Chapter 10

JAX

I guide Hayley back to our room, taking off her shoes and tucking her into bed. I’m not ready to leave her side yet, so I lay down behind her, propped up on my elbows.

I run my fingers through her long, soft hair. It seems to soothe her, her eyes fluttering shut as she drifts off to sleep.

I wish I could join her, but there are things I need to take care of before she wakes. I keep stroking her hair for a while longer before I quietly get up and leave the room.

I head to my office, located at the top of the pack house. As I walk, I remember how I felt while Hayley was in her session.

I missed her so much, I thought I might break down the door just to see her again. Aaron was constantly whining because he missed his mate, and it was driving me crazy.

I spent the entire session pacing outside the door, but I couldn’t hear anything. The room is soundproof for privacy.

When I get to my office, I unlock the door with the key from my pocket and close it behind me.

I sit down behind my large, polished oak desk and my legs start twitching. I already miss Hayley and just want to be near her again.

I mind-link Basil to meet me in my office. He responds immediately, “I won’t be long, Alpha.” A few minutes later, there’s a knock at my door.

“Come in,” I say. Basil closes the door behind him and takes a seat in front of me.

“I was wondering when you were going to call for me,” he jokes. I narrow my eyes at him, warning him not to push his luck.

“How was she?” I ask.

“I assume you’re talking about Hayley,” he replies.

I nod, and he continues, “She’s very closed off. I can’t tell you what was said, but she isn’t telling me the whole truth.

“It might take longer for her to trust me and open up, but she can take as much time as she needs.”

I could use my alpha command to make him tell me what Hayley said, but I respect her and want to give her the privacy she deserves.

I nod at Basil, understanding, and say, “Just keep me updated. I want to make sure she’s happy and feels safe here. I don’t want her to feel like she’s in danger.”

I pause, then say, “Thank you, Basil. You can go now.”

He responds with, “Thank you, Alpha,” stands up, and leaves, closing the door quietly behind him.

I start going through a few files that were left on my desk, catching up on what I missed yesterday. After an hour, I mind-link Dimitri to come to my office. “On my way, Alpha,” he responds.

Dimitri knocks once then comes in. “You alright, Alpha?” he asks, after closing the door.

“Yeah, just sorting through a few things. I need you to do something for me.”

He nods. “Anything.” He walks over to one of the chairs and sits down, ready to listen.

“Tomorrow, I need you and a few warriors to go back to where I found Hayley and see if you can pick up any other scents in the area. You’ll have to go into rogue territory, that’s where she was coming from.”

“Of course, Alpha. This will be good training for the warriors—learning to pick up other wolves' scents.” I nod in agreement.

“Later that night, after Hayley’s gone to bed, we’ll have a meeting to discuss what you and the warriors found.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He pauses, then looks away.

“What is it, Dimitri?” I ask, getting annoyed at him for holding back.

“Well... I was just wondering when Hayley will become our luna. The whole pack is wondering if she’s your mate and if that means we’ll finally have a luna.”

This catches me off guard. I’ve been so focused on other things, I didn’t stop to think about her becoming my luna. Hayley will be an amazing luna. She’ll care for our pack. She’ll love our pack.

“I haven’t thought about it, but Hayley will become luna when she’s ready. The pack has survived this long, it can wait a little longer.

“Tomorrow, I’ll hold a meeting to tell the pack that Hayley is my mate, but that she needs some time to adjust to becoming luna and to complete the luna ceremony.”

Dimitri nods while I’m talking, agreeing with me.

I think for a moment, then continue, “Since Hayley is practically luna now, she needs a personal guard at all times. We need our best fighter... who has a mate.”

“Well, our best fighter is Axton, but he doesn’t have a mate,” Dimitri replies.

I growl at him and say, “Well, not him then,” and continue to think.

“Jax, what’s more important? Hayley’s safety or you being a jealous mate?” Dimitri is one of the few who can call me by my name and not my title, because he’s my closest friend.

I trust him with my life.

I pause and think it over. Hayley’s safety is what matters, so I guess Axton will be her guard. “Fine. You’re right,” I say before I mind-link Axton to come to my office.

A few moments later, there’s a knock on my office door. Axton is here. He waits outside until I say, “Come in.”

He comes in, bows his head, and says, “Alpha, Beta.” He’s wearing grey, baggy shorts, a black skintight T-shirt, and what used to be white but are now brown sneakers.

His hair is messy, not styled at all. He lifts his head and his bright, green eyes meet mine.

“Axton, I have a proposition for you. How would you like to be your luna’s guard?” I ask.

Axton’s eyes go wide. “Really? We have a luna?”

I nod. “Yes, we do. Her name is Hayley.”

