Haylie POV
His kisses were so sweet that I couldn't get enough of his lips. Is this how it feels when you're fated to someone? This must be how my mother felt when she was fated to Alpha Mathew. I broke away from our kiss and looked at Liam, who was watching me intently.
"Haylie, is everything okay?" he asked, his eyes warm and curious.
I bit my lip, took a deep breath, and asked, "Are we fated together?"
My words seemed to hit him like a wall. He was silent for a few moments, clearly processing, before I continued, "I've read about fated wolves and how it all works. Does this mean you and I are truly fated to each other?"
Being human, it was all still new and a little overwhelming.
I felt him gently take my hands in his, and my gaze dropped to where our fingers were intertwined. "Haylie," Liam's voice was soft yet steady as he spoke my name. I looked up and found his warm brown eyes fixed on mine.
"It's true," he said finally. "You are me fated mate, and my wolf mark is on you. The mark is there and you cannot see it, though only wolves and other supernatural beings can see it."
I frowned slightly, confused. "Why can't I see my own mark?"
He gave my hand a gentle squeeze and took a deep breath before explaining, "It might be because you're human. Some things are only visible to wolves, especially if your wolf side is...hidden."
Our worlds were so different, and I could see he was still adjusting, too. "Do you have a wolf? Can you transform?" I asked, feeling a bit silly for my curiosity but unable to resist.
A small smile tugged at his lips. "Yes, I do. His name is Ace. And I can shift into him, but I'll show you when the time is right."
I took a deep breath, letting the weight of his words settle over me. He was right; when the time is right, I'll see his wolf. I wasn't sure how I'd react, but maybe his wolf side would be gentler than the one I'd seen in the woods that night.
"If you have any questions, you can always ask me," Liam said softly, his voice calm and filled with warmth.
When I looked up, his gaze was full of love. This bond between us felt surreal, like we were connected on a deeper level beyond anything I'd ever known.
Still, I couldn't help but wonder, so I asked, "Does this mean...we're married now?" I felt a bit silly, but I had to know.
Liam let out a small chuckle, and I could tell my question had caught him off guard. He ran a hand nervously through his hair, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. "Well…" he began, taking a deep breath as he looked at me. "When two wolves find their mates, it's forever. Wolves don't do breakups or divorce like humans do. If you find your fated mate, that's it—it's eternal. We don't choose who we're fated to; the Moon Goddess chooses for us."
A flurry of questions filled my mind.
Why did I want to know so much about wolves? Maybe it was because my whole life, I'd lived with only bedtime stories about them, unaware of my own family's past. Now that I knew about my mother and father, I felt drawn to understand it all.
"My mother…was she and Alpha Mathew like us?" I asked, needing to know more about this connection between us.
Liam was quiet for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "Yes, it was like this," he said finally, "but the only difference is…you don't have a wolf." He took my hand again, pulling my gaze to his. "When two wolves are mated, they can feel each other's emotions, mind-link, even read each other's thoughts."
I frowned slightly, intrigued. "Can you feel my emotions or read my mind?"
Liam's expression softened but held a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, no. I can't read your mind or feel your emotions," he said gently.
Little sadness softness his eyes as he looked at me " I only have this drawn to you like I wanted to protect you and I wanted to be with you all the time " he said and I felt his fingertips trace down the side of my face " I know to you it seems crazy but you are my everything.
Haylie and I are head over hills in this thing that it scared me that you meant so much to me"
His words sounded like something out of a beautiful love story, almost too perfect to believe.
Looking into his warm brown eyes, it was still hard to accept that we were actually fated to be together. Just last year, I couldn't even get a boyfriend, and no guy ever looked twice at me.
Now, I was fated to be the hottest guy in school, the captain of the football team. Someone pinch me—this was still so much to take in.
"All of this…it's still so new to me," I confessed, my voice barely a whisper.
"I know. It's new for me too," he admitted, his own tone filled with sincerity.
Our private moment was interrupted as the doctor entered the room. He looked to be in his 40s, wearing a long white coat and giving us a bright smile. "Haylie, you're awake!" he greeted warmly.
I straightened up, a small smile crossing my lips. "How are you feeling?" he asked, moving to my bedside.
Liam stood up from the bed, staying close by my side. "A little sore, but better," I replied.
A hush fell over the room as the doctor picked up my file from the end of the bed, making some notes.
I glanced at Liam, who offered me an encouraging smile. Then, I heard the doctor say softly, "It was a close call. We almost lost you, but thankfully, the medicine kicked in just in time."
