Hayley
I was busy going about my Luna duties, preparing for the upcoming pack party.As the Luna of our werewolf pack, it was my responsibility to ensure everything was in order, and that everyone would have a great time celebrating together. I loved my role, and it gave me a sense of purpose, especially during these challenging times.I did love to plan a party so I was glad for this opportunity to take my mind off of things, especially with the fact that Annie was going to be living with us now.After the conversation that I had with her, I made sure to avoid her as much as possible which seemed to work because she was never in my way either, but it was harder to do with Damon since we shared the same bedroom. He was not sleeping in it right now, living in one of the guest rooms as per my requests even though every night when I woke up to him it was an emotional drama, and whenever I remembered why, I cried hard and wished that things had never happened the way they had.As I set up the decorations, I overheard hushed whispers from some of the pack members nearby. My heart sank when I realized they were gossiping about my husband Damon's infidelity. My cheeks burned with embarrassment and anger, but I decided not to confront them. I needed some space to process what I'd just heard.“Are you okay, Luna?” One of the women who had been gossiping asked as she walked up to help me with the ribbons and I decided that perhaps I could confront them after all.“Yes. Help me with these and that when you’re done gossiping.” I said, pointing to the ribbons.“And I don’t need to remind you that spreading rumors and gossiping is bad for the pack, right?”Her face paled but she nodded immediately and I gave her a fake smile before heading out of the hall, my eyes stinging with tears.I hated this so much.Feeling overwhelmed, I decided to run down and seek solace in the company of my best friend Candice. I found her sitting under a tree, looking at peace amid the bustling preparations as she ate a cookie.Typical of her to be eating amid all the chaos, I thought with fondness as I approached her."Hey, Candice," I said, forcing a smile as I sat down next to her.She immediately noticed the distress in my eyes. "Hayley, what's wrong? You look upset.""I overheard some pack members gossiping about Damon cheating on me," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I can't believe they're discussing our matters like this."Candice wrapped her arm around me, offering comfort. "I'm so sorry, Hayley. People can be cruel, especially when they don't know the whole story."Tears threatened to spill over, but I blinked them back, not wanting to show vulnerability in front of the pack. "I just don't understand how they can do this. I thought we were a close-knit family."Candice squeezed my shoulder gently. "Some people can be thoughtless and insensitive, but don't let their words define you or your worth. You're an amazing Luna, and you don't deserve to be treated this way."I took a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. "I know. I just feel so hurt and betrayed by Damon. I thought we had a strong bond, but now I don't know what to believe."Candice looked at me with empathy in her eyes. "I can't imagine how difficult this is for you, Hayley. But remember, you have the power to decide how you want to move forward. Whether you choose to forgive and work through this or go your separate ways, know that I'll support you no matter what."Tears finally spilled from my eyes, and I leaned into Candice's comforting embrace. "Thank you for being here for me, Candice. Your friendship means the world to me."She held me close, her presence a balm to my wounded heart. "You don't have to face this alone, Hayley. I'll be by your side every step of the way."As I cried in her arms, I knew I had a true friend in Candice, someone who would stand by me through the darkest of times. With her support and strength, I felt a glimmer of hope that I could navigate through this storm and be strong enough to attend the party tonight.That strength faltered however when I entered the bedroom that I shared with my husband later that evening and walked by our wedding photo on my way to the bathroom.Crying hard again in the shower, I walked out dressed in a robe and froze as Damon walked into the room, and my breath caught in my throat. He looked stunning in his black tuxedo, exuding an air of confidence and charm that never failed to captivate me. The tuxedo hugged his tall, strong frame perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and trim waist.His dark hair was neatly styled, adding to his polished and sophisticated appearance. His mesmerizing blue eyes that used to sparkle with a mix of warmth and mischief, the kind of eyes that could light up a room and draw you in like a magnet were dull and sad but I would never forget that they were the same eyes that had first caught my attention and made my heart skip a beat.In his black tuxedo and with his mesmerizing blue eyes, Damon was the epitome of elegance and sophistication. But beyond his dashing appearance, it was the love, support, and unwavering devotion that he had towards me that had made me fall in love with him. Now, I could no longer even believe that he had any of those feelings for me anymore. Not when the evidence of his infidelity rained the same halls that I roamed and would be giving him a child soon.“Hayley.” He breathed, his voice sending an involuntary chill down my spine and when he tried to close the distance between us, I shook my head and I saw the pain in his eyes as he forced himself to remain where he stood.