A Shopping SpreeHayley's POVThe next morning, I woke up late in the morning because I had a long sleep after the exhaustion from the previous day. It was already bright. I stretched out lazily, yawning and I felt the baby shift inside me.Roman was no longer in bed. But my eyes caught the sight of a note kept on his pillow: I opened it."Early meeting. Didn't want to wake you. Love you both." It read.I smiled, running my hand over my growing belly. "Looks like daddy's got a lot busier these days." I told her.As I reached for my phone on the nightstand, it buzzed with an incoming call. Bree's name flashed on the screen as I glanced at it."Hello?" I answered, my voice still husky with sleep."Hayley? It's Bree. Are you okay? I've been worried sick since... well, you know." She began.I sat up straighter, touched by her concern. "Bree! I'm fine, really. How are you?" I asked about her."Never mind me," she insisted, her voice tinged with worry. "Are you sure you're alright? After w
Echoes of Hatred Hayley's POV As Gregory pulled away from the mall, my stomach let out a growl that sounded like a hungry bear yawning. The others erupted into laughter, and it filled the car like a bursting balloon. "Sounds like someone's hungry," Bree teased, poking me gently in the side of my stomach. I felt my cheeks flush, but I couldn't help joining in their laughter. "Hey, I'm eating for two now, remember?" I defended myself. Viola's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Well, we can't have the future Lycan princess going hungry, can we? I know a fantastic restaurant nearby. What do you say, ladies?" She suggested. The idea of a proper sit-down meal suddenly seemed irresistible. "Lead the way!" We agreed. When we arrived at the restaurant, true to her words, it was fantastic like something out of a fancy movie, all gleaming surfaces and soft lighting. As we settled into our seats, I marveled at all the luxury. But Viola and Bree's easy chatter soon put me at ease. "So," Bree
Hurtful Encounter Hayley's POV Before Melissa reached the door, Viola made a last minute decision and opened it. She must have done that to avoid Melissa thinking we were eavesdropping on her in the hallway. We stepped inside and bumped into her, and there she stood, her face twisted into wild fury that could have melted us. For a moment, time seemed to stand still, like in a movie paused at its most dramatic scene. Mom, pretending not knowing she was in the office, spoke at once. "Oh hi, Melissa," she said, her voice as smooth as honey, but I could feel the tension radiating from her like heat from a furnace. Melissa's eyes, cold as ice, swept over us."Well, if it isn't the generation of whores at it again? You're here to continue whoring around my husband just like you've taught your daughter too, huh?" She lashed at my mom. Her words hit me like a physical blow, stealing the breath from my lungs. I opened my mouth to speak, but no sound came out. It was as if Melissa's venom
Peace After The StormHayley's POVAs I entered our home and walked towards the nursery, the sound of bustling activities reached my ears. When I pushed open the door, I was greeted by many people inside.Painters with brushes painting animated cartoons on the walls, and carpenters measuring and sawing the built-in wardrobe.But there, in the middle of it all, stood Roman, supervising everything, and his face lightened up when he saw me."You've already started shopping, I see," he said, pointing to the bags the maids had brought in, packed at a corner."Well, I've brought the painters and carpenters to start their work too." He confirmed it to me.I couldn't help but smile gratefully at his gesture of preparing for our baby too. The wardrobe was taking shape, ready to house the baby's tiny clothes and accessories.The skilled artists were busy drawing perfectly with their skilled hands. It was as if our dreams were being painted into reality before my eyes."That's wonderful," I brea
The King's Roar Roman's POV The morning sun streamed through the windows After I finished my breakfast, savoring the last sip of coffee. My phone buzzed insistently, like an annoying fly that couldn't get away. Glancing at the screen, I saw Lucien's name flashing. "What now?" I muttered to myself, rolling my eyes. With a sigh, I walked out to the balcony, the cool morning air brushing against my skin. I answered the call, my voice gruff and impatient. "Lucien, what is it?" I greeted. His voice came through, a mix of urgency and pleading. "Roman, I need to speak with you. It's important. Can you come to my office?" He demanded. I pinched the bridge of my nose, already feeling a headache coming on. "This better be worth my time, Lucien," I growled. "It is, I assure you. Please, it's... private." He repeated. Curiosity piqued, I agreed. "Fine. I'll be there soon." I assured him. As I drove to Lucien's office, my mind raced with possibilities. What could be so urgent? Did he ha
Connecting With My WolfHayley's POVThe sun was already about to set as I waited anxiously for Viola to arrive. My heart beat hammered like a caged bird, with a mix of excitement and nervousness.I decided to make another attempt at summoning my wolf but I need to be at peace and not in fear like last time I tried it together with Roman, because I was scared of his Lycan form.So I called my mom, Viola, to come when she was less busy. She had promised to come in the evening and that's why I was waiting for her.As if summoned by my thoughts, Viola appeared at the gate of the mansion, and seeing her soothed me like a cool breeze on a hot summer day.She approached me with a gentle smile, and her eyes twinkled with an understanding that only a mother could possess."Ready for your lesson, sweetheart?" she asked, her voice as soft as a lullaby.I nodded, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. "As ready as I'll ever be, I guess." I replied her.Viola chuckled, linking her arm through m
