made a move to stand up, enraged at the offensive degradation. Blake was quick to crouch down next to her, laying a restraining hand around her arm. He hovered near her, both as protection and as a warning to keep her temper in check.
Cole paced in front of Hayden’s chair, keeping his face clear of any expression. “Hayden is in my pack, and as such, she’ll be staying in this town. If you have a problem with it, you can simply relocate your own pack.”
“There is always an alternative,” Adolf all but purred. “It’s simple, really. Just kill her. Deny Nicolas of his mate and make our community hazard-free.”
That snapped Cole out of his cool indifference. The Alpha’s muscles expanded again and his fisted nails began to lengthen. A deep growl resonated through his chest, a clear response to Adolf’s suggestion.
Quite frankly , Hayden was taken aback at Cole’s fervent defense of her. Apparently, when Cole made up his mind to accept a member in his pack, he defended them with all his might. He had said that his pack was his family; Hayden just hadn’t believed he would treat her as such for quite some time. Whatever his reasons, she was extremely grateful of his protection.
“I think you’re all overreacting,” Eric interrupted, standing up. “You’re afraid Hayden’s presence will attract Nicolas and his rogues to our town, Adolf. But Nicolas is already interested in our territory. Throwing Hayden out of Albertville will make no difference whatsoever.”
Even after knowing about the mark on her throat, the blond Alpha was sticking up for her. Hayden hadn’t known him for very long, even a shorter time than she knew Cole, but she had to respect him. He seemed to be the only one who didn’t look down at Cole for his age, and he didn’t immediately cast her away because of her supposed mate.
“My father is correct.” The messy-haired beta stepped forward, a crooked grin on his boyish features. His eyes danced across Hayden before looking imploringly at Adolf and Falco. “I say we keep out of Cole’s business. It’s his pack, his risk.”
Adolf looked aghast at the alternative voice. Falco, on the other hand, looked almost bored as he sat down on a stool. His silent beta appeared just as excited to be there as his Alpha. Lounging against the nearby bar, the unnamed beta eyed the alcoho l with serious consideration.
“If that’s all?” Cole placed a hand on Hayden’s shoulder, a cue to leave.
She stood up quickly, almost knocking her chair down in her haste to leave.
“We’ll be keeping an eye on both of you,” Adolf threatened as the three turned their backs. “Any sign of trouble and we’ll run you out of town.”
“I’d like to see you try,” Blake muttered spitefully, slamming the door shut after him.
Hayden allowed only a second to pass before grinning tightly. “What a happy bunch,” she commented sarcastically.
“Be respectful,” Cole was quick to warn, yet Hayden saw the tension leave his mouth.
“They aren’t exactly respectful of anyone but themselves,” she challenged darkly.
Cole gave her a disproving stare while Blake tried to withhold his grin. Hayden blinked ingenuously up at Cole and the Alpha shook his head, continuing down the sidewalk.
She remained silent as they walked back home. She had a hunch that Blake and Cole wanted to converse, but her presence was putting a stopper on that. Despite trying to look at things positively, she still felt unwelcomed. She was a mere intruder on the lives of the pack and the lives of the resident werewolves. Even when she was a creature like those around her, she was still somehow different—too different to feel like she belonged.
5. Chapter Five
Addie had been more than happy to show Hayden her new room. She took great care in explaining the benefits to her new bedroom, including her own bathroom and a good view of the sunset. She also made sure to slip in the fact that Hayden’s new room used to be
Cole paced in front of Hayden’s chair, keeping his face clear of any expression. “Hayden is in my pack, and as such, she’ll be staying in this town. If you have a problem with it, you can simply relocate your own pack.”
“There is always an alternative,” Adolf all but purred. “It’s simple, really. Just kill her. Deny Nicolas of his mate and make our community hazard-free.”
That snapped Cole out of his cool indifference. The Alpha’s muscles expanded again and his fisted nails began to lengthen. A deep growl resonated through his chest, a clear response to Adolf’s suggestion.
Quite frankly , Hayden was taken aback at Cole’s fervent defense of her. Apparently, when Cole made up his mind to accept a member in his pack, he defended them with all his might. He had said that his pack was his family; Hayden just hadn’t believed he would treat her as such for quite some time. Whatever his reasons, she was extremely grateful of his protection.
“I think you’re all overreacting,” Eric interrupted, standing up. “You’re afraid Hayden’s presence will attract Nicolas and his rogues to our town, Adolf. But Nicolas is already interested in our territory. Throwing Hayden out of Albertville will make no difference whatsoever.”
Even after knowing about the mark on her throat, the blond Alpha was sticking up for her. Hayden hadn’t known him for very long, even a shorter time than she knew Cole, but she had to respect him. He seemed to be the only one who didn’t look down at Cole for his age, and he didn’t immediately cast her away because of her supposed mate.
“My father is correct.” The messy-haired beta stepped forward, a crooked grin on his boyish features. His eyes danced across Hayden before looking imploringly at Adolf and Falco. “I say we keep out of Cole’s business. It’s his pack, his risk.”
Adolf looked aghast at the alternative voice. Falco, on the other hand, looked almost bored as he sat down on a stool. His silent beta appeared just as excited to be there as his Alpha. Lounging against the nearby bar, the unnamed beta eyed the alcoho l with serious consideration.
“If that’s all?” Cole placed a hand on Hayden’s shoulder, a cue to leave.
She stood up quickly, almost knocking her chair down in her haste to leave.
“We’ll be keeping an eye on both of you,” Adolf threatened as the three turned their backs. “Any sign of trouble and we’ll run you out of town.”
“I’d like to see you try,” Blake muttered spitefully, slamming the door shut after him.
Hayden allowed only a second to pass before grinning tightly. “What a happy bunch,” she commented sarcastically.
“Be respectful,” Cole was quick to warn, yet Hayden saw the tension leave his mouth.
“They aren’t exactly respectful of anyone but themselves,” she challenged darkly.
Cole gave her a disproving stare while Blake tried to withhold his grin. Hayden blinked ingenuously up at Cole and the Alpha shook his head, continuing down the sidewalk.
She remained silent as they walked back home. She had a hunch that Blake and Cole wanted to converse, but her presence was putting a stopper on that. Despite trying to look at things positively, she still felt unwelcomed. She was a mere intruder on the lives of the pack and the lives of the resident werewolves. Even when she was a creature like those around her, she was still somehow different—too different to feel like she belonged.
5. Chapter Five
Addie had been more than happy to show Hayden her new room. She took great care in explaining the benefits to her new bedroom, including her own bathroom and a good view of the sunset. She also made sure to slip in the fact that Hayden’s new room used to be
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