Cooper POVAfter shooing out my sister, who has adopted my mate as her new best friend and couldn't care less about my desire to have some alone time with her, I spend the rest of the day trying to take care of Hayley. I'm trying to make up for not protecting her from harm last night, as well as just being grateful that she has forgiven me for the mess I created with Nathan before. I just want to wrap her up in cotton wool and lock her away in my cabin, partly to make sure that she is as ok as she is saying, and partly to ease my guilt. Learning that by rescuing me from the river, she had led that low life right to her door has me twisted up in knots.My wolf thirsts for the vengeance we held back from last night. Every time I see Hayley struggling to do things because of the cast, or when I see the cuts and bruises that cover her arms and legs, he surges forward, trying to go and seek justice shifter style."Cooper, don't take this the wrong way, but you need t

Hayley POV "Cooper," I groan, "seriously, though." I push back a little so my ass is on his knees rather than his crotch. He frowns as he watches me straighten my top. "Fine, spoilsport," He sighs, leaning his head against the back of the couch. "To wolves, nothing is more sacred than fated mates, they would never interfere and they will be ecstatic that I've found mine. It will make me a stronger, better leader. They'll welcome you with open arms. You can expect lots of questions about having pups." "Then why not tell them?" I could understand him wanting to keep it quiet before when I didn't know about their secret, but not now. "It's a lot of pressure Hayley. They'll expect us to be mated and marked immediately, to take over the pack. You've just had your life turned upside down by that asshole, I don't want to be the one to do that to you again." He puts his hands on either side of my face and pulls me back to him for a gentle kiss before shifting

Hayley POV "Ok, spill." My sister saunters in with a plate of biscuits and flops down on the couch beside me, with her back to the armrest, and stretches her legs out across my lap. Her mass of blonde curls hang around her shoulders and her brown eyes sparkle with curiosity. "What do you mean?" I try to play dumb, trying to buy myself some time to sift through what I can tell her and what I can't. She starts to poke me with her feet that are still in my lap until I relent. "Fine. Yes, I'm seeing someone, Cooper, the guy who I rescued, the same guy who stopped James." I say reluctantly, and she sits up straighter and starts clapping her hands excitedly. I groan and cover my face with my hands in frustration. It's way too early for her giddiness, she's always like a ball of energy. "So, tell me what's going on?" She encourages. "He is a great guy Leah, I've never met anyone like him." I gush and she rolls her eyes at me being all mushy before I

Cooper POV I sit in my office, my knee bouncing up and down with nervous energy, as I focus all my senses on working out where Hayley is and where she's going. She's just gotten rid of one stalker, turning into another wouldn't be a good look for me, but having Hayley sleep next door last night, especially after the little show she put on, was absolute torture. Then she was at breakfast this morning, chatting and laughing with everyone who said hello. And there were plenty. Not all of them were just being friendly. It's exactly what I wanted, for her to see what pack life is like, but it's not how I pictured it at all. I need to see her alone. I tossed and turned until I finally gave in and took care of myself to that image I had in my head of taking her in the shower. It's not even close to the same thing but it took the edge off. I'm fucked if she keeps this up. I have to go to the resort this afternoon with my mother to set up for the conf

Cooper POV A long cold shower and an evening finalizing seating arrangements, presentations, and dealing with daft requests was my self-inflicted penance for trying to be a good guy. Rex mind links me as their car is pulling up, telling me that the car journey was enlightening but that's all he'll say. All his traveling the world has still left him a man of very few words. I dread to think about what's coming my way over the next few days, the weekend hasn't even started and I'm already exhausted. I am standing in the lobby, trying to make small talk with the other guests at the conference, including a spoiled little Alpha's daughter called Stephanie who seems determined to drag me into a private conversation with her. I feel like screaming but nod politely instead and edge away from her. Rex: You are going to need to chill out when we come in, ok? Cooper: What do you mean? Rex: Just take a deep breath Rex wa