by Reese Morgan
“I should hope not. Celeste was fond of him. He… not so fond of her. Troy was very loyal to Xavier and Logan. He did not favor women quite so much.” He winked at Hayden. “It might just be his downfall one day.”
She flashed him a fleeting grin, though it disappeared quickly. She couldn’t imagine following another lead. Especially when all their leads had turned up empty, and especially after Julian’s warning about their pack.
“Exactly what did he ‘mediate’ between our father and Logan?” Cole inquired intensely. “I find it doubtful he’d give us any information, if he’s still alive, that is.”
Marcus nodded, appearing to understand Cole’s concerns. “It was the meeting ground for the majority of their experiments. At least in the beginning stages. I knew they were experimenting on rogue werewolves, but I don’t know what they were experimenting with. Oregon was the birth of Celeste’s vengeance. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
He turned and began walking back towards Julian’s territory. Hayden watched him go, wanting to run after him and ask him questions about her father.
“Wait!” she called after his retreating form.
Cloaked in the depths of darkness, he turned towards her, expectant.
She licked her lips and exhaled noisily. “Why?” she asked, though she didn’t quite know what question she wanted answered first.
Visions of her father flashed before her. She wanted to know the whole story, not just a jaded, bitter tale coming from the spawn of Celeste. She wanted to know if her mother knew. She wanted to know why her father had betrayed Celeste in such a way.
Hayden scoffed lightly, a harsh smirk crossing her features. She was too afraid to know the answers. “Why would you betray Julian and tell us about Troy?”
Marcus’s bald-head inclined in recognition. “My first loyalty will always be to Logan, or, at least the memory of him.” He looked between the three companions. “I think that’s all that needs to be said.”
Without another word, Marcus’ form gradually disappeared into the trees. She watched him go long after, contemplating his actions. If what he said was true, he’d want to avenge Logan’s death. He wasn’t necessarily betraying Julian, but he was betraying Celeste.
If this Troy Arnold proved to have any sort of answers, that is.
“The decision lies with you,” Nicolas commented stiffly. “If you want to continue this ruse, then by all means, we can go.”
Hayden turned around, looking between the two brothers. They stood with their backs to the headlights, the intense light accentuating their solid build but casting their expressions in darkness.
They were tired, she noticed. Just as she was. Cole didn’t appear to be getting healthier, if anything, his face was gaunt and his stance a margin too weak. Even Nicolas, the normally tall and proud Alpha seemed weighed down by continuous failure.
“Do you think we can trust his word?”
Nicolas tilted his head. “I think we can trust his loyalty to Logan Crow. That, I do not doubt. But I beg the question as to whether this… Troy Arnold can provide significant answers. Despite our efforts these past few days, the only secret we were able to uncover was the identity of Logan’s estranged daughter.”
Cole suddenly looked towards her. She straightened her shoulders.
“Hayden?”
With the light shining in her eyes, she couldn’t pinpoint his expression. She felt vulnerable standing in the glare of the headlights where they could see her clearly.
Looking off into the trees, she considered his unspoken question. “I miss the others and I want to get you back home… wherever home is now.” Her fingers fiddled with the hem of her blouse. “But if it isn’t a large detour, I’d be willing to make the stop. Whatever you decide, Cole, I will support your decision.”
“Spoken like a true, supportive mate,” Nicolas drawled, his tone derisive.
Her mouth twisted partly into a sneer, partly into a grimace. “And yet, you make it sound like it should be anything but a compliment.”
A twig snapped behind her and Hayden quickly withdrew a throwing knife. She sniffed the air, turning towards the sound. There was no animal scent, no human scent, but no werewolf scent either.
“Get in the truck,” Nicolas ordered, appearing abruptly besides her.
He curled a dominant hand around her neck and nudged her in the direction of the pickup. She struggled against the hand, snarling at his audacity. As he pushed her up against the front of the truck, she turned and faced him.
“You have no right.”