My heart clenched hearing how close I'd come to the edge, but relief washed over me—I was still here. Though a part of me missed my parents deeply, I guessed it just wasn't my time yet.
"Am I ready to go home?" I asked, watching as the doctor finished writing in my file.
He placed it back on the holder at the end of the bed. "I don't see why not. You must be dying to get home," he replied with a bright smile. "Let me just check you over one last time, and you'll be good to go. Should I call your parents or anyone?"
My heart froze at the mention of my parents. Nervously, I looked to Liam, who immediately spoke up. "No need, Doctor. I'll take Haylie home and make sure she's safe."
The doctor gave Liam an approving nod. "Let me just check you over and get your prescription ready. You can go ahead and get dressed—I'll be back soon." With that, he left the room.
As soon as the door closed, I noticed that I was still wearing the hospital gown, not my own clothes. Worried, I turned to Liam. "Liam, where are my clothes?"
He smiled, clearly amused. "Don't worry—the hospital washed them for you. Let me grab them." Crossing the room, he opened a drawer and pulled out my clothes, neatly folded. I hadn't expected the hospital to be so thoughtful.
Liam handed the clothes to me. "Here you go," he said, still smiling.
"Thank you," I replied, taking them gratefully.
"I'll wait outside while you get dressed," he added, giving me a reassuring smile before he left, closing the door softly behind him.
Alone, I changed out of the hospital gown and into my clothes, grateful to be back in something familiar.
Once I was dressed, I tidied up the bed and folded the hospital gown, placing it neatly on the drawer as my aunt had always taught me—leave things as neat as you found them.
Opening the door, I saw Liam leaning against the wall just outside, waiting. When he spotted me, a warm, charming smile spread across his face. "You look like yourself again," he said softly.
I returned his smile, feeling a bit shy under his gaze. "Thank you."
Our eyes met, and I couldn't help but smile back at him. "Do you want to have breakfast with me?" Liam asked, his voice warm and inviting.
My cheeks grew warmer, and I could feel the nervous flutter in my stomach. "I would love to," I replied, my voice soft, barely concealing my excitement.
Liam stood there, looking effortlessly handsome, his easy charm filling the room. Though he wore the same clothes as before, he somehow still managed to look perfect. "Once the doctor's finished, we can go to that little shop in town. They make the best breakfast," he said with a smile.
I glanced at him, then walked back into the room, sitting down on the bed to wait. To my surprise, Liam followed, joining me, his presence making the space feel warmer and more comfortable. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was the beginning of something wonderful.
Mathew POV
The sound of coffee being poured into mugs filled my ears, but somehow, I couldn't bring myself to eat this morning. Cleo was busy pouring us a fresh, steaming cup, and I could feel her eyes on me as I sat there, staring blankly at my plate.
The delicious steak, sausage, bacon, eggs, and toast seemed to be mocking me, as if daring me to take a bite. Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed Atlas stirring within me.
"You know you need to eat, to get your strength back—and your wolf is hungry too," Atlas's voice echoed in my mind, nudging me from my reverie.
With a heavy sigh, I picked up my fork, but my appetite still wasn't there. My mind kept drifting back to my son, Liam, and the things he said in the hospital. I tried to reassure Atlas. "I will eat," I said inwardly. "It's just… there's a lot on my mind."
Liam reminded me so much of myself when I first met Olivia.
The passion, the unwavering love—it was all there. I could see it in his eyes when he looked at Haylie, his fated mate. I didn't blame him. In a way, it was heartening to see that love can still bloom so brightly, even when the odds are against it.
He reminded me of myself at his age.
"Are you going to stare at your food all day?" Cleo's voice cut through my thoughts, and I looked up to see her setting a warm mug of coffee next to my plate. She sat across from me, her expression softened with understanding.
"I don't know what to do about Liam's situation," I admitted, my voice heavy.
Cleo's brows furrowed as she took a sip of her coffee, her gaze thoughtful. "You should let it be, Mathew," she replied gently. "Your son has found his fated mate, and the two of them are perfect for each other."
She was right, of course. They were perfect together, like two pieces of a puzzle that fit and completed one another, just as Olivia and I once were.
But then, there was the undeniable fact that Haylie was human—a painful reminder of my past mistakes.
Because of me, her wolf had been taken away. Olivia had wanted to shield her from the supernatural world, give her a normal life. And if I hadn't killed Kaysen, perhaps Haylie would still have her wolf side.
"Liam is an Alpha," I murmured, finally cutting into my steak, though my heart was hardly in it. "And as Alpha, he needs a strong wolf by his side to lead the Crescent Moon pack."
