Chapter 7

Hayes’ pov.

“Hayes!”

I stopped walking. I already knew who it was before i turned around. 

Jenna.

She marched down the hallway in a short black dress that probably cost more than what most people in the pack made in months. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor, her face twisted in annoyance.

A few of her friends followed behind her, all staring at me expectantly.

“What are you doing?” She demanded.

“what does it look like?” I answered without a smile on my face. “I saw you coming from this wing.” She said with her arms folded.

“So?”

“This is where your new stepsister’s room is.”

I said nothing.

Jenna narrowed her eyes.

“Oh my goodness,” she said slowly. “You were with her?”

I exhaled.

I was already exhausted. I haven’t been able to sleep. There have been no peace and now this.

Ever since i found out Emma was my mate, my entire world had turned upside down.

Out of all the women in the world…

It had to be her.

The daughter of the woman my father married.

The girl i specifically didn’t want in this house.

I had spent weeks arguing with my father over his ridiculous decision. A gold-digger and her daughter.

That’s what i thought they were. I had even done a background check on them.

They were just poor omegas. Nothing special.

The mother had dated wealthy men before and conveniently ended up with my father.

And now?

Now her daughter is my mate. It felt like a sick joke.

“Hayes!”

I blinked.

Jenna was glaring at me.

“Are you even listening?”

“No”. She scoffed. You’ve been acting weird since you came back from abroad. 

I ran a hand through my hair. I didn’t have energy for this.

“Then leave”.

Her eyes widened.

“Excuse me?” “You heard me”. 

“I’ve been looking for you all morning.”

“And now you’ve found me.”

She stared at me in disbelief.

Normally, I tolerated Jenna because our parents were close, The beta wanted me to marry her one day. And the pack liked the idea. Even my father had once entertained it.

The daughter of a Beta becoming Luna.

A perfect political match. But i never liked her. She was beautiful, popular, strong, and completely unbearable.

“I don’t understand you lately,” she said.

I looked away.

Neither did i. 

Because the truth was… I could still feel Emma. Even through the damn walls. The bond was insane. I knew she was behind that door, probably upset and crying. And somehow… I hated it. Not her, but the feeling. The fact that i cared. Because i shouldn’t. I barely know her, yet my wolf was restless, protective. Wanting me to go back.

Jenna suddenly stepped closer.

“Are you sick?”

“No”

“You look terrible”

I laughed without humor.

If only she knew.

I had spent half the night fighting with myself, after fate tied me to my stepsister. 

“Hayes?”

I looked at Jenna again.

She was studying me carefully. Then she frowned.

“You weren’t with her because of pity, were you?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Pity?”

“Please. She’s pathetic.”

I stiffened.

Jenna continued.

“She’s an omega. Wolfless too.”

I remained silent. 

And her mother is obviously after your father’s money.

I don’t know why your father brought those people here, but honestly….

They will ruin your reputation. 

Something in me shifted at that moment. I didn’t like hearing her talk about Emma.

“Come to lunch with us.” She said.

“No”.

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to.”

She looked offended.

“When did you become so antisocial?”

I almost laughed.

You become antisocial when your life turns into a disaster overnight. She sighed dramatically.

“Fine. Then we will all eat together tonight.”

“No.”

she suddenly narrowed her eyes. “You really were with her.”

“Why are you so obsessed with this?” I frowned.

“Because she’s trouble!”

She lowered her voice.

“Everyone is talking about her already.”

“What?” I stiffened.

“You didn’t know?”

“About what?”

She smiled slowly. The girls from school recognized her at the ceremony. “They have been gossiping”.

“What are you talking about?” 

Jenna smirked. She has a boyfriend at school.

A strange feeling settled in my stomach immediately.

Boyfriend?

She continued.

They have been together for years. People are saying she’s desperate and clings to him because nobody else wants her.

I stared at her. That shouldn’t bother me, but it did. I barely know the girl. 

“His name is Ronan,” Jenna said. “Leader of the Night owls.”

I recognized the name immediately.

The biker group. I had heard of them.

Arrogant idiots.

Apparently popular at lunaris Academy.

Jenna smiled.

“Honestly, i almost feel sorry for her.”

“You don’t sound sorry.”

She shrugged. “Because she choosed her own misery.”

I frowned.

Something about this entire conversation felt wrong.

I didn’t know why.

Maybe it was the way Jenna seemed pleased.

Maybe it was the fact that i could still feel Emma’s sadness through the bond.

Or maybe….

It was because for some reason… I suddenly wanted to know everything about her.

Who she was.

Why she looked so hurt.

Why she seemed so alone.