Nicolas grabbed her shoulders and brought her close. “If it’s for your protection, I have every right.” He studied her heavy breathing and tense form, and gradually, his own breathing slowed and his need to dominant eased.
His eyes landed on the mating mark on her throat, and the fingers around her shoulders tightened noticeably. “Get back in the truck, Hayden. Please.”
At the controlled request, and the odd, pleasant tightening in her stomach, Hayden blinked. Her body uncoiled and she sidestepped him and his smothering presence.
“Because you asked so nicely,” she grumbled under her breath.
As she turned, she caught Cole’s regard. He stood near the line of trees, where the sound had originated. He looked between Hayden and his brother, a tense, forbidding frown to his face.
“Cole…” Hayden started hesitantly, her heart in her throat. “What’s—”
“This has gone on far too long.”
She stood stiffly, guilt making her unable to move.
Cole abandoned his task of searching their surroundings in favor of heading towards the truck. “We’re going back to the pack. No detour, no more adventures. Nicolas, meanwhile, can venture back in the shadows to where he belongs.”
Beyond Cole’s shoulder, Nicolas appeared genuinely amused. “You’re suddenly abandoning your mission over… what, exactly? I’m afraid I don’t quite understand.”
Instead of joining in on the conversation, Hayden slunk cowardly back to the truck and into the back seat.
“You can leave us now,” Cole said to Nicolas. “You’re no longer needed.”
Hayden winced at the words, hating that she was responsible for the wedge between the brothers. Perhaps if she hadn’t been in the picture, they would have already formed a reconciliation.
“My responsibility is to see you safe. If that means following you back to your lovely pack, so be it. You’re not getting rid of me so quickly.”
She slammed the door shut, drowning out their voices. From the back, she watched as Cole stepped closer to Nicolas. Whatever he said next caused Nicolas to lose his customary smirk. The eldest Slayter shifted from mischievous to ominous in just seconds.
He matched Cole’s invading space with his own, clearly taking the situation and his brother seriously.
Closing her eyes, Hayden turned her head, not wanting to see the confrontation. Even if she was confused over her attraction to Nicolas, Cole still noticed it. Looking back, she knew he had formed an assumption as soon as they’d rescued him from Celeste.
Even back then, he noticed her acute senses when it came to his brother.
If she was honest with herself, it was thrilling to be the center of attention between two Alpha men, especially if they were both Slayters. But her desire for Nicolas and Cole to truly reunite outweighed any silly fantasies. She hadn’t meant for it to happen, she didn’t want it to happen.
She just wanted them to form an unbreakable alliance once again.
* * * *
“Hayden.”
Groggily, she struggled for consciousness. It was far more difficult than usual. The hand on her shoulder shook her once more before gently stroking her hair.
“Wake up, Hayden.”
The blurry figure of Cole stood before her. Slowly, she assessed her surroundings, her mind foggy and unclear. It was morning, yet still dark. The truck was no longer running, but oddly enough, their surroundings were u
nfamiliar.
Judging from the drool at the corner of her mouth, she’d fallen asleep in the back of the truck. “How long was I sleeping?”
“Not too long,” he replied, his tone warm despite the coolness it carried the last time she’d remembered. “Your body still needed to recover. You were in a deep sleep.”
As she sat up, he stepped back, giving her room to adjust. She couldn’t help but to notice an aura of peace surrounding Cole. The lines of tension around his eyes seemed to have disappeared and he appeared generally at ease.
She couldn’t help but to notice Nicolas’ absence.
“We decided to stop here for some rest. Nicolas is out hunting for food.”
Hayden stopped short and looked at Cole. “You… worked things out with him?” she ventured carefully, not wanting to seem too hopeful or too guilty.
The Alpha male stepped aside. “Come out.”
Noticing he sidestepped her question, Hayden warily escaped the truck. Her sore joints nearly sighed in relief as she straightened from her earlier cramped position. The air was cool and comforting as it danced across her flushed face.
