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CHAPTER 61: BONDING TIES

Author: Lizzy Fash
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-04 16:43:39

HAILEY

The moon shone brightly overhead, casting a glittering gleam across the pack's grounds. My tense nerves were calmed by the chilly night and the pleasant aroma of dirt and pine. Despite the calm exterior, my heart was pounding with restless intensity. There was an impending storm that I could barely comprehend, yet it was unavoidable. I was staring out over the grounds below from the balcony of the Alpha house. As spies patrolled the outskirts and warriors trained well into the night, the pack was a hive of activity. They kept a close eye out for the unknown threat that appeared to loom just beyond the darkness. A gentle tap on the door interrupted my slumber. "Please come in. The door opened, and Isaiah entered, his face looking down; his past, particularly his relationship with Selene, weighed heavily on him even if he had shown himself to be a valued ally. "Hailey," he said, his voice tentative and low. "We need to talk." I folded my arms across my chest as I turned to face
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  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 62: THE QUEEN'S RESOLVE

    HAILEYThe packhouse shone silver in the light of the full moon, but I didn't notice its beauty. I held onto the railing of the balcony until my knuckles turned white. I couldn't turn my eyes from the blackness that beckoned me with its secrets countless beyond the clearing. A burden—Isaiah's caution, Logan's sobering tale—had settled upon me. The wind was filled with Azure toxins, and Aaron wasn't anywhere to be found. I just kept re-mentally retracing myself over that which had entered my mind previously: "Beware, my queen, for the storm draws in closer than thou dot imagine." Ah, a storm. I'd waited long enough for it to catch up to us. I spun back around, my willifying into steel. I would not simply stand by and watch Aaron get into harm's way. Logan and Marissa were standing at the back of the big map table in the war room, their voices low but focused. Worrying shadows over his eyes, Isaiah leaned on the back wall. Logan was speaking, his jaw clenched, "We've searched the southe

    Last Updated : 2025-03-04
  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 63: VAMPIRE KING

    AARONA dark reddish light gleamed off my wrist chains, and flames incinerated through me in torture. Yet I refuse to scream, mumble or show any weakness that'd make me even more of a target to him. Beneath me, the runes on the stone altar pounded with evil force, crushing not just my talent but my wolf's soul as well, Hades. Hades howled out, his voice strained but unyielding, "You have to wait." She's coming. We'll be found by Hailey. But with the passing of the hours, my faith started to fade. Despite Hailey's pack being powerful, this was Azure. He possessed old power and cunning tricks. His presence was as suffocating as the chains on me, and as he strode ahead of me, the shadows in the room seemed to whisper his name. "Your time is being wasted," I curse at him. "Go hang yourself on a rope, everything will work out fine." My throat hurt when I spat. Azure sneered just as cruelly as the rest of him turned his icy, calculating eyes on me. "Will it? Or are you simply too blind to r

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  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 64: FRAGILE PEACE

    RYANMy anger erupted the moment Hailey entered the packhouse, smirking in disregard of her filth. She was away for hours from the protection of the packhouse to rescue Aaron all by herself. My mate, my pup's mother, had voluntarily endangered herself without so much as a thought about what would happen to me, to our pups. Logan, seeming to give up without speaking, trailed along behind her, looking far too calm for my liking. "Hailey!" I snapped, the annoyance of an Alpha rich in my tone. She ceased her step halfway and turned her head, looking at me and faltering with her smile. She said to me, "Ryan," holding out her hands as if placating me. "No," I growled advancing on her "Stop 'Ryaning' me." "What were you thinking?" Hailey squared her shoulders, her chin rising obstinately. "I was thinking of Aaron. He was in trouble, and we couldn't just sit here twiddling our thumbs-" "And you thought that it was such a wonderful plan to put yourself in danger? "I snapped her off. "Hailey, y

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  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 65: PAST AND NEW THREATS

