaching her eyes. ¡°I know, Aiden. I feel lucky for that every day.


    We climbed in bed, but sleep was elusive. Thoughts and ns were spinning around in my head. I knew things were going to be difficult from here on out, but I was positive I could handle it. Hayley, for us and the truth hidden by many years.


    We awoke the next morning determined. We went over our n one final time at breakfast. Whatever Hayley had gone throughst night, Great Shot was back to business.


    As we were leaving, I stopped and reassured her one more time. We will be okay, Hayley. We will get what we need.


    She nodded and squeezed my hand. ¡°I believe you, Aiden. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    We spent the morning on phone calls, collecting information everywhere that we could. Ryan¡¯s friend, a man called Marcus, had arranged to meet us at a cafe in a nearby town. He said, in passing, he knew someone who had connections to Hayley¡¯s mom and dad.


    The atmosphere seemed taut as we got ready to go. In Hayley¡¯s eyes, I could see the blend of nervousness and determination. She is prepared to meet whateveres next, but the suspense is undeniable.


    ¡°Are you ready for this?¡± Standing up on the doorway, she asked me to hold her hand.


    She banished her nod, clutching my hand in hers. ¡°I have to be. We need to know the truth.¡±


    I smiled tofort her. ¡°We¡¯ll find it together.¡±


    The ride to the cafe was silent; we were both just lost in thought. As we entered the tiny vige, it appeared like quaint streets and old structures were trying too hard! It seemed inconceivable that this serene ce could harbour the solutions to such a grim mystery.


    We parked and entered the cafe, both of us looking around for Marcus. Sitting at a corner table was a very serious-looking gentleman of tall stature and greying hair. He nced up as we approached and gave a curt nod.


    ¡°Marcus?¡± I asked, extending a hand.


    He shook it firmly. ¡°Aiden. And you must be Hayley.¡±


    The words were spoken with extreme rity by a strong female voice, obviously Hayley. Her answer was concise for my questioning eyes, and she nodded in confirmation, nheless. For you toe out, yes, thank you for having us.¡±


    Marcus waved for us to take a seat. You have some questions about your parents, right?


    Hayley took a deep breath. ¡°Yes. We need to know the truth about them.


    Marcus leaned back, looking contemtive. Your parents were powerful members of their pack, but they had many enemies. It was a world where betrayal had been whispered about, secrets half-kept.


    Who she asked who would have ratted them out, I asked, leaning in.


    Marcus shook his head. ¡°Not exactly. There are others in this town who were on the periphery of their lives and no doubt knew a lot more about it. They never came forward before out of fear, but they may do so now.


    My eyes lit with hope at Hayley¡¯s suggestion. ¡°Who are these people? Can we meet them?¡±


    Marcus took a moment, then nodded his head in consent. There¡¯s an old associate of your mom and dad, ady named Evelyn. She resides a couple of minutes out of town. Her whisper stirs my earlobes as if it where only moments before the events took ce: ¡°If anyone knows half of what really happened, it¡¯s her.


    We looked at each other and, for a moment, silently concurred. This was the break we needed.


    ¡°Can you take us to her?¡± I asked.


    Marcus nodded again. ¡°I can give you directions. It¡¯s best if you go alone. I am just a little shy around strangers.


    Hayley epted the directions, and her hands quivered. ¡°Thank you, Marcus. This means a lot to us.¡±


    He smiled kindly at her. ¡°Be careful.¡± Sometimes the truth is the most dangerous thing.


    We were silent and grim at the realisation of what Marcus had told us as we left the cafe. On our way back to the car, Hayley looked at me big and determinedly.


    ¡°We have to do this, Aiden. We need to know the truth.¡±


    I nodded, unlocking the car. ¡°I know. And we will. Let¡¯s go find Evelyn.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Getting in the car, we took off, knowing that when these stories tell it right, you go to Evelyn¡¯s house. The future was uncertain, but we would stand in the storm together to meet it head-on. We knew that answers were out there, somewhere waiting to be found.


    When we left the parking lot and drove into the little outskirts of town, butterflies filled my gut.


    This was the beginning of chapter two of our journey-a new quest to find out more about Hayley¡¯s parents and their delicate history.


    We were getting closer and closer to finding out the truth that had been kept for years. We drove forward into the mystery, and I felt sure that whatever we discovered there, we would conquer it hand in hand.


    ¡ª¡ª-


    We got a tip out of the next town, which led to Hayley¡¯s real parents and set off for the ce, bent upon understanding what was really happening and getting prepared for what maye.

 86: The Witch

    Hayley¡¯s POVExclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    We drove out to the Glorious Rogue Pack with a waiting, haunting sense of anticipation. We settled into a smooth clip as the vistas gradually shifted from small vige interiors to open-country surroundings. Lush fields extended on all sides, broken in spots by pocket woodlots. It was lovely, but I only noticed it in my periphery as I thought about other things. I looked over at Aiden, his eyes on the road ahead as we twisted and turned around every curve.


    Then a voice broke the silence. ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± he said.


    I nodded, forcing myself to suppress the flutter in my stomach. ¡°Yeah. I only pray that Evelyn has the answers we need.


    ¡°Which we will know in a couple of minutes,¡± he said, his tone more reassuring.


    Finally, to our relief, after what seemed like aeons and aeons, we caught sight of the town. A sign that said ¡°Wee to the Glorious Rogue Pack¡± in old lettering. The town was charming, like the vige we hade from. Cobble-stained streets and facades that spoke of an ancient world, one would think, had withstood the past century.


    The loud growl of Aiden¡¯s stomach broke the silence. He chuckled sheepishly. I guess I am just hungrier than anticipated.


    I felt a half-smile, and the tension was beginning to drop. ¡±¡¯Wait till we find a ce to eat first.¡±


    I went up the main street searching for a restaurant. And there was a little bistro with tables and chairs in the street outside, which made Aiden¡¯s eyes light up. ¡°How about there?¡±


    ¡°It looks perfect,¡± I agreed.


    I parked the car and strolled over to the bistro, a touch of freshly baked bread in the breeze amongst wafting whiffs all around. The location wasfortable and friendly, with wooden tables and chairs set up in an orderly area outside. When we reached the building, Aiden opened the door for me and let us in.


    We were met with a broad grin by the amiable waitress. ¡°Wee! Table for two?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please,¡± Aiden replied.


    She showed us to a table in the corner by the window, which provided an ample view of Muswell Hill Broadway. She led us to sit and handed us menus. ¡°May I offer you something to drink for starters?¡±


    ¡®One coffee-¡® ¡®I¡¯ll have a coffee, thanks,¡¯ I said.


    ¡°Same for me,¡± Aiden added.


    She left, and I looked at the menu, trying to figure out what exactly I was going to order. Man, I thought there were more opportunities for everything.


    Aiden nodded, his eyes running over the choices. Beef stew, I think. It sounds hearty.¡±


    ¡°Ok, that sounds good,¡± I chimed in. I Dine: Chicken pot pie it is.


    The waitress brought our coffees and flipped open her pad to take orders. Aiden sat back in his chair and sipped the coffee the moment she walked out. While she was listening to this, the thought came on as a voice in my head: ¡°Then how are you feeling about meeting Evelyn?¡±


    Aiden grasped my hand across the table and squeezed gently. We can do this together, Hayley. No matter what, we find out.¡±


    His unwavering support made me smile, feeling so grateful. ¡°I know. Thank you, Aiden.¡±


    Not long after, our food arrived, and we ate in silence, enjoying the meal on our own. The stew and pot pie tasted bold, hearty, and delicious. That meal was exactly what I used to replenish in order to continue on with our journey.


    When we were done with the food, we paid and walked out again. The sun was setting somewhere at the back, sending out a golden glow across town.


    ¡°Where to next?¡± Aiden asked, ncing around.


    Let¡¯s just get a hotel, I said. We may have been having a conversation with Evelyn for quite awhile, and it would probably be evening by the time we finished. Where were they going to stay?


    ¡°Good idea,¡± Aiden agreed. ¡°Let¡¯s see if we can get a mild one.


    We wandered the streets, looking for a hotel. We no sooner came across a magnificent building with a signal stating ¡°The Wonderful Inn-Five Star Resort.


    I pointed to the sign as we passed by and said, ¡°That looks like it could be good.


    Aiden grinned. ¡°Only the best for us.¡±


    The five of us walked into the hotel, and I was already in awe at how fancy it looked. The amodation hall wasrge and elegantly furnished, with couches inside your home plus the roof. The reception desk greeted us with a big grin.


    ¡°Good evening! How can I help you today?¡±


    Aiden said, ¡°We need a room for the night.¡±


    Naturally, she typed away at herputer. Our lovely suite is open! Will that be alright?¡±


    ¡®Well, then that is perfect!


    She gave us the keycards and pointed to our suite. We rode the elevator upstairs, and I started getting excited.


    It was a long, horrible day.


    The elevator took us to a plush hallway carpeted thickly underfoot with wall sconces. The luminous light gave a washy glow to the opulent room. Aiden took the lead, and I trailed behind with the keycard held in my hand. We walked up to a door with ¡°Suite 204¡± posted on it.


    We made it to our room. ¡°Hey, this is us,¡± I said as I swiped the key card. The door utched, and I swung it open to find the most spectacr room.


    I walked into a room, which was spacious and decorated beautifully with the king-sized bed at its center. A seating area with a crushed-velvet sofa and armchairs was created to enjoy the floor-to-ceiling windows that led out onto our balcony, looking down at the town below. Aiden put our bags down and smirked at me.


    His arms came around my waist, and then his lips were on my neck, softly pressing a kiss. I thought as I shivered at his touch that only the arousal and intensity of it caused warmth to linger on my spine.


    ¡°Mew,¡± I said,ughing. ¡°Wait, someone will see us.¡±.


    He gave a soft chortle, his warm breath against my flesh. ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± he murmured. Every damned werewolf in the world:I want you all to know that your mines are¡­ my Luna and my mate.¡±


    Heat crept up my cheeks, and I felt the urge to smile. You are nearly impossible,¡± I told him, nudging just away from me.


    He smirked against my lips, twisting around and clinging to them for a brief moment with his own warm ones. ¡°Impossible, but irresistible,¡± he joked.


    I leaned into him, sighing in contentment. Well, that, I suppose, is hard to argue with.


    It was a chance for both of us to soak up our travels. It was only a small reprieve in the storm toe, and we each knew that it wouldn¡¯tst.


    We should settle down, Aiden proposed. ¡°Tomorrow is going to be a busy one.¡±


    I agreed, sauntering off towards the bathroom to clean up as Aiden unpacked our things. The bathroom was just asvish, with a big, fancy bath and an amazing rainfall shower. I rushed to clean myself and get back with Aiden.


    I resurfaced to see Aiden lounging on the couch, running his way through a hundred billion channels of cable TV on the giant t screen. He looked up when I walked in, and his smile set the room aglow.


    ¡°Feel better?¡± he asked.


    ¡®Very,¡¯ I answered, slipping onto his bed beside him.


    He wound an arm around my shoulder, pulling me back tightly. You know what? Let¡¯s capitalise on this. We have to unwind like this very rarely.


    Iid my head on his chest and felt the beat of his heart. ¡°You¡¯re right. Let¡¯s just enjoy it.¡±


    The next hour we spent together talking all about it. Even with such a divine duty, we were so momentarily unburdened that all four of us fell into each other in joy, physical proof against the ominous skies that seemed to im no His presence let the edge of tension in my nerves rx, and I basked in it.


    Finally, we turned in for the night. As plush as the bed was when I finally made it to that sweet haven of softness, we sunk into one another with an audible shudder. Aiden took his ce by my side and held me in a protective embrace.


    He murmured, his lips brushed against my forehead, ¡°Goodnight, Hayley.


    With his embrace surrounding me, I whispered, ¡°Goodnight, Aiden,¡± and the heat of him rxed me into a tranquil sleep.


    In the morning, we woke up feeling great and prepared to take on another day. The room was bathed in golden light streaming from the windows. We dressed as fast as we could, excited to hit the road.


    The receptionist smiled a warm smile at us as we checked out of the hotel. I hope you had a great time visiting! ¡°Safe travels!¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± said Aiden, mimicking her smile.


    We slipped outdoors, reinvigorated by the cool morning air. The little vige hummed with life louder than I remembered, and I felt myself determined again.


    ¡°Ready to find Evelyn?¡± Aiden asked, taking my hand.


    ¡°Ready.¡± I took his hand and squeezed it. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    We took the route. Marcus had told us to wind through some of the town and eventually travel to more countries. The road was narrow, surrounded by high trees shaking their leaves from a caressing wind. We soon saw a small cabin nestled in the woods, exactly as Marcus had exined.


    ¡°Here-this one,¡± I stammered, my heart pounding itself to pieces.


    My hand met Aiden¡¯s, and he gave it a light squeeze. ¡°Let¡¯s find out.¡±


    The cottage loomed closer, and I steadied myself before rapping upon the door. The door squealed in answer, opening to an elderly woman with soft blue eyes and a loving smile.


    ¡°Evelyn?¡± My voice was trembling a little as I asked.


    She nodded, looking at us both hard. You must be Hayley and Aiden. I¡¯ve been expecting you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for having us,¡± Aiden said respectfully.


    ¡°Step in, you two,¡± Evelyn said, moving to the side.


    The cottage was warm, with dried herbs hanging everywhere and a smell of freshly baked bread filling the room. It felt so warm and lived in with all of the trinkets decorating it, along with photos throughout that were family-rted. Evelyn showed us to a small sitting area where the firece was burning quietly.


    With some effort, she slipped out of his hand and replied, ¡°Please sit,¡± motioning towards the decrepit but rather homey armchairs.


    We sat down and spoke wordlessly. Evelyn took a seat across from us. She said sorry in a way that was part sad and part bemused. I know that you are trying to get information about your parents.


    I nodded, my heart racing in my chest. ¡°Marcus mentioned that you might be able to shed some light on the matter-so, is there one?


    Evelyn sighed, and her expression grew dark. I must tell you that Marcus was wrong. Your parents-I have no idea.


    My disappointment was how the shock treated me. ¡°That was all a lie; I contradicted him.¡± Marcus wouldn¡¯t lie to us. He said you were some sort of partner to my mom and dad.


    Evelyn shook her head slowly. I really want to help you, and I do. Even so, I was never as close as your parents were. I had been aware of them, like everyone else in ourmunity is, to a point, but I was no closer to their secrets.


    Aiden sat forward in his seat, perplexed. Then, why would Marcus send us here?


    Evelyn sympathised as her gaze softened. Maybe he thought I could steer you in the right direction. I do not have the answers you are looking for, but I know someone who may be able to.


    I felt a glimmer of hope. ¡°Who?¡±


    There is a woman who lives on the fringe of town, Evelyn told her. ¡°Her name is Selene. She knows more about your biological parents than everyone else. She is the only person who can help you.


    Crap, why wasn¡¯t Marcus speaking of her? Aiden asked, perplexed.


    Evelyn shrugged. ¡°Selene is¡­ an enigma. She is rtively unknown, and to anyone who does know her, they stay very far away. She is not very approachable, but I think she knows more about your past.


    I locked eyes with Aiden. I stood and offered my hand to Evelyn. ¡°Thank you. ¡°We¡¯ll find Selene.¡±


    Evelyn got up too, but she had a more thoughtful expression on her face. ¡°Be careful. You will have never met anyone quite like Selene. But she may also show you what you need to know if you approach with an open heart.


    With those words and loud echoes in our minds, we left velyn¡¯s cottage, and a new sense of urgency took it and did take chase.


    The truth was still out there to be had, and we were all the more eager now.

 87: Hayley鈥檚 Aunt

    AIDEN¡¯S POV


    Evelyn shocked us with the tale of what happened to Selene. A legend of an ancient, powerful werewolf with the ability to see in the future was almost a myth, yet we were on our way to meet her. We stood there in Evelyn¡¯s snug living room, trying to digest what she had just said.


    ¡°Selene is a strong woman,¡± Evelyn said, her voice low but steady. She¡¯s lived for centuries and has abilities beyondprehension. What a surprise, Hayley-she of all people knows about your parents.


    Hayley and I exchanged a nce. She peered at us with eyes full of hope and a smidgen of disbelief. ¡°When can we meet her?¡± I asked Evelyn.


    She shook her head gently. ¡±Selene is not bound by our timetable. How and who she meets is up to her. But if you simply pay a visit there, she may not be home or be freaking refuse to see you!


    ¡®So, we¡¯re just supposed to hang around, then?¡±


    Evelyn gave a small smile in return. And yes, patience. Selena will present it to you when the time is right. Let¡¯s sit cool until then, wishing geez.


    ¡°Rx?¡± I can¡¯t believe it,¡± Hayley said in a shocked tone. How do you rest when we¡¯re right behind the truth?Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    Iid a soothing hand on her shoulder. ¡®Hayley, I get that this is tough, but we have to do what Evelyn says. We can never really know the extent of Selene¡¯s powers. She knows we are searching for her, and I¡¯m sure she¡¯d contact us if she could.¡±


    A resigned Hayley sighed as she let her shoulders slump. Aiden¡­ Aiden I have this feeling like we¡¯re getting slower. What if something happens before such an answeres our way?


    Of course we will, I said with determination in my voice. We havee too far and cannot give up.


    Her eyes filled with archedputations, and Evelyn turned to exin her wisdom. ¡°Trust in the timing, Hayley. But Selene has a way of knowing when the time is right. In the meantime, telegram means to take care of one another until she calls you on her camera.


    Reluctantly, Hayley nodded. ¡°Alright. However, I¡¯m starting to get impatient.


    Now with that, we thanked Evelyn and exited her cabin. The sun was setting, bathing the town in warm, golden light. When we walked back to the car, I could feel Hayley¡¯s tension.


    ¡°Wait,¡± I said to her in a soft tone. ¡°We¡¯ll figure this out. I promise.¡±


    She stared at me, her eyes shimmering with tears she held back. ¡°I know. I would always whisper in her ear, ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I mean, we¡¯ve made it this far, but at the same time, we¡¯re so distant.


    I enveloped her in aforting hug. ¡°We¡¯ll get there. One step at a time.¡±


    Both of us lost our minds, so we drove back to the hotel. When we finally made it back to our room, Hayley fell across the bed andy on her back, looking at the ceiling.


    ¡°I have literally no idea what to do,¡± she confessed. I also tend to be more like, ¡°My patience is the shortest of fuses.¡±


    I stood up, and I just sat beside her, holding her hand. I guess we need to do as Evelyn suggested and chill. We could go poke around the town and see if we can find a distraction until Selene contacts us.¡±


    Hayley squeezed my hand, a hint of a smile pulling at the corners of her lips. ¡°Alright. Oh well, let¡¯s see if we can salvage it.


    The next few days were somewhat of a dichotomy-equal parts anticipating and trying to keep calm. We walked around the charming little town, went to its cute shops, and even hiked in the nearby woods. However, it lingered in our minds whether we realised Selene and the answers she had secured would be found, no matter what.


    It was early morning at a cafe in Greece as we had breakfast when Hayley stiffened. ¡°Aiden, look.¡±


    I looked where she did and saw a frail female by the door who was staring right at us. She was wearing a gown with flowing movements that looked alien in this day and age, but something about her just seemed to draw attention.


    ¡°Do you think that¡¯s her?¡± I whispered.


    Hayley nodded slowly. ¡°It has to be.¡±


    The woman wandered over to our table with a calm, serene demeanor. She said ¡°Hayley and Aiden¡± in a lovely voice. ¡°I am Selene.¡±


    My heart raced. Selene, we have been searching for you.¡±


    If she smiled, her eyes would twinkle, and the knowledge of gods that lived since before man dreamed would settle forever in their depths. ¡°I know. Now, you too will know the truth. Follow me.¡±


    The two of us just about exploded out of the cafe in excitement. Selene glided us through the town and into the forest beyond its borders with a surprising grace for such a hurried march. We walked for a little while before reaching through a dense thicket, the corners of which were too tight and left us scrambling, to an isted opening where there was this small old-cosy shack.


    Selene ushered me through, holding the door for my entrance.


    What I saw at Selene¡¯s hut was beyond my wildest expectations. Inside was a coge of the old and magical. We were surrounded by shelves of old tomes and strange artefacts, and the air was thick with both herbs and incense. We had the feeling that we¡¯d slipped into another dimension where time worked in a strange way.


    ¡°Please, be seated.¡± Selene beckoned towards two wooden chairs beside the fire. We sat down, and our eyes never left Selene as she danced through the room, collecting stuff before joining us.


    ¡°Then you know the truth about my parents.¡± Hayley said it almost in a whisper.


    Selene nodded again, and in her eyes seemed to swim an infinity of experience. ¡°Yes, I know the truth. However, before I spill the beans, there are some things you need to know.¡±


    Hayley observed with bated breath. ¡°What things?¡±


    Your parents were high-ranking members of their pack, practically the leaders and protectors as well as bearers of secrets that many sought to possess. Selene started off. They were locked into the motions of things you cannot imagine. Their enemies were many.


    ¡°Who betrayed them?¡± Hayley asked urgently.


    Selene shook her head. ¡°It was not just one betrayal, but a long-term web of lies spun over time. Nheless, there is someone who can help fill in the pieces of their tale.


    ¡°Who?¡± I asked, and my curiosity was piqued.


    ¡°ra; her name is ra,¡± Selene said. She¡¯s a cousin of yours, practically blood. She has led a life hiding in the shadows to protect what she knows. She can teach you what your parents¡¯ real legacy is.


    Hope mingled with the confusion in Hayley¡¯s eyes. Why didn¡¯t I know about her?


    ¡°ra was invisible, to protect her from the same fate you were trying to escape,¡± Selene responded. ¡°There were so many threats you faced, and perhaps the only shield against them was secrecy about your family.


    I looked at Hayley, whose expression over the news was an apparent mixture of pardon and annoyance. ¡°Where can we find ra?¡± I asked.


    She lives in the deep woods, not here. I can instruct you,¡± said Selene, handing me a beautifully and meticulously carved wooden box. ¡°This will guide you to her.¡±


    I took the box in my hand, feeling how heavy and serious it was. ¡°Thank you, Selene.¡¯ We will convey this to her at once.


    Selene¡¯s expression was mournful as she looked at me. ¡°Aiden¡­ There is something you should know, too.


    This sent a fire through my spine. ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Your road goes to darkness,¡± Selene said, a note of regret in her voice. ¡°The journey you are about to embark on will break your heart in ways you have yet to imagine.


    I couldn¡¯t think of anything except for an astonished look on my face. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. What do you mean by a dark road?


    Selene spoke softly, ¡°I cannot tell you everything. Yet, please understand that your courage and love for Hayley will make you stronger than ever. Keep them close, whateveres.


    My hand was grabbed by Hayley, a strong reassurance in her grip. She said in a firm voice, Whatever it is, you will face it together through it.


    Selene smiled, but in her eyes was a sliver of sorrow. ¡°Together, you are stronger. Remember that.¡±


    We were silent in the room as her words seeped into our consciousness. Our trek felt a bit heavier, yet with a stronger purpose. We had begun to act as if we were a professional sports team.


    ¡°Thank you, Selene,¡± Hayley responded with a voice full of admiration. ¡°For everything.¡±


    Selene said, ¡°Do not fear or shut your heart. ¡°Enlightenment and answers are on your journey.¡±


    We walked out of the shack with Selene¡¯s words still echoing in our minds. We fought our way through vegetation to find the trail, and as we hiked back, it was open from three meters either side than when hiking in, but somehow seemed more intimidating. The sun was getting low in the sky, throwing long shadows that yed a creepy game among the trees.


    ¡°What do you think she meant by a dark road anyway? ¡°Hayley¡± broke the silence.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± I admitted. ¡°Whatever it is, we will figure a way out together, like we always do.


    Hayley nodded, her resolve strengthening. ¡°First, we find ra. She¡¯s our next step.¡±


    I squeezed her hand. ¡°Agreed. Let¡¯s get back to the hotel, rest up, and head out first thing in the morning.¡±


    The drive back was quiet; both of us were lost in thought. Once we reached the hotel, we went straight to our room, exhaustion finally catching up with us. We settled into bed, the events of the day swirling in our minds.


    ¡°Do you think we¡¯ll find ra easily?¡± Hayley asked, her voice sleepy.


    ¡°I hope so,¡± I replied.


    The next morning, we set out early, using the directions Selene had given us. The journey took us deeper into the forest, with the dense canopy of trees creating a tunnel of greenery above us. Finally, we arrived at a secluded cottage that exuded a sense of warmth and safety.


    ¡°This must be it,¡± I said, ncing at Hayley.


    She took a deep breath, nodding. ¡°Let¡¯s find out.¡±


    We approached the door, and before we could knock, it opened to reveal a woman with striking features and kind eyes that reminded me of Hayley¡¯s. She looked at Hayley with a mixture of shock and joy.


    ¡°Hayley?¡± the woman said, her voice trembling.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Hayley replied, her voice equally shaky. ¡°Are you ra?¡±


    The woman nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m your Aunt ra. Come in, please.¡±


    We stepped inside, and ra enveloped Hayley in a tight hug, her tears spilling over. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s really you,¡± she whispered.


    Hayley hugged her back, tears streaming down her face. ¡°I didn¡¯t even know I had an aunt.¡±


    ra pulled back slightly, her hands on Hayley¡¯s shoulders. ¡°There¡¯s so much you don¡¯t know, but you¡¯re here now. That¡¯s what matters.¡±


    Right after that, she looked at me and said, Thank you. ¡°And you must be Aiden. We appreciate your keeping her safe.


