Hailey’s POVI was aware of the sensation of lying down, of being cocooned in warmth, yet my body refused to move. My limbs felt like they were bound by invisible chains, my eyelids heavy as stone. Panic clawed at my chest as I realized I couldn’t wake up, no matter how much I struggled. It was like sleep paralysis, only darker—there was an unnatural force holding me in place.And then, it happened.The stillness gave way to a vision, vivid and surreal. I found myself standing on a deserted beach, the crashing waves a symphony of power and chaos. The moon hung low, casting a silvery glow on the water’s surface. The air was heavy, as if the atmosphere itself was holding its breath. That’s when I saw them.A wolf, its golden eyes piercing through the dim light, padded toward me with silent authority. My heart jolted as recognition dawned—it was Kay, my wolf. But she wasn’t alone. Beside her was a woman dressed in flowing black robes that rippled like shadows around her. Her pale skin gl
Hailey’s POVI woke up gasping, my chest heaving as though I’d been suffocating for hours. My eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, I was paralyzed, unsure if I was still in the nightmare or awake. The dream—no, the vision—still clung to me like an unwelcome shadow. Who was that woman who claimed we were one and the same? How could she say I was a witch, a healer, and a werewolf all at once? My mind reeled as I tried to make sense of it all.I rubbed my temples, trying to shake the confusion. My body felt heavy, as though weighed down by invisible chains. Then I felt it—the sharp sting of a needle embedded in the back of my hand. I glanced down and saw the infusion drip attached to my wrist. The needle’s point dug painfully into my skin, the area around it bruised and tender.The sight of it brought a wave of nausea, not because of the pain but because it symbolized how powerless I was. I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my throat raw from hours of shouting for help that no one ans
Hailey’s POVWhen I opened my eyes, a dull ache throbbed in every inch of my body. My vision blurred as I tried to focus, the dim light of the room casting eerie shadows on the walls. My head pounded, and my throat felt parched. The sting of the needle in my hand only added to the discomfort. I glanced down, wincing at the sight of the IV drip attached to me. My wrists and ankles were bound again with cold, heavy chains that cut into my skin, leaving angry red marks. I had fought them earlier, but the effort drained me.“Where am I?” I muttered, my voice hoarse. The last thing I remembered was blacking out after that guard injected me with something. Now I was here, trapped and helpless.The faint sound of voices outside drew my attention. My heart leaped with hope. I strained to hear, but the muffled conversation was hard to make out. Then, a familiar scent hit me—earthy and strong, with a hint of spice. Paxton! My chest tightened. What was he doing here? How did they capture him?Th
Paxton’s POVThe weight of Haley’s lifeless body in my arms felt heavier than any burden I had ever carried. Blood seeped from the wound in her stomach, a horrifying reminder of how close I was to losing her. Her once-glowing eyes, now dim and fluttering shut, haunted me. "Haley, stay with me!" I pleaded, my voice shaking as I navigated the dark corridors of the dungeon.I glanced down at her pale face. She looked up at me, weak but still managing a faint, almost resigned smile. My chest clenched. She was losing her strength—her light—and it was my fault for failing to protect her.Each step forward felt like a battle against time. The smell of damp stone and blood clung to the air, and my own heart raced like a drum in my ears. Just as I reached the foot of the stairs, we were ambushed. Mr. Williams' guards appeared from the shadows, blocking our path.Before I could even react, Haley’s body pulsed with light. A radiant energy surged from her, illuminating the dark hallway like a sto
Paxton's POVThe morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting soft, golden hues over the room. Haley stirred in her sleep, her breathing soft and even, and for a moment, I simply watched her. It had been a week since the incident—since Dimitri lost his life to save her and Mr. Williams met his end. The memory lingered like a ghost in the shadows, haunting me when I least expected it. But despite the tragedy, Haley was alive, and for that, I was endlessly grateful. After the attack, she'd moved into my house. It was a decision I made to ensure her safety and fulfill the contract that bound us together. I was her protector now—not just in title but in every sense of the word. As much as Haley insisted she could handle herself, I couldn't help but hover near her, wanting to shield her from any more pain. She didn’t seem to mind, though. If anything, we were growing closer in ways I hadn’t anticipated.This morning, the air was colder than usual. Winter had crept in, turning t
Hailey's POVThe D-Day had arrived—the day I’d been waiting for. Today was my graduation, and nothing could dampen my excitement. Well, almost nothing. A tiny pang of unease crept into my joy as I remembered one glaring fact: Paxton's mother would be returning soon. The mere thought of her made my stomach churn. That woman was a walking storm cloud, and no matter how much I tried to ignore it, the tension her presence brought was impossible to overlook.Still, I refused to let that ruin my day. I had Paxton, and that was what truly mattered. The sound of my phone ringing broke through my thoughts, the loud chime echoing in the quiet room. Picking it up, I saw Mara’s name flashing on the screen.“Dress up, girl!” Mara’s cheerful voice burst through the line. “It’s our graduation day, and guess what? Jenny’s going to be there!”Her excitement was contagious. I chuckled softly before hanging up and turned my gaze toward the man sleeping soundly beside me. Paxton. His handsome face was re