    HAILEY The air was still heavy with the suffocating tension of Azure's abrupt presence. After we hurriedly packed up the picnic and hustled everyone back to the packhouse, the children were situated in their dormitories. The uneasiness, however, stuck to me like a second skin. I was pacing Alpha's office with a lot of thoughts and anxieties running through my head. Ryan's sharp eyes followed me as he leaned on the desk with his arms folded. His voice did seem to steady me. "Hailey," he stated firmly. "You need to sit down and breathe." "I can't," was my brusque, non-malignant reply. "He approached our kids. Do you know what this means? He came at our kids without anyone being able to stop him; what can't he do at this point?..... "Breathe Hailey" Ryan pulls me to him and continuously soothingly rubs my back to calm me. "It means he's trying to rattle us. And it's working." I finally exhaled, my hands shaking as I balled them into fists. "We have to do something. We can't just wait

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  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 66: REVELATION IN THE MOONLIGHT

    RYAN I had done everything I could to discourage Hailey from coming with us, considering that Ares wasn't easy on her, but she simply ignored me, changed her clothes then joined us. As we made our way into the thick woodland, there was a sense of tension in the air. Isaiah, Logan, Marissa, Hailey, and I made up the search party. Silvery shadows were produced on the woodland floor by the moonlight that penetrated through the canopy above. Even though the night was quiet, my wolf, Ares, was restless and paced inside of me with a sense of urgency that matched mine. The more we looked, the more we realised that Aaron and Lyna were out there, someplace. From ahead, Logan said, "I smelt him again." There was a note of uncertainty beneath the sharpness of his voice. "It's fresh but faint." We quickened our pace, following the trail. The aroma of pine and dirt combined with just a hint of Aaron's unique scent. Despite its faintness, it was enough. The scene before us stopped me cold when we

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  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 67: A GLIMPSE BEHIND THE VEIL

    ISAIAH The night was eerily quiet as I sat in the packhouse meditation room. Deep breathing couldn't alleviate the heavy tension in the air, and I could feel something coming—not just the uneasiness that persisted after Azure's unexpected appearance earlier that evening, but something deeper, more ancient, and it gnawed at the edges of my mind. I closed my eyes and focused, allowing the bond I shared with the moon to guide me. My visions had been getting stronger lately, vivid and unrelenting, and frequently left me with more questions than answers, but they were still very valuable.The world around me started to fade as my breathing slowed, and the familiar smell of the packhouse gave way to the sharp tang of sulphur and ash. When my eyes opened again, I was no longer in the packhouse, but rather in a desolate landscape, with the ground cracked and scorched as if it had been ravaged by a great fire, smoke filling the air, and a dark, oppressive sky swirling with menacing clouds. I

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  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 68: THE DRAGON KING'S ARRIVAL

    HAILEY The day began with the sun shining brightly on the packhouse and the sounds of laughter echoing through the hallways. It was one of those rare moments of calm when the chaos of being Queen seemed like a thing of the past. I was sitting on the floor of the living room watching the triplets—Jermaine, Jaden, and Jackson—play; at two years old, they were a delightful mix of energy and mischief, each showcasing their distinct personalities. Jaden, my little explorer, was stacking wooden blocks with a level of focus that could rival that of any warrior on patrol. “Mommy, look!” Jaden’s voice chirped as he set the last block on his towering creation. “It’s amazing, sweetheart,” I said. I crawl and sit with them making various encouraging sounds to keep them bubbly and happy."It's incredible, my love," I clapped. Even the darkest recesses of my mind might be enlightened by his radiant smile. As grounded as ever, Ryan entered carrying a cup of coffee. Seeing the kids, he whispered, "T

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  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 69: VISION OF FATES

    ISAIAHThe candles cast dramatic shadows across the walls of the half-lit room. The burden of what had transpired lay upon my shoulders as I sat cross-legged on the floor. Signs of something bigger occurring were Azure's perpetual menace, the presence of the Dragon Lord, and the unbalance building in the supernatural realm. I closed my eyes and turned to the holy strands which tended to spin themselves into my head for solace and counsel. The visions, a double-edged legacy of generations had always come unsought. Tonight, I needed them. The air was heavy with supernatural presence as the room grew quiet. My breathing was slow, and the Packhouse grew quiet. Then it started. The Viewpoint A soft, otherworldly light descended upon me as I stood in a vast, endless expanse. Gold, silver, and emerald were the three roads that glowed dimly before me. There was a figure at the terminus of each road. The first was a tall, dragon with fluid fire-like golden scales. Its sharp eyes were fixed on

