CARTERAs I left the hospital, I spotted Xavier's car heading in the same direction that I came from and I instantly became bothered.Xavier was not someone associated with emotional or romantic feelings because he was without a mate so seeing him care so much about Hailey made me cringe.I didn't know what he was up to and I didn't care. I just hope he realized Hailey was my wife, fake or not.Quickly, I sidelined these thoughts and likened it to overreacting. Perhaps, Xavier wasn't going to the hospital. He was probably going to see a friend, I thought I then focused on the goal at hand. Go home, freshen up and immediately go back to the hospital, just immediately Hailey wakes up.I stepped on the accelerator and sped to my home. Without wasting time, I freshen up, changed to a clean cloth and then I went to Hailey's room and packed a bag comprising of all her essentials.After that was done, I got into my car and began my journey back to the hospital. On the way, I spotted a black
HAILEYAfter Carter's yelling, I resumed work the next day. The whole day, I had ignored Carter and it was easy because he ignored me too.The only time we spoke to each other was work related. Our relationship had basically turned to that of employer and employee. There was no use speaking to him, I was making his wish come through by treating him as air. That way, he wouldn't address me as a liability next time.Soon it was time for lunch but I had no intention of going out for lunch. I didn't have any appetite whatsoever, perhaps it was because I was still recovering from sickness or maybe, I just wasn't happy enough to eat.While focusing on my computer screen, I sensed someone approaching me but I didn't look up. Hopefully, the intruder would sense my disinterest and leave me alone but wishes weren't horses....Malachi approached me and I stood right in front of me. "Hailey, it's glad to see you're back." He said, smiling cheerfully."Thank you" I looked up at him with a polite
HAILEYEven through my blurry vision which was clouded by tears, I could still see how Malachi persisted in his assault, not once listening to my pleas.I never for once likened Malachi to be someone like this, though he made me uncomfortable, I didn't ever think of him as such.After he ripped my blouse, he tried to go for my bra next but suddenly, I summoned courage and maybe strength, and I grabbed his arm, holding it still."Get your filthy hands off me" I said, my voice sounded unrecognizable like I was being controlled by something or... someone.My grip on his arm tightened, making him wince. I could see the shock and panic in his eyes even though he tried hard to hide it."H..Hailey" he stuttered, "what's wrong with your eyes?"I didn't process Malachi's words as I felt like I wasn't in control of my body. All that ran through my mind was to deal with Malachi for harassing me.I twisted his arm in a direction I knew it wasn't made to go, making him groan in pain.Marvelled by
CARTERThrough my see through glass, I could see Hailey sitting in her desk. I resisted the pressing urge to walk up to her and talk to her but I couldn't. But I couldn't, I shouldn't.I needed to show Hailey that she wasn't in control of me. I wouldn't let mere words from her, change my supposed line of action.If this was a game of silent treatment, I'd win. It's high time I put a leash on my feelings.I had thought Hailey would fold first but even as she came to submit a document, she spoke formally, not for once crossing the line of employer and employee.Though I hated to admit, it was frustrating. Her, not speaking to me made me cranky. I had force myself to focus on something other than her.Soon, it was time for clocking out and usually, we went home together, with me calling for her but this time, I decided not to.Instead, I passed right in front of her, secretly hoping she'd speak to me or at least follow me but Hailey sat still, not even looking up to acknowledge me.I was
CARTERI sat in my office, behind my desk, watching the CCTV footages of the company that Malachi had gotten me.The screen in front of me showed Hailey working on her computer, nothing was off there but either way, I focused my attention on her, careful not to miss a thing.The next scene in the footage showed where I passed by Hailey and she didn't look up, even after I had passed. I couldn't believe that she didn't care whether I waited for her to go home or not.I shook my head to clear those thoughts, as it wasn't the priority on ground at the moment. I narrow my eyes and focused back on the computer screen.After about few minutes, I saw Hailey turn off her appliances and leave the office. That was it! Nothing else happened."Is this all?" I looked up at Malachi, who stood in front of me, refusing to leave after delivering the footages."Yes," He nodded and proceeded to say, "It wasn't tampered with at all."'I didn't say it was', I wanted to say out loud but decided against it
CARTER "Malachi harassed me" Hailey's words repeated in my head several times and I tried to process what I had just heard. "What?!" I said in disbelief. Malachi harassed her? I just couldn't believe it. I had worked with Malachi for some time now and he had proved to be nothing but reliable and trustworthy. "I knew you wouldn't believe me" Hailey muttered dejectedly and rose from her seat. It was then that my mind fully registered Hailey's words. Malachi had assaulted her! I definitely won't be lenient with him. "I believe you." I told her, standing up and then muttered to myself, "but he's not gonna believe what I'll do to him." I strode out of my office and Hailey ran after me, "where are you going? What will you do?" Funny enough, Hailey sounded extremely concerned for someone who had hurt her. It made me more furious than I already was. Though she tried to act tough, she was too good for this world. When I made a promise to Hailey that I'd protect her, I really meant it.
