HAYLEE~~Since I didn’t want to cook, I decided to go to the royal kitchen to get lunch because I knew the kitchen staff would have prepared something for the royal family regardless of whether they wanted to eat or not.I guess that was my first mistake because as soon as I pulled the palace front door open and stepped out, I came face to face with Alpha Prince Roy. I almost jumped out of my skin when I walked straight into him before I could push the brakes of my legs. “Gotcha.” He smiled, his eyes glinting with mischief as he stared down at my frame. What the hell is wrong with everyone connected to this family? “Oh, did I scare you?” Alpha Prince Roy asked with a smirk. I stepped away from him, glared at him subtly, or I hoped I did, and responded, “Yes, My Prince. I wasn’t expecting to see you—” “You don’t have to lie. I know you have been hiding because Xalen told you to do so.” He chuckled, folding his arm under his chest. “W-what are y-you—” I thought it was best to d
HAYLEE~~It's been a whole week since Alpha King Xalen freed me from the limiting ban he placed on me. It's been a week of freedom, but with Alpha Prince Roy and Princess Allison’s eyes on every move, I haven't enjoyed my freedom.Also, the fact that I had a lot on my mind didn't make the week easy. Of course, Alpha King Xalen was still waiting for me to give him a second chance, and I wanted to despite my fears. However, I haven't seen much of Alpha King Xalen since he warned Princess Allison against hurting me. Neither have I seen my supposed best friend, Jose, who I have been dying to see. “At this point, I am beginning to believe that he is avoiding us,” Liya told me as I closed the door to the nursery. I had just put Jodie to bed for her afternoon nap, and Asher was enjoying the afternoon with Sophia. I didn’t have to be with the kids, so I asked Liya, “What if we go to his room?”“Do you know where that is?” Liya asked me.I chuckled, “How hard can it be to find his room? I
HAYLEE~~“Haylee?” The woman with Jose called out with disbelief, or should I say confusion? Because she looked like she was trying to understand why I was there, and as much as I wanted to tell her that I was asking myself the same question, I was numb because a big part of me already knew why she was there. Hell! They both exuded the undeniable scent of sex.I breathed, “I'm sorry to have interrupted you. I better go—”“No, wait a second!” I have come to know that voice and maybe loved it. But right now, I couldn't even look her in the eyes because she reeked of my best friend's scent and of the man who confessed his feelings to me less than a month ago. They both reeked of sex.If it was someone else, I wouldn't have cared, even though it proved that Jose could be just as bad as Sylas was trying to tell me. But this was someone who had vowed to be my friend even when I wasn't ready to be hers. This was Benita for goddess’ sake! I couldn't stand seeing her half-naked and dis
Alpha Prince Roy’s POV~~I saw her walking—or more appropriately, dragging her feet—over to where I was standing. She was far from the palace, where I knew she spent most of her time. I wasn’t expecting to see her in this part of the pack because I had observed her routine and knew she rarely ventured beyond the palace grounds.And as much as I had been watching her, I didn’t come here for her. I was here because this place reminded me of Laura.“I love sitting by this forest. It’s peaceful.” I remember those words, and Laura’s voice echoed in my mind even though it had been many years since she said them to me.I also recalled telling her, "It's beautiful."But my eyes weren’t on the forest Laura was talking about. They were on her, and even though I couldn’t sense our mate bond back then, I knew she was mine. I could feel it in my gut and my wolf—I cleared my throat, cutting my thoughts short. Even though I came here to fuel my anger and remind myself of the most important thing
ALPHA KING XALEN~~It wasn’t my intention to stay away from Haylee and my kids. I have been working tirelessly to make sure the territory keeps running smoothly. As much as Evan and Wyatt were helpful, they were still not able to fill my position in my absence, which is why I have been spending a lot of time in my pack office.I have also been having numerous meetings with the Elders and a few other people who have important matters to discuss. Plus, I have been speaking to Wyatt about how to deal with Allison’s case and how to cripple Alpha Richard’s plan.As of today, I have just forty days left to prove that Alpha Richard killed Laura so he could take the throne or make something up, and I have trusted Evan and Wyatt with this. They have been helping me.Spies have been sent to Richard's pack, and I have eyes on Allison as well. She has been spending most of her time with Jose, according to the report I got from Evan earlier today, and that reminded me of the fact that I need to
HAYLEE~~If the trunk of Alpha Jett’s car counts as a ride in the car, I would say this was my second time in a car. Many wolves don’t see the need for vehicles because it’s a luxury that comes from the human world, and as much as we are cool with humans, we try to limit interaction with them to avoid stirring trouble. But of course, most Alpha King Xalen had a few cars that I had seen many times in the palace’s garage. Also, most Alphas, Elders, Chiefs, and other influential wolves collect this luxury—“So we are thinking about cars to ignore the weird energy looming in this car?” Liya said into my mind, calling me out of my delusion.I mean, I didn’t know what to say to Alpha King Xalen. I could tell he was angry to see me with Alpha Prince Roy, who seemed sweet from what I had observed, but I do have a thing for trusting people easily.What do I say to him? I can’t even tell him how and why I ended up on the other side of the pack and found Roy. He doesn’t know that I went to fi