Shopping for a Baby BoyHayley's POVI woke up feeling surprisingly energetic to venture out for another shopping trip. Roman's suggestion about male baby clothes had been constant in my mind, and I finally decided to be done with it.It had been a week since my last outing with the ladies, and I was itching to go out again.As I made my way downstairs with my hand lying on my swollen belly, the doorbell rang. My heart leaped like a startled rabbit. Who could it be? I walked over to the monitor to check who it was.Bree's smiling face greeted me on the screen, and a wave of relief washed over me. I flung open the door and enveloped her in a bear hug, nearly knocking us both off balance."Hey, mama-to-be!" she laughed, hugging me back! "Someone's excited to see me!" She announced.I pulled back, grinning from ear to ear. "You have no idea how glad I am to see you," I said, ushering her inside.Bree's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Well, I'm here to see that nursery you've been talking a
A Game of SeductionHayley's POVThe house was quiet as a tomb when I returned from our shopping expedition. My mind was already churning with ideas. How could I possibly change Roman's mind? The task seemed as impossible as moving a mountain with a teaspoon.Cook him a delicious dinner? Been there, done that. Give him a gift? What kind of gift could possibly sway the Lycan King? He'd probably just raise an eyebrow and politely decline.Feeling lost and a little desperate, I lay on the bed, and the mattress embraced me like a cloud.My eyes landed on my phone, and suddenly, I felt a pang of homesickness wash over me. When was the last time I called Mom? My healed mom, back in San Francisco? She must have missed me too.Before I could think too much about it, I grabbed my phone and dialed her number. The familiar ringing tone was like a lullaby to my ears."Hayley?" Mom's voice came through once she picked. It was warm and comforting. "It's been a while, sweetheart! How are you?" She a
Happily Ever AfterHayley's POVThe morning sun shone through the windows as I stared at the garden below, savoring the beautiful view of it. It was like a gentle whisper of hope, soft and tentative, whispering through my ears. My fingers traced the windowsill, exploring the smooth, weathered wood beneath my touch - each groove and grain a tactile memory of our tumultuous journey. Two days. Just two days since Roman had returned from a battle that had threatened to unravel everything we knew, a conflict that had hovered on the razor's edge of total destruction.Memories cascaded through my mind like fragmented scenes from a nightmare. The metallic scent of blood. The paralysis of fear. That horrifying moment when time seemed to stop, and I believed I might lose everything I had come to love.But not today.Today was different.Today was about healing.About redemption.About hope rekindled.Downstairs, the kitchen was a symphony of preparation. We had hired more cooks for the celeb
A Promising Future Roman's POV I opened my eyes to the soft morning light coming through the windows. The pain in my chest was less now, thanks to the healing I got last night. Rose sat next to me on our bed, her hand gentle on my arm. She looked tired but happy."How are you feeling?" she asked softly, her fingers threading through my hair with such tenderness it made my heart ache. Dark circles circled her eyes, evidence of her exhaustion from last night, but her smile held all the warmth of the morning sun.I caught her hand in mine, pressing my lips to her knuckles, breathing in the familiar scent of her skin. "Better. The healing worked better than I expected." Every word was true – the piercing pain that had threatened to tear me apart was now just a memory."That's good." Her smile wavered slightly, worry dancing in the depths of her green eyes like shadows in still water. "The twins are still sleeping now. But they gave me a hard time sleeping last night. It's like they c
A New Dawn Hayley's POV I paced the hospital corridor as we waited for Dad to wake up. The fluorescent lights shone too bright even though it was already night, making the white walls seem even more clinical. I sat down in an uncomfortable plastic chair and shifted numerous times, my muscles protesting after hours of sitting. Next to me, Viola kept checking her phone, her fingers drumming an anxious rhythm on her thigh. Bree had gone home to rest about an hour ago, practically falling asleep on her feet. I'd insisted she get some proper sleep, promising to call if anything changed. The twins were with Dora, and even though I trusted her completely, my thoughts kept drifting to them. It was the longest I'd been away since they were born. "Family of Lucien Merchetti?" A doctor's voice drew my attention to the doorway. She was young, probably in her early thirties, with kind eyes that crinkled at the corners when she smiled. "You can go in and see him now, but just for a litt