“I owe you an apology,” Cole started once Hayden fell into step beside him. “You’ve adapted so well into the werewolf society, that I sometimes forget you were not born into our world.”
Her eyebrows rose at the admittance. She hadn’t expected any sort of apology from him, and she definitely hadn’t anticipated a compliment. Or was it a compliment? She came up empty-handed to a proper response.
Fortunately, Cole continued.
“What you’re experiencing with Nicolas is normal, Hayden.”
She stopped abruptly, her heart beating quickly in shock. “I’m—there is nothing I’m experiencing with Nicolas.” Facing back forward, she continued walking.
“Hayden.” Cole grabbed her elbow. He held her back and moved marginally closer. “It’s called natural selection. Animals do it all the time, and even humans practice it in the earlier stages of a relationship.”
He was talking about something she’d only heard of in science class. “I don’t understand,” she insisted, frustrated at his vague explanation.
Cole’s hand slid down her elbow and grasped her hand. He held it gently, yet securely. “Because I am weak right now, your wolf has turned her attention elsewhere. She sees Nicolas as the more promising Alpha male, and in turn, a desirable mate.”
“But you’re my life mate,” Hayden protested. “I thought our wolves were connected.”
“The bond between life mates is indefinite, yes, but until we complete that bond, it is natural for our wolves to see others as worthy specimen.” Cole offered her a grim smile. “Just because a pair of wolves are life mates does not mean they need to accept what fate has given them.”
Relief was the first emotion Hayden immersed herself in, if only because it explained the unmistakable attraction she felt towards Nicolas. It meant she wasn’t a bad person for wanting his attention, his affection. But the answer did not alleviate her guilt.
It left her just as conflicted as before.
She gazed at her surroundings, seeing nothing but endless trees and earth. Her eyes dropped to their clasped hands. “I think… I think I love you, Cole.”
Her voice was soft, reflecting the frightened chord deep within her.
She’d never said it before, never admitted it aloud.
Cole’s hand released hers. For a moment, she stood solitarily, feeling vulnerable after her confession. However, she didn’t have to wait long for a response. Warm hands cupped her cheeks and forced eye contact.
A soft smile played across his lips. “And I love you, Hayden.”
He leaned closer and touched her lips with his. The kiss was gentle at first, almost as if this were new to them, but he deepened it a moment later, channeling his devotion and complete admiration.
She smiled into the kiss as he snaked his arms around her waist, pulling her flush against him. Pressing herself against him, Hayden met his fervor with equal fortitude. Her chest tightened the longer she was in his arms.
She’d needed this.
Cole pulled back slowly, looking down at her. “All of this has put a strain on our relationship. I’ve neglected you and my mind has been elsewhere—”
“You’re not the only one to blame, Cole,” she interrupted. “You’re going through a rough time.”
“We’re both going through a rough time, Hayden. But that’s no excuse. We are stronger united.” He pressed his forehead against hers and cradled her close. “I am truly sorry for the distance that has come between us. I will make it up to you.”
She closed her eyes, taking comfort in his assurance.
His lips traced the crown of her head. “You deserve to be worshipped.”
A loud thump sounded, separating them instantly. Several yards away, Nicolas dropped a dead buck on the ground. Partially cloaked in the dark, his eyes were eerily bright as he regarded them.
“I am truly glad I could…” he trailed off, his tone acidic, yet he did not finish the abrasive remark that would have undoubtedly come out of his mouth. Instead, he motioned to the deer. “Breakfast is served.”
Hayden pressed her lips together, watching Nicolas closely as he crouched down to start the fire. She didn’t know what had been said between Cole and Nicolas. Whatever it was, it had given Cole new life and it had put a muzzle on Nicolas’ sarcasm.
Sparks ignited and flame eventually caught the dried wood, causing a cloud of smoke to bloom. The small flame reflected brightly off the sharp features of Nicolas’ face.
Lazily, he looked up, catching her regard.