ALPHA KING XALEN~~“I see you, Haylee, not as a replacement but as you.”I meant these words with every fiber of my being. However, I wasn’t sure that would be enough for Haylee. I could tell she wanted me to wipe Laura out of my heart and mind, but that would take time, even if it was possible.Haylee's eyes twinkled with shock, and they darted around the hallway as if she were scared that someone would hear us, but I wouldn’t put her in danger. I mean, before walking up to her and saying those words, I had made sure no one was within earshot.Regardless, Haylee whispered, “Can we do this in Jodie’s room?”I nodded and walked behind her with shopping bags she didn't seem to notice in one hand. A thought crossed my mind as we drew closer to Jodie’s room, and I shared it with Theo, “She calls Jodie with affection and familiarity. Am I the only one she refers to with fear and formality?”“Huh? I bet it’s you and Allison, so you have nothing to worry about,” Theo chimed, and for a sec
HAYLEE~~I was speechless. His words, his expression, his tone, and the softness of his scent as he spoke to the damaged little girl within me—all of this stunned me into speechlessness and drove me to tears. He wrapped his arms around me so delicately, holding me against his chest. I shouldn’t be thinking about Leo right now, but he was the first male that held me and made me feel safe. However, Alpha King Xalen was the first man who held me, made me feel safe, and made my heart race. Even Alpha Jett couldn’t come close. What was I saying? He never held me or spoke to me softly.“Seriously?” Liya’s voice broke into my mind. “A normal female would be over the moon right now. You are being held by the Alpha King of the territory, Hay. Stop thinking about the lies of Leo and Alpha Jett.” “I have never been happier,” I confessed to my wolf, sniffling back happy tears as I rested my head on Alpha King Xalen’s chest, listening to his heartbeat, which sounded like a melodious rhythm.
ALPHA KING XALEN~~Mornings and nights have become my favorites. I wake up to Haylee in the morning and share breakfast with the family before facing the rest of the world. And at night, I get to leave the chaos behind, return to my loved ones, and fall asleep with Haylee in my arms.But today, this cherished morning had to end earlier than usual. In that moment, I worried it would be yet another tough day for my mate and me.“It’s Roy. You might want to see this,” my cousin’s voice boomed through the room before I could even open the door.Sophia and Asher had been hanging on me as I stood there, but as soon as they saw Roy, they jumped on him instead, giving me a moment to compose myself after the strenuous dancing and singing.“You call that singing? Haylee calls it a sound. A bad sound,” Theo mocked me through the link.Roy’s cry for help snapped me out of it. “Can you get one of them off me? I’m not a father yet, and this is pure torture.”“More like practice, brother,” I quip
HAYLEE~~I cried my heart out to sleep last night. I was sad after the meeting with Kaylee, and even though Flavai tried to console me, I couldn’t shake off the mood. I thought sleeping early would help me relax, and I yearned to reach out to Aradia so we could talk.Before I went to bed, Jodie was cranky, and she wouldn’t stop crying until I carried her. I didn’t know when I fell asleep with her in my arms, but it was a good sleep. It was as if she was crying to reach me so she could comfort me, even though other people had failed to do so.Jodie just happened to be my little comforter.That was the first thought that came to mind as I slipped out of the sleep realm that morning. Although I didn’t get to connect with Aradia, I woke up feeling less sad, and I didn’t understand why until my eyes fluttered open and instantly connected with Xalen’s happy eyes.“Good morning, sleeping beauty.” Xalen’s voice and love rushed into my mind as he spoke through our mate bond.His eyes twinkl
ALPHA KING XALEN~~In that moment, my pack members got their priorities right. I could feel it in my bones, yet I added, “Protesting to have Haylee punished for being a good person caught in the middle of bad ones or evil would mean you are ready to have Alpha Richard as your Alpha and King.”To clarify, I added, “Yes, I will stop being your Alpha and give the pack to him. He and his family will lead you, and just like now, when they commit a crime or treat you unjustly, you won’t be able to prove it. Even if you can, the court will be against you, and your fellow pack members will wage war against you until you die in silence or get killed despite your innocence.”For a few minutes, I didn’t utter another word. I needed everything I had said to sink into the hundreds of minds listening to me.After a while, I continued, “I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about leaving after I found out that Laura was used against me. I wanted to give up because I was tired of losing ever
