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CHAPTER 72: LIGHT IN THE DARK
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-09 02:05:35
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CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 73: MOONLIGHT SHADOWS
AARONDespite the peace of the forest surrounding the packhouse, my mind was anything but calm; the weight of fatherhood, the inexplicable nature of my daughter's existence, and the impending threats from forces we hardly understood—it was all too much. But as I looked down at Aurora cradled in Lyna's arms, everything seemed to fade away. Her tiny fingers twitched, her violet eyes fluttering open briefly to meet mine before she fell back asleep. “How are you holding up?” Lyna’s voice cut through my mind.As I sat in the rocking chair we had set up by the window, I looked up at her. Her pale skin seemed to glow in the moonlight, and she was radiant despite the exhaustion lining her face. “I’m not sure,” I confessed, stroking her hair. “One minute I’m terrified out of my mind, and the next, I feel... whole. Like she’s a piece of me I didn’t know was missing.” Lyna smiled, her fingers grazed Aurora’s cheek. “She is. She’s a piece of both of us.” The weight of her words settled over me, a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-09CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 74: AN UNLIKELY BOND
HAILEYThe midday sun highlighted the packhouse windows, warming the living room in which I sat, but I couldn't concentrate because my stomach churned miserably, a familiar ache caused by this pregnancy. Amenia, my wolf, fidgeted at the back of my head, her worry clear. You need to rest more, Hailey. "I've tried," I murmured to myself out loud, tracing the edge of my barely perceptible bump. Despite being only four months pregnant, this one felt larger and more exhausting than the last. I looked up as Adrian entered the room. The vampire king carried his usual look of superiority. His black eyes swept over me with gentle intent, and he exuded sophistication. "Hailey," he spoke in a smooth, honey-toned voice. "You are pale." Too tired to groan, I exhaled long and hard. "Thanks for pointing that out." He inched in silently, his movement as smooth as silk as usual. "Can I?" When I hesitated, it was agony that was in control. I nodded.Adrian descended to his knees before me, the chill pa
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-09CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 75: WHISPERS OF THE UNKNOWN
ADRIANI couldn't help but notice the tension in the air on the pack's grounds. I sensed it in the warriors' training, their eyes more fierce, their actions more precise. It was something more profound and primordial than the triplets' secrets or Azure's impending menace. And Hailey was the first. I saw the soldiers in the pack move in unison as I stood at the edge of the training area. I was envious of their admirable devotion to their queen. Even for me, such kind of loyalty was uncommon. But I wasn't thinking about them. They had her. Hailey. The connection I had with her was different from anything I had ever experienced; it wasn’t romantic—I wouldn’t dare venture into such territory anymorè—but it was profound, a connection that pulled at my very soul. She didn’t know it, but I had been dreaming of her, dreams full of whispers, warnings, and a sense of inevitability. “Adrian.” Isaiah’s voice drew me out of my reverie. The older man came towards me, his face shadowed by a mixture
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-09CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 76: SHADOWS OF DESTINY
RYAN The atmosphere was tense as I strolled through the forest that surrounded the pack’s lands; the moonlight barely broke through the dense canopy above, creating long, eerie shadows that danced with every rustle of leaves; my wolf, Ares, paced restlessly inside me, his agitation a constant pressure on my mind; Hailey’s pregnancy wasn’t just a blessing—it was a storm brewing on the horizon; the bond she had formed with Adrian, no matter how innocent, gnawed at my instincts; and now, with her recent pain and Adrian’s inexplicable ability to calm her, I felt as though I was losing control of the situation. “She’s our mate,” Ares growled; “We protect her, not him.” “I know,” I muttered. I whispered out loud, know. But what are our options? If he can assist her then we let him. Ares snarled once more but stopped arguing. Although he shared my frustration, even he acknowledged that Hailey had seemed somewhat relieved by Adrian's presence. I saw Logan reclining against a tree, his face u