    I felt a wave of emotion, and I nodded. ¡°She¡¯s everything to me. I¡¯d do anything for her.¡±


    ra smiled, motioning for us to sit. Please have a seat. We have a lot to talk about.¡±


    We finally settled on a plush couch, and ra took the chair across from us, her eyes bearing through Hayley. There is something you need to know about Hayley: something about Rachel.¡±


    Hayley looked bewildered. ¡°Rachel? Who is she?¡±


    The seriousness in ra¡¯s expression made me take a deep breath. Rachel is a very important person to you. She has secrets of her own, and that makes him more determined than ever to break down the perfectly ced walls she wears around her heart.


    Hayley looked at her, about to enquire further as raid out those words, but there was a gap thereafter, and the suspense weighed with limitations on both of us. The room grew heavy with herprehension, and you could see the dread and resolve in Hayley¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°What kind of secrets?¡± Hayley asked atst in an almost inaudible tone.


    The seriousness of what she was about to divulge darkened ra¡¯s eyes. ¡°This is probably best if you hear it from her own mouth. But remember this, Hayley: what you discover next will alter your memories of the past.


    The words of ra were thunderous in the quiet room. We were about to discover truths too long covered, and the future was clouded with uncertainty.

 88: The Cult

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    Her warm smile did nothing to rx the squeeze around my heart as ra led me into her cozy cottage. I could hardly believe it was happening, and her words hung in the air, yet to be fully processed. Aiden and I locked eyes, each of us silently digesting our perpetual events.


    With excitement and dread, ra led us to the living room. ¡°Please feel free to sit,¡± she motioned towards the plush couch.


    Aiden nodded, but ra looked towards me before sitting.


    ¡°Hayley, why not assist me in the kitchen? Would you like to have dinner with me? We can chat more about everything.


    I looked over at Aiden, who shed me his signature calming grin. ¡°Go ahead,¡± he said softly. ¡°Ah, I am just going to step out and take in some fresh air.¡±


    I followed Aiden¡¯s heels to the door. ¡°You must be lucky to have an Alpha for a mate,¡± she pondered, and her voice held admiration. ¡°Hayley, I¡¯m so proud of you.¡±


    Her words had me brimming over with warmth, and she took my hand, guiding us to the kitchen. The ce was small and cosy but had a homey ir, which made me feelfortable almost instantly.


    ¡®Well then, spill all there is to know about Aiden,¡¯ ra said with a glint of interest in her eyes while passing me a knife and vegetables. I am interested in learning about the young, hot alpha.


    So I sighed and smiled back as I started on my mountain of vegetable chopping. ¡°Aiden is incredible. He is strong, he is brave, and he always puts others before himself. We¡¯ve been through so much, and he¡¯s always kept me grounded.¡±


    ra nodded, her face a little doubtful. ¡°Yeah, he truly does seem to care for you. That kind of connection is few and far between.¡±


    As the two of us cooked together, ra¡¯s questioning got more personal. ¡°How did you two meet?¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    I hesitated, remembering the day Aiden and I met. We were thrown together by a rogue attack on our pack. Aiden was in front of me like a shield to protect from the weapon bloody thing. And it was like, from there, we just started bonding.¡±


    I had to cook up this story to avoid more probing.


    ra smiled, and her eyes softened. It must be Fate that you two met.


    I nodded my head, and the strength of all our travels here struck me at once. ¡°Yes, it does.¡±


    No one spoke as we worked, chop-chop-chopping vegetables, and the kettle hissed on to boil. Atst, ra leaned forward and spoke with a voice of solemnity.


    Her blue eyes locked onto mine, and she continued, ¡°Hayley, there is something you need to know about Rachel.


    At the sound of Rachel¡¯s name, my heart stopped.


    ¡°Rachel? Who is she?¡±


    ra inhaled deeply, her face darkening. Rachel is a member of the cult, and they are connected to your birth parents. A dangerous lot, and they made promises that are¡­ interesting to say the least.


    Her words sent shivers down my spine. ¡°A secret cult? What kind of vows?¡±


    ra shook her head. Their vows may be permanent and done through some dark rituals. Rachel has been in this cult for years.


    Her admission cast a pall over me. ¡°Why exactly did you wait all this time to tell me that?¡±


    ra sighed tragically, her eyes brimming with remorse. ¡°I had to protect you, Hayley. I figured it might be best to hang back until you wanted some truth.¡±


    My mind twisted in a thousand dark directions as I danced between life and death, cleaving my fingers to the knife. ¡°How is this cult rted to my parents?¡±


    There was a moment of awkwardness when ra gazed at the floor. ¡°Your parents were part of the cult. All those promises happened before you were even born, and their impact was wide-ranging-or so they thought.¡±


    It was heartbreaking to think of how my parents were connected with something so vile. ¡°What kind of consequences?¡±


    ra raised her head, on the verge of tears. ¡°The rituals they performed at their vow ceremonies bound them to the cult in ways that shaped their lives and yours. You see it now. Rachel knows something about your parents that could turn everything you think is true inside out.¡±


    Her words are heavy; they crush me, and I found it hard to breathe. Why on earth will my folks do such a thing?


    ra put a hand on my arm. Hayley, I wish I knew all the answers. However, I do know Rachel is the key to your past.


    I gasped, my head filling with queries. ¡°How do we find her?¡±


    ra¡¯s expression firmed into resolve.


    ¡®This is something we¡¯ll figure out together. Well, not yet, because we have dinner to make. Let us talk about what to do next over lunch.¡±


    I nodded and took another deep breath as we cooked our stir-fry. The smell of stew brewing filled the kitchen, but I was not at peace in my thoughts. Something that way, as if a knife had been pulled on Rachel and the cult, throwing everything into dark shadows.


    As we prepared the table, I heard ra¡¯s words in my mind. ¡°Keep in mind, Hayley. Whatever it is you find out next will cause everything else to make more sense.¡±


    As soon as we were wrapping up, Aiden came back in. He looked fresh, and we could all see the worry in his eyes. ¡°Everything okay?¡± His eyes darted back and forth between ra, who was guarding my entrance as usual.


    I have to wear a fake, encouraging smile. ¡°Just a lot to take in.¡±


    ra put a hand on Aiden¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Thank you for protecting Hayley. We¡¯ll have time to talk, but for now, let¡¯s enjoy this meal.¡±


    When I returned, we gathered at a table where ra dished out bowls of the most delicious-smelling stew. The food was lovely, but I just had difficulty getting my taste buds tomunicate. After what I had seen in Rachel Land, my mind was dominated by it and the idea of a cult.


    ra started divulging more about the cult and its link to my parents as we slipped back into our meals. ¡°The cult is called the Order of the Crescent Moon. They work in the shadows, conducting their rituals under a veil of secrecy.¡±


    Aiden¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°What kind of rituals?¡±


    ra sighed. ¡°From my understanding, their cult practice involves blood oaths that bind members forever. No one leaves the order, so they say.¡±


    A shiver ran down my spine. Why the hell would my parents join such a group?


    ra¡¯s eyes softened, her empathy clear. ¡°They might have a good reason, Hayley. But I think they thought it as doing what was best for you.¡±


    I mmed my fists on the desk as anger rose within me. Wait, so what is best for me was to do join a cult?


    ra leaned over the table and grabbed my hand. ¡°You know¡­ Some decisions are made with the best intentions as long-term goals, unbeknownst to us. Hayley, your parents did really love you. Never doubt that.¡±


    I weep at this, nodding. Man, I just wish I could wrap my mind around why they turned out that way.


    ra looked more serious. ¡°This is why it¡¯s so important that we find Rachel. Your parents have secrets, and she will share them with you that no other person can.¡±


    Aiden held onto my other hand, anchoring me. ¡°We¡¯ll find her, Hayley. I promise.¡±


    With the steadying strength of Aiden beside me, I inhaled deeply. ¡°Thank you, both of you. I would be so lost without you.¡±


    ra beamed at the warmth in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not alone, Hayley. We¡¯re in this together.¡±


    When we were done with our food, whaty on my shoulders felt so much heavier. I did not know what the future would hold, but one thing was absolutely clear: I had to find out more about Rachel and her cult.


    Dinner over, ra led us to our rooms. The room was small but well-kept, with linen that looked very inviting and a single window facing out into the forest. Aiden and I gotfortable, still feeling weighed down by the information of the day.


    Aiden and Iy in bed, his arm wrapped around me so that my back was pressed against the front of him. ¡°We¡¯ll make it through this, Hayley. Together.¡±


    I curled up in his arms, listening to him. ¡°I know. It¡¯s difficult not to feel in the weeds, though.


    Aiden kissed my forehead softly. ¡°One step at a time. We will find Rachel, and we can get the answers you need.¡±


    I closed my eyes and nodded, allowing his warmth to calm my disturbed mind. ¡°Thank you, Aiden. For everything.¡±


    Iy down and went to bed. I was unnerved by the thought that this journey was not yetplete for us. There were more questions, and the answers felt like they woulde just outside my grasp.


    ra woke us up early the next morning. ¡°We have got to find Rachel, and the hunt has started,¡± she said urgently.


    Aiden and I hurriedly got dressed; our resolve having been strengthened. ra passed me a dog-eared notebook as we were packing up.


    ¡°Your mother wrote this. It may help you get an idea of what the cult is all about and their reasons.¡±


    The trembling hands that epted the notebook could feel some connection with my parents, even through these faded pages. ¡°Thank you, ra.¡±


    A firm nod of her head. ¡°We¡¯ll find Rachel, Hayley. And we¡¯ll uncover the truth.¡±


    When we were about to take off, ra said she needed me aside. ¡°Oh, and Hayley-there¡¯s one more thing. The cult has eyes everywhere. Be careful who you trust.¡±


    It made me feel chilled, but I nodded in understanding of the weight of what we were undertaking. ¡°I will.¡±


    And so, we left, and I went wandering into the woods with my little spiral-bound notebook. The future was before me, and, despite how terrifying it may be, I would save Rachel too. probably the most inquisitive weeks of my life were just around the corner.


    My parents, the cult, and what was toe with life flooded my thoughts as we walked. I knew whatever we found would change everything, but I was ready to meet it head-on.


    I would have Rachel¡¯s secrets, I silently vowed as my determination grew with each step. ¡°No matter what it takes.¡±


    The sun was almost setting, and the forest had darkened around us, like it knew or could feel all the secrets that surrounded those woods. I did, however, know the three of us could take on anything as long as Aiden and ra lived.


    So, we ventured on yet further, deeper into the folds of yonder hedge.


    Answersy somewhere beyond what we could imagine.


    And it was time to get them, no matter what it took.

 89: An unknown woman

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    As Aiden and I closed the gap between us, the forest folded over me in a thick nket that threatened to suffocate me. ra¡¯s confessions lingered in my thoughts, and I took his hand even tighter than before forfort. The path meandered, a narrow one with the entire canopy overhead, allowing asional streaks of sun to plummet in eerie, dappled shadows through dancing curtains of slow motion mist.


    For awhile, we just walked in silence, losing ourselves in our own thoughts. At the end, I spoke, and my voice wavered a little.


    ¡°Aiden, you think we are right? By going back to the pack and facing Rachel?Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    When we were sitting, he grabbed my hand and squeezed it firmly. ¡°We have to, Hayley. We have questions, and Rachel is wondering how we n on finding out everything about your parents and the cult.¡±


    I nodded, feeling giddy from watching his assurance. How could we possibly be fully prepared for this if we were to find whatever it was she had been after?


    We walked on, through the forest that was bing less dense, and we could see our car gleaming in amongst trees. We were just about to get there when the sound of someone shuffling caught my attention. I spun around to find an elderlydye out of the bushes; her body hunched over with age, but she had a pair of keen and watchful eyes.


    Her eyes flickered from one of us to another, a blend of confusion and panic. ¡°Pardon me, little ones,¡± she cries out, and her tone is the oddest thing of all. ¡°I need your help.¡±


    Aiden and I gave each other a quick look, both wary yet curious. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I replied, moving up to her.


    The old woman reached out as one hand began to tremble slightly. ¡°I have lost something in the forest-a treasure. It¡¯s a small, silver locket. Could you help me find it?¡±


    So I felt a ping of empathy and just nodded. ¡°Of course. We¡¯ll help you.¡±


    Aiden had a look that he wasn¡¯tpletely sure about it, but he did not disagree. We kept a pace behind the old woman as she led us deeper and further through the woods, our original destination momentarily vanishing from our minds. The old woman kept looking at me as we searched, her eyes shrouded in some sort of inscrutable secret.


    But after what seemed like an eternity, I saw a sh of silver in the foliage. ¡°Here it is!¡± I picked up the locket and offered it to her.


    ¡°The locket¡­¡± The woman said, her eyes glistening in gratitude. ¡°Thank you, dear. This means the world to me; you don¡¯t understand.¡±


    I smiled, warmth flooding throughout me. ¡°I¡¯m d we could help.¡±


    The olddy took me in for a moment and spoke, ¡°You have dormant magical ability, Hayley. It may not be open to you now, but eventually it will be clear. All the solutions to your problems will be found very soon.¡±


    She virtually sent a shiver down my back. ¡°How do you know my name? And hidden power-what do you mean?¡±


    She smiled enigmatically. ¡°All in good time, my dear. All in good time.¡±


    Even before I thought to ask any more, she turned and walked away. We both just stood there, watching her leave and trying to figure out what the hell was going on. As she was about to vanish between the trees, I shouted.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Then I turned around, and she had already left. It was like she disappeared.


    Aiden squeezed my hand tightly. ¡°That was strange. You reckon she was not telling you anything valid?¡±


    I shrugged, sensing a touch of surprise mingling with my confusion. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Her words sounded so significant.¡±


    He nodded in seriousness. ¡°Let¡¯s get back to the car. We have a long drive ahead of us.


    Before I was even close to the car, Aiden wrapped me in a tight hug, and his eyes turned soft as he gazed down at me. You know, ¡°Everything will be fine, Hayley. Together, we will survive this.¡±


    He offered me a soft peck on my cheek, and with its oozingfort, I melted. ¡°Thank you, Aiden. I have no idea what I would do without you.¡±


    We got into the car and drove back to the Moonlight Howl pack house. It was a long, quiet ride, and each one of us was alone in our thoughts. The inscrutable words of the old woman had remained always on my mind. What power did I have, and who the hell was she?


    When we finally reached the pack house, that was a relief, too; it felt so safe and homey inside for such arge sprawlingplex in the middle of nowhere. We got out of the car, and I inhaled a deep breath, knowing what was to follow.


    Aiden captured my hand; the weight of his grasp was both grounding and stabilizing.


    ¡°Ready?¡±


    Really, all I could do was nod, fear and determination warring in my stomach. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡±


    We went up to the door and knocked.


    Soon, Rachel tore the envelope open, and her eyes first went wide before they slitted in suspicion. ¡°Hayley, Aiden. What are you doing here?¡±


    I inhaled deeply, the quaver of my voice imperceptible. ¡°We know everything, Rachel. We had learnt from ra of a cult, the Order of the Crescent Moon. It seems like we know you are in on it.¡±


    Rachel turned white, but her gaze quickly resumed a steely look. ¡°ra is lying. She has never liked me. You can¡¯t trust her.¡±


    Aiden stepped ahead, his face hard. ¡°We don¡¯t mean to use you of anything, Rachel. We just want the truth. We should know what happened to Hayley¡¯s parents.¡±


    A series of emotions crossed Rachel¡¯s eyes-fear, anger, and something else I couldn¡¯t identify. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to say. Hayley, ra is ying you. Don¡¯t let her.¡±


    I was so frustrated and desperate. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you, Rachel. I sense something deeper here. For god¡¯s sake, just tell the truth.¡±


    Rachel¡¯s eyes narrowed, and she stepped back. ¡°Hayley, you are getting it all wrong. There¡¯s nothing more to say.¡±


    Before I could even answer, she mmed the door in our faces, and we stood on her doorstep, shocked and dumbfounded.


    Aiden slung an arm across my shoulders, tugging me closer. ¡°We¡¯ll figure something out, Hayley. Don¡¯t lose hope.¡±


    He gave me a gentle embrace as I pressed against him, the events of day one bearing down on my chest. ¡°I won¡¯t. We shall get to the bottom of it, cost be damned.¡±


    Driving back to the car, an already-crazy mind suddenly raised all kinds of question marks. Was the old woman someone who was aware that my talent was a secret? What did Rachel exactly want to keep us from knowing? And what dark secrets did the Order of the Crescent Moon keep?


    They were so close to solving the riddle of old, and I knew one thing for sure-that option was off the table. No matter what it took.


    It was the most silent drive back to the pack house ever. Aiden and I were both just lost in our own thoughts. For the first time, I saw our own hiddenndscape: relief and a twinkle of doubtbined. Getting home was simply one leg of an even longer journey.


    Aiden pulled up to the driveway and turned off his car. He made eye contact with me, his gaze full of concern and resolve. ¡°It will be alright, Hayley. Together.¡±


    I agreed and almost cried, grateful that I have my biggest supporter in all of this. ¡°I know. Thank you, Aiden.¡±


    We parked and walked in. The pack house was abuzz with kic energy, but all I could think of were the queries swirling inside my own head. I wanted some answers, and I was not going to sleep until I got them.


    Aiden took my hand as we passed through the hallways, and I found thatforting. ¡°Let¡¯s talk to Alpha Marcus. Perhaps he can assist us in nning our next moves.¡±


    I nodded, thankful for his direction. ¡°Good idea. The Order of the Crescent Moon-he may even know something about them.¡±


    Alpha Marcus office, and we knocked on the door. A secondter, it flung wide, filled with the imposing presence of their Alpha.


    ¡°Hey, Hayley and Aiden.¡± He greeted us rather curtly, yet in a worrisome tone of voice. ¡°What brings you here?¡±


    I took a deep breath, and that hit me with a wave of resolve. ¡°We need your help, Alpha. It turns out some very unsettling things are true with my parents and a cult called the Order of the Crescent Moon.¡±


    His eyes dulled, and he beckoned for us to take a seat. ¡°Tell me everything.¡±


    Alpha Marcus listened, his face growing grave as we recapped the day. It ended with him sitting back in his chair, pensive.


    ¡°By the wheezing gods, this does not bode well,¡± he eventually said. ¡°The Crescent Moon is one badass group. We have to get the truth out of them if your parents had something to do with it.¡±


    I nodded, relieved and yet filled with anxiety.


    ¡°What should we do?


    Alpha Marcus¡¯s resolved gaze sharpened. To begin, we will research. I will call some of my friends and try to find out about the order and how it works. For now, just be careful and trust no one but our own pack.


    Aiden sped my hand, and I drew strength from him. ¡°Alpha, we will do all that is necessary.


    Exiting Alpha Marcus¡¯s chamber only served to energize me further. I had a n, and I was going to make it happen. I tookfort in the unknown road ahead and knew with all my heart that we¡¯d be able to march through any obstacles hand in hand.


    That evening, when we got to our room, Aiden slid his arms around me and pulled me close. What a fabulous job you did today, Hayley. I¡¯m so proud of you.¡±


    I pressed my cheek against his chest, absorbing the heat of his love and support. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have been able to do it with you, Aiden. You¡¯re my rock.¡±


    He pressed a slow kiss on my lips and caused fresh desire to flush through me. We are going to emerge from this stronger, sweetheart. No matter what.¡±


    I copsed into his arms, feeling the heat of our union ignite the fears to ash. And it slid us into the warmth; the outside just disappeared, and together we looked as though nothing in this world could break apart our worlds.


    At that moment, I waspletely sure we could confront any challenges that came our way. With Aiden by my side, I knew that we would face whatever the future brought.


    Throughout the night, we fell asleep intertwined, and every breath was taken in sync. The future was unknown and intimidating, yet there was one thing of which I remained sure: together with Aiden by my side, we could make it through anything.


    Our connection was fierce, and the worries of my day began to disappear as we kissed. The world was closing in around us, but when we crashed together, our screams andughter shimmered like a single ecstatic hum that drowned out the universe.


    But I realized that then we would fight the world hand in glove. I was, I guess, content, finally securing that whatever the future held for me, I had Aiden by my side.


    We spent the night entangled with each other, our heartbeats finding rhythm together. The road ahead was uncertain, but I had one thing figured out: with Aiden by my arm, we could take on anything.


    So, as we sat in the moonlit room, shadows licking across our faces, I promised myself that one day soon enough I would find out what really happened to my parents, who this cult was, and more importantly, why me?

 90: Secrets Revealed

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    Sunlight slipped through the curtains that morning and gradually filled my room with a gentle light. I justid there in bed, trying to absorb the chain of revtions and also wondering what else was hiding somewhere.


    I was a merry-go-round of thoughts that spun out one after another, each one scarier than thest. ra¡¯s words repeated within my mind, and despite myself,


    I couldn¡¯t shake the sensation that Rachel was perhaps more informed than ever.


    I grabbed my phone and called Aiden. His voice, when he answered on the second ring, was like a tonic for my frazzled nerves.


    ¡°Hey, beautiful. How are you holding up?¡± His concerned tone filled me with disgust.


    ¡°Hey, Aiden. I¡¯m¡­ okay, I guess. All I can think about is what ra said. I was perfectly calm and determined. If Rachel suspected something, then I had to know the truth.¡±


    There was a pause on the other end before Aiden said something else. Perhaps you should ask Rachel if she is away. Come on, see if you can find anything that might give us a clue.


    I chewed my lip, thinking over his suggestion. ¡°However, Rachel is extremely secretive about her own room. She doesn¡¯t leave her key around.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. Text me when you are at her house or make a FaceTime call, and I will teach you how to unlock with a hairpin. I picked up this trick a while ago,¡± Aiden said, mischievously.


    I felt relieved. ¡°Thank you, Aiden. I love you so much. I have no idea what I would do without you.


    ¡°I love you too, Hayley. We are in this together. Just be careful, okay?¡± He said.


    I hung up, and I could hear Rachel moving through the house while I dressed. I wanted to leave my room and found her in the hall, looking more than a little frazzled.


    ¡°Hey, Rachel. Everything okay?¡± I said, attempting to pretend I was keeping this cool.


    She sighed-so tired, so exasperated with me. ¡°Have you seen my car keys? I have to be somewhere.


    I shook my head. ¡°No, I haven¡¯t. If you cannot find them, feel free to borrow my car. You get your keys when youe back.


    Rachel shook her head, running a hand through her long hair. I really need my own car!¡± ¡°Hayley, thanks, but no. Last night, I swear¡­ I had the keys. It¡¯s got to be around here, somewhere.


    We searched every corner of the house together. Finally, in search of her keys, I discovered them hidden behind the TV.


    ¡°Got them!¡± I shouted, brandishing the keys.


    Face returning to normal color, Rachel hurried back over. ¡°Thank you! I would seriously be lost without you.


    Before she rushed out the door, I felt a sting you could not even imagine. But I knew I had to do this. I had to find out the truth.


    After Rachel left, I called Aiden. After a few seconds, his face popped up on my screen, and he immediately answered.


    ¡°She¡¯s gone. I whispered, still trying to be quiet. I¡¯m on my way there now.


    ¡°Good. Aiden looked into her gray eyes, filled with concern. ¡°Be careful and take your time.¡±.


    I brought the phone up and walked to Rachel¡¯s door, where Aiden could see. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m here. Now what?¡±


    ¡°Just breathe in first,¡± Aidenmanded. ¡°Next, get a hair pin and bend it into an L shape.


    Push the long end into the lock and move it around while pushing it in. You need to be able to


    feel the pins through that lock.


    I shook a little bit as Iplied with his directions. Then, after some tense moments, I heard a soft click. The door swung open.


    Understood, I thought to myself with a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Great job, Hayley. Now, be quick but thorough. Search for anything that looks off,¡± Aiden spoke through a static stance.


    I walked into Rachel¡¯s room, feeling my heart in the same rhythm as the bass drum. The room was so perfectly organized, but I was not about to be fooled. I began with her desk, looking through drawers and papers. Nothing.


    ¡°Aw, crap,¡± I muttered as a flush of frustration with life entered my tone.


    ¡°Keep looking. Check the closet, under the bed, or anywhere she could hide something important,¡± Aiden urged.


    I entered the closet, like I had done before, pushing clothes and shoes to get in. I was about to give up when I saw a small safe in the corner.


    ¡®Aiden, I have to tell you something,¡¯ my voice was almost dizzy with the prospect of a discovery.


    ¡°Good. Can you open it?¡± he asked.


    My mind was racing as I looked in the safe. ¡°It has a keypad. I had a thought that I might be able to know what the code was.


    I started typing a fewbinations quickly, my fingers racing away from the keys. On the fifth attempt, he heard a click and got it open. What I uncovered within was a pile of papers.


    I whispered, pulling the papers out of my bag.


    Aiden¡¯s eyes lit up with delight. ¡°You did it, Hayley. What do the documents say?¡±


    My eyes grew wide as I skimmed through the papers. ¡°Oh my God, Aiden. These are logs of trials with werewolves. Rachel has toiled on some research projects. This is¡­ this is huge.¡±


    A serious look crossed Aiden¡¯s face. Fetch those papers here. We will need to get it right. That might just be the proof we are looking for.


    I nodded, scooping up the papers and snapping shut the safe. No matter what anyone said, it felt like I was betraying Rachel as I exited her room. How could she have kept such an important thing hidden?


    I found Aiden in a remote clearing near the pack house. He wrapped his arms around me, holding on to my body for life. His warmth immediately calmed all of the anxiety and doubt I felt bubbling up inside of me.


    ¡°You did amazing, Hayley. I¡¯m proud of you,¡± he whispered, kissing my forehead.


    I copsed against one, leaning on his strength. It was all thanks to you, Aiden. You¡¯re my rock.¡±


    We sat on the ground,ying out papers across a nket. Near the end, he was frowning, and his eyes darkened by several shades as he continued to read through more papers.