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  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 128: ALLIES

    DAVIDThe room was dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the stone walls. Burning sage filled the air with its scent and something far more bitter—dark magic at work.I stood centre, hands clasped behind my back, exuding an aura of authority. But inwardly, my blood churned with impatience. Things were going too slow for my liking. I couldn't take the sluggish progression of things. Hailey should've been mine now, or at least she should've warmed up towards me.Both of the women before me—one my mother, the other a baseline friend—were the only ones I had allowed close enough to stand beside me and fight in this battle. That did not mean I trusted them.Flora, my mother, reclined lazily on a gold chair, draped in a sumptuous emerald robe that appeared to throb with vital energy. The years had not touched her beauty. If anything, she was even more beautiful now, her once-benevolent features sharpened into something deadly."You appear troubled, my son," she purre

  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 127: OLD FRIEND

    FLORAThe mirror beat like a living creature under my fingers. Magic seemed to vibrate through the glass, warping my reflection before it stabilized into something more… recognizable.Hailey was alone in her room, her back to me, shoulders rigid. Her crown had never been suited for her, yet she wore it like a fighter.It was nearly admirable. Nearly.I smiled, lightly touching my fingers to the glass. The connection happened, and the flickering candle flame dancing in her room died. The air was thick with the scent of roses and decay.She felt it.I watched her stiffen, her wolf creeping up from beneath her skin. She slowly turned.And she saw me.Her eyes widened, but she did not move.Good."Hello, Hailey," I whispered, my voice thick with amusement.She didn't blink. Didn't even flinch. She just glared as if daring me to justify my existence.It's been years since I'd taken a good look at her, and she was still the same.Still ferocious. Still regal. Still, the woman who'd brought

  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 126: MEMORY LANE

    AARONThe past had a way of creeping back in, no matter how much I tried to hide it.I'd had a craving for power. No, that was too weak—I'd been obsessed with it. Power was my aim, my constant thought. And Hailey… Hailey had been my fixation, the crown treasure that I believed I ought to have claimed.I had spent years believing I deserved the throne, deserving of her love. If I had been Alpha King and not Ryan, I would be the one standing beside her, ruling alongside her. I had wanted it at any cost, so much so that I had lost myself in its longing.Time had taken away the illusions from me, forcing me to face reality. Then, meeting my mate and having my beautiful Aurora finally subdued my person, and all my unnecessary cravings disappeared. Hailey wasn't ever going to be my own. And power? Power was a momentary flash, a burden that could destroy the very person that held it. I had seen what it did to others, seen how the burden of it had nearly shattered Hailey.And now I was watch

  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 125: EXHAUSTION

    TURTELAThe second I entered my chambers, the weight of it all came crashing upon me.I had held on in that room, standing before my family, as I watched the breaking of a man I had known my entire life. Logan—the hard-as-nails warrior, the father figure who had always stridden so fearlessly—became something raw and broken.And David…That smug, condescending grin. The ring of his laughter echoing, taunting us after his devastation.I clung to the doorframe, shaking hand. I was gasping for breath, constricted chest, scorched throat. I had fought so hard to have some kind of strength in that room, not to break down. But now, here in the privacy of my own chambers, I could finally release it all.A sob of shuddering tore from my throat as I dropped to knees.It was too much.The lying and the betrayal and the war roiling outside our walls. Feeling powerless gnawed at me like a sickness. I was always the bright one, the warm one, the one with the smile that could find humor even in dire