Cleo leaned forward, her gaze steady and unwavering. "Strength doesn't always come from having a wolf. Haylie has strength in her own way, and Liam sees that. He loves her for who she is, not what she could have been."
Her words lingered, stirring something deep within me. Perhaps there was a lesson here, one I had yet to fully understand.
The memory was still sharp, vivid as if etched into my mind.
That night, bringing Olivia to the hospital, there had been so much blood, more than I ever thought I could see.
I glanced down at my plate again, but my thoughts drifted back to that haunting moment at the hospital. The night Olivia died; I'd been a wreck—losing her had felt like the world had crumbled.
And when Amora told me there was no way to bring her back, I'd felt like I was about to lose myself entirely.
But then, Camilia walked in, and by her side was a little girl—a small figure who, for a moment, took my breath away. She was the mirror image of Olivia.
There she stood, Haylie, with her bold, curled red hair and emerald, green eyes, Olivia's eyes, staring back at me. Just like her mother, she had the same small nose dusted with freckles and those soft, pouting lips.
I walked up to her, my own face streaked with tears and knelt in front of her.
Haylie's big green eyes met mine, and I saw her biting her nail, unsure and innocent, yet comforting. Without words, I reached out and pulled her into my arms. Even then, as small as she was, she offered me the little hope and comfort I so desperately needed. It was as if holding her helped me hold onto a piece of Olivia.
I looked up at Cleo, my thoughts pulling me back to the present. It had been ten years since that night—ten years since I last held Haylie like that or have seen her.
If I was to do right by her and by my own heart, I knew what I had to do. I couldn't run from the past anymore. I needed to go see her in the hospital, to face my past and to let go of the guilt that had weighed on me all these years.
The weight of regret pressed heavily on me, and last night it had been impossible to face her. Haylie had been there, behind that door in that room, and yet I couldn't bring myself to look at her. I took a deep breath, gathering my strength.
"What is it?" Cleo's voice cut through my thoughts.
"I need to go face Haylie. I need to see her in the hospital," I said, my voice steadier than I felt.
Cleo's eyes widened, worry shadowing her expression. "Are you sure?" she asked gently, her concern evident.
In my mind, Atlas stirred, his voice almost a whisper. "I'm not ready to see her, Mathew,"
he said, sounding heartbroken. "She's a reminder of Olivia...and Ella."
I closed my eyes, steadying myself. Haylie was the mirror image of her mother, and this confrontation felt like fulfilling Olivia's last wishes.
It was her daughter, a reminder of both Olivia and Kaysen, and facing her felt like my only way forward. "I'm sure," I replied. "It's been too long. I need to do this."
Cleo stood as well; her face filled with uncertainty. "Mathew, what if she sees you and hates you for what you did to her father?"
Her words hit hard, but I knew I had to take that risk. I couldn't keep hiding behind the guilt and fear that had haunted me all these years. I had tried to make up for it in silence, sending money through Camilia, making sure Haylie never went without.
But that wasn't enough. She'd grown up without either parent, or I had to live with my role in that.
"I'll take my chances," I said, finally ready. "But I have to do this." And with that, I left, determined to face the truth, no matter the outcome.
It didn't take long for me to reach the hospital in town.
My hands shook as I prepared to face my past. Haylie was a part of it—a reflection of the woman I once loved Olivia, my fated mate. As I entered, the sharp scent of antiseptics hit my wolf senses, blending with the steady buzz of hospital sounds around me.
Thankfully, I still remembered where Haylie's room was, and as I moved down the hallway, I could feel people looking at me. As Alpha, I was used to drawing attention wherever I went.
Finally, I reached her room, but seeing the door open made my nerves spike even more. I took a deep breath and stepped inside, freezing as I met the gaze of Liam and Haylie, who sat on the bed, watching me.
"Dad?" Liam's voice sounded surprised.
I swallowed hard, looking first at him, then at Haylie, whose wide emerald eyes pierced through me, just like her mother's had.
Tears threatened to prick at my eyes as I took in her features. She looked just like Olivia at that age—an almost perfect reflection, with none of Kaysen's traits.
"Dad, what are you doing here?" Liam's voice broke through my thoughts. I blinked, pulling myself together, and cleared my throat.
"I needed to see if Haylie was okay," I said, catching the surprised look on both their faces.
Liam rose from the bed, clearing his throat. "Haylie, this is my father, Matthew."
Her eyes widened, and she stood, looking nervous. "Nice to meet you," she said softly. Her voice was delicate, like a chorus of angels. Though a little different from her mother's, there was no doubt she was Olivia's daughter.
