Chapter 168: She’s Not That Ugly
Benjamin’s POV:
Lawrence could sense Hayley’s scent growing stronger. Combined with the drug’s effects, an overwhelming instinct to mate with her surged within me. Fearing I might lose control and misbehave, I gripped the door tightly, ensuring she couldn’t come out.
“Stay in the bathroom! Don’t come out!” I commanded firmly.
Hayley said in frustration, “Benjamin, what do you mean? Open the door!” She pounded against it insistently.
“Lie down in the bathtub and stay there,” I replied with resolve.
She eventually retreated due to her discomfort or realizing she had no choice. The cold water seemed to offer her some relief. Meanwhile, I clung to my Alpha’s willpower, battling the drug’s pull. As the drug’s effects peaked, I drove a stick into my thigh multiple times; the pain dulled as my leg went numb.
After Hayley’s last knock on the door, there was nothing but silence from her side. It was clear the drug’s impact on her wasn’t minor, yet her ability to resist matched my own as an Alpha. Hours slipped away, and night had fallen. The drug’s effects had worn off entirely, but my clothes clung to me, drenched with sweat. My gaze fell on the scab-covered skin of my thighs, and my expression darkened as I struggled to rise from the ground.
Limping over to the bathroom door, I rapped on it lightly. “Hayley, are you okay?” I didn’t get her response. I knocked again, but still no reply. Deciding not to wait any longer, I opened the door and found Hayley asleep in the bathtub.
Watching her peaceful face, an unfamiliar wave of contentment washed over me. I approached her and called out softly, “Hayley, wake up. You shouldn’t sleep in the tub.” Despite my attempts, she remained in a deep slumber, completely unresponsive. Without hesitation, I lifted her out of the water, ignoring the way it drenched my clothes, and carried her out. In a daze, Hayley reached out, wrapping her arms around my neck, and leaned against me in a relaxed position.
In the confined space, the sound of my heart pounding was impossible to ignore, and even Lawrence appeared to settle down, his usual restlessness replaced by calm.
Carefully, I laid Hayley on the large bed and grabbed the phone from the bedside table to call for a waitress. When she arrived, I pulled a wad of cash from my wallet and handed it over. “Please bring her a set of clothes.”
The waitress, surprised by the amount of money, quickly fetched a set of her work clothes. “Alpha, this is all I have. I think we’re about the same size. Will this work for her?” I wasn’t particular, so I nodded in agreement.
After helping Hayley change, the waitress left. However, the bed was damp and no longer usable. Luckily, the room was spacious enough for alternatives. I moved Hayley to the couch and observed her silently. As I studied her face, I realized she wasn’t as plain as I had thought. When I looked at her features separately, they were actually nice. However, when viewed together, they seemed slightly out of sync. Despite this, there was a delicate quality to her appearance. Lost in my thoughts, I quickly averted my gaze.
With hours left until morning, I grabbed a blanket and set up a temporary bed next to Hayley.
Hayley’s POV:
That night felt both endless and fleeting. When I finally regained consciousness, my body was drained of energy, leaving me feeling weak and helpless.
“Hayley? Hayley!” It was my wolf, Hera, who had just woken up and was calling out to me. Her voice stirred a flicker of excitement within me, confirming who was nearby. Slowly, I sat up and spotted Benjamin lying on the ground. The events of the previous night came rushing back, leaving my heart unsettled. The memories from last night were familiar. As an adult, I knew what they meant.
I tightened my hands as anger rose within me. Whoever dared to scheme against me would face severe consequences.
“Don’t worry, Hayley,” Hera prowled in my mind. “This time I’ll make sure the one who did this pays! How dare they drug you while I was asleep!” Her fury mirrored my own, strengthening my determination to seek retribution.
Then, a sudden thought struck me. I got out of bed quickly, heading straight to the bathroom and shutting the door firmly behind me.