Liam POV
I sat outside the cafeteria, leaning against the wall, watching the distant trees sway in the breeze. School kids moved around, their voices a constant hum. My friends from the football team were gathered around a nearby table, buzzing about the upcoming game and weekend parties.
But I wasn't in the mood to join them, not with my thoughts tangled up in Haylie.
My hunger had disappeared, replaced by the ache of giving her the space she needed. My wolf instincts wanted nothing more than to be close to her, and it was painful to fight it. Thankfully, she didn't have a wolf of her own, or Ace would've felt this separation just as sharply.
"I'm still here. You're not alone," Ace reminded me, his voice steady in my mind.
I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the late morning air. Everything had felt perfect since the moment Haylie and I met. I'd thought she was on the same page yesterday, but now it seemed she needed time to sort things out.
As I glanced back at my friends' laughter and talk of the upcoming football game, a faint voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Liam, just so you know, I'm taking Haylie to see your father." Titan's voice broke through my mind link.
I frowned, running a hand through my hair. "What do you mean, you're taking her to see my father?" The idea caught me off guard. What did she need to see my father for?
"She said she wanted to sort things out and swore me to secrecy, so don't be mad. I'm only telling you so you can let Claudine know I'm just giving her a ride. Nothing more," Titan replied, his voice calm but slightly tense.
I exhaled, rising from the wall. "Alright, you can take her. But try to find out why she wants to see him. Is it because of her mother, or something else?"
Titan's voice echoed back with a hint of worry. "I don't know. She barely told me anything before she took off, only that she felt guilty about pushing you away and then she said she'd see me at three o'clock."
I pressed my lips together, fighting the urge to go to her right then and there.
The thought of her feeling guilty hurt more than anything else. She wasn't hurting me, but something told me she was scared—scared to accept my love. I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder, my resolve hardening. I'd give her all the space she needed, but I couldn't let her carry this alone.
Just as I entered the cafeteria, lost in thought, I collided hard with someone. I looked up, eyes widening. The guy standing before me had a scare on the side of his face, and his piercing blue eyes held an intense, unsettling stare. With his strong face futures.
"You should be careful where you're going, little wolf," he said, his voice low and deep.
The term little wolf made me tense. "Sorry, I was in a hurry and didn't see you," I replied, keeping my voice calm. But then his blue eyes flashed to a chilling shade of red. The red eyes make me think that his wolf has red eyes. And only rogue wolves have red eyes.
"Be careful, or that pretty little redhead might just disappear in flames," he warned, his tone laced with something dark. "Like she never even existed."
A shiver ran down my spine. I took a step forward, feeling Ace bristle inside me. Whoever this guy was, he wasn't here by accident.
How did he know about Haylie? And how dare he talk about her like that.
My fists clenched at my sides, and I glared at him, barely able to hold back the growl building in my chest.
Ace roared inside me, desperate to break free, but I knew I couldn't expose us—not here, with humans all around.
We had to keep our identities hidden. Through gritted teeth, I demanded, "Who are you?"
A wicked smile spread across his face. "Just someone who knows about your redhead human," he taunted, his words dripping with malice.
My blood was boiling, every instinct screaming at me to take him down. I lunged, but his hand shot out, catching my fist before I could reach him. His reflexes were lightning-fast, and I realized I was dealing with a seasoned wolf.
"Don't you dare come near Haylie," I growled. "I'll kill you."
His eyes flared a furious red as he sneered, "Careful, Liam. You don't know the whole truth."
"What truth?" I demanded, but his smirk only deepened, his gaze darkening. A chill settled over me as he leaned close, his voice a deadly whisper in my ear.
"Let's just say I have...unfinished business with her. She was mine once, and I need her for her mother sins." His words sent a wave of cold through me, and the urge to shift and tear him apart surged.
But in the blink of an eye, he was gone, leaving me there, fists clenched so tight my nails bit into my palms. It wasn't until I saw the blood trickling from my hands that I realized how hard I'd been holding back.
A familiar voice snapped me from my rage. "Who the heck was that?" Titan's voice echoed behind me. I turned, still fuming.
"I don't know. But he was a rogue wolf—an old one, from the look of his reflexes." My heart pounded. Whoever he was, he was dangerous—and I wasn't about to let him anywhere near Haylie.
Haylie POV
As the final bell rang, I felt an overwhelming need to escape. I'd barely held it together through the rest of the day, embarrassed by how I'd bolted from Titan earlier. It all felt confusing—being loved so unconditionally was new, almost suffocating, even if Liam wasn't here pressuring me.
