Un.Breakable (Slayter Series Book 4)

by Reese Morgan

  Nonetheless, Hayden brought her arms up and squeezed her mother determinedly.

  Renee exhaled against Hayden’s exposed neck, instantly putting her wolf on edge with the intimate proximity.

  She pushed her canine instincts away, knowing her mother was not a threat.

  “I was so worried,” her mother confessed breathlessly, still holding on to Hayden. “After what the public has been saying about werewolves and recent attacks, I couldn’t get in contact with you. I had to rely on the Martins to ensure me you were alive and well.”

  “We had to relocate a few times. I’m sorry I couldn’t get a hold of you.”

  Hayden would not disclose anything more than necessary to her mother. The last thing she wanted, on top of the situation with her father, was to worry Renee more than necessary. Telling her about Celeste, the war, the deaths…

  No, it would need to wait until things settled down.

  Nonetheless, when Renee pulled away, her elated expression tempered as she observed Hayden. “Is everything OK?”

  “Everything is fine,” Hayden reassured, squeezing her mother’s hands to emphasize her claim. “But we came here to talk to you about a few things.”

  Upon that admission, Renee finally took notice of Nicolas, though how she’d overlooked him in the first place truly baffled Hayden. Several emotions crossed Renee’s expression as she took in Nicolas’ looming presence.

  Fear, uncertainty, and most definitely awe.

  “You must be Cole?”

  “Nicolas,” Hayden quickly corrected, flustered.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Nicolas intoned smoothly.

  He reached out a hand and Renee readily accepted it, though her voice seemed to fail her. Hayden had mentioned Nicolas to her mother before as an enemy, and the woman no doubt felt uncertain with the turn of events.

  “He agreed to bring me here,” Hayden explained. “He’s a new member of our pack.”

  Nicolas offered her a veiled look of skepticism, though she stubbornly ignored it. She was not here to explain details and past events of the Slayter feud. Renee would have enough on her plate with the revelations of Logan Crow.

  “Please.” Renee stepped back and opened the door wider. “Come in.”

  Hayden and Nicolas entered the luxury apartment together.

  When she’d lived here, she always marveled at the high ceilings and the large window overlooking the cityscape. Rustic hardwood stretched across the living room and into the adjourning kitchen. It was a small apartment, with three bedrooms, but it was comfortable.

  As Hayden settled at the breakfast bar, Nicolas slithered past her and stood at the bay window. He remained close by, in his persistent way of protection, yet distancing enough to give her a semblance of privacy.

  After Renee offered them something to drink or eat, in which they politely declined, she stood opposite of Hayden and stared unabashedly. In an attempt to stop herself from touching her daughter, Renee’s hands curled resolutely around her coffee mug.

  “You’ve grown so much,” Renee observed quietly, her attention diligently tracing over Hayden’s features. “You look… so much like your father.”

  Hayden stiffened and focused stubbornly on Renee’s cream-laced coffee.

  “That’s partly why I’m here.”

  They had to find Logan.

  Stifling her guilt, she looked back up at her mother’s perplexed face.

  “Your father?” She straightened from her position, on guard at the mention of her ex-husband. “You haven’t wanted to talk about Kevin since he’s left.”

  She looked over Hayden’s head at Nicolas, as if he were to blame.

  After a long, nearly agonizing silence on Hayden’s end, Renee suddenly spoke. “It’s like he’s back here again.” She sighed heavily, appearing weary. “With you looking so much like him and his similar presence. It just brings back painful memories.”

  Hayden glanced at Nicolas from over her shoulder, realizing her mother was referring to the aura Alpha males generally possessed. It was not a surprise humans noticed the authoritative impression of these men.

  “Memories I know you’d rather keep buried,” Hayden acknowledged, turning back to her mother. “But I need you to remember them again.”

  Renee did not speak again, yet her expression shuttered, shadowed with the knowledge she’d have to relive those days once again.

  Hayden reached over and lay her hands over Renee’s trembling fingers. From her position on her stool, she peered up at her mother. The words wanted to spill out uncensored.