    His voice was deeper when he spoke and more solemn. ¡°This is even worse than I imagined it would be. Rachel has been undercover with the Order of the Crescent Moon. These tests¡­ They¡¯re after werewolf powers of their own.


    A chill ran down my spine. ¡°We have to stop them, Aiden. We cannot afford for them to keep doing this.


    We will,¡± he repeated, looking at me with determination. ¡°But we have to be careful. We can¡¯t let that go, we know. We have to do some more investigation and find out who else is doing this.


    This caused a steely resolve in me. ¡°You¡¯re right. We need to be careful.¡±


    Aiden pulled me closer, his lips exploring my own in a delicate kiss. ¡®This will pass, Hayley. Together.¡±


    We put our heads together, going over the documents as the sun set. We were burdened by the weight of our discovery, but we understood that once it was out, there was no turning back.


    That night, we slept wrapped around each other, and I knew peace. I only had to look at the storm heading our way, but having Aiden by my side, I knew we could handle anything.


    Its final words will haunt me forever: ¡°I love you, Aiden.¡± She said it in a voice full of tears and feeling.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°I love you too, Hayley. Forever, he said, skimming my brow with his mouth.


    With our hearts in unison, we fell asleep like that. The future was up in the air, but all we knew was that one way or another-good or bad-it would be, and no matter what¡­ We were going to be brave together.


    And the next morning, we awoke with more determination than we had felt in decades. Honestly, Aiden had a n, and I was ready to follow him anywhere.


    Aiden and I were getting ready for the day when he said, ¡°We have to figure out who else is in on this. We could not confront Rachel directly. We need to be subtle.¡±


    I agreed, more determined than ever. ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on her. We¡¯ll just watch and see if she makes a mistake or says anything about the lead.


    I¡¯ll then start making calls to our friends. We must create a supportive ecosystem. ¡®It¡¯s not just us; it¡¯s bigger than that,¡¯ Aiden insisted, with fire in his eyes.


    I went about my day feeling that anticipation. The way ahead was fraught with peril; however, I knew we were prepared. We would find the truth together and make these responsible payments.


    The evening came, and the sun started setting down, leaving me all by myself in the pack house. Rachel was out again, and so I searched in her room another time.


    This time through, I searched every nook and cranny fully. There was a secret ce in her wardrobe, at the rear. There were more documents inside, as well as a journal.


    That evening, I sat on the edge of my bed and eagerly thumbed through Rachel¡¯s journal. I started stitching together her story from the order and the experiments she had been doing.


    I held my breath, preparing myself. This is the proof we were waiting for. I scrambled for it all and caught up with Aiden.


    He was waiting for me when I arrived; his eyes were haunted. ¡°Did you find anything?¡±


    I nodded and then passed him the journal and manuscripts. ¡°This is it, Aiden. This is the proof.¡±


    He perused the pages, only to have his face darken with each line. ¡°This is it. We have more than enough to carry them down.


    I was euphoric and invigorated. ¨C ¡°What do we do now?¡±


    We call upon our allies, and we prepare for a showdown. I sincerely pray, Yes, Lord, this ends here and now. ¨C Amen.


    I started feeling hopeful as we discussed our next steps. Although the road in front of us was unclear, I knew that as long as Aiden stood next to me, we could take on anything.


    As wey there together in bed that night, our hearts beating as one, I felt strangely at peace. We had no idea what the future held, but I knew that so long as Aiden stood beside me, we could face whatever came our way.


    I hugged him tight and whispered-all broken inside-that I loved him.


    ¡°I love you too, Hayley. Always,¡± he whispered, his lips touching mine.

 91: The Showdown

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    Aiden and I had earlier that same day, discovered Rachel¡¯s journal forgeries and was shaken by the gravity of her betrayal. But in all that chaos, I tookfort in having Aiden around.


    That morning, when we were getting ready, he took me in his arms and held onto me. Do you really want to do this by yourself?  he queried; his voiceced with worry.


    I nodded, my resolve firm. I have to go speak with her. This is something I must do. But I want you to be prepared if it does go south.


    He kissed and held my forehead, embracing the love of his heart in print. ¡°I¡¯ll be nearby. If anything at any time goes wrong, I will be there in a second.


    A smile captured my face, and his words gave me strength. ¡°Thank you, Aiden. I love you.¡±


    ¡°I love you too, Hayley. Forever and ever,¡± he said, his eyes sparkling with a vortex of resolve to mirror my own.


    And then we hugged and walked away forever.


    Aiden would rally our allies and be ready for the battle thaty ahead. As for Rachel, she was a problem I would handle by myself. The idea of having to talk with her terrified me, but it was something that had to be done. The truth needed to be revealed.


    Rachel was waiting for me in the living room, looking calm and collected.


    ¡°Sit,¡± she said with a calm poise and internal confidence that almost threw me to the point of doubting if we were facing something so serious. Even though I was too broke to waver.


    I decided to take a breath and walk towards her.


    I opened my mouth, and gratefully, nothing came out other than ¡°Rachel, we need to talk.¡±


    She nced up, narrowing her eyes a little. ¡°What is it, Hayley? You look serious.¡±


    I sat down in front of her, and my heart was firing like crazy inside. ¡°Your journal, I¡­¡± A flicker of emotion crossed her face. ¡°And the documents. I know everything.¡±


    Silence for a moment. The sorrow dissolved somehow, to be reced by a determined look, and her eyes are now full of something approaching hate instead. ¡°None of your fucking business is going through my shit,¡± she spat bitterly in an acid-like hiss.


    ¡°Fuck off, I was well within my rights,¡± one snapped back, and then finally came the first knife to emotion-piercing. ¡°You betrayed us, Rachel. You betrayed the pack. How could you do this?¡±


    With a jarring noise that always signals its sudden urrence, Rachel just sort of stood up. ¡°Hayley, you just don¡¯t get it. You don¡¯t even know what the fuck you are talking about.


    ¡°Then exin it to me.¡± I pushed back, standing up as well. ¡°Tell us why you were performing werewolf experiments¡­ Why were you working with the Order of the Crescent Moon?


    She looked at me ominously, and for a brief moment, I contemted if she would say it. But then something in her snapped. ¡°You want to know the truth? Fine. I -, she spat, her tone quivering with emotion.


    Then she rose and began to walk the room, agitated. ¡°Hayley, the order promised me power. They told me we could use the werewolves as ours to imprint power on them. Something


    unparalleled. I was fed up with living in the dark. I was fed up with being helpless. They provided me with an opportunity to rectify that.


    ¡°But at what cost?¡± My voice was breaking. I demanded.


    ¡°You put lives at risk, Rachel. You put our pack at risk. How could you be so selfish?¡±


    She stopped pacing, her eyes locking onto mine with a cold intensity. ¡°You don¡¯t get it, do you? This was never just about me. This was about survival. About ensuring that we would never be hunted, never be prey again.¡±


    I shook my head, disbelief washing over me. ¡°This isn¡¯t survival, Rachel. This is madness. And it ends now.¡±


    Her expression twisted into a snarl. ¡°You think you can stop me? You think you can just walk in here and undo everything I¡¯ve worked for?¡±


    Before I could react, Rachel lunged at me, her movements swift and brutal. We crashed to the floor, her hands wing at me as I struggled to defend myself. The room around us became a blur of motion and noise as we fought, our emotions boiling over into violence.


    ¡°Rachel, stop!¡± I cried, trying to push her away. But she was relentless, her strength fueled by desperation and rage.


    We tumbled across the floor, knocking over furniture and scattering books and papers. I managed tond a solid blow to her side, and for a moment, she faltered. Seizing the opportunity, I scrambled to my feet, my breathing in ragged gasps.


    But Rachel was far from done. She rose to her feet, her eyes wild with fury. ¡°You have no idea what you¡¯re dealing with,¡± she snarled, advancing on me once more, barely keeping her bnce as I managed to dodge another one of her furious charges.


    Rachel scowled at me, her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. ¡°Why are you doing this? Why can¡¯t you just ept what I¡¯m trying to do? Don¡¯t you see? We would¡¯ve been hunted otherwise.¡±


    I sputtered in disbelief. ¡°How could we possibly survive by being so blind? Survivalism is only about violence-bullying people until they stop existing or defending ourselves until they get tired. You don¡¯t understand anything!¡±


    Suddenly, Rachel¡¯s face twisted in rage. ¡°And you think you¡¯ll be able to stop me? As if you just walked into my world and decided to take away everything I¡¯ve worked for!¡±


    Before I realized it was happening, Rachel was already on me, moving at breakneck speed and hitting me with everything she had. Wended on the ground while still trying our best to maintain distance from each other, but now there are no such rules anymore. The air filled with fast-moving shadow figures struggling inside flying chairs rumbled beneath our feet; my beating heart echoed in my ears as if I were standing directly next to the drums used by musicians back home.


    ¡°Rachel please!¡± I shouted, but all my words fell on deaf ears-she wouldn¡¯t listen even if Heaven opened up before us all right now!


    She was strong, riding through despair and anger on top of being very powerful. She was so powerful, in fact, that her strength seemed to have exploded out of their cages due to being released by rage. There was no stopping her from stripping both flesh off fierce opponents¡¯ pretty faces as well as sharp teeth out of terrified kill-joys mouths.


    That was the only opening I would get. And I did, in thest bit of courage left within me to go up and tackle her with all force, bringing her then down to the ground. I blinked, and Aiden was there beside me, helping to hold her back.


    ¡®Rachel, it¡¯s the end,¡¯ he said through his teeth, leaving no room for debate. ¡°You need to stop this.¡±


    There was a moment where she almost did. And then she rose with a snarl, breaking free from us by that pure monstrous push. The thrill lurched me back, my heart pounding in my chest.


    ¡°Stay back!¡± Rachel shrieked, and her eyes shed with a wicked gleam. ¡°None of you understand! We must stand up together-this is bigger than all of us!


    ¡°Please, Rachel,¡± I appealed and trembled. ¡°We can help you. You don¡¯t have to do this.¡±


    But she wasn¡¯t listening. Her eyes flitted around the room, obviously thinking furiously. You won¡¯t ruin this, she muttered under her breath-not to us. You are not stealing this from me.


    Before either of us could respond, Rachel took off for the front door. Aiden and I shared a look, our silent agreement spoken between us. We couldn¡¯t let her escape.


    We chased her through the house and beyond into the woods, leaves obscuring our vision as we tore down their branches. The effort made my lungs burn, but I didn¡¯t care; all I wanted was to end her.


    ¡°Rachel, stop!¡± I called, my voice desperate. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this!¡±


    But she didn¡¯t slow down. If such a thing were possible, she seemed to run even faster, urgency spurring speed. Aiden hovered behind me; his body felt like bast amidst the roaring chaos.


    With her careful pacing, we finally caught up to her at the edge of a cliff with no ce left to run, and behind that was nothing but empty space below, as though it were an exact metaphor for perfect symbolism about how perilous danger all while surrounded by.


    Suddenly, she twisted around towards us with a mad, wild expression in her eyes.


    ¡°Stay back!¡± ¡®NO!¡± she screamed, backing away towards the edge. I will jump if youe any closer!


    ¡°Rachel, no,¡± I pleaded as my heart shattered in a thousand directions. ¡°This isn¡¯t the way. We can find another solution. We can help you.¡±


    She nced up to meet my eyes, and briefly I saw the vestiges of the sister she had once been. Then her face went hard, and she shook it off.


    No,¡± she said, her voice quivering. ¡°It¡¯s toote for that.¡±


    As if on cue, as she tried to step backward again, her boot slipped in the gravel, and off bnce, she momentarily stood teetering. My natural reaction was to lunge at her and grab her.


    ¡°Rachel!¡± Her finger slipped from mine, and she vomited into the tank, plummeting downward as I yelled.


    She was falling to the earth, and everything felt like it happened in slow motion from that moment on. I was aghast, and my heart twisted in horror as she vanished behind the entrance. I heard her hit, the sound splitting through us in an audible ssh of flesh about as loud and almost as visceral to me.


    I gasped, my legs buckling beneath me. Aiden dropped to the bed in an instant, copsing around me, and I cried. And I rasped out. ¡°She is gone now, with no help from me. She¡¯s really gone.¡±


    He was holding on to me like he never wanted to let go, his convulsions shaking his body as though some part of him had note back from that dream. Hayley, I am so sorry,¡± he muttered in a heavy voice.


    We were together a long time, the back of purgatory heavy on our backs. The sun slipped below the horizon, and shadows lengthened on the ground where Rachel had died. I absolutely could not stop staring at this spot, my mind ying the event over and over again.


    Aiden helped me hobble up to my feet a short whileter. We have turned around,¡± he said softly. We still have so much work to do.


    My head bobbed, and my heart was ridden with grief. There was still danger ahead, but I knew there would be more, and we could not go back. We know Rachel and her death had to matter. We had to see this through.


    Aiden helped me to the pack house, where I clung onto him, soaking in his strength. In all that darkness of ours, I knew what we¡¯re going to be capable of as long as we were together.


    Iy, wrapped in his embrace, that night, and while it would quickly be drowned out by the sorrow I carried on every other day, there was a spark of something lighter. The future was unknown, and the road would be hard ahead. I knew we could make it through whatever storm wasing our way with Aiden by my side, supporting and loving us.


    ¡°I love you, Aiden.¡± I choked out my voice on the brink of tears.


    ¡± I love you too,¡± he said against my lips. ¡°Forever and always.¡±


    We fell asleep to the sound of her voice, and all I could do was hold onto that promise-we would face it together. There was much more to the adventure ahead, but as long as Aiden kept mepany, I knew that I could face whatever came next.


    Aiden and I walked back to the pack house with heaviness in our hearts this afternoon. The turmoil and grief were immediate, yet so too was a sense of solidarity that I daresay grew while we queued up to mourn. If anything, we needed each other more than ever now.


    As evening arrived, we tookfort in the solitude of our barrack. It was as if the walls were doing us a favor by pressing in to offer some respite and safety from everything out there. Aiden wrapped his arm around me and held me close, so gentle it almost hurt yet warm as if promising to protect and keep away any harm.


    ¡°Hi, Hayley,¡± he said, his voice quiet but certain. ¡°We can get through this together.¡±


    I gazed into his eyes, seeing the deepness of his heart and devotion. ¡°I know, Aiden. I just¡­ I never thought it would end up like this.


    He took my face in his hands, wiping the tears that had started to stream down with his thumbs. ¡°We will do her memory right by stopping the order. And we will all be there, holding hands.¡±


    His voice had an intensity to it that put me at ease. I was basking in his touch, loving him more than everything else around me. ¡°I love you, Aiden. More than anything.¡±


    I love you back, he said, his voice gravelly with emotion. ¡°Forever and always.¡±


    We kissed, which was a balm to our broken hearts. It was a gentle start, a light touch that breathedfort and sce. Then, deepening into kisses and a passionate search for sce.


    Aiden¡¯s hands slid down my body to my waist, where he clutched me tightly and pressed our bodies together as close as they could get. It tingled where he touched, feeling as though lighting was tearing down my back. I clicked his neck up, wrapping my arms around it, and was greeted with a big hug from him.


    ¡®Hayley¡­ I need you,¡¯ he breathed against my lips, his voice hot and desperate. ¡°I need to feel you. If only to know that we are still here and still fighting.


    I simply nodded; nothing I could think of saying even came close to the feelings inside. I said nothing else but pulled him closer with my actions, tugging at his hair. We undted together, our bodies dancing a dance of want and lust, each graze and every taste an affirmation that we lived and breathed with one another. At the time, there was nothing else. The outside world, with all its dangers and insecurities, disappeared, leaving only the two of us.


    When we held each other, curled around stylized shapes of skin on hips and breasts, and had our breath in unison with each other¡¯s scented whispers, it was tranquil. The future was a surprise to me, but this moment and this bond were real.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Aiden strokedzy patterns between my shoulder des, his touch a balm and I never wanted to let go.

 92: My Space

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    The remainder of that day and the following days, which followed Rachael falling to work, were a haze of sadness, grief, and. Aiden and I had clung to each other like the only salvageable pieces of wreckage in a world that no longer made any sense. Our pack house was the safe haven everyone needed in this turbulent time.


    My rock has always been Aiden; he is my constantfort. His hand, his voice¡­ Him: those were what told me we had not yet lost this fight; that things might have gone terribly wrong side up for us, but if he was here then so were all of the rest. Wey entwined for hours discussing Rachel, our futures, and the hurt that seemed unbearable. We somehow, though, did it together.


    On an evening when the sun was setting and shadows stretched out from every corner of the room, Aiden looked at me with determination in his eyes. Hayley, we need to get our lives back. Rachel wouldn¡¯t want us to be sad. Because she would have wanted that. And for us to fight and be happy in spite of everything.¡±


    And I nodded, my heart aching but determined. ¡°You¡¯re right. She is our savior; it belongs to us.


    And so, we began to rebuild. It began with baby steps-kkind actions that brought shards of normalcy back to our days. We made it a point to eat out, something we barely did before as much-needed self-care back when life was running smoothly.


    Aiden settled on a small, family-run restaurant out of town where we used to go when life was better. Stepping in, the inviting warmth embraced us. The hushed cacophony of conversations, cutlery tinkering, and the delicious smell of hot food echoed in a rxing white noise.


    The waiter was to and fro serving other patrons as we continued waiting for our food when Aiden lent closer with an evil glint in his eye. Do you remember when we first came here?


    I chuckled, nodding. ¡°How could I forget? You made a fool of yourself; you spilled wine all over the ce, trying to impress me.


    He chuckled, a low rumble that made me smile. ¡°¡­ and heughed so much at my reaction that I thought you would not be brainwashed out of it.¡±


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t help it. She made a faux-admiring face at me, fluttering her fingers to say, You looked so adorably flustered.


    He smiled, his eyes shining. ¡°Well, it worked, didn¡¯t it? You fell for me.¡±


    I did¡­ I said,ughing, with love filling my heart. I¡¯ve never looked back.


    When atst our food arrived, we had no incentive to dy. Digging in with gusto, every bite was a lesson in savoring what is before you. I engaged in a conversation that felt effortlessfortable teasing one moment, earnestly bing more personal the next. This was a night we would never forget, and indeed, our bond grew stronger.


    We went for a walk in the park that was nearby after dinner. The weather was cold, but the air smelled of summer-cool, crisp, and sweet-aa nket of stars strewn across the sky. Aiden put his arm around me and pulled me as we walked the winding trails.


    I pressed into him, ¡°This is¡­nice.¡±


    Yes, it is,¡± he answered quietly. We have to do this more often.


    We discovered the rustic bench that looked out over a small pond and took to it as nightfall enveloped us in total serenity. Aiden finally faced me, her eyes meeting mine. Hayley, I know things have been shit, but somewhere we can find happiness again. Together.¡±


    I nodded, tears filling my eyes. ¡°I believe that too, Aiden. Because all of a sudden, I feel like we can do anything as long as you are standing next to me.


    He held my face with his hands, stroking me softly as if I were a scared kitten. ¡°I love you, Hayley. That says it has ever been more than words can express, but that.


    I replied, my voice thick with emotion: ¡°I am in love with you too.¡± ¡°Forever and always.¡±


    We kissed, a gentle, long kiss that spoke in words of all the love, hope, and power we had for each other. This promise, this pledge of tackling what lies ahead together.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    And theing days were filled with more bliss and connection. We would only make sure that it made us happyooking together, walking endlessly, and lying around. We were in repair-iit was more of a process to re-be than refine one another.


    One bright afternoon, Aiden proposed that we go to an amusement park, which had just positively popped up from somewhere nearby. It sounded like a great idea, and I was game for anything to release the thought of a fun,ughter-filled day.


    The park was full of life,ughter, and screams-two out only associated with either a fun theme park or ghost town. After that, we went on various rides, yed some games, and ate a lot of yummy sweets.


    Aiden won a huge teddy bear for me at one of the game booths, hispetitive spiriting through. He gave it to me, and Iughed. The bear was so big that it almost looked like a joke. ¡°You¡¯re incredible.¡± I hugged the bear and then returned my way to Aiden.


    He nced at me with a twinkle in his eye and replied, ¡°Anything for you!


    We tried out Ferris wheels and got to see the view from above. And like that, the wheel turned, and we were back on solid ground. Aiden held my hand with his thumb brushing over my knuckles. He spoke softly, saying, ¡°This is exactly what I need.¡± It was just you and me living the high life!


    It is. I nodded as a sudden wave of contentment settled over me. That is something else no one can say.


    By the time we got back to her pack house, we were refreshed and ready for whatever was going our way. Life continued as we slowly settled back into our normal routines, enjoying the seemingly mundane and helping each other through rough patches.


    We were there one evening, sitting in the living room and spending time together, when a knock on the door broke our silence. I went to see who it was and found a messenger with his letter ofmand. He simply nodded, handed it to me, and left.


    Puzzled, I tore it open, and my eyes roved over the page of printed matter. My heart was pounding, and I felt that sense of shock tinged with disbelief as I read on.


    ¡°Hayley?¡± I was suddenly brought back to the present by Aiden¡¯s words. ¡°What is it?¡±


    I blinked up at him, my voice shaky. It is a letter from my father. He wants to meet.¡±


    The room began to move, the enormity of the discovery lying on us. Aiden came to my side, cing his hand on my shoulder. We will take care of this together,¡± he dered firmly. We¡¯ll deal with it, whatever.


    I nodded, my mind racing. The future had only gotten more unpredictable, but having Aiden there with me. Together.

 93: The Letter

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    The letter Hayley held in her hand, its ck contents a prophecy of things toe. The biological father, who wanted to visit his girl. This was an unexpected wrinkle, but one that just added to theplexity and crazy nature of our lives.


    Hayley was sitting on a couch, and she looked confused, but more or less scared. I went to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. Hayley, we¡¯re going to make it through this.¡±


    She stared at me, and her eyes were open wide with confusion. What if¡­ what if he is not who I hope him to be? What if the meeting changes everything?


    I dropped to my knees-it was bigger and bulkier than her, at no age in that moment-taller, older, or stronger because she knew me past the bullshit. We will get through this. Whatever urs, we¡¯ll do it together. You won¡¯t be alone in this.¡±


    She smiled and nodded. ¡°Thank you, Aiden. I do not know what I would have done without you.


    ¡°Promise?¡± I squeezed her hands lightly.


    Over the next few days, it was a whirl of getting ready and being excited. Hayley (understandably) was petrified, so I did my best to be there for her. We discussed what she might anticipate learning,  how this information justified her association with his biological dad, and what exactly such a thing could mean for the not-too-distant foreseeable future.


    The days after the meeting were filled with an exposed nerve of anticipation and dread. We spent hours taking in what had happened to Hayley. We spent hours trying to unpack what it all meant: where we went from here.


    One night, while we were all watching TV in the living room, Hayley looked at me with such a determined face. ¡°I need to meet him. I need to know the truth.¡±


    I nodded, and it was then that I realized she needed her own closure. ¡°We¡¯ll go together. You¡¯re not doing this alone.¡±


    The next couple of days were spent gearing up for the meeting. Naturally, Hayley was nervous, and I offered as much reassurance as possible. We discussed what she could hope for, how meeting her biological father made her feel, and the potential impact it would have on who she might be.


    One morning, when we were having breakfast, I decided to call Ryan. He had been in Australia dealing with a pack matter, and I was curious about his well-being.


    I called his number and waited for him to answer. His voice was heard almost immediately, after a few rings. ¡°Aiden! How are you, mate?¡±


    ¡°Hey, Ryan. I¡¯m good. Australia, how is it all going?


    ¡°Things are good here. We sorted it out, and I have to fly back there nowadays. How are things on your end?¡±


    I took a quick look at Hayley, drinking her coffee, as she clearly dwelled somewhere entirely different. ¡°Got another line on our dragon thing, sir. She got a letter from her biological father, Matt. He wants to meet.¡±


    Ryan let out a low whistle. ¡°That¡¯s big news. How¡¯s she handling it?¡±


    She¡¯s nervous, of course. Except we are getting through it together. We will meet the Dynasty guy very soon.


    I¡¯m here if you need anything, alright? Well, I will be back soon, so if you need a hand, just shout.


    ¡°Thanks, Ryan. It means a lot.¡±


    After talking for a few minutes more, we said goodnight. Looking at her curiously, I said that Hayley was beside me. ¡°Ryan sends his support. He¡¯ll be back in a few days.¡±


    A look of pensive thought crossed her face, and she nodded. I am d to know we have friends willing to lend a hand.


    ¡°100%.¡± I reached over and grabbed her hand as it rested on the table. ¡°We¡¯re not alone in this.¡±


    The day of the meeting came sooner than we realized. The morning passed in a whirlwind ofst-minute preparations. The two of us dressed thoughtfully, partly to look our best but also in order to feel good and natural. Hayley wore an effortlessly beautiful dress thatplimented her natural beauty, and I kept it smart and casual.


    The address given in the letter for us to meet was a part of town that I had never driven before, and as we made our way towards it, each minute closer seemed like a couple hours-in another life.


    Marcus released a slow breath, watching her walk into the dusk. ¡°You¡¯ve done well, Aiden.¡±


    The next thing I said was, ¡°She¡¯s awesome all by herself.¡± ¡± Thank God, I was just fortunate enough to be along for the ride with her.


    Marcus frowned a bit, considering. ¡°You¡¯re a good man, Aiden. I can see why her trust in you makes so much sense.


    We were beginning to bond, I told myself. ¡°Thank you,¡± I said.


    It was dusk and getting cold by the time Hayley came back. And she rxed into her seat, reignited by conviction.