“What do you want?” I asked.“I wanted to see how you were doing. And of course, escort you to the party.”“You don’t have to escort me to the party,” I answered, immediately feeling hurt because there was a time when just the thought of being apart from him used to make me feel like I was going insane.He tried to smile but it didn’t reach his eyes.“I know but as Luna and Alpha, it would be best if we appeared together, don’t you think?”He did have a point and I nodded, heading to the bed and picking up the dress that I had asked Eve to dry clean for me.Feeling very self-conscious, I went back into the bathroom to change and when I came out, I saw him inhale.“You look beautiful.”My hair was still damp and I was waiting for Eve to come do my makeup in the next five minutes but I could see the sincerity in his eyes as he spoke and I fought the urge to walk over to him and pull him in for a deep kiss.“Thank you” I answered instead and he nodded.Just then there was a knock on the door and Eve entered, bowing low as she saw Damon first before turning to me.“Can you come back in like thirty minutes? She wants to help me with my hair and makeup?” I said to Damon and he nodded, rising to his feet and leaving the room but not before giving me a stare filled with longing that made my breath catch.Forty-five minutes later, I was set and my arm in Damon’s as he led me down the hallway to the hall where the party would be taking place.“You look breathtaking, Hay. I love you. Please never doubt that.” He whispered, his words tugging at my heartstrings but the doors to the hall opened before I could say anything and he led us into the party that was already in full swing.“You outdid yourself, love,” Candice said walking up to kiss me on the cheek and I smiled for the first time.The hall was a breathtaking sight to behold, transformed into a mesmerizing wonderland for the party. As I stepped inside, I was immediately enveloped in an atmosphere of excitement and celebration. The vibrant energy filled the air, setting the perfect tone for the festivities that lay ahead.The hall was spacious, with high ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers that cast a soft, warm glow over the room.Long, ornate tables were arranged along one side of the hall, adorned with exquisite floral centerpieces that burst with a kaleidoscope of colors.The dance floor, in the center of the hall, was an expanse of polished wood, waiting to be filled with the laughter and joy of the party-goers.Throughout the hall, beautifully dressed guests mingled, their laughter and chatter filling the room with an air of merriment. Waiters gracefully moved through the crowd, offering trays of delectable hors d'oeuvres and refreshing drinks, ensuring everyone's enjoyment.The hall was a feast for the senses, a sensory delight that appealed to both the eye and the soul and I was glad that I could even organize this.Following Damon around as he socialized with the others, with a permanently forced smile on my face, I froze as the doors opened and Annie walked into the party, wearing a beautiful green dress and heading towards us.HayleyI could feel my heart pounding the moment Annie walked into the party and even though I tried not to overanalyze what she was wearing, it seemed like it was impossible to not just stare at her.She was wearing a stunning emerald green dress that seemed to accentuate her every curve. The dress was fitted at the top, showcasing her slender shoulders and delicate collarbone. From there, it cascaded gracefully down to her feet, hugging her waist before flaring out into a gentle A-line silhouette. The fabric shimmered with a subtle sheen, adding an extra touch of elegance to her attire.The neckline was a modest V, hinting at a glimpse of her collarbones and drawing attention to her neck. Thin spaghetti straps adorned her shoulders, adding a touch of delicacy to the overall look. The back of the dress dipped slightly, revealing just enough skin to maintain an air of sophistication.Her blonde hair cascaded in loose waves, falling gracefully around her shoulders and down her back. Th
HayleyI could not believe what had just happened. In fact, it felt like something that had just happened in slow motion because one minute I was lost in thought as I walked behind Annie toward the fountain as I wondered what she could possibly want to talk to me about, and the next minute, she was spilling her drink on me which caused me to lose my balance and fall into the water fountain. I felt utterly humiliated as I stood there, my dress and hair drenched from the fall.“Oh my God, I am so sorry that this happened. Oh my God.” Annie rushed towards me and when she stretched out her hand to help me out, I stopped her and got out of the fountain myself, my clothes dripping water and my hair ruined. I could only imagine what my makeup looked like at that moment and I watched as Annie dissolved into tears like she was the one who had just been humiliated.“Oh my God, I’m so sorry, I never meant for this to happen. Please believe me.” She wailed and just then, the crowd started to co