  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 124: FRACTURED VISION

    ISAIAHThe air was thick with heaviness. Magic clung like a heavy fog, the stench of incense and old shadows poisoning every breath I took. My flesh itched as the remnant of David's black magic clung to the packhouse walls, a harbinger of what was to come.All of that was nothing compared to the devastation in Logan's eyes before he shifted and vanished into the shadows.I had seen so much sorrow, could foresee so many losses to come. And yet even my gift—the visions the divine had given me—the visions could not prepare me for the bare, suffocating despair that consumed Logan.Flora had been his everything. His salvation for a lifetime of pain. And to discover that she was never his to begin with? That their bond was an illusion of magic?It shattered something inside him that might never heal.Hailey was where Logan had just left, her jaw set, her fists clenched. Her words echoed in my mind."We have to kill him."And she was right.David had grown beyond what I had foreseen. He had

  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 123: SHATTERED

    MARISSAThe packhouse was eerily silent, as if the walls themselves grappled with making sense of what had happened. Smoke and the bitter taste of burned magic clung in the air, mingling with the raw emotion that radiated from all assembled. My own heart pounded in every beat as I took in the scene before me.Logan—our Logan—kneeling on the ground, broken.I had never witnessed him so broken. Never. This resilient man had never been so broken. Yet even I had no idea how to process all of these new information. Flora had been so devoted and loving to her mate and child so this revelation is simply too astounding. The man who had been a rock of fortitude, who had battled and fought and led wars and defended his daughter with a ferocity that shook the world—cried.Hailey sat next to him, her presence in itself a soothing balm of reassurance, but even she could not repair this. Some wounds cut too deep. Some truths dismantled everything. Flora was her best friend yet she seemed so lost r

  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 122: HEART STOPPER

    LOGANThe grounds groaned beneath me, the motor growled, but I hardly heard it. I was not unconscious of the cold, stinging night air whipping by. I was still unable to understand their words. "Flora was his mother." "His father was Azure." In my imagination, these phrases sounded like battle drums. Flora. My friend, my mate, the mother of my daughter and the angelic human I had loved with every fibre of my being is presently being linked to the one who almost destroyed us all? How is this even possible?. I tried to calm my beating heart, which had suddenly become unsteady, perspirations across my forehead as my knuckles repeatedly shook and the words I had heard settled and dawned on me. Years had passed since she died—gone from me, leaving only memories and an empty spot that I had never occupied. And now, suddenly, the truth was revealed. She had another living child. The son of Azure. I grind my teeth. It was an unpleasant betrayal. This information had dealt me a sudden blow, and

  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 121: SHADOWS DEEPEN

    JACKSONI felt like the wind had been punched out of my lungs.David was Alexia's half-brother?That wasn't some irrelevant piece of information we had overlooked—that changed everything.I turned to Jermaine, my fists tightening. "Are you sure?"Jermaine's expression was serious. He tapped the parchment again. "This record is old, Jackson. There's no mistake. Azure and Alexia's mother had a child before ever meeting Alexia's father. That child was David."I ran a hand through my hair, trying to get my head around it. "So that means." My jaw clenched. "That means he's been lying to Jaden the entire time."Jermaine nodded. "Not just Jaden. All of us."I sucked in a sharp breath. "We have to tell Hailey."Jermaine hesitated. "We have to be careful how we do that. Jaden is already wound up. If we push him too hard, he'll think we're trying to manipulate him."I growled. "I don't care if he gets mad at me. This doesn't involve Jaden anymore. Alexia's involved. And if David is anything lik

  • CLAIMING HAILEY    CHAPTER 120: SHADOW GAMES

    DAVIDI could feel the change in the air.Jaden was stepping back.Not sudden—not a drastic move. But I knew him too well. He lingered a little longer. His eyes lingered a little longer, searching for something he wasn't sure that he wanted to see.I had seen it before. Doubt. It was a powerful thing. A weapon.And I was a master at wielding it.I had to act quickly.I came across him near the training grounds, looking up into the branches of the trees as if in deep thought. Perfect."Deep in thought about something serious?" I joked, my tone light and cheerful.Jaden shifted restlessly, then shook his head once more. "A lot on my mind."I rested against the stone wall beside him. "Jackson and Jermaine, then?"His head whirled around. "How did you—I smiled. "Come on, Jaden. We've been friends for years. You think I don't know when something's wrong with you?"His shoulders relaxed a bit. He wanted to believe me.Good."Let me guess," I continued, looking at him. "They think I'm a thr

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