    She swallowed the lump in her throat and continued with a more steady tone, ¡°What else do we know? I Sound Like a Brat: I Want to Know Everything.


    A smile spread across Marcus¡¯ face, a giddy speech of relief and pride in his eyes. ¡°And you will, Hayley. I promise you that.¡±


    The night ended with us nning to meet again, talk more, and learn more about the pastret spam that was formed. This was only the beginning, and there were tricks left up its sleeve, but we had started to uncover the basics of a bridge between worlds lost in time.


    He showed us to the door, also with a grin on his face. ¡°Thank you for believing in me,¡± he apologized with every genuine intent. ¡°I won¡¯t let you down.¡±


    Hayley¡¯s eyes met his, and she sent Peter a look that told him everything. ¡°I believe you.¡±


    Then, with one more parting wish of goodnight, we ventured outside and into the weing winter air. On the walk back to her car, Hayley emanated a certain joyousness I had not seen from her before.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± I inquired as I hopped into the driver¡¯s chair and spun to look at her.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    She inhaled deeply, her eyes reflecting many emotions. ¡°Hopeful. Scared. But mostly, I was relieved. It¡¯s like a breath of fresh air.


    I grabbed her hand and squeezed it. One day at a time. You don¡¯t have to do this alone.


    Her smile, you could feel down to your toes. ¡°I know. And that changes everything.


    So what if the road ahead still seemed arduous as we pulled back onto the twone strip away from that cabin? There would be other questions to answer and more challenges ahead, but we were moving forward together, stronger than ever.


    We rode home in silence, each alone with our thoughts. It was not easy; the meeting with Marcus had been intense, but it also made room for new  possibilities. A way for Hayley to reach into her own history, which has always been so shrouded in mystery.


    Coming back to our home felt likeing back into a sanctuary where we could process everything that had happened. The living room felt safe andforting as we took our seats.


    Want to talk about it? Want me to keep the kids upied for a bit when we get back?¡± I asked, feeling that Hayley could use some down time.


    She gestured for me to have a seat, then snuggled on the couch underneath her nket. That is a ton of food for thought. And relieved, mostly just relieved. Just like a part of me that never existed has been discovered,.


    I took a seat beside her, reaching over to put my arm around her. ¡°It¡¯s a lot to take in. And you were so graceful about it. I¡¯m so proud of you.¡±


    Then she leans against me, her head on my shoulder. ¡°Thank you, Aiden. For everything. What a day it was today¡­ I¡¯m not sure what I would¡¯ve done without you.


    I kissed her forehead. ¡°You¡¯ll never have to find out.¡±


    There were a few moments of silence that feltfortable, and the weight we were feeling probably lifted. We still had a long way to go, but for the time being, we were right where we should be-with each other.


    As the night deepened, we discussed our dreams and what life would mean. It was an effortless conversation because our connection is so undeniable. We may have been faced with adversities over the years, but they all would (and did) pale inparison to not having each other.


    We were finally worn out from the day and went to bed. My heart was so lifted as we retired for bed. Words hade between us, but we also took a big step forward to the future, in which stood two equal new beginnings.


    In our bed, I felt Hayley¡¯s body nestled up to me, her warm breath on the nape of my neck, and I was reminded that this love right here is real. ¡°Goodnight, Aiden,¡± she hummed softly.


    Feeling hope as weid down that evening to sleep. There were tough times ahead, that was for sure, but now I had Hayley with me, and we could do anything together. By our powersbined!


    So, as dawn came up behind those heavy draperies in that room on The Hilltop an hourter or more and I had all of this fall into ce for me suddenly, I couldn¡¯t help but embrace whatevery out there.


    Just as we were on the brink of drifting into sleep, a sudden knock at the door rang out, and now we wanted to know who would be banging away all night.

 94: My Father

    HAYLEY¡¯S POV


    There was a knock on the door, loud in the stillness of that night. My heart jumped out. There was a quick nce between Aiden and me; both of us were instantly alert. And Marcus¡¯ message still rang in my head, a reminder of what lurked just around the corner.


    Aiden was the first to move; his animal sense of approaching danger was automatically on high alert as he approached the door slowly. If I followed close behind, my heart might explode. He peeked out the hole, and when he turned to me, he handed down his nod of approval. ¡°It¡¯s Marcus.¡±


    A wave of relief came over me as Aiden opened the door and I saw my father on our front porch, his face etched with a look that was part emergency, part worry. ¡°Hayley, Aiden, it is sote. I am sorry to stop by unannounced.¡±


    ¡°Enter,¡± he said, standing to the side as Marcus came in EVEN through his bodynguage-weighed low under the gravity of his words.


    To the living room: some familiarity amongst so much chaos. Marcus sat, eyes full-on on me, with intensity that sent goosebumps down my spine.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± My voice is even and strong despite the storm within. ¡°How?


    Literally, he said, ¡°There are some things you have to know about.¡± Marcus waited the three heartbeats it took for us all-four of them in total, Petra included-to shut up. And something that might be critical in the days that follow.


    I nodded, readying myself for his inevitable truth. ¡°What is it?¡±


    Marcus looked him right in the eye. He took a deep breath. ¡°You have powers, Hayley. Latent abilities havee to the fore, which had long ago stopped being used.


    The wordsy there in the air, and I could feel them so heavily charged. My mind spun in an attempt toprehend what he had told me. ¡°Powers? What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Start to finish; our family has always been linked with the supernatural,¡± Marcus rified. The abilities attracted the cult to us. They were afraid of what we could do, and in doing so, they wanted to harness it.


    I was shocked in disbelief. It was a lot to handle, and it seemed as though the entire world I knew had turned upside down. ¡°Wait, are you saying that I have some kind of magic?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Marcus confirmed. And yet they have been sitting there, buried, to protect you. You must awaken and control the cult¡¯s interests in you. You have to be able to go out there and hold your own.


    Aiden gripped my hand, solid and grounding amid the sea of feelings roiling within me. ¡°How do we do that?¡± he inquired calmly and carefully.


    Marcus answered, his gaze meeting mine with a fierce determination that wasced with hope. ¡°I can train you, Hayley. Show YOU how to unlock and own your gift.


    The prospect of being granted abilities was as exhrating as it was terrifying. I had always known I was special, but it never urred to me that this is what they meant.¡± Hey, what abilities are we looking at?


    This time, Marcus leaned in, sounding just as serious. ¡°We are a nature- and element-based family. You might be a natural witch, and you have to own up to not just who or what you are but also the pathways through which we manipte them and get their forces in our way. However, we will only get the full picture as soon as training begins.


    I let out a long breath and absorbed what he was saying. That was a lot to take in, but I did not have the luxury of pausing.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    This was no joke; the cult was a genuine menace, and I had to be prepared. ¡°Okay. When do we start?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow,¡± Marcus replied, not even hesitating. ¡°We don¡¯t have much time. They are moving closer, and with the cult members, we need to be ready.


    Aiden nodded determinedly. ¡°We¡¯ll be ready.¡±


    Over the course of the evening, we talked about what training for it might mean-building a timeline and some expectations. The things Marcus told me to do were incredibly challenging and long, but he said that what was important so much was my being able to not only keep myself safe but also the ones I loved.


    The burden of the fight toe was palpable now that Marcus had gone a little heavier and suffocating. I looked at Aiden with a thousand flickers of thoughts and questions. ¡°This is so much to take in.¡±


    He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and held me. ¡°I know. But you¡¯re strong, Hayley. You can do this. I have been there, and I will be by your side every step of the way.


    And with my head heavy on his strong chest, the steady beat of his heart was balm to my frazzled soul. ¡°Thank you, Aiden. I would be truly lost without you.


    ¡°Luckily, you never have to,¡± he whispered as heid a soft kiss on my forehead.


    The morning dawned bright and clear, with sunlight streaming in through the curtains as if to announce a fresh start. I was excited yet still so unsure of what I needed to do the day before. This was the beginning of an unexpected journey, but I wanted to meet it head-on.


    We found the cabin exactly as Marcus had told Aiden and me we would.


    As we stepped out of the car, we were greeted by brisk air and pine needles crunching underfoot. When we arrived, Marcus was waiting outside, with a serious but hopeful look on his face.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡± His eyes found mine as he asked.


    I nodded, with a new peace within me. ¡°Yes. Let¡¯s do this.¡±


    The exercisemenced with a number of practical exercises for me to try and connect myself further to the natural world. Marcus told me that my powers were elemental, and I had to eat elements in order to draw strength from them. It took quite some time to change my mindset from negative thinking to focusing with patience, but I could feel a subtle change happening within myself while practicing.


    ¡°Shut your eyes,¡± Marcus said calmly and collectively. Feel the earth underfoot; feel it in your air. Draw on their energy.¡±


    Listening to him, I followed the feelings all around me. The initial periods were hard as I tried to clear my mind, but over time, a warm tingle started from the tips of my toes and pulsed throughout. It felt so strange but neat at the same time, like letting out a power that is hidden within me.


    ¡°Perfect,¡± Marcus said with satisfaction. Now, begin to stretch and release that feeling. Reach out with your senses.¡±


    I drew a deep breath, focusing on the power flowing inside me. I felt the wind running through the leaves; I felt it on my skin as a as a cold breeze and under me as solid earth. It was as though the world were beginning to awaken, bursting with fresh energy.


    ¡°Good,¡± Marcus stated, clearly in a fatherly role. ¡°You¡¯re doing well, Hayley.¡±


    The day went by in a fight or flight of work and determination.


    From an outside perspective, Marcus introduced me to a series of different practices intended to bring my hidden skills forward. It was a slog up and down this part of the mountain, but I never felt so alive or capable. I could feel myself getting stronger too, both in my body and in my connection to nature.


    When the sun started to go down, wrapping the trees in long shadows, we drew a beat for some breath and sat outside together on the cabin porch. It was a rush of exhaustion and excitement, being weary while on the brink of finding my superhuman capabilities.


    Marcus handed me a bottle of water and said, ¡°Good job today.¡± ¡°I¡¯m proud of you.¡±


    You too, I said as we each drank the refreshing water. That excited me and also made another part of my head say, ¡°It¡¯s a lot to take in, but I feel like I¡¯m starting to understand.¡±


    ¡°Which is going to take time?¡± Marcus spoke with certainty. You got plenty of sound topete against what you do, Hayley!¡± Something stronger than you know is already there.


    When Aiden sat down beside me, I wasforted by the love and support that surrounded me. ¡°You got skills, girl,¡± his eyes bathed in awe. ¡°I knew you could do it.¡±


    God, I smiled at that too, and I felt something warm run through me hearing the words. ¡°Absolutely¡­ I could not have done it without you two.


    After the evening had progressed to this point, we started talking about my next steps in training. Marcus told me that these exercises would only increase in difficulty, evolving to the point where they wished to make sure I could suffer as well. This was a scary thing, but I knew it had to be done.


    Marcus did not smile this time. ¡°We have to be prepared.¡± The cult members aren¡¯t patient, and neither are we.


    I epted the fact with a firm nod. ¡°I¡¯ll be ready.¡±


    As we drove back to the office that evening, I felt a nket of fatigue and resolve settle over me. Only the start, but I was steeled for whaty ahead.


    While at home, Aiden and I fell back into our routine and thoroughly enjoyed the familiar. I was always aware of my power and the development toe, but with this sleepy feeling that implies knowledge coupled with duty came a new, firm sense of who I am.


    We each brushed our teeth, put on pajamas, and slid under the covers of an oversized bed before Aiden wrapped his big arms around me. ¡°You¡¯re incredible, Hayley. I¡¯m so proud of you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Aiden.¡± I murmured and sighed as my heart filled with gratitude and adoration. I wouldn¡¯t be able to do this without you.


    ¡°Guess you never will, then,¡± he said, leaning down to kiss my forehead.


    As Iy in bed that night-ttired, drained, and terrified no longer of my mortal self but of the fate from which there is only escape-mmaybe a whirlwind spun around me somewhere within. I didn¡¯t really know what was up ahead, but afterst night, I definitely knew it wasn¡¯t just me. With Aiden with me, the words Marcus spoke into my ear rxed me, and I felt a power within myself that inspired hope.


    Right as I was about to fall asleep, a chilling thought popped into my head. In any case, Marcus mentioned the cult¡¯s interest in our family abilities, but was there something more? What if there was a secret they were holding back-something worse?


    It was a question that haunted me long into the night as I eventually drifted off to sleep, and with it came respite from my thoughts. Tomorrow would be another training day, filled with promise and sprinkled with uncertainty.


    I sat in the half-light as dawn began to seep into my room, and Marcus¡¯s voice echoed through my mind: ¡°I can train you, Hayley. and Show You The Way To Unlock Your Powers and Manipte Them¡±

 95: Silver Light

    HAYLEY¡¯S POV


    It was almost too dark to see, but the silver light of the moon against a ck horizon brightened everything within my sight.


    The smell of pine and earth filled the air as Aiden and I stood in a clearing. We had left the firece burning in the cabin, so a touch of warmth still embraced our bodies amidst the frigid night air. It was our second night of training, and my muscles still felt heavy from the exhaustion I had poured into them a little more than a day ago.


    ¡°Ready?¡± ¡®Do you mind, anytime now¡­¡¯ Aiden said, his voice prating the silence.


    I nodded, hoping to call on some of that same fortitude from before. ¡°Ready.¡±


    We started with the exercises Marcus had introduced me to, drawing from an armory of skill sets designed for tapping us into natural consciousness. Feeling the cool ground under my feet and the fresh, breezy air on all sides of me, I closed my eyes. The element of energy had grown more familiar, almost a reassurance that I could touch upon.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget to breathe, Wes,¡± Aiden said softly and purposefully. ¡°Allow the energy to pass through you.


    Breathe deep, and let it all soak in. That tingle of power was there, simmering under the skin and poised to be channeled. I tried to pay attention to the rustling leaves, whispering wind, and insistent earth. Gradually, I could sense the energy moving, a balmy stream running through my body.


    ¡°Come on,¡± Aiden coaxed. ¡°You¡¯re doing great.¡±


    His words soothed my ragged nerves. I focused further, hoping to lengthen it and reach out with my spirit. Fragile, yet it was there-a line of strength for me to hold onto.


    ¡°Now, see if you can make it flex,¡± Aiden said. ¡°Start small.¡±


    I concentrated on a tree several meters away, causing its leaves to rustle at mymand. At first, nothing happened. With all my strength, I kept pressing the energy into me and out of that tree.


    I squeezed tighter, trying to focus this energy through me and back into the tree. The leaves rustled slowly, almost imperceptibly-a gentle undtion that followed the ebb and flow of my mind.


    Aiden¡¯s prideful smile shone through his eyes. ¡°You did it!¡±


    An ecstasy of fumbling ¡°I did, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    He nodded, his smile wide. You¡¯re toughing up, Hayley. I can see it.¡±


    The night drew on, every workout stretching me further than thest. And Aiden is always with me; his support and encouragement never leave me. I was tired by the time we took a break, but I felt really good.


    We sat on a dead log, resting in the quiet of the forest, which was like being enfolded by a warm nket. Aiden pressed a bottle of water in my hand and handed it to me.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± he asked, his voice low.


    ¡°Exhausted,¡± I confessed as I took a drink of the cold water. ¡°But also¡­ excited. It is being able to find that part of myself I never knew was there.


    He nodded, his gaze intense. ¡°You¡¯re amazing, Hayley. God, you are so freakingposed about all of this.


    It made warmth spread through me. I need you, Aiden. Your support means the world to me.


    His look softened, and he reached for my hand. ¡°We¡¯re in this together. Always.¡±


    This was also the reason we stayed quietly for a few moments; as always, our inheritance bond is only getting stronger and warmer. It was a serene night, with distant twinkling stars silently navigating across the sky.


    ¡°Have you ever thought what would have happened if none of this had urred? No more than a whisper of your mouth, as I asked.


    The grasp Aiden had on my hand grew stronger. ¡°Sometimes. Then I remembered all our trials and tribtions. As crazy as it sounds and with all the danger, I would never change a thing. Because that¡¯s taken us to where we are today, right here together.¡±


    I peered into his eyes, feeling a spike of emotion. ¡°I feel the same way.¡±


    The atmosphere continued around us until we both wanted to drown in each other¡¯s faces. There was nothing else in the entire world except for us and our silent understanding of being connected on that dutiful voyage.


    Finally, Aiden got up and looked determined. ¡°Ready to get back to it?¡±


    I nodded, full of new resolve. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡±


    Back in the clear, excited air of anticipation. The gender-ambiguous exercises were more challenging this time, and as usual, they drove me to my best. Power coiled within me, a force to be channeled; this was no longer frightening.


    Deep into the night, I started to feel a sense of unease. This was a subtle change; I felt it as a tingle just beyond my immediate notice. I paused and tried to feel the sensation.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± And then Aiden asked,


    ¡°Not really.¡± I furrowed my brow. ¡°I feel¡­ something.¡±


    He looked somewhere, his heightened senses dancing. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    I shut my eyes, trying to focus on the sensation. There was slightly the tiniest hint of something that might have resembled a whisper wasted in an echo. The more I harnessed it, the greater of a force came out of all that was in my head.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Then, in an instant, a scene came alive, and it was graphic but horrifying. The faces of the Moonlight Howl pack were scared and desperate. They were being attacked by a dark force closing in around them. Crowds of wounded and dying in a scene from among the roars of battle.


    I almost choked (and stumbled back) as my senses were bombarded with a vision.


    Aiden was there immediately, his arms keeping me up.


    ¡°Hayley! What is it?¡± He cried, his words more apprehensive.


    I could see the images sh in my mind, but I couldn¡¯t speak. Pack. They are in danger.


    Aiden¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What did you see?¡±


    Frightened as all hell, I sucked in a breath to soothe my pounding heart. ¡°An attack. The Moonlight Howl Pack is being attacked. We have to warn them.¡±


    His face grew hard, his jaw firm. ¡°We need to get to Marcus. Now.¡±


    We bolted back to the cabin, propelled by fear. It was as if the night dropped in on us, with shadows ckening and taking the shape of danger that can hound any man home. My heart was in my throat, and the gravity of what I had seen was bearing down on me.


    Marcus was waiting for us when we pulled up in front of the cabin. He looked very serious. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± he queried, his eyes rifling over our countenances.


    Well, I took a deep breath and tried not to get too choked up about it. ¡°I had a vision. The Moonlight Howl Pack is being assaulted! We have to help them.¡±


    The determination that filled Marcus¡¯ eyes hardened his expression. ¡°We don¡¯t have much time. Gather your things. We leave immediately.¡±


    Everything and nothing sounded nice to me at that point, as a sense of doom took root in the pit of my stomach, where I kept it warm. It felt so real. I was terrified of what we would find, as I knew there that whatever it may be, action had to act fast.


    He touched my shoulder, the reassurance in his eyes clear. We will make it through this, Hayley. Together.¡±


    I showed my appreciation in the only other way I could, with a nod of agreement and strength. ¡°Together.¡±


    The shadow of real possibility loomed over us as we went into the night.


    The path forward was unclear, but I knew we had to defend our own at any cost.


    We raced towards the Moonlight Howl Pack as the light of dawn began to slice through the trees. Marcus¡¯ voice resonated inside my head, the lesson of which I was beginning to grasp. ¡°I can train you, Hayley. I¡¯m here to show you how to unlock those powers andmand them.


    This was only the beginning of a long journey, with many hurdles ahead. Yet with Aiden on my opposite side and guidance from Marcus, I grasped a ray of light among the shadows. Whatever happened, we would face it and somehow figure out a way to get through the scary parts together.


    In my mind, I could still see the attack reying itself yed out over and over again ¨C a powerful reminder of how dangerous things continue to be. With the sun casting a warm glow over everything, I prepared myself for whaty ahead. The future was unknown, but one truth stood still: we were not alone, and if nothing else, we would bring our children to safety.


    I saw the first rays of sunlight rise over the horizon, as I knew it was just the start of our journey. I knew that the journey was untraveled, dangerous, and far from over, yet I could face it with my two boys beside me by leaving both Aiden and Marcus behind.


    I had a newly centered sense of purpose, though, with the practice of tomorrow and the impending threat of cult looming over my head. We would take each obstacle as it presented itself, and together, we would get through.


    There was anticipation in the air as we closed in on the territory of the Moonlight Howl Pack. The assault lingered vividly in my mind, a harsh reminder of the peril that was about to unfold.


    As the forest started filling with twilight, I was aware that my real fight had only just begun.

 96: Luna Elara

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    Aiden and I were tearing at the wind on our way to Moonlight Howl Pack territory.


    And so I could still see in my head the ghost of an attack that was about to befall us.


    As the sun started to rise and spread a golden but airy morning light in the vicinity, there was no time or energy for idle romanticism about dawn.


    We needed to alert the pack and brace ourselves for what wasing.


    I recognized the faces of some pack members going about their usual morning business as we neared where they had made a little enve.


    Ordinarily, this would be amon sight, but I knew that was about to change.


    Aiden and I shared a wary look, feeling the weight of what fell to us.


    We sprinted to the main building, where, of course, the helm and brave lord leads would all be.


    Aiden gave me a reassuring squeeze as we walked back in, and I took another deep breath to prepare for what happened next.


    The leadership of the pack was already inside, their faces growing somber when they saw us. A tall and bulky man with sharp eyes and amanding attitude called forward the power holder you could see in his gait, Alpha Lucas.


    Luna ra, the quiet girl, was sitting beside him in a level-headed and tranquil presence that made Shib not feel like he might throw up at any second. Beta Caleb and Gamma Lianapleted the circle, mirroring their concern in their expressions.


    Hayley, Aiden. Damn Why are you two here so soon? Alpha Lucas inquired with a steady but heavily curious voice.


    I paused, the heaviness of their eyes bearing down on me. ¡°Listen, I had this vision.¡± My voice trembled but held.


    Moonlight Howl Pack is in dire straits. An attack ising to us, and we need to make sure that we are ready.


    There was a low murmur of disquiet that ran through the room. Luna ra took a step forward, her eyes soft yet somber. ¡°Tell us everything, Hayley.¡±


    I told him about the vision and described all of the chaos I had witnessed. I could see the weight of what I was saying settling in with those that represented my pack. Aiden was always there with me by my side.


    Alpha Lucas nodded his head stiffly when I was done. ¡°We need to act quickly. We will strengthen our defenses and prepare for the worst.


    It was Beta Caleb who walked up, struggling to find the right words. Then we will have to warn the sentries and double patrol now. We ought to evacuate these individuals as well, albeit fewer in number than the main group.


    Gamma Liana bobbed her head. If everyone is safe, then I will prepare for all of us to get off the ind.


    Leaders throughout the room began to attack their businesses with fervor. Aiden and I kind of take a step back as the pack rallies. It was a little balm for my wounds to watch them rally together so quickly-one more example of the constancy and ferocity with which they united Moonlight Howl.


    His eyes were steely-determined when he turned to me. We better go help with the preparations. The more, the merrier.


    I agreed with a sense of vigor. ¨C ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡±


    For hours, we worked with the pack members on building up defenses and awaiting what woulde next. A tough slog mind, hard graft, but with a great sense of team spirit. The members of the pack were clear and determined, having not lost their focus on what maye.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Aiden and I chatted with some of the pack members as we worked, adding kind words here or there to encourage them. Their loyalty to the pack and belief in their leaders kept them strong, though; it was evident that they had all just been rattled by the vision we were about to rte.


    Middays, the setup was in full swing. Sentries were at the highest levels of vignce, patrols had been doubled, and all except those who could not move quickly-oldsters and children-were being moved to safety. It was a beehive of activity in the pack territory, everyone looking after each other¡¯s backs.


    Aiden and I rested on a fallen beam at the clearing¡¯s edge. Now the sun was hidden high, with long shadows streaking across the ground. The fatigue of the work that morning was spreading through my muscles, but I had no time to sleep.


    ¡°Trust me, Aiden told him in a voice dead set with determination. When theye, we¡¯ll be ready to go.


    I nodded, torn between fatigue and determination. ¡°I know. Still, I feel like we could be doing more.


    Aiden¡¯s gaze softened, and he reached for my hand. We¡¯re a small crew, but we are working as hard as we can, Hayley. And when it does, we will confront anything thates our way.


    It was so nice to hear him say that; it made me feel like I wasn¡¯t the only one in this. I held onto his hand and pulled energy from his unfailing devotion. ¡°Thank you, Aiden. I would be lost without you.


    He grinned, and warmth filled his eyes. ¡°Good thing you never will.


    We both were silent; the weight of what was happening filled up our silence. All this, of course-tthere was also a feeling that we could win literally anything and ovee everything.


    As we were getting our act together to get back on duty, someone wasing towards us. Marcus stood there, his face studied and positive. ¡®You¡¯re doing okay,¡¯ he said, in a voice as refulgent. ¡°The pack is in good hands.¡±


    This statement made me burst with pride. ¡°Thank you, Marcus. We¡¯re trying so hard.


    He chewed on that for a moment, staring off into the distance. So, there¡¯s one more thing we need to talk about¡­ Your powers, Hayley. It may be a key part of the fight toe.


    My heart missed a beat upon hearing his words. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Marcus let out arge breath, and his gaze pierced into mine. We would benefit from your connection with the elements. I thought if only you were more agreeable, we might actually have a chance.


    I was excited but nervous. I was both excited and terrified at the prospect of bringing my powers to bear in a live-action fight.  I¡¯ll dly give up everything to defend the pack.


    Aiden squeezed my hand. We¡¯re here for you at every stage.