HAILEYAs I sat beside Carter on the couch, my mind replayed the events that had just taken place. I didn't expect Carter to stand up for me like that. He even chased Malachi out of the pack all because of me!"You didn't have to go that far" I voiced out my thoughts in the lowest voice I could muster."Huh?" Carter said as he absentmindedly caressed my hand which was entwined with his and set on his laps."You shouldn't have chased Malachi out of the pack. Withdrawing him of his position was enough punishment. I've caused more harm than good since I arrived here" The latter part of my sentence came out as barely a whisper."I don't regret shit and if anyone else should mess with you, I'll do worst than I did today. So get used to it, Hailey." Carter said, his expression showed that he couldn't get more serious than this. I stared at Carter in silence wondering who this man was. He was like a rose. At times, he's sweet and rosy while other times, he's unbearable and full of thorns."
CARTERI carefully set Hailey down on the couch to sleep. I didn't mind her taking a break from work, I would work all night for her, as long as she got the rest she needed.After I was certain she was comfortable, I got out from my office and took the elevator straight to the rooftop. I knew he'd be there."Surprisingly, you're back early" I said to Xavier as I strolled to meet him."I underestimated him" Xavier said, "Malachi is missing, before I could reach him, he disappeared. It seems as though he ran away. We need to be careful.""He wouldn't try anything." I tried to dismiss Xavier."Carter," Xavier called me by my name for what seemed to be the first time in a long time, "Malachi was your beta. He knows a lot about you and the pack. There's a high chance he'd come back for revenge. Do not make the mistake of underestimating your enemies, that's not you"I nodded. Xavier's words made sense. Malachi had threatened me by saying it won't be the last time I'd get to meet him. I had
HAILEYEPILOGUECarter has been the best father to our daughter, Amelia. From the day he found out about my pregnancy, he had been nothing but caring.Every weekend, we always went shopping for baby items, even without knowing the gender of our baby.And when our baby was finally born, Carter's joy knew no bounds. Whenever Amelia cried at night, he'd ask me to rest while he fed her the milk and rocked her to sleep.He even abandoned the company for Xavier in order to be with me and Amelia. He was ever present and I didn't have any complain whatsoever. My only fear was that she'd grow up to be a daddy's girl and forget me.Carter treated our daughter exactly how I wished to be treated by my father. Everyday, when I thought I'd seen the end, Carter would come up with new ways of loving Amelia. I wouldn't be surprised if her first word was his name.After my rebirth, I had never thought I'd find love again. I had given up on it and planned that after carrying out my revenge, I'd start a
CARTER"She's really grumpy and demanding but I love every second of it," I said, knotting my tie."I'm sure you do." Xavier replied, "I'd even mistake you for the carrying the child because of how happy and healthy you look," Xavier's comment made me laugh. He was right as I had heard the comment several times. A lot of people said I was enjoying the process of fatherhood way to much and my reply was always the same,"Becoming a father to Hailey's and my child was the best thing that has ever happened to me in my entire years of existence." Though the pregnancy made Hailey act up and become easily irritated with everything including me, I didn't mind. I loved every single moment of it and because of that, I now had a journal where I document each day of her pregnancy. Her food cravings, her likes and dislikes and so much more.Another thing about Hailey was that the pregnancy made her conscious of her body. She'd stand in front of a mirror and comment on how fat and out of shape sh
CARTERHailey's behaviour left me worried as this was the first time I had seen her this way. After she threw up, I couldn't help but notice how deathly pale she looked and the fact that she didn't touch her food made me scared.I found it difficult to concentrate as my mind thought of several reasons as to why she looked pale. Perhaps was she sick with a deadly, incurable disease? Due to how deep in thought I was, I didn't notice when Xavier walked in, until he placed a document on my table and muttered, "Earth to Carter.""Oh" I looked at him, "When did you come in?""Not long ago," He replied, taking a seat, "What's on your mind?""Hailey," I replied."What about her?" He asked curiously."I think she's sick.""Why do you have that thought?""Because for the first time ever, she threw up and she looks pale," I sighed, "and when I asked her, she said it's that time of the month. I think she's trying to hide something from me," I placed my elbow on the table and rested my head on it
