Liam POV
Once I was ready, I grabbed my phone and keys and headed to the pack gates of the head security of the town. The guards nodded at me, recognizing my authority, but I wasn't in the mood for pleasantries.
I made my way to the security room, where the surveillance cameras covered every inch of the border. And each street of the town.
"Pull up yesterday's footage," I ordered the on-duty guard, my voice sharper than usual.
He raised an eyebrow but didn't question me, typing commands into the system. The screens flickered as images from the last 24 hours loaded, one camera feed at a time.
"I am looking for Yesterday footage of Dunkin Street" I say to the security.
I leaned over the monitors, scanning each frame intently. My wolf, Ace, growled low in my head, his instincts on high alert. The scent on Haylie's dress told me the rogue had been nearby, but I needed visual proof.
"There," Ace growled suddenly, and my eyes snapped to one of the screens.
It was Haylie wearing her white summer dress trying to get away of someone, she was in a hurry and then there was young man with blond hair fallowing her and grab her wrist that she could stop. What it looked like they have an intense conversation about something.
I zoomed in on the feed, my heart pounding. The man had a lean build, casual clothes, and though his face wasn't fully visible, what I could tell he have blond hair and that his face future was little slim and long.
"That's him," Ace growled, his voice dripping with disdain.
My fists clenched at my sides. Whoever this rogue was, he had crossed a line by coming so close to Haylie. I watched how Haylie pull her hand out of his grip then run off. What ever happen there between the two of them was intense.
I didn't care what his excuses were—his presence was a threat to me, and I wouldn't let him put her in danger. And telling her that he love her make my blood to boiled in me.
"Keep this footage secure," I instructed the guard. "No one else sees this unless I say so."
The guard nodded, sensing the tension in my voice.
As I stepped out of the security room, and took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. My next move had to be calculated. I needed to confront Haylie, but not in anger. She had to tell me the truth—about JC, about the rogue, about everything.
"We're not letting this go," Ace said firmly in my head.
"No," I agreed. "We're not."
I pulled my hoodie tighter, the night air cool against my skin as I make my way outside to the bike.
My love for Haylie burned brighter than my anger, but that didn't mean I'd let this slide. Whoever JC was, he was going to regret ever coming near her.
That night, sleep eluded me entirely. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, the buzzing chaos refusing to quiet. Every detail I had uncovered replayed in an endless loop: the messages on Haylie's phone, the footage of her and that man, and the distinct tattoos on his arm and neck.
He wasn't from here—that much was clear. A rogue wolf, Ace had said.
I tossed and turned in my bed, unable to settle. My wolf moaned in frustration within me, urging me to rest, but it was impossible. How could I sleep after everything I'd seen and learned?
The day had been perfect. Haylie and I had connected in ways that deepened our bond, taking our relationship to a level I'd never thought possible.
And now... this. The revelation that someone—a rogue wolf, no less—was after her.
Why hadn't she told me? Why would she keep something so dangerous to herself? The bracelet she had given me, a symbol of our bond, now felt like a weight on my wrist.
Her words echoed in my mind: We are bound to each other. If that were true, why hadn't she trusted me with this?
I glared at the ceiling, the questions piling up. Maybe she felt too threatened to speak about it, too afraid of what might happen.
But then, why had a strand of her hair been cut? Was it possible she hadn't noticed it herself? Or worse—was it someone else who had done it?
None of it made sense.
The events of the day—the joy, the love, the intimacy—now felt overshadowed by the storm brewing in my head. I clenched my fists, frustration and worry tangling within me. I needed answers, and I needed them soon.
"Why, Haylie?" I whispered into the stillness of the night. "What's really going on?"
I stared into the dark, determined.
Whatever it took, I would uncover the truth. And I would protect Haylie from whatever threat was lurking in the shadows—even if it meant confronting the rogue wolves myself.
Melody POV
The transformation spell was seamless. Once I stood before the mirror in Haylie's reflection, I marveled at how perfectly I had replicated her appearance. Her fiery red hair framed my face, now identical to hers, complete with the faint freckles dusting her pale skin.
Even her green eyes stared back at me with an uncanny realism.
Yet, despite the external changes, I remained fully myself inside—my thoughts, my magic, and my purpose intact.
I walked over to her cupboard, rifling through her belongings until I found a pair of her nightclothes. They felt snugger on me than expected; Haylie's figure was more petite, her chest smaller compared to mine.
Even her nails were plain and clean, a stark contrast to my preferred black-polished aesthetic. I frowned at that detail but decided it was a minor inconvenience I could endure for now.