HayleyA few days had passed since the dreadful party, and as each day passed, I grew even more uncertain about whether I had imagined the entire thing about Annie pushing me into the fountain, given how she had kept trying to get in my good graces. I wanted to believe that it was in my head, but some rumors were now spreading like wildfire within the pack. The tension in the entire pack was almost palpable, and it felt like everyone was walking on eggshells around me. I couldn't escape the whispers that reached my ears, filling my mind with doubt and fear. The worst part was the rumor that Annie, the woman carrying my husband's child, a child who had now been branded as the Alpha's heir, might be my replacement as Luna.It would have probably helped if I already had a child before all of this happened but with the fact that I remained childless while Annie continued to walk around in the pack, her hands on her stomach protectively, I was growing even more worried about the fact that
HayleyI was shaken the entire morning, nearly falling on my face when I heard the news. The news had come at the crack of dawn and it had been Candice who had come to me to deliver the horrifying happenings. Maya, the maid that had come to give me food last night but I had been too upset to even muster an appetite had been found dead this morning and the cause of death had been determined to be poisoning. The worst part of the news had not even been that she had been poisoned. It had been that the last thing she had eaten was the meal that I had told her to eat in my stead, which meant that the original victim of the food poisoning was supposed to be me and that sweet girl had just paid the price and been collateral damage in my stead. Who could have done this? Why did they do this? And how did they even get close to being able to poison food that was intended for the Luna to eat? “I need to see her body,” I told Candice, throwing a gown over my body and marching to the infirmary
DamonLost. That was how I had felt every day since the night that I had cheated on my beloved Hayley. I had hoped with all my heart that the one-night mistake would never come to light after it happened at that summit but it seemed the universe had other plans and Annie had fallen pregnant. I had to watch the light go out of my mate’s eyes when I broke the news to her and the days that had followed had been pure torture, watching her slowly become a shadow of herself and doubt herself, knowing that I was the cause of everything. I knew that I could not hide from my responsibility which was why I had to bring Annie with me and so far, I was happy that Annie seemed to understand the situation and was not asking for more than what I could give her. I had thought that after that ball, the bad days would slowly fade away as time went and that I would be able to slowly but steadily win Hayley’s trust back, but then something worse had even happened that left me at a loss for words and a
HayleyThe murderer was still out at large. Even worse, the news of the truth that I was the actual person that was meant to be poisoned and not my dead maid had spread around the pack, despite Damon's decision to keep the news quiet while we hunted for the culprit. I had not agreed with him initially but seeing how people had reacted to the news immediately after it came out, made me realize just how little I was cherished by our pack members. Only a few of the high-ranking pack members were openly concerned and had reached out with their condolences, offering their support in catching the culprit. The others did not even act like they were bothered whether I lived or died and even one of them had made a joke about how I was saved thanks to my lack of gluttony. I really wanted to believe that even those who did not show their support for me openly after receiving the news were genuinely interested in helping us find the culprit but as the days went by, I grew even more skeptical,
Damon"You asked to see me, Alpha?" "Indeed," I said to my beta, raising my head from the files that were currently scattered on my table. "How was your night out?" He said, raising his eyebrows with a small smile on his face and I fought the urge to smile as well but I couldn't. Not after what had happened last night with Hayley. When Candice had come to me, informing me about the latest rumor that had to circulate the pack. According to her, they were already saying that I would crack under the pressure and replace Hayley with Annie.I had been enraged, but the moment my sister had told me that Hayley had heard that rumor, my anger had turned to sorrow. I had done this to her and I couldn't even rush to her side to console her, for fear that she would send me away. I couldn't lie that it was not eating away at me that I could not sleep in the same room with her anymore and it seemed like with each passing day, my chances of getting her back were dimming. The light in her eyes h
HayleyLingerie shopping. Yeah, scandalous I know. And That was why I didn't take Candice with me and just asked for a guard to escort me to go clothes shopping. I was feeling happier this particular morning because last night had been wonderful. Damon had slept over again and the sex was mind-blowing. It had to be some sort of way for us to try and get back the time that we had spent apart from each other that made us practically glued to the hip but I loved every moment of it. As a matter of fact, I looked forward to the evenings we spent together, having dinner with him and proceeding to take each other's clothes off at the speed of light. If anything, I was glad that I had accepted to go for that dinner with him that night. I loved him so much and even though the thought of Annie carrying his child still made me feel less than enough, I was counting on the fact that we loved each other to overcome this phase of our life. I couldn't stop thinking about the way Annie had looked