Chapter4: Unexpected Return
1393 Words
Abby's POV
The phone rang loudly from the sitting room, breaking the moment. Hayden swore under his breath and dashed out to answer it.
“We need to go. There’s been a scandal at the estate,” he announced as he re-entered, his face dark.
“A scandal?” I asked, confused. “What happened?”
“Someone leaked false information about me,” Hayden explained tersely. “It’s making headlines and causing chaos. I need to deal with it immediately.”
We left the resort in a rush. In his office, Beta Alex and Delta Lucius were already at work.
“We traced the source of the leak to the Ember Moon Pack,” Alex said.
Hayden’s eyes narrowed. “That’s Alpha Damian’s pack. Why would he do that?”
“They elected a new Alpha recently,” Alex replied.
Hayden sighed in frustration. “I can't let them ruin my reputation with a fabricated scandal.”
Pacing in the office, he asked, “What’s next?”
“Our legal team is on it,” Lucius replied. “We’ll issue a public statement and manage the pack’s response.”
Before dusk, the media frenzy began to calm, and the false accusations were being refuted.
Hayden took a moment to catch his breath. He glanced at me with a tired but relieved expression. “I’m sorry to cut our vacation short, Luna,” he said, kissing my forehead. “Delta Lucius will drive you home. I need Alex to stay and work with me here.”
I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Be safe, Hayden.”
As we drove, I turned to Lucius. “Can you take me to the mall instead? I need a distraction.”
“Okay, Luna”, Lucius agreed. I wandered into a bookstore, hoping to find something to take my mind off the chaos.
“Abby?” a familiar voice called my name as I browsed the shelves.
I turned and froze. “Derek? Is it really you?”
He smiled warmly. “Yes, it's me,” he said, pulling me into an embrace. “I've missed you”
Still surprised, I muttered, “It's good to see you.”
“I never stopped thinking about you, Abby,” he said, glancing at my neck. “You still wear this necklace?”
“Yes,” I said, touching the necklace. “I waited for you, thinking you'd come back sooner.”
Derek's expression turned serious. “There’s something I need to tell you. Can we talk somewhere private?”
“Now?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said, staring intently.
“Alright, there’s a café nearby.” I signaled to Lucius to give me some time and walked to the café with Derek. We found a quiet corner. As we sat down, Derek leaned forward.
“Abby, you are my mate.”
Shock hit me. “Mate? But...?”
“Yes, my wolf confirmed it. I wanted to tell you then but was waiting for you to get your wolf first,” he said. “I was pained when I heard you married Hayden. I've come to claim you, Abby, as my Luna.”
“Luna?” I exclaimed. “Are you an Alpha now?”
“I’m the new Alpha of the Ember Moon Pack,” he explained. “And the scandal against Hayden — it’s about us.”
“Us? What do you mean?”
He reached across the table, holding my hand. “The scandal is a move to break you away from Hayden and bring you to me. The pack believes we should be together.”
I was stunned. “But Derek, I... Hayden and I...”
“Hayden is dangerous, Abby,” he said, glaring at me.
“Oh Moon Goddess,” I muttered. “Derek, you were the kindest person I've ever met, but I'm married to Hayden now.”
“This is about our packs and our future,” he replied.
“You can’t just make decisions for me, Derek,” I protested.
“Do you love him?” Derek’s eyes bored into mine.
I hesitated. “It would have been better if you had come back before I married Hayden. It’s not that simple.”
Derek’s grip on my hand tightened. “It’s that simple, Abby. Do you love him?”
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed. It was Hayden. I pulled my hand away from Derek’s grasp and answered.
“Abby, where are you? Is everything alright?” Hayden’s voice was tense.
“I’m at the mall,” I said, glancing at Derek.
“Come back to the estate. It's getting late,” Hayden insisted.
“I’ll be there soon,” I replied, hanging up.
Derek looked at me, determined. “Think about what I said, Abby. You deserve happiness.”
I stood up, conflicted. “I have to go. Call me later.”
As Lucius drove me back to the estate, my mind buzzed with Derek's sudden arrival and his shocking claim.
“Abby, where have you been? I was worried,” Hayden said, his voice a mix of concern and irritation as I stepped into the house.
“I ran into someone I knew,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
Hayden plunged me into his arms, holding me tightly. His eyes, dark with emotion, locked onto mine.
"I really need you right now, Abby," he murmured, his voice low and rough as his hands moved over my body with urgency. We made love for the first time since our marriage, and Hayden marked me, even though I'm not his fated mate.
The next morning, Hayden sat on the edge of the bed, troubled and focused on his laptop.
"Good morning, Hayden. Is everything alright?" I asked, my voice still groggy from sleep.
Hayden turned to me, attempting a smile but failing. "Morning, Abby."
"You look worried. What happened?" I pressed, sensing something was off.
He sighed, his face growing serious. "I had Alex find out about the new Alpha of the Ember Moon Pack. "I was shocked to find out he's from my old pack. Why would he risk his life to come after me when he's clearly no match for me?” he said, his voice edged with anger.
My heart skipped a beat. Hayden knows Derek, I thought. I need to tell him the truth.
“Hayden, there’s something important I need to tell you,” I said, my voice trembling.
With his eyes still on the screen, he asked, “What is it?”
“I know Derek,” I stammered.
Hayden’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You know Alpha Derek?”
“Yes, it’s complicated,” I said.
Hayden’s gaze grew intense. “Complicated? How?”
“He’s an old friend I lost touch with six years ago. I ran into him at the mall yesterday. He claims I’m his mate, which is why he caused the scandal,” I explained.
Hayden’s eyes narrowed with anger. “What are you talking about?”
“Derek and I were together before he left. Now, he wants me to be his Luna,” I explained.”
Hayden's jaw tightened. “This is ridiculous. How dare he?” he growled, his eyes glowing with rage.
Maybe Derek is right,” I said, my voice trembling with confusion over our past relationship.
Hayden shook his head, frustration evident. “Abby, are you seriously considering this?”
“I don’t know what to think,” I admitted, trembling. “Everything is happening so fast.”
Hayden's expression hardened. “You’re my wife, Abby, Duskfire Luna. You stay with me,” he growled as he dashed out of the house.
Later in the day, my phone beeped with a message from an unknown number:
“If you want to learn the truth about Hayden, meet me in the underground parking garage at Silver Crescent Hotel. — Derek”
Feeling a tight knot of anxiety in my chest, I made my way to the Silver Crescent Hotel.
In the quiet underground garage, Derek lay crumpled on the floor, his face battered and clothes soaked in blood. He struggled to remain conscious as Hayden stood over him, his expression unreadable.
“Hayden, what did you do?” I screamed, rushing to Derek’s side.
- Writer
