Mag-log inAbby’s POV Just as we reached the Alpha’s door, it opened.“What an august visitor I have here!” a rough, deep voice said.A one-eyed man stood in the doorway, a black patch covering his left eye. His belly protruded beneath his clothes, while his unkempt hair and scruffy beard made it obvious he didn't care much about his appearance.But his aura screamed Alpha regardless.“Alpha Baldwin,” Hayden said simply, confirming what I'd already sensed from his aura.“It's been a long time since I last saw you, Alpha Hayden.” Baldwin flashed a wide, toothy grin, which somehow softened his rugged appearance. Then he stretched out his hand for a handshake. “What brings you to my pack? It must be something serious.”“Sure,” Hayden replied, taking his hand before releasing it almost immediately. “We're looking for someone.”Baldwin frowned slightly. “You could have simply sent word. There was no need for you to come all the way here yourself.”“I could have,” Hayden said. “But this is something
Abby’s POV The games ended well, and they turned out to be much more fun than I'd expected.I'd never imagined Hayden and Derek having this kind of peaceful competition.Hayden won almost every game effortlessly, without going easy on Derek. Still, he lost a few rounds because Amy's constant cheering and hyping distracted him, which at least helped Derek earn some points.Amy practically bounced around the compound, shouting excitedly every time Hayden won or did something impressive. Asher, on the other hand, was becoming increasingly frustrated that Derek, the person he had chosen to support, wasn't winning.Amy kept sticking her tongue out at him until he finally got annoyed.“I'm not playing again!”Before things could escalate, Father stepped in.“How about Grandpa plays Hayden?”Asher's face immediately brightened.Father knew Hayden would never take the game seriously against him, and he was right.Hayden began deliberately letting him win.Father started winning one challeng
Abby’s POV Before I could figure out who it was, the scent of dark woods and cedar drifted into my nose.My entire body prickled as the familiar scent surrounded me.Hayden.Carla whimpered inside me, instantly sensing Rey nearby.Derek pulled away from the hug, completely unaware of the presence lurking nearby.I slowly turned toward the direction of the scent, but there was no one in sight. Still, I knew he was somewhere nearby.Maybe he thought he could stay hidden. But there was no hiding his scent from his mate.“What is it?” Derek asked, following my gaze.I smiled and rubbed my arms. “Nothing.”He nodded, his gaze settling back on me.Then he spoke again.“I'll be leaving for Australia tomorrow. I have some pack duties waiting for me.”“Oh.” I nodded. “No problem.”He didn't say anything else.His arm slipped around my shoulders. “Come on. Enough standing out here in the sun.”With that, we walked back inside the house together, only to be met with beautiful chaos.The twins w
Abby’s POV “She's upstairs. Still sleeping,” Maggie replied.Relief washed over me. But Maggie's expression still didn't sit right with me. “Then… what happened?” I pressed.She explained that Asher had woken up nearly an hour ago and had practically driven her crazy, insisting he wanted to come looking for me.I couldn't help but chuckle as I looked at my little joy giver, who now stood there looking far too innocent to have caused so much trouble.“Sweetie.” I ruffled his hair. “I told you I was going out last night, remember? I promised I'd be back before you woke up.”He folded his tiny arms and pouted.“You break promise.”“You're right.” I nodded. “I broke my promise. I'm so sorry, sweetheart. Mommy's really sorry, huh. Will you forgive me?”Instead of answering, he looked past me at Hayden.“You like my Mommy?”I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. Then I remembered. This wasn't the first time. Either he or Amy had asked Hayden the same thing before.“Very, very
Abby's POV The night passed in a silent but peaceful moment. Hayden barely let me go. Even in his sleep, his arms remained wrapped around me, like some part of him was afraid I would disappear the moment he loosened his hold.Every time I somehow drifted away from him in my sleep, I'd unconsciously feel his arms pulling me right back against his warm chest.I didn't mind.In fact...I loved it.But when I finally woke up, the space beside me was empty.My heart jumped a second thinking everything had been a dream.But his scent still lingering on my skin and the sheets reassured me.It wasn't a dream.I got out of bed.“Hayden?” I checked the bathroom, but he wasn’t there, so I decided to go downstairs.I heard his cough from the kitchen and I headed there only to be met with a shock.Smoke everywhere.“What the hell?!”My eyes landed on the burnt pieces scattered across the counter.Was that supposed to be pancakes?I looked back at him.His hair was messy, sweat covered his forehe
Abby’s POV I barely had time to gasp before strong arms wrapped around my waist and yanked me back to the surface.The next thing I knew, I was coughing against Hayden's shoulder as he lifted me onto the poolside.“Are you okay?” His blue eyes searched mine frantically.I blinked, still trying to catch my breath.“My... phone.”For a second, I expected him to scold me for jumping into the pool when I couldn't even swim.Instead, he turned and dove back into the water.A few moments later, he resurfaced with my phone in his hand.“It's useless now.” He held it up, water dripping from it. “Better to get another one.”My mood dropped instantly.“I'll lose some important things on that phone.”“I think what you should be concerned about right now is yourself.” His gaze moved over me briefly before he looked away. “You'll catch a cold if you don't get out of those wet clothes.”My brain finally caught up.I looked down at myself.The fabric of my clothes had become almost transparent, the
Valentina’s POVHayden sat in a chair at the far corner of the hospital room, eyes glued to his tablet like I wasn’t even here.If that piece of shit he calls a wife hadn’t asked him to wait till I finished the drip, he would’ve left already and asked Maggie to come pick me instead.I clenched my t
Abby's POVBang!“Abby!” A loud knock jolted me awake. I tried to rise but a strong arm held me down. Rubbing the sleep away, I found Hayden snoring softly beside me with his arm pinning me down like I could vanish in the middle of the night.His face calm and peaceful. Almost childlike.I chuckle
Abby's POV I just stood there, watching Valentina breathe in and out slowly through her mouth just to calm herself down. Then, she started fanning herself with her hand.“Valentina.” I called softly but she didn't answer, so I continued. “Ca…can you please, change the condition? Hayden won't answe
Abby’s POVBefore I could ask him anything, he had already stepped out. He was gone for a few minutes before returning.He slid back behind the wheel, his blue eyes fixed on mine intently. Then, without saying a word, he brought out a small red box and opened it.A glinting silver necklace lay insi







