Chapter 18

HAYLEY

“Hey, Hayley!” Axton calls out, ruffling my hair as he saunters over. I smooth down my tousled hair, watching as he leans casually against the kitchen door frame.

“Hi,” I reply, forcing a smile. Axton squints at me, but before I can question his look, he’s already turned away.

Jax approaches, wrapping his arms around me from behind. Axton’s gaze shifts to the window, giving us a moment of privacy.

“I’m heading out, baby. If meeting the pack feels overwhelming, we can postpone it. I don’t want you to feel pressured,” Jax says.

I start to respond, but Jax cuts me off. “If it gets too much but you still want to go, have Axton mind-link me. I’ll be right there. See you soon, baby,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my temple.

Jax moves over to Axton, muttering, “Take care of her.” Axton nods in acknowledgment.

With a final glance and a quick wink in my direction, Jax exits the pack house.

“You’re nervous,” Axton notes. I realize my legs are bouncing with anxiety.

I nod, biting my nails as I stare into space. Axton comes over, gently pulling my hand away from my mouth and making me look at him.

“You’ll be fine. I’ll be with you the whole time, and if it gets too much, we can leave. Everyone will understand, so don’t worry.

“We can stay for just five minutes and then leave,” he suggests, stroking the back of my hand.

There’s something about Axton that calms me. His presence clears my mind and makes me forget about everything else.

I feel at ease with him. I like him, but not in a romantic way. It’s more of a brotherly affection.

I stand up and hug him. He rests his chin on my head, squeezing me gently. I pull away and smile.

“Thanks, Ax.”

“No problem,” he replies, ruffling my hair as usual.

He heads over to the fridge, grabbing a can of soda. He chugs it down, crushes the can, and tosses it into the trash like a pro basketball player.

He glances at his wristwatch and says, “We have an hour before we need to leave. What do you want to do?”

I shrug, unsure.

“Hmm. I think I saw a deck of UNO cards in the living room. Come on, I’ll teach you. You’ll love it.”

I take his offered hand and he leads the way…

***

“It’s beginner’s luck,” Axton grumbles. He’s been saying that for the past thirty rounds.

I burst into laughter, sticking out my tongue and declaring, “I win!”

Axton rolls his eyes and mutters, “Yeah, yeah, don’t rub it in.” He checks his watch again and says, “Let’s get going so we don’t have to rush.”

I nod, packing up the cards. I head for the door and open it, only for it to be slammed shut again.

I turn to Axton, confusion etched on my face.

“You can’t go out like that.”

I look down at myself, not understanding. I’m wearing my usual clothes, so what’s the problem?

When I look back at him, he shakes his head. “First, you need shoes. Second, it’s getting colder, so you need a coat. And lastly, I got you some earmuffs.”

He walks over to a row of coat hooks, grabs a royal blue button-up coat, and helps me into it.

Once I’m zipped up, he retrieves a pair of white sneakers.

He kneels down to help me put them on, and I rest my hands on his shoulders for balance. He ties my laces—something I still haven’t learned to do—and stands back up.

“I need to teach you how to tie your shoes soon,” he says, as if reading my thoughts. I mumble an agreement.

Next, he grabs the pink fluffy earmuffs and places them on my head.

Once we’re both bundled up, he grins and says, “There you go. Now we can leave.”

He takes my hand, guiding it to his elbow for me to hold onto, and leads me outside.

Freedom still feels surreal. The idea of going wherever and whenever I want is hard to grasp. It’s unsettling.

The outside world continues to take my breath away, and I suspect it will for a long time.

Ax guides me down the large steps from the pack house, heading toward the Rose Club. I still don’t know my way around the pack, having never left the pack house.

Without realizing it, I grip Axton’s arm tightly, my subconscious expecting danger even though I’m safe.

“You’re okay. I wouldn’t let anything happen to you,” Axton reassures me with a wink. I nod and smile, trying to convey that I understand but am still wary.

I trust Axton, and so does Jax; otherwise, he wouldn’t have assigned Axton to protect me. But the outside world still scares me.

I know Axton can keep me safe.

It’s just that I’ve been alone for thirteen years, so I’ve learned to handle everything by myself.

I’m not good at expressing my emotions when I’ve been taught that they are a sign of weakness.

“The walk’s just five minutes, so we won’t be out here long.” I let out a sigh of relief.

My legs are still aching from all the training with Jax. It’s a struggle to even take ten steps.

With each step, my breath grows shorter and heavier, but I force myself to keep moving.

This is for Jax. For the pack. For me.

I can do this.

“You’re tired,” Ax observes. “I can carry you if you want.”

“I’m okay, but thanks.”

“Alright, we’re almost there. See that building near the pack hospital?” He points to a brick building next to the hospital—the one I first came out of when I arrived here. I nod.

“That’s the place. That’s the Rose Club. Jax thought it’d be smart to put it near the hospital. A lot of pregnant females hang out at the club, so if any of them go into labor, they won’t have far to go.”

Jax’s thoughtfulness makes my smile stretch from ear to ear. He really does care.

As I take the final steps toward the Rose Club, I draw in a deep breath, readying myself to meet Jax’s pack members…