Page 29 of Betrayed By the Alpha

Chapter 14 - Zach

In hindsight, maybe he shouldn’t have yelled at her. He didn’t think his voice had been particularly loud until after he had left the room. Looking back, he regretted about half the things he said, except for when he said she should have told him about the threatening letters. He hadn’t slept a wink since then, his mind twirling with thoughts about her. He didn’t know why, but he had a bad feeling churning in his gut, especially when he remembered Hayley saying she would be getting full control of her inheritance. It wasn’t just about the deal coming to an end, and having no reason to visit her, or crawl in through her windows just to be with her. But the letters…he feared whoever it was would try and take action if it was about the money, and that scared him more than anything.

He debated calling her to ensure everything was all right, but he doubted that she would answer any of his calls. Zach sighed, rolling to the edge of the bed. He didn’t think he could go to sleep if he didn’t resolve things with Hayley.

He needed to speak to her. He needed to make sure she was all right.

"So, how did it go down again?" Ryder asked after Zach had finished explaining everything that had happened. He met his friends at the bar to keep to the promise he made to Ryder the previous day, and to discuss the suspect who had been caught earlier. The man had admitted he was a member of the bandits but refused to reveal the name of their leader. After spending the entire day with him, Tolliver had no choice but to call in Selisa.

Tolliver smacked the side of Ryder’s head. "You would know if you weren’t paying more attention to the bartender’s ass."

Ryder shot him a look, rubbing the spot Tolliver smacked. "I was listening. I’m just trying to understand why you asking about the threat letters led to this big fight?"

It took Zach a moment to understand what Ryder was saying. "I don’t know," he answered. "She has her reasons. Maybe she doesn’t trust me completely? Hell, I wonder if it’s because she feared I might be the one threatening her."

"Why would she think that?" Tolliver asked.

Zach sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I don’t know."

"Zach, this whole thing...it’s not just about helping her with the inheritance, is it?"

Zach wasn’t even thinking about the inheritance when he drove to her house that day. It had been the last thing on his mind. The main reason he went there was to apologize. "It was never about the inheritance. I wanted to see her before I even found out about that."

"You should go talk to her."

"And say wha? She said she hated me. She never wants to see me again. Also, the inheritance is being handed over to her tomorrow. She doesn’t need me anymore. Maybe Hayley and I were never meant to be together."

"That’s bullshit, and you know it," Tolliver said. "Go, speak to her. The more time you spend away, the bigger the rift you create between you two."

"I agree," Ryder added. "You both said things out of anger. Come on, Zach. You love this woman. Can’t you see the way she’s changed you? You've been happier and more outgoinglately, maybe even more fun. She is making you a better man. If you let this fight end things, you’ll regret it."

Zach let out a frustrated groan. "I have to go." He brought his phone out and texted her, letting her know he would show up at her place soon. "Later."

"Good luck," Tolliver said.

Zach hurried out of the bar. It was raining heavily, but Zach didn’t care. He rushed to his car and stepped hard on the gas. When he arrived at the mansion, the first thing he noticed was that the gate was wide open. That wasn’t normal. The Green’s gate was always shut, especially since Greta always made sure the gates were locked before she went to bed. Another thing he noticed on his way in was a slipper, on the floor, just close to the entrance door, which was also open. It was the duck slippers Hayley always had on.

"Hayley!" he shouted, running into the house. "Hayley, where are—" He paused when he noticed a figure lying on the ground, close to the kitchen door. "Greta? Shit." He rushed to the older woman. She was bleeding from her forehead and unconscious, but she was still breathing. "Greta." He shook her, but the woman didn’t budge. "I’m sorry, but this is going to hurt like a bitch." He snapped his claws out. One of the advantages of werewolf claws, apart from their quick speed in ripping the heart out of his enemies, was their ability to draw out pain and heal. The only catch was that it was one of the most painful processes in the world. He raised his arms, ready to dig in, when Greta’s eyes snapped open.

"Don’t you dare," Greta hissed. "Or I’ll bite your furry ears."

Zach sighed in relief. "Great, you’re awake. How do you feel?"

"Like I got hit by a bus." She groaned loudly, gripping the side of her head. She hissed when her fingers brushed against the bruise. "Oh no...wait, where is Hayley? Did they get her?" She sat up quickly, looking around the room.

"I was just about to ask you the same question, and who is they?"

"Some men attacked us. I could have handled them, but they had some type of rope, it stopped my powers, and they took me down. I wasn’t the one they were here for, otherwise I wouldn’t be alive. If you didn’t meet Hayley when you walked in, it means they have her."

"I saw one of her slippers outside. Her scent was weak. It was probably an hour ago. Greta, do you have any idea who might be behind this?"

"No." She shook her head. "I don’t, I’m sorry. Hayley had enemies, but I don’t know anyone who would try to hurt her."

"Those letters you said Hayley received, can I see them?"

"Yes, but how will that help? They are barely a paragraph, and each of them just says the same thing, warning Hayley to leave for the city and forget the inheritance."

"There is no time, Greta. Hayley is in serious trouble. Show me the letters."

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