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-09CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 77: A TRAITORS' STRIKE
MARISSA The silence seemed to press against your ears, intensifying every rustle and creak, and the night was calm and eerily quiet. To get my thoughts straight, I had ventured into the woods outside the pack's boundaries. My head was a jumble of ideas from all that had transpired, including the fates of the kids, Hailey's relationship with Adrian, and my own hazardous position as Luna next to Logan. I was always calm in the forest. The tall trees, the earthy smell of bark and moss, and the distant owl's screech served as a memory of my former self before danger and responsibility weighed heavily on me. But something didn't feel right tonight. I started to feel nervous, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on up. I looked around, but I couldn't find anything strange. Nevertheless, Lyra, my wolf, was agitated. In my mind, Lyra snarled, "We're not alone." My muscles coiling in preparation for a fight, I tensed myself. "Who is it?" Despite my uneasiness, I cried out in a forcef
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-10CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 78: A LOYAL SERVANT'S REPORT
THOMASI've forgotten what it means to be human. The master's first thing was to steal our senses from us and leave us numb, but I faltered when I was meant to kill Marissa; the master won't be pleased with this information. I've certainly come a long way since the man who obsessed over Hailey.Azure's den was heavy and stifling with air that seemed weighty with an aura of fear that clung to my body like a second skin. The burning candles cast long shadows on the stone walls, and the faint light did little to drive back the darkness that seemed to pervade this space. I carried the burden of defeat as I traveled down the long corridor. I had left Marissa crippled for weeks, maybe months, but I was not expecting Azure to be satisfied. He required results—completely and absolutely—and anything short of that would not suffice. I approached his enormous chamber's enormous doors. They were hanging over me. They resemble gates of hell descending over me, finely made with depictions of anarch
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-10CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 79: SHADOWS OF DOMINION
AZUREThe air in the lair pulsed with ancient energy that had existed long before this world knew light, and I sat upon my throne, carved from obsidian and etched with the runes of power, with my fingers drumming rhythmically on its armrest. I reminded myself that patience was necessary for all great victories, and mine would be the greatest of them all. As Thomas entered the room, his posture was rigid and submissive; he was loyal, yes, but flawed—like all mortals. His previous report about Marissa lingered in my mind, a mixture of annoyance hung in my head, a mix of annoyance and contentment. Alive yet unable to function. It was a calculated decision, but not one I would have taken. "My lord," Thomas said with a slight bow. I narrowed my eyes and waved him closer. "Talk, Thomas. What's new? He moved forward warily as if he were afraid of crossing some unseen line. "The pack continues to reel. Tensions among Hailey's allies are rising, and she is preoccupied with her pregnancy. My lo
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-10CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 80: VISIONS AND SACRIFICES
ISAIAH The only light in the tiny space was the warm glow of the fire, which crackled softly in the hearth. I was burdened by the weight of my visions, each of which represented a part of the future that I was still unable to piece together. The realms had always been both a blessing and a curse, a gift that ensnared me in a destiny from which I could never break free. But tonight, the visions were darker and heavier. The subtle shift in the air brought with it the subtle smell of earth and pine. I focused and grounded myself in the here and now by closing my eyes. I imagined I could hear the shadows dancing across the walls for a brief moment.The spirits' whispers were urgent and desperate. "Show me," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "What is to come?" The fire flickered, its light dimming as the room grew colder. I felt the pull, the familiar tug of the visions taking hold. My head swam, and the world around me faded into darkness. In the vision I stood on a battlefield, the
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-10
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CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 178: HOME