When I finally stepped out of the building, there was Titan, leaning casually against his sleek black motorcycle with that undeniable, effortless "bad boy" look.
He may have been my ex, but he was still good-looking—impossible to deny. His honey-brown hair was tousled in that perfectly messy way, his thick brows and chocolate-brown eyes catching in the afternoon light, making his sharp jawline even more noticeable.
Today, he was in a faded band T-shirt, an old *Fall Out Boy* one, with his leather jacket rolled up at the elbows, his strong forearms visible and relaxed. No wonder Claudine fell for him.
I walked over, trying to keep steady as I met his warm, teasing smile.
"I thought you wouldn't take me after I ran off like that this morning," I admitted, my voice wavering a bit.
He chuckled, a reassuring smile spreading as he shook his head. "Forgotten already. You should know me better than that, Haylie. I'm a man of my word." His tone was light, but he had that spark in his eye that showed he meant it.
I tightened the strap of my bag over my shoulder and nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude for him.
Titan always had been dependable, and even though we didn't work out as a couple, his loyalty had never faltered. "Thank you for taking me," I said sincerely.
He just smiled, gesturing to the bike. "Hop on. Let's get you some answers."
My heart skipped a wild beat, a pang of guilt creeping in my heart. Why do I feel like I was betraying Liam to ride with his friend. He was just giving me a ride. But knowing Titan was not only my ex but also Liam's friend.
I hesitated, staring at the helmet he held out to me. Why did this feel like I was reliving my mother's story, her mistakes hovering over me like a shadow?
"Haylie?" Titan's voice pulled me back to the present, his brow lifting in concern.
I forced a smile, taking the helmet. "Sorry, I just got lost in thought for a second." My cheeks flushed as I put it on, willing myself to let go of the past. I wasn't my mother; I wasn't her mistakes. This was just Titan helping me.
He climbed onto the bike, glancing back. "Ready to go?"
I took a deep breath, settling myself behind him, repeating my silent mantra—*I am not my mother. *
Wrapping my shaky arms around his waist, I felt the warmth of his body seep into me as I leaned in for balance.
The bike roared to life, sending a thrill of adrenaline through me as we sped away.
Each mile peeled away my nerves, sharpening my focus on what lay ahead—finally facing Alpha Mathew and uncovering the truth I'd been searching for.
Titan handled his bike with skill and ease, weaving smoothly between cars on the road. I was putting my life in his hands, and I could honestly say I felt safe; he was a responsible driver, and I trusted him completely.
Memories stirred as we sped along—back when we were together, we'd driven everywhere on his bike, every ride filling our days with freedom and adventure.
It wasn't long before we reached the gates of Crescent Moon Town. Titan greeted the guards with a familiar nod, and we rode straight through, the town unfolding around us like a picture-perfect memory.
Just like yesterday when Liam brought me here, the vibrant shops in every color lined the clean, cobbled streets. The gardens were immaculate, each flowerbed meticulously tended, and the charm of the place struck me as it had the first time.
We finally pulled up in front of a sprawling mansion. My heart skipped a beat, pounding so wildly that I almost forgot to breathe.
Titan brought the bike to a halt, and I climbed off, removing my helmet and feeling the sweat on my palms.
"We're here," he said, his voice calm.
I glanced around, taking in the sight of the house—massive, three stories tall, with a beautiful circular fountain at the center of the pathway.
My mouth dropped slightly as I admired the antique architecture, every detail resonating with elegance and grandeur.
"Is this Liam's house?" I asked, still in awe as my gaze roamed the gardens and the house.
Titan nodded. "This is his place, but his father is likely in his office," he said with a small chuckle, noticing my nerves. "Alpha Mathew is a busy man, but don't worry—he'd love to see you."
I started following Titan, wondering if this was a good idea.
Maybe I hadn't thought it through. This was Alpha Mathew, my mother's mate. What was I thinking, speaking to Liam's father? What if Liam got mad and stopped talking to me because I went behind his back to speak to his father?
"Having doubts?" Titan's voice broke into my thoughts. I looked up, worried, my eyebrows furrowed. "A little," I mumbled.
"It's okay. I'm here with you and will be with you every step of the way," Titan said calmly. I swallowed hard, trying to push down my nervousness, and took a deep breath as we approached a building that looked like an office.
It was separated from the main house and had a beautiful dark oak door carved with a wolf's head.
"Wait here while I let him know you're here," Titan said. I nodded, feeling my legs go numb. I prayed I wouldn't faint. "I have to do this," I reminded myself. I watched as Titan went to the door, knocked, then stepped inside.
The reality of it all started closing in, and I didn't know how to act when I finally faced the man my mother loved and was mated to.
Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and it felt like the temperature had suddenly risen a hundred degrees.
A few minutes later, Titan reappeared from the building. "Are you ready? He'd like to see you," he said, looking at me.
Here's an edited version with improved flow, grammar, and clarity:
I took small, steady breaths to calm myself, then walked up to the door. Titan stood beside it, and I glanced at him for reassurance before stepping inside.
The interior greeted me with walls of dark oak wood, and my heart thudded wildly in my chest. I scanned the office quickly, taking it all in, until my gaze landed on Alpha Mathew, standing tall and firm behind his desk.
"Haylie, what a surprise to see you again," Alpha Mathew said, his voice steady.
My palms were sweaty, and my legs felt weak, nearly buckling beneath me. I glanced back at Titan, seeking courage, then returned my gaze to Alpha Mathew. "I need to see you," I managed to whisper through my dry mouth.
My throat felt parched, and even those few words had taken all my strength.
Alpha Mathew's gaze settled on me, his deep brown eyes seeming to pierce right through to my soul. I could see Liam in him—those same eyes, long lashes, intense and knowing. "By the sound of it, this seems urgent," he replied.
I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts, when he turned to Titan and said, "Titan, would you give Haylie and me some time alone?"
My eyes widened, and I looked over at Titan. I didn't want him to leave; he was my anchor, the steady presence I needed. Our eyes met, and he gave me a reassuring look.
"I'll be right outside if you need me, okay?" he said softly, his tone calm and warm.
I nodded, hoping he could sense the nervousness radiating from me, knowing he was just outside the door if I needed him.
Here's a polished and refined version of your scene:
The room fell silent as Titan left, shutting the door behind him. The soft click of the latch made me flinch, and my nerves spiked. I had never felt so alone or so anxious, wishing that either Liam or Titan were still by my side. I hadn't fully prepared myself for this moment.
"Haylie, please take a seat," Alpha Mathew's voice broke the silence.
He gestured to the chair in front of his desk, and, feeling as if my legs were weighted down, I moved slowly toward it and sat.
The weight of my nerves made me sink heavily into the seat. My gaze drifted up to Alpha Mathew, now seated as well, his hands folded firmly on the desk in front of him, his posture calm but watchful.
I swallowed hard, trying to summon the strength to speak through the dryness in my throat. "I—I need to ask you about my mother," I managed, my voice trembling. "You're the only one who really knew her… and you two were fated mates."
At the mention of my mother, Alpha Mathew's expression softened, as though the mere mention of her touched something deep within him.
He took a deep, steadying breath before speaking. "Your mother and I… we shared a history," he said, his voice laced with the weight of memory. My heart tightened, and I leaned forward, hanging on to his every word, my green eyes searching his face.
"I met your mother back when I first became Alpha of this pack," he continued, his voice strained yet steady. "From the moment I met her, she was my everything." His voice caught, and I could see the ache in his expression, the lingering shadow of a love that had never faded. The past clearly haunted him, and I could sense how painful it was for him to revisit it.
I shifted in my seat, feeling a surge of emotion rise within me. "I just want to know where I come from," I said, my voice thick with feeling. "To know what she was like… to know if she was anything like me. You're the only one who was close to her, the only one who knew her that well."
Tears began to fill my eyes, and I struggled to keep my composure as my emotions caught in my throat.
The tears spilled over, and I quickly wiped them away, embarrassed by my reaction.
Speaking about my mother stirred up so many buried emotions, emotions I thought I'd managed to contain.
I turned away from Alpha Mathew, angling my body slightly so I could compose myself. But there was something about this room—about seeing her fated mate—that brought it all rushing back, as if her presence were somehow here, lingering in the air.
Suddenly, I felt Alpha Mathew kneel beside me. Gently, he wiped a stray tear from my cheek. "It's okay, Haylie," he said softly, his voice filled with understanding.
I looked up at him, and a flash of memory hit me—a memory from my childhood. I was back in the hospital the night my aunt brought me there. Alpha Mathew had been there too, comforting me, telling me that everything would be alright.
"You… you were the one who comforted me the night my mother died," I whispered, my voice breaking.
Alpha Mathew's eyes softened, and I saw tears glisten in his deep brown eyes. "Yes," he replied, his voice thick with emotion. "You had lost someone precious, and so had I. That night, comforting you was the only thing I could do. I was just as broken as you were, Haylie. Losing your mother… it was like losing a part of myself."
His words pierced my heart, and I felt the ache rise again as tears streamed down my face.
Without hesitation, Alpha Mathew pulled me into his arms, holding me close, just as he had when I was five.
