Alpha Hayley's Destined Mate by Andrea Townsend

Chapter 542 Open to Anyone

Hayley’s POV:

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+8 Pearls

Hera’s anger surged within me, fierce and sudden, a storm waiting to break.

For a fleeting moment, I found myself longing for the Shadow Pack’s estate.

If we were there, my warriors would have swiftly subdued her, bound her up, and administered punishment the moment she had the audacity to step inside uninvited.

“Ms. Carson, it’s been quite some time. Do you remember me?” Freya called, her eyes locking onto mine with calculated intent.

She strolled into the room, her presence filling the space with careless authority, as though the world revolved around her.

I didn’t respond, my mind wandering elsewhere. Should I send two beta warriors to guard the door, protect Grandpa and Grandma?

I couldn’t let anyone think they could simply stroll into my territory without consequence.

Freya, as expected, ignored both Mrs. Laurel and Virginia. Instead, she lavished her praise on my grandparents, the words dripping with fake sweetness. “You must be the esteemed Mr. and Mrs. Carson of the Shadow Pack,” she said, her voice honeyed, yet insincere. “Your presence is truly remarkable.”

“It’s no surprise that Ms. Carson turned out so brilliant and capable!”

Grandpa, however, was having none of it. He turned his face away, a clear sign of his disinterest. His voice -dripped with sarcasm as he replied.

“Hayley’s always done fine on her own. She didn’t need us to teach her,” he said sharply. “Some people, though, might need more guidance–otherwise, they’ll veer off course. If you wish to learn, I suppose we could give you a lesson, though I doubt you’re interested.”

rules, after all,” he continued. “In any pack, wolves don’t oppress

the message, and the frown on her face deepened. She

tension. “But not today. My mother and grandmother were in an accident. They’re shaken up, and I need to

arm without hesitation. The older woman resisted, but Freya didn’t care, dragging her toward the door.

we should leave now. Without you and Mom

widened in panic as she rushed forward, slapping Freya’s hands away in desperation. “Let go! You monster, let go!”

unphased, released her grip for a brief moment, then shoved Virginia aside with a brutal push. “What’s wrong with you?” she spat, her voice

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but Freya didn’t even blink. She stood there, her eyes cold and calculating, watching without a shred of sympathy.

if nothing had happened, she straightened her hair, her earlier composure replaced with a look of pure disdain.

Virginia crumple to the floor stirred something deep within me, a sharp tug at my chest that I couldn’t ignore. The ache in

my head, impatient as always. She wanted control, to take over

and rushed to Virginia’s side. “Are you

for the late Michelle. “Michelle, my darling daughter, I’m fine,” she murmured

the present. Her eyes fluttered open, confusion fading as she blinked, finally recognizing me.

chord in me. I quickly reassured her. “Don’t worry about it. It’s no trouble at all. If you’d like, you and Mrs. Laurel can stay here

on my arm tightening as hope flickered in her

to Mrs. Laurel. “What

fragile, thus it

lips parted, but no words

her eyes. Freya, for all her faults, was right

Mrs. Laurel and the others stepped aside, their legacy would crumble.

understood her reluctance. Mrs. Laurel was reluctant to relinquish the family’s power, the legacy that had been built over generations.