Hailey's POV
As we walked out of the supermarket, Connor abruptly halted at the exit, then he looked at me, saying, "Hand over the groceries." I stared at him, taken aback by his sudden offer. Before I could respond, he had already seized the shopping bag from me with a firm grip. "Connor, I..." I wanted to say that I could handle it myself, but he just glanced at me, saying, "Let's go, don't keep Grandpa waiting." I had no choice but to keep up with his pace. When we got in the car, he suddenly broke the silence with a short and direct question, "Are you cold?" I paused for a moment before shaking my head, "No, I'm good." He nodded and didn't say anything more, but I caught his fleeting glimpse at the thermometer as if verifying my answer. Quietly observing him, I found something different—he seemed to shed some of his air of superiority and looked more genuine. Soon we arrived. With the groceries just purchased in hand, we walked into the villa together. Frank was already there, seated on the sofa in the living room. His gaze lifted from the newspaper as we walked in, and a flicker of satisfaction crossed his eyes at the sight of us. "You're back." His voice rang out with delight. "Yes, we went to buy something for dinner," I replied, trying to make my tone relaxing and cheerful. Frank's gaze shifted as if he were probing for the connection between us. Then, with a gentle tone, he remarked, "Shopping together is a wonderful chance to get to know each other better." I smiled and nodded, while Connor remained silent, merely grunting in response, his stance ambiguous. "How are you liking it here? Is everything okay for you?" Frank asked with concern. I looked at Connor, who still looked indifferent, but I could feel his gaze lingering on me for a moment. I turned back and smiled at Frank, telling a white lie, "Yeah, I'm doing just fine. No need to worry. " With that, I set about preparing dinner. Connor also followed me to the kitchen, leaning against the doorframe and watching me busy working. "Do you need a hand?" he asked, his voice tinged with an unusual hesitancy. I was somewhat surprised, after all, he hardly seemed the culinary type. I said, "Are you sure? The kitchen might not be your comfort zone." He shrugged, "I can be of help." After some thought, I decided to let him help with the chopping work. "Could you chop these vegetables?" He nodded and took the vegetables and knife I handed him, commencing to his job carefully. His cutting skill was far from proficient, but every cut was deliberate, like he had always been, focused and dedicated. I couldn't help but chuckle. Noticing my amusement, he raised an eyebrow in inquiry. "Anything wrong?" he asked. "No, I just didn't expect you to be so..." I searched for the proper expression, "so intent on chopping vegetables." "I may not have been skilled at cooking, but I wasn't completely useless," Connor retorted. After finishing chopping the vegetables, he stood quietly to the side. Meanwhile, I was busy preparing dinner. I covered a baking tray with aluminum foil, placed the marinated steak on top, sprinkled some coarse salt and black pepper over it, and slid it into the preheated oven. Then, I heated some olive oil in a pan and quickly stir-fried the chopped onions and mushrooms until they turned golden and released their delightful aroma. Connor watched me with rapt attention as I expertly cooked, eventually asking, "Do you cook frequently?" I smiled and replied, "Yes, I started cooking at a young age. In the Mountain Pack, I learned to fend for myself." "Have you always been self-reliant?" His voice carried a subtle, almost imperceptible softness. I nodded, my hands continuing their tasks, and replied, "Of course, if not myself, who else can I rely on?" He fell silent, watching as I completed, and assisted me in carrying the dishes to the table. The dinner was a feast. Frank and I both enjoyed our meal, feeling content. Little attention was paid to Connor. After dinner, I thought Frank would leave shortly, but he seemed to have other plans. He proposed an unexpected suggestion. "What do you say we play some poker?" Frank said, with a playful twinkle in his eyes. I was a little surprised and turned to Connor, waiting for his response. After all, I rarely saw him engage in such family-oriented entertainment. I left feeling simply surprised because Connor only hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Let's keep it simple with Texas Hold'em," Frank suggested, his tone indicating a familiarity with poker. Then, we started our game, and our conversation flowed. Connor appeared more relaxed than usual during the game, and he even showed a rare smile after a successful hand. Not until Frank rose to leave did I realize it was late at night. Connor said to me, trying to be casual, "It's too late, and there are no buses nearby. Just stay here tonight." I hurriedly said, "I knew it, so I borrowed a bike from Vernon. I left it outside, and I can ride it back." Hearing my words, his face immediately