Chapter 12

JAX

Hayley’s check-up is over, and we’re heading upstairs to my office. I’ve set up a TV for her to watch while I work. I arranged it this morning, before the pack meeting. If she has a nightmare, I’ll be right there to comfort her.

She didn’t have a nightmare last night. Maybe it was because I was in the room, or maybe it was the mate bond. Either way, I’m relieved. I’ll have to keep an eye on it.

I start tackling the pile of paperwork on my desk, glancing over at Hayley. Her eyes are already closed, her breaths soft and even.

Quietly, I stand and grab the blanket from the back of the sofa. I drape it gently over Hayley, and she snuggles into it.

I return to my work, a smile on my face, hoping time will fly by.

***

Three hours later, I’ve finished all the work for the day. Hayley is still on the sofa, her eyes open but unfocused.

I crouch down in front of her. Her eyes meet mine, and she smiles. “Hi,” she whispers.

“Hi, baby. Sleep well?” I ask.

“Good,” she replies, blushing at the nickname.

She didn’t have a nightmare. Our presence must be helping her sleep peacefully.

Remembering Lily’s suggestion, I ask, “Want to get your hair cut? My sister’s a hairdresser. She can do it.”

She hesitates, so I reassure her. “I’ll be with you the whole time. Nothing bad will happen. We can trust her.”

She nods, looking eager. “Okay, I’ll call her over,” I say, mind-linking Ella. “Let’s go downstairs and get ready for your makeover.”

I take her hand and lead her to the living room.

I settle Hayley on the sofa and fetch a chair from the dining room for her to sit on during the haircut.

I’m about to sit next to Hayley when the doorbell rings.

I open the door to find Ella, her kit in hand and a wide smile on her face.

“Hey, big bro!” she yells, smacking me on the head.

“Ouch! What was that for?” I protest.

“For not telling me you found your mate! I had to find out at a pack meeting! I’m your sister! You should’ve told me first!” she retorts.

I shrug. “I’ve been busy. Didn’t have time to gossip.”

“Hey!” she shrieks. I open the door wider, letting her in.

Hayley is standing now, looking unsure about approaching Ella.

But Ella doesn’t wait. She drops her kit and rushes over to Hayley, pulling her into a tight hug.

Hayley stands stiffly, her hands at her sides, looking to me for help.

“Okay, Ella. Let her go,” I say. Ella pulls back, rolls her eyes at me, then turns back to Hayley.

“I’ve been dying to meet you! When I heard Jax found his mate, I was so excited! I can’t believe it’s true!

“Poor you, stuck with Jax as a mate! We’ll have so much fun talking about him behind his back!” Ella rambles.

Hayley looks at me, unsure. I shrug and silently wish her luck. She turns back to Ella and whispers, “Hello…”

“Don’t be shy! I won’t bite!” Ella replies.

“No, Ella. Hayley has trouble speaking. She doesn’t talk much,” I explain.

“Oh… Well, she can just listen then!” Ella responds.

I roll my eyes at my sister’s antics and walk over to Hayley. I wrap my arm around her waist, and she snuggles into me.

“You two are so cute together!” Ella squeals.

“Can you just cut Hayley’s hair and leave?” I ask, a bit bored.

“Hey! I’ll stay as long as I want! I’m doing this for free!" She pauses, then adds, "Okay, I have another appointment, so I’ll have to leave. But not because you told me to!”

“Just get on with it,” I say. She sticks her tongue out at me and gets to work.

***

An hour later, Hayley’s transformation is complete. Her once lifeless, dry, long hair is now a healthy, full bob that rests on her collarbone, with bangs framing her forehead. She looks stunning.

Hayley didn’t want her hair straightened. Heat must be a trigger for her.

She looks at herself and gasps. She touches her hair, then a huge smile lights up her face.

“I…love it. Thank you.” That smile is quickly becoming my favorite thing.

“Thank God! You look beautiful, Hayley,” Ella says. Hayley blushes and looks down.

“Alright, Ella. Time to go,” I say, nudging her towards the door. She tries to protest, but I manage to get her out. “Thanks, sis,” I say.

“Bye, Hay—” she starts, but I close the door on her.

I walk over to Hayley and wrap my arms around her. I rest my chin on her head and sigh. Life couldn’t be better.

***

Hours pass, and we’ve watched three Disney movies:

~Aladdin~, ~Tangled~, and ~Bolt~. I’m about to suggest dinner to Hayley, but when I glance her way, she’s already drifted off to sleep.

She looks so fragile, so delicate in her slumber. It tugs at my heartstrings.

I rise from the couch, turning off the TV. I scoop Hayley up gently and carry her upstairs to our bedroom. I lay her down on the bed and tuck her in with care.

I kneel beside her, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. I whisper, “How did I get so lucky?”

After a moment, I send a mind-link to Dimitri, asking him to meet me in my office. I stand, casting one last look at Hayley before leaving the room and heading to my office.

I arrive before Dimitri and settle behind my desk.

A few minutes later, Dimitri knocks and steps inside. He takes the seat across from me.

“Good evening, Alpha,” he greets.

“Evening. We have fifteen minutes before I need to return to my mate. So, how did the investigation go?” I ask.

“Well… there was an incident. Some of the warriors and I went to the location you specified. While we were there, we stumbled upon a group of other wolves.

“They spotted us and took off. We gave chase, but I was the only one who could keep up. We might need to work on the warriors’ endurance.

“I followed them into another pack’s territory—Bloodnight Pack. It struck me as odd that they were in the same area where we found Hayley.

“Do you think they were looking for her?” he asks, catching his breath.

“It’s a possibility. Investigate it. Keep an eye on the border, but don’t draw attention.

“If we’re wrong, we could start a war, and that’s the last thing we need right now. I’ll talk to Hayley about it,” I reply, lost in thought.

We spend the next ten minutes discussing pack training. I stand, and Dimitri follows suit. “Thank you, Dimitri,” I say, appreciative of his efforts.

“No problem. She’s my luna too. I want to make whoever hurt her pay,” he responds.

I give a small smile. “Goodnight, Dimitri.”

“Goodnight, Alpha,” he replies, likely heading back to his mate, Katie.

I lock up my office and return to the bedroom. I open the door quietly, closing it behind me.

I glance at Hayley, finding her sitting up in bed, watching me.

“Did you have another nightmare?” I ask, my voice filled with worry.

“No… Felt you…leave…so…I woke,” she stammers.

“I’m sorry, baby,” I say, moving to sit on the bed, propping myself up with my arm.

“Where…did you go?” she asks. I had planned to wait to ask her about the Bloodnight Pack, but since she’s awake, I decide to bring it up.

“Hayley, sweetheart, I sent Dimitri and some warriors to the place where I found you. We were hoping to pick up the scent of whoever hurt you, since your memory hasn’t returned.

“While they were in rogue territory, they encountered some wolves that weren’t rogues. Dimitri followed them to the Bloodnight Pack,” I pause, taking a deep breath before asking, “Baby…did someone from the Bloodnight Pack hurt you?” …