  She wanted to tell Renee that Kevin Grey was actually Logan Crow.

  She wanted to tell her Logan had an entirely different life.

  With another wife, another child, and with a cruel streak.

  He’d killed dozens.

  Hayden came here with those intentions. With the intentions of getting rid of some of the weight on her conscience. It was why she refused to settle with a phone call. It was impersonal, especially with all the information Hayden wanted to share.

  Perhaps a part of her wanted her mother to hurt just as much as she did, but looking at her mother’s concerned expression gave Hayden a sudden realization.

  Her intentions were selfish.

  Purely self-regarding.

  Her mother may have a right to know, but Renee had moved on from Kevin Grey, leaving nothing behind but an empty husk of a memory. Logan Crow had already torn Renee’s life apart.

  Hayden wanted to protect her as much as possible from it happening again.

  Telling her Logan was a werewolf would already damage her enough for one day.

  Her reluctance to divulge any more information caused silence to cloak the room. The quiet stretched for so long, Nicolas turned around and assessed the situation closely.

  “Hayden.”

  His tone was sharp, commanding.

  Hayden closed her eyes briefly, encouraged to begin. “I just found out he was a werewolf. He’s alive, actually. I thought he’d died after never hearing from him again.” She looked at her mother. “Did you have any idea he was a werewolf?”

  Renee removed her hands from Hayden’s hold, her brows furrowed.

  “You mean he was bitten, like you? Is that why he left us?”

  Cynically, Hayden laughed once. “No.” She ran a hand through her hair with agitation. “He was a werewolf before he met you. How could you not have known he was part animal? You married him. You were intimate with him. He was an Alpha male… surely you’d…”

  Hayden trailed off, a loss of words when anger blossomed in her chest.

  Was she angry with her mother for being so naïve? Or was she angry that Renee was already a dead end to finding Logan?

  It was a mistake to come here.

  “You were old enough to remember your father very well, Hayden,” Renee countered firmly, angry at the accusation of ignorance. “Did you, yourself, believe he turned into a wolf on full moons?”

  Hayden stuttered before finding her voice.

  “I wasn’t intimate with him,” she argued fiercely. “No matter how much he would have liked to hide it, he wouldn’t be able to resist the instinct to claim and mark and—”

  She cut herself off abruptly when she saw the red growing across Renee’s face.

  Oh.

  Deflating, Hayden calmed herself down, realizing she’d gotten upset over something inconsequential. Accusing her mother of not drawing the conclusion that her husband was a werewolf just because he was domineering in bed was not fair.

  Renee was right.

  Hayden was just as close to her father. Never once had she believed he was part-wolf. He was most definitely authoritative at times, but it never drew much consideration.

  “My relationship with your father was not a healthy one.”

  The confession had Hayden looking back up. “You seemed happy.”

  Renee smiled brokenly. “You were a child, Hayden. You saw what we wanted you to see.”
She reached for her coffee, caressing the ceramic mug. “I met your father when I was very young, around your age. I was very taken with him. He was hypnotizing.”

  With unfocused intensity, she regarded Nicolas, who remained facing the cityscape, his hands clasped patiently behind his back.

  “It wasn’t long before I became pregnant with you. Around that time, I realized just how controlling and domineering he could be. He frightened me at times.” She looked at Hayden. “He made me depend on him entirely. It’s why I took his absence so hard. I lost my balance and I couldn’t seem to find it for quite some time.”

  Renee reached over and patted Hayden’s curled hands.

  “He adored you very much. I thank God you turned out like him. I know you’d never let anyone walk over you or be as naïve as I was.”

  “You weren’t naïve,” Hayden argued firmly, hiding how much the comparison bothered her. She curled her fingers around her mother’s wrist. “He influenced you. He knew he could influence you. He took advantage of you.”

  Renee smiled sadly, as she didn’t quite believe Hayden. “Being a werewolf explains a lot of things. Why he acted the way he did, and why he disappeared so often.”