    Marcus subconsciously nodded with an apparently stoic expression. But we will need to keep training you in between getting everything ready. Every moment counts.¡±


    We stood to return to the training area, and once again, I was infused with a sense of purpose. The path I foresaw was obscure and the attack ominous, but we were prepared to confront it. I was filled with hope for the first time in weeks-a fierce, powerful sense of determination-while Aiden and Marcus marched them.


    It was a tense and exciting few moments while the pack waited. All of their members were extremely sharp, and without being told, they all stared at the spectacle before them so resolutely. It could breathe; it was the Moonlight Howl Pack banding together, a fearless reminder that we are not alone in this fight.


    Aiden looked at me with a new edge of fierceness in his eyes. We should pitch in with making lunches. The more people on deck, the merrier.


    I gave a wry nod, fresh satisfaction coursing through me. ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡±


    Instead, we spent the hours thereafter lending a helping hand, shoring up defenses, and bracing ourselves for what wasing. It was very hard physical work, and some felt it was nearly unbearable to live this way in the absence of a single word or exchange beyond choice. Others were sustained by the camaraderie. The pack members had a single mind, aware of the danger, ready for what they sawing.


    Aiden and I stopped to speak with a few of our pack members. Words of encouragement and reassurance were delivered from both human bodies nearly identically in the dark of night. The vision had clearly rattled them, but their loyalty to the pack and belief in their leaders held strong.


    Around noon, they got things started. The sentries were doubled, the patrols were on high alert, and Dixie was somewhere safe, happy to watch it all from a detached distance. The pack¡¯s territory was alive, with all hands on deck to keep each other safe.


    Aiden and I sat on a fallen log at the edge of the clearing while we took a short break. The sun was in the sky, high enough to cast a long shadow. My muscles began to stiffen with work in the morning, but there was no time for that.


    Aiden had determination in his voice. ¡°We¡¯re doing all we can.¡± By the time they get here, we¡¯ll be set.


    I nodded, fading with a blend of exhaustion and determination. ¡°I know. I just have this lingering feeling that there has to be more we should do.


    Aiden¡¯s eyes softened, and he then reached over to hold my hand. Hayley, we are trying our best. And when that timees, we can handle anything together.


    His words were a reassurance, which I had also been through. My grip on his hand tightened, knowing somewhere he knew this and would keep holding my hand. ¡°Thank you, Aiden. I should have brought you handcuffs or a tranquilizer gun instead of duct tape and twain; how would I live without them?


    His eyes sparkled with a touch of warmth in them as he smiled. You will never find out.


    There was a moment of silence, the weight of whatever this truly meant settling on my shoulders. There was a bone-deep weariness, but there was also hope that had me thinking we could do this.


    As we were getting ready to circle back into actuators¡¯ ville, a figure came towards us. It was Marcus, looking grave but encouraging. His voice was unwavering: ¡°You¡¯re doing great.¡± ¡°The pack is in good hands.¡±


    His words filled me with pride. ¡°Thank you, Marcus. We are doing our best.

 97: His smile

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    He smiled, considering it. And then-there¡¯s something important that we need to talk about. Your powers, Hayley. They might prove vital in the uing war.


    His words made my heart skip a beat. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Marcus drew a deep breath and looked at me with confidence that was unwavering. Perhaps your bond with the elements can provide us with an advantage. So, if you can control what abilities are different in this game,


    It was something I had been looking forward to and dreading. The thought of actually having to use my powers in live, no-holds-barredbat was simultaneously exciting and scary. I will go to whatever length is needed to protect the pack.


    And then Aiden gripped my hand harder. And we do help you every step of the way.


    Marcus nodded, his face serious. Since your training will need to continue during this preparation, Every moment counts.¡±


    When we got up to go back into the training area, I felt like a significant change had just urred. It was an uncertain road ahead with an attack hanging over us, but I knew we were going to take it head-on. Having Aiden and Marcus with me was very empowering. I felt like, after everything, there was some hope.


    The pack kept readying themselves; the air was so thick with suspense and expectation. Every single member we met was passionate and determined, not broken down. It was a show of the strength and unity that existed before, when we were just Moonlight Howl wolves once again. I remembered how this pack supported WolfBloodst fall.


    The sexual torment they were feeling was now acute, near unbearable, and as the sun started to set on their homnd, casting shadows that stretched very far indeed, an idea of a solution began brewing in their minds. The sentries were posted, the defenses readied, and all the high-value assets were blown clear. The pack was prepared for anything.


    Aiden and I were at the edge of clearing, watching as Ba finished up her final preparations. There was tension in the air; something big was about to happen.


    Aiden¡¯s voice was a lot moreposed: ¡°We¡¯ve done all we could. ¡°Now we just have to wait.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    I said yes as my heart became heavy. The vision of the attack remained present in my head as a chilling warning of what¡¯s toe. But there was this hopefulness; it felt like we could conquer anything that stood in our way.


    Standing by, watching the pack get ready, I felt joy and strength. We did whatever needed to be done and fought against the strict mandates because this was our home, our family.


    We were about to return to the main building when one of our scouts ran toward us, wide-eyed and rmed.


    He gasped for air and shouted, ¡°Aiden, Hayley.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve spotted them. OTHER WEREWOLVES, LONE ONES, on their own words, wereing from the north.


    The words went through me like an electric shock; they scared and inspired me at the same time. This was it. We As the Moment Had Built


    Aiden¡¯s expression grew dark, his determined eyes serious. ¡°How many?¡±


    ¡°A dozen, give or take,¡± the scout stammered. ¡°They¡¯re moving fast. They¡¯ll be here soon.¡±


    It made my heart thud in recognition of this fact. However, there was nothing to fear. We had to act quickly.


    ¡°Notify the pack,¡± he said, his voice calm but urgent. ¡°And get everyone ready.¡± We need to be ready.¡±


    A nod from the scout, and his footfalls receded.


    Aiden looked me in the eye, determination shining through. ¡°It¡¯s time, Hayley. Are you ready?¡±


    I knew better now. I took a deep breath and prepared myself for whaty ahead. ¡°Yes. Let¡¯s do this.¡±


    We headed quickly back to the main building, a focused atmosphere hanging in the air. The pack members were already glowering but prepared. Explicitly or otherwise, this was the battle for which everyone had braced.


    When we entered the main building, Alpha Lucas and Luna ra were already there, organizing a defense. They were a grounding force and kept us from feeling as though we were all alone in the battle.


    The Alpha Lucas called out as we neared closer, ¡°Hayley, Aiden, ¡°the rogues areing. We have to have the right people in ce.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Aiden said determinedly. ¡°We¡¯ll take the front lines.¡±


    Alpha Lucas agreed with a serious face. ¡°Good. Or, as the Alpha who speaks at my home town¡¯s chapel would say,.


    I expected to feel a surge of adrenaline as we started moving into positions. The image of the raid wasing to life, but we were prepared. This moment was something we had nned for, and it would be met as a team.


    Aiden and I stood in the front lines; our eyes roamed over the horizon when he turned to me. I was full of adrenaline, every muscle in my body taught and ready to explode.


    Aiden muttered under his breath, more to soothe himself than anything else: ¡°Stick with me.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll face them together.¡±


    I nodded, a new kind of determination flooding in. ¡°Together.¡±


    The sun was setting, and the shadows were lengthening across thend. The pack members had their sights set, ready to go. The build was almost vengeful, drawn out until every minute carried the weight of what would inevitably ur next.


    And then we saw them off in the distance. Werewolves howling at the moon, those rogue devils with fangs glinting in the night. It made me shiver, but a small thrill coursed through my blood at the sight. This was it. The moment that we had been nning.


    The rogues approached with darkness on the horizon. The pack prepared themselves to defend their territory. There was an intense energy in the air; everyone was clearly concentrated and on a mission.


    As the rogues came near, there was a burst of power in me. The current that spread out from me had attached itself to a more steady flow, and the connection to the elements was clearer. I turned my attention to tapping into that power with Aiden at my side, determined to be ready for when we had to use it again next time and defend our pack.


    By now, I was a bundle of nerves as the rogues approached. The electricity from them swirled me into a purposeful stream. I concentrated on the feel of it building within me, and with Aiden beside me, I was prepared to unleash that power if we needed to defend our pack.


    The first of the rogues burst out from among the trees, growling and snarling as he did. The battle was about tomence, and it is a done deal.


    Aiden turned to me and had a steely glint in his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s time, Hayley.¡±  Let¡¯s make them eat those words.¡±


    I nodded back, and a wave of determination surged within me. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡±


    The pack was determined and ready, just as the rogues drew close. Sounds of shing steel and bloody screams filled the air as they fought ferociously. But the pack hade at them hard, every heart one, and their strength a testament of all.


    But as the first rays of daybreak spilt into the darkness, I realized that this was just our start. In return, I had no other allies in my way to the South but the pack of wolves. It was a difficult and treacherous path still ahead of me, but  however brief it might be, they disyed rays.


    We would face anything together, and we would have the strength to deal with it. We still had our battle to fight, but I felt that we were prepared for it.


    Dawn light rained down in golden banners that filtered through the tree tops and brightened them where they fell upon the battlefield, sshing into existence among toppled timbers. The pack¡¯s defenses remained unbowed in their resolution. The rogues were unyielding, but the pack had given everything they could, and that tenacity was their gift or their curse, so long as loyalty and true love remained in it.


    And as dawn broke and bathed the battlefield in afortable light, I knew that I would be alright.


    We did not fight this battle in istion. But we were a family, brought together with loyalty and love.


    It looked like what we saw when the attack was perpetrated, but it had be so real-realer than real, if that is possible-as an analog human being. And we would always go down fighting for our pack, no matter what it cost us. What wasing would be hard, but I had a new determination that grounded me in the pack and aided hope.


    We would face whatever the future held for us together, and we could handle it. The fight was only starting, but I knew that we were ready to take it on together.


    A realm of gray reced darkness as the first light filtered through the trees, Marcus words ringing in my ears: ¡°I can train you, Hayley. Show you how to switch on your powers and make them work for you.


    This was only the start of a journey, and it would be an uphill battle to ovee all that stood in our way. However, having Aiden there and Marcus to guide me made me take that as a ray of hope in the dark. We would cope with whatever life dealt us, and we would be strong enough to reinvent ourselves.

 98: A Beautiful Glow to Remember

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    At dawn, the sky blushed orange and pink at the light, creating a beautiful yet eerie glow of bright clouds overlooking the battlefield. Adrenaline shot through me, and my heart pounded like a freaking drum in fear of how close the rogues were. Snarls and growling filled the air, a chilling reminder of exactly what it was we were up against.


    I leaned closer to Hayley, whispering, ¡°Hold on,¡± watching the danger approach. She nodded, resolve and determination painted on her face. I saw it in her eyes, and that only fanned the mes for me. I was attracted to this woman from day one.


    There was an explosion of motion from the heart of the woods, pair rogues running free and wild at their eyes with malevolent glee. Their musclesshed beneath their fur as they all but stalked.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    The pack steeled itself for an attack, weapons at the ready. The atmosphere was thick, and the moments were long as we all waited for something worthy to happen.


    ¡°Here theye!¡± Then silence, and suddenly a voice cried out. The fight began with a blur of motion and noise, steel on steel nging as they dove in.


    I charged the nearest rogue-a big werewolf with a scar going down his face. Growling, his ws swished through! I side-stepped, my own ws sprouting as I swiped back. The impact staggered him, but he caught himself quickly, rage filling his eyes.


    ¡°Good start,¡± he growled, then lunged for me. He came at me, and I intercepted his attack, our ws shing in a sh of sparks. I felt the power of the pack, and it awakened me. I could feel Hayley beside me; her presence was grounding energy.


    Arm in arm, we fought in unison. It was like we were one, bonded beyond chaos. The control of the elements was a new weapon, and Hayley¡¯s skills became even more blurred in motion. Her eyes glinting fiercely, she raised grand currents of air to drive our foes away from us.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Scattered slightly behind her on the main drag, she cried out. I barely was able to turn in time before I saw another rogue lunging at me from behind. Then my ws shed through the air as I spun. The yelp of a rogue cried out in pain, the strike he had intended to inflict foiled.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I responded, then briefly nodded at her. A flicker of a smile passed between them in the middle.


    The fight continued, every second changing our capabilities and will. There was no stopping the rogues; strikes came from everywhere.


    But our pack was resilient, as strong a match against the powerful devices that woulde from us.


    How are we doing, Luna ra? I screamed, looking back. Her collected behavior was a calming force in the midst of action, where she stood fighting.


    We are holding our ground, she said fiercely, and then more softly, with her voice breaking slightly. ¡°However, we must repel them. We cannot allow them to break through our defenses.


    I nodded, a fierce flow of resolve beginning to return. We had to maintain a secure home at any cost. And then I charged with a wild roar at the first rogue who was nearest to me, and my ws found their way through his defenses. He tripped his eyes bug-eyed with shock.


    ¡°Hayley, we have to repel them! I shouted, my voice louder than before. ¡°Yes,¡± she said, her gaze burning with resolve.


    We have a legacy to protect. Her words were filled with anger. With an upraised hand, the power around her snapped. A gust of wind and a powerful force knocked the rogues from their feet. The trees acted as a momentary block, but it was the gap we needed.


    ¡°Now!¡± I shouted, rallying the pack. As one, we advanced-bbetween all three of us, they would be overpowered. Their attacks copsed, and they fell back. Over the course of approximately two months,munity members began uniting as an unstoppable force in a battle that seemed to have insurmountable odds.


    But as we began to force the rogues back, I noticed Alpha Lucas and Luna ra directing from their ces within. They helped keep us grounded, reminding us that we weren¡¯t fighting this alone. Their leadership led them to fight with a ferocity that helped navigate us through the fray.


    ¡°Keep pushing!¡± Alpha Lucas announced his booming voice over the cacophony. ¡°We can¡¯t let them regroup!¡±


    We chased, and our strikes were fearsome. The rogues retreated; we were wearing them down with our resolve to stand together. But they had not lost the war. This time they stood up, their eyes sort of desperate.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Hold your horses! It was Hayley¡¯s voice; she sounded frantic. I spun, and an aberrant was leaping at me with his ws out. I performed ast-ditch dodge to the left, and my own ws swiped right by me. An enraged roar curled the flesh around him as the rogue-yelper drove his chainmail gauntlet into Will¡¯s upper rear.


    ¡°Good effort,¡± I groaned, ring at the rogue. His eyes glinted with anger as he growled. But before he could strike again, a heavy gust of wind upended him. Hayley was standing next to me, her arms raised and her eyes zing fiercely.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I replied with a curt nod. A smile-aa sh of camaraderie in the chaos.

 99: My Sunlight

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    The first beam of sunlight hit the ground, letting a yellow light cover everything on this battlefield. Suddenly I realized what a foolhardy adventure we¡¯dunched, and with my tongue tied, my words hung in the air for the wind to snatch away from me, already depleted by pursed lips that had scarcely moments prior sent those rogues scurrying off into their cowardly flight. We were battered but not broken as our pack emerged victorious. Sweated bodies mingled with the smell of blood and hot earth.


    My order was apanied by a rushed intake of air, and I rested my head on Aiden. ¡°WE DID IT, said my voice so softly you could barely hear it. ¡°We pushed them back.¡±


    He looked out over the horizon, scanning for any remaining threats, before finally nodding his head. ¡°Yes, but this isn¡¯t over. They will gather their strengths and be more powerful than ever! We need to stay vignt.¡±


    Alpha Lucas and Luna ra came forward, their faces showing a mixture of pride and concern. ¡°Fight well for both of you,¡± Alpha Lucas said, thankfulness wrapped in his voice. You performed a service to the pack.


    All of us fought, and many died with courage,¡± I said to his face. But yes, you are correct; we should be vignt. The rogues will be back, and we need to prepare.


    Luna ra steadied me with her hand on my shoulder. We will fortify our defenses and be ready for their next offensive. We¡¯ll mend our wounds and regroup for now.


    Uneasiness fell over me as pack members began to care for the wounded and fortify their protections. The hard-fought battle, I knew in my heart, only set the stage for something even more significant. The rogues were not to be trifled with; nevertheless, there was something else-another specter of horror antennae and wallowing within the gates.


    ¡°Hey Aiden,¡± I greeted him. I had to verify something.


    He looked at me with concern. ¡°What is it, Hayley?¡±


    I kinda¡­ have a hunch.¡± My voice faded out. I have to make sure everything is right.


    He stared into my eyes and nodded. ¡°Go. I¡¯ll handle things here.¡±


    As I walked through the camp, my mind was spinning. The idea of the attack had been in my head, but now there was a greater sense that it seemed imminent and out of ce. My heart is pounding in my chest. The main building came into view. I remember entering there and having a weird vibee over me. I got such an unsettling feeling in my bones.


    ¡°Hayley,¡± a voice called out. When I turned around, Luna ra appeared, looking concerned. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± I said, shaking. But something is wrong. It¡¯s a little off. I have to go see the archive.


    The archive was sacred, where many secrets were held. It was where we hoarded the relics handed down to us from generations past-every single one a fraction of our heritage. I thought to myself with energy that felt like it resonated from within me as we neared the entrance.


    Luna ra spoke in a slow and even voice, ¡°We must be cautious.¡± ¡°Most definitely, if there is a disconnect, we have to be mindful.


    I agree, and my willpower increases. We walked in, and the chill of the archive engulfed us. It was a chamber housing shelves upon shelves of ancient scrolls and artifacts, each individually cataloged. The deeper we went into the archive, I began to feel that energy intensify, picking up a rhythmic beat throughout each pace of the space.


    I indicated a spot on the wall. ¡°Here.¡± ¡°Here¡¯s where it¡¯sing from.


    Luna ra nodded, her eyes squinting, singling out the wall. There had to be a secret chamber, she thought. The power isn¡¯t quite able to be harnessed in these trinkets.


    Our hands slid along the smooth surface, scanning for some light switch of pharisee. Then, after a few more minutes, the tiniest groove in its frame that my thumb tip had felt was actually an imperceptible little trigger, and I heard it click quietly in response to gentle pressure from me. Altin looked towards where the wall had been to find it shifted, revealing a narrow corridor that went deeper into the archive.


    ¡°Be careful,¡± Luna ra warned, her voice tinged with foreboding.


    Entering the passageway, we walked on with the air turning cooler. Now, the energy was nearly overpowering us-a tangible weight against our skin. At the end of the tunnel, I notice a dim light pouring from one corner of the of the chamber.


    The only thing we found inside was an ancient amulet radiating dark energy. As I approached my fruit, I felt a chill down my spine as the omnipotent power began to take its grip.


    I put my hand on the doorknob and said, ¡°Here it is.¡± I said it quietly. ¡°This is what we have been feeling.


    Luna ra nodded seriously. ¡°This amulet is dangerous. It has to have been hidden down here for a reason.


    I went to grab the amulet, and suddenly a vision washed over me like an incredible storm of sights and sensations that struck me breathless. I noticed the rogues, their looks of disgust, but also hidden within our pack was a shady character, a traitor who would tear us apart from inside.


    ¡°No, no, no, no,¡± I wheezed, my heels tripping over theirs. ¡°It can¡¯t be.¡±


    Luna ra grabbed me, her eyes full of anxiousness. ¡°What did you see?¡±


    ¡°Traitor,¡± I breathed, my voice shaking. There was a traitor in our midst, working with the rogues.


    Then Luna ra narrowed her eyes, anger shing in them. Those pussies need to find out who it is. Quickly.¡±


    We walked silently back to the main building, my head spinning with everything I had just seen. That was followed by a much more intense sh with the rogues. And our greatest danger was closer to home than we had ever suspected.


    The gates were slowlying up in front of us, and we walked towards them and said, ¡°Aiden!¡± He looked back at us, his face creasing with concern. ¡°We need to talk.¡±


    ¡°Yes, My Lord,¡± Valerian said more soberly this time. ¡°What is it?¡±


    My voice was meaty: ¡°We found something in the archive.¡± ¡°An amulet. It gave me a vision.¡±


    ¡°A vision?¡± he eximed, his eyes going wide.


    ¡°Yes,¡± I replied. One of us is a traitor. Type to indicate you think of these with the rouges. alternatively,


    Aiden¡¯s jaw tightened, and his face darkened. ¡°Who?¡±


    I hung my head heavy and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know. ¡°But we need to find out. Quickly.¡±


    But after them, Lucas and ra were concerned. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡®Be strong, Lucas,¡¯ Alpha asked.


    There is a spy in our house. I told her, and I knew every word sounded decisive. A nt from whoever was managing the rogues.


    The eyes of Alpha Lucas narrowed, bing more serious. Whoever it is, we have to track them down. And fast.¡±


    Luna ra agreed, stealing her eyes. The investigation willmence right away. We cannot allow this to divide us from each other.


    I became ever more frantic as we began to go over our campaign. Having won a fierce struggle with the rogues, they realized that this was only the beginning of their war. The clock was ticking, and time would not be on our side in identifying the rat.


    ¡°Get on it, Aiden.¡± I turned to him. ¡°We need to be careful. Until we know the y of who came,


    He nodded, his eyes filled with determination. ¡°Agreed. I will stay watchful and alert.


    Throughout the day, they had been busy reinforcing our barricade and tending to any person injured. However, underneath the smiles and warmth, we felt as though we were being watched. The traitor might be any of them, and we had no way to know whom, if anyone.


    ¡°Hayley.¡± His voice was low. ¡°We need to talk to everyone. Find out if they saw or heard anything strange.¡±


    I nodded, my mind racing. ¡°Right. Let¡¯s start with the scouts. They are able to see something else.


    We headed towards the Scout quarters and walked fast. Scouts gathered, their faces weathered but their eyes still keen. They rose as we entered, and they regarded us with proper respect.


    Aiden, Hayley,¡± one of the scouts called through, and his voice was steady. ¡°What can we do for you?¡±


    Aiden¡¯s tone was serious: ¡°We need to find out if anyone saw anything weird during the fight.¡± ¡°Anything at all.¡±


    The scouts looked at each other again and frowned. One other scout said cautiously, ¡°There was one thing.¡± I saw a figure moving through the trees, away from where we had been fighting.


    ¡°Did you recognize them?¡± I asked, my heart pounding.


    The scout shook his head. ¡°No. It was too dark. Except that you are moving fast, with a destination.


    Aiden¡¯s brows drew together, face stern. ¡°Thank you. That¡¯s helpful.¡±


    While looking into this further, we discussed it with different members of the pack and got bits of information that together made a grim tale. Secret meetings, secretive conduct, and mysterious disappearances were whispered about. Like a shadow that looms, the feeling of disquiet only grows.


    Aiden had determination in his voice. ¡®We¡¯re drawing closer now.¡¯ ¡°But we need more.¡±


    The sun was setting, and all our shadows were growing very long across camp, as though the sun too had fled with a sense of urgency. Time was against us; we had to stop the traitor before they caused any more chaos.


    ¡°Hayley,¡± Aiden rumbled, low. Alpha Lucas and Luna ra, we must speak. They have to know what we discovered.


    I nodded, my mind racing. ¡°Right. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    We scurried to the main building. Alpha Lucas and Luna ra-both wearing expressions of worry-are awaiting us.


    ¡°What have you found?¡± Still-controlled voice, Alpha Lucas asked.


    Aiden responded, his voice as hard as steel: ¡°We¡¯ve got some leads. ¡°But we need more time.¡±


    Luna ra nodded; her eyes were just as strong with determination. You will have our support. This traitor must be found.¡±


    In fact, I immediately felt calmer as we organized our efforts. After the fight with the rogues, that was, oh, so easy. The real battle was only about to begin, and we would confront it as one.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get them,¡± my words burst with confidence. ¡°And when we do, they¡¯ll wish that their pack had never turned against us.


    Behind him, Aiden offered me a smile as he reached forward to rest his hand against my shoulder. Confidence sparked in the depths of those eyes, but I knew that it was something else entirely that fueled them instead-resolve and purposeful knowledge gleamed brightly within their shine. ¡°Together, Hayley. We¡¯ll face this together.¡±


    Hour by hour, throughout the night, our pack pressed on with single-minded unity. We were prepared-our traitor¡¯s shadow stretched before us. We would flush out the traitor, and we would kill to defend our pack. Period.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    The traitor¡¯s vision had be a terrifying truth to be faced; however, with Aiden and the pack at my back, I could feel an inner strength and resolve that left me filled with anticipation. We would be there for each other; we would go through everything and anything together.


    As the first rays of morning light filtered through the darkness, I realized our journey had only just started. My road before me was long and treacherous, but the strength of my pack surrounded me with hope.


    We would get through it together, and we had plenty of strength to deal with whatever came our way. We still had a long way to go, but I felt we were now all in this together.


    I woke up, and the camp was bathed in golden light from the rising sun. I felt a rush of power. A second vision was rushing forward-a rapid-fire series of images and sensations that knocked the breath from me.


    Their faces were shrouded beneath the long shadow, but it did not conceal their identity from me. Their presence was required by the camp, and their movements were purposeful. Until finally, their faces appeared to me.


    With my heart pounding within my chest, I gasped. ¡°It can¡¯t be.¡±


    The sight blurred, and I was left gasping for breath with tremors shaking my body. He was a traitor, but more importantly, he was one of us. They cooperated with the rogues, and they were nning on destroying our pack from within.


    ¡°¡­Aiden¡­¡± I whimpered with horror. ¡°I know who it is.¡±


    His eyes widened, and his face turned into an exaggerated look of seriousness. ¡°Who?¡±


    I braced myself before I exhaled slowly. ¡°It¡¯s-¡°

 100: Too much tension

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    Tension hung in the night air like a nket, heavy and suffocating over everyone there.  The almost full moon was hanging low in the sky, giving off an eerie glow over the camp. There was a charge in the air-fear and determination intermingled with anticipation. The traitor was still out there, skulking through the shadows as we were being drawn into a corner with little time on our side.


