Novel-novel oleh Kacy D. Rego

Abby's POV I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until I closed the door behind me in Sasha’s office. I was still reeling from the tension when I noticed several eyes fixed on me, most of them people I’d never seen before, or at least never paid attention to in the pack. Still, I was sure they must know me.“G… good morning,” I muttered. “Uh…”“Good morning, Mrs. Roche. Please, give me your phone. Beta already told me.” A short, blonde-haired man walked up, smiling professionally. He stretched out his hand. “Sasha.”“Oh. Good.” I handed him my phone without wasting a second. He quickly checked the app and moved to the system.The door opened and Jessica came in. I guessed she had been speaking with Hayden outside.Speak of the devil. Hayden also walked in. Hands buried in his pockets, expression blank as always. His clothes were the same as yesterday, but there was a faint weariness in his posture this morning, maybe from staying by Valentina’s side.I swallowed, forcing myself t

Abby's POV “Abby,” Alex started. “I can't help you talk to Alpha as promised. He's….”“Not that, Alex.” I cut in. “This is different. Someone bugged my phone.”My eyes snapped to Jessica, and she gave me a subtle go-on nod.Alex lifted one side of his cheek and furrowed his brow. “I don’t get it.”I stood and held out my phone. “Here. This app, update manager, isn’t normal. Jess just discovered it.”He examined it closely, then tapped it open. The screen showed ‘Update in progress,’ taking longer than expected. Alex’s brow creased. “How did you know about this, Jess?”“Had the same experience once.”Alex’s frown deepened, his gaze drifting for a few moments, the same distant look I’d seen in Hayden when he was mindlinking someone. Then he refocused on us. “Tomorrow morning, go to the office. Ask for Sasha, he’s head of the tech team. I’ve already hinted to him. Keep me updated.”I nodded. Just then, Maggie reappeared on the stairs, carrying a small leather bag, probably some essen

Abby's POV He picked up on the first ring.“Hello, Derek. This is Abby calling back.”There was a beat of silence before his voice came, sharper than before. “Why are you using someone else’s phone?”I exchanged a quick glance with Jessica. “My phone is bugged.”“What?” His voice shot up, raw with shock. “How? By who?”“We don’t know yet,” I said quickly. “I just found out with a friend. That’s why I had to stop you earlier.”A heavy exhale filled the line. “Have you told Hayden?”“No. He hasn't been speaking with me ever since he saw the pictures.”There was silence on the other end, heavy and drawn.My grip on the phone tightened. “You said you got a picture?”“Yeah. I’ve been digging into Silverclaw,” he said, his words clipped, like he was working under pressure. “The night of the pre-mating ball, there were outsiders present. Not many, but enough. I got hold of the guest lists, cross-checked names, and narrowed it down.”I leaned forward, breath caught. “To who?”“One person sta

Abby's POV I was silent for some seconds weighing the consequences. “I… I don’t know who to trust right now,” I finally admitted, my voice barely a whisper. “I have no idea who is behind all this.”“All this?” Jessica leaned back, crossing her arms thoughtfully. “You sound like there’s more to this than just the bug.”I exhaled sharply, leaning back too. Maybe I should give Jessica a chance. There was nothing left to hide. If I didn’t tell her, she’d probably find out eventually, and judge me like the others.I gulped down another glass of water as if it were my only source of strength.“The fight between Hayden and me…” I began, my throat tight, “It’s no ordinary quarrel. Someone set me up with… his rival, Derek.”Jessica frowned but stayed silent, listening intently. My heart pounded, but I pressed on. “I went to visit my parents. Derek was there too. We both got drunk and… ended up in bed together.”Jessica paused, but I quickly added, “Nothing happened between us, I swear to the

Abby's POV Then she burst out laughing.What? My nose flared. Do I look like a clown to her? I stabbed at my food, anger fueling my appetite more than hunger.“Pardon my manners.” She composed herself, still smiling. “But sincerely, jealousy looks good on you.”Every nerve in my body burned, but I kept silent. Better that than give her the satisfaction.She leaned in a little, voice softer. “I’m not jealous of your mate, Abby. Well, maybe that could have been some years back. But not anymore. I have my own mate now.” She flashed me her wedding ring, like she expected me to melt at her honesty. I hissed inwardly and shot her a look sharp enough to draw blood. She didn’t flinch.But the truth was, at least I felt relieved a little bit that she wasn’t after Hayden too.“You might not believe this,” she went on, waving her hand vaguely in the air, “but I’ve never seen Hayden look at anyone the way he looks at you. I saw it in Kea. That’s why I said I was jealous.”I let out a short, bit

Abby's POV I didn’t know how my legs carried me home from Hayden’s office. Seeing that woman… Je… something. Jessica. Yes, Jessica. Watching her stroll through Duskfire like she owned the pack made my already sore heart squeeze tighter.The image of her and Hayden at the masked ball in Kea flashed in my mind. Her laugh, his hand steady on her waist. Although, he swore afterward that she meant nothing. But now? What if she saw this as her chance? What if she planned to seduce him, to take him while things were already rough between us?I ignored her when she tried to greet me. She brushed it off easily, as if I was the last thing she needed to worry about.Goddess! I dropped onto the couch in the sitting room. My head was a mess. I was a mess. Maids moved past, but the whole house felt empty, like even the walls had also turned their backs on me.Is this what I’d been reduced to? Helpless. Waiting. Hoping Hayden wouldn’t shove me away completely.Tears streamed, hot and unwanted. I ha