darkened. Not knowing what he was thinking, I just waved goodbye to him and said, "I'm leaving now. Goodnight."Hailey's POVJust as I was about to leave, Connor suddenly stood up. He strode directly towards me with a calm yet resolute look. "I'll send you back," he said.I was taken aback, then smiled and shook my head, "No need, I can handle it myself."He ignored my answer, grabbed the car keys, and walked out. As he walked past me, he commanded coldly, "Follow me."Surprised yet oddly touched. I followed him to the car and got in.Soon, he drove me to the warehouse near the café, where I was living.Connor glanced around my place as if scrutinizing there. "You live here?"I quickly said, "It's good and safe here. And Vernon said I don't have to pay rent."Hearing my words, his lips tightened. After a moment, he took my hand and said, "Come back with me.""I really like it here," I pulled my hand back and explained earnestly.He didn't press further. He just nodded gently before turning on his heel and walking away.I watched as he receded into the distance, leaving me somewhat at a loss for
Hailey's POVI stared at Matt, a surge of anger rising in my heart, while at the same time, I engaged in a conversation with my wolf Iris in my mind."Iris, can you feel it?" I asked in my heart."I can. They are all ordinary werewolves from the same wolf pack, except for Matt, who has the Alpha bloodline." Iris' voice revealed a hint of disdain."Let me take over your body to give him a lesson. He's too arrogant!" Iris expressed her dissatisfaction.I felt the breath of my wolf starting to release. Perhaps sensing my pressure, Matt and the others took a few steps back in fear.Seeing humans passing by, I realized it was not a proper time."Iris, it is not the time now. We need to be patient," I persuaded."Alright, but don't endure for too long," Iris replied reluctantly.I took a deep breath, trying to calm down, and then smiled at Matt, saying, "Sure, I'll hang out with you guys. But you gotta arrange my work."Surprised that I changed my mind, Matt quickly said, "Great, let's go."
Connor's POVI stood at the edge of the Shadow Forest, and in the darkness, the werewolves of Matt's pack seemed somewhat fidgety.They didn't expect my appearance, and I had the accompanying guards of the Blaze Pack quickly hold them.I walked quickly to Hailey's side. She looked fragile, her eyes revealing helplessness and pleading.Hailey's face turned pale as if all her energy had been drained. She couldn't stand up.My heart tightened, and I immediately lifted her up.Hailey, like a broken doll, leaned against me, trembling uncontrollably.Since I had known Hailey, I had seen how energetic she was when she smiled and how resilient she was when she cried. I had seen a bright and cheerful Hailey. But I had never seen such a fragile Hailey, as if her life was about to be severed.I wrapped Hailey with a coat, holding her in my arms."Ike, have a check."Ike quickly stepped forward. He was an experienced pack doctor.He carefully inquired about Hailey's situation and picked up the gl
Hailey's POVMy heart pounded. I could only hear the intense thumping in my chest amidst the ringing in my ears.Unwilling to see me get hurt, he even risked his life to protect me.Why was he so good to me?Soon, the car arrived at the door of Connor's mansion.As the car door opened, a lot of people gathered around to carefully help Connor out.I couldn't stand steady and was pushed to the side.I saw the wounds on Connor's back and shoulders. His clothes had been torn by the rogue's claws, leaving deep scratches, and his shirt was already stained red with blood.Connor was surrounded by those people, about to leave. With wobbly steps, I tried to get closer but failed due to the crowd.Just then, Connor suddenly turned around and said, "Hailey, come with me."The crowd made way.I hurriedly ran towards him.Connor smirked imperceptibly.My heart was in a mess.I ran to Connor and instinctively grabbed his sleeve amid the chaos, while he didn't push me away.At night, the pack guards
Hailey's POVThe roar of the airplane faded into the background, replaced by the bustling noise of Los Angeles.Walking out of the airport, I was welcomed by the blinding sun. As I shielded my eyes, the glitzy scenery came into my view.Edifices scrapping the sky; streets buzzing with traffic; pedestrians wearing chic and stylish outfits…Everything here was a world away from the Mountain Pack I was most familiar with. I was totally amazed and thrilled.Digging in my backpack, I took out my acceptance letter once again. Actually, I had flipped through it like a hundred times, just to confirm that heart-racing news—I'd been admitted to UCLA!The school wouldn't be starting till a month later, but you didn't always get a cheap flight. So I booked a ticket as soon as I saw a discounted one and arrived in Los Angeles ahead of time.I got the acceptance letter from UCLA about a week ago. Thrilled, I showed it to Alpha Johnny immediately.The news brought a joyful smile to his weary face."
