HAILEY’S POVI am stuck. If his goal is to sway me, he has done that successfully. He doesn't even remember all the evil things he has done to me in the past and now, he wants us to be lovey-dovey mates? The worst part is that I cannot resist him even if I try. “I want to know what happened between us.” I raised my brow when Zac said this. “No, I'm not asking you to tell me. It must hurt that I'm even here.” Yes it does but you wanna know another thing? I'm excited that you're here. My wolf is attracted to you and I love your scent. I even dreamt of a future for us and Kendall, our daughter but wishes are nothing but mere words. “So?” I asked, urging him to say whatever he wanted to say. “So I want to earn your trust, love and respect.” I may or may not have laughed a bit because I found this funny, funnier than that comedy show I watched with Madam Crystal two weeks after my first birthday here in Oklahoma. “Wait, what?” I laughed again because it was still so funny to me. He did

HAILEY’S POVI couldn't sleep. It's only a matter of time until the truth finally comes out. She could tell it was her father and his wolf probably knows it's his daughter. I paced around the kitchen and went towards the sofa in the living room. I messed up the moment I took him in and worst of all, I messed up when I decided to give him another chance. Even when I did not say it, it was so evident that I had given him a second chance and maybe I deserve whatever is happening to me now. “Can't sleep?” I turned around and saw Zac standing by the door to my room, leaning on the frame. “Well, not necessarily.” I responded. “There's no rest for evil doers, is there?” He smirked at me. What was he implying? Wasn't he the one that rejected me and my child?“What do you mean?” I frowned.“Well, I did something bad and I think there's really no rest for me anywhere.” He walked towards the sofa I sat on and took a dip into the sofa right beside me. “What did you…” then it clicked. “You did

MATILDA'S POV I sat on the edge of my bed, sipping my wine and staring at the wall. Kiara had left to find Hailey and Zac, and I was alone with my thoughts. The Elders' council meeting had been a success - they were all eating out of the palm of my hand, and Cedric was one step closer to becoming the Alpha.But, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Zac was still out there, and Hailey... well, she was a wild card. I didn't know what she was capable of, but I knew she was a threat. And, I couldn't let her ruin my plans.Cedric walked into the room, a smug look on his face. "Well, well, well. Look who's drinking alone?" He chuckled and sat beside me, taking the glass from my hand and sipping the wine. His eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a flutter in my chest.I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my attraction. "You're not funny, Cedric."He put his arm around me, pulling me close. "Oh, come on, Matilda. You're so tense all the time. You need to relax." His voice was low and husky,

ZAC'S POVI watched Hailey walk into the house, Kendall sleeping in her arms, and felt a pang in my chest. I knew I had to be patient, to give her time to think, to process everything. But it was hard, when all I wanted to do was hold her, to tell her how I felt, to show her that I was all in.I followed her into the house, my eyes fixed on her, as she laid Kendall down on her bed. And then, Kendall spoke up, her little voice clear as day. "Mummy, you can date him."Hailey's eyes met mine, and I saw a flicker of surprise, of uncertainty. But then, something shifted, and she smiled, a small, tentative smile. "Okay, baby," she said, her voice soft. "Mummy will think about it."I felt a surge of hope, of excitement. Maybe, just maybe, we were on the same page. Maybe we could build a life together, a life with Kendall, and see where it takes us.As Hailey walked out of Kendall's room, I followed her, my heart pounding in my chest. "Hey," I said, my voice low. "Can we talk?"She turned to

ZAC'S POVI walked into the hospital, searching for Hailey. I had been thinking about her all day, and I couldn't wait to see her. Finally, I found her at the pediatric ward, surrounded by children's laughter and beeping machines. I approached her quietly, not wanting to disturb her work."Hey, Hailey," I said, holding up a box of cupcakes. "I brought you some treats."Her face lit up, and she smiled. "Really, Zac? You're the best! I love cupcakes."I grinned, feeling happy that I could make her day a little brighter. "I know, that's why I got them for you. What's your favorite flavor?"She thought for a moment before responding, "Red velvet, definitely."I handed her a red velvet cupcake, and she took a bite, closing her eyes in bliss. "Mmm, this is so good."As she finished her cupcake, I asked, "Hey, Hailey, can I take you out for ice cream after your shift? I heard there's a great place nearby."Her eyes sparkled. "I'd love that, Zac."After her shift, we walked to the ice cream p