Chapter 192: A Crescendo of Choices
Hayley’s POV:
On the other end of the line, Nueve’s voice came through. My heart sank a little, a dull ache settling in. “Nueve,” I asked, “did I make a mistake by doing this?”
“I decided to leave this industry behind, so shouldn’t I have stayed out of the spotlight for good? Just faded away quietly instead of suddenly popping back up out of nowhere?”
“I’m only now realizing that the support and expectations my fans have for me aren’t any less than what the people of Shadow Pack have for us,” I admitted.
Nueve was quiet momentarily before asking, “Harmony, deep down, do you still love the music you’ve always been so passionate about?”
I didn’t know how to answer.
When I didn’t respond, Nueve continued, “No matter what, I’m just glad to finally see the day you’ve stepped back into the music world.”
“I’ve listened to that song. It’s fantastic. Your style hasn’t faltered one bit. If you ever decide to return to this industry for good, know I’ll always have your back, supporting you every step.”
I smiled sincerely. “Thank you.”
“Remember, you’re not just you. Countless people are standing behind you. They’re just like the people of Shadow Pack, who see their Alpha as a leader. They support you, wait for you, and they’ll keep waiting no matter how long it takes.”
My voice caught, and I responded softly before ending the call. I didn’t know when I’d finally make peace with the past version of myself, but I hoped that day would be close.
Benjamin’s POV:
Christopher’s new song was an absolute hit—a massive sensation. No matter which pack you were in, you could hear its familiar melody playing everywhere: on the subway, in the park, on buses, at schools. The song’s popularity was off the charts, breaking through every boundary. I even replayed it dozens of times, marveling at its unmistakable Harmony style. “She’s really back,” I muttered to myself.
Harmony’s music always calmed my wolf, Lawrence, even in his most restless moments. That’s why I’ve always loved her work. I kept an old Harmony album in my office drawer, and my assistant, Tyrone, knew about my love for her music. He smiled knowingly. “Looks like we’ll be hearing many more new songs from Harmony in the future.”
I nodded, my mood lightening. “Let’s hope so.” I glanced at the clock. It was almost 5 PM. Today was Christopher’s turn to pick up Hayley, but I grabbed my car keys and headed out anyway. “I’m stepping out for a bit. Cancel all my evening engagements.”
Tyrone quickly responded, “Understood, Alpha.”
Hayley’s POV:
After school, I followed my usual routine and went to the school gate. But after searching around for a while, I didn’t see Christopher’s car anywhere. So I called him. “Christopher, when are you coming?”
“I’m busy with my schedule,” he replied impatiently. “I’ll be a few minutes late. Just wait for me at the gate.” His tone carried the same dismissiveness as always. I knew he still despised me for being an Omega and, in his eyes, unattractive. If it weren’t for George’s insistence, he wouldn’t even bother coming to pick me up. But his attitude didn’t bother me. After all, the one-year agreement with George was almost up. Soon, I wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore.
I pressed my lips together and replied, “Got it,” before hanging up. Not hurrying, I found a bench by the gate and sat down to wait. Taking advantage of no one being familiar, I even slipped into the nearby woods. I let Hera, my wolf, take over. She ran wild and free, reveling in the open space.
When I returned to the bench, Hera stirred excitedly. “Benjamin is here!” she announced. Sure enough, a familiar Maybach pulled up in front of me a moment later. The window lowered, revealing Benjamin’s face. “Hayley—”
I blinked in surprise. “What are you doing here?”