Alpha Hayley's Destined Mate by Andrea Townsend

Chapter 524 I Should’ve Been Faster

Benjamin’s POV:

As soon as I saw Hayley, a wave of relief washed over me.

40 Pearls

I pulled her into my arms without hesitation, holding her tightly. For a moment, I wished we could become one so I’d never lose her again.

“I’m here,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. Iently stroked her back, savoring the proof of her presence.

The thought of nearly losing her was unbearable.

“I know,” she replied, her eyes brimming with tears. She smiled softly and traced her fingers along my face. “Thank you, Ben.”

I shook my head, a pang of guilt surging through me as I gently patted her head. “I should’ve been faster.”

As I touched Hayley’s hand, the sticky sensation made me pause.

Looking down, I noticed her palm was marred by wounds and streaked with blood.

The deep red served as a brutal reminder, piercing me like a blade.

“What happened? Are you hurt?” I asked, my voice trembling with concern, though I hesitated to touch her further for fear of worsening her pain.

as though it was nothing. “Just a few small cuts. They’re not serious.”

As an Omega, her pain tolerance was low. How could she be fine with

clearly downplaying it to keep me from worrying.

it go. Whoever caused that–whether it was Irving or someone else would pay.

shut, leaving only Hayley and the other woman present. It was obvious

from, and I silently vowed

surged within me, and I could tell Lawrence was equally

woman.

hand gently on Hayley’s shoulder, I said,

the woman called Lisa, who was

Hayley’s POV:

steps, I immediately

after him, grabbing his sleeve to stop him. “It wasn’t her fault,” I blurted out. “I

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stronger. He assumed Iwas trying to protect Lisa and refused to listen to a word I said.

was clear he

heart was conflicted–1 felt both worried and oddly reassured.

their wolves took over. I knew Lisa would face unimaginable consequences if Benjamin acted in his current

person responsible was Irving. She was merely a pawn in his schemes.

where he held the knife. “It’s true. I injured myself and thought