Page 22 of Betrayed By the Alpha

"Now, now," Zach said, reaching forward to snatch Hayley's hand from the Mayor’s hold. "Hayley would not want to be overwhelmed." The three of them looked at Zach with an incredulous expression on their face. Zach raised his hands. "I'm just concerned."

"Anyways, Miss Green, you look simply amazing. I swear, I would trade my biggest diamond just to spend the rest of the night with you by my side."

"Thank you, sir."

"Yes, yes. I remember when you were little, now you are a grown woman. So beautiful, and ripe in all the right places." He winked. "You know, there's a lot I have to tell you. Maybe one day you could come over to my place. We could—"

"That won't be happening, Bruce." Zach gently pulled Hayley close to him. "My darling Hayley is a busy woman, and has many important things to look after, and even when she has the time, it will be to take care of her mate."

Bruce shared a look with Mr. Monroe who had not said a word since they arrived, choosing to watch the two in silence instead. "He is rather protective of her, Mr. Monroe, don't you think?"

"Yes, sir," Monroe answered.

"Well, I shall leave you two. Enjoy the evening," Bruce said, and Zach didn't miss the wink he sent Hayley's way before he turned to walk away. Monroe, on the other hand, had a stern look on his face.

"I am disgusted," Hayley said after they were gone. "That man was a friend to my father."

Zach remembered a conversation he had had with Bruce years before. He doubted Bruce ever saw Albert Hill as a friend—more like competition. Someone he probably only got closer to, so he could learn how to beat him. He chose to remain quiet. "And what's up with Monroe acting like Bruce's shadow? Honestly, I would rather have poo on my hands than have him kiss them again," she continued.

Zach didn't want to discuss Monroe and Bruce, so he looked for something else that would take up their time. "Come on, let's go dance."

"D—dance?" She took a step away from him. "No. I'll have to pass on this one. My legs may look like they work, but I have terrible feet. I am the worst dancer you will ever meet."

He smiled at her affectionately. "I doubt it. But if you want, we could go and join the townspeople to celebratethe festival in the market square instead. I’ve actually never celebrated the festival with the people, and I heard it’s fun."

"I would like that," she said. Zach reached out to grab her arm, leading her away from the hall. On the way, he caught sight of Bruce, who was watching as they walked away.

Zach was clearly impressed when they arrived at the market square. The wolves had decided to throw their own grand festival since Bruce chose not to invite half of them. Zach was given a warm welcome by the people who were grateful that the Alpha decided to spend time with them instead of Bruce's party.

"Okay, now this feels like a festival," Hayley told Zach after the girl who had painted her face left. "Thank you for bringing me here. How do I look?" She looked at him, grinning widely.

Zach chuckled. "You look wonderful as always, darling."

"Come on, let me paint your face."

"Uh...no, thank you I'll pass...what are you doing?" She was already waving over to someone to come paint his face.

"Relax, Zach. You’re always so stiff. You need to learn how to loosen up and have fun."

"Fine. But I don't like it."

Chapter 11 - Hayley

"Thank you for bringing me back, Zach," Hayley said when they arrived at her door hours later. The night had been a dream, and she enjoyed every moment of it. She finally got to dance again with the townspeople at the market square, and this time, she didn't have to worry about being a terrible dancer. She was surrounded by the crowds, and they all danced without worry. Hayley felt free.

"Well, now that I brought you back safely, maybe Greta wouldn't try to kill me when we next cross paths." She nodded at him with a small smile. They stared into each other's eyes before Zach tore his away. "Yeah, I better head home now. I wouldn't want you to have to stay up too late."

Hayley's eyes darted around uncertainly. "Oh...do you want to leave now? W—why don't you stay a little longer?" she suggested with a slight shrug like she didn't really care, but she didn't want him to go just yet. "It's not like you have anything important to do at this hour, right?" She crossed her fingers behind her, praying he would choose to stay.

He stepped closer to her, looking into her eyes. “Hayley, I would love to spend more time with you if that's what you are asking, but are you sure you want me to come in? I don't think Greta would be happy to see me here so late. She may not say it out loud, but I don't think she likes me that much."

"Really? I think she likes you. Plus, you’re the Alpha. She's just really protective of me. You know, after my mother died, Greta became the closest thing I had to one." Hayley looked down at her hands distractedly for a moment, then looked up at Zach again. "Greta isn't in, anyway. She went to see a friend. So please come in."

"So, it's just you?"

"And you. Because you are coming in with me, right??"

"Right."

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