MasukHayden's POVDerek and Abby were half-siblings?It had hit me more like a shock than a surprise, and I knew it would take all of us a while to wrap our heads around it. But I couldn't help being happy about one part.I no longer had a rival.They were related by blood, and werewolf law forbade anything more than that between them.What a twist. It turned out perfectly in my favor.I clenched my teeth to stop myself from grinning as we walked into the penthouse, or I'd have to explain to Abby why I was smiling.Of course, I hated every bit of what happened to Luna Marie at the hands of those bastards in Dunhall. I hoped Baldwin and every rotten ancestor before him who had a hand in the evil would never know peace.As for his pups, the Council would take care of them and keep an eye on them to make sure they didn't grow up to become like their father. They hadn't asked to be born into that bloodline.“Go ahead and shower,” Abby's voice cut into my thoughts as she dropped her purse on th
Abby’s POV Derek sat in the backseat because he was still a bit weak, with the young maid beside him looking after him, while I sat in the front with Hayden. Hayden's eyes kept moving between the road, me, and the rearview mirror where he could see Derek. He was waiting for answers. “El told us what happened to Mother in the dungeon many years ago,” I started. “She was betrothed to Baldwin's father against her will. And he was old enough to be her father.” “Baldwin's father?” Hayden said with a scoff. “Didn't Baldwin say Luna Marie was betrothed to him instead?” “He lied of course.” “That damned wretch,” Hayden muttered. "Mother refused, and Baldwin's father had her tortured brutally for it. Baldwin made it worse. He drugged her, but s
Abby’s POVJust like Carla had guided me when I used Moon's Call Grace to bring Hayden back, she guided me again.I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to focus and summon my inner energy.I didn't open my eyes or know what was happening around me until I heard a sneeze.My eyes snapped open.Derek sneezed again, his body jerking as he took a shaky breath.“We did it!” I cried inside my head, and I could feel Carla smiling.“This is just a fraction of our powers,” she said. “You'll learn more–”But I barely heard her.Derek was sitting upright.“You snitch!” I lurched forward and wrapped my arms around him, knocking his back against the ground.“I'm going to kill you for daring to leave me.”He laughed, but Hayden's voice cut through.“Easy, Abby. He's not fully recovered.”He was right, but the look on his face told me that wasn't the only reason he wanted me to let Derek go.I ignored him and kept my arms around Derek's neck.He crouched instead and gently but firmly eased my arms
Hayden's POVThe moment Baldwin dropped dead, the magic holding me down finally gave way, and I regained my freedom.I rushed to where Abby knelt beside Derek. He was lying motionless on the floor.“Derek?” I called, pressing two fingers to his neck. Nothing. I checked for his breathing, but there was none.My heart dropped.I looked at Abby, still on her knees, staring at his lifeless body as if she still couldn't believe it.Something in my chest cracked at the sight of her.For the first time since Derek crossed my path as a rival, I would have given anything to see him dare me again. Try to tarnish my image like he once did. Hijack my contract. Challenge me to another fight, knowing I'd probably beat him again. Or even fight me over Abby.“Wake up,” Abby whispered, her voice breaking. “Please… we still have things to settle as siblings.”Siblings?My head turned toward her before I could stop it.Minutes ago, Derek had planted himself between Baldwin and her and called her his sis
Abby's POVI stared down at Baldwin, barely recognizing the strength surging through my body.Yes, I know Carla is insanely powerful, but feeling this power coursing through me is something else. I never even knew we could be immune to dark magic.Carla had only given me a short, vague warning before she took over completely.“Finally,” she answered inside my head.My brows furrowed.Finally?“What's that supposed to mean?” I asked.“Not you,” she replied, her eyes burning behind mine as she fixed a murderous stare on Baldwin. “Long time, Alaric.”She paused.“I'm sure you never expected this outcome.”Baldwin frowned. “How do you know my wolf's name?”I had no idea how to answer him. I was just as lost as he was.But Carla continued.“The healing chamber, four hundred years ago. What you and the wizard did to Carla, the little white healer.” Carla paused. “Surely that name still means something to you, Alaric.”Baldwin's eye flared, and I knew his wolf had surfaced.“C-Carla?”His vo
Hayden's POVI wanted to believe Derek had called Abby his sister because of the situation we were presently in, or maybe because of the decision he'd made to let her go after we spoke two days ago. Maybe he was simply seeing her as a sister now.“Brother?” Baldwin's voice pulled me out of my thoughts as he snorted at Derek. “Are you telling me Marie had a son too?”“You heard me right,” Derek seethed. “And I won't let you touch so much as a hair on her head.”Baldwin laughed and looked at Abby.“Now I believe you saying you have a son is all gibberish.” He tilted her chin with his finger. “I doubt you even have a daughter yet.”He turned to his men again.“Take her to my room. I'd love to plant my seed inside her. She'll bear me a daughter.”The men moved toward Abby, but Derek broke free from the men holding him and tackled the ones trying to drag her away.Abby wasn't making it easy for them either, fighting back as they tried to grab her.I struggled against the magical force teth
Abby’s POV The smell of antiseptic hit my nose before the background noise reached my ears. I already knew where I was. My eyes fluttered open, adjusting slowly to the light in the room.“Leave it.” Hayden’s voice was unmistakable. He was in the room. Then he added, “Don’t abort it.”Abort what?I
Hayden’s POV“What?!” Alex blurted, just as shocked as I’d been. “Are… are you sure she did that?”“I just rushed Valentina in. The doctor confirmed she ingested wolfbane.”I dragged a hand down my face. “If she hates me that much, she should come after me and not think of harming an innocent perso
Hayden’s POV With insane speed, I reached the house, only to walk straight into chaos.Maggie was hiding behind Abby, trembling, while Valentina stood in front of them, her voice sharp and full of fury. She looked ready to tear Maggie apart if Abby hadn’t been blocking her.The other maids hovered
Hayden’s POV“Alright. See you when I get back,” I finally said, breaking the silence Abby seemed so determined to keep.She didn’t look up, didn’t even blink. Just kept eating like I was now an invisible being. I didn’t wait either. I stepped out, slid into my car, and headed for the office. Altho