His strong arms encircled me, shielding me from the pain, offering a quiet strength. We weren't related by blood, but in that moment, he felt like a father figure—the closest thing I had to a dad.
I closed my eyes, breathing in his scent, a comforting mix of woods and vanilla. The familiar smell grounded me, and my sobs slowly began to ease, the turmoil within me settling, bit by bit.
"If you'd like," he murmured, his voice a balm to my soul, "I have something of your mother's I can show you." For the first time in what felt like ages, I felt a sense of calm. Gently, I pulled away from our hug.
"When your mother left, she didn't take all of her things," Alpha Mathew continued, his voice steady. "I thought maybe seeing some of them would help you."
Her things. The only mementos I had of my mother were a few pieces of clothing and a small box of keepsakes. I quickly wiped my remaining tears and nodded. "Could I see them?" I asked, my voice soft but eager.
Alpha Mathew rose from his place beside my chair. "Let me take you to them," he said warmly.
I stood as well, feeling steadier now, though my face was still flushed and tear-streaked. He opened the office door and stepped out, and I followed him closely.
Outside, we found Titan still waiting. The moment he saw me, he approached and stopped right in front of me, concern written across his face.
His hands rested gently on my upper arms. "Haylie, are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
I managed a small smile, though I knew I looked a mess, my eyes puffy from crying. Before I could respond, Alpha Mathew stepped up beside me. "Haylie is fine," he assured Titan. "We've talked, and now I'd like to show her some of her mother's belongings."
Titan glanced from Alpha Mathew to me, uncertainty in his eyes. "I'm okay," I said softly, reassuring him. His gaze softened, though a slight frown lingered.
"All right," he said, nodding. "I'll be here if you need me."
I felt Alpha Mathew's steady presence beside me, and I realized how protective he seemed—almost like a father.
I looked back at Titan and smiled gently. "It's okay, Titan. I'll see you later; you don't have to wait up for me."
With a sense of comfort from knowing Titan and Alpha Mathew cared for me, I followed Alpha Mathew through the grand house.
We walked along a path bordered by a beautiful garden, filled with daisies—my favorite—alongside lavender, roses, and countless other flowers in full bloom. We soon stopped in front of a stunning crystal door carved with intricate floral designs.
I gazed at it, awe-struck by its beauty; it looked almost magical. Alpha Mathew opened the door and stepped inside, and, after taking a deep breath, I followed him.
As I entered, my eyes widened in wonder at the sight of the antique room before me. A bed made of white oak stood elegantly in the center, draped in a bedspread adorned with white flowers.
Above it hung a tall crystal chandelier, and, from the glass ceiling, you could see the sky and the sunlight streaming in, casting a warm glow over everything. The floor was a smooth, polished marble with a soft, light-brown finish.
Built-in cupboards of white oak lined one wall; each one carved with delicate pink daisies.
"This was your mother's and my room back then," Alpha Mathew said softly.
A small gasp escaped my lips as I looked around, realizing I could feel my mother's presence here. It was as if traces of her lingered in every corner. "This is beautiful," I murmured in amazement.
Alpha Mathew walked over to a white sofa by the window and sat down. "After your mother left, I couldn't bear to stay in this room," he admitted, his voice heavy with emotion.
My gaze shifted to him, noticing the sadness that flickered in his eyes. "I had to move out," he continued, "because just being here felt like it would break me."
My heart ached, and I could feel tears welling up again. I slowly walked over and sat down beside him. "I'm so sorry for what my mother put you through," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "I can see how deeply you loved her."
A small, bittersweet smile formed on his lips, his brown eyes glistening. "I still do," he replied softly, his voice breaking.
After a brief pause, he added, "But if you want to know your mother," he said, glancing around the room as though reliving old memories, "everything here reflects a piece of who she was."
My heart pounded as Alpha Mathew stood up, walked over to a wide oak cupboard, and retrieved something before returning to sit beside me.
He held a large white book on his lap, the name "Olivia" written on the cover—my mother's name. My breath caught in my throat as I looked at it.
"This is your mother's childhood," he said, his voice tender. "I've looked at these photos countless times."
A gasp escaped me, curiosity filling me as I leaned forward.
Alpha Mathew opened the book to the first page, where a photo of an adorable baby girl greeted us, with handwritten notes beside it.
"Your mother was born in the summer," he began, his voice soft. "Her parents gave her up, so this photo was taken the day she was found at the hospital."
The story brought a lump to my throat as I looked at the tiny figure in the picture, realizing this was where my mother's life had begun.
