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Haley’s POV

“I’m not opening the door, so quit it and leave me alone,” I shouted as I laid on my bed, staring at the white ceiling.

Another knock on the door, followed by his desperate voice. “Haley please,” 

“I didn’t mean what I said. I’m sorry,” He muttered.

I rolled my eyes and sat up, glancing at the door.

Can't we forgive him this time? My wolf asked. She just wanted to see her mate while my demon wanted to snap his head.

Only one day passed, and he was getting on my nerves. 

So, as promised, the guys came in the morning, so we could discuss further details. I invited the vampire king, who is also my uncle, and that asshole outside my room broke his car by accident.

Why did I ask Ashton to teach him how to control his wolf? I messaged the bridge of my nose to calm myself down.

Ashton's wolf after I gave away Payton was hurt and sad. So for a year, he refused to show up. He couldn't shift to his wolf for a year, then he met his mate, and that made his wolf come back.

That was the reason I let Ashton handle it. He passed through grief 

Continuous knocks on the door made me groan. “Well, go tell them you’re sorry because I'm not accepting your apology, now fuck off!” I yelled, feeling my demon taking control.

I closed my eyes and breathed in, blocking her. If she became in control, there would be a bloodbath.

Silence. I opened my eyes, realizing the sudden silence.

He finally left me alone.

My demon stirred inside of me, wanting to dominate me. Anger was the reason she broke through the mind wall. I didn’t hunt for over a year now, and I wasn't planning to have her in control.

What I need is fresh air and a nice run in the woods.

I got up and tiptoed my way to the door in case he didn’t leave the hallway. His shadow appeared underneath the door.

Great! How was I supposed to leave when he was sitting right outside my room.

My eyes roamed the room and fell on the window, a smile plastered on my lips as an idea popped up in my brain.

My room was on the third floor, so it was a high jump. I didn't care and decided to jump; I needed to walk in the fresh air to calm my demon down.

I walked to the window and peeked outside. There was no one outside the packhouse or near the woods.

No, it’s high. Let’s stay in the room better. My wolf suggested, hoping to change my mind.

“Too bad we’re jumping,” I whispered as I sat on the window frame. I glanced at the ground and pushed myself.

Feeling air hit my face as I fell from the third floor. I closed my eyes, preparing myself for the impact, then I opened my eyes as I felt my feet touch the ground. I glanced back at the house and smiled.

“Nothing can stop me,” I mumbled.

We aren’t doing this again, never. She whimpered and hid behind the mind wall.

I chuckled and ran towards the forest, then stopped at a good distance. I stripped out of my clothes and shifted to my wolf. Enjoying the breeze of air as it brushed over my brown fur, I took my clothes in my mouth and ran deep into the forest.

Finally, some time for myself. I thought.

I reached my regular spot in the woods. The smell of fresh pine surrounded me, I could hear the waterfall at a distance. I dropped my clothes and shifted back. A smile of satisfaction was drawn on my lips as I glanced at the waterfall. 

I wore my clothes and sat down on the dirt, putting my feet in the cold water. Whenever I felt my demon rise, I came here to meditate and relax.

I snapped my head towards the woods as I heard branched creaking. I got up and got into a fighting position, my fangs were out ready for whoever was coming.

A huge brown wolf came out from behind a bush and stood five feet apart from me. He lowered his head and shifted to a human.

“Don’t attack.” He shouted as held his hand out to stop me and the other one covering his member.

My eyes widened as soon as I saw who he was, I instantly turned my head to the side as he stood completely naked. I felt the blood rise to my cheeks, and I blushed.

“Chris, are you crazy? I was about to kill you.” I hissed.

He kept repeating sorry under his breath.

“You can look now.” I turned my head and looked at his face, trying not to stare at his perfect six-packs and toned chest.

“Why did you follow me?” I asked, crossing my arm close to my body.

“I wanted to fix what Scott did earlier. So, the guys and I came out with an idea.” I narrowed my eyes at him.

Well, it was beyond fixing, but I’ll give them a chance to try.

They would fail anyway. My uncle was a hot-headed who hated werewolves. Whatever their idea was, it wouldn't convince him to be with us.

“I’m all ears.” I waved my hand for him to start.

He licked his lips and talked. “It’s a hard decision, but it’s worth our shot. Didn’t the vampire king have a land century ago?” I nodded my head slowly.

I didn’t like where he was going, but here I was listening to him.

“The rogue king took it for a decade now and the vampires didn’t get it back, so-“

“We get it back for them. Sorry to break it for you, but the vampires don't care that much about that land anymore.” He knitted his eyebrows, waiting for me to explain why.

I sighed and sat down on a rock behind me. He moved closer and sat on the ground. “They wanted the land because it had something special. Gabriel, the rogue king, destroyed it. So it’s useless.” 

Gabriel destroyed the only thing that could save my sister. She could've been alive right now, but things never went as planned.