    ¡°Yeah, we gotta be on our guard,¡± I whispered back. ¡°Every moment counts.¡±


    I nodded at my side. Hayley was as sharp with the eyes in her head. ¡°We¡¯ll find them, Aiden. We have to.¡±


    Already, we had gone around and talked to everyone in the pack; pieces here and there of what little information anyone knew led back to someone close to my dad. It was a hard pill to swallow. My father, the Alpha, was a rock in his own right. The idea of one from his own inner circle ultimately betraying us was nearly unimaginable.


    Father was in the council room talking with Luna ra, but as I went through, their faces were knotted with worry, a reflection of the fear that ate my heart from within. Oh, without wasting any more time, she kept on following me.


    ¡°Dad,¡± I called as we neared. He turned, his eyes squinting at me, and he saw the desperation in mine.


    ¡°Aiden, what is it?¡± ¡®What is anyone doing here?¡¯ he demanded, his tone controlled but sharp with fear.


    ¡°Or we have a little information,¡± I said, looking at Hayley. It would appear that your traitor is one of you.


    My father¡¯s eyes widened momentarily, and a brief sh of hurt crossed his face before it disappeared. Anyone in mind, you think it might be?¡±


    ¡°Not until it is,¡± said Hayley¡¯s determined voice. ¡°But we¡¯re getting closer. Never mind. But we have to interrogate everyone who had ess to the archive.


    My apprehension weighed heavily on me as we assembled the council. They were people I had grown up with and trustedpletely. The very idea that one of them could be a spy was almost unbearable.


    We met in the council room, all filled with a whisper of tension that was ripe with unspoken usations. My father was at the head of the table, as he always is.


    A traitorous voice sparked pure spection. ¡°We suspect one of you is helping the rogues,¡± he said evenly, a certainty that held bitterness and wrath. We need to learn who we are. Now.¡±


    Council members looked at one another with rm, sparking gasps of amazement in the room. I did not find my sole in their faces that day. I scanned them, looking for any signs of guilt or fear. However, the allegation appeared to take everyone off guard.


    ¡°Whoever it is, you havepromised the safety of our pack. You have betrayed our trust. And you will answer for this.¡±


    The council began talking, each one of them denying being with the rogues. And the seconds passed, and we felt that room filled with a need to connect; by now our shoulders were tense, gathered together in this uproar of topic-less frenzy.


    The atmosphere started to change as we questioned every single one of the members. An increased sense of dread, one with the feeling that someone is hiding something. When thest person left, I turned to look at Hayley, and she just grinned, giving me a smug, knowing nce.


    We just need to look beyond, she whispered. We are missing something.


    I nodded, my mind racing. ¡±Begin with those who may have essed the archive shortly after we hid the amulet.¡±


    We were zeroing in on the time frame, asking who hade and gone from the archive during those weeks with which we¡¯d discovered Jaqen¡¯s amulet. The specifics were few and far between, but at some point, slowly, everything began to connect. There were whispers of ndestine gatherings,ings and goings no one could ount for, and side eyes seeking the threat in everyone who entered the room.


    Eventually, as time continued to tick by that night, the pieces beganing together. One councilman stood out-someone who¡¯d been a friend of my dad¡¯s for years. Marcus is a trusted advisor and long-time friend of the family. That was when it hit me-llike a dagger into my stomach.


    ¡°Marcus,¡± I said, barely above a whisper. ¡°It has to be him.¡±


    And then Hayley opened her eyes as wide as possible. ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    I nodded, my heart heavy. ¡°Everything points to him. The ndestine meetings, the unexined disappearances-it fits.


    My mind racing with the implications of what we were about to find, I went along as he led us towards Marcus¡¯s quarters. That would be the lowest betrayal of all if Marcus were this traitor. My father had faith in him like no other, and the idea of that bond being broken felt nearly intolerable.


    Adrenalin flowed through my veins as we neared Marcus¡¯s quarters. This was it. The moment of truth. I approached the door consciously; my heart was in full swing.


    ¡°Marcus,¡± I called out. ¡°We need to talk.¡±


    The door creaked open after a long pause. Marcus was standing in front with the same carefully groomed, quiet expression on his face.


    He murmured quietly, his voice just as firm, ¡°Aiden.¡± No. What had brought you here at this time of day?


    We have some questions to ask you,¡± I said, my voice heavy with authority. ¡°It¡¯s important.¡±


    Marcus nodded for us toe in. He lived in a clean room for someone who kept things as they were. I could actually feel tension in his manner as we took our seats; he was less rxed than I had assumed.


    ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± His deep, warm-toned eyes met mine, and he asked gently, ¡°What do you want, Elle?¡±


    A spy has been rooted out of the pack,¡± I added, looking at him for a response. One of those recently associated with the rogues.


    Marcus had an enigmatic look on his face; there was a flicker in his eyes, but nothing was read by anyone present. Fear? Guilt? It was hard to tell.


    ¡°And you think it¡¯s me?¡± He asked, his voice sure but a little defensive.


    It could have been; we thought it might actually be,¡± Hayley whispered softly but more determined. Where Were You the Nights Leading Up to Amulet¡¯s Discovery?


    Marcus sat back in his chair, squinting.


    And I have nothing to hide, whatever you are suggesting. With the council, get ready to fight rogues!


    ¡°There were people watching you. You made a connection with them in secret that day,¡± I said, my voice as hard as stone. ¡°A stranger, someone outside our pack.¡±Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    Marcus¡¯ eyes went a little wide, and panic shed across his face. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous. I will never betray the pack.


    ¡°Then why the disappearances?¡± Hayley persisted. The Secret Meetings


    There was a moment of silence between us, and Marcus scanned both our faces evenly with his eyes. And then, all at once, he threw himself into the door. Hayley and I sprung instantly, but Marcus was quicker; he darted past us and hauled ass out into the night.


    ¡°Stop him!¡± I yelled, my voice reverberating through the camp.


    Several more pack members leapt to the attack, but Marcus was already disappearing into the ckness. I felt it stab me in the gut. The dog-owl had been making his escape, and we could do nothing but watch him go.


    We go running after him as the night air bursts with yelling and the sound of feet. His one big advantage was that Marcus knew thend better than anyone. He was getting away and taking our only opportunity to find out how deep it went with him.


    Hayley had a clear conviction in her voice: ¡°We can¡¯t just let him get away with this.


    No, I answered, my heart racing. ¡°We have to find him. No matter what.¡±


    The dog did go willingly with the squadron leader. To a point, anyway, the kind he was going to manage to keep up the chase for all that long in this thick forest and dim light of nightfall. He could track better than most and knew every trick to hide his own. The longer it went on, the more real this was. We were losing him.


    And we finally came to a stop, panting and exhausted. The woods were very quiet now, with the wind sending asional rustling waves across open spaces. Marcus left, and with him came the answers we were all so eager to get.


    We will find him,¡± Hayley dered with determination. ¡°This isn¡¯t over.¡±


    I nodded, my jaw clenched. ¡°No, it¡¯s not. But we will not stop till we find him and bring him to justice.


    Returning to camp, the weight of it sat all over me like a thick cloak. The traitor was discovered, but he got away. We had plenty of fight left in us, and the danger to our pack was as real as ever.


    My father and Luna ra were by the door immediately, concern written all over their faces as we came inside.


    ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Where were you?¡± my father asked, no trace of warmth in his voice.


    ¡°Marcus,¡± I said venomously. ¡°He¡¯s a traitor. But he escaped.¡±


    Luna ra was left stunned. ¡°Marcus? Are you sure?¡±


    I nodded, my heart heavy. ¡°Of course, he never admitted anything, but his deeds spoke loud and clear. We need to catch that son of a bitch before he does something worse.


    My dad put his hand on my shoulder and looked me straight in the eyes, determined. ¡°We¡¯ll find him, Aiden. We¡¯ll protect the pack. No matter what.¡±


    Into the night, webored to secure our fortified position and prepare for what¡¯s next. That sense of urgency and determination was real-a weight or invisible glue that held one another in the face of tragedy.


    I resorted to the easiest type of speaking words, giving my voice a level of certainty. When we find him, he¡¯ll wish to hell that he never turned his back on our kind.


    I felt Hayley ce a hand on my arm, her eyes full of fierce determination. ¡°Together, Aiden. We¡¯ll face this together.¡±


    The new dawn was just breaking when I awoke and gave the people breakfast. The traitor still cast a long shadow, but we were prepared. We zoned out, and we protected our pack at all costs-to hell with it! We would find Marcus. It was definitely not the end of it, but I had strength and determination in me when Hayley and her backup package arrived.

 101: Notes from the Underground

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    Grey-eyed Dawn bled cold and bright across the camp. The events ofst night still sit fresh in my memory. Marcus was gone, and he took the answers that would have saved our pack with him. Yet it made our mission all the more urgent. We could not afford to lose him when our lives were all in danger of falling apart.


    ¡®Hayley, get over here,¡¯ Aiden shouted across the early morning tumult of camp. My eyes shot over to where he stood with Alpha Lucas and Luna ra in tow, his father looking stern but determined.


    I rushed over as fast as my legs would go, determination thumping in my chest. ¡°What¡¯s the n?¡± I looked at both of them suspiciously.


    Alpha Lucas answered, his voice notcking inmand. ¡°We¡¯re expanding the search to increase intensity.¡± ¡°We can¡¯t let Marcus get far. He is a man who knows too much, and he might bite back with vengeance he could not recover from.¡±


    Luna ra stepped in and said, ¡°We will be breaking up the pack into teams, and we are going to fetch Luminescence. ¡°All areas within and around our shackles will be covered by a team. We need to be thorough.¡±


    Aiden nodded, his jaw mped resolutely. ¡°We¡¯ll find him. We have to.¡±


    When we started mobilizing the search teams, adrenaline rushed through my veins. This was it. Our opportunity is to hold Marcus ountable and keep our pack safe from any more threats.


    This was it. OUR opportunity to see Marcus dead and finish this, now we can protect each other from him. I linked up with the Aiden-led team; we were to sweep an expansive western wood with cluttered and curling paths, not taking away from its tree coverage.


    Aiden entered ¡°Walkie¡± as we left. Marcus knows this ground better than anyone. He is going to take every opportunity there that he can.


    We were on high alert as we slowly moved through the forest. The woods were silent, the sounds of birds and forest life seeming to have abandoned them, as if even nature knew that something tense was in store.


    One of the scouts called, ¡°This way,¡± and indicated some tracks leading off into the forest. ¡°These look fresh.¡±Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    Our eyes searched the area in hopes of finding Marcus, and we tracked down his footprints. The tracks took us to a tiny de in the woods, and it was clear that someone had been on this spot not long since.


    I think he¡¯s still here,¡± I announced, looking around. ¡°But where did he go?¡±


    Aiden dropped to his knees beside me, suspicious eyes assessing the prints. Maybe he¡¯s throwing us off. We need to be careful.¡±


    We searched on, pushing deeper into the woods. The air chilled and the trees grew thicker; branches closed together, forming an overhead canopy that shut away much of the sun. But anyone could be hiding down there, moving among the natural cover around them.


    The further we went, the more I felt like someone was looking at us. My spidey sense was tingling, and the hairs on my neck stood up. As my eyes moved about, scanning for anything amiss,.


    ¡°Aiden,¡± I breathed out quietly. ¡°Do you feel that?¡±


    He nodded, looking around the park. ¡°Yes. Stay close.¡±


    We advanced with trepidation, images of any rustle triggering the snapping sound reverberating through my nerves. The shadows deepened as the light that kept them at bay faded, and it seemed to me that, for all he warned of fear outside its boundaries, there was a tension in him too, finding its way out now that our small patch had turned again on us.


    Hold on, I broke off. ¡°Do you see that?¡±


    Aiden saw where I was looking and looked at a small, practically invisible entrance at the base of one of thergest trees. Vines had grown over its entrance, yet a dim light shone from within.


    ¡°Not a channel,¡± said Aiden, his voice slowly dawning with realization. ¡°IT MUST FORGE THROUGH A WAY OUT OF THE POLO STICK¡¯S TERRITORY.¡±


    I felt a surge of hope. Our big opportunity fell right into ourp. This tunnel would be our best bet for catching Marcus if he were using it as an escape.


    We have to inspect it,¡± I said strongly.


    Fair enough, she responded to Aiden with the same seriousness as well. ¡°Be careful. It¡¯s not like we know what lies beneath.


    As we crept up to the entrance, parting the undergrowth and revealing a tight, concealed corridor leading deep into the earth, The air was cold and damp, illuminated only by a faint glow produced by some type of bioluminescent fungus that clung to the walls.


    Aiden walked towards the tunnel. ¡°Stay close.¡±


    We walked the tunnel, our steps barely echoing within; it was cramped. The passage copsed, the walls closing in on us. Huge and confusing des everywhere made it easy to lose your sense of direction; you had to pay attention.


    Then, after what seemed like forever, there was a break leading into a bigger room. The glow had briefly cut through the void, and within that instant, people could see branching tunnels heading in every direction.


    He stepped back and let us in, nodding. He lived at the base in a tidy room, very organized-evidence of his nature. We both sit, and I can see that his body is contrived; he has not rxed as much here on this bench.


    ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± His eyes met mine, with Marcus asking


    We found a goddamned warlock in the pack. I told him and watched his face for what he¡¯d give me to eat off of. A and another helper had something inmon: someone who has been working with the rogues.


    Marcus¡¯s finely drawn face gave no sign of his feelings, but there was a sparkle in his eyes. Fear? Guilt? It was hard to tell.


    ¡°And you think it¡¯s me?¡± ¡°Have I been reced by an angel?¡± he said, sounding calm but slightly defensive.


    Hayley was gentle but direct: ¡±We think it could be.¡± We have to figure out where you were on those nights before the amulet was discovered.


    Marcus raised an eyebrow as he leaned back in the chair. What are you insinuating? I have done nothing wrong. I was with the council, preparing for battle against the rogues.


    ¡°ording to witnesses, you went out of your resort secretly.¡± I asked, and my tone became cold. ¡°From someone who was not of our kind¡­


    Marcus¡¯s eyes widened, and for a moment he looked almost panicked. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous. You never understand how much betrayal that is for the pack.


    ¡°Cassandra, to me, was a little too much, like, I feel if someone can appear frequently on TV, they should be disqualified just based solely on that,¡± he continued before Hayley cut in. ¡°Okay, so then exin the absences, the Secret Assemblies.¡±


    Marcus paused and looked between the two of us. And suddenly, he leaped for the door. Hayley and I sprang into response, but Marcus was faster as he broke the grip from our hands on his side of the bars, then darted away within a twinkle in the night.


    ¡°Stop him!¡± My voice echoed through the camp as I shouted.


    The pack sprang into motion, but Marcus was already melting away into the night. And just like that, this metaphysical gut punch hit me. The traitor was fleeing, and we could not do anything to prevent it from happening.


    And pursue we did, the night wringing with shouts and scuffles. Marcus was at the edge, but with onest link, he knew this area better than everyone here. Our opportunity to learn all the depths of betrayal was slipping away with him.


    Hayley sounded resolved. ¡°We can¡¯t let him get away.¡±


    We shall not,¡± I answered with excitement. ¡°We have to find him. No matter what.¡±


    But they ran, and keeping up at all was hard in the dark forest. Marcus was an experienced tracker; a trail he wanted to follow ended on the seating wall. Over the passing minutes, reality began to dawn on me. We were losing him.


    Ultimately, we copsed, breathlessly panting. Silent in the forest, nothing but a quiet rustle of far-off leaves. Now Marcus was dead, and he took the answers to all of our questions with him.


    Hayley sat up straight, determination filling her voice. ¡°This isn¡¯t over.¡±


    I nodded, my jaw clenched. ¡°No, it¡¯s not. We will identify him, and we are going to bring his ass in.¡±


    Walking back to the camp, it all started sinking in, and a heavy nket of every fucking thingnded directly on me. There was now no doubt who the traitor had been, but he remained atrge. Our pack was still in danger, and the war had only just begun.


    We approached my father and Luna ra, who looked concerned.


    ¡°What happened?¡± What is it? My father asked. Although his voice was fearful, he spoke calmly.


    I exhaled in frustration and shouted at Marcus. ¡°He¡¯s a traitor. But he escaped.¡±


    Luna ra¡¯s eyes went wide with shock. ¡°Marcus? Are you sure?¡±


    I nodded, my heart heavy. He denied that Bloom did this to him, but his actions say otherwise. We have to get at him before he can perpetrate more mischief.


    A firm handnded heavily on my shoulder, and I looked up into the stern eyes of Dad. ¡°We¡¯ll find him, Aiden. We¡¯ll protect the pack. No matter what.¡±


    Through the night, it was all hands-on that reinforced our defenses and took stock of whaty ahead. There was urgency and sheer will pushing over us, a glue that connected all of our hands in step against the chilling fate.


    My resolve is thick in my voice: ¡°We will find him refreshed; so send pairings to his kinsmen.¡± He will regret ever turning his back on our pack when we do.


    Hayley rested aforting hand on my arm; her eyes were fierce. ¡°Together, Aiden. We¡¯ll face this together.¡±


    I felt a renewed vigor as the first rays of light began to cascade across my face; dawn had finallye over thend. That would cast the shadow of a traitor over who we are, but at least now it was one whom everybody knew and had an answer to. And we would hunt down Marcus and guard our pack well, no matter what it cost us. The war may have just begun, but with Hayley and the pack at my back, I felt a drive as fierce as we trudged through the camp, lightning and hope burning under our skin.

 102: The Tunnel Trap

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    The next morning dawned under a light-colored sky, the air colder than seemed possible and casting long shadows through camp. Fresh on my mind were the urrences ofst night. The answers we needed to keep our pack safe walked across the border with Marcus.


    But our mission could not be more urgent. We simply could not let him get away, for the safety of all those we loved.


    ¡°Aiden,e over here!¡± Hayley shouted thetter part of her words enough so that they were audible above the camp¡¯s morning bustle. When I looked back, he was by Alpha Lucas and Luna ra with a somber expression that also held resolve.


    I ran to it at full speed, my heart racing with anticipation. ¡°What¡¯s the n?¡± Who did all of this work? I asked, squinting between them.


    ¡°Tell them to ramp it up,¡± came the ironic voice of Alpha Lucas. ¡°We can¡¯t let Marcus get far. He knows too much and might ruin everything.


    Luna ra followed it up, ¡°We will split you guys into search teams. The coverage team will cover two zones in and around our territory. We need to be thorough.¡±


    Aiden nodded, his jaw tight with resolve. ¡°We¡¯ll find him. We have to.¡±


    I felt the adrenaline run through me as we started formting who would search where. This was it. This is our opportunity to bring Marcus down and defend the pack against him. I was assigned to one of Aiden¡¯s teams and sent into the West Woods, which is thick with vegetation. It has lots of tree cover, including bushes that can wrap around a person, like being in an istion suit.


    ¡°Stay alert,¡± Aiden ordered as we went. ¡°More than anyone who has ever lived, does Marcus know it? Hees with all the tricks.


    We stepped cautiously through the woods, alert and with intention. The forest was silent now, devoid of wildlife, and the woods themselves could feel how dangerous it had be.


    One of the scouts whistled and nodded to a set of tracks heading back further into the woods. ¡°These look fresh.¡±


    We followed them, our eyes seeking any sign of Marcus in the brush. We followed the tracks to a little patch of forest where it looked like someone had been rather recently.


    He must have stopped right here,¡± I said, looking at the area. ¡°But where did he go?¡±


    Aiden got to his knees beside me, scrutinizing the footsteps. He could be trying to mislead us. We need to be careful.¡±


    We searched on and went deeper into the woods. The temperatures dropped and the trees thickened, creating a canopy of leaves that unfortunately blocked out much sunlight. Someone could easilyy low here and utilize the inherent cover.


    Creeping along, it was the sensation that eyes were on us. My heart leaped, the hair behind my neck rose, and I shivered. I looked around, checking for something that seemed off.


    ¡°¡­Aiden¡­¡± I couldn¡¯t even hear my voice. ¡°Do you feel that?¡±


    He red around but nodded. ¡°Yes. Stay close.¡±


    One of us went up the hill, casting our trail to the wind. Man, we are moving slowly now. It was like every rustle in leaves or snap of a twig. Sent me and Mr. Nerves out into long stretches. The forest closed around us on all sides, shadows growing long as the light slowly faded.


    ¡°Wait,¡± I said as we ground to a halt. ¡°Do you see that?¡±


    At that time, Aiden saw where I was looking and pointed toward a diminutive door near the roots of an old, massive tree. The entrance was hidden behind the trees, but a dim light shone forth from within.


    Aiden said, in a voice of realization, ¡°The way is TUNNEL.¡± It needs to open up beyond the territory of the pack.


    I felt a surge of hope. Well, this could be the lucky break we were waiting for. If Marcus were in that tunnel, then it would only be a matter of time before we could catch him and before he was able to get too far.


    There was only one thing to do: ¡°We have to investigate,¡± I dered.


    Aiden bobbed his head, concerned in his eyes. ¡°Be careful. There could be anything down there.


    We carefully approached the entrance, pulling away the leaves to expose a small path leading down into what? The only light came from some kind of bioluminescent fungus growing on the walls, and the air was cool and damp.


    I will go first,¡± Aiden said as he entered the tunnel. ¡°Stay close.¡±


    In silence, we progressed through that tunnel, the noise of our feet muffled in such confinement. As we continued down the passageway, it began to twist and wind, its walls closing in. Which would have been fine, but I was a bit disoriented, so it required some effort to keep myself grounded.


    The tunnel finally broke out into a small room that, to me, felt like it took an eternity. It was dark, of course-but not pitch ck; the fungus provided a faint glow that gave an idea of what little this space contained: tunnels stretching off at quirky angles in every direction.


    There must have been an escape route before these walls were built, Aiden guessed. ¡°likely used by our ancestors.¡±


    ¡°Which way do we go?¡± Holy sh*t, all this?! I asked.


    Aiden looked around and narrowed his eyes to the ground. ¡°There are tracks here. They look recent.¡±


    We kept to the tracks-ddeeper into that goddamnwork of tunnels. As the chilling air moved through my spine, pressure was ced on us. Marcus had to be tracked down before he made himself scarce.


    Being dragged through the tunnels, I knew we were near. They could follow leads, and there were hints of recent human activity.


    There, I pointed to a piece of fabric stuck on the sharp rock. He must have caught his clothes on it.


    Aiden let out a nod, grimacing. ¡°We¡¯re on the right track. Let¡¯s keep moving.¡±


    We pushed on, the tunnel bing narrower as we proceeded. The walls started to squeeze tighter on us, and the atmosphere chilled and became more stifling. And the feeling that she was being watched intensified.


    ¡°Rhage,¡± I said softly, my voice quivering. ¡°Do you hear that?¡±


    He paused, leaning his ear toward the machine. There was a faint murmur, almost as quiet and remote as the echo of footsteps farther down in the tunnel.


    ¡°Another person¡¯s here before us,¡± he whispered under his breath. ¡°We need to move quickly.¡±


    We hurried our steps, the sound of them echoing through the tunnel. The footsteps became louder, and I felt a thrill of excitement. We were getting closer.


    We rounded a corner, skidding to a stop. The tunnel widened, and Marcus stood in the middle of an expansive cavern.


    Aiden¡¯s voice came from the chamber and echoed around the hall.


    Marcus whirled around, his eyes going wide in shock. He paused, clearly torn between us and whatever darkness had put him on this hill.


    ¡°Marcus,¡± I said, in a firm tone of voice. ¡°It¡¯s over. You can¡¯t escape.¡±


    He took a step back, growing more serious. You aren¡¯t going to stop me, he said defiantly. ¡°The fate of the world is at stake.¡±


    ¡°We know enough,¡± Aiden responded, his voice not wavering. ¡°You¡¯ve betrayed the pack. Y¡¯all put everybody in danger.


    Marcus¡¯ eyes zed with fury. You don¡¯t even know what you¡¯re talking about. The pack isn¡¯t what it seems. There are secrets.¡±


    ¡°You have had more than enough.¡± I broke in and stepped closer. You decided to betray us, for whatever reason. Well, you went and consorted with the rogues.¡±


    Marcus appeared to falter for a moment, his features betraying an expression of regret. Then he steeled himself and turned back to the tunnel, sprinting.


    ¡°After him!¡± Aiden yelled, and we ran into the tunnel.


    It was a crazy chase, and it was hard for us because the corridors were so tight. Isaac could not even catch his breath as he moved among them, charging into their midst with the same speed and fluidity Marcus disyed-Marcus, who was quick in these tunnels no matter what happened and had every twist memorized to gain ground on Isaac.


    ¡°He fell through; he¡¯s escaping.¡± I bit my lip and stamped on the floor.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    We can¡¯t allow him to. Aiden answered defiantly and decisively in voice. ¡°We have to stop him.¡±


    Our breath ragged in the dead silent night, we pressed on. It was a dark void, with the front and end of it disappearing into pitch-ck eternity. But we couldn¡¯t give up. Not now.


    The next thing we knew, my path suddenly opened up into another room, and I spotted Marcus bolting towards a passage on the far side.


    ¡°There!¡± I shouted, pointing. ¡°He¡¯s trying to escape!¡±


    Marasha and I sprinted to the passage, but Marcus was already sliding through it, vanishing in the darkness on the other side.


    ¡°Hayley, hold on,¡± Aiden encouraged me as I began heading towards them.


    I flipped around, and my eyes set like steel. ¡°We can¡¯t let him get away.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s be intelligent out here,¡± his voice rified. ¡°Who knows-iif we go barrelling in, maybe they are led straight into a trap.


