Luna Grace saw Duncan dashing out of the palace in a hurry and immediately went to Hailey, concern etched on her face. “Hailey, what’s happening? Why did Duncan leave so suddenly?”Hailey sighed, trying to keep her voice steady. “He got a call from Lisa. She said she needed to see him urgently, and he just... left.”Luna Grace gave Hailey a tender hug after noticing the pain in her eyes. "Oh, my dear," she remarked empathetically and in a quiet voice. "I truly am sorry."Hailey leaned into the hug, grateful for the comfort. “Thank you, Luna Grace. There is nothing more that I can do. Hailey was led by Luna Grace to the living room, where they took a seat together. For some time, they sat in quiet, the gravity of the situation weighing hard on them. After some time, Luna Grace patted Hailey’s hand. “Let’s retire to bed, dear. We don’t know what time Duncan will be back, and you need your rest.”Hailey nodded, feeling exhausted both emotionally and physically. “You’re right. Thank you
Andrew was lost in thought as he walked through the palace corridors, something about Duncan’s call felt off, nearly bumping into Hailey as he turned a corner.Oh! Andrew, I'm sorry," Hailey said, stepping back. Her gaze grew somewhat narrower as she examined his features. "To be honest, I'm happy I met you. Do you have a moment?"Andrew nodded, curious. "Of course. What's on your mind?"Hailey glanced around before speaking in a lowered voice. "It's about Jane, my bridesmaid and best friend. She's been asking about you. Why haven't you contacted her? I thought...well, is she not your mate?"Andrew sighed, leaning against the wall. "It's complicated, Hailey. With everything that's been going on lately...""You're trying to suppress your wolf's urges?" Hailey guessed, her eyes softening with understanding."Yeah, something along those lines," Andrew said while stroking his hair. "Considering all the chaos we've been dealing with, it just seemed sensible. I didn't want to add more compl
Duncan's phone rang suddenly, interrupting the tense moment in his study. He quickly answered it."Lisa?" he answered, voice tight with worry. "What is wrong?"Leaning forward, Andrew tried to make out the terrified voice on the other end. "Slow down, Lisa," Duncan pushed, his knuckles turning white over the receiver."Are you hurt?... Okay, stay where you are. I'm coming right now."He leaped to his feet, almost toppling his chair. "Andrew, with me. Now."As they rushed towards the door, Hailey's voice rang out, confusion and frustration evident. "Wait! What's happening? Duncan, is this about Lisa? Is she really pregnant?"Duncan hesitated for a split second, his eyes meeting Hailey's. "Hailey, I...I can't explain now. We'll talk when I get back.""Duncan!" Hailey called after them, her voice cracking. "Answer me! What's going on here?"But they were already gone, leaving Hailey alone with her unanswered questions and the echo of the slamming door.********************Things were a
Andrew’s patience finally snapped. With a look of disappointment and anger, he tossed Duncan's car keys onto the ground and stormed off."Andrew! Wait!" Duncan called after him. "How will you get home?"Without turning back, Andrew shouted, "I'd rather walk!"Duncan took a step forward, but Liza's hand on his arm stopped him. Her eyes were wide with fear and something else - a hint of desperation."Duncan, please don't go after him," she pleaded, gripping his arm tightly.Duncan hesitated, torn between his friend and Liza. "But Andrew-""Are you really going to leave me like this?" Liza's voice quivered, cutting him off. "After everything that's happened? Don't you care about me... about us?" She placed a hand on her stomach, emphasizing her point.Duncan's face softened with concern. "Of course I care, Liza. It's just-""Just what?" Liza pressed, her tone sharpening slightly. "Haven't you noticed how Andrew looks at me? The way he talks about me? He doesn't like me, Duncan. He probab
Duncan was concerned as Lisa paced tensely in her new room and wrung her fists. With wide eyes, she blurted out, "I just don't feel safe here. What if Hailey tries to hurt me or the baby?"Duncan frowned. "Hailey would not do that. She is not that kind of person."Lisa's face darkened. "How can you be so sure? You barely know her! They arranged this marriage for you, remember?Duncan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, but Hailey has been nothing but kind since she arrived. She would not harm an innocent child."Lisa's eyes flashed. "Oh, so now I'm the one being unreasonable? I see how it is.""That is not what I meant," Duncan protested. "I'm just saying-""Just saying what?" Lisa interrupted. "That my feelings do not matter? That I'm imagining things?"Duncan stood up, trying to calm her. "Of course, your feelings matter. I'm here to protect you, aren't I?"Lisa softened slightly, but her voice remained tense. "Are you? Sometimes I wonder if you would choose her over m
"Pregnancies are different, Luna Grace," Lisa said, her voice trembling slightly. She placed a protective hand over her belly, eyes darting nervously around the table. "I am sure as time goes on, you will sense the baby. If you have doubts or think I am lying, a test could clear things up."Luna Grace's piercing gaze locked onto Lisa. “Nobody said anything about lying unless you have something to tell us?”Duncan frowned. "Mother," he said in a warning tone."Duncan," Luna Grace replied firmly, before turning back to Lisa. "Do you?"Lisa's expression collapsed as her eyes started to well up with tears. Her voice quivered as she surveyed the table. "I do not understand.”“What don’t you understand? It was a simple question.”Lisa's lower lip trembled. "Luna Grace," Lisa began. "What crime have I committed that made you dislike me this much?" She scanned the faces around the table, lingering on each before returning her attention to Luna Grace. Duncan shifted in his chair uneasily, an
Alpha Duncan stood outside Hailey's door, plate in hand. He cautiously knocked, but got no answer. He hesitated for a bit before turning the handle and stepping inside. Leaping from her bed, Hailey quickly dabbed at her eyes. But it was too late - Duncan had already seen her tear-stained face. An awkward silence filled the room.Duncan broke the silence by lifting the plate in his hands. “My mother was worried, so she asked me to bring this over." He held out the plate, offering it to Hailey.After a brief moment of pause, Hailey reached out and collected the plate from him. She said, "Thank you," without looking him in the eyes with her tone hardly louder than a whisper. Placing the plate down, he turned to walk away but halted midway through the room and turned around, "You know I am not a bad person, right?" He asked softly Taken aback by his remark, Hailey glanced up at him. She made a small face, unsure of how to respond.Duncan took a deep breath. "I think you might believe
The sound of Duncan and Hailey's voices filled the air as they approached the palace, giggling and making small talk. Hailey had just threatened to smear chocolate on Duncan in jest after he had made fun of her for getting it on her blouse. "Do you know you are awfully bad at eating chocolate for someone who claims to love it as much as you do?" Duncan said with a laugh.Hailey chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, really? You should have seen me when I was a kid. I was a chocolate-eating pro. This is just a minor setback."They were so engrossed in their light-hearted talk that it took them a couple more steps to see Lisa waiting for them outside the palace. Her expression was irritated, and her arms were folded across her chest.They immediately stopped laughing at the sight of her. Ignoring the tension in the air, Duncan smiled and moved forward to greet her with a sweet tone "Hey, Baby," he extended his arm to embrace her. But her eyes blazed with wrath as she shoved him hastily away.