MasukAbby’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
Abby’s POV Just as the maid had told me, I found Hayden shirtless by the pool, looking lost in thought.For a moment, all my anger vanished.I simply stood there watching him, looking so harmless and almost cute that I almost forgot I'd come here to give him a piece of my mind.Then he suddenly stood, as though he'd just remembered something important.He turned.My arms were already crossed, my glare fixed on him.His blue eyes met mine.The dumbfounded look that crossed his face was so satisfying that I almost smiled.Almost.He stared at me for a few seconds before my name finally slipped from his lips, sounding almost like a plea.“Abby…”“I'd been standing there for over two minutes. If it had been an enemy, you wouldn't have noticed?” I shot back. “You'd be finished.”His face softened.“No one could get past my security easily.”I gave him a look. But I didn't bother asking why he'd told the security to let me in whenever I came.“Even at that.” I shrugged. “Aren’t Alphas supp
Abby’s POV I stood there watching Hayden leave after telling Father he wasn't staying tonight.I couldn't help the pang of disappointment, or maybe pain… or whatever it was I felt at that moment, knowing he wouldn't be here.He hadn't even bothered to ask what I thought before making the decision.He'd followed me here. He'd promised to keep my children safe…Of course they were safe. I knew that.But I couldn't just explain why the thought of spending the night here without him suddenly bothered me so much.I hated admitting it, but it was what it was.Maggie was saying something beside me, but I wasn't listening anymore.My feet were already carrying me toward the entrance. I wanted to confront him, but before I could make it outside, his car was already pulling away.Something tightened in my throat, and I quickly blinked away the tears threatening my eyes.“Oh, Abby. Get hold of yourself,” I muttered quickly, surprised by my own reaction.When I got back inside, Father walked up
Hayden’s POV My brow lifted slightly.So he finally decided to make a move.If he'd come looking for a fight, he'd picked the wrong night.“I see you finally decided to stop pretending we're friends,” I said, not bothering to stand.His expression remained unreadable.Mine probably wasn't much different.“Relax, dude.” He raised both hands. “I'm not here to fight you.”“Unfortunately, I wouldn't mind it.”He gave a careless shrug.“Well, considering our history, I didn't expect a warm welcome.” His expression became sober. “But…I really didn't come here to fight.”He sounded genuine.Good for him.I held his gaze for a moment before looking away.“What do you want?”He stepped closer and sat beside me, pulling out a cigarette.“Care for one?”I stared at him“Get to the point.”He looked at the cigarette between his fingers before putting it back into the pack and lighting one for himself.He took a slow drag, then exhaled, the smoke disappearing into the cold night air.Rey's irrita
Hayden’s POV Derek Hawke had been a thorn in my side even before Abby came into the picture. And the feeling had always been mutual.That was why I couldn't understand why he was suddenly acting this way. Friendly and smiling at me like we'd buried the hatchet.I didn't trust that sudden change.He was definitely up to something.I had no intention of creating tension in Alpha Thorn's house, especially now that he was recovering, so I kept my cool.When Thorn asked us to stay, my first instinct was to refuse politely.But the twins were already excited.Alpha Thorn himself also looked genuinely happy.“That's fine.” Derek simply accepted Thorn's request without hesitation.“Yeah,” I found myself saying too.If I left, Derek would still be here regardless. And I wasn't about to leave Abby and my children under the same roof as him without knowing what he was planning.Accepting to stay didn't mean I'd let my guard down.I'd keep my distance.If he crossed the line around Abby or my ch
Abby’s POV The quiet respect I'd always seen whenever Father looked at Hayden returned to his face.“Alpha Hayden, good to see you,” Father said. Even after Hayden became his son-in-law, he never stopped addressing him as "Alpha Hayden.”Hayden bowed again.“Please accept my condolences for Luna Marie's passing. May the Moon Goddess guide her soul safely to the Eternal Moon Realm.”“Thank you,” Father said with a grateful nod. He gestured toward the chair beside his bed.“Please, have a seat, Alpha Hayden.”I squeezed onto the edge of the bed near Father's feet.We didn't keep Father talking for long. His speech was still slurred, and he clearly needed the rest.But simply seeing him awake brought me more relief than I could put into words. The trip from Australia had been worth every second. I didn't regret coming at all.Before long, Father drifted back to sleep.Hayden and I stayed quietly by his bedside until morning.When daylight finally broke, Hayden suggested I return to his
Hayden’s POV A few minutes after Abby and Jessica left Valentina’s ward, I mindlinked Alex to get ready. We were meeting Clara this morning.By the time I stepped outside, he was already waiting in the car. I slid in beside him and in no time, tires were rolling out of Duskfire.Alex’s hands were
Valentina’s POVAs soon as Hayden stepped out of my ward, I dialed Dr. Nathan. I needed him here, fast. We had unfinished business, a discussion that the interruption from that wolfless thing and Jessica had completely derailed.And who gave them the right to even show up here? I rolled my eyes. No
Valentina’s POV“Then who is this?” Abby snapped, shoving Don’s photo in my face.Of course I knew they’d circle back to him. Derek’s last call had already hinted at it, and I’d prepared for this moment. I’d even briefed my special ally in Silverclaw, just in case. I was still one step ahead.“My P
Abby's POV “For the last time, Maggie, do you know this man or not?” Jessica’s voice was firm, her warning sharp.Maggie dropped to her knees, rubbing her hands together like she was begging for her life. Her voice cracked. “Please, Mrs. Roche… Miss Valentina knows where my daughter is. I’ve been