Dressed as her, I moved to her bed and slipped under the covers. The mattress was lumpy and old—completely unlike the soft, supportive bedding I was used to. It irked me, but I didn't let it show.
Instead, I waved a hand, channeling my magic. With a quick spell, the bed beneath me shifted, the firm surface rippling into the soothing waves of a waterbed.
I let out a small sigh of relief, sinking into the gentle motion. This, at least, was an improvement.
The room was now dark, lit only by the faint moonlight streaming through the window. I could hear the quiet creaks of the house settling and the occasional rustle of leaves outside. I closed my eyes, ready to rest.
But this wasn't just rest. Over the next few hours, I would fully immerse myself in Haylie's life. Every nuance, every habit, every interaction—I would learn it all.
Becoming her wasn't just about appearances; it was about understanding what made her tick, what secrets she might be hiding, and, most importantly, what dangers lay ahead.
This wasn't just a game. This was a climb into Haylie's very existence, a life I intended to commandeer, even if only temporarily.
Her world would soon be mine.
Haylie POV
I opened my eyes to the soft sounds of birds chirping outside and a chilling cold that clung to my skin.
The blanket draped over me felt unfamiliar, and as I sat up, it struck me that I was not in my own room or anywhere what I could recognized. A frown creased my brow as I scanned the space, feeling an unsettling mix of confusion and anxiety full me.
Glancing down, I noticed that I was still in the elegant dress Liam had given me to wear yesterday, which added to my disorientation.
As I stood, cold air bit at my bared of arms, sending shivers down my spine. I quickly wrapped the blanket around me for warmth before taking a closer look at the room that surrounded me.
The wooden walls and dark oak floor gave the cabin a rustic charm, with a cozy rocking chair by the window and cupboards lining the walls. But the more pressing question loomed in my mind: Where were you? Gathering my courage, I decided to explore, leaving the bedroom and stepping into a narrow hallway.
The crackling of a fire caught my attention, pulling me toward the sound.
Maybe I'd find someone familiar—perhaps Liam or my Aunt Camelia? With cautious steps, I approached the room from which the sounds emanated, feeling a mix of hope and trepidation.
As I entered the living room, the scene unfolded before me: two brown, cozy sofas, a plush fur carpet, and a built-in stone fireplace that danced with flames.
But standing in front of the fire was not Liam. Instead, a tall, slender figure captured my gaze. He had an athletic build reminiscent of Liam's but wore a brown leather jacket, jeans, and a hat that obscured his hair.
I took a step closer, my heart racing, but the floor creaked loudly beneath me, betraying my presence.
In that moment, my heart nearly stopped as the man turned around, revealing his identity.
When I saw his face, surprise coursed through me.
It was JC, the last person I expected to find here. The confusion in my mind only deepened as I took in his presence, standing before the fire in this strange place.
"JC!" I managed to say, voice barely above a whisper, filled with a mix of disbelief and urgency. "What are you doing here? Where am I?"
My heart thundered in my chest as JC' looked at me.
His expression softened as he looked at me, but there was a mix of worry and determination in his eyes that sent a fresh wave of unease through me.
"Haylie," he said, his voice low and steady, though it carried an edge of urgency. He stepped closer, his movements careful, as if he didn't want to startle me. "You're safe now. I promise."
I tightened the blanket around me, the warmth from the fire doing little to soothe the chill that had settled deep in my core.
"What do you mean, safe? JC, what is this place? Why am I here?" My voice trembled as confusion and fear battled within me.
He let out a heavy sigh, running a hand down his face before meeting my gaze. "I had no choice. They were coming for you, Haylie. If I hadn't gotten you out of there, they would've found you. "
I took a step back, the weight of his words sinking in like a stone. "Who would've found me? What are you talking about? Does this have to do with the messages you've been sending me? Your bothers "
JC nodded, his jaw tightening. "Yes. My brothers —they want you dead, Haylie. Is because of your mother kill our brother and our parents and… I couldn't just stand by and let it happen. I couldn't lose you." His voice broke slightly at the end, his vulnerability momentarily breaking through the urgency in his tone.
I shook my head, trying to piece everything together.
The room seemed to tilt as my thoughts raced. " So you kidnap me! … You can't just—just take me without telling me, JC! Liam—" I froze mid-sentence, dread twisting in my gut. "Liam doesn't know I'm here, does he?"
JC's silence was answer enough.
His gaze dropped, and he took a small step closer. "I didn't have time to explain to him, and honestly... I wasn't sure how he'd react. But believe me, Haylie, this was the only way to keep you alive."