Alpha Mathew turned the page, revealing more photos of a young girl who looked about one year old. She had a head full of red curls and big emerald-green eyes that sparkled with curiosity. "Your mother was raised by Thomas and Sara," Alpha Mathew explained gently. "They were both wolves and adopted your uncle Jacob along with her."
My eyes drifted over the photos, and for the first time, I saw my mother as a little girl.
She was held by a man and a woman, whom I assumed were Thomas and Sara, with my uncle Jacob by her side.
It felt surreal to see them like this—my uncle as a child, my mother looking so innocent and happy. In one photo, she wore a yellow dress covered in tiny flowers and was blowing a kiss to the camera.
"She looked so innocent," I murmured, unable to look away.
Alpha Mathew's eyes softened. "She was the most beautiful girl," he said, his voice thick with fondness, before turning to the next page. "Your mother grew up in the same house where you live now."
I studied the photos, recognizing the house that had always felt like home to me.
There was a picture of my room—except back then, it was shared by my mother and her adopted brother, Jacob.
The familiarity of the room struck me, and I felt an unexpected closeness to her, imagining her growing up within those same walls.
Then, one photo caught my attention. My mother was skateboarding, her stance a little awkward but determined, wearing a helmet, shorts, and knee pads. "My mother skateboarded?" I asked aloud, surprised.
Alpha Mathew chuckled at my reaction. "She did. She and your uncle would spend hours at the skate park every day. They were inseparable back then."
I laughed, my eyes widening as I studied the picture. My mother looked so different from what I'd imagined—she had an adventurous spirit, wearing her helmet slightly crooked, her legs slightly buckled as she balanced on the skateboard.
It was definitely a glimpse into a very different era.
Alpha Mathew flipped to another page, and my breath caught. The girl in the photo was older I quest 17 years old, and it felt like I was looking into a mirror. "Is that… my mother?" I asked, stunned.
Alpha Mathew nodded. "Yes, this is your mother."
The resemblance was uncanny, and a strange, comforting warmth filled me as I looked into my mother's familiar green eyes, realizing that in so many ways, I was a part of her story too.
I stared at the photo, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
It was uncanny how much my mother looked like me, and it left me with a bittersweet feeling.
Alpha Mathew turned the page, revealing a new set of photos, and he pointed to one at the top. It was my mother, standing beside a man who looked very much like Alpha Mathew.
"This was taken around the time we met," Alpha Mathew explained softly. "Your mother was seventeen here."
A smile tugged at my lips as I studied the photo.
My mother looked so full of life in her and her green eyes was radiant of glow in the photos how happy she was. Alpha Mathew looked so much like the man I knew now—yet with a youthful spark in his eyes back then. My gaze shifted to another picture just below it, and I felt my breath hitch.
"Is that… my dad?" I asked, glancing up at Alpha Mathew.
Silence filled the room for a few moments, and I sensed an unspoken tension between us. Finally, he nodded. "Yes, that's your father, with the blond hair," he said quietly, his voice strained. "And that's your mother beside him… and me."
I could sense the weight in his tone, as if mentioning my father was painful.
Respecting his feelings, I decided not to press further. I rose from the chair, my gaze falling on a small display of photos and a jewelry box on the nearby cupboard. Drawn to it, I moved closer and saw that it held another picture of my mother and Alpha Mathew.
They looked deeply in love, their expressions soft and full of warmth, and it made my heart swell.
Alpha Mathew stepped up behind me, his presence steady and calm. "That was your mother and me back then," he said gently. "And this was her jewelry box." He pointed to the delicate box, its surface worn but beautiful. "If you'd like, you could have it."
My heart skipped a beat, and I looked up at him, a smile spreading across my face. "Really?" I asked, hardly able to believe it.
He nodded, and I felt a deep sense of gratitude. This small piece of her felt like a gift beyond words.
My hands trembled as I reached out to open the jewelry box, and was met with a small ballerina dancing while soft music played.
It was beautiful, bringing tears to my eyes as I watched the ballerina twirl. "Your mother got this for her 16th birthday, and I think she would want you to have it," said Alpha Mathew, standing next to me.
My trembling hand reached for the delicate jewelry inside the box. There was a diamond bracelet, and a necklace with a charm. "This is almost like the one I'm wearing," I said, looking at the charm that resembled mine.
"The necklace you're wearing was a gift from me to your mother," Alpha Mathew explained. "I gave it to her the day she became Luna of the pack."
My eyes widened as I realized the significance of the necklace.
I reached out to touch my necklace, holding the charm between my fingertips as I thought about how important it was to my mother. She never took it off. Now, I understood that this necklace was her Luna necklace.