    Yes, I answered and then inhaled deeply. He was right. We had to be careful. It¡¯s possible that this is thest opportunity we have to get in on Marcus, who will soon be dead and sealed up tightly. There was no time for any diversions.


    C mon, I told him with determination in my voice.


    The air was very still inside this hall, and the darkness was closing in on us. There was a chill in the air as I turned to look at you, and my heart sank. This was uncharted territory, and the stakes had never been higher.


    It came out to a long, narrow canyon where towering walls rose above either side of us. Last frames fading traces were hardly lighting exit dawn creeping up and over the horizon next, casting long, stark shadows sprawling crags.


    ¡°Where did he go?¡± I asked, scanning the area.


    Aiden gestured at a group of footprints entering an opening in one cave wall. ¡°There. That guy went from there; he must have gone that way.¡±


    Then we got on our knees and went through the crevice. The channel was shallow, with the walls closing in on either side. It was nearly impossible to see, with the feeling you were being watched appearing stronger than before.


    Aiden spoke quietly, his voice full of worry. ¨C Hayley? ¡°We need to be careful. This could be a trap.¡±


    I swallowed back the hard lump in my throat and answered resolutely, ¡°I know.¡± ¡°But we have to keep going.¡±


    Further back in the passage, we went deeper, and it became colder, with even more of a sense that nothing was right. On one asion, they felt like they were closing in on us, and the darkness crept closer, almost until it felt suffocating.


    Then the passageway widened into arge chamber, and there was something that took my breath away. A concealed door, half hidden by a pile of rocks at the far side of the chamber,.


    I winced, the mix of excitement and reluctance to hear from him tainting my tone. ¡°Aiden.¡± ¡°Look.¡±

 103: Me only

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    As we walked through the hidden door, darkness enveloped us immediately. My heart raced in my chest, the sound echoing off of everything, but I would have sworn it was silent. Her hand in the dark beside mine was a lifeline as we crept slower, and each footstep reverberated dreadfully through that narrowing hall.


    I nced at her, whispering, ¡°Stay near. Her own eyes were sharp and zing with the same fire that I felt. We had to seed. Too much depended on it.


    The passage then gave way to a dimly lit corridor whose walls were covered in runes that appeared centuries old and aglow with an unnatural light. It sent a shiver up my back. The ce was a bag of secrets and full of history.


    Do you think Marcus knows? Her voice was barely above a whisper as Hayley asked.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± I replied, and I looked along the walls. It means he¡¯s really been plotting all along, if it happens.


    We continued on, and the air became slightly colder. The corridor wound left and right before we came to stop at arge timber door. Hayley and I looked at each other. This was it.N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    ¡°Ready?¡± I forced myself out, my voice incredibly stable for the amount of adrenalin that filled me.


    All I got was a single nod, with determination overriding every feature on her face. ¡°Let¡¯s do this.¡±


    The two of us opened the door together and stepped into a massive chamber. The ceiling rose high above our heads, and the three were torches in sconces set into the walls that flickered shadows on each of those stone-lined features. And on the opposite side of the room, with their heads high and faces somber, disyed our pack elders.


    ¡°Eldar,¡± I started, words reverberating through the great space.


    And up came Elder Samuel, the leader of us all. His eyes were sharp and shone in the light of twilight. ¡°How many of us wanted to be you, Aiden? Hayley.¡±


    Hayley and I looked at each other in amazement. ¡°You knew we wereing?¡± Hayley asked him, a bit skeptical.


    Samuel just nodded with no expression at all. Mr. Hooper said, ¡°We had known for a while that Marcus was on the move. His aspirations are not a secret.


    ¡°So why has nothing happened? Richard, I snapped, getting a little frustrated. ¡± THIS CULT IS AS DANGEROUS TO YOU AS ANYONE.


    Elder Miriam, who was like the old soul when she spoke up, It is a cult intertwined deeply with our history. Revealing it recklessly might well shred our pack to tatters.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Hayley demanded that her interest be bankrupt.


    Samuel looked down into the bottomless well of years. Our forefathers, ages ago, formed a pact with the mighty. This ¡°cult,¡± as you called it, was about safety and power. However, the longer they were around, their power grew darker, more subtle, and more sinister.


    The room went cold, and my whole body felt it. ¡®Cause now Marcus wants that power for himself, I realized.


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Samuel said. He tries to control the pack too, through fear and maniption.


    Hayley stepped to the fore, her voice steely. ¡°We can¡¯t let that happen. We have to stop Marcus and break the cult¡¯s power once and for all.


    The old guys traded nces, an unspoken conversation going on between them. Atst, Miriam said it softly but sternly. ¡°We will help you. But you must be cautious. There is not a ce in the cult where they do not have eyes and ears.


    Yes, I said to myself, mes of resolve igniting in my stern. ¡°What do we need to do?¡±


    Samuel indicated a huge map on the wall. In two nights, there¡¯s a gathering, and Marcus will be there.


    This is your opportunity to call him out and expose him.


    Hayley and I leaned over the map. Glowing talismans clinked to form a path in an uninhabited part of the forest, safely hidden away from prying eyes as well.


    ¡°Ready,¡± Hayley promised, her eyes burning.


    When we turned to go, Miriam called after us. ¡°Be careful, both of you. The future is dangerous.¡±


    We nodded to each other and left the room with a shared sense of purpose. The stakes were as high, if not higher, than they had ever been before; the future of our pack was at stake.


    Walking through the passage again, I teemed with resolve. Together, we would take whatever was around the corner.


    ¡°Can we make it? And Hayley asked, doubtless, hoping and still uncertain.


    I took her hand in mind as I held it tentatively. ¡°I know we can. We have to.¡±


    I beheld the moon hanging low as we emerged from that channel of mystery, illuminating every object on which it shone and relinquishing my shadow for yards behind me. We stood at the edge of a dark Arizona road emboldened by youth, adrift and eager to meet whatever path we traveled with eyes open.


    Urgency quickened our steps as we walked back to the pack. We had two nights to get ready, gather everyone who supported us, and then kill Marcus.


    As we made our way through the night-dark forest, I sensed that everything was about to change. The elders¡¯ confessions had merely cracked open a door to an erstwhile realm that truth was in the process of revealing.


    The fate of our pack relied on us; we could not pimp turns. We would be fighting that storm and winning, or perishing in the attempt. We did not know whaty ahead, but our determination was resolute.


    And so Hayley and I walked into the night, hand in hand, poised to fight for what we loved.


    ***********************


    Hayley¡¯s POV


    He spun around, his eyes growingrge at the sight of a door. A secret passage, he said, his voice full of realization. It had to end somewhere outside of the pack territory.


    I felt a surge of hope. Perhaps even where Marcus was and how far his treachery reached. Though that fear was still very much there, We had to be careful.


    We have to check it out. Imented with determination. Maybe this is the only opportunity.


    Aiden gave a solemn nod. ¡°Be careful. We do not know what is on the other side.


    Careful steps, forward paces toward the door in my heart¡­ Beating out of fear¡­ the entrance to our hell¡­ This was it. The moment of truth. When we stood in front of the door, I felt strange things. Hope, fear, and determination. Never had so much been at stake, and the fate of our pack was on the line.


    I stretched a shaky hand out to the dagger and got a grip on it. I took a deep breath, and I pushed the door open to control events.


    Aiden,¡± I responded, the strengthcing through my voice. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    What I did know was that when we walked through the door and darkness surrounded us, this was only the start. It was not thest we heard of Marcus, though, and what happens next will change everything.

 104: An unlikely alliance

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    Aiden and I climbed a short, forested hill, the deep greens of coniferous trees surrounding us with silver grays in their high-limbed needles as they filtered the first shafts of morning light into dappled shadows on the ground. We trod just hours past, so near our home lines. What had happened the night before was still fresh in their minds, and they needed to keep moving if there was any hope ofpleting this task.


    ¡°Alright, now that we know what we are really dealing with here¡­¡± I began. We must have a strategy to take down the cult and halt Marcus.


    Aiden nodded, his face fixed with determination. ¡°Agreed. Allies are people that we can trust.


    Our closest friends were already waiting in the clearing near the pack¡¯s meeting hall. There, with her snark and incredible instinct, is Lilly next to Caleb, who stood as strong as any man she¡¯d known. We were met with nods, intelligence, and power surging in the form of apaniment.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Lilly frowned. what then? You two look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost.


    Aiden responded discourteously, ¡°It¡¯s not a ghost.  ¡°But not something less lethal.


    Gazing their way immediately, we gave them the news from our elders. At first, they looked curious, then shocked, and finally determined.


    Marcus is working with this cult to take over. Caleb snarled, his fists curling. ¡°That can¡¯t happen.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± I said. ¡°However, we need to learn more about their ns so that we can present our case before the others in the pack.


    Lilly folded her arms in consideration. The old folks gave us some leads we can follow. Now is the time; we get one chance in two nights.


    Aiden nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll need to be discreet. What if Marcus finds out that it¡¯s not safe for anyone?


    Caleb smiled and cracked his knuckles. So now we are going on a little recon mission, then? Count me in.¡±


    We hatched our strategy while we heard a rustling of hissing in the nearby bushes. We spun around and stood ready as a figure emerged-a young wolf-from the pack, huffing for breath.


    ¡°Hayley, Aiden,¡± he gasped. ¡°There¡¯s a message for you.¡±


    Then he gave me a tiny old scrap of paper. Aiden nced back to look at my phone, then both of us simultaneously turned when the waitress came with our order. The note was written quickly and in a childlike manner.


    Beware of the shadows. More than you realize, the lost pack already knew. Meet at the old oak at dusk.


    Aiden and I shared a look of our own, confusion mixed in with trepidation. One of the pack¡¯s rogues,¡± I whispered. ¡°What do they want with us?¡±


    Lilly, intrigued herself, leaned in. ¡°It could be a trap.¡±


    ¡°Or it may just be the one break we were waiting for,¡± Aiden argued. ¡°We have to take the risk.¡±


    Caleb nodded in agreement. ¡°I¡¯ll cover your back. Just in case.¡±


    Having nned the menu, we spent the day getting ready. Arming ourselves with supplies and weapons, we advanced forward, understanding well that the war soon toe would force us beyond our breaking point. As it got closer to dusk, the sun dipped lower and shadows stretched across my ground.


    The closer we got to the clearing where the giant oak had, she could feel more and denser in. We stood in the shade of a towering tree, our ck, gnarled fingers reaching skyward against thest light.


    Aiden said, a whisper to his words as he gazed around.


    All we had to do was stand still, the second eternal. I was about to think that the message had been a trick when an individual stepped out of the dark, bordering the street.


    It was the rogue pack leader, a wiry and lived-in wolf with old eyes. As careful as the posture was, it seemed not to be a hostile one.


    His gravelly voice was still steady. ¡°You got my message.


    ¡°Why did you want to meet?¡± I asked, masking my voice in a neutral manner.


    Making sure we were alone, he said in a quiet voice. You have no idea how dangerous the cult is; although your pack is just the beginning, they want to spread out more and Marcus.


    Aiden squinted at her as he approached, his face grave. And what do you know of intent?


    The rogue leader paused, as if considering his words. ¡°Unexpected friends lurk both inside and outside the pack. Marcus is a mere pawn. Answer correctly. `You will need more than the truth if you want to stop them`.


    ¡°What do you propose?¡± I had to ask, fascinated in spite of myself.


    His eyes were dark and determined when they met mine. ¡°An alliance. I have been waging war on the cult¡¯s grip over my pack for decades. It said unified correctness could improve our inner lot.


    Caution and just a spark of hope. Taking out the odd rogue pack was a risky business, but we could not afford to sit and wait.


    Aiden nodded slowly. ¡°You know what they say about alliances and where your intentions lie.¡±


    The rogue leader nodded, removing his cloak and working a small silver amulet from it. So they used this footage of one of their leaders. It is a symbol of their omnipotence. Use it wisely.¡±


    I reached out for the amulet, feeling its heft in my other hand. We win; this is the proof-observable evidence of how entrenched in their cult it was.


    My voice sparkled with gratitude and determination as I told Jay, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The rogue leader simply dipped his head. ¡°We will be in touch. Until then, be cautious. The shadows are watching.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Having said that, he disappeared back into the trees and left us standing by ourselves under an ancient oak.


    We started heading back to the pack, feeling more purposeful than before. We had allies; we knew the n, and damn it, this thing was going to seed.


    Yet the ominous alert stayed with me, a harbinger of what was toe. The shadows were watching, but the real fight had yet to take ce.

 105: The Cult鈥檚 Weakness

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    As we returned from the encounter with the leader of the rouges, there were whispers everywhere in this woond that seemed to be breathing. They mixed with the sighing of boughs and far-off coyote voices as they reverberated in my head. Except for the dark energy emanating from every part of itself, in Hayley¡¯s hand, it was just a reminder that there was some conspiracy we were fighting against.


    Hayley and I walked together in perfect silence as the silver moon rose higher, casting a mystical glow upon our path. Trusting the rogue pack was a calcted risk. An alliance we needed to form out of necessity Our predicament merely intensified, exposing a maze of peril that stretched well beyond our borders.


    Hayley broke the silence with, ¡°We better go see our elders again. Even though her voice was normal, I could tell it hinged on the break. We have to know who can be trusted if this conspiracy extends across multiple packs.


    I nodded, my thoughts racing. And we need to learn about this pendant. It¡¯s the magic of being able to leverage their power.


    The sights and sounds of home gave usfort in the midst of uncertainty as we touched down into main-pack territory. When we approached the meeting hall, all of the elders were present and as grim-faced as expected. The elder Samuel raised his head and looked over at him with questioning eyes.


    ¡°Did you learn anything?¡± He asked in an ancient voice full of years.


    Hayley stepped forward, the amulet outstretched. The rogue leader offered us that. He says it is a symbol of the cult¡¯s strength.


    Elder Miriam leant forward, the focus now squarely on the amulet. ¡±That is, admittedly, an ancient relic. It validates that they have a money-making cult too powerful to be reached.


    Samuel¡¯s brow furrowed in the middle, creating deep lines. ¡°Trust in the rebellious chieftain?¡±


    I responded as much as anyone could in these circumstances. He told us that the cult has friends in surprising ces, maybe even in other packs.


    Whispers filled the room where I stood, and a realization seemed to settle on everyone there. Not only was the theory that such influence could extend to other packs frightening, but it implied a web of deceit and power poised like voracious spiders encroaching ever closer over their territory.


    Elder Miriam spoke up, her voice unwavering. ¡°We have no time to lose.¡± If this conspiracy is as entrenched as it appears, we have to rally our allies and uncover the cult¡¯s ns before it¡¯s toote.


    I felt a rush of urgency. We need to alert the others and let them know what might being.


    Samuel nodded. ¡°Agreed. But we must be cautious. And if the cult has gotten into other packs, we may tip them off as to our intentions.


    I was determined that night as we nned our next move. We stood on the cusp of a war, one that could decide our pack¡¯s fate and possibly much more in this region.


    All of a sudden, the door to the hall squeaked open, and in came one young scout, into whom all his agitation had apparently been breathed.


    Aiden: ¡°There is a man at the border looking for you, Aiden.¡± His voice was filled with panic. ¡°Any information they have about the conspiracy.¡±


    The room sparked with tension as Hayley and I shared a nce. ¡°Who is it?¡± My heart was ringing, and so I asked.


    The scout looked at the elders before he answered. They tell you they are your brother or sister.


    A shock like lightning struck through me and deafened the room in its wake. My sibling? The words felt alien and a bit imusible. My brother Ethan, whom I hadst seen years prior, disappeared so long ago without a word, leaving only questions and nothing around to grab for the emptiness he left behind.


    ¡°Where are they?¡± With urgency, I demanded the scout say that in front of my northern border, they demanded to speak with you alone.


    I thought about what to do, and I looked at Hayley and said, ¡°I have to go.¡±


    She smiled and nodded, knowing how I felt. ¡°I¡¯lle with you.¡±


    We exited the hall quickly, with onest look cast for good measure in our direction from a group of elders. Cool night air slid over my skin, ideas running wild in my head while I waited for what was toe.


    We approached the northern border, and I saw a lone figure in the moonlight. Recognition and disbelief collided inside me as my heart skipped a beat. Ethan, only older and more worn than what I remembered as Ethan.


    ¡°Name¡¯s Aiden,¡± he replied, his tone slightly hushed and containing an inflection I couldn¡¯t quite identify.


    ¡°Ethan,¡± I answered, my throat closing up. ¡°I thought you were.¡±


    ¡°Lost?¡± He gave a small, half-dense smile that I barely recognized as the boy who pressured me to stay away from. ¡°I suppose I was. However, I discovered something unexpected.


    Next to me, Haley stood there with a calm presence. ¡°Why are you here, Ethan? What information do you have about this conspiracy?


    He looked around, making sure there was no one else listening in before he said. I¡¯m a nt, working as an undercover member inside the cult. Aiden, there is something big nned; it could change everything.


    The implications of this are on my mind. You should havee back earlier.


    Ethan stiffened his expression, and a hint of regret grew in his eyes. ¡°I couldn¡¯t risk it. The cult has eyes everywhere. Now they are on the move, and I had to let you know.


    Without taking my eyes off this woman, Hayley moved in toward me. ¡°What are they nning?¡±


    Ethan paused, measuring his words. The whole purpose of their missions is to sow chaos and cause packs to be unstable so that they can take charge. They think they can ride the craziness for a while to gain more control.


    A chill ran through me. And they were higher than we thought. They have to be stopped,¡± I said, determination wrapping around my words.


    Ethan nodded, his face as hard as stone. ¡°I can help. Their weaknesses, their motives. But we have to act fast.¡±Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I sensed a wave of hope mixed with fear. There was danger on the road ahead, but after what must have been a very long time, I did not walk that path alone. We might actually have hope of fighting this because, with Ethan at my back,


    ¡°Now let¡¯s go back to the elders,¡± Hayley said in an even tone. We have to get back together ande up with a n.


    The burden of our purpose sat heavy on my chest as we trudged back to the hamlet. We had been preparing to take on the forces of that insidious conspiracy, which turned out to be far-reaching and deadly.


    Side by side with our old allies, we would lead the new world against those few who again sought to conquer it. So we set off into the night, both with a new sense of conviction and determination-these bonds that intertwine all these things worth fighting to protect.


    We had no idea whaty ahead of us, but we would unite in ripping the conspiracy apart and saving our pack. We would not falter, even as the shadows closed in. Not now, not ever.

 106: Broken loyalty

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    The truth about Ethan refused to leave my mind, hanging around like a dark cloud. That statement hung in my mind, and as we walked back to the pack, I felt like a tidal wave of emotions were pressing on top of me from behind while forces unknown nudged me into an arms way. Ethan reappearing had stirred up a storm of emotions, and I could not make it all out.


    Her presence was nice, though, like having another warm body to walk beside and keep me sane amidst the chaos in my mind. She looked over at me with real concern in her eyes. ¡°How are you holding up?¡±


    I exhaled deeply, slowly parsing my words. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I feel like all the things I knew do not make sense any more.


    She nodded, understanding in her eyes. All of which they¡¯d touched up on along the way, in subtle ways, but enough for Grace to get that it was a lot. ¡°It¡¯s all I can do-just find out my brother is alive and connected to these cultists.¡±


    I paused, gazing at the forest I had lived in for years. Memories of Ethan washed over me-our youth together, the connection we had before he vanished. The loss felt deep, and here he was suddenly back, as if moving the floor underneath my feet.


    ¡®I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s been behind this the entire time¡¯ frustration started to seep into my voice. Why had he not contacted me earlier?


    And Hayley ended up resting her hand on my arm. One of the answers was that he ¡°just wanted to protect you, maybe. I said, ¡°Oh wow-to an undercover cult-that¡¯s pretty risky.


    I nodded; the exnation did little to settle the storm still swirling inside of me. We have got to talk to him some more. Get answers.¡±


    ¡°We will,¡± Hayley assured me. ¡°But first, we better find the rest of them. Then, we need to n our next steps.


    The elders and some of our most trusted allies were already waiting for us in the meeting hall, their faces inheriting the struggle that grasped all our hearts as we approached. Elder Samuel raised his eyes and pinned mine with them.


    Is there anything additional you learned? He asked.


    I sucked in a deep breath and told him the same thing I had learned from Ethan about some plot to take down all of the packs. Every word was like a rock tossed on the still surface of my mind, sending waves top at every shore and hinting at destruction on its way.


    Elder Miriam looked grave; her brow furrowed in concern. If they make an attempt at creating chaos, then there is already awork implemented. We have to locate their friends.


    The ever-practical Caleb leaned forward. But you know who that is, and we have to decide who we can trust. We can¡¯t even trust a single guard from here; if the influence of this cult has spread far and wide, then we run the risk of alerting them by voice.


    Lilly nodded in agreement. We need to begin by touching base with our core supporters, the true believers.


    Yet as the conversation continued, a mantle of leadership weighed upon me. It was a huge responsibility to keep our pack safe and reveal the conspiracy, but I never realized howplicated it would be with Ethan on board.


    ¡°Ethan, I have to talk with Ethan again.¡± I have questions that I need answers to.


    Hayley nodded at me and smiled. ¡°We¡¯ll go with you. You do not have to navigate this alone.


    I was grateful that it welled up inside of me, and I felt my resolve filling back in. Just having my friends with me made me confident in facing whatever truths were toe.


    At break of day, we roused from our hammocks to the gentle murmurings of a morning forest. The idea of getting back on the road and walking towards where Ethan was, which I could navigate by memory so easily even though everything felt different now in a way that made my steps feel heavy with waiting for answers.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    As we walked closer to the clearing where he wasst seen, my heart beating at a tempo between thanks and fear. Ethan remained standing, poised for departure in the same rxed way but alert at any moment to what¡¯s about to happen.


    His voice was steady but tinged with emotion. ¡°Aiden.¡±


    Ethan, I said it just asposedly. ¡°We need to talk. There are things I have to know.


    He nodded toward a fallen log. He motioned for us to sit on it, and we did. ¡°Whatever I can remember, that is.¡±


    I sat down within the protective ring of Hayley and the others. Why did youe back sote? You were here all along; why did you not say anything to me?


    Chin-lowering, Ethan looked crestfallen. ¡°I wanted to. But it was too dangerous. As any good cult does, it has spies everywhere. And I could not bear to walk them back through the hallway right now, risking bringing one or both of our captors upon you.


    How did you first get introduced to them? I had to inquire, my brain searching for a road that brought him to where we were.


    He winced, running his hand through his hair. When I went away, I was looking for something to do with our family history. I discovered what the cult was doing and saw they were a danger to everything we cared about. Going inside their organizations was the only way to put a stop to them.


    They were hit with some hard truths. The lost brother I had been starving to find was fighting his own battle, in ways that paralleled our Apocalypse.


    ¡°But to keep away for how long? I texted; his absence was fresh.


    Ethan locked eyes with me, and there it was, his look of resolve so much like my own. The further into it I went, the more threatening they became. Aiden I tried to keep you safe. They have dramatically upgraded their ns now. I knew I needed to speak the truth for once.


    Hayley ventured, her tone soft but stern. ¡°We¡¯re d you¡¯re here now. We could use any help we can get.¡±


    Ethan nodded, thankfulness reflecting in his face. I will do whatever you need to help you stop them.


    A frazzled sense of relief mixed with a determination I had never felt before. With Ethan on the breach between insight and revtion, here stood a conspiracy to be unmade from within, and it urred that he was privy to information likely necessary in deconstructing whatever web this cult had so sedulously spun.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do this,¡± I said, and my voice actually did ring with conviction. We¡¯ll ouw them and defend our own.


    So we rose, and the sun of a new day shone through the trees, illuminating our little space. There were obstacles along the way, but with Ethan and my friends at my back, I was prepared for whatever life brought our way.


    The murky shadows of doubt and fear began to fall away, reced with a fiery resolve to see this through. This conspiracy from the cult threatened everything we knew, but our goal was clear. We could uncover the truth and fight for our pack¡¯s future.


    And family and friendship united us more closely as we rode back toward the settlement. We were far from winning, but we hade prepared to face the darkness head-on and without fear at that time.

 107: A Bond of Necessity

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    Aiden and I moved forward as the forest inhaled exhtions held tightly to make its prey face-being. Ethan, being a rogue pack leader, had sent ripples through our pack, and the air was seizing. Mystery solved: Aiden¡¯s long-lost brother was one of the central characters in this mystery, and it became important for us to figure out who he is.


    Aiden kept pace at my side, his expression one of grim determinationced with dread. It was a perilous path and could be in fortune¡¯s favor as well. An opportunity for alliances and a chance to get stabbed in the back.


    ¡°You okay?¡± I asked, breaking the eerie silence that sat upon us.


    His eyes, however, revealed a storm he kept hidden. I just hope this guy is trustworthy. There¡¯s so much at stake.¡±Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    I gently grasped his hand in mine. We¡¯ll make it up as we go along together. We will take care of whatever he needs.¡±


    The tree line grew dense as we neared the territory of this lone pack, casting long shadows and seeming to whisper in our ears. The air was cooler; it bore the fragrance of pine and loam. A ce that was at once familiar and alien, much like the tenuous peace we were to shortly be a part of.


    The rustling of the brush heralded a nearby sentry, who crept through the thick foliage with all eyes peering into view. He seemed to be questioning what we were doing there, but he made no effort to try to oust us.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to see Ethan,¡± Aiden dered, resolute.


