Page 18 of Betrayed By the Alpha

"I never hated you, Hayley."

"Then why?" she pushed.

He sighed, looking away from her. How was he supposed to tell her about his conversation with Bruce? If she knew that he suspected her father of being the one behind his father’s death, he feared she would hate him. "I’m sorry. I can’t give you the answer you want."

"Oh, fuck this! You’re always sorry, Zach. I’m tired of hearing that. You know, I had a lovely time and it’s nice to get to know you a bit more. I am just going to go home before I ruin this night for both of us." She turned to walk away.

"Hayley, wait," he said, going after her immediately.

"Leave me alone, Zach!" she yelled. A gust of wind nearly swept him off his feet just when he was going to hold her. Hayley was already losing it.

Zach got to his feet and ran to her. "Wait." He grabbed her elbow and pulled her to him. She tried to snatch her arm away from him, but his grip was strong. He pushed her against the wall and caged her in that position. "Please," he added. "Calm down, Hayley."

She hit her head against his chest several times. "God, I hate it when you talk like that. You are so annoying, you know?"

"I know," he agreed.

"I hate you, so...so much."

"I know that too. You say it every day." He reached for the back of her head, bringing her close till their foreheads were touching. She was breathing fast and harsh. "Take calming breaths, Hayley." He brushed his fingers against her hair, his other arm patting her back gently.

The howling wind slowly calmed, leaving only a sense of calmness in the air. When he looked her in the eye again, slowly the red orbs turned to the green he was used to.

"I’m sorry, I think I ruined your house," she whispered, looking down at her feet.

He looked above her head, she was right. His house was pretty messed up, but he could deal with that later. "I don’t care. Do you feel better?"

"Yes. I’m sorry, I haven’t been taken by rage like that for years...I—" All the while she spoke, her eyes remained on his lips. "Your lips are so pink. Is that a werewolf thing, or are you just blessed?"

"I’m not sure," Zach whispered.

Slowly, their lips inched closer, like a magnetic force was compelling them. Hayley pressed herself against him, so that her hard nipples rubbed against his chest. She had a smile on her face. "Kiss me now," she whispered. Their lips touched tentatively. Zach pulled back, holding her at arm’s length.

"Maybe we shouldn’t."

"No, no, we should." Hayley moved closer to him boldly and pulled him closer to her. She pressed her lips hard against his. Zach wanted to kiss her and hold on, but he didn’t feel she was in the right state. He didn’t want their first time to be like this.

"Sorry," she apologized. His eyes searched hers, he could see she was embarrassed. Zach felt terrible, that wasn’t his intention. He reached to pull her close to him, but she took two quick steps away from him. "No, Zach. That shouldn’t...I don’t know what came over me. I have to go." She hurried to grab her jacket. Zach followed.

"Hayley—"

"Stay away."

"Let me drive you home, at least."

"I can drive myself. Goodnight, Zach." She hurried out and slammed the door behind her.

Chapter 9 - Hayley

"I’m so stupid. Arrgh!" She hit her head against the steering wheel, which did nothing but cause her more pain. She felt disappointed in herself. Hayley knew a few more seconds in his hold and she would have yielded to her desires. It was a constant battle whenever she saw him.

She had promised herself to hate him—and she did, or at least that was what she told herself. However, her heart couldn't help but feel differently. She had warmed up to him and didn’t even realize when or how. One minute, she was willing to do whatever possible to make his life miserable. Hayley wondered how she had moved from that to having dinner, having fun conversations, and sharing a kiss with him. She felt safe in his arms, especially when he had calmed her earlier.

There was something about that moment that reminded her of her father. The night Zach rejected her. It was the night she’d had her first real rage fit, and her father calmed her in a similar way. "He has definitely used a charm on me. This isn't normal. This can't be." She started up the car again and headed home. She placed her fingerprint as she drove up to the gate. This caused it to open and shut behind her the minute her car was in the compound. Hayley was surprised to see a light on in the house. She remembered that she told Greta not to wait up for her because she wouldn't be home early. She walked up to the house, pushing the door open and stepping in. Greta was seated in the waiting room. The woman stood up the moment Hayley walked in and from the look on Greta's face, Hayley knew all wasn't well. "Greta? What's going on?"

Greta held up a wrinkled white paper. Hayley raised an eyebrow in question, not sure what she was looking at. "What is this, Hayley?"

Hayley took her earbuds out, placing them at the back of her jeans pocket. "What is what?"

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