LOGINHayden’s POV When I returned to the hotel, Alex was already waiting in the lobby.That was strange.I didn’t have the patience for him tonight, so I headed straight for my suite, but he followed anyway.“Any update?” I asked, kicking off my shoes as we got inside.He didn’t answer immediately.Instead, he just stared at me like I’d lost my mind.My brow furrowed.He stepped closer, studying me… then leaned in like he was actually sniffing me.I pushed him back lightly.“Finish whatever nonsense you have to say, Alex.”He leaned in again, this time running his hands over my face, shoulders, chest…I delivered a controlled punch to his shoulder.“Are you insane?”He scoffed loudly. “Good to have you back.”My frown deepened.“I was starting to wonder who was occupying that body earlier.”I paused.“…Excuse me?”“You’ve been acting weird. Smiling at nothing, humming, tapping things like you’re not aware of your own hands.”He tilted his head.“I was beginning to think another soul had t
Abby’s POV My head snapped toward the sound, hoping it would be Derek.It wasn't.Ruby stood outside the car, arms folded tightly across her chest.Uh-oh.That look never meant anything good.Hayden lowered the window from his side, and the glass slid down.“Hey, Ruby,” he greeted, but Ruby ignored him.My brow lifted.Typical angry Ruby.“I've been calling you, Abby. You didn't pick up. I was worried.”My brows furrowed as I searched for my phone inside my bag. I pulled it out and tapped the screen.Damn.Several missed calls.All from her.I looked up at her, more concerned than surprised. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t hear it ring at all. Is everything okay?”She shot Hayden a look before turning her attention back to me.“The forecast update was wrong. The rain came earlier than expected, and I knew you wouldn't have packed anything for the kids.”I nodded slowly. I hadn’t meant to be careless, but it was the first rain of the year… no one really expects it this early.Still, something
Abby’s POV Somewhere between one kiss and the next, I lost track of what we were doing.My thoughts had long since stopped making sense.By the time I became aware of anything beyond him again, cool air brushed against my skin.I blinked.I was completely bare beneath his intense blue gaze.A flicker of self-consciousness crawled through me as he stared down at me with a reverence that made my chest tighten.Then his attention dropped to my stomach, the scar the rogues had left behind that day in the woods when Clara and I escaped Liam’s place.His fingers traced it gently.A quiet curse slipped from him, low and rough.I saw it in his face…the shift, the weight of what he imagined I must have endured.I took his hand and guided it away from the scar.I didn't want to think about that day.My fingers lingered on his hand for a brief moment before I pulled him closer, silently urging him to forget the scar and focus on us instead.His gaze lifted to mine.And immediately, Asher's voic
Abby’s POV Before I could stop myself, my hand lifted and brushed lightly against his cheek.Hayden went still.The surprise on his face was almost enough to make me pull away immediately.Almost.Then he cleared his throat, a small shift in his posture following right after as though he had just remembered himself.“Abby…”The vulnerability that had surfaced earlier was already gone. It didn’t fade so much as get buried, carefully locked away again.“Don’t look at me like I deserve your sympathy. I didn’t tell you all that to make you feel guilty.”I lowered my hand slowly, my fingers lingering in the air for a second longer than necessary before dropping completely."I know."My voice came out softer than I expected.I said it, knowing he was already putting his walls back up and retreating behind that strong facade again, as if showing weakness was something he simply wasn't allowed to do.Carla's words from yesterday replayed in my head.When I wanted to sever our bond, she had w
Abby’s POV Goosebumps prickled across my skin.My hair was damp, and the clothes I'd soaked while rushing from the cruiser to shelter clung uncomfortably to me.Hayden wasn't much better either.We'd both shielded the twins while disembarking, so they had escaped with only a few droplets on them.I sneezed.Hayden immediately glanced over.“You're catching a cold.”“I'm fine. The weather will clear soon and…”Another sneeze cut me off.His jaw tightened.“You just sneezed twice in less than a minute.”“Believe me, I'm fine…” Another sneeze.Traitor.Hayden's expression flattened. "Right."I glared at him.He muttered something under his breath before pulling out his phone and stepping aside.I watched him speak quietly to whoever was on the other end. A few minutes later, he ended the call and walked back.“I just checked in on available lodges inside this park.” he said, "I didn't think we'd get stranded here, so I never booked earlier. Most of them are already occupied now…”“Ha
Abby’s POV Hayden’s hand pressed lightly at my back, keeping me closer. There was barely any space between us now, and my heartbeat quickened uncomfortably as his face came slightly nearer.Then he stopped."We're good this way," Hayden said calmly. "She isn't fond of too much attention.”Good job. A convenient excuse invented on the spot.Still, I couldn’t look away."Oh... she's the shy type, just like my husband," the woman said with a laugh.I barely heard the rest of her words after.Everything around me faded to the background until all I was aware of was Hayden. Those impossibly blue eyes remained fixed on mine.And for a moment that felt far longer than it should have, neither of us looked away.Then a soft, warm laugh broke through the moment.“You both remind me of when my husband and I were younger,” she said.It was only then I realised the photo had already been taken, but neither of us had moved.Heat rushed to my face instantly.My heartbeat jumped again, worse this ti
Abby’s POV I froze the moment my eyes locked with Hayden’s piercing blue ones.The door opened again, and Alex stepped in behind him, quiet and uncertain, like a man who didn’t know where he belonged anymore.Before I could react, Ruby moved. She stepped forward and planted herself firmly in front
Hayden's POV “What?!” I frowned, struggling to process her words. That made no sense. Maggie’s daughter had confirmed Abby pushed Marbel off the stairs. Abby knew that, that was why she fled. The maid’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. “Miss Abby pushed her, but she didn’t die then. It wa
Abby’s POV My legs trembled, weak from standing too long, but Ruby kept me upright, her arms still wrapped around me.“I can help numb the pain in your chest, if you want me to,” she whispered.I shook my head. Tears slipped free anyway. Ruby had always helped ease the weight in my heart with her
Hayden's POV For a split second, everything in me went cold when the scent hit my nose.Asher’s blood smelled like… mine.My fingers tightened around the bouquet as Derek’s words echoed in my head for what felt like the hundredth time. ‘Abby’s kids are yours.’They didn’t smell like my pups…but th







