Alpha Hayley's Destined Mate by Andrea Townsend

Chapter 542 Open to Anyone

Hayley’s POV:

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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.”

are rules, after all,” he continued. “In any pack, wolves don’t oppress one another. That’s a rule that applies to

frown on her face deepened. She

lessons later,” she said stiffly, her words laced with tension. “But not today. My mother and grandmother were in

hesitation. The older woman resisted, but Freya didn’t care, dragging her toward the door.

turned icy, tinged with something far darker. “Grandmother, we should leave now. Without you and Mom around, the family

as she rushed forward, slapping Freya’s hands away in desperation. “Let

shoved Virginia aside with a

17 Feb

542 Open

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+8 Pearls

even blink. She stood there, her

she straightened her hair, her earlier composure

stirred something deep within me, a sharp tug at my chest that I

as always. She wanted control, to take over and deal with

down, pushing aside her urge, and rushed to Virginia’s side. “Are you alright, Mrs. Virginia?” I asked,

for the late Michelle. “Michelle, my darling daughter, I’m

as she blinked, finally recognizing me. A wave of regret washed over her face.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s no trouble at all. If you’d like,

brightened, her grip on my arm tightening as

then turned to Mrs. Laurel.

it was Mrs.

Laurel hesitated. Her lips parted, but

conflict in her eyes. Freya, for all her faults, was

Laurel and the others stepped aside,

understood her reluctance. Mrs. Laurel was reluctant to relinquish the