Chapter 541: A Familiar Scent

Hayley’s POV:

I turned to Hera, a sense of confusion clouding my thoughts. “What do you mean?” This was the first time she had mentioned that Virginia’s scent felt oddly familiar, despite all the times we’d encountered each other before. Hera, equally puzzled, admitted it was the first time she had detected a werewolf scent on a woman she could place. But with Mrs. Laurel and Virginia standing before us in such a distressed state, there wasn’t time for further questions.

I tucked my curiosity away, took a deep breath, and stepped toward Virginia. “Mrs. Virginia, are you alright? Are you hurt?”

Virginia shook her head, still visibly shaken, her eyes wide with lingering fear. “I’m fine. Honestly, don’t worry about me.”

After everything that had happened, I guided them back to my grandparents’ house in the city. Benjamin had to leave early for some urgent business, so it was just the four of us. Grandpa, upon hearing of their ordeal, immediately brewed coffee, a simple gesture of comfort.

“This is just a temporary place for us,” I said, handing them each a cup. “The coffee might not be the best, but I hope it’ll suffice.”

Grandma offered a soft, apologetic smile, as though she could do more to ease their troubles.

“No need to apologize,” Mrs. Laurel replied, accepting the coffee. “We’re just thankful to be safe. We owe everything to your granddaughter.”

“Hayley, she kept her composure even when everything was falling apart. Despite being an Omega, she’s just as capable as any beta.” Mrs. Laurel’s eyes flicked to my grandparents as she spoke, a silent respect in her gaze. They exchanged a brief look but didn’t reveal my true identity to the Sanders. I shifted the conversation. “I recognized the driver in your car. He’s definitely one of the Sanders. How could he be involved in kidnapping you?”

Mrs. Laurel hesitated, exhaling a long, weary sigh. “It’s a complicated story. A family matter, really. A scandal. An outrage.”

“Every family has its skeletons,” Grandpa said with understanding. As the former alpha of the Shadow Pack, he’d witnessed enough power struggles to recognize the shadows of family secrets.

To my surprise, Mrs. Laurel began to speak openly. “Hayley saved us. Even though your family belongs to another pack, I trust you all.”

“I’m fine with spilling the beans,” she continued, her eyes darting toward Virginia for confirmation. Virginia nodded quietly, giving her permission to proceed.

“The events surrounding the Sanders aren’t exactly a secret around here. After the incident, my granddaughter Freya became the only one left holding the family together. She stepped in and took control. It was the only option, really.”

“But what shocked me was her betrayal. She colluded with witches, willing to destroy anyone who stood in her way for her own gain. She’s determined to ruin the Sanders’ legacy. When I found out, I tried everything to stop her. But instead of feeling remorse, she turned on me and my daughter-in-law, Virginia…”

I listened quietly, taking in every word, my thoughts heavy with each revelation. Freya’s cruelty didn’t surprise me. It made perfect sense. No woman with any sense of decency would willingly align herself with someone like Daniel. She was driven by nothing but ambition, willing to trample over anyone in her path. No wonder Hera, my wolf, always kept her distance from her.

“She’s unbelievable!” My mind was still swirling when Grandpa’s furious voice cut through the tension, pulling me back to reality. “Can you believe it?” he shouted, his cane slamming down onto the floor with a sharp, decisive crack. “How could she do this to her own family? To her elders?”

Grandma sighed deeply, her eyes full of compassion as she gazed at Mrs. Laurel and Virginia. Her empathy was unmistakable. Mrs. Laurel, moved by their kindness, quickly wiped a tear from her cheek, not bothering to hide her emotions.

I felt a lump form in my throat, but there was nothing I could do to ease their pain right now. I pushed my frustration aside for the moment. When the time came, Freya and Daniel would have to answer for their actions. They had no boundaries when it came to hurting everyone else. I was ready and waiting to make them pay.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself, and spoke. “Grandpa, Grandma, you two continue. I need to handle something in my room.”

“Alright,” Grandpa replied with a wave of his hand.

I nodded to Mrs. Laurel and Virginia as I headed toward my room. But just as I turned, the door creaked open. And there she was—Freya—entering without an invitation.