"Haylie's about to be discharged, so I'll be taking her home," Liam said, drawing my attention back to him.
I managed a small smile and nodded. "That's good news," I replied, turning back to Haylie. "I bet you're eager to get out of here."
A soft smile touched her lips, and her eyes lit up. "I am. I can't wait to go home."
As I glanced at her neck, I saw what Camila and Liam had mentioned—the mark of my son's wolf. It was true; she was fated to him. Watching the two of them brought back memories of Olivia and me, and I could feel the chemistry between them.
Just then, the doctor entered with a brown bag and a file. "Good day, doctor," I greeted him formally.
He returned my greeting before focusing on Haylie.
"Dad, can I see you outside?" Liam's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
I nodded slightly and walked into the hallway, feeling its coldness on my skin as Liam followed and quietly closed the door behind him.
Liam's worried eyes bore down on me as I waited for him to speak.
"Dad, what are you really doing here?" he asked, his gaze darkening as he searched my face.
I tried to stay calm, folding my arms across my chest.
"I get what you meant about Haylie, and last night, I couldn't see past it," I admitted. "But now, seeing the two of you together, I felt the same connection I once had with my fated mate. I don't want to take that from you."
My heart hung by a thread, and a tightness gripped my chest. Liam studied me for a few more moments before finally speaking.
"Dad, I know seeing Haylie today hurt, reminding you of Olivia. But you didn't need to come all this way," he said, resting a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"I know, son, but I needed to face my past," I replied, taking a steadying breath. "I'll find a way to accept this, though I know it won't be easy. I just don't want you to lose your fated mate the way I lost mine."
Liam's face softened. "I understand the risks of Haylie being human, but I'm willing to face them. Whatever this is between us, it's strong. When I'm with her, I feel this urge to protect her, to be with her, even if it means following her to the ends of the earth."
He sounded just like I did when I used to talk about Olivia. I only wished I could feel the same about Cleo, my chosen mate.
After Olivia died, I had no choice but to move forward with Cleo; my son was already in our lives.
I took a deep breath as I saw Haylie step into the hallway. For a moment, I thought it was Olivia standing there, and her name almost slipped from my lips. But a cold reminder hit me—it was her daughter, not her.
Realizing how much it hurt to be near Haylie, surrounded by memories of Olivia, I decided it was time to leave. I said my goodbyes, wishing Haylie a quick recovery and promising that we'd see each other around, then turned and walked away.
The weight of my loss was overwhelming, and I needed to escape—to get away from here.
Liam POV
After my father left, Haylie and I headed out as well. I had a special place in mind—not far from the hospital—and I hoped she'd love it. As I drove, I noticed her staring out the window, her mind clearly somewhere else.
Her expression was unreadable, and it frustrated me that I couldn't sense her thoughts or emotions. My wolf stirred, reminding me, "That's why wolves are usually fated to other wolves." I rolled my eyes mentally.
Trying to break the silence, I said, "I can tell something's on your mind."
Haylie finally turned to me, and I was met with a worried look. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I just... couldn't help thinking about my mother. Seeing your father today… it reminded me of them."
I pulled the truck over at our destination and shut off the engine, turning to give her my full attention.
"My uncle Jacob told me about your father," Haylie continued, "and what happened on their wedding day."
I shifted in my seat, seeing the pain in her green eyes. Reaching out, I took her hand in mine. "Haylie, our parents made a lot of mistakes. But we don't have to let their chaos define us," I said gently.
Her tears were building up again, so I reached over, lightly tilting her chin up so our eyes met. "Whatever my father did is in the past now," I continued. "But what we have—right here, right now—is something precious. If you're willing, I'd love to get to know you better, to build something real and see where this leads."
A small smile tugged at her lips as she wiped her tears, and I let go of her chin. "I want that too," she said, her voice wavering slightly. "It's just… scary, feeling so connected to you, like I've known you my whole life."
I leaned back, taking a deep breath. "You have no idea how terrifying it is for me too. But despite it, I'm drawn to you. Like… like you're a drug I can't quit."
Her cheeks flushed, and I could tell my words had caught her off guard. But the truth was, I felt addicted to her.
She was like a fire I couldn't stay away from.
"So," I said, breaking the moment with a smile, "how about that breakfast? I'm starving." I climbed out of the truck, then walked around to her side to help her out.
The shop was nestled in a cozy spot on the street, and everyone loved to come here because they served the best breakfast in town. The bread was freshly baked every day, and they took pride in making a proper breakfast.
