Alpha Hayley’s Destined Mate

Chapter 461: I Didn’t Know Her

Hayley’s POV:

As Shereen stood there, her face frozen in shock, Benjamin and I exchanged a glance, both confused by her sudden reaction.

“What’s going on, Aunt Shereen?” Benjamin asked, his voice filled with concern.

Shereen quickly composed herself, shaking her head. “I’m fine… Sorry, Hayley, I just lost my composure for a second.” She avoided looking directly at me, and I couldn’t help but notice how her body seemed to shake ever so slightly. Her behavior felt strange, like she wanted to say something but was holding back. I felt a sense of unease creeping in.

In that moment, Hera whispered in my mind, “Hayley, her scent… it feels so familiar.” I didn’t understand. I didn’t know her, so how could that be?

“Ben… Hayley… Please sit down. I’ll go change and be right back,” Shereen said, hurrying toward the stairs.

I pulled on Benjamin’s sleeve and quietly asked, “What’s going on with Aunt Shereen?”

He seemed to sense the oddity in the situation too. “It’s nothing,” he said calmly, trying to reassure me.

Third-person POV:

A moment later, Shereen dashed upstairs, her body shifting into her wolf form in the blink of an eye. She slammed the door shut behind her as if she were trying to escape something. Rushing to her vanity, she opened the most secret drawer, pulling out a beautifully ornate box. After a brief hesitation, she opened it. Inside was a black-and-white photo of a young woman. If one studied the picture, they would see how much the woman resembled Hayley—about 70 percent, in fact.

It took Shereen half an hour to come back downstairs. Instead of rushing over, she stood near the entrance, her eyes locked on Hayley from across the yard.

Hayley’s POV:

I immediately felt a pair of eyes on me, watching from the shadows. I turned around and saw Shereen standing there, her expression unreadable.

Chapter 465: I Didn’t Know Her

She moved toward us, her steps steady. When she reached me and Benjamin, she looked me in the eye and held my gaze.

“Aunt Shereen! Are you alright?” I asked, my voice filled with concern.

Shereen didn’t answer right away as she walked up to me, her eyes unblinking. She then reached out, taking my hand in hers. “Hayley… I don’t know why, but you feel so familiar to me. Which pack are you from? Do you live here in the city?”

I answered, “I’m from the Shadow Pack. I don’t live here.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, her voice trailing off. “Not from here, huh…”

“Aunt Shereen, what’s going on?” I asked, sensing something was off.

Shereen seemed to snap back to reality, quickly turning to Benjamin. “It’s nothing! Ben, Hayley’s here for the first time. You should show her around more.”

Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right with Shereen. I couldn’t put my finger on it, though.

Benjamin, sensing the oddness as well, asked, “When will Uncle Trevor be back?”

Shereen hesitated before responding. “There’s been a situation at the company. He won’t be back today, but that’s fine. We can get together some other time.” She picked up the teacup in front of her and took a large sip, her movements casual.

We stayed for lunch and chatted for the afternoon before heading out around sunset.

Before we left, Shereen pulled me aside and handed me a stunning gemstone bracelet. “Hayley, this is a little gift for you. I know you’re studying here now. I hope we see you and Ben more often.”

I glanced at the gift, feeling a bit awkward, but Benjamin encouraged me. “Take it. It’s a gesture from Aunt Shereen.”

I smiled and quickly thanked her, “Thank you, Aunt Shereen!”

“No need to thank me. Drive safely!” she replied with a smile.

Once in the car, exhaustion washed over me, and I leaned back into the seat, drifting into a deep sleep. When I finally woke up, I realized we had already arrived at the school. Benjamin hadn’t woken me.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” I asked, a little confused.

Benjamin leaned in, brushing a gentle kiss on my forehead. “You were sleeping so peacefully. I didn’t want to disturb you.”

I gathered my things and said, “It’s not too late. I can still go to the library for a bit.” I unbuckled my seatbelt, preparing to get out of the car!

“I’ll head back to school now,” I said, ready to leave.

Just then, Benjamin reached out and grabbed my wrist.