Hailey's POVWhat the heck?I was about to give him a piece of my mind, but he just walked away without a backward glance."How rude!" Iris grumbled in my mind."Well, perhaps his wolf is a proper gentleman. You never know. Did you guys have a nice chat?" I asked."All he did was howl nonsense. He wouldn't even tell me his name," Iris snorted before fading out from my mind.Just then, someone tapped my shoulder. When I turned around, I saw Frank smile at me."Where did he go?" he asked after looking around."You mean Connor? He just left," I replied, pointing towards the door.Hearing what I said, Frank flew into a rage. "What? He left right after he completed the mating ceremony? How dare he?""No biggie. Just give me the address and I'll find my way there," I comforted him."Problem is, he doesn't live in the Blaze Pack," Frank sighed. "What a gruff and clueless kid. Now you see why he couldn't find a mate. You're not gonna reject him, are you?"I replied in a serious tone, "Of cour
Hailey's POV"Sorry, I..." Vita looked at me with a troubled expression, kinda embarrassed about sticking me in a room like this.I patted her hand, reassuring her, "My name's Hailey Carlson. Don't worry, I'll go make coffee after I move all my bags here.""You're a gem, Miss Carlson," she grinned in relief. "Kitchen's to the left of the living room."She dashed off as soon as she finished speaking. Seemed like she was swamped with chores.I hauled my bags into the room on the ground floor. Although it was a room designed for maids, it was spacious and clean enough for me.Having surveyed what was gonna be my temporary residence, I felt quite contented.After taking a deep breath, I was ready to tackle Connor's task. When I strode to the kitchen, however, I was slack-jawed.'Man, this is even bigger than my house back in the Mountain Pack!' I exclaimed inwardly.Calming myself down, I managed to find different types of coffee beans in the cupboard. I grabbed a handful and put them clo
Connor's POVI decided to throw a curveball at Hailey, hitting her up with the kind of chores only Omegas needed to do.As a girl scheming for the fancy life through deception, she'd definitely say no right on the spot.In that case, she'd go to Grandpa straight-up to break our mate bond! Since I wasn't the one mentioning it, Grandpa wouldn't nag me about it. What a perfect plan!However, things didn't go the way I wanted. Hailey agreed to my request so quick that my jaw dropped.Gazing at her clear and innocent eyes, I couldn't help but start doubting my judgment.Maybe she wasn't the cunning type I pegged her as?Just as I was on the fence about speaking up, I got a mind-link from Grandpa.He scolded me for leaving Hailey right after the mating ceremony, his growl earsplitting.'Damn it, Hailey must've snitched on me,' I complained to myself, hating her even more."Come meet me in the pack house now," Grandpa ordered, giving me no room to say no.I had to head for the Blaze Pack to