TURTELANight air was quiet, but there was something moving in the space around us. One moment we were sitting there, tension still thick with all that had happened, and then—I felt it.A tug deep inside me, as if an unseen string had been pulled taut and back into position. A rush of heat washed over me, as if stepping out into a frigid winter's night and into the sun. I gasped, my eyes wide with shock as my heart knew before my mind could."Mother," I whispered.I wasn't alone. Alexia drew in a harsh breath next to me, her hold on the rim of the stone table tightening. Jermaine and Jackson both stiffened sharply, their heads snapping up at the same moment. Aaron leapt out of his chair so fast the chair scraped harshly on the floor.And then, as a group, we moved.No words were ever spoken. We all knew it—the instant she was back. We ran in, our shoes clattering in the corridors, hearts racing with a single, desperate desire.We discovered them in their room.Ryan stood his ground n
CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 177: FIGHT FOR YOU
HAILEYThe air was heavy with the smell of fire and blood. As soon as I entered the room, I saw Ryan.Or Ares.His wolf had emerged fully, and the sight of him sent a shiver down my spine—one not of fear, but of ragged, gnawing worry. His massive body was tense, his muscles rippling as barely repressed fury rolled off him in waves. The golden sheen of his irises had been darkened to black, the edges dancing like the embers of a dying fire.And at his feet—nothing but ash remained.Azure was gone. Not dead—destroyed.Ryan—Ares—had seen to that.The smell of charred flesh still hung in the air, but it wasn't what caught my eye. It was how his body shook, not with fatigue, but with rage barely in check. The monster within him was still fighting to get blood, still fighting to tear something—someone—limb from limb.He was losing it. Losing control to his wolf's instincts.And if I didn't stop him now, he would never come back.I crept forward, slowly, slowly, very slowly."Ares," I breath
CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 176: FREEDOM
RYANAgony.It started as a dull ache, a pressure in my ribs, then spread like wildfire throughout my entire body. It was like some thing had been wrapped around my soul—tight, choking, unyielding—and now it was being ripped away.I gasped, my head spinning, my muscles freezing as I collapsed onto the cold, wet stone beneath me. The chains that had bound me all these years clattered against the floor, and suddenly—air was mine.The spell was broken.I balled my fists, the rush of power surging back into my veins, my wolf snarling inside me, at last released after months of being suppressed and quiet. I drew in a deep breath, the stale air of my imprisonment now mixed with something else—power. A commanding, familiar, and unbreakable presence.Hailey.She did it.I let out a whoop of breathless laughter, my lips spreading in a savage grin. My mate had broken the spell. And that left only one possibility—anyone who'd placed it there was dead.Athena.I could feel it, the traces of her m
CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 175: PLAN
THOMASThe scent of blood and power hung heavy in the air. I floated through the garden like a specter, in fast, striking hard.Jackson didn't have time to blink before my fist hit his ribcage, and he reeled back into the stone table. His wine glass shattered against it, crimson liquid spreading across the ground like blood.He coughed, rolling onto his side, but I didn't give him a chance to catch his breath. I launched myself at him again, claws extended—A shock of energy struck my side.I was knocked back, crashing through a stone pillar before I landed on the ground with a grunt. Fire coursed through me, but I didn't have time to register it. I leapt up onto my feet as Adrian appeared in front of me, fangs bared.“You’re either stupid or desperate,” he hissed. “Attacking us here?”I wiped blood from my mouth and grinned. “A little of both.”Jermaine and Jaden were already flanking me, their wolves prowling just beneath the surface. Aurora stood behind them, golden eyes glowing, h
CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 173: UNRIVALED SPELLS
AURORA" Damn Auntie, you certainly are queen."I looked at her.At Her.The Queen of All Species. The Unbreakable. The one whose name carried the legends' weight and whispered fear into the hearts of the enemy.And yet, up until this time, I had never truly seen her.Hailey between the dying sparks of magic, power still snapping in the air like a tempest that will not be silenced. Light and darkness curled about her as though the universe knew whom it was dealing with. Outside, wind howled, but inside was only silence—thickness, gagging, wonder-struck silence.I had believed myself strong beforehand. But facing her there, looking at her after what had just transpired between us, I realized something profound."I see now," I gasped, my words struggling to come above the still-pulsing magic.Those eyes turned upon me—aged, knowing, unreadable.I gulped, perspiration tickling against my skin. "I understand why every mighty ruler wanted you as his wife."It wasn't her power, though that
CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 172: THE HUNT FOR ATHENA
HAILEYThe moon rode high in the sky, dropping a chill silver light across the castle grounds. I rested my arms against the railing on the balcony's edge, drawing in deep gulps of the night air. My hands grasped the railing tightly as I fought to suppress the fury simmering in my blood. Ryan was lost. Athena had cursed him. And that could mean only one thing—tonight, we hunted.Behind me, Aurora stepped forward, her golden eyes burning with determination. She had not spoken a word since the devastation in the war room, but now there was a tempest raging inside of her, quietly. Her wolf was restless, hungry for revenge."Ready?" I asked.Aurora nodded, rolling her shoulders. "More than ready."I turned and moved towards the door. We did not need an army to accomplish this. This was a personal matter. Athena had crossed a line, and she would suffer the consequences.As we strode through the castle corridors, the torches along the stone walls started to dance furiously, reacting to the s
CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 171: THE BREAKING POINT
JADENThe air in the war room was so tight you could strangle on it.Jermaine sat at one end of the long wooden table, folded arms crossed over his chest, face immobile. Jackson was leaning back in his chair, scowling as he beat a single, slow finger against the armrest. I couldn't sit still, pacing up and down the length of the room like a caged animal.The silence had lingered for too long.Then Jermaine finally spoke."We must discuss the prophecy."Jackson mocked. "Now you're interested in it?"Jermaine's eyes narrowed. "I've always been interested."I stopped pacing, spinning around to face them both. "Then why do you sound like you're only bringing this up now?" I snapped. "Ryan—our dad—is missing. Can't we be more worried about finding him rather than arguing about some prophecy that's been hanging over our heads since we were born?"Jermaine expelled a rough breath, gazing at me as if I were being silly. "We're not dealing with any prophecy here, Jaden. This one tells us that
CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 170: PROPHECY
ALEXIAThe weight of it all descended upon me the moment I stepped into my chambers. I had barely a breath, a thought, a chance to untangle the chaos that was occurring around us. It was as if the world had decided to come apart at the seams, and we were all just trying not to fall into the abyss.I perched on the edge of the bed, my fingers jammed against my temples. Hailey, Thomas, Isaiah, Jaden, Athena, Flora—too many pieces in motion, too many threats lurking in the background. And in the middle of it all, I was supposed to be stronger, smarter, more capable than I was.My fingers curled into fists. Isaiah.He had looked… tired. No, not just tired—drained. His presence, usually so steady and enigmatic, had been unraveling before my eyes. And Jaden—he had wanted answers, but the anger in his eyes had been too much, too un contained. If I had not intervened, I had no idea what would have happened.I got up and left the room, my strides quick and determined. There was no time for bro
CLAIMING HAILEY CHAPTER 169: CONNORS DEATH
THOMASThe stench of sweat and blood clung thick in the air as I stepped into the dungeon, the torches flickering to send leaping shadows across the cold stone walls.Bound to the heavy chains screwed into the floor was Connor, self-proclaimed King of Bears. His massive frame rested forward, but even in chains, he was a giant—a monster barely restrained. The fool had actually tried to attack me. Big mistake.His amber eyes snapped to mine as I entered, brimming with raw fury. Good.I had wanted him angry.I had wanted him desperate.Because desperation made men stupid. And stupid men made mistakes."You've finally risen to confront me, coward?" Connor swore, blood frothing on his lips. He strained at the chains, testing their limits, muscles distending. "I should have known you'd creep back to this world. Only vermin won't lie still dead."I smiled and approached him. "Watch it, Connor. Warnings aren't going to get you out of this one."His laugh was low and guttural. "Save me? From y