Axton recovers from his surprise. “I’d be honored, Alpha. Thank you for choosing me.”

I nod back, but I have to warn him. “If you ever touch my mate without my permission, you’ll wish you were dead. Got it?”

He doesn’t seem to take my threat too seriously, but he nods, a small smile playing on his handsome face. “Yes, Alpha.”

“You’ll start tomorrow morning, after I’ve left. When I’m not with Hayley, you will be. But if I’m there, you won’t be needed.

“You’ll help Hayley learn to speak in full sentences and read properly while I’m busy.”

“She had an accident and lost her memory. It’s affected her speech, and she needs to improve it.”

“You’ll be with her a lot, so you’ll have plenty of time to teach her.”

Before Axton can respond, a scream cuts through the air, echoing through the entire pack house.

Both of them turn to me. I’m on my feet in an instant, sprinting to my office door. I throw it open and race down the stairs.

I reach the floor where the scream came from—it’s the same floor as Hayley’s and my bedroom. I rush to our bedroom door. The scream is coming from inside.

I burst into the room to find Hayley thrashing in bed, tangled in the sheets.

Her head is shaking, tears streaming down her face, a frown etched between her eyebrows. She’s having a nightmare.

I rush to her side, pulling her into my lap. I hold her, shaking her awake. Her eyes fly open, darting around the room, searching for danger.

When she doesn’t find any, she closes her eyes, her body shaking with sobs. She starts to hyperventilate, a panic attack taking hold.

I remind her to breathe, rubbing her back in soothing circles. The touch sends tingles up both our spines. I hold her as if my life depends on it.

That’s when I realize it’s not a nightmare—it’s a flashback.

Eventually, she calms down, going limp in my arms. My heart aches for her. Tears well in my eyes, but I don’t let them fall. I have to be strong for Hayley.

I ask if she wants to talk about it, but she shakes her head.

I whisper an okay, rest my head on top of hers, and hold her close.

I want to distract her from her past, so I decide to surprise her.

“Hayley, I have a surprise for you. Just stay here. I’ll be back in half an hour. How does that sound?”

Her eyes light up. She nods eagerly, and I can’t help but grin.

I gently lay her back on the bed. “I won’t be long.” I leave the room, giving her a quick wink before I close the door.

In the hallway, I turn to Dimitri and Axton. “I need your help…”

***

We did it. We got everything set up in under half an hour. I return to our bedroom and knock softly on the door.

When I enter, Hayley is exactly where I left her. She looks at me, anticipation shining in her eyes.

“Ready for your surprise?” She nods frantically. “Follow me,” I say, holding out my hand. She gets up, a little unsteady, and places her small hand in mine.

I lead her outside to her surprise. When she sees it, she gasps.

Tears well in her eyes, and for a moment, I worry I’ve moved too fast. But then she throws herself at me, hugging me tightly.

I wrap my arms around her, breathing in her scent, relieved that she’s not upset.

She steps back after a moment, taking in the scene. Fairy lights twinkle in the trees, casting a magical glow.

A checkered blanket is spread out in the middle of a field of flowers.

A picnic basket sits on the blanket, filled with toast, cookies, and a flask of peppermint tea. Hayley’s medication is there too.

Next to the basket is a stereo, which I plan to use later.

While Hayley is taking it all in, I quickly mind-link the pack.

I tell them they can come into the pack house, but they need to grab food and drink quickly, then go to their rooms until nine tomorrow morning.

This way, Hayley won’t be overwhelmed by the pack members when we head back to our room later.

“I love this?” she says, her voice full of wonder and confusion. “Thank you,” she whispers, snuggling into my chest.

We enjoy the moment until her stomach growls. “Come on, let’s get you something to eat.”

We sit on the blanket, and I lay out the food. I hand her her medication and a cup of tea.

We eat in comfortable silence. I notice she’s looking at the sky, so I lie back to look up too. She follows suit.

My hand finds hers, and I start to rub soothing circles on the back of it. A purr rumbles in my chest, and I let it out.

We stay like that for another hour, just stargazing. No talking, just enjoying each other’s company.

Then I remember the stereo. I sit up to connect it to my phone. I choose ~Last Request~ by Paolo Nutini. It seems fitting for the moment.

I rise to my feet, extending my hand to Hayley. “Would you like to dance?” I ask. She gives me a nod, her hand slipping gently into mine as she stands.

I position her on my feet, and we begin to sway together. She lifts her gaze to meet mine, her smile wide and radiant. It’s the most breathtaking sight I’ve ever seen.

This is the first time I’ve seen her smile, and it’s stunning. A wave of happiness washes over me. I lean in, resting my forehead against hers, and we continue to sway to the rhythm of the music…