Chapter 30: What Are You Here For?

From Hayley’s perspective.

The familiar scent that made my wolf, Hera, so enamored drifted into the room just as the door was pushed open. Benjamin walked in.

“What on earth are you doing here?” I asked, looking at him with a mix of alarm and irritation.

“Hey! Be polite to him! I really like the scent he carries!” Hera protested within me. Lately, she seemed unusually excited whenever Benjamin was around.

I disregarded Hera and kept my gaze fixed on Benjamin. He remained silent, strolling over to stand beside me with a businesslike air. “Grandpa asked me to be your sparring partner.”

I promptly refused. “There’s no need for you to bother. You can go back.”

Benjamin showed no sign of leaving. He promptly changed into his gear, grabbed a racket, and took his position opposite me. “You know, even though I’ve succeeded to the position of Alpha of the Midnight Pack, I can’t disregard my Grandpa’s wishes. So, I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”

After a moment’s consideration, I realized that George meant well. Since my usual coach was on a break today, it seemed practical to let Benjamin be my sparring partner after all.

“Then let’s begin,” I said, swinging my racket with a sharp, decisive stroke that sent the ball hurtling toward him.

With a smooth glide, he effortlessly intercepted my shot. A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I watched his technique. It was clear he had a strong grasp of the basics.

Just as I was thinking this, he returned the favor with a beautifully executed shot. The ball was hit with a tricky angle and considerable speed, and I nearly missed it. Benjamin’s lips curled into a smile as he watched me nearly stumble while trying to retrieve his shot.

As an alpha myself, I wasn’t about to be outdone! My alpha spirit was stirred into action! I swiftly adjusted my stance and body position, found the perfect moment to strike, and returned the ball with speed. I then quickly regained my balance, moved back into position, and focused intently on his next shot…

We volleyed back and forth for quite some time. Eventually, I called out, “Let’s stop for a moment and take a break.”

He set down his racket and approached with a bottle of water, handing it to me, and took a seat beside me. To be honest, his appearance was strikingly handsome and imposing. Now that he had assumed the role of Alpha of the Midnight Pack, his aura was both powerful and somewhat intimidating. His status certainly seemed to match mine.

If I were to choose him as my mate…

I gazed intently into his eyes, and it seemed he could read the emotions hidden deep within me. Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes with a touch of cold arrogance and said, “I hope you don’t choose me as your mate.”

“Oh?” I concealed a fleeting sense of disappointment and asked with a hint of curiosity, “Why?”

“Because I already have someone in mind for the future Luna,” he replied in a flat, unfeeling tone. “And that person could never be an Omega like you.”

At his words, I couldn’t help but sneer dismissively several times. I cast him a sideways glance and said, with a touch of indifference, “That suits me just fine. To be honest, none of you are suitable mates for me. Once my year-long agreement with my Grandpa is over, I’ll be free to leave the Midnight Pack and find my destined mate on my own terms!”

With that, I turned my attention back to my practice and focused on perfecting my serves. With a sharp “crack,” I twisted my left ankle as I lost focus for a moment.

“Ah!” I exclaimed, wincing in pain.

“What’s happened?!” Benjamin immediately rushed over to support me. I found myself almost enveloped in his embrace, and the alluring scent of him grew ever stronger and more intoxicating.

Hera within me became agitated. “I want to be close to him! Let me get closer!”

I fought the urge to press against Benjamin and tried to calm Hera. “What’s going on with you lately? Why are you reacting so strongly when near him? Is it because I’m turning eighteen tomorrow?”

“He’s our destined mate!” Hera suddenly asserted with conviction, and her words resonated in my mind with the force of a thunderclap…