Hailey's POVIt’s been weeks since graduation, and the house has grown quieter with Mara and Jenny returning to their hometowns. The once vibrant buzz of their laughter and endless conversations has faded, leaving me alone with my thoughts—and Paxton’s mother, who returned just days ago.She didn’t wait long to unleash her wrath. Her voice echoed through the grand hallways as she berated her son."Marrying her was the biggest mistake of your life! She’s going to ruin you, Paxton! Mark my words, she’ll destroy everything you’ve worked for!"I stood in the shadows, her words piercing me like daggers. She didn’t care that I could hear every syllable. To her, I was invisible—a nuisance she planned to eradicate.Her tone softened, but only slightly, as she turned to her son with a smug expression. "Paxton, in a few days, you’ll be leaving for the States. You’re going to get your Ph.D. and master’s degree. No arguments, it’s already arranged."Paxton’s jaw clenched, his defiance clear. "Mom
Hailey's POV8 years later!It’s been eight years since Paxton left for the States. Eight long years since I made the hardest decision of my life—letting him go without telling him about our daughter. I tell myself every day that it was the right choice, that I didn’t want to be the reason he gave up his dreams. His love for basketball was undeniable, and I knew that taking that away from him would have been unforgivable, even if he never saw it that way.In those eight years, I haven’t heard a word from Paxton or his mother. Not a call, not a letter—just silence. Her final act of cruelty was chasing me out of their home and forbidding me from ever returning. She’d made her feelings clear: I didn’t belong in her son’s life.Now, my daughter Emily has grown into a bright, lively seven-year-old who reminds me of her father more than I’d like to admit. From the unruly curls framing her delicate face to the spark of determination in her eyes, she’s a replica of Paxton. She even has his ea
Hailey’s POV As I fingered the necklace Paxton had given me, a flood of emotions swept through me. The delicate pendant sparkled faintly under the mall’s fluorescent lights, but its significance weighed heavily on my chest. When he told me not to get myself into trouble again, his tone was teasing, but there was something else there—concern, maybe? I couldn’t help but smile at him, a soft, genuine curve of my lips, as though for a fleeting moment, we were something akin to a family. But deep down, I knew better. This fragile sense of togetherness was as fleeting as a shooting star, especially with his mother in the picture. That woman had the power to shatter any semblance of peace in our lives. I tightened my grip on the necklace and made a silent vow to keep Emily away from Paxton and his world. He couldn’t know she was his daughter. If he found out, everything I’d worked to protect would come crashing down. My thoughts spiraled as I glanced at Emily. Did he even remember today
**Hailey’s POV**I hadn’t expected to run into Paxton—of all people—today. The odds of it happening were slim, but somehow, there he was, stepping between me and the grumpy woman who had been eyeing me like I didn’t belong in this high-end mall. His sudden appearance made my heart jump. Had he been calling me? Instinctively, I reached into my bag, fumbling for my phone. When I pulled it out, my stomach twisted—fifteen missed calls. I swallowed hard, quickly shoving it back into my bag, guilt blooming in my chest. But what really threw me off was the way he spoke. "You’ve got a nice taste in jewelry," Paxton said smoothly, taking the necklace from the woman who had been glaring at me moments ago. I blinked at him, stunned. Did he really just say that? He never noticed little things like this before, not when we were… Well, not in a long time. Then came the words that truly caught me off guard. "Hey, baby. So, you’re here. You’ve got such a good taste—just the kind I love." Bab
**Hailey’s POV** When the jewelry was found in Emily’s possession, my heart froze. It felt as though the ground beneath me had opened up, threatening to swallow us whole. Emily? My sweet little Emily, the child who could barely keep her room tidy, now being accused of stealing something so precious? I wanted to believe this was all a mistake, a cruel misunderstanding that would soon be resolved. But as the store attendant held up the gleaming necklace, its brilliance mocking my disbelief, the reality of the situation hit me like a sledgehammer. The murmurs from onlookers grew louder, each whisper slicing through my fragile composure. “Why?” I muttered under my breath, staring at Emily as though searching for answers in her wide, tear-filled eyes. “Why would you do this, Emily?” “I didn’t, Mommy!” she cried, her voice trembling with fear. “I just wanted to look at it, I swear! I didn’t mean to—” “Enough!” the attendant snapped, her voice sharp and unforgiving. She snatched th
Hailey’s POV I wouldn’t lie—I was fuming. The nerve of Paxton, ordering me to pick up his clothes on a weekend of all times, especially knowing it was my daughter’s birthday. I had made it clear when I took the job as his personal assistant that weekends were off-limits unless it was an emergency. And this? This was no emergency; this was a power play. The way he dismissed me during the call, cutting me off before I could even explain how important today was, made my blood boil. Was this his way of getting back at me? For what? Something I’d done years ago? Something recent? I couldn’t figure it out, but the bitterness in his tone was unmistakable. Still, I didn’t have much of a choice. Emily deserved a happy birthday, and if swallowing my pride meant keeping my job to provide for her, then so be it. “Emily, darling, go to Auntie Jessie,” I said, plastering on a smile to mask my frustration. “She’ll help you get dressed, okay? Mommy has to take care of something really quickly,
