Page 13 of Twisted Destiny

"Hey, that's what friends are for,” Willow replied before saying her goodbyes.

Hayley ended the call and headed back inside the cabin. As she moved through the cozy rooms, she couldn't help but feel a sense of peace settle over her. The more she thought about staying at Twisted Tail, the more peace she felt.

Her wolf was content, and for once in a very long time, so was she. That alone had to be worth something.

A light knock sounded on the door. Hayley’s heart jumped. It was hours before Jackson was due back at the cabin to start work for the day.

“It’s the Alpha,” her wolf said in her mind.

Fear washed through her veins. When the last Alpha came knocking, it was never a good thing. Dread settled in the pit of her stomach. She wanted to run, far and fast, but Hayley knew it would do no good. The Alpha knew she was there. He could smell her.

“He won’t hurt us. He’s a good and fair Alpha,” her wolf said with a degree of confidence Hayley seriously lacked. However, her wolf’s assessment did calm her nerves a tiny bit. She sucked in a deep breath and padded over to the front door. After another deep breath, Hayley twisted the handle and opened the door.

“Hello.” Though she wanted her voice to come out strong and confident, the single word barely squeaked past her lips.

“Hayley.” Calder nodded. “I wanted to stop and check in with you. To see how you are settling in.” His voice was smooth and pleasant compared to Griffin’s severe, gravelly voice. She didn’t feel the immediate sense of danger like she had any time Griffin was close by.

“So far so good. Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?” Although she really didn’t want to extend the invitation, she did. Her wolf assured her that it was the friendly thing to do.

“Coffee would be great, thanks.” Calder followed her through the door. “The front porch looks great. I see Jackson stopped by.”

“Uh, yeah. He’s been great about getting some work done around here.” Images of their night together passed through her mind. She pushed them back, not wanting the Alpha to know the porch wasn’t the only thing Jackson nailed last night. A light blush crept up over her neck and face. Hayley turned, hoping the Alpha didn’t notice. She didn’t know him or anyone else well enough to want to have that sort of conversation.

“I’m glad. This is a special place, but the upkeep was overlooked for far too long, like much of Twisted Tail.

Hayley wasn’t sure how to respond to Calder’s statement other than with a nod before turning to the cupboard and grabbing two cups. Once they were both filled to the brim, she handed one to Calder before taking a sip of her own.

“Thanks,” he said. “How are you doing? Are you getting along okay?”

Hayley felt like she was at yet another crossroads when it came to her life and her decisions. The first had been deciding to come back to Twisted Tail. This one was nagging at her even more. When she had first arrived, she’d been hellbent on putting the cabin up for sale and walking away. Now, she wasn’t so sure that was what she wanted.

“I’m not quite sure.” She answered honestly. “At first, I just wanted to sell this place and be done with it. Now, being back here, I’m having second thoughts. Feeling my inner peace slowly being restored isn’t something I had expected. You have to understand, when I fled from here before, it was to save my life. Griffin would have killed me. His men were hunting me.” A lone tear slipped from her eye. She quickly wiped it away.

“I’ve heard countless stories about the trauma people in this pack faced under Griffin. I’m sorry you had to go through that. No one should ever have to live like that—under any circumstance. I know you have no reason to trust me, but I hope to earn your trust one day. I will tell you that life at Twisted Tail is no longer like it was before. That people are no longer in fear for their lives or their basic necessities. We take care of our own here. Your wolf can feel the truth of my words, but even if you don’t want to believe it, I’d welcome you to get out and spend some time in town. See it with your own eyes. Talk to others. I want you to be comfortable with whatever decision you make. What it comes down to is that Twisted Tail can be a haven for those who seek it," Calder explained, sensing her hesitation. "We're a peaceful and stable pack here, and we look out for each other. If you choose to stay, I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety and well-being."

"Really?" Hayley raised an eyebrow, her skepticism creeping into her voice. "You don't even know me."

"True," Calder admitted, his expression softening ever so slightly. "But I can tell when someone has been through a lot and could use some support. We've all got our demons, Hayley. Here in this pack, we face them together."

As Calder's words washed over her, Hayley felt a flicker of something she hadn't experienced in years – the faintest glimmer of hope. But could she really trust this man, this stranger who claimed to have her best interests at heart? She glanced back at him, her eyes searching for sincerity, and found it in the unwavering determination that burned within his gaze.

"Maybe I'll stick around for a while," she said slowly, carefully weighing each word. "See how things go."

"Good." Calder nodded, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I think you'll find that Twisted Tail has a way of growing on people. And if you need anything, just let me know."

"Thanks, Calder." Hayley returned the smile, feeling more of the ice around her heart thawing. For the first time since she'd arrived in Twisted Tail, she allowed herself to entertain the possibility that she might find her long-lost sense of belonging within the sheltering embrace of the mountains and the warmth of her long-lost pack.

9

After Calder left, Hayley decided to heed the Alpha’s advice of spending some time in town. She threw on something more fashionable and less mountain hag, pulled her hair into a messy bun, and headed into town. Their conversation was fresh in her mind as she made her way down the winding, narrow roads into the small town. A smile spread across her face, her heart and soul feeling lighter than they had in ages.

Being back where she had been born and raised felt natural, like home should. It eased her soul—something Hayley had not expected to feel.

“Are you really considering staying?” her wolf asked in her mind.

“Yeah, I think so.” It was crazy to give up everything that she had worked so hard for. The apartment, the job, her life as she knew it. But when it came down to it, Hayley knew none of it meant anything without a community around her. Not only that, but her wolf also needed her pack—something Hayley had ignored for far too long.

She pulled into Cam’s Diner and threw the rental car in park. The sun broke through the clouds as she stepped from the vehicle and closed the door. An old pickup truck caught her attention. Her heart skipped a beat, and a smile spread across her face. Stepping inside the diner, the smell of bacon, eggs, and coffee enveloped her, making her stomach growl.

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