Chapter 40

Jax

I’ve got something I need to do.

I plant a kiss on Hayley’s forehead and turn to Dimitri. “Can we talk for a minute?” Hayley shoots me a puzzled look, and I let her peek into my thoughts to see what I’m planning. After a moment, her face registers shock, then relief, and she graces me with her stunning smile.

“Sure thing, Alpha.” I lean down to give Hayley a quick kiss on the lips. Her intoxicating, sweet scent fills my nose, and I have to hold my breath to keep from doing something rash. Her scent is getting stronger. Hayley’s heat is almost here. How the hell am I going to keep myself in check?

She’s just too damn tempting. I’m wrapped around her little finger, and she doesn’t even realize it. Or maybe she does.

A cough from behind me yanks me back to reality. I straighten up, trying to slow my racing heart and push away the inappropriate thoughts. Clearing my throat, I say, “Follow me,” and lead the way to my office, Dimitri trailing behind.

Once we’re inside, I shut the door and motion for Dimitri to sit. I circle around to my side of the desk, take a seat, and lean forward, resting my elbows on the desk and clasping my hands together.

“Dimitri, you’ve been with me since I first became Alpha. You’ve been nothing but loyal to me and the pack. You’ve protected and cared for this pack when I couldn’t.

“You’ve shown incredible strength and bravery in your role as Beta, and I’ve never had any trouble trusting you. That’s why I know you’re ready for the next step.” I take a quick breath before continuing, “So, what I’m trying to ask is...would you be willing to become Alpha of the Bloodnight Pack?”

His jaw drops, and his eyes go wide with shock. Dimitri sits frozen in his chair, unsure of how to respond. After a moment, he regains his composure and sits up straighter.

“Alpha, I’m honored that you’d consider me for this, but I can’t take your place. You’re the true Alpha of the Bloodnight Pack—you killed Mason,” he spits out the name.

“I’m not half the man you are. I’m not strong enough to lead a pack like you can.” He’s always so hard on himself. He could save the world and still think he could’ve done better.

“Stop doubting yourself. You might not see it, but I do. Talk it over with your mate and let me know what you both decide. You’re a natural leader, Dimitri. You’re ready for this. I wouldn’t ask you if I didn’t believe you were.”

I saw the panic in Hayley’s thoughts when she realized she’d be Luna of the Bloodnight Pack.

I can’t force her to go back to a place that’s caused her so much pain.

The best thing would be for Dimitri to become Alpha. That way, Hayley can feel at home here, because the Bloodnight Pack will never be her home.

~One week later~

“I’m gonna miss you. Who’s gonna tease me all the time?” Hayley says, hugging Dimitri.

Hayley’s been clinging to me almost constantly, not that I mind. I know she’s dealing with a lot of emotions.

Luckily, she’s been talking to me about it instead of bottling it up. That way, I can help her work through it. But sometimes, there’s nothing I can do.

Every night, when she thinks I’m asleep, she sneaks off to the bathroom and breaks down.

I hear her blaming herself for everything that’s happened, saying she doesn’t deserve the life she has now. Nothing I say can make her feel better. All I can do is be there for my mate.

Hayley turns to Sarah, Dimitri’s mate. “I wish we’d had more time together,” Hayley murmurs.

“We’ll have plenty of time for that. I’ll come visit, and we can have a girls’ day,” Sarah says, laughing.

“I’d really like that,” Hayley replies.

Dimitri nearly knocks the wind out of me with a bear hug. He’s always been like a little brother to me, and I’m going to miss having him around.

Tears well up in both our eyes as we realize this is the end of the road. We’re going our separate ways, but he’s ready. I pull away first, promising to keep in touch.

He’s not far away—he’s just next door, leading his own pack. But it’s going to feel like he’s in another country.

After Dimitri and Sarah say their goodbyes to everyone, they head off into the forest, waving to the pack members who will miss them dearly.

I pull Hayley close, breathing in the scent of her hair. It reassures me that everything is okay. Well, not everything. I’m without a Beta now, but I’ve got just the person in mind for the job.

“Axton, I don’t have a Beta anymore, and no one has shown as much strength and integrity as you have. I’m hoping you’ll accept the position of Beta for the Midnight Rose Pack, as well as Hayley’s guard. That is, if you want the job.” I can feel Hayley grinning and nodding against my chest, encouraging Axton to accept.

“I’m ready, Alpha. Thank you for this incredible opportunity. I won’t let you or the pack down,” he says, his smile wide. I know he means it. Cheers erupt from the pack as they celebrate their new Beta.

Dimitri

I sink into my office chair for the first time since arriving at the Bloodnight Pack. It’s safe to say my arrival wasn’t exactly welcomed.

Especially by the guys with too much testosterone—they haven’t stopped challenging me. I’ve had thirteen challenges since I got here, including one from Billy himself. He was a piece of cake.

He might be my Beta, but I’m going to be working to undermine him behind his back.

Finally, I can breathe. I’m officially the Alpha of the Bloodnight Pack. They see my strength, they know I’m not like the Alpha before me.

I’m determined to turn this pack around. First on my list? A new name. One that doesn’t echo the damage this pack has inflicted.

I power up the computer, but it’s password protected. Of course. I rummage around for clues. In the top drawer of the desk, I find a folded sticky note. “Avalove123.” The idiot left his password on a sticky note.

Once I’m in, I decide to poke around Mason’s computer. I’m here, so why not? After about thirty minutes, I find a file labeled “Hayley.” I double-click it, revealing thousands of videos. I have a sinking feeling I know what they contain. I take a deep breath, open the first video, and hit play. A young Hayley is huddled in a ball. So fragile. So vulnerable. So alone.

I open more videos, fast-forwarding a few years. The scene is the same, only Hayley’s grown taller. The same lifeless look is etched on her face.

The last video shows Hayley escaping her cell and running out of the camera’s view. I almost forget she’s safe now, with Jax.

No one can hurt her anymore, but my breath still hitches. I’m ready to fight.

I take a calming breath and sink back into the chair. Tears stream down my face as I close the videos.

I’m not just upset because I can’t bear to watch someone I care about suffer. I’m also invading Hayley’s privacy.

I know how much her past still haunts her. It’s wrong of me to watch it unfold without her permission.

In every video, Billy is there. This is proof he abused Hayley, which is illegal.

It would be disrespectful to send this evidence to the council without asking Hayley first.

I’ll ask Hayley. If she’s okay with the council seeing the footage of her abuse, then I’ll show them.

These videos could help her move on, but she might not want others to see her pain. Who am I to decide?

I dig deeper and find something shocking. Files that prove Mason orchestrated the rogue attack years ago. The same attack that killed Jax’s dad.

Mason killed Jax’s dad.

Why?

Why would Mason want to kill Benjamin? I keep searching until I find a document labeled “Territory.” I scan the words quickly, my palms sweaty, my heart pounding. Finally, I find the reason.

Mason sent rogues to kill Benjamin and as many Midnight Rose members as possible. All for extra territory.

A husband, a father, an Alpha died over a land dispute. I lean back in my chair, shocked that Mason would go this low for a bit more land.

I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s a pig.

This means Billy will finally face justice. And Jax can find closure, knowing why his dad died...