LOGINHayden’s POV I turned and found the little boy from yesterday boldly staring at me. There were no other customers inside, only the uniformed staff arranging tables for the morning rush. I wanted to act petty and scare the little boy off, but instead I heard myself explaining.“Hey, little guy! I'm no bad man!”“You are!” he declared, jutting his chin forward stubbornly.I sighed.Alex chuckled behind me. “This boy reminds me of you when we were small. Fierce and unapologetically bold.”“They even look alike,” Brian added, snickering.I shot them both a sharp look and turned back to the boy. “Where’s mama?”“Good morning, sir. Welcome,” a staff member approached with a polite smile. “Here are the menus. We’re still setting up, but we can take your order.”“Is…uhmm…Ruby on duty?” Alex asked shamelessly, smiling like a teenager freshly hit by Cupid.The staff didn’t get the chance to answer before a tall brunette stepped out of an office, carrying a little girl who giggled loudly in he
Hayden’s POV I couldn’t ignore the heavy weight pressing down on my chest as the city lights and buildings blurred past while Brian drove us to the hotel.My mind kept returning to that woman at the restaurant. I pulled Abby’s necklace from my pocket and held it tightly. If she was indeed the one, she had every right to keep me at a distance. But I needed to apologize for everything first, even if I didn’t deserve her forgiveness.Alex’s laughter beside me made me turn. His head rested against the back of the seat, eyes closed, arms folded across his chest, smiling like he was lost in some fairytale world, completely unaware anyone was watching.Brian’s snorted laugh drew my attention through the rearview mirror. He couldn’t hold it in.“I didn’t know finding one’s mate could feel this good. I need to up my game,” he said, chuckling between words.I let my lips curve slightly as I glanced back at Alex, still oblivious to the fact that we were watching him.Then the weight on my chest
Abby's POV I rushed into my office. The door clicked shut behind me, and I finally released the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. One hand pressed to my chest, as if I could steady the ache pulsing there.“Mommy, you fine?” Asher clutched his ball, wide eyes full of worry.“I’m fine. Mommy’s fine, my love.” I forced a smile. “Don’t go out without my permission again, okay?”He nodded immediately.“Good boy.” I ruffled his hair, and he ran off to join Amy, who was already rearranging the toys she’d just scattered.I turned sharply to Jane. “Don’t let my kids go out without my permission. Do you hear me?”“Yes, ma,” she said, lowering her head.I sent her out to join the staff, then sank into my chair, trying to catch my breath, trying to stop the tremor running through me. I didn’t know seeing Hayden again, after more than three years, could shake me this badly.He almost recognized me. Thank the Goddess I didn't slipThe door opened and my heart lurched painfully, terrified
Hayden’s POV I slid into the car beside Alex while Brian drove. Brian was the music type, unlike Alex and me. He tapped the screen, scrolling through genres until an old-school song played—My Girl by The Temptations.The only song I know the lyrics to by heart. I could sing it even if someone shook me awake in the middle of the night.I felt Alex’s eyes drilling holes into the side of my head, but I kept my attention fixed on my phone.He didn’t disappoint. “Childhood nostalgia, huh?” he muttered with that smug look he loved.I ignored him, smiling at nothing on my screen, pretending I wasn’t listening to either him or the song.He clicked his tongue and looked away.Good.I knew what he was driving at. That song used to be Amara’s song, back when I was a clueless teenager who thought strumming a guitar and singing it was a subtle love confession. But now, listening to it only brought one person to mind.Abby. The hundredth time I’d thought of her today. Maybe because I’d been keepin
Abby's POV“I think your scent is well-hidden now. Even if he comes close, he won’t perceive you,” Ruby said, sniffing me with a nod of approval.“Thank you, Ruby.”She shrugged. “What can I do with your stubbornness?”I rolled my eyes but smiled. Ruby never stayed mad for long, she always gave in eventually.Ever since Derek told me Hayden would be coming here, I’d been trying to figure out what to do. Avoiding my own restaurant because of him was out of the question.So I decided to hide both my scent and my appearance. Derek and Ruby hated the idea at first, but after going back and forth, they finally gave in when they realized I wasn’t backing down.Ruby did what she does best—spell. She concealed my scent and the twins’. As for my appearance, I braided my long auburn hair and pinned it up to look like a short bob. With a scarf and a nose mask, I would be unrecognizable at the restaurant.“You ready for training, Abby?” Derek asked, stepping out in his training gear. He looked ex
Hayden's POV The war between the European wolves and the Australian wolves that I thought could be handled quickly had dragged on for over two years. Of course, we weren’t losing, but the prolonged conflict had caused serious divisions in werewolf kingdoms.The council finally decided to unify the kingdoms under one body. A single werewolf council with representatives from every continent. Liam’s supporters were exposed, their wolves stripped away, and they were banished to the underworld to face the goddess’s judgment. The humans among them were handed over to their authorities, facing lifetime imprisonment and confiscation of their properties.It was a decisive victory, but also a fragile peace. The council had called a national conference to formalize the unity, elect representatives for the newly formed global council, and ensure that the werewolf kingdoms stayed aligned. The conference started tomorrow in Australia. I had to leave tonight.“Here.” Valentina handed me a paper co