The Final Battle Roman's POVThe private jet touched down in San Francisco just as the sun began its descent behind the horizon. My muscles were tense from the flight, but my mind was sharp, focused on the hunt ahead.Beside me, Caspian checked his phone for the hundredth time, his usual playful demeanor replaced by cold determination."Our tracking team is already working on Scarlett's location," I told him as we climbed into the waiting SUV. "They'll have coordinates for us within minutes." I informed him."Good." Caspian's voice was clipped. "The sooner we end this, the better." He added.As we drove to my wolves' team here in San Francisco, I pulled out my phone to hear from Rose back in New York. My fingers hovered over Rose's number for a moment before I pressed call. She answered on the first ring, her voice tight with worry."Roman? Did you find them?" She asked me.Just hearing her voice made my wolf whine. "We're close. The tracking team is working on it now." I leaned aga
Escape Before DawnRoman's POV We sat at the back of the garden, and the late afternoon shone across the immaculately beautiful lawn. My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin as I watched Scarlett and Stephan exchange their vows, not fooled by the serene facade of this wedding. Everything about them looked fake – the forced smiles, the tension crackling in the air, the way my guards tried to blend into the background while keeping their eyes fixed on Melissa.Rose was beside me, her hand warm in mine, her emerald dress making her skin glow in the fading light. She was trying to keep her composure, but I could feel the slight tremor in her fingers. I found myself thinking about our own future wedding, the one we'd have once all this mess was over. It would be different – filled with joy instead of suspicion, love instead of hatred."You may kiss the bride," the officiant announced, his voice carrying across the hushed garden.I leaned closer to Rose, my lips brushing her ear as I wh
Scarlett's Wedding Hayley's POV I stood before the full-length mirror in our bedroom, pulling down the hem of my emerald green dress for the hundredth time now. I felt nervous.The silk material mused against my skin as I stretched it, but even its luxurious touch couldn't calm my nerves. Today was my sister's wedding—if you could call someone who'd tried to kill you a sister."Stop fidgeting, Rose." Roman's deep voice called from the doorway. I didn't have to turn because I saw his reflection in the mirror before me, and my breath hitched in my throat. He looked devastatingly handsome in his charcoal suit, his dark hair slightly tousled as if he'd been running his fingers through it. His eyes, those piercing amber orbs that never failed to see right through me, held mine in the mirror."I can't help it," I mumbled, smoothing my hands over my stomach. The twins' birth had left its marks, but Bree had chosen this dress perfectly—it hugged in all the right places while still being ap
Three Days of GraceRoman's POVIt was three days before Scarlett's wedding. I was pacing my study in the early morning, thinking. Dawn hadn't yet broken when Caspian arrived and joined me in the study. I had called him earlier. I'd been up for hours now, my wolf restless beneath my skin. The weight of leadership had never felt heavier than in these moments, when every decision could mean life or death for those I loved."Three days," Caspian said, leaning back in his chair. Dark circles under his eyes suggested he'd been up all night too. "Are we really going through with getting Melissa out for the wedding?" He asked me.I paused my pacing to rub my temples, where a headache had been building since midnight. I turned to walk to the window, watching as the sun shone down in the garden looking too peaceful for the turmoil in my mind."I don't know," I admitted, my voice rough from lack of sleep. The thought of letting Melissa out made my wolf snarl with protective rage. "With ever
Betrayal in Plain SightRoman's POVThis morning I woke up with new determination. I rubbed my tired eyes, determined to review more surveillance footage. Yesterday's run with Rose had helped clear my mind, made the bitterness and pain more manageable. I didn't expect to find anything new in the recordings, but I had to try. I had barely started hearing the recordings in my study.Then I heard it.Scarlett's voice came through the speakers, trembling slightly. "I don't know what to do. He's going to banish me from New York. I have nowhere to go." She cried.I leaned forward, turning up the volume. A female voice responded, making my anger spike."Come to San Francisco. We need to stick together now more than ever," the voice said. "It's time we dealt with Roman and Hayley once and for all." She told her. Wait. That voice sounds familiar.My fingers gripped the edge of my desk. That voice... I knew that voice."Are you sure?" Scarlett asked, hope creeping into her tone."Yes. Just co
Comfort in ChaosHayley's POVMy heart ached as I watched Roman storm upstairs to his study, his shoulders rigid with tension. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the foyer, each step heavy with the weight of yesterday's revelations. Viola's eyes followed his retreating form, and concern appeared on her elegant features."Kate, darling," Viola said softly, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. "I've never seen him this tense, even for Roman. What has happened?" She asked me.I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. The morning sunlight streaming through the windows suddenly felt too bright, too cheerful for the heaviness in my chest. "He visited his mother in the dungeon yesterday," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "She told him... she told him Victor might be his real father."The silence that followed was deafening. Bree's coffee cup clattered against its saucer, the sound sharp in the quiet room."Oh my God," Bree breathed, her blue eyes wide. "Are you