Page 12 of Twisted Destiny

Quickly finishing up under the spray of the shower, they toweled off and headed straight for her bedroom. Jackson swept her off her feet and placed her gently on the bed. Crawling up between her legs, he kissed a path up her inner thigh to her core. Her back arched the second the heat from his mouth landed on her clit, her body humming with pent-up energy.

“I love the way you taste. The sweetness of your honey on my tongue. So fucking good,” he growled.

“Please,” Hayley begged, not knowing how much more teasing she could take. It had been forever since she had been with a man, and while she loved every movement of Jackson’s tongue, it wasn’t what she wanted or needed at that particular moment. She needed to feel his length sliding into her soaked core before pulling out and slamming back in.

Jackson shifted positions quicker than Hayley had thought possible and lined the head of his cock up with her entrance.

“Yes!” she cried out as she felt him shove slowly inside, her inner walls stretching to accommodate his thickness.

“Damn, baby. So good. So fucking good,” Jackson groaned.

Hayley wrapped her legs around his waist, her fingers tunneling through his thick hair as he pulled out and slammed back into her, knocking the headboard against the wall.

“Oh!” She cried out, loving the raw pleasure racing through every inch of her body.

Twisting his hips, he slammed in and out of her until her back arched off the bed, her climax surging through her.

As her body relaxed, she felt Jackson release her and pull her into his arms, his touch gentle and soothing. Hayley felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her, and she leaned into his embrace, content to rest in his arms for the rest of her life—and that was the scariest thing she’d had to face yet.

8

The sun rose behind the mountains and cast long shadows across the valley as Hayley sipped her coffee on the front porch and mulled over her options, unsure of what path to take. Her night with Jackson had been incredible, but it had left her more confused than ever. For now, she would stay at the cabin, allowing it to serve as both a sanctuary and a reminder of the journey that lay ahead. Selling the cabin the second the renovations were complete was still an option, and so was leaving Jackson to figure it out on his own while she went back to her life in the city, but for now, Hayley wanted to see the project through.

It wasn’t some sense of family duty keeping her at Twisted Tail. It may have been at first, but now, Hayley wanted to be there. The more time she spent there, the more leaving to return to the city, and her old life felt wrong.

She could feel the pressure mounting inside her, the decision hanging over her like a dark cloud. On one hand, she longed for closure and the chance to reconnect with her family's legacy. On the other, she feared the darkness lurking in the shadows of her past. She had so many bad memories of her time at Twisted Tail that she didn’t know if she could ever replace them with enough good memories to keep the nightmares away.

Hayley stood at the edge of the cabin's porch, her fingers gripping the rough wooden railing. The wind rustled through the pine trees, filling the air with a crisp, earthy scent. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, allowing the familiar aroma to fill her lungs.

“So much better than being trapped in the city day after day.” Her wolf’s thoughts filled her mind.

She had to agree. There was no place like home.

"Hard to believe this place is really mine now," she murmured, opening her eyes to take in the stunning view of the mountains in the distance. The sight was both breathtaking and intimidating, a constant reminder of the decision that had brought her back to her hometown.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her from her thoughts. Glancing down at the name, a smile lit her face.

“Hey.”

“Hi, you. How are you holding up?” Willow’s friendly voice was a welcome distraction from the black hole of doubt that was her mind.

“Not too bad. I forgot how beautiful it was here.”

"Are you happy you decided to go back?" Willow asked. The concern in her voice was evident, and it tugged at Hayley's heartstrings.

Hayley hesitated, her gaze fixating on the mountains. "I think so. I mean, it's just been so long since I've been here, and everything feels so different. I have yet to see anyone from when I used to live here. I wonder where everyone went or if they are still around?" That was the one thing that was still bugging Hayley. What had happened to the people she grew up with? Did they flee like she had?

"Change isn't always a bad thing," Willow replied. "You've changed too, you know. You're stronger now and more capable of handling whatever comes your way. As for your friends, you should ask Calder. If he knows, he will tell you. He’s a good man. A good Alpha."

Hayley pursed her lips, considering Willow’s words. "You're right. But it's also terrifying, you know? This place holds so many memories, both good and bad." That was the crux of the matter when it came down to it. Hayley was afraid of too much change, too fast, but there was also the fact that she wasn’t quite ready to trust that Twisted Tail had indeed changed. Sure, there was a new Alpha, but she didn’t know him—not really. What if he turned out to be just as bad as Griffin—or worse? What if he had the wool pulled over everyone’s eyes?

"Facing your past can be scary, but it's also necessary for growth," Willow said. "Besides, if you hadn't gone back, you would have lost the cabin – and your connection to your family."

"I know," Hayley admitted, her throat tightening with emotion. "That's what drove me to make the decision. The thought of losing the last piece of my family… I couldn't bear it."

"Sometimes we need to confront our fears to find our true path," Willow suggested, her words echoing Hayley's internal struggle. "I think you were meant to be there, Hayley. The pack needs you."

"Maybe you're right," Hayley murmured, a small smile playing on her lips. She could always count on Willow to cheer her up. "Thank you for always being there for me, Willow. I don't know what I'd do without you." She decided to hold off on the nagging feeling that Willow had pushed her toward returning to Twisted Tail for more than just the cabin. Had Willow known she’d find her fated mate there?

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