  He left so often to visit his other family, but Hayden remained tightlipped.

  Renee’s story reinforced the conviction that werewolves and humans should never enter into a relationship. From a human’s perspective, Renee was in an abusive relationship with Logan. On the contrary, it was quite normal from a werewolf’s perspective.

  Hayden wondered what drew Logan to Renee in the first place.

  “There are rumors he’s alive, but no one can find him,” Hayden started curtly. “I know that you probably don’t think you know much about his other life, but if you can think of anything… any friends he mentioned, any place he visited often without you, it would be helpful.”

  Renee seemed troubled. “Why can’t you find him? Is he in some sort of trouble?” Here, she looked at Nicolas again. “I—I can’t think of anything.”

  Hayden did not deflate, no matter how much she wanted to.

  “He’s not in trouble,” she soothed, her voice calm. “But we’d like to find him. No one has heard from him in years. Anything you remember would help us.”

  Her mother clearly remained uncertain with Hayden’s intentions, perhaps sensing there was more to the story. Renee was not stupid. She would notice Hayden’s vague explanations.

  Nonetheless, her mother contemplated. “Your father spoke of a coworker. Xavier, I think his name was…” she trailed off, her gaze distant. “He talked about him all the time, though I don’t know any specific details.”

  Hayden nodded rapidly. “Xavier, yes. Anyone else?”

  Her heart beat faster.

  If Logan felt comfortable enough telling Renee about Xavier Slayter, no matter the context, then there had to be more. He had to confide in Renee about some aspects of his other life, no matter how vague.

  “A few other names I can’t remember now. Not after so long,” Renee confessed, her expression dismayed. “He left a few weeks at a time for work, or so he said. He never liked talking about work. When he came back from his business trips, he was entirely absorbed on the family.”

  “Is there any place he left to visit?” Nicolas inquired, finally making an appearance in the conversation. He suddenly appeared at Hayden’s elbow. “Besides work?”

  Renee eyed him, a bit uncertain. “Montana.”

  Hayden’s eyes widened and she felt a weight drop in her stomach. Why hadn’t she thought of it sooner?

  “Montana?” Nicolas pressed. “When—”

  “My aunt,” Hayden interrupted, suddenly standing.

  Nicolas turned to her deliberately. “You were Sired there.”

  Convenience he seemed to say with his gaze. Fortunately, he clearly noticed Hayden’s desire to keep things as ambiguous as possible for her mother, for he didn’t press the topic. She was thankful for his consideration.

  “Does your aunt have something to do with this?” Renee pressed.

  Hayden’s aunt—Liz— was not truly her aunt.

  She’d known since a child that her father and aunt were unrelated, but they grew up together as children. That was how the story went, anyway. It made Hayden wonder who her aunt really was and what role she played in all this.

  “No,” Hayden reassured. “She may know where dad is, though.”

  Renee appeared disappointed. “You’re not telling me everything.” She reached for Hayden’s face. “You’re not protecting me by keeping me in the dark.”

  “I promise to tell you everything after we find him.”

  A warm hand curled around Hayden’s neck, instantly stilling her. “I will be waiting for you outside,” Nicolas informed, his breath a warm breeze across her ear. To Renee, he said, “It was very nice to meet you, though I wish it were under better circumstances,” he said sincerely. “Your daughter is in safe hands, I assure you.”

  Without waiting for a response, he made for the door and silently let himself out.

  Hayden watched him depart, dismayed he intended to leave already.

  “Hayden…” Renee trailed off, seemingly exhausted. “I’m worried for you. You look hard and worn. So much older than you are.”

  Hayden sensed her mother’s oncoming hysteria.

  Standing up, she maneuvered around the kitchen island and placed a hand on her mother’s arm. “I’m around people who’d do anything to protect me, and I recently learned how to protect myself. You have nothing to worry about.”

  Renee exhaled in bitter amusement as she cradled Hayden’s face. “Not a day goes by that I don’t worry about you. You can give me all the reassurance in the world, but a mother will always worry for her child.”

