Page 79 of Hayden's Haven
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HAYDEN
Damien’s wolf followed behind Hayden’s wolf at a respectable distance. Hayden had been sure his alpha would give up hours ago and return to camp, but he was still there, in the shadows, trailing him. Hayden shifted and paced, his hands on his hips. He didn’t even recognize what part of Damien’s territory they were in, and he knew every tree and rock after eight years of living and defending his pack. That’s how much Mila had messed with his head. Even if Hayden wanted to challenge his brother, he was in no shape to do so.
“Whatever it is, Damien, I don’t want to hear it. I told you I’m not challenging Drake. Exile me, or throw me in chains. I don’t care. You can even end me if you’d like, I won’t fight you. At this point, it would be a mercy.”
“I’m not here as your alpha.”
What else was there at this point? Hayden had already destroyed their friendship, calling into question too much of who Damien was to ever be forgiven.
“I’m worried about you, Hayden. We all are.”
Those were not the words he expected. Why would anyone worry about him at this point? He had done just about everything he could to show he didn’t belong in Damien’s pack. They should be happy to see him go, though he wasn’t even sure if that’s what he was doing out here.
“You had a falling out with Mila,” Damien continued.
Of course, Damien knew. One of his guards had been trailing Mila. He must have overheard everything and reported back to Damien, which was rather irksome considering it was no one else’s business. “It’s over between Mila and me.”
“Why?”
“You mean your spy didn’t tell you?” Hayden asked, wincing as soon as the words left his mouth. Now, he was effectively accusing Damien of using his guard to spy on Hayden.
Damien sighed, heavily, causing Hayden to look at him for the first time. His alpha’s expression was somber, pained even.
“That wasn’t fair of me,” Hayden said, apologizing.
“Mac only said there was a fight between you two. He didn’t offer details, and I didn’t ask.”
“She lied to me.”
“About?”
“It doesn’t matter. But it was enough to realize we don’t belong together.”
“Then count yourself lucky.”
A growl threatened to explode out of Hayden. For Damien to insult Mila. . . Hell, Hayden was defending her when he shouldn’t be.
“I thought you liked her,” Hayden said, forcing his voice to remain even.
“She’s a lovely person. Tess, Anna, Kate. All the women get along with her. As do many of the males here.”
Hayden’s wolf snarled. Apparently, his wolf hadn’t let go of Mila yet.
“And we need her work, her dedication. She’s an asset to our pack, and I hope she stays.”
“Why wouldn’t she stay?”
“Only you can answer that. Will what happened between you two drive her away? Or will you be leaving us, because from where I stand, you don’t seem inclined to stay, Hayden. I think you were ready to leave us before you broke it off with Mila.”
Was that what this little talk was about? Learning whether Hayden was leaving so Damien could finally appoint a new second without appearing weak, proving to the masses his first choice had been flawed?
“I’ll be gone as soon as I collect my personal belongings.” Clothing, a picture or two, reminders of his life here. He’d be better off leaving them behind, but he’d had some good times here too. Plenty in fact. Hayden faced the path leading away from camp.
“Please reconsider, Hayden.”
Please?That wasn’t a word Damien used often.