HAILEYMy relationship with Carter had improved considerable after the honeymoon proposal. We barely argued and we did everything together. He was the sweetest and the most perfect man for me. I had gotten used to his sweet side which he only used for me alone.Carter and I stood in the kitchen, which had become a regular witness to our intimate sessions. But that wasn't the point. We were baking a bread together for breakfast and we were waiting for it to be ready."Do you think it'll come out great?" I asked even though I already knew the answer. Carter was a great good and I envied him for that quality."Of course," He smiled, "Whatever I whisk up must come out delicious. Chefs kiss" He folded his fingers, brought it to his lips and kissed loudly.I rolled my eyes at him with a smile on his face, "Narcissist," I muttered."It'd be a waste to be this good and not show it off, you know that right?"I threw an ugly face at him and he laughed. "Don't tell me you're jealous?" He wrapped
CARTERI stood and stared at the vast expanse of greeny before me.Xavier had told me before hand about Temmy asking me to lead her pack.I knew what she was worried about.Temmy was capable of ruling, but the fear of the Innocent people having to suffer if any mischief came up was the issue.I'd been thinking about it for a while and I decided to finally say it to Xavier.A combined honeymoon, Carter and Hailey, Temmy and I.However we'd have to leave that pack and although the peace was all settled, it'd still take a lot of arrangements to make for a trip like that. "Xavier,"I called from behind as he walked towards me."What are you doing here," I asked and shook my hands." Thank you for accepting Temmy's offer," he thanked and he gave a stoic response."I've something to suggest Xavier," I began and he turned to look at me Interestedly." What is it that you've in stock," he asked as I kept mute."A combined honeymoon," I said and he stood shocked before finally getting a grasp
TEMMYI lay down on my bed, reminiscing about the relationship between Xavier and me.I shook my head to get rid of the thoughts to no avail, they consumed me whole.I'd been thinking about it the whole day, our relationship, my relationship with him.It felt even more different after the incident that happened last.When he told me that he loved me, I felt my heart thump rapidly but it thumped harder when I saw him losing consciousness in my arms.A Small part of me wanted to stop but I couldn't, I struggled harder to stop the rampage Inside of me.But despite all this, he didn't stop holding, despite the chances that it could be his last chance of survival.A thought clicked in my mind, I'd marked Xavier and he had as well, but I had no memories of doing so.Love was sweet and I ran my hands through the mate mark on my body, smiling like a Cheshire cat to myself.The small date, little Jabments of PDA when we both hadn't confessed our feelings to each other, the thrill that came wit
HAILEYMy face burned bright red as I realized what I had just done. "Uhm," I coughed awkwardly, "I..I didn't mean it like that" I tried to come up with an excuse but it didn't seem like Carter bought it."There's no need to retract your words, Hailey." He chuckled deeply, a sound that shamelessly made me want to clench my legs together.I was short of words so I decided to keep mute. Since I met Carter, I have never felt as needy as I felt at that moment and the most surprising thing was that I wasn't under any kind of spell that made my senses become heightened."Do you want me to fuck you or not," Carter asked, staring deep into my eyes, "Tell me you don't crave me as much as I do and I'll turn around and walk away, pretending that this conversation didn't take place."I swallowed the bundle of nerves that had formed in my throat. Of course I wanted Carter. I wanted him to do all sorts of wicked things he could come up with to my body. I wanted him to fuck me until I wouldn't be a
HAILEYI hadn't spoken to Carter since the fight. We just acted like we couldn't see ourselves, we just went about ignoring each other.I tossed around on the bed unable to fall asleep due to the pain of my injuries. I sighed for the umpteenth time as I sat up on the bed, thinking of a way to distract myself from everything.Finally, I decided that ice cream was the best option so I came down from bed and walked out of my room, heading downstairs.The living room was dark, only illuminated by the light coming from the kitchen. I contemplated going back to my room as I assumed Carter was in the kitchen but on a second thought, I walked further. The maids had probably forgotten to turn off the light.But I was wrong. A shirtless Carter stood by the kitchen counter, chugging down a bottle of water, his body on full display. I halted in my track, pondering on my next line of actions.I thought about heading back to upstairs to my room but just as I was about to drag my feet, Carter droppe
XAVIERAfter the chaos, we finally made it home. I towered over Temmy, watching her closely as she slept.She looked incredibly peaceful, a huge contrast to her earlier behavior. But I didn't blame her for that. It wasn't her fault. I could only hope that she was back to normal.Speaking of the incident, I reached for my neck, the exact place where Temmy bit me and absentmindedly caressed it. I wasn't sure if she realized that she marked me which was a way to stake her claim on me.I felt giddy that she remembered me even while struggling with demons. She choose me even while she wasn't in her right frame of mind. I could only hope and pray that she doesn't regret it because then, I wouldn't know how to act.I was glad that no substantial harm was inflicted on anyone as it would have made matters worst. Thinking back, Hailey suddenly crossed my mind so I left to check up on her but not before placing a kiss on Temmy's forehead.In Hailey's room, while she sat on the bed, Carter stood