Chapter 526: Let Me Stay
Hayley’s POV:
I gave Odessa a polite smile, hoping to show goodwill. She briefly glanced at me, her eyes still filled with disdain and contempt. But she saw Benjamin; she sighed and nodded slightly in acknowledgment. “It’s good that you’re back. You must have been shocked. Go upstairs and rest.”
Odessa then turned to the maid, instructing, “Wendy, clean the previous room and bring a fresh set of clothes for Ms. Carson.”
“Yes, Mrs. Southwell,” Wendy answered respectfully.
Without waiting for me to thank her, Odessa walked over to the living room couch, holding her coffee. She didn’t outright reject me, which I understood as her way of making the biggest concession she could for the moment. Gaining her full acceptance would take time—probably until I revealed my Alpha identity.
As I started to turn away, Benjamin interrupted, calling to Wendy, “No need. Hayley will stay in my room. Just take her things there.”
After Benjamin spoke, I noticed Odessa paused, clearly displeased. She then lowered her head and stirred her coffee, acting as though nothing unusual had occurred. I had expected her to protest against me staying in Benjamin’s room. But to my surprise, she didn’t object at all. It was a change I hadn’t anticipated, and I was still processing how much Odessa had shifted.
Benjamin, however, wasted no time and led me upstairs. Nervously, I followed him, only feeling certain of the change in Odessa’s attitude once we were upstairs. I wasn’t sure what exactly had happened between them, but I knew one thing for sure—even if I continued pretending to be Omega or eventually became the Luna of the Midnight Pack, Odessa probably wouldn’t challenge me openly anymore.
That was more uplifting than the relief I felt after escaping death. I decided to take Benjamin back to the Carsons and explain Odessa’s shift in attitude to Grandpa and Grandma so they wouldn’t worry.
The next day, I brought Benjamin to the Shadow Pack. When we landed, he drove me home. Smiling, I teased, “Why has your mother stopped objecting to us being together?”
Benjamin grinned and joked, “Try to guess it.”
I’d been frustrated with Odessa for far too long, and coming back to a place I knew so well made me feel completely at ease. Naturally, I became curious. I pressed Benjamin, “Come on, what kind of magic can change someone like that? I need to know.”
He gave me a mysterious smile. “It’s a secret.”
Seeing he wasn’t going to give in, I got a little annoyed. I shot him a stubborn glare, turned my head, and muttered, “Fine, keep it a secret. Since you won’t tell me, I guess I’ll keep secrets from you too.”
Benjamin suddenly slammed on the brakes and pulled over to the roadside. The sudden stop caused me to lurch forward, only to be snapped back into my seat by the seatbelt. I turned to look at him, only to find his expression had changed from playful to one of hurt and frustration.
“What’s wrong?” I asked in confusion.
“Did you just say you’re going to keep things from me in the future?” Benjamin’s face darkened, and his expression turned angry. Even Hera, my wolf, could sense his intense emotions.