Connor's POV
I 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 glass to smell it. "It was Nightshade Weed," Ike turned back and said with a serious tone. Nightshade Weed was a poisonous plant commonly found in the Shadow Forest. Though not lethal, it could temporarily paralyze the werewolves' wolfish nature, rendering them unable to shift. I turned to look at Matt and the others. My anger affected my wolf. As Derek released its roaring oppression, I saw fear and unease in their eyes. Matt trembled as he pleaded, "Connor, it's just a joke. We didn't mean to hurt her..." I interrupted him with a cold laugh, "Joke? Do you think this is a joke?" Matt hurriedly explained, "I'm wrong. I really feel sorry." His apology didn't change my mind. How dare they set my people up. It was a provocation to me and contempt for the Blaze Pack. "You guys enjoy partying and drinking?" I asked coldly. Matt and the other werewolves looked at each other and nodded in confusion. I gestured to my guards to bring more wine and fill the table. "Then please yourselves. Drink as much as you want." They looked uneasy, but they had no choice but to pick up their glasses under my cold gaze. After a few drinks, their movements slowed. Clearly, that was their limit. Seeing my signal, the pack guards immediately stepped forward, forcing them to continue drinking. Matt and his wolves started coughing and some even vomited, but the guards showed no signs of stopping. I looked at Hailey in my arms expressionlessly. The Dark Night Pack was considered a powerful pack in Los Angeles, yet it couldn't hold a candle to the Blaze Pack. I was not afraid of the Alpha of the Dark Night Pack. It seemed that these manipulations and malice were just normal for Connor. Some of them looked at me with fear, yet they dared not show their fear. I suddenly felt bored. It was so boring. Neither the people nor the things in this world were interesting. At that moment, I suddenly felt a small hand grabbing my clothes. I looked down. Hailey grabbed me and shouted, "Connor." Due to her weakness, her voice carried a slight nasal tone, sounding gentle and tender, inexplicably arousing sympathies. The anger and cruelty in my heart instantly dissipated by half. My wolf also stopped howling. I held Hailey and put her in the car. Then I said seriously, "As a member of the Blaze Pack, you gotta fight back when getting bullied." Hailey lowered her head for a while before saying softly, "Okay." "Drive their cars away," I instructed my guards as I got into the car. "Drive the cars back to the Dark Night Pack and then inform their pack members to pick up their fellows." With that, I pressed the button to raise the car window. I turned my head to look at Hailey, who was resting with her eyes closed. She needed to be more dependent on me. I decided to accelerate the process. Pretending with a woman for so many days, I couldn't wait anymore. Smelling the faint scent around my nose, I became relieved instinctively yet determined to grab what I had and take control. I mind-linked Benjamin, saying, "Do it now." "Do we really have to do this? There's no need to rush actually. It's better to gradually win her heart. Your plan is too risky." "Cut the crap. Just arrange it pronto." "Well. Take care then." "I know." After the mind-link, I turned my head again to look at Hailey, waiting. The car was traveling through the darkness when suddenly the driver braked and said nervously, "There's a rogue." Hailey woke up with a start. Through the car window, I saw a shifted rogue standing in front, intending to pounce on the car. I pulled Hailey out of the car in case we got injured when the car was overturned. Then, I unleashed the dominance of Alpha, my wolf claws gleaming with coldness under the moonlight. The rogue was forced to step back by my strong power. But then he turned to Hailey for another attack, unwilling to leave. Seeing this, I rushed over to shield Hailey from the rogue's attack. At that moment, some members of my pack arrived and drove away the rogue. Then we returned to the car. Only when I leaned against the car, did Hailey realize how bad the situation was. She grabbed my arm and then noticed the wound on my shoulder. Hailey's voice began to tremble with fear. "Connor, don't scare me. You hate me, don't you? But why did you rush over to save me? Anyone here? Help!" I whispered to her in a hoarse voice, "I didn't hate you, nor did I want you to get hurt."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
Hailey's POVI gazed at Connor with sincerity, hoping that he believed I meant what I said.However, he gave no reply, just savoring the dishes in silence.After he finished the food on his plate, he demanded, "Wash all the clothes before you go to bed." With that, he strode out of the dining room.I watched as his figure faded down the corridor, feeling confused.'What a weirdo,' I murmured.To get to know Connor better, I made friends with Vita this afternoon. Turned out he got this quirk about hating strangers crash over at his spot.So, those Omegas and cooks would come at scheduled times and leave right after they finished their jobs.Since it was late in the night, naturally, it was just Connor and me in this spacious villa.Now that he returned to his room, I was all alone.And the villa became even quieter.I felt a bit lonely, but also kinda digging the freedom.After I headed back to my room, I opened my suitcases and started to sort out my stuff.The wardrobe was so huge th
Connor's POVAfter warning Hailey, I returned to my room. Truth was, quiet or not, a good night's sleep was impossible for me.Every night, I had to try blanking out my brain. It was the only way I could get some rest. Less noise would make it easier for me to do so, though.Good thing she didn't make a peep after that.The next morning, I woke up as the sunlight shone through the curtains.After washing up, I came downstairs, wondering what Hailey would cook for breakfast. To my surprise, the dining table was empty.I couldn't help but sneer, thinking, 'I knew she was putting on an act! After just one day, she gave up. Well, talk about persistence.'I turned around, ready to leave. But just as I passed by the laundry room, I caught a scene through the cracked door that astonished me—Hailey was lying out cold on the floor.I gasped, a weird surge of anxiety running through me.Then I rushed over and carried her out. Her body was so soft, which keyed up the unease in me.Werewolves rar
Hailey's POVThe last thing I remembered was that I finally fixed the washer. And just as I was about to run it, I blacked out.Well, to be precise, I fell asleep.I even dreamed of Connor. Playing some loud music to wake me up.By the time I woke up, it was about noon.To my surprise, I was back in my room instead of lying on the cold floor.'Did Vita find me and bring me back?' I wondered.As I turned my head, however, I found a guy sleeping on the sofa with his back against me.Curious, I crept up on him, and a familiar face came into view. It was Connor.I immediately stepped back, almost screaming out of shock.I thought, 'Why is he sleeping in my room?'So it wasn't a dream? He was the one who brought me back here?'After making sure that he showed no signs of waking up, I sighed in relief.Since I got nothing else to do, I started observing him, my mate. His pajamas' hem was crawled up, revealing a bit of his tight waist. A ray of sunlight filtered in through the curtains and s