ALPHA KING XALEN~~After many hours of secret meetings with the ten elders who had come forward to take an oath of loyalty, I thought to check on my mate before moving on to speak to every member of the pack.She has been on my mind all day, and I worry about her.However, I knew I had to get this done before going to Haylee so I could give her my full attention. With that thought in mind, I shoved my desire to see her to the depth of my stomach, looking around my empty office as I opened my mind to every member of the Royal Pack, creating a general link so everyone could hear me.Everyone but the little kids under the age of thirteen.My pack members' curiosity could be felt through the link I created, but since I was their Alpha, that feeling wasn’t overwhelming. I could control it.I breathed into their minds, “Good evening, members of the Royal Pack. As you can tell, it’s your Alpha and King, and this is a general message for all of you.”I managed to calm my nerves, sealing my
HAYLEE~~“He would never have loved me if I didn't force him to. Hell, he is tolerating me because of what I know. Even now, he doesn't love me.” Kaylee smiled sadly.Her eyes were on me, and her sadness burned through the protective layer of my skin.I wished I could tell her that wasn't the truth, but at this moment, I knew nothing.“He would have loved you more than he loved me because he loved your mom more than he loved mine,” Kaylee stated, her voice blunt with no emotion. “Maybe if I didn't make him hit you, he would have felt love for you instead of the guilt I know he carries in his heart.”It was hard to believe Kaylee was the reason I got beaten. I mean, yes, I have always known she lied to our dad just to watch me suffer, but it was hard to believe she asked him to, and he did.Leverage or not, it doesn't feel right.Kaylee continued on that path, though, saying, “I couldn't let that happen, so I ruined his chances with you, threatening him every day so he couldn't hurt
HAYLEE~~Would I have turned evil and mean if I’d found out that my dad cheated on my mom when I was five years old?I asked myself that before I heard the rest of Kaylee’s story, and my answer was no.But if I had waited until she finished, I believe my answer would have been different.“Like all lying assholes, Dad didn't tell my mom that he cheated on her. And even though she felt the pain when he did the deed with your mom, he denied it and blamed her pregnancy for everything, saying it was just an early sign,” Kaylee breathed, adjusting her position on the floor where she’d sat since she entered the room.I let her continue without interrupting. I noticed tears trickling down her face, her inner child weeping as her heart was broken all over again. I could only imagine the pain Kaylee felt when our drunken father confessed all this to her.And for her to remember it so vividly—that must have hurt so much that she buried it deep in her mind.“My mom believed his lies, but the t
HAYLEE~~“All your life, Dad made you believe that the reason he hated you was because you looked like our late mom, or did he tell you she abandoned us?” Kaylee began. “I can't keep track of the story because it keeps changing.”Rather than tell my twin sister that I felt the same way but knew our mom was still alive somewhere, I let her continue. She added, “Well, I believed that too because he started hating you until I found out he lied about our mom leaving and then dying.”What did she mean before he started hating me? Was there a time Alfred loved me? That man hated me from the second I was born, but Kaylee wouldn’t know that because she is a self-centered brat. Or so I told myself.Still, I didn’t try to correct her. I simply listened.“When we were younger, about five years old, I found a picture of a woman who looked like an older version of me. I have Dad’s eyes and hair, but my face was all from this woman,” Kaylee breathed, holding my gaze. “I don't know if you remembe
HAYLEE~~“Feels like it’s going to be a good day, after all.” Liya chirped happily within me.In that moment, I believed the same because I assumed nothing could ruin my mood, not even meeting with Kaylee and Alfred.I assumed I was ready for anything they had for me. After all, what could be more shocking than the fact that I could communicate with a woman I had never met before and even bond with her?Nothing. I thought to myself, wearing a big smile and holding onto the memories that Xalen burned into my mind and skin earlier today.Since I needed a private place to discuss with Kaylee and Alfred— a place where Allison wouldn’t be lurking around with her minions—I decided to meet with them in Flavia's former room in the Healers’ building.“I am going with you and staying there with you, Haylee. Do you agree?” Flavia asked as soon as she saw me heading for the door.“Do I have a choice?” I laughed freely, oblivious to the shocking revelations that awaited me.“No, you don’t,” Fla
ALPHA KING XALEN~~I knew I should resist her because I had meetings scheduled but I could hear my wolf saying, “Fuck the meeting and the elders,” in my mind. I knew I should fight the urge to slam into her this minute and at least get her to the bedroom, but I couldn't.She was irritable.And even though she acted innocent, she knew I couldn't resist her. The best part of having a bond with Haylee was that I felt the same. Every feeling was mutual—Gosh, I shouldn't call her Haylee anymore. That name seemed to bring nothing but pain, trauma, and disappointment. Hearing her father and sister refer to her as Haylee and Hay made me realize that each time I called her by that name, I was reminding her of everything she should forget.I didn't want that for her. And since everyone seemed to call her Hay—even though she was the Hay to my Xay—I knew I had to come up with a better pet name for her—one that would be special to us.“Time is ticking, King Xalen,” Haylee moaned, trembling wi