**Hailey's POV** The sun streamed into my bedroom, casting a golden glow across the room as I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My mind wandered to eight years ago—a day filled with both excruciating pain and immense joy. I had fought tooth and nail to bring my daughter into this world. I smiled at the memory, my eyes misting slightly as pride swelled in my chest. My baby girl wasn’t a baby anymore. She was growing into a smart, curious, and wonderful young lady. Today, she turned eight—a milestone that felt like it came too fast. I turned away from the mirror, wiping a tear that escaped, and walked over to wake her up. She was still bundled under the covers, her small face peeking out as she slept soundly. " Emily, my love, wake up," I said softly, brushing a few strands of hair from her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked sleepily at me. "Mom?" she mumbled, her voice laced with drowsiness. "Happy birthday, sweetheart!" I said, grinning wi
**Hailey’s POV** I stood there, rooted to the bathroom tiles, my heart hammering so loud I was sure Paxton could hear it. His piercing gaze burned into me, a mixture of frustration and something else I couldn’t quite name—pain, maybe? His words echoed in my head, bouncing off the walls of my uncertainty. Why didn’t I tell him about my daughter? The question lingered in the air, suffocating me. I wanted to run. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to turn and bolt, but my feet refused to cooperate. My hands trembled as I clutched my dress, the fabric bunched in my fingers like a lifeline. What could I say? The truth? That the little girl he had no idea existed was his? Or should I lie? Tell him some fabricated story about a nonexistent relationship to push him away? But then he asked again, his voice softer this time but no less intense. "Hailey, why didn’t you tell me? Are you trying to hide her from me?" I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. My lips parted, but no so
**Hailey’s POV** I couldn’t believe this was happening. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure everyone could hear it, but I stayed perfectly still, frozen against the cold tiles of the wall as Paxton’s broad frame shielded me from view. The sharp sound of Audrey’s laughter grated on my nerves, and I bit my lip, fighting the urge to cry out in frustration. It was all her doing. Of course, it was Audrey. I should’ve known. The way she always found little ways to make my life miserable had become her twisted hobby. The orange juice "accident," the conveniently swapped bathroom signs—it all made sense now. Paxton shifted slightly, his muscles tense as he peered through the small crack in the door. His jaw was set, his expression unreadable, but the way his hand hovered protectively near me spoke volumes. "Do you need something?" he asked coolly, opening the door just enough to face them. His voice was steady, but I could feel the tension radiating off him. Audrey’s voice came
**Audrey’s POV** When I saw Hailey in the hospital today, my heart filled with a mix of satisfaction and regret. I had been the one to insist she come to collect her things. If I had known Paxton would be here today for his training, I would never have done it. Paxton was preparing for a major competition, and while I always imagined he played with me in mind, today it was different. His focus wasn’t on me. It was on her. The way his eyes lit up when she entered, how his movements on the field became sharper, more precise—it was as if her presence inspired him. My chest tightened, a bitter jealousy clawing at me. Who was she to him? A nobody. A poor, insignificant girl who had no right to steal his attention from me. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I wouldn’t let her win. When she was about to leave, I cornered her. My voice was icy, laced with a venom I didn’t bother to conceal. “Don’t you dare step foot in this hospital again. You’re not welcome here.”
**Hailey’s POV** After Audrey’s call, I felt a heavy weight pressing on my chest. The thought of stepping foot in the hospital filled me with dread, but I had no choice. I needed my belongings. I prayed silently, hoping I wouldn’t run into Paxton. The last thing I needed was another confrontation or, worse, awkward small talk. When I arrived at the hospital, I slipped through the back door and entered the kitchen. The staff were busy, thankfully too occupied to notice me. My heart pounded as I stuffed my belongings into a small bag, my hands trembling. I needed to get out of here fast. As I exited through the back door, I decided to take the corridor by the Vipers’ basketball court. It seemed quieter, safer. But just as I was about to leave, my gaze unintentionally landed on the court. There he was—Paxton. He was playing basketball, his movements fluid and confident. His jersey clung to his body, damp with sweat, and his sharp features were illuminated by the overhead lights