Their coffee was made from pure, freshly ground beans, and the rich aroma filled the air. A waitress greeted us at the door and showed us to a table by the open window.
Haylie and I took our seats, and each of us received a menu. "I'm Dilia, and I'll be your waitress today," said the young waitress with long, silvery-gray hair swept to the side and striking emerald-blue eyes. Memories that were too much to bear.
I glanced over the menu before looking back at her. "I'd like a cup of your coffee—a Mocha Cappuccino, please," I said. Then I heard Haylie's voice. "I'd love a cup of tea, please."
I couldn't help but frown a little, surprised by her choice. Most girls went for the Cappuccino or something similar. Dilia took down our order, but then I heard her gasp softly. "Wait, aren't you Olivia?" she asked, looking at Haylie with curiosity.
Haylie shifted in her seat, caught off guard by the question. I answered for her. "She's Olivia's daughter."
The waitress smiled warmly at Haylie. "Your mother is wonderful, and you look just like her," she said, before heading off to get our order.
After the waitress left, a quiet settled over us, and I noticed Haylie's gaze drifting to her hands on the table, lost in thought. Trying to break the silence, I spoke up. "Your mother was the Luna of the Crescent Moon Pack back then. That's why everyone still remembers her."
My wolf, Ace, was alert and on edge. *"I hate to say it, but I think everyone in this shop is staring at your human,"* he said, his voice a low grumble in my mind.
I cleared my throat, and Haylie looked up, her eyes darting toward the people behind her who were whispering.
I couldn't stand the gossiping. As the future Alpha, I had access to the mind links within our pack, so I opened my link to everyone in the shop. *Enough. Stop talking about Haylie. If I catch anyone spreading rumors about her or her mother, Olivia, there will be consequences, * I warned firmly. Silence fell, and the shop's usual atmosphere returned.
Our waitress soon came back, this time with our drinks, keeping things strictly professional as she asked what we'd like to order. "I'll have the Farmhouse Breakfast, please," I said, placing my menu down.
Haylie took a moment, then smiled up at the waitress. "Can I have a burger and fries?"
My heart skipped a beat—she surprised me every time. She was different from anyone else, and I found I liked that about her.
If she wanted a burger for breakfast, so be it. The waitress took our order and left us again.
I took a sip of my coffee, then looked over at her. "I didn't know you drank tea."
Haylie smiled, taking a sip of her own. "Looks like there are a lot of things you still have to find out about me," she teased.
I gave her a smirk. She was right—we still had a lot to learn about each other. With her being human, it was hard for me to sense her emotions or hear her thoughts, so I had to rely on reading her body language to understand what was going on.
"So," I said casually, breaking the silence as I took a sip of my coffee, "while we wait, can I ask what your favorite color is?" I figured this was the perfect time to get to know her better.
Haylie smiled at me and replied, "I like black and light blue."
Interesting combination, I thought. Most girls I knew tended to favor pink or purple, but Haylie was different.
It kind of made sense, though; she didn't like strawberries either, unlike most people I knew. I took a big sip of my coffee, savoring its warmth before sharing, "I'm a fan of green and blue." I realized we had one color in common, which made me smile a bit.
"What's your favorite food?" Haylie asked, looking more relaxed now, with a calm expression on her face.
Taking a deep breath, I looked at her and answered, "I'm more of a steak guy—I like my meat." I chuckled, thinking about how much I loved a good steak, sausage, or bacon.
Maybe it was my wolf side, but if I could, I'd probably eat only meat.
Haylie took another sip of her tea, then added with a small grin, "I love pizza, and mac and cheese is my all-time favorite comfort food."
It had been a long time since I'd had pizza. As wolves, we usually ate at home-cooked meals every day, prepared by a chef who made sure we had proper meals.
"Maybe you and I should have a movie night at your place sometime," I suggested. "We could order pizza and everything."
Haylie's face lit up as she looked at me with a playful smile. "Are you trying to plan a date with me?"
I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. "Sort of," I admitted, smiling. Just then, the waitress returned with our food. I was starving, and I could barely wait a second longer.
She placed each plate in front of us and told us to call if we needed anything else.
As soon as she left, I dug into my food, savoring each bite. This place really knew how to make a good breakfast—the food was cooked to perfection, and the flavors were rich. Between bites, I noticed how quiet Haylie had become.
Glancing over, I saw her happily munching on her burger with both hands, clearly enjoying it.
She must have been hungry after spending the whole night in the hospital. I decided to let her enjoy her meal without interruption.
Watching her in that moment, I couldn't help but feel a quiet satisfaction just being here with her, sharing something as simple as breakfast together.