Anger flared within me, overpowering the fear. "This isn't your choice to make! You can't just decide what's best for me without even asking! Do you have any idea what you've done?" My voice was sharp, the blanket slipping from my shoulders as I stepped toward him, desperation clawing at me.
JC didn't flinch, though his eyes flickered with regret. "I know you're angry, but everything I've done is for your protection. If you go back now, they'll find you. Please, just trust me."
Trust. The word hung in the air between us, heavy and fragile. I stared at him, the boy I'd once known, now a man standing in the glow of the fire, his face etched with worry and something deeper—love, perhaps, but also guilt.
I didn't know whether to scream, cry.
"I cannot take you back Haylie" he says low while looking at me.
His words were determined, his voice resolute, as if he had already made up his mind. I couldn't let this situation go unchallenged.
Taking a step backwards, I turned around and without hesitation, I began running in search of an exit in the creaking wooden house. The sound of JC calling my name echoed in my ears, but I was desperate to escape.
The musty smell of old wood filled the air as I sprinted through the corridors. He couldn't just kidnap me and expect me to accept everything, like opening my arms to his protective embrace. It was all too insane.
Despite the biting cold, I pressed on. I finally found the front door of the house, swinging it open without a second thought. As I made a dash for freedom, I felt the icy touch of snow beneath my feet, the cold seeping through my thin black dress.
The freezing air stung my lungs, making my breaths heavy and labored. Every step was painful as the snow crunched beneath my feet. Panic and confusion filled my mind.
The cold snow bit into my skin, the icy wind stinging my face as I ran, my breath coming out in ragged gasps.
Panic surged through me, making my legs move faster, though the pain in my feet and the biting cold slowed me down. My heart raced, not from the physical exertion but from the terror of not knowing where I was or how I had ended up here.
I needed to escape. I couldn't let JC dictate my life like this. The house—the place I had woken up in—was far behind me now, and I couldn't stop the panic rising within me.
Then, I heard his voice, closer this time. "Haylie!" His shout was filled with both concern and frustration, but it only made me run faster.
I didn't care if he cared about me or thought he was protecting me. **My family was back there**—Liam, my aunt, the people who loved me and who I loved. This was not JC's decision to make.
"Haylie, wait!" JC's voice echoed from behind me, but I kept running, ignoring him. I could hear his footsteps growing louder, his presence closing in, but I wouldn't stop.
My chest burned with each breath as I pushed my body to the limit, the pain from the snow beneath my feet almost unbearable.
Suddenly, his arms were around me, pulling me back with an iron grip. I screamed, the sound breaking through the cold air, panic and anger flooding my veins.
"Let go of me!" I shouted, thrashing in his hold. His arms tightened, and I could feel his breath against my neck as he spoke again.
"Haylie, you have to listen to me."
I writhed, my heart pounding in my chest. "No! You don't get to do this!" My voice was frantic now, tears blurring my vision. "I don't care what you think is best! Take me back—NOW!"
He didn't release me, though. His hold on me was too strong, too steady. I could feel the tension in his body, the frustration and desperation, but I refused to listen.
This wasn't his choice to make.
"Haylie," JC said again, this time his voice softer, more pleading. "Please, just listen to me."
But I couldn't. Not now. I couldn't let him take me from everything and everyone I knew. The snow seemed to stretch endlessly before me, the wilderness feeling foreign and wrong. My heart ached with longing for the warmth, the safety, the familiarity of home.
I struggled harder against his grip, and finally, he loosened it, though not enough for me to escape. I was still trapped in his arms, unable to break free.
"JC!" I gasped, struggling to keep my voice steady, but tears were streaming down my face now. "You can't just take me like this. You have no right!"
His voice was low, full of regret. "I know I don't. But I'm trying to protect you, Haylie. I swear I am. I never meant for it to be like this, but you don't understand what's at stake."
I stopped struggling for a moment, though my mind was racing. What was he talking about? What could possibly be so dangerous? Why had he taken me here?
My thoughts swirled in confusion, and my chest tightened with the realization that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't escape him—not like this.
Not when I didn't even know where I was or how to get back. But in that moment, I was faced with an impossible choice: *Would I trust him, or would I keep fighting for my freedom? *
"Please Haylie let's just go inside and get you warm and let me explain everything " he say while his arms was around me.
I took breath in but the coldness was burning my lungs. Where ever I was it was snowing and was cold as ice. "Okay "I say to him "But then I want to know everything "
Despite when I say okay I thought that he would let go of me but instead he threw me over his shoulder and walked with me like that back to the house "JC put me down "I shouted but he did not put me down instead he walked me like a potato bag on his shoulder.