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 close to my nose. The rich aroma immediately hit me. The kitchen was packed with various devices I'd never seen. I recognized the coffee machine, but those complex buttons had me all thumbs. Trying to recall the steps Vita had taught me, I clumsily got down to work. The coffee beans weren't ground fine enough, and the water temperature seemed off. But in the end, I did get something that looked like coffee. As for the taste, well, let's prey. Carefully, I made my way to the study, carrying the coffee with both hands. The door was ajar, the hum of conversation coming out from time to time. After a knock, I walked in. Connor and his friends were lounging around a large table, chatting about stuff way over my head. They were all sharp-dressed, so my arrival seemed embarrassing. Face heating up, I still mustered up my courage and passed the coffee to Connor. To my surprise, he pointed to a guy sitting next to him, commanding, "Just give it to Matt." Well, this jerk really took me as his maid. Suppressing my rage, I did as he told me. "Ew! Is this even coffee? It tastes like poison!" that Matt guy shouted with a grimace as soon as he took a sip. He then poured the entire cup of coffee into a nearby plant like a drama queen. I couldn't help glowering at him. "Stop drinking it if you don't like it. Why did you dump it?! You're wasting food!" The moment I finished speaking, the room fell silent. Everyone was staring at me, like I was some weirdo. Matt let out a sardonic laugh. Then he stood up and paced around me, remarking, "I'm wasting food? That's my line! Do you know how expensive Connor's coffee beans are? And you're turning them into crap. That's called wasting food!" "Who's this she-wolf by the way?" a voice chimed in. "She can't be Connor's girlfriend, right?" The room was immediately filled with unfriendly laughter. "Oh, come on! With a badass beauty like Elena by his side, Connor wouldn't even glance at this type," Matt snorted. Though they greeted me with jeers, I stood my ground. "Y'all are pretty rude," I snapped with a frown. Matt walked up to me, fixing me with his disdainful gaze. "Who the hell do you think you are? You think you're good enough for Connor?" As soon as he finished speaking, a tide of rage surged through me. Sensing my fury, Iris roared inside me, eager to rip him into pieces. I tried my best to stay cool, but Matt's provocation was pushing my wolf closer to the edge. Suddenly, he reached out, trying to push me. Out of instinct, I grabbed his wrist, my claws baring before I realized it. Matt's eyes widened in horror. I could feel his Alpha bloodline, but he couldn't give full play to it. Having been pampered and spoiled in such a secure and opulent environment, he had long lost the sharpness and fighting power of a werewolf. My wolf dominated, freezing Matt in his tracks. The atmosphere crackled with tension as if a fight would start the next second. Connor immediately stood up, his eyes ice-cold. "Hailey, enough." I retracted my wolf claws, letting Matt go before shooting him a glare. "Apologize to Matt!" Connor demanded. "Why? I'm just teaching him a lesson." I fired back, fuming with indignation. I didn't do anything wrong—Matt started it. But then I saw the anger in Connor's eyes. I could tell if I didn't say sorry, I might have to get out of here. Recalling Frank's request, I inhaled deeply, calming the storm inside before finally saying, "Sorry, Matt." Matt, however, wouldn't let me off with just a simple apology. "Sorry? That's it? I don't need your apology. You gotta pay for what you did!" I could feel Iris' rage rising inside me. She was screaming to take over. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Connor's face was back into poker. "Sorry, I'll have to ask you to leave now. Got an emergency here," he told the others. His friends left without fuss, leaving only me and him in the study. Connor turned around, warning me in a deep voice, "Hailey, my grandpa likes you a lot, and I hate to disappoint him. But if you keep this up, I'll have to send you away." I had not yet repaid Alpha Frank's kindness, so I couldn't let him kick me out. So after calming Iris, I replied, "Got it." "Now, go tidy up the garden, mop the floors, and then get the dinner ready," he ordered. With that, he sank into thoughts, either talking or looking at me. Guessed he was mind-linking with other pack members. So I turned around, ready to get back to my work. Before I could walk out of the room, however, Connor stopped me. "Hold on, I got stuff to handle. Dinner can wait."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
Connor's POVBack in the room, I stood in front of the wardrobe, trying to pick out today's outfit. After pondering for a while, I chose a deep blue shirt, figuring it could bring out my chill vibes.After fixing up my collar in front of the mirror, I started clipping my cufflinks. Thinking of Hailey, I couldn't help sneering.'Wanna butter Grandpa up and manipulate me? She's cunning indeed! Well, maybe I should just let her invite Grandpa. See what she's got up her sleeve.'Snapping out of it, I went downstairs, only to find Hailey buzzing around the dining room.The morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden halo on her.She looked a bit down, probably 'cause of how I brushed her off earlier."You wanna invite Grandpa? Go ahead," my voice cut through the silence.Hearing my words, she stopped what she was doing, turning around with a surprised look.Didn't see that coming, huh?"Y-you're cool with that?" she asked hesitantly.I sneered, "Of course. Make sure you
Hailey's POVI thought Connor had already forgiven me, as he didn't mention what happened this morning again the entire day.Now that he was kicking me out, I realized I was being too naïve.But I never meant to hurt him. It was just my gut.Iris let out a whimper in my mind, seeming disheartened."It was all my fault," she murmured."No," I immediately reassured her. "It's great to stay alert. It's what saved us from those boars, remember?"She just replied with a grumble.I tried to cheer her up, saying how living here wasn't free. There were too many rules, and we both needed some breathing room."Iris, I know it's tough, but we gotta stay strong," I concluded.She signed, "Hailey. I get it, but it sucks seeing Connor treat you like that.""He doesn't get us, and probably never will," I replied, feeling a bit down."But we can't just throw in the towel. We've promised Frank," she said, sounding all determined."Hell no, and honestly, I'll have to spend all my time doing chores if I
Hailey's POVThe name sounded incredibly familiar.One of Connor's buddies mentioned it the first day I rocked up at this villa. Saying things like she was a good match for him.Putting on a polite smile, I greeted, "Hello."Elena gave a curt nod, then sauntered over to the living room, plopping down on the sofa. With a tone that commanded attention, she piped up, "I'd like a cup of coffee, please."I froze for a bit. Eventually, I still went to the kitchen.Just as I was about to get brewing, however, Elena suddenly changed her mind."Hold up," she said, a disdainful smile curled at the corner of her mouth. "Almost forgot Matt told me you sucked at making coffee."I paused, feeling embarrassed."Never mind. I'll do it then," she went on, her tone filled with pride. "Now, watch and learn."Elena took out a bag of coffee beans from the counter and poured some into the coffee machine.Part of me wanted to bail, but leaving her here felt kinda rude.So I just stood aside, quietly watchin
Connor's POVElena stood in front of me and looked reluctant. She seemed to have something to say to me.I gave her a cold glance. She was in no place to question me. I was sure that she could feel it from my aura."Connor, I..." Elena hesitated."Elena, you shouldn't be here," I cut in. My voice was devoid of any emotion. "You know I don't like it."Elena was startled by my sudden indifference.She hesitated for a moment, then forced a smile on her face. "I'm just concerned about you, Connor.""There's no need," I replied briefly and firmly. "I can handle my own business."The color drained from Elena's face. She would only embarrass herself more if she stayed. So, she quickly cleared her mood and gracefully turned around to leave.As the door closed, she turned back and glanced at me. Her eyes were filled with complex emotions.I sat in front of the table, thinking about what had happened earlier this day.When I woke up this morning, I was surprised that I slept so soundly again.D