  Hayden had nothing to say to that.

  “You are clearly in a hurry to find your father, though I wish you’d stay longer. Keep in contact, Hayden. I mean it. I don’t want to rely on others for news about my daughter.” Renee lowered Hayden’s head and kissed her forehead. “Please be careful, my child.”

  Closing her eyes into her mother’s touch, Hayden mourned the unfamiliar feeling of total security. Nothing could rival the level of protection a child felt in their parents’ embrace. It had been a long while since Hayden felt so untouchable.

  “I love you, mom.”

  Before she could breakdown, Hayden turned and made for the door. As she reached for the handle, her mind suddenly caught up with her.

  “It’s best if you don’t contact Liz. At least until we figure everything out.”

  Renee nodded her understanding. “Keep in touch, Hayden.”

  With one last look back, Hayden exited the apartment.

  Upon spying Nicolas waiting further down the hallway, Hayden’s face hardened and she steadied her emotions. He fell into step with her as they traveled down the steps and out into the brisk weather.

  The sleek car waited for them at the curb and Nicolas ushered her inside the warm interior. Sliding across the leather seat, Hayden tried not to look back, afraid her composure would slip.

  “I know you would have liked to stay longer.”

  Hayden shook her head. “We need to get back.” She placed her hands on her lap, forcing herself to stop fidgeting. “I came here with the intentions of telling her everything about Logan, but I couldn’t do it. I froze. I just didn’t want to hurt her further. Or make her worry more.”

  Nicolas was silent for a moment. “Perhaps it was for the best.”

  As they merged into the heavy traffic, Hayden’s nerves remained bundled and hardwired. “It probably feels like a waste of resources, coming here. A simple phone call would have sufficed. Blake said—”

  A large hand fully engulfed her knee, silencing her ramblings immediately.

  Hayden stared at the calloused fingers as they tightened, before looking at the owner of said hand. Nicolas kept his face averted forward, watching the busy traffic ahead.

  “You
both needed this,” was all he said.

  Hayden reflected on his words. Though the visit had been short, she did feel as though a significant amount of weight disappeared from her shoulders.

  It was nice to see her mother again, to touch her, to hug her.

  To reassure her.

  Perhaps those many weeks ago, when Hayden had suggested visiting her mother for answers, Nicolas had recognized the underlying desire and had arranged things accordingly.

  He knew, even back then, that a phone call would have sufficed.

  Something shifted in her chest at that prospect. At times, he was so cold and entirely unreadable. Secrecy usually cloaked his intentions and made him an enigma. Yet, she grew fond of him during instances like these, when she saw a glimpse of what lay underneath.

  He was truly a good man.

  At least to those he deemed under his protection.

  So many misread him, misjudged him.

  Hayden regarded the hand on her leg. She wanted to reach out and interlace her fingers through his, to feel his warm, rough skin against hers.

  However, her hands stayed firmly on her lap.

  She was a coward.

  “Thank you for arranging this.”

  He inclined his head. “We got what we needed. I think a trip to Montana is in order.” His hand remained where it was, looking like an easy, natural fixture against her knee. “Your aunt… your brother’s sister, I assume? Though Logan only has four brothers.”

  “Elizabeth,” Hayden supplied. “She wasn’t his biological sister. He admitted they just grew up together as children. Even after my father left us, I remained close to her and visited her in the summers.”

  Something crossed his expression. “Elizabeth was a member of Logan’s pack.”

  Hayden frowned. “Do you think she’s the same person?”

  It was possible Elizabeth was also a werewolf. Hayden hadn’t recalled seeing her after Tracer’s attack last summer. At the time, Hayden had just wanted to hide the evidence of surviving a lethal bite. She hadn’t sought out Elizabeth’s solace.

  Nicolas seemed unhappy at the prospect.

  “It’s best we gather reinforcements for that visit. It’s far too much of a coincidence that Tracer was on her property the night of a full moon. Elizabeth and Celeste were close before the situation with Logan and Xavier progressed.”