Page 35 of Betrayed By the Alpha

"That doesn't matter. Hayley, there is something you should know. I don't—"

"No, Zach. Please. Whatever you have to say, just don't say it. The time we spent together was nice, and I'm glad we can be friends. Don't try to make this awkward for any of us."

She was trying to sound casual, but Zach knew better. He knew she had feelings for him. If she didn't, he wouldn't be there. It would hurt, but he would not beg a woman who didn't want him.

Hayley gave a slight shrug, but the tint on her cheeks showed she was a bit embarrassed. "You didn't answer my question. What are you doing here?"

"I don't want this to end, Hayley."

"You already ended it years ago. Remember? You said you were going to the priest to break the mate bond. You embarrassed me in front of everyone, and... let's just let it be."

"No. Listen. I never got the chance to say this. But that day, when you were abducted, I was coming to apologize and never got the chance. I didn't mean any of the things I said to you. I was just angry."

She looked confused. "Why would you be angry with me? I’d done nothing to you."

"I know you didn't do anything. I was stupid. A few months after I lost my father, I became aware that your father was on track to become mayor of our town., and...Bruce made me believe that your father had something to do with my father's death. I know it was stupid to believe him, but I did because your father was next in line. I hated your family, and when I learned that you were my mate, I just...spat out those words to hurt you."

"Bruce mentioned what he did," she muttered. She remembered everything he had told her when he had her tied in the basement. "So, what now?"

Ryder had told him it was best to be direct with his feelings instead of beating around the bush. "I want to be your mate. I don't want to be with anyone else. Only you. I want you to be by my side, because I love you, Hayley."

"W—what did you say?"

"You don't have to say it back because I did. It's okay if you don’t love me now. Maybe one day, you'll learn to. I understand that—"

"Oh, you talk too much. All you just had to do was say you loved me, and we would have avoided all this drama." She got up, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her to kiss him. "I love you, Zach. I have always loved you."

"You're serious?"

"Of course, I love you. I've always loved you...I did hate you too for a while, but what matters is that I love you now." She laughed and kissed him.

"Can you two at least shut the door?" Hayley hissed against Zach's lips as she pulled away. Greta watched them from the door, standing with her hands on her hips. "Zach, do you want to explain what you were doing?"

Before Zach could speak, Hayley was already walking to the door, ready to shut it in Greta's face. "He was kissing me, Greta. A beautiful moment which you just ruined!" Hayley sounded frustrated, but Greta continued to act nonchalantly.

"Which I ruined? Hayley, he was trying to woo you. You are a—"

"If you don't leave, maybe we'll put on a show for you."

"I'm gone!"

"Good!" Hayley shut the door, and when she faced Zach again, she had a sweet smile on her lips. "Sorry about that. She can be a lot sometimes." Zach was only amused. "So...are we mates again?"

"I think there are some rites we must do to mend the broken bond, but we could always do that tomorrow."

"I could live with that. But just remember Zach, now you are stuck with me forever. Even if you wake up one day and decide you don't want to be with me again, I will not let you go."

"Miss Green, if I wake up and decide that, I want you to call Greta to torture me for the rest of my life."

She grinned, then leaned forward to wrap her arms around him. "I love you, Mr. Zach Hill."

"I love you more."

Epilogue

A year later

Hey, you know when you said you would show up whenever I needed you?

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