“Wait, are you talking about that shiny red stone?” He asked.

I frowned. Chris was in his late twenties. The stone was one century old; it belonged to shapeshifters and was last seen a hundred years ago when they vanished. I guess it caused their existence.

Only hybrids and old vampires knew its existence.

The shapeshifters used it to protect themselves and to stop themselves if they fell in the wrong hands. It was a tricky weapon, and they were the only ones who knew how to use it.

“The phoenix stone, right?” He lifted his eyebrow.

I stared at him and mumbled. “Yeah, that’s the one,”

“Did you see it?” I asked, and he nodded.

“The stone was found months ago, along with a dagger. It’s with Nate. Do-“

I didn’t let him continue and ran back to the pack. 

The stone was dangerous to stay in any pack. 

I noticed the guys chilling outside the packhouse; I took in a breath and approached them with a small smile on my lips. I didn't want to worry them or else they could turn away from me.

Chris came and stood behind me. He bent over, trying to catch his breath. “So, she liked the plan?” Hayden asked.

I pursed my lips. “Sorry to break it to you, but no, it was a terrible plan,” I said. I even didn't hear it to the end, but it was a terrible plan.

 A look of disappointment was across their faces.

“Chris, I told you man that I was the one to get here on with us. She wouldn’t resist my sexy looks.” Nate winked at me and I rolled my eyes.

A growl came in the background, and my eyes met Scott's. He was standing in a distance. 

Nate turned his head towards Scott and smiled innocently. “I’m just joking, chill.” 

I snapped my fingers, gaining their attention. They all looked at me. “I have a better plan,” I started telling them about the stone and its history.

After I was done, I looked at Nate’s pale face. “I’m going to die.” He blinked.

“No, you idiot. We’ll tell them you didn’t know it was the phoenix stone, just don’t mention that you knew it could kill them or they will you… ugh nevermind.” I forced a smile on my face as Nate's face dried out of colors.

"Just focus and it’ll be a piece of cake,” I continued.

Terror was written all over his face, he just stared at the ground with wide-open eyes. I nibbled on my lips, feeling guilty for freaking him out like that.

All of us only saw the second war, where Gabriel used my sister as his weapon, destroyed the only way to stop her, and murdered my parents.

Jayden slid his arm around Nate’s shoulder, which helped him relax a bit. “Anyway, all in favor of Haley’s plan, raise your hand,” Clay said. 

All of them raised their hands except Scott, they turned their heads in his direction.

I glared at him, and he shrugged his shoulder. “Scott,” I said in a bitter tone, and he hummed in response. 

“Do you know that you are a pain in the ass?” I growled.

I wanted to yank his head off. I could feel my demon slipping out again, I formed fists with my hands, clenching them tightly, feeling my nails digging deep in my skin.

He strolled to my spot, his eyes were staring into mine. We were having a silent fight with eye contact. “And you’re getting us killed. Those bloodsuckers will kill us after they take their stupid stone,” he scowled.

His icy stare made me grow uncomfortable. “Maybe they won’t kill their own bloodline, so go by yourself instead of risking their lives.” He pressed his lips firmly together and crossed his arm. I didn’t move a limb or blink. 

I was embarrassed; he scolded me like a child in front of these alphas. 

He was being a jerk, but he was right. They wouldn't kill me. If they knew a werewolf had the only thing capable of vanishing vampires like what happened to shapeshifters, they would take it as a threat and call everything off.

I lowered my head, averting his gaze. “Fine. I’m doing it on my own.” I pushed his shoulder, walking past him.

I walked into the house and headed to my office.

On my way to the office, I passed Ashton who gave me a funny look. I got into my office and locked myself in.

My eyes fell on the mirror and I noticed my eyes were bloody red. 

I gulped down my saliva, having the feeling of thirst. Crap! Because of this anger and Scott getting on my nerves, my demon was out.

I tried to regulate my breath and lock her in again, but failed.

A knock on the door brought me back to reality.

I leaned back on the door and held my head as thousands of scents crossed my nostrils. I could hear every heartbeat in miles.

Blood. I needed blood to fill in my thirst.

“Haley, open the door. I brought you blood bags.” It was Ashton’s voice.

I immediately cracked the door open. He gave me five blood bags through the tiny opening and shut the door.

I struck my fangs in the transparent bag of blood and drank it. I could feel my human side retrieving as I satisfied my demon needs.

I never lost control like this.

This mate thing was weakening me. After what happened a minute ago, I couldn’t sense my wolf any near. She was sad.

After finishing the blood bags. I looked at myself in the mirror. Blood around my lips made me clench my fist. I punched the mirror, reliving the anger I kept inside me all day.

The glass fell from the mirror, cutting into my skin, and some landed on the carpet. I picked a big piece of the shattered glass and stared at my reflection.

Lily flashed in the mirror, replacing my reflection.

She wanted to talk. After ten years of trying to reach her and she finally responded.