Nicolas would never come across as defeated, no matter how much the odds were stacked against him. He would always raise his tail proudly, never one to drop it between his legs.
And yet, there was something in his gaze that couldn’t be described as anything but defeat. It truly puzzled Hayden.
Whatever Nicolas felt for her had to be purely physical and animalistic. It would have been sour to swallow his pride, but he would have found it easy to step aside and surrender to Cole. She highly doubted the elusive Alpha had feelings like admiration and love. He had a sense of duty and loyalty, yes, but he didn’t strike her as someone who had a soft bone in his body.
Nicolas looked away and stood up, leaving Hayden doubting her earlier assumptions of the man. Perhaps there was more to Nicolas than what he’d let her see.
13. Chapter Thirteen
Fatigue clung to Cole like a second skin, yet somehow, he was happy.
His earlier conversation with Nicolas had done wonders to his demeanor. He stuck close to Hayden in a protective, yet unsmothering way. He gazed at her with admiration and was attentive to her every move.
It was a pleasant change, but she’d also noticed Nicolas’ change as well. Along with his silence, the eldest Slayter wore a hard, icy expression. He kept out of the conversation and returned to his previous role of a silent bodyguard.
Nicolas had sacrificed something for his brother’s happiness. Hayden didn’t know if she’d ever, truly understand what that sacrifice entailed.
She didn’t want to dwell on it, simply because she was satisfied with the way things turned out. For the most part, Cole was back to his old self and Nicolas kept a distance, preventing any sparks of unwanted pleasure Hayden would have felt in his presence.
It was avoidance at its best, but if Nicolas chose it to be this way, than Hayden felt no qualms doing the same. Although, despite her insistence, a constant nagging coiled in the back of her mind.
She couldn’t have it both ways. It had to be this way.
“We’re stopping by to see what information Troy Arnold has on Xavier and Logan.”
Near nodding off in the back seat, Hayden straightened abruptly at Cole’s announcement. They’d been traveling for about a day, taking frequent breaks to eat and reenergize. It hadn’t taken long for the desert-like environment to change into cooler temperatures
and deep snow-covered grounds.
“We are?” she asked dazedly. “What made you change your mind?”
The snow was a welcoming sight. Being back in Oregon even more so. With the full moon so close, Hayden was anxious to get back to her pack. It felt like ages since she’d last seen them, but in reality, it hadn’t even been a full lunar cycle. Or even a half of one.
Cole looked back at her. “It’s on our way to the others. I have a good feeling about this, Hayden. It shouldn’t take long.”
She smiled thinly, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Now that Celeste’s stomping grounds were behind them, she could only focus on the pack. A detour, even just a small, insignificant one, could set them back.
“And what about after? Are you coming back to the pack with us?” She directed her question to Nicolas, yet the man continued driving, completely unfazed by her voice. “Nicolas?” she persisted, feeling slighted by his intentional ignorance.
For a moment, she thought he wouldn’t even respond to his name.
“I am not,” he eventually replied in a clipped tone. “I don’t belong in a pack, nor do I have any desire to play hierocracy with the traditional wolves.”
Hayden tried not to reveal her shock. She looked to Cole, expecting him to intervene and convince his brother otherwise. After getting to know Nicolas, it was difficult not imagining him with them any longer.
Only, Cole stayed silent, as if he already knew Nicolas’ plans.
“I’m sure you can find a place,” Hayden insisted fiercely. “Not everyone will expect you to conform to our pack traditions—”
“The traditional wolves and their backwards customs disgust me. I don’t wish to have any part in their war with Celeste.”
Nowhere in his tone suggested that it was up for debate.
Hayden sat in silence, her mind racing. It didn’t surprise her that Nicolas was opposed to things about the traditional wolves. He’d said as much before. He even supported some of Celeste’s earlier ideas.
However, Hayden also knew he supported some customs that the werewolves had established a long time ago. He wasn’t entirely opposed to the concept of tradition to stay neutral in this war. He had no right.