    The guard nodded, motioning for us to go. ¡°He¡¯s expecting you.¡±


    We followed a maze of narrow trails bordered by trees, separating the rogue camp from the outside world. The camp rows of makeshift shelters and eyes never quite closed. The clearing gave us a view that made me understand even in the murkiness that these people were always on guard, always present, watching from within shaded darkness as to not use up their candlelight before excess was in sight trickle into glimpses until it was toote for them all!


    Ethan strode out, more of a presence than an object, to which familiaritytched. He nodded at us and looked expressionless, like he wanted to say something.


    ¡°Hayley, Aiden,¡± he greeted with the authority of rank but a touch of warmth. ¡°Thank you foring.¡±


    Aiden strode forward, tension in his stance. ¡°We need to talk, Ethan. But why didn¡¯t you mention that part of it when you dered mutiny and went all rogue-leader on us?


    Ethan let out a long puff of air, showcasing the burden that shone in his eyes. It wasn¡¯t nned. I did begin to lead the rogues after going undercover, and it soon became apparent that was a better way of opposing the cult from outside.


    He studied me again, looking for a tall man to lie to. New toughness is colored by old shadows. Survive-to the learned, to weeks barely in thick enough skin, and deprivation hardened from years on the margins. But under it, I felt the same determination Aiden had.


    ¡°Benefit in kind for your assistance? Just get to the point, I told her.


    I looked into his eyes; he waspletely serious about this. We will need rogues once the cult is eradicated, but you must give me your word that their blood lusts will be curbed. And we can¡¯t remain on the outskirts forever.


    Aiden thought about this and the possible meaning behind what Ethan was asking him to do. He paused a moment, then said slowly, ¡°What you want is integration.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Ethan replied. The rogues are sick of being exiled. We desire to be inmunity, a part of the whole.


    It was not totally unreasonable, but it had costs of its own. It would take intermingling the rogues with our current pack, which means mutual trust and cooperation all around. but it could also solidify our ranks in case of any future attacks.


    I looked at Aiden for confirmation. ¡°This needs to go before the elders.¡± If you help us, we will fight for your ce among the packs.¡±


    Ethan nodded with a sort of glimmer in his eye. ¡°Then I¡¯ll share what I know. The cult has a big attack on the packs in store. They want us to turn on each other, destroy the bonds we share as Americans, and take control.


    Aiden¡¯s expression hardened. Do you know when and where they will attack?


    Ethan hesitated, then nodded. Council President, who had targeted the next council meeting. They think if they get rid of the leaders, it will disrupt the packs.


    His words filtered down upon us like a rain cloud. The council meeting functioned as a sacred convocation for them, set apart to make decisions together. A strike there could prove catastrophic.


    We need to rm the elders,¡± I said in no uncertain terms. ¡°We need to prepare.¡±


    Ethan agreed. ¡°I¡¯ll lend my support. Rogues will be familiar with thendscape and can assist in fortifying this meeting spot.


    Aiden¡¯s resolve was palpable. ¡°Together, we can stop them.


    And as we discussed tactics, a oneness developed between the rogues and our pack. More was at issue than ever, yet we were no longer encountering them alone.


    Yet Ethan had also be something of a hopeful figure. His seasoning and leadership might be enough to turn the tide in our favor; his inclination for instruction might pave the way toward an improved unification of our past.


    Ethan pulled Aiden to one side as we got ready to leave, and they spoke quietly but with a lifetime of experience behind every word. I saw them and felt the way pasts were mending and present binding.


    It was dangerous and perilous, but it also offered hope. We were one in intent and purpose, united first of all by the need to preserve our own people, but also because a world where everyone could have a ce in it should creep toward us.


    All the while, as Aiden and I slowly made our way back through the forest towards civilization, it felt like every shadow was less like a looming predator ready to snatch us up and more like a murmur of sweet nothings spoken by some ancient thing nestled between gnarled branches. We stood side by side, prepared for whatever it was that came our way, as we heard noises from all corners of the forest.

 108: United Front

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    Hayley and I noticed as we traveled through the forest that it was filled with noises from all around, signs of something that wasn¡¯t human, while making our journey back to join the pack. The moon loomed high, illuminating the forest with an ethereal glow, gesturing us on. My head was spinning with thoughts and emotions, even though the scenery around me screamed peace. Seeing Ethan had been strange, the change from my lost brother to a leader of rogues twilight-shimmered and powerful.


    Ethan¡¯s announcement about the cult made everything a thousand times worse. The council meeting toe was a critical moment where the township¡¯s packs came together and considered our collective future. The damage the cult would inflict if they were able to do what other groups failed to do was unfathomable.


    I mulled over my conversation with Ethan as we walked. It was a reasonable demand for assimtion, but one loaded with pitfalls. The rogues had been outcasts, pariahs that could debase us of our similitude. It would be incredibly difficult to change those perceptions.


    ¡°Then we best be about our business,¡± Hayley snapped, cutting off further debate. She at least sounded calm, but she was in a rush. Ethan agreed to tell our elders.


    I nodded, a fierce determination settling into me. We will talk to them first thing. And they need to appreciate the seriousness of it.


    The noise of the animals apanied us through the lush thickets that we had to cross, leaves shaking as they were moved by invisible things. She and Hayley, faced with the battles that had yet to be fought, formed their bond nheless. Her strength and reassuring buoyancy kept my feet from totally drifting.


    We finally approached the forest rim, and I could see our pack settlement light in the distance. It was a wee sight, but it also served as a reminder of what he stood to lose. In the days ahead, our home and our people rested on those actions.


    Soon we approached the main hall, a stone and wooden creation that had been passed down from generation to generation of Urizen werewolves and that echoed with our pack history. The earlier would be trotting somewhere, an idea in conversation simply because they continually aplished at this time just offshore. Hayley and I looked at each other, preparing for what was toe.


    The interior was charged. The elders, seated at a big table, all turned and watched us enter the room. Their arms were more or less crossed, and their faces were a mix of wonder and rm, as were some kind of state visit.


    Aiden, Hayley,¡± Elder Marcus had called to us with his deep voice. What are you doing in the middle of the night?


    ¡°We bring urgent news,¡± I began to say as we turned our gazes on each elder. ¡°Ethan found out about the cult¡¯s n to strike at the council meeting.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    The whole room rippled in a gasp of shock. With piercing eyes, the wise and insightful Elder L leaned forward. Are you sure about this information?


    ¡°Ethan is heading up the rogues,¡± was Hayley¡¯s exnation. He¡¯s been fighting back against the cult from within. He never has to lie to us.


    The old ones looked at each other, and then the information sank in. The air between them grew heavy, and Elder Marcus spoke sympathetically. If these things you say are correct, then we have to act quickly. See you at the council meeting days away.


    How about we strengthen the congregating base?¡± Ethan and the rouges like us have stood behind the vertical god. They know where the battlefield is and can advise us on getting ready.


    Elder L mulled this one over, her face far-off and devoid of thought. That¡¯s a bold choice to include the rogues. That would take trust on both ends.¡±


    ¡®It is a gamble,¡¯ I confess, ¡®but it is worth the risk on this asion. The rogues want to integrate, and for Ethan, he wants a rogue at our pack table. If we make it, the whole push would pave the way for a more firm handle that could take on threats in the future.


    The elders shifted into silence, considering the implications of my words. Finally, Elder Marcus nodded. ¡°Very well. We will cover this more in depth and get into the necessary nning. He could have lifesaving information about your brother.¡±


    The relief came over me, sufficing. I knew this was only the beginning. We had left the hall, and I felt refreshed again as we walked back. We were setting off on an adventure that would challenge us to the core and change our fate forever.


    Dayster, I was just a ck. A warning message was sent to the other packs. Fortified within the de, it was used as a meeting site, with visible perches held by both pack members and rogues. However, amongst the strained feelings, we began to bond in a brotherhood of sorts, traversing worlds.


    Ethan was aplete resource, as his knowledge and leadership helped walk us through the preparations. And I watched how he moved with the members of our pack,manding respect. And yet he had shown me that, in spite of his troubled past, there was a way to lead with dignity and grace.


    One evening, after the sun had set, he tracked me down. We walked up to the edge of camp, with cricketszily hummed through in a warm breeze and owls calling far off.


    He sighed, his voiceden with the gravity of words not spoken. Aiden¡­ ¡°The other thing is something you have to be aware of.¡±


    A weight clung to his words, so I rested my gaze on him instead. ¡°What is it?¡±


    Our ranks have been infiltrated by the cult,¡± he said, a grim expression on his  face. The Dems are talking decisively to their soldiers: ¡°Spies walk among us, carrying gossip back to the tent of their leaders.¡±


    The news was a body blow, and the ramifications were cataclysmic. Thest thing I was going to be able to afford post-9/11, which sort of underscored the worst lesson you don¡¯t want your kids learning about how fragile trust already is and how close ites from being torn apart by things that can so easily threaten everything we¡¯d worked for.


    ¡°Do you know who they are?¡± I inquired, contemting what that entailed.


    Ethan shook his head. ¡°Not yet. But I¡¯m working on it. We just have to be careful and watchful.¡±


    I nodded, their weight washing over me. ¡°We¡¯ll find them, Ethan. Together, we will ovee this threat.


    Standing there together, my link with her had never been more intimately connected. The trials were hard, but we shared a single purpose: to protect our friends and create a new world free from the shadows of the past.


    As night went on, its anticipation of the future built to a peak. We were primed for battle, whatever the challenge, and set on victory to forge a world wherein everyone had their own space.


    Yet unbeknownst to us, the real test of our loyalty and bravery is on its way over the horizon.

 109: Desperate measures

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    Aiden and I geared up the morning, clear air biting at our skin. It was a terrific burden of what awaited me next, but at the same time, I grabbed and held on to that determination from only God knows where. Our loyalty, however grudging, was essential proof for Ethan, and that mattered far beyond our personal positions in the alliance.


    Ethan sent us on an assignment to the hideout of a cult, and he told us to gather information about it. It was a gamble, but one that had to be yed if they were ever going to gain the trust of Keithpletely and make certain that while the rogues sought revenge against whatever future threat loomed over their heads,


    We left at the first light of dawn in aplete fog that clung to trees like dew. We walked the same path we have a hundred times, but in inclothes, and it felt strange, cheapened by what was on our minds.


    ¡®We have to be careful,¡¯ he said finally, in a subdued tone. ¡°They are waiting for a move from our end, so we need to be careful.


    I nodded as I scanned the thick tree line for anything that could be seen indicating danger. ¡°We¡¯ll stick to the n. Step one: ride in, grab as much of what we can, and jump! We can do this.¡±


    We walked deeper into the forest, and all around us rose tall and silent trees with branches overhead, forming a canopy. All was heightened, and my nerves were on a tightrope; every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs set the hairs up at the back of my neck, but I quashed it all down, choosing to be indifferent as made by way through.


    As we neared the entrance to their bluff side cabin, shimmering through sunbaked tree barks further and farther away from city limits, our speed decelerated. And I could feel my heart thumping in fear as the air grew tense. We looked at each other, and Aiden nodded back, which I took as a sign of readiness.


    We approached cautiously, low to the ground, and stalked like predators. A clearing surrounded the cabin, and there were leaves everywhere. At the edge, we slowed and searched for motion.


    Aiden motioned for me to follow, and we looped the perimeter of the clearing in stealth. The house itself looked empty, but we were wise enough to never take things at face value. The traps of the cult were treacherous and subtle.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    We agreed that the back of the cabin was where we had seen a small window, which, although dirty and grimy on the inside, offered us a rare view. I peered through the ss, my breath misting over its surface. Inside was dark, with a makeshift base cluttering the room. On a table, there were papers and maps, and at the sight of those, I felt an eleration in my pulse.


    Aiden carefully opened the window, which made a gentle noise as he did so on its stiff hinges. She pointed me to the inside, but I slipped in quietly as a mouse, and when my feet finally hit wood, Aiden hade along, and he and I went to the table, where we rifled through the papers for important leads.


    Whispering, I said, ¡°Look at this,¡±  as my finger grazed over the map covered in names and ces marked with symbols. ¡± Then what are they proposing for the council meeting?


    Aiden nced at it, frowning with concentration. Here are the positions that they will take: If we can get this back in Ethan¡¯s hands, then it will be us with the advantage.¡±


    We moved fast and hacked facts. It was so quiet I could almost hear the tension in the room, and every time one of them moved, it set my nerves on edge when they caused a creak or groan from some part of this old cabin. As we were preparing to leave, a sound outside stopped us dead.


    Footsteps were heard approaching fast.


    Aiden grabbed my arm, leading me to the window. ¡°We have to go, now.¡±


    As we heard voices screaming, we should break the window and get through it faster. The cult members were back, and they hade closer. Adrenaline came back into our systems, and we all dashed through the open to the woods.


    As we approached the edge of camp, a shout came from behind us. ¡°There they are!¡±


    We panicked and pushed faster, ripping through the forest with those sick fucks on our tails. The underbrush wed at our clothing, branchesshing against our skin. We did not pause. I could hear the carsing after us, and I knew we would eventually get caught running from both Japanese mafia groups.


    A root caught Aiden¡¯s foot, and he stumbled. So faced with the panic, I turned around to get him, and it was toote. The cult members were upon us, their eyes glowing with malevolence.


    But they were too much for us, and we fought back with all that we had. There was a searing pain at the back of my head, and around me I saw spinning ckness. Aiden had called out my name, his voice desperate, before everything went dark.


    The next thing I remember is waking up with a headache and my hands tied behind me. It was a dark, dank, and cold room. Aiden stirred beside me as he came back to life. I felt a wash of relief in his presence, but what I was discovering overshadowed that emotion. We are trapped. I croaked.


    Aiden nodded slowly with an ashen expression, tugging at his cuffs. ¡°Then we need to figure out how the fuck we get out of here.¡±.


    Someone walked up, and the door opened with a creak. The door opened, a dark figure against the light. A man wearing a terrorist as your cult leader, his voice steeped in victory and spite.


    We thought that you could do an end-run around the system. He sneered, stepping closer. ¡°Your interference with our ns wille back to haunt you.¡±


    I felt my heart beating with fear and defiance. We were caught, but I would not surrender. It was toote for us-too much at stake-to lose now.


    The cult leader looked at him with cold eyes. You¡¯re going to tell us anything you know. And when we are finished, you willment the day that you ever crossed our paths.


    While he talked, an idea took root in my head-a reckless and deadly n. Our situation was extremely desperate, but I knew that we should not throw in their towels. I just prayed we could get the hell out of there in time to warn everyone else.


    I saw Aiden look up, and our eyes met-an unspoken agreement shared between us. In spite of the odds, we were in this together. We will do whatever it takes to rise above.


    But as the cult leaderughed on and on, I prepared myself for what was toe. In the belly of the beast, war never took us down.


    After him, the door had sunk into darkness again. There was still a ray of hope that glimmered through the darkness. We would somehow manage to reverse the course, keep ourselves safe, and thereby build a future without fear.


    This was nowhere near the end of our fight, and we knew that.

 110: Their Escape

    Hayley¡¯s POV


    The room was heavy, and the darkness of it clung to damp wood and old fear. Aiden and I slouched against each other, our shackled wrists rubbing from face to torso as the candle me of hope fluttered in a gust. The cult had us, but we are not them yet.


    While my fingers strained against the thick cords binding them, thoughts raced through that panicked mind of mine, looking for a way out. The words of the cult leader threatened to haunt me too, but I shook them off. We needed to concentrate on the getaway before getting back to the pack with our findings.


    The door creaked again, and I tensed once more for the cult leader to enter. However, instead, a familiar face came into the room: Ethan. I felt relief and confusion at once. How had he found us?


    ¡°Ethan?¡± Aiden whispered, his voiceced with disbelief.


    Ethan pulled away suddenly and had a look of great insistence on his face. I came upon a way to break you out. We don¡¯t have much time.¡±


    He kneeled down on one knee next to us and took out some small des he used. I rubbed my wrists as the ropes fell away, grateful for that sudden openness. Aidan rose, eyes on his brother.


    ¡°How did you get in?¡± ¡°Are you fucking serious?!¡± Aiden questioned.


    Ethan gave a wry smile. It seems that not everyone around here is as true to the cult as they im. I paid off a few to turn the other cheek.


    We couldn¡¯t afford to linger. Ethan took us down a narrow corridor, in which we were almost enveloped by the stagnant and dim light. There were a hundred shadows out there, and every one of them was a menace, but Ethan was sure-footed on his own turf.


    A sign asking if I needed one of the cult members sounded in the distance, reminding us all that we were being stalked. Adrenaline sent us running, my heart pounding with each step. Biohazard went back into fault, and I just twisted as hard as you could, but we had to be fast, quiet, and especially urate.


    Ethan stopped as we approached the exit and briefly looked around him. ¡°Keep close once we step outside. The forest has a trail that will keep us hidden.


    We nodded our thanks to his instructions. The door in front had a crack, and moonlight filtered through the opening. She was a couple steps from freedom.


    Ethan cracked the door, and we stepped into the courtyard, fresh air rushing along us as we moved out of that familiar, stale cabin. The things undisturbed beneath the series of peaks, surrounding us with a forest that was familiar but knew all those dangers hidden. Cast. Our footfalls traveled nimbly through the soft crinkling of the underbrush. Ethan was silent and certain. Aiden and I followed. Read for any tag indicating a living person was near. The rustling of leaves and the distant cries of something in the night all made my nerves quiver.


    For once, as we walked through the forest, I wondered in amazement at Ethan and his ingenious ways. They were separated by years; however, he had stepped up to lead the way when they needed him most.


    Thebyrinth twisted and turned, and I had to concentrate on the rocks, for they were my lifeline in a world where disorientation would kill me. Ethan, though, was always there beside us to keep the dark at bay and lead the way through twisting trees.


    At longst, the forest gave way, and I was able to catch sight of our territory. Having seen it hundreds, if not thousands, of times before, there was hardly anything moreforting at that moment. Thank God, relief hit me as Aiden and I exchanged grateful eyes. We had made it.


    By the time we stumbled from those woods, our eyes found first-light in nature¡¯s endless rotation, golden and warm across a still-dark world. It brought me a flicker of hope-the promise of endings and new beginnings.


    Ethan halted, spinning back to us. You will have to go tell the elders this information right away. We underestimated how dangerous the cult was.


    Aiden nodded, determined. ¡°Thank you, Ethan. We could not have done this without you.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    The look in Ethan¡¯s eyes when they softened said everything about the bond of brotherhood. ¡°We¡¯re in this together. But I will keep fighting the cult from inside.


    His silhouette swallowed up by the trees, Ethan simply gave one final nod and then disappeared back into the forest. I followed him with my eyes, a lump of thankfulness and appreciation sitting high in my chest. He was a real friend, and in the days ahead, we would need him.


    After all, there was a sense of urgency pulling Aiden and me towards the main hall. We had vital intelligence, and every minute counted. We needed to alert the elders; that storm was on its way.


    All the old men had gathered in the hall, and when we burst into it, their faces betrayed a deep-seated fear. Elder Marcus was first to his feet; he stood there looking at us with suspicion etched across every feature of his face.


    ¡°What happened?¡± He snapped, urgency clear in his tone.


    We¡¯ve been to the cult¡¯s hideout,¡± I said, breathless. These are going to do something massive, and whoever the cop was, he was likely good at his job, so we have a very concrete reason for saying this.


    We spread the documents and maps we had brought, covering everything about what the cult was nning for the council. The elders gathered closer, their expressions growing grim as the weight of what we had found out slowly set in.


    The burden of the reveal was clear in her mind, as Elder L just barely whispered through a mouth moved not by an overworked throat but by a by a taxed being. Protect the council; true to say, we need to act fast.


    Elder Marcus nodded with steel in his heart. We will increase security and put out the word to all other packs. You might have saved our lives with your actions.


    For me, a sense of great satisfaction was mixed with apprehension as the elders started nning this. That was a pivotal step, but the fight had only begun. The cult was too strong an enemy, and the spies were in our midst.


    Aiden looked back in the rearview mirror with a look of relief and determination in his expression. ¡°We did it, Hayley. We got a lecture and figured out their information.¡±


    I nodded, feeling some of the pressure behind this mission dissipate. Well, the test is still to be considered for real. Ready for whatever they try to throw at us.


    We stepped back into the light of the new day together once more, and I felt instantly warm beneath it, as if a cold darkness had drifted away behind us. There was no way we could anticipate what troublesy along the road.


    But we were ready. Ethan would support us and our pack with all of its strengths against the cult. The connection we had through the struggle would show us many new ways, all generations finding their ce on mother earth.


    When the sun became much higher in the sky, I had a new hope in faith. It was a joint battle, and we would win. They had revealed their hand, and our time to attack, defend, or uphold the world was at y.

 111: Divide and Conquer

    Aiden¡¯s POV


    We buzzed the pack together in anticipation of our final conflict with the cops. Tension and anticipation crackled in the air as everyone zeroed in on their mission. We had discovered what they were nning, but we still needed to catch them before it was toote.


    Elders and leaders from allied packs had rolled in all day, bolstering our ranks behind the scenes. Now it was a heavily defended fortress, where men and artists met to disy their goods and negotiate. Once barricades were erected and watchtowers manned, patrols functioned with the synchronicity of cogs in a clockwork machine on alert for danger.


    With our wolf pack, Hayley and I spent the day working out strategies for defense and ensuring that everyone knew how they fit into it all. And while the situation was dead serious, there was a feeling of togetherness and resoluteness in defense of our people and lifestyle.


    The sun set behind the horizon, turning the forest into a purple and blue fairytale as we came together in what would be ourst main hall meeting. A distant press of muffled voices created a congregation in the room, strained with anxiety and determination.


    The other five men stood between us and Elder Marcus, whose presence made him impossible to ignore. The message in Washington should now be, ¡®We are under attack and running out of time,¡¯ but also ¡®we have help. Together, we are more powerful than any foe. We must stand fast and trust one another.


    Sweeping her eyes over the room, Elder L stepped forward. From a note: The cult is on the march, our scouts tell us. They are going toe for us and disguise it as one of our own. Listen to your guts and trust each other.


    There was a rumble of concurrence among the people; we had both known the dangers, but fear was something we could not afford. The cult had yed their card, and now it was time for the rest of us to follow suit.


    After all was said and done, Hayley and I stayed back to go over a fewst-minute details. She was a presence that soothed in her confidence; we believed, and with her grit, anything felt possible.


    I did everything I could, Hayley said steadfastly. Now we just have to be prepared for them.¡±


    My head bobbed up and down, a nod of eptance as we embraced the burden together. ¡°We¡¯ll stop them, Hayley. We have to.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    As we continued to talk, a light tap at the door broke us from our conversation. The door was thrust open, and a silhouette stepped in, draped with shadow and secrecy. The entire room went quiet, and all eyes turned to the neer.


    Tall and thin, with eyes that shimmer like someone who has secrets to keep. His demeanor was confident, but his presence was elusive, and he felt as if he were a creature of both light and shadow.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Elder Marcus asked, his tone strong but inquisitive.


    The stranger inclined his head, a slight smile ying at the corner of his lips. ¡°My name is Kael. This was not the street; this time, ¡°I am here to help your battle against candy; my battleground is well past.¡±


    And the mood of suspicion echoed through the room, and I thought, Jeez! We didn¡¯t trust strangers, especially those who showed up unannounced. Except¡­ there was something to Kael-a sense of unimed potential and strength.


    ¡°What do you want in return?¡± Hayley inquired with a hint of suspicion.


    Kael grinned more broadly, but his eyes gave the lie to it. ¡°Only that you hear me out. I know something that could win the battle your way.


    Old L offered Marcus a brief look, appearing contemtive. ¡°Very well. Speak.¡±


    Kael made his way inside the room, and it gave off an aura of both unease and intrigue. The truth is, the cult¡¯s more broken than you know. Dividing into different factions to get as many people on your team, fighting for power. If you y up their differences, you can divide and conquer them.


    There was a challenge in his words-an exciting idea that had not urred to any of us. My generation had been waiting for the big news, and if it was true, that might be just what we needed.


    ¡°And how do you know this?¡± I inquired, nting my gaze sideways to examine him.


    ¡°Some things don¡¯t shine in the light of day,¡± said Kael enigmatically. ¡°Suffice to say that I¡¯m keen on seeing the cult get taken apart.


    The elders conferred softly as they analyzed the tradeoff present in reaching out to this unseen ally. Atst, Elder Marcus nodded at that and turned back to Kael.


    ¡°Very well. Your information will be reviewed. However, let it be known: if youe for us, there will not be sce in these walls.


    Kael only gave a small incline of his head in acknowledgment, but he too wore no readable expression. ¡°Understood.¡±


    And he left the room and was gone into the night like a shadow. There was silence, and you could almost feel the thoughts full of doubt.


    You don¡¯t think we can trust him? Hayley whispered, watching Kael go.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted. ¡°We might not have a choice. We will take any help we can get.


    As the night stretched out,den with provisions and silent excitement, We built steadfast walls around ourselves and fortified them with a sound n of attack, yet we walked wary like the ghost between us.


    The night passed in restless sleep and preparations for dawn, where finally all met at both the meeting site and through noise on a battlefield. We were here as prepared as we could hope to be for whatever the cult had in store.


    After a moment, Kael emerged from the crowd again, sulking defiantly in his return to the anonymity of travelers. The way he moved was too graceful, and although it filled me with hundreds of doubts, I thought there might be no stronger ally than him.


    The light of dawn broke, spilling over the meadow. A new day, where our wristbands would face the first real chore. The light was spreading on the faces, and I felt fiery.


    Our backs to each other, united in the face of a darkness that sought to envelop us. The cult was near, but so were we, and this time our destiny held a future for all of us.


    Nowes thest battle, and we would stand up to it with friends that were familiar as well as fucking weird. And we walked this path hand in hand, defying the shadows as stronger men.


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