Midnight Luna
Chapter Twenty Four

Hailey’s POV

Talking and laughing, Hayden and I made our way downstairs. We told each other everything we missed in these three years. It felt so good talking to him so freely and knowing that he was listening to every word I said. He was proud when he heard how I had become pack warrior. The only thing I had left out was me being a witch and that Logan was killing wolves because of me. I wanted to tell him and Zach together, speaking of him; the familiar sweet smell hit me like a wave as I entered the living room. I stopped and Hayden turned to look at me with a questioning look, but when he noticed I was looking at something behind him he turned and growled lowly.

Zach was talking to Kevin and Tyler and on his right stood a blond girl who looked a little older than me. She was beautiful with platinum blonde hair with brown streaks and silver grey eyes. Her pale flawless skin made her look so captivating. I turned to leave but Hayden took my hand in his and pulled me towards them. Zach’s eye found mine and sadness seeped into them. When he looked down and saw our hands intertwined, a small smile formed on his lips. We stopped right in front of them and that’s when her scent hit me. She had a faint smell of Zach on her, on instinct I looked at her exposed shoulder and saw the mating mark on her. It was small which was a little unusual for an alpha wolf, the mark was of a head of a wolf with black fur and a small ‘Z’ was written below it. My eyes widened and tears threatened to fall but blinking quickly I faked the best smile I could.

“Zach, you have met my sister Hailey, right?” Hayden asked him, his voice dripping with venom. So I guess he just found out the reason I had left. I hated the way he spoke to my mate but I would have done that too if I was in his shoes.

“Oh my, is she the one who ran away three years ago?” The blonde girl asked in surprise. I nodded in shame and embarrassment. Was I always going to be referred as the one who ran away?

“Well I’m glad your back. Hayden and Zach were really sad that you had left the pack.” I smiled at her. She looked kind and loving, maybe that is why Zach chose her. She was perfect Luna material. My wolf howled as if calling out to her mate, questioning his betrayal. Zach flinched a little but no one noticed expect me. I looked away from him and stared at my feet.

“How rude of me,” She suddenly exclaimed. “I’m Esther, Luna of this pack.” It hurt a lot more hearing that a loud. She turned to Zach and it was clear that her eyes held so much love for him. I didn’t want to look at him fearing he would have the same look towards her. That would hurt a lot more. My heart was beating loudly, and I was scared someone would notice.

“We should celebrate your return, Hailey. Don’t you think so sweetheart?” She said smiling at Zach. He shrugged and grunted in response. Suddenly a sense of possessiveness filled me and my wolf was fighting to come out and teach this girl a lesson. She wanted to mark him as her, that mark’s rightful place was my neck. I clenched Hayden’s hands with so much strength, I’m sure it hurt him but he didn’t complain.

“Thank you. That’s very kind of you.” I spoke in a strained voice. “Actually I’d like to go and rest, feeling a bit tired.” I told her.

“Sure I’ll ask someone to make a room for you.” She said kindly that I felt bad, she didn’t deserve my hate.

“No thanks, but I’d like to sleep in my old room. It feels familiar and comfortable.” I smiled and then turned to leave but Hayden took my hand to follow my, but I shook my head, kissed him on the cheek and removed my hand from his. I needed to be alone for now; he reluctantly nodded and turned to leave giving Zach a glare before walking out the door. I signed and made my way to my room.

I was tired and knew that it’s time to just deal with it for a few months. My wolf has to come to terms with this no matter what. I know I’d always feel empty from the absence of my mate and I need him to make me whole but the look Esther had of love and admiration towards him made me think twice. Did he love her back? Did his eyes hold the same love for her? Would he ever want to leave her for me? My head hurt with so many questions, I walked to the window and laid my head on the cool windowpane feeling a little better.

I don’t know how long I stood like that just staring into nothingness. My door squeaked a little and Nate’s comforting scent reached me. And a moment later his hand rested on mine. I turned and looked at him, my eyebrows scrunched up as I saw a lot of hurt and sadness in his eyes.

“Nate, what happened and what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be with Liam? Is he ok?” I turned fully towards him and took his hands in mine. He just shook his head and smiled at me.

“Relax Hailey. Liam is fine. He wanted me to come here and be with you, just in case you need a shoulder.” He informed. I hung my head down.

“I don’t deserve his concern and worry. It would be lot easier if he would just hate me.” I mumbled.

“Don’t ever say that. He loves you and nothing will change that. Maybe you guys won’t be together but all of us have been through a lot and nothing can separate us from being friends. Just give Liam some time. He’ll come around. Every guy takes time, when they have just been friend zoned.” He joked. I laughed through my tears. He wiped the stray tears, when I saw something in his eyes. He looked lost and depressed.

“Nate why are you so sad? What happened? Talk to me.” I pleaded hating that look in his beautiful eyes.

“I’m just sad for you. I know Hayden knows about you and that feels good to hear that you forgive him. He really is sorry you can see it in his eyes.” he hugged me and patted me on my head.

I laughed a little. “You know, you and Hayden have a lot in common. You were the reason I didn’t miss him so much because you filled his space and I couldn’t wish for anyone better.” I smiled; he cupped my face and kissed my forehead.

“I’m always there for you Hailey. I love you so much, little girl.” Hearing him say that I felt a little better. He took my hand and led me to the bed. I got into the covers and he followed me. Laying my head on his arms I signed filling a lot better for the first time today. He stared at the ceiling with a forlorn look. Something was bothering him and making him so sad. Was it me or something else? I didn’t want to push it so I just took his other hand and locked my fingers with his in a light grip. He shook his head and kissed my forehead again.

“Go to sleep little girl.” He whispered, I let the tiredness consume me and I closed my eyes as I felt him hug me closer.

Nate POV.

I watched Hailey sleep soundly. Even as she slept her face looked covered in sadness. My heart reached out to hers because I knew what it felt to be rejected. I turned and stared at the whitewashed walls. This room screamed of her. The light blue walls, lavender bed covers and most of all those fairytale stories standing in that small cabinet gave it away. I signed and my mind went back to the minute I entered this house a while ago.

Liam had asked me to follow them as they left the pack house. He couldn’t let Hailey go all the way alone. I wish he would just talk to her and get some closure, but I knew he was stalling from hearing the truth. Liam is a strong and optimist usually but love can make you do things you’ve never done. So I followed them and reached the pack house by noon. Kevin’s van was parked by the side so I guessed they had reached on time.

The house was beautiful. It was modern yet it held a certain glow of vintage. The grass was trimmed to perfection making it look like soft silk. There were few people walking around casually enjoying the sun. I walked up to the door which was open and entered a spacious living room. It was comfortable and peaceful. There was a kitchen to the side where an aroma of fried chicken was coming from and a stairway leading up. I grinned as my stomach growled in anticipation. I didn’t see any of them but caught a faint scent of Hailey. It was coming from the top floor of the house.

Following it, I climbed the stairs which lead to the second floor, when another strong scent of strawberries hit me. The smell was amazing making me signing in joy. Suddenly a short figure collided with me and my hands instantly wound around it to stop its fall. I gasped when I felt the unfamiliar waves of electricity pass through me making me close my eyes in pleasure. The person in my arms moaned a soft moan and I was instantly turned on by it. I looked down and saw the most entrancing girl I have ever seen. She looked as old as Hailey, with white blonde hair that fell on her flawless skin. Her eyes were closed and her eyebrows scrunched up. I desperately wanted to see those eyes.

“Open your eyes, my pretty mate.” I cooed. She shivered in my arms and slowing opened her eyes. They were breath taking, like two silver orbs staring at me. She stared at me with lustful eyes but then they filled with shock and disbelief. She suddenly pulled away from me harshly making me whimper, but she just shook her head touching her neck.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, not understanding this weird behavior of hers. Mates aren’t supposed to pull away from each other.

“This can’t happen.” She whispered stroking something on her neck. What the hell is she talking about?

“Well we’re mates so I guess it had to happen” I wasn’t making any sense. My wolf just wanted her near. I gazed at her neck wondering what was she touching, when I so an image of a wolf drawn where her neck and shoulder connected. At first I couldn’t understand what it was. But then my eyes widened and anger filled me.

“Who would dare mark my mate?” I growled lowly. She flinched, but just stood away from me. My wolf was seeking blood. All I could see was red and I wanted to sink my fangs into the bastard and kill him.

“I was marked by my own will. So please just forget this ever happened.” She said looking at me straight in the eye.

And that’s when my entire world shattered. My wolf howled and my heart tore open. I had always dreamed of the day I’d meet my mate and finally be complete. But I never imagined she would mate with someone other than her mate. This can’t be possible. Doesn’t she feel for me like I do for her?

“Please don’t. You’re my mate. We’re meant to be forever. Please don’t do this to me.” I wept shamelessly, tears falling on my cheeks. Her face softened and her eyes held sadness yet determination. I could feel her wolf was confused. It wanted me badly but that vile thing on her neck was making her second guess.

“Please just go away. I don’t love you, I love someone else.” She whispered and turned away from me at great speed. I fell to the ground as my feet had no strength. Sitting on the stair, I wept like I have never for my beautiful mate. The pain was unbearable. My entire body felt lifeless. Death was the only thing that crossed my mind. I wanted to crawl and just close my eyes forever. Run away from the pain.

Her scent slowly faded away leaving me helpless and all alone. I couldn’t feel my wolf. His absence made me weak. Only she can make me whole again. I need her. I can’t understand how Hailey managed to live through this? How could she hold on to life and suffer this pain. Being a beta my body felt drained out of existence, how did she do it?

Hailey, I need to get to her. She always has the ability to make me feel good. She has always been my anchor although she thinks I am hers. Now I truly understand what she went through when she was just fifteen. I envied her. She could put on such a brave face to all of us when in actuality she was broken inside.

I limped and followed her scent, reaching a small attic. I stood up straight with a lot of effort, wiped my tears and took deep breath to steady my heart and face. I couldn’t let her worry about me when she has other things on her mind.

I knew Hailey could make me feel better. As I lay down near her, her soft breathing calmed me down. I didn’t know where to go from now. What to do? My heart ached for that girl, whose name I didn’t know. I could smell someone else smell on her, put couldn’t understand who it was. Did she really mean it when she said she loved him? Why would the goddess pair me with someone who has already given her heart to someone else?

I closed my eyes and willed sleep to take over me. Her beautiful face entered my mind but quickly disappeared and the words ‘I love someone else’ played in my mind over and over again breaking me till there was nothing left. I silently wept, clinging lightly to Hailey trying to find comfort there.

"I can’t live without her. My life means nothing without her in it. So I know it’s best to just end it.” My wolf whispered slowly. And